Olympia Tea Party, Part 3: Final Thoughts

Daffodils on the Capitol grounds.

In yesterday's post, I mentioned the singer-songwriter. Here's a picture of him during his performance. Note the Boston Bruins hockey team cap. His song fit our mood and it was heartfelt. Besides, what would a protest be without a protest singer? He's one talented young man and we hope to see more of him! Bruins cap and all!


Dave was milling about taking pictures and explaining his sign to the curious -- it's from the Declaration of Independence -- before the event when he ran into the very popular and friendly Kirby Wilbur. Mrs. Wilbur snapped the picture. Dave said they had a great conversation!


Lindsey and her Aunt Barbara before wave after wave of crowded buses arrived. This was their very first political protest and both were very glad they attended!

After the ceremonies had concluded and everyone was starting to feel a little tired and stiff in the legs from standing on the granite steps of the Legislative Building, we hustled out toward the street. We left quickly, worked our way through the crowd and walked back up the hill to the Historic District where we'd parked on a quiet side street.

Judy was driving and she had parked in a non-restrictive zone in front of a weedy antique house with drawn curtains and a tattered "End the War Now" sign in the window. The sidewalk rolled along with a bumpy multitude of tree roots. Nothing had been disturbed and all the little houses on the street had a sad but endearing demeanor, characteristic of most older, working class neighborhoods around Western Washington. We climbed into the car, grateful for its warmth and shelter from the wind.

"Anybody hungry?" Judy asked.

"Yes!" we chorused. Lindsey wanted coffee. Judy and Dave were up for food. I can always eat! So we took off with the idea we'd stop in Dupont for something. Somehow Judy missed the exit or the road or got forced into another lane and we ended up on I-5 heading North. Lindsey spotted a sign that said Shipwreck Sports Bar or something like that, next Exit.

We took the exit, couldn't find the place, then saw a sign "Shipwreck 1 mile ahead" and drove up a steep hill about a mile but couldn't find it. There was a mall nearby and Judy said, "If there is anything in there, let's stop." Everyone liked Teriyaki and we were up for that, though I'm on a sodium restricted diet and feebly objected. (I knew I could find something to eat.) We got closer to the little mall and saw Mangano's Ristorante and everyone started exclaiming -- "Yaaaay! Italian!!" "Stop here!!" "Perfect!" So we stopped and went in.

It was a fairly new place, bright and fresh inside, with the most delicious scents and a homey, inviting decor. Traditional Italian music played softly in the background. The waitress was very sweet, said she could get us something in a hurry and showed us to a table. We poured over the menu and were blown away by the attention to detail and authenticity. Lunch was still being offered, so we studied that part of the menu carefully. In the meantime, she brought us a basket of small rolls splashed with garlic and olive oil -- to die for!

Dave chose a Tricolore with fresh mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, basil and a spritz of olive oil on a toasted ciabatta served on Romaine. Judy chose homemade cheesecake with dark chocolate drizzled on top and powered sugar sprinkled all over. Lindsey ordered coffee and Tiramisu which was silently and completely consumed down to the bare plate. I remember seeing a blur of chocolate and powered sugar and she pronounced it perfect!

I asked the waitress about the soup of the day, if it wasn't too salty. She brought me a sample and it was wonderful, so I ordered a bowl. It was a light tomato base with homemade sausage, small pastas, and a variety of finely chopped veggies. She served it in a tall glass compote, which made a simple meal elegant.

Dave declared the Tricolore "Excellent!" and Judy said she loved her cheesecake and now would have enough energy to work her night shift at the library without feeling hungry at all! The coffee was good, too.

Dave topped his meal off with a huge sugar coated cannoli siciliani, washed down with a cup of hot green tea.

All four of us highly recommend Mangano's! They are on Martin Way in Lacey with generous hours and now serve breakfast on the weekends. Check the website for more information. And go! Eat! Enjoy!

We piled in the car, jumped on the freeway, and headed north toward home. The day had been an outstanding success. We didn't wonder why it had been so meaningful. Deep down we knew we were doing it for young and yet unborn Americans. That's why it meant so much to us. We wanted to pass to them our success and abundant opportunities, a chance at prosperity and right to earn it along with the pursuit of happiness. It was our responsibility to do this for them, as generations before us did it to preserve the American way of life for us. To preserve the Liberty of free people is the highest calling any American can heed. I believe we witnessed an event unprecedented in America with ordinary hardworking Americans doing that for young Americans and all the Americans yet to come.