Man on a Mission

It always nice to do things with my son, for the last three years he has been in Pullman going to WSU, and haven’t that seen much of him. Two weekends ago he was in town, and Saturday morning on we drove to Seattle’s Pike Place market. He was a man on a mission and the mission had two objectives, buying flowers for his girl, and a review of the basics of picture taking for me. Ever try a find a parking spot in downtown Seattle?

It was not easy; finally we found a spot below the Pike Place market.

We walk around the market

He talks to a couple of flower vendors.

Plans change we are off to Trudy’s Flowers on Oliver Way pass Westlake Mall.

I tag along snapping a few pictures as we go.

Neil found what he was looking for at Trudy’s, then its back to Pike Place Market.

More talking to flower vendors, he decides on tulips and makes the purchase.

We head back to his car for the drive home, mission accomplished.

The Treatment of Hector and The Funeral of Patroclus

BOOK 23
While the Trojans mourn the death of Hector, Achilles takes the body back to the ships. The other Greeks go back to their ships; Achilles and the Myrmidons stay and mourn Patroclus. Meanwhile Achilles treats the body of Hector with disrespect by laying it full length in the dust beside the bier of Patroclus. Then they have a funeral banquet killing many sheep and oxen. The Greek leaders take Achilles to the tent of Agamemon and another feast it prepared. When all had their fill they went to bed and slept, Achilles however continues to mourn over Patroclus. Finally he falls asleep in the surf and the sad spirit of Patroclus comes to him and asks to be buried swiftly so he can pass the gates of Hades. This went on till the rosy-fingered dawn appeared. Also in the morning Agamemon sent out men and mules to bring back wood to build the funeral bier. After this is bought back and laid in a line on the seashore, the funeral procession for Patroclus starts. The Mymidons lead out in chariots then those on foot followed behind with Achilles coming last. They reach the spot to build the funeral pyre

The death of Hector

Book 22
The Trojans are now inside the walls of Troy, and the Greeks march up with their shields on their shoulders. Achilles sees Hector and runs towards him; Hector's father sees this and begs Hector to come inside the gates. Despite pleads of his father and mother he stays outside to face Achilles, this is really a sad part of the story. They face off and Achilles pursues Hector around the city of Troy three times. The gods now get into the act again, Zeus measured their fates in the balance and Hector loses, Apollo who was sustaining Hector leaves. Then Athena goes to Achilles saying she can now trick Hector into making a stand, which she does by taking the form of Diephobus. Hector thinking he would be getting support, suddenly realizes he is alone because Athena has set him up. They face off, Hector puts up a valiant fight but he is no match for the rage of Achilles, he falls outside the walls of Troy. Achilles then dishonors the body of Hector, after spoiling Hector of his armor, he allows his comrades to piece the body with their spears. Then adding further insult to injury Achilles cuts the tendons near the feet and passes ox hide throngs though and drags the body of Hector behind his chariot back to the ships. Priam and Hecuba witness what has happened to their son, and are dismayed. Meanwhile Hectors wife prepares a bath for Hector not knowing what has happened; she thinks he is inside the walls and will be home soon. She hears the cries coming from the wall and soon fears the worse, when she realizes what has happened to Hector she bitterly mourns her loss. The sisters of her husband and the wives of his brothers gather around and support her.

Trip to Pullman

On the weekend of January 30th I drove over to Pullman to see my three kids, had a nice time walking around Pullman and Moscow ID, here are some photos I took while there. This is the John Mullan trail that parallels Hwy 26 for a short distance on the way to Pullman.
AWhen I got to Pullman my youngest daughter and I walked to my son lives, he was moving to a new place.
Here are his sisters helping him organize his room.
Later the evening Neil and I drove to a spot over looking Lewiston Idaho and the Snake river. Even with the lights of Lewiston you can see so many more stars than can be seen in the Seattle Tacoma metropolitan area. I tried something new taking a couple of night shots with my old Minolta slr camera
This was my first time at trying a night shot, in the future I may try taking pictures of the moon to see how that would turn out.
The next day,Sunday, Lorna and I drove the Moscow and went for a walk before I headed back to the west side.hhscThe next time I go to Pullman my son and I want to drive up to place called Steptoe butte to take pictures, and my middle daughter wants to go fishing on the Snake river. I'm looking forward to going again sometime this spring.

Achilles cuts the Trojan army in two, Remaining Trojans flle to Troy

Book 21

Achilles cuts the Trojan army in two; one-half flees over the plain towards Troy and the other half in trapped in a river. He proceeds to massacre those in the river, not before he captures twelve Trojan princes to sacrifice in revenge for the death of Patroclus. The river runs red with the blood of slain Trojans. To the point where the river takes human form and says enough already in so many words, the river Scamander tells Achilles the do his grim work on land. The river rises up and floods where Achilles is standing, and is about to sweep him away. Hera and Hephaestus come to Achilles aid, Hephaestus kindles a huge fire that causes the river to boil, and the river stops. The next thing that happens must be for comic relief, now all the other gods start to fight, Zeus thinks this is funny and he laughs. Meanwhile the remaining Trojans are fleeing towards Troy; King Priam orders the gates opened so the men can get inside the city. Agenor with the help of Apollo keeps Achilles out of the city. Apollo saves Agenor by hiding him in a cloud, and taking the form of Agenor leads Achilles away. The rest of the Trojan army pours into the city exhausted and terrified.

Achilles back in the fight

Book 20
Zeus calls a meeting of the gods on Mt Olympus and tells they are free to intervene on either side as they wish. They split up and watch their favorite side from for the side lines. Meanwhile Achilles is attacking the Trojans, and the first to challenge him is Aeneas, and the fight goes badly for Aeneas. Achilles is getting to strike the fatal blow when Poseidon surrounds Aeneas with darkness and whisks Aeneas out of the fight. Now both Achilles and Hector urge their men into battle, and it starts to go badly for the Trojans as Achilles hits his form and kills many a Trojan.

Achilles and Agamemnon reconcile

Book 19

Thetis reaches the ships with the new armor, and she finds Achilles mourning over the body of Patroclus. She gives him the armor, tells Achilles to reconcile with Agamemnon, and to fight with might and main. Achilles calls a meeting of the Greeks and the men gather, even those who have been wounded. Agamemnon gives back Briseis along with other gifts, and the meeting breaks up. Achilles is so distraught over the death of Patrolus that the other leaders try to persuade him to eat, but he will not. Finally Athene urged on by Zeus drops nectar and ambrosia on Achilles so his strength will not fail him. Then the Greeks and Achilles arm themselves for battle, Achilles horse Xanthus warns him of his coming death

Achilles greives, gets new armor, and the Trojans debate what to do next

BOOK 18
Antilochus sent as a runner tells Achilles of the death of Patroclus in battle, and that Hector has his armor. Achilles is greatly grieved at this news, along with the women that they captured, in fact Antilochus fears Achilles may kill himself over this news. His mother Thetis comes to Achilles then she goes to Olympus to have new armor made for him. Meanwhile after the battle the Trojans are deciding what to do next; they fear that Achilles will soon be back in the fight. Polydamas argues that they should go back to Troy where they would at least have the protection of the city walls. Hector does not like this and argues that they should stay where they are and fight at the ships. Hephaestus makes new armor he Achilles, when finished Thetis takes the armor and departs.