My screaming neighbors with the snarly dogs are gone! Oh Joy! I'm sure others will take their place but I'll enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.
Some of the 100+ tulip and daffodil bulbs I planted last year are poking their little heads up out of the mulch. Spring must be around the corner. Oh Joy!
And a sure sign of spring, according to the locals--I heard a whistle pig a week or so ago (just before it turned cold again). In case you've not heard of whistle pigs, they look like miniature gophers and they "chirp" in the spring. Oh Joy!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
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!
So, I'm off to write!
Friday, October 15, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, September 13, 2010
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...
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...
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