It was a Great Christmas!

The post is a bit late but the memories are still sweet. I had a great time visiting the kids during an early Christmas. We had a gloriously sunny, calm, warm (relatively) day. Mt. Baker even made an appearance.
Bran, Alix, Max and I hiked to the bluff where, three years ago, they--Bran and Alix, not Max--formally began their lives together.

"Uncle Andy" took Max for a walk in the sun.
The annual family photo. The family grew by one this year.
It really was all about Max. And Max is a big boy.

I guess I'm officially a part of his pack now. (Andy was behind the camera. I can't believe he managed to catch this unintended and totally unexpected doggy kiss!)

As always, it is so hard to leave. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

No More NaNo (this year at least)

Although I fell far short of the 50,000 word goal of NaNoWriMo, after logging in 23,000 words I'm 23,000 words farther than I would have been had I not participated. (and if all my NaNo sentences are as convoluted as that one, I'm in big trouble!) Anyway, I'm glad I took a shot at it. (Thanks, Alix, for encouraging me!)

Now it's back to whatever might be called normal, although it doesn't seem normal that it's December already and I'm scrambling to get ready for Christmas. I drug out all the decorations, have the tree up (the fake one that's disgustingly perfect--I miss my Charlie Brown trees) but it's not decorated. I've placed a few decorations around the house but have little desire to do more. If I weren't going to Seattle in a week and a half (yikes!), I would be in a bah humbug mode. But my Christmas spirit is buoyed by the thought of seeing my kids and spending an early Christmas with them.

Cheers!

Politics--Ugh!

I know I should be doing NaNo but I just have to go on a political rant. I am so sick of people sending me indignant emails about this or that political "fact" that has a thimble-full of truth and a whole lot of nonsense. These emails are sent solely to inflame people against one political party or the other. I'd like to know what happened to civil discourse.

This is a free country and people are allowed their own opinions--that's what makes this a great country. But, please people, base your opinions on facts! Don't just find a tidbit here and a tidbit there that supports your opinion. I'm sorry, your opinion doesn't count as fact. Do some research, look at the whole picture, and then make an informed decision instead of just blathering on about something you know so little about.

And if you need more information about an issue and don't know where to find it, ask a librarian.

Thank you. I feel better now.

NaNoWriMo!

National Novel Writers Month--50,000 words in 30 days. Yikes! I've decided to give it a try this year. While I have no delusions that I will indeed write a novel this month, I do plan to write as many words as I can. That's the beauty of NaNoWriMo--quantity over quality. Write, write, write! It will either get me back into writing or make me swear off forever... (I'm hoping the former!)

So, I'm off to write!

Sunshine in the Northwest

I love these cheap fairs from Boise to Seattle! This time I took the shuttle straight to Whidbey. It was cloudy when I landed and by the time I reached Coupeville, the skies had cleared and it was a beautiful day. Brandon, Alix and I spent the first two nights at the waterfront house where we just relaxed and enjoyed the view.
Brandon and Alix have a new addition to their family so I got to meet my new granddog, Max. I'm not sure we particularly bonded, but he seemed to accept me into his family. Which is good as I wouldn't want to tangle with him. He's a one year old Malamute and a bit on the large side--100 lbs and still growing. But he's mostly very mellow, fortunately (except when he gets around other dogs and remembers he's a puppy and forgets how big he is...), and he's quite handsome.

He likes to help Brandon drive
and enjoys walks on the beach with Alix
And he likes to dance. Did I mention he's big?? Keep in mind that Bran is over 6'...
But it wasn't all about Max. Well, not totally. Andy joined us on Monday after work. I always feel so "whole" when I have all my chicks gathered round.

Andy and I left Tuesday afternoon, drove to Langley for lunch and poking around the shops, then on to the ferry. It was, again, such a beautiful day.
We hiked down to the beach at Discovery Park in time for a beautiful sunset. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. But the next day we went to Fremont and walked around the GasWorks park and enjoyed a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline.
I'm not sure how I always manage to have beautiful weather when I'm up there. It really isn't fair because it lulls me into thinking that's the way it always is. I have to remind myself of the weeks on end with no sun. But even with that reality check, I still want to be there. My kids provide all the sunshine I need.

Catchin' Up

It's old news by now but here's some pictures of my trip to Stanley, ID, over Labor Day weekend. I finally got to see the scenic part of Idaho. This picture was taken from the cabin where we stayed on the Salmon River looking out at the Sawtooth Mountains.
I got to do a bit of a hike along Hell Roaring creek (does every western state have a Hell Roaring something??)


It was a bit chilly in the morning. It doesn't show very well, but the grass has icicles on it!

It really did feel good to be in the mountains, and just being by the Salmon River was so renewing. After seeing a trout that was about 20 inches, I think next time I'll have to bring the fly rod...

Vacation!

I can't believe it's been more than a month since vacation! Time flies. But then I think I say that with every blog...

We got to DC in stages--Bran & Alix Saturday, me on Sunday, and Andy on Monday. We met him a the airport and hit the ground running. Or rather driving (almost 1,000 miles in 5 days. it was not a relaxing vacation!) Our first stop was Mount Vernon. Andy looks good for having landed in 100 degrees and 99 percent humidity after a red-eye flight from cool Seattle.The kids with the Potomac in the background. George certainly had a nice view from his back porch.

We were too late to tour Monticello. Tres disappointed! That was the one touristy thing I really wanted to do. sigh. We had dinner in an Irish pub with an impressive beer list and local wines. Our disappointment assuaged, we beelined for our little rental cottage in the hills outside of Winchester. After winding our way up a mountain in the dark with the fog rolling in and banjos playing in my head, we finally found our home-away-from-home, the Cozy Cottage.
Although the sky was hazy the whole time we were there, we could tell we were at the very top. It was a cute little place and very secluded.
The next day, we were off down memory lane. My memory at least--what is left of it. I did remember my grandparents farm which was a field away from our house and was the place I spent most of my waking hours. I was six when we moved to town. It amazes me that the place is still recognizable after all these years.
I love the barn!
We found St. John's Lutheran Church, founded in 1796, where relatives on my Mom's side are buried. I'll have to check my facts but this may be the church I was baptized in. Regardless, it is the first church I remember.
We also found my aunt and uncle's farm, toured the charming downtown of Winchester, stopped for tasting at a local winery and had a run in with Homeland Security. A whole 'nother story...

We went to Delmont, PA, where my Dad's side of the family lives and had a great family reunion. I was too caught up to take many pictures but I made up for it when I got to Jersey and my brother and sister-in-law's place. Of course, my grand-nephew was the star attraction, and for good reason. Isn't he a cutie?!!
Pop-pop and Xavier
And all the "boys" on Father's Day. It was so good to be with family!
It was all too short and then we were off again, back to DC.

Andy and I (and a duck's butt)
Me in front of the Library of Congress
What an awesome place!
The Grand Reading Room
After Andy left DC, I went to my conference and then wearily made my way back home.

Just a quick update before I leave for high adventure. Went hiking along the Snake River last month. It was a group hike led by a couple folks from BLM. We had beautiful weather and flowers were blooming—balsam rootand Indian Paintbrush

One of the locals sunning himself.
And this two-legged was also enjoying the sun.

One of the hikers had a spotting scope. This is Robin getting a good look at a golden eagle nest. This area is part of the Birds of Prey Conservation area.
There is a high population of goldens, bald eagles, hawks, and falcons because of the large population of prairie ground squirrels (better known around here as whistle pigs) which are a smaller version of prairie dogs.

The cliffs offer excellent nesting areas.

After the hike, some of us stopped on top for one last look
Now, on to Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for a whirlwind vacation with the kids, ending in Washington DC for a conference.

Happy May Day! (even though it says April 27--time flies)

Wow, I can't even keep up a once a month pace on the blog. I'll have to do some catching up. It's been a month since I was in Seattle for Easter. Guess some pictures are called for. Of course, I had a great time. How can I not with such fun and enjoyable companions!

We went to the Arboretum and strolled.The rhododendrons weren't quite in full bloom, but we found plenty of other blooms to marvel at.

No, we really aren't in one of those fun house type places, just a crooked branch on which to set the camera.
And there were these amazing pink pinecones
We also colored Easter eggs, one of my favorite things.


I also got to see the house that Brandon and Alix are buying (if all goes according to plan--I really hope I'm not jinxing it!) It's a cute house and I'm really excited for them!
It was a beautiful day and I got the full affect of the view from the front of their house looking west across the road. They have a great view of the Olympic mountains, the sound, and a wetlands.

My time there is always too short, but at least I'll get to see them again in June when we head to the East coast!

About Town

Walking is my sanity saver so I thought I'd take you on one of my walks. At the end of my block, looking east, it looks like real mountains when they have snow on them.

I often walk around a park nearby
and pretend I'm walking through woods,
and chat with the local denizens.Further afield, I went with a friend down to Twin Falls recently. This is the gorge you cross to get into the town.











The namesake of the town lost its twin and is now just a single trickle, but Shoshone Falls is quite lovely, if you ignore the dam.












Not much else happening around here. I'm trying to pretend that dusting of white stuff on the ground isn't really snow. And I'm trying to forget that I was in short sleeves last weekend. I've already seen crocus blooming and I have daffodils budding out, but the incessant wind and gray skies are wearing on me. Maybe I'll go for a walk...