The Seattle Chronicles: Day Five

"I drink to you in the love of Saint John."

Today was highlighted by a visit to one of Seattle's notable Catholic intellectuals and fellow St Blog's parishioner, Mark Shea, who describes his account of my visit on his weblog:

"He brought his cool little Homeland Security-approved-so-you-can-get-it-on-a-plane guitar and played some Christmas carols (including an elegant one that combines two legends about Herod)...a swell multi-talented guy and it was a pleasure to finally meet him."

(Mark, you're too kind, but don't let that stop you, okay?)

Not only does he have a lovely devoted wife and four fine young boys, but he is a Font of Knowledge about this city. He should retitle his blog "Seattle and Enjoying It." And if he wasn't making such a killing as a Catholic writer and speaker, he could go into business running a tour bus. Maybe even one of those horse-drawn carriages we saw downtown. How 'bout it, Mark?

The wind was sure whipping it up today, with the waves coming over the south side of the bridge carrying Route 520 between Montlake and Bellevue. What a sight!

Shirley has a guy living in a studio apartment downstairs, Paul Thorpe (no relation to Jim), who plays a pretty mean guitar. He suggested we might go to the Tractor Tavern and catch the Bughouse Five. Well, they got caught at the border for the lack of work permits. So we listened to The Swains (your basic rockabilly trio; Telecaster guitar, stand-up bass, and drummer singing harmony), followed by Scenic Wonders (four well-dressed suburban cowboy gentlemen). The dancing was good, and people started to warm up to this character from out of town soon enough. I promised one of them a zydeco lesson if she came back to the same place tomorrow night. I don't get much better than that. Although if I stayed here much longer, I'd probably have to get into black leather. Honey, we ain't in Kansas anymore!!!