After Awhile

I read this and just had to share it.........



After a while you learn the subtle difference Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning And company doesn't mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman,Not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today, Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine Burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers
And you learn that you really can endure...That you really are strong And you really do have worth, and you learn and learn...With every good bye you learn.

-Veronica Shoffstall 1971

The Troll

So next to my apartment complex is the Aurora Bridge. One of the top suicide bridges in the country but that is a story for a later time. Under the bridge lives this troll. It is a major tourist attraction in Fremont and well quite honestly a pain for me at times when trying to get out of my neighborhood by car. Hundreds of people flock to the troll to take a look, climb on it and even take pictures with him. I am always so surprised to see how many people come to see the troll.....they are just fascinated by him. Even the Seattle Tour buses make a stop here. I always laugh as I think the troll is a bit scary.

I decided to go online and see what I could find out about the troll. Surely there is so sort of history as to why he exists.......well unfortunately there is no great story. He was sculpted in 1990 by 4 local Seattle artists, commissioned by the Fremont Arts Council. He is 18 feet tall and is crushing an old style Volkswagen Beetle. Every October 31st they pay tribute to the troll with a mobile "Trollween" party. It is an artistic party that starts at the troll and winds into the heart of Fremont. The neighborhood wanted to have a community event that was a bit different from the usual tradition of this night. I have yet to spend October 31st in Fremont but I hear it is so fun. All the businesses are open and the streets are crowed with families. I will make sure to attend this year!