Home as A Comfort with a Tattoo Reminder of Death

Since returning home, I've concentrated on the small concerns and comforts that make home feel like home. I did finally decide on the artwork that I would want to see on my body permanently, so I also chose an artist and got a tattoo. My friend Z joined me and got a tattoo of her own. It felt special to share the experience with such a good friend. I was a little nervous about the pain, but I found that I weirdly enjoyed it. It felt almost like an electrical shock, but more. It's now one week later, and it's healing well, but itching and peeling. I will look at my arm every day and see Memento Mori, a constant reminder to live life in the moment and not take anything for granted. A younger me admired cynicism, but now I find that rather sad. Now I want to feel only awe, even in my everyday domestic life.

Fresh reminder of death.

Christen at TygerWolf Tattoo makes her mark.

Z with Marissa.

Gin and Tonic to celebrate the new art.

I've been enjoying all the small chores and things we do when we're just chillin' at home. Going out with friends, cooking for company, cleaning and organizing, and moving our lives in the direction of death. Seneca said that life, well-lived, is long enough. I hope that I can feel that if today is my last day, I really lived it with intention and attention.

Yummy!

Dinner with friends at Gateway to India.

Jackfruit Arepas. Trying a new recipe.

Pizza and a favorite red wine for Valentine's Day.

Zelda brought the Valentine's desserts. Cheesecake is True Love.

Brunch with fellow retired colleagues from GP.

More winter weather.

I prefer the Space Needle when it has the orange paint.

Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall.

We saw Giselle. It's my favorite.

The Vashon Ferry. It's the Chetzmoka.

Dinner at Anthony's Point Defiance on a random day.

Crows in Wright Park.

More from Wright Park.

The Seymour Conservatory, Tacoma.

Dutch baby at the Original Pancake House, Tacoma.

The new fountain pen put to use at Starbucks.

 I've got lots of photos here. This is my sign that I should be posting more often.

Chocolate Fondue.

The annual fondue birthday bash.

I mop the wood floors around Christmas.

So clean! It looks big without the furniture.

Where the furniture goes to wait.

Mom and dad at home.

Russ' birthday dinner at a local steakhouse with friend.

Happy Birthday!

We ate at the bar.

Craft time with my friend, J. We do this every week.

New year's mimosa and a Zoom call with Russ' family.

I take the holiday decorations down on January 1st.

Thai takeout with friends at their house.

They live in Renton, WA.

Daily meditation with Cedar. Not sure if he is helping much.

I love that Tacoma is Grit City.

Not helpful, but content. It's hard to type with him here.

This will have to do for a catch up post. I'll make an effort to stay on top of things until we leave. We're going to leave for Spain and Portugal with my mom soon to go on a Viking River Cruise. I'll be preparing for the trip. Cedar will stay with Z while we're gone.