By Peggy Sturdivant

Perhaps because I stood so long next to the women of Ballard Historical Society waiting for my group’s turn in the Syttende Mai Parade I’m feeling nostalgic this week. I started writing this column, even before it was carried in the Ballard News-Tribune, on a Memorial Day more years ago than I can reconcile. Which is sheer denial because I do know how long I’ve had my car and how long I’ve been married; it’s just a matter of placing the year somewhere between the two.

Memorial Day always stirs up some sense of history for me. Marching in the band back in elementary school to the cemetery in my hometown. Opening the family cottage. Camping at Mt. Baker when friends used to do the Ski-to-Sea event. And launching my writings about Ballard, modeled on the “about town” column of practically every small-town weekly in America.

I grew up on the rhythms of that comforting writing. “Postmaster Reagan shares that a customer brought in the first trailing arbutus of the year; always a sign that spring is finally here. Mrs. Avery is back from her trip to Virginia to visit her eldest.”

Writing this on the eve of Memorial Day weekend I’m channeling those days before we lived our lives on-line.

Mrs. James (Marion) Hafterson was one of the Ballard Historical Society lovelies sporting vintage pastels for last week’s Syttende Mai parade. Word has passed along the alley that she has a bumper crop of rhubarb ready for harvest. Birds, neighbors and husband Jim are keeping an eye on their famous blueberry bushes.

Anne Brink O’Leary generously hosted a house party/neighborhood potluck to discuss Seattle Green Spaces Coalition’s mission and introduce others to the surplus City Light substation on 24th NW. Ten neighbors were in attendance. Mr. Don Sivertsen reported there are many new babies on his block, including one unintentionally born at home.

Last year’s Syttende Mai Honorary Marshal Mari-Ann Kind Jackson sent along photos of this year’s celebration. She wrote: “It was very special to have four grandchildren, from 6-18 years, happily and proudly carrying the Nordic Heritage Museum's banner and leading the group.” Hip, hip, hoora!

Yours truly has volunteered to be a judge for next year’s parade. Let us all hope that offer gets forgotten.

A little bird told me that many of our favorite local folks are on the Norwegian Embassy’s guest list for the dinner for King Harald V, following his visit to the redone mural at Bergen Place. If some of these wonderful people are only half Norwegian, we’ll never tell.

Social media is more abuzz than the Mason Bees recently adopted her in Ballard with word of coyote sightings this month, as far east as Earl Avenue (and 75th). There’s also a rash of missing cats and all the owners are hoping these are unrelated. Remember to try to get those house pets in at night, especially if they’re small and plump.

Congratulations to original reader Joel Niemeyer on his new business, Sunset Hill Web & Consulting. I may or may not have been the first person to exploit his friendship for website help.

May gives us a bonus weekend with Memorial Day falling as early as it is possible. It will soon be appropriate to wear white pants and open-toed shoes, and ladies can switch to their summer purses. Don’t forget to plant those vegetable starts you bought last month at Swanson’s.

Sorry to see a Sheriff’s eviction notice still on the window at Me’n Moms on Market Street without resolution for the consigners who can see their goods on the other side of the window, and only hope to get word their goods are put out on the sidewalk. Clearly a sad story for everyone involved.

Reader Mardie Holden shared some very interesting facts with this reporter. Due to a fractured knee she has been unable to distribute the wood chips she had delivered and has been monitoring the pile to make sure spontaneous combustion does not occur. Few days ago she was puzzled by a yellow mass that she took to be dog vomit on the woodchip pile. When this happened again she did more research and learned that something called Dog Vomit Fungus is fairly common. However she went on to learn that the name Dog Vomit Fungus is misleading; it is a slime mold, not a fungus.

Speaking of dogs, the rumors are true that Karen Gamble will no longer be leading the 10:00 a.m. ‘Yoga Basics’ at Ballard Health Club as of early June. Karen will teach an outdoor yoga at Ballard Commons Park on Saturdays. Recent women’s locker room talk has centered on who is comfortable with their derrieres on display for Down Dog. No word yet from the men’s locker room.

By the way fresh local asparagus is still available for another few weeks.

Although The Quilting Loft is greatly mourned by quilters well beyond the Ballard borders, we welcome the new business, Stuf, and hope they find their missing “f.”

Reminder, the Literacy Council of Seattle still needs book donations for their annual sale. Donate now and then shop on June 6th at 8500 14th Avenue NW.

A very happy 85th anniversary to Limback Lumber. May many more generations of red-haired Limbacks continue to supply Ballard with lumber and smile at their reader board. Don’t forget it’s still Compost Days there. Buy two bags of Cedar Grove compost and get 3rd one free.

Finally hope everyone had a memorable Memorial Day. As the talk of the town reporter in my old hometown always closes, “Keep your foot on the rock.”

Contact peggy at peggysturdivant@gmail.com.