Referendum 71.

Last May, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law an expansion of domestic partnership rights that gave same-sex couples and others very close to equal rights regarding "traditional" same-sex married couples.

This has been challenged, and those who oppose this have petitioned and gathered enough signatures to have this put to a vote this fall. While the methods by which they gathered the required number of signatures are dubious at best, this is the law and it now goes to the popular vote.

I encourage everyone to look at both the link above to those who oppose these rights, and to the link to those who are in favor of them.

If you live - and vote - in Washington State, be advised that voting for this referendum means voting for equal rights as domestic partnerships. If you vote against this referendum, you are voting to overturn equal rights for domestic partnerships - and not just same-sex partnerships.

Think carefully. Just think. Try to put yourself in the mind of those who disagree with you - no matter which side you are currently on. Educate yourself. Hear - and listen - to both sides. Decide what you think is really, truly right. Logically, truly, really right.

If you don't live in Washington State, talk to people you know who do. If you don't know anyone who lives here, talk to people you know anyway. Have discussions, dialogue, conversations - not flag-waving, sign-toting, anger-filled deaf-eared protests (from both sides) ... honest dialogue. Listen to each other.

I'm asking a lot.

Just think. Please.

Matterpics

There's still another day left of summer, but let's face it - it's fall. It feels, smells, looks different ... the light is lower and even though the sky is blue, it's paler than before. It's kinda like everything was taken with a Polaroid camera.

I'm not totally complaining. As much as I love summer, I couldn't live without the seasons changing.

Now if only we could have spring start in full force on January 1 - I'd be happy.

Anyway - here's today's Matterday (and Scooterday):

Trees turning prematurely red and orange. (I just got my hair cut - I know the feeling. Umm, except with grey).

Christmas decorations at Lowe's. On September 21. I believe the elegant phrase "WTF?" applies here.

I didn't realize that Tin Tin had a laundromat in the Rainier Valley/Columbia City area.

Pioneer Square, near where my office used to be. Smith Tower (with the pyramid-shaped top) used to be the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. If you look right in the middle, straight up Second Avenue, you'll see the Space Needle.

Heading up First Avenue.

The Seattle Central Library downtown. Rem Koolhaas was one of the principle designers. I've only been inside briefly, and didn't get a chance to explore much. I think it's a very cool building and would love to see more. Oh, and I totally miss working near downtown.

Back home. The impatiens and lantana at the bottom of the steps to the backyard.

Japanese barberry. I love the color, and it will turn bright red in the next month or two. And it has very sharp thorns.

One of our banana trees. No fruit, and it dies back to the ground every year, but very cool. (It's about eight feet tall).

Sunflowers that grew after Scott threw some seeds into the garden (that were mixed in with birdseed). These are perfect sunflowers, I think. Not too tall or demanding - just purty.

Bougainvillea in a basket. Go child go.

We have a plethora of garden spiders currently subleasing space in our yard. This is Sidney.

Blue lace cap hydrangeas.

I love hydrangeas when they fade - they're supposed to make great dried flowers, although I've never been into that. Maybe we'll try it this year.

And another.

A Japanese maple starting to turn colors.

I could never grow miniature roses indoors, like I wanted to. But stick them in the ground outside and ignore them, and they do great.

Japanese blood grass - or, something close to it. It doesn't turn as red, but it's a very cool ornamental grass.

More fading hydrangeas.

Blurry Buddha on the edge of the pond.

These poor old wooden chairs have seen better days. Seems like a perfect end-of-summer picture, though.

The end of summer means we get to see our statues again. This one is still being a bit shy.

Hope you enjoyed our day and the garden tour. Dinner's in about an hour - go wash up and I'll pour you a glass of wine.

Goodbye, Mary Travers.

Stay.

Okay, this post on PostSecret made me cry a little.

September 12 of 12

Jump over to Chad's site to see what the cool people of the world do on the 12th of every month.

These pictures were all taken Saturday, September 12, 2009 in Seattle, Washington.

We're switching cell phone carriers so had to get new phones. I'm illiterate when it comes to cell phones, so mine is the basic model shown here. Scott got a Crackberry. I'm already looking into 12-step programs for him.

Saturday is chore day. Starting with emptying the dishwasher.

It definitely feels like summer is ending, even though it was 85 degrees today. The light just looks different. Nice that there are still flowers blooming outside the kitchen window, though.

The backyard and pond from the upstairs deck. I'd meant to take a picture of this view every month, but I don't think I have. I'll do that going forward - it's cool to see how much this view changes every month.

The handsome and friendly Hunter, lounging in his favorite spot by the stairwell window.

Oh, yeah - chores. Kitchen cleaned. Watch your step - the floor is still wet.

Quick run to the grocery store - umm, why are some of the trees turning yellow and orange???

Scott recently bought this lamp that's in the dining room. Purty.

Scott, home from work and taking close-up pictures of dandelions for his 12 of 12. Yes, the lawn needs to be cut. Tomorrow.

A gardenia from one of our gardenia shrubs in the back yard. Yes, they will bloom in Seattle if you're good to them. This is one of my favorite flowers and frangrances in the world.

Dinner. Take-out from Teriyaki Seven.

Pretty sunset. They're coming earlier every day.

Thanks for stopping by!

How DARE he talk to the nation's children about edukayshun!

High-larious. Thanks Kyle.

Life in the Central District.

From our neighborhood police scanner blog:

10:34AM - E Olive Way & E. Denny Way - Welfare Check - Man with an unleashed dog is walking in and out of traffic. He's a white male early 20s, 6' tall, with flowers in his hair, and hitting himself with a rope.

Welcome to my world.

Dog Is My Co-Pilot.

Dogs are the most incredible thing ever invented.