The days have been sunny and bright, my sun glasses measuring up to task. I bought some tea from India that claims to be good for eyes, it tastes lovely actually so even if it doesn't reach my eyes I like it.
I finally met up with Damen, my prison boy no longer , a grown up man having spent the last couple of decades in the slammer. He came up north to work with vets at a veterans farm where they EE I eee I O with a chick chick here an oinker there-huge organic garden. A place to work and heal damaged goods. Damen is offering a counsel service and a strong body to help hoist them bails, tote that barge.
We met at the harbor for lunch and a stroll around, catching up a bit. Remember when he was just a lad of 22, on trial for murder, we, the jury, found him not guilty but responsible for manslaughter. Accidental shooting of his best friend. We kept in touch, he wrote many many letters and sent hand made leather journals for me to draw in. Lovely guy. He has landed well.
Today Stella and I went downtown to eat waffles for her birthday. We each got a coin to put into the dino machine to collect our dino. They used to put them on top of the waffles when they only had a food truck, but now that they have a cafe they can have a dino machine. Maybe children were swallowing them before- better to have a vending machine.
We walked around the corner to the art shop where I bought stuff that I love- gold pigment, sloppy glue, a couple of cards and some modeling clay. My eyes may do better with that than trying to draw or paint.
The gallery was open, we looked, we left, we went to another gallery/shop on chuckanut drive. Perfect sunny day to stroll through the garden art outside. The gallery inside is just as captivating.
One would have to be civilized to have glass in the garden, I reckon. I am not that person.
Midterms are already being messed with of course, they will try anything and everything to keep the ball in their court.
Leaving you with sunshine warming your back- happiness- be glad that you are not in U.S. prison, carry on. Freedom is relative, they say.
Love ya!
I love the fish and flowers! but not the spear things in the last picture. That deer is a very fine animal. Good to hear of someone getting OUT of prison, when so many are getting in. I know who I'd like to see behind bars.
ReplyDeletewouldn't we all! He will die before any justice for the harsh deadly crimes committed will be realized. It is estimated that 14 million people will die due to USAID being discontinued. that alone should land all of them squarely in the pokey!
DeleteThe glass flowers are to die for - but I guess I'll have to die - they wouldn't survive in this garden (the wild pigs would destroy them if nothing else did). Lovely to think you stayed in touch with Damen all those years and could share in the fine person he managed to keep alive against the sort of soul-destroying experience that must be a prison.
ReplyDeleteThe wild pigs have the right idea- Glass does not belong in the garden! Dear Damen- kept his shit together after horrendous U S prison system tried like hell to destroy him. He dreamed his way out of that - took classes- bettered himself in spite of it all. He is a good one.
DeleteThat is some seriously beautiful blown glass, WOW! But I'm with you on putting it in a garden, one more thing to maintain, low maintenance stuff only for this cowboy. Good on ya Linda Sue for staying in touch with that young man, you for sure had a big role in him surviving the horror that is the prison system. Two decades for involuntary manslaughter? Really? That is a seriously f**ked up sentence for that.
ReplyDeleteHe was not that much older than Erik when he was on trial. My mother heart broke for him. The prosecution was blood thirsty and ego driven , the judge went against the jury and tacked on more years for "enhancements". I am so glad Damen made it through and out of that shite system. Alive and wel. He is a remarkable person.
DeleteYes, no glass in the garden, thank you!
The glass flowers are very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDamen is a remarkable person. He is one of the few that survived prison life and is now re-establishing himself. Staying in touch with him and being a friend is likely helping him build a new life. You are doing good Linda Sue!
Susan
We are friends- for sure. His mother and father and Grandmother, who raised him, all died while he was locked up- very sad for him. I hope to be a safe place for him- like a granny!
DeleteWow! I love all the glass! Simply gorgeous. I’m glad you kept in touch, he’s sure to succeed I think. It’s amazing what a difference support makes.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
He is a smart lad- sees BS coming from a mile away, I think that he will be just fine!
Deletesince he has been released scammers are around every corner but Damen sees scammers for the grift and the lies told- the guarantees that are not ever real. . He is sharp!
Love the glass fishies in the garden! Reminds me of Chihuly.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many glass artists up here- need to do something to keep hands warm, I guess.
DeleteAlways good to have someone in your corner.
ReplyDeleteOf all that glass in the garden the only one I really liked was the last, glass spears.
Me too, I love those! I would put them inside in front of a window- beautiful, if I could part with that much cash!
DeleteThat is a stud buck fer sher! I like how the critters are making a mockery of the fence.
ReplyDeleteI'd not heard of Damen here before now. That's a full story you've summarized. Glad you had a meet-up on a beautiful day.
I refuse to ever be on jury duty again- Every time I am sent notification of "show up or else" I send back an explanation not entirely true- I say, I am deaf, and incontinent and can't walk well...Off the hook.
DeleteThat experience was. a painful eye opener in how trails go and the effed up justice system- prosecutors are a rare breed of subhuman. Well, at least in this case.
Good luck to Damen! May he be successful and happy and re-integrate well back into society. And what gorgeous art glass!
ReplyDelete