Seattle Press on Line - Be It Ever So Humble

Well, let me tell you...

Be It Ever So Humble

By Unknown Writer #4

Jan 24, 2001 -- The water spewed onto the street like it was gushing from an uncapped fire hydrant. Green-hued it was, with that smell that only comes from an overheated radiator. Figured I probably oughta stop--no way would I make it to Market Street. Pulled over in front of a hair salon. They'd have some water, for sure. A fine young woman named Kristy poured me a couple vases full. When I said I hoped it would get me to the station down the hill, she pointed across the street. "There's a repair shop right over there."

"Sure, bring 'er on over," said the man sitting in the office. I pulled up and he took a look. "Yup, a hose. Dumb one though--that T-shape might take some around-town looking for. You say you got a meeting at 3:30?"

"Yeah."

"Well, how 'bout I put an extra clamp on it, give you a gallon of water and you can be on your way? You should make it home, too. Just make sure you keep checking it."

The guy's name is Tom Huber; his shop's right up at 80th and 24th NW. Said he'd lived in Ballard all his life--his mom lived just a few blocks away. He did me a wonderful favor yesterday, jerry-rigging the old Cabriolet, and I felt pretty good about the human race.

A few hours earlier, I'd stopped at Great Harvest on Market. Owners Crystal and Bob cut me a generous slab of fresh-baked bread which nearly melted in my mouth. But the slice wasn't just for me. It's there for the taking, every single day, for anybody who wants it. And you never feel obligated to buy.

A few months ago I attended a memorial service for long-time Ballard resident Anelda Soderland. As people streamed into her old homestead on 70th and 16th, they reminisced about how this house and family had provided a haven for every wayward teenager, and anyone else in need of a warm heart. The place has been in the family for four generations. In 2007, they'll have been there a century.

Hmmm. Is Ballard special? Is there a stronger sense of community here than other places?

I made some phone calls. One was to the Chamber of Commerce. Beth Williamson-Miller had a whole bunch to say. She spoke of the recent Fund-a-Flake project, how the community raised enough money to purchase and place 73 snowflakes on light poles. She talked about last spring's Sunset Hotel fire, when the Red Cross was amazed at how fast all those Ballardites came to the rescue. She mentioned Ballard High School and its alumni, many of whom still live in Ballard and ardently support the Beavers. Story after story she told.

When I reached the end of my research, I realized that analysis is irrelevant. The stories stand on their own. Ballard just is. I considered this ancestor I have, John Howard Payne, who wrote a song called "Home Sweet Home." Maybe he made a stop in Ballard?

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Crystal Carlson	Feb 10, 2001	Ballard, Wa	baker
beautiful article! Thanks Cindy! Crystal Carlson