And a Few of my Favorite Things

Julie Andrews as Maria sang the lyrics from my “My Favorite Things” in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, “The Sound of Music,”  

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

As a kid growing up in Indiana in the 1960’s and 1970’s, I listened over and over again to my mother’s LP of “The Sound of Music.” I sang “My Favorite Things,” and mind you that I had not viewed the movie or a stage performance in the early 1990’s. So I believed Dairy Queen ice cream and all of the different configurations of desserts were my favorite things less the brain freeze and lactose intolerance.

My favorite things have changed since my formative years. I sat in reflection after seeing a photograph taken last evening of St. James Cathedral.

St. James Cathedral is one of my favorite places in Seattle. You can see 9th Avenue in front of the cathedral. I lived in a small 280 square foot apartment on the west side of the street for 8-years. (You can see it. It is the bldg. closest to the edge of the photo and directly across the street from the Cathedral's front doors.) I then was blessed to work at Exeter House and Skyline At First Hill for almost 8-years. I love the First Hill neighborhood. It was the best ever. I learned about Seattle and about myself. A great experience.

I also learned about art. I have not missed an art exhibit in 16-years at the Frye Art Museum. (Frasier mentioned this museum on an episode. Frasier and Niles had it wrong about the museum's visitors and wearing tuxes to opening. No tux required. Come as you are!) A great neighborhood and great people.

Thank you St. James Cathedral for being the light in the darkness and welcoming all. The beacon shines bright.

I am sending love to First Hill and to the staff at St. James, and thank you to the person who took this photo last evening.

What are your favorite things?