May 31, 2013

Loooong day for me.  I got a trail run in with the Dirty Girls before completing school lessons with the boys. Then I was on the road to Seattle to meet up with Jordan for lunch, shopping, packing, dinner and a trip to the airport.  The Girl is headed to University of Indiana for a weeklong leadership conference for her Fraternity position.  Duffle packed, backpack loaded (and on), pillow under the arm and Jimmy Johns sandwich dinner in hand.  I think she's ready to go!

Seattle, Washington

May 30, 2013

Mother Nature has chosen to be finicky and fickle today.  Sunshine, fog, sunshowers, clear skies, rain, rain and more rain.  It just gives me so many different backdrops for pictures!  Here is a shot of my neighbor's boathouse and recently refurbished (raised) pilings and dock.  The county went through a phase in which it required all structures to be at a certain level above the water to avoid tsunami floods.  The board has now come to the understanding that our bay has never and most likely will never experience tsunami floods, thereby removing the height requirements of any structure over the water.  My neighbor has no intention of lowering his boathouse.

Fox Island, Washington

May 29, 2013

Rain, rain, wind and rain all morning long.  The skies finally cleared late in the afternoon and we all got out for some fresh air.  I've got a patch of wild strawberries near my vegetable garden that has really started to take off.  I've never seen much of a harvest from this plant, but it certainly provides some vibrant colors.  

Fox Island, Washington

May 28, 2013

Salmonberries.  I think they are a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry.  Regardless, they're edible berries growing on the property that need to be harvested and made into something!  

Fox Island, Washington

May 27, 2013

A cold, soggy Memorial Day for us.  This is the first year in 25 years in which we have not been at or participated in a military Memorial Day service.  Instead, the boys and their Boy Scout troop participated in a service at our beautiful, little cemetery.  Even though the weather was dismal, not  one single Scout, including the younger Cub Scouts, complained or even commented.   They performed the presentation of the colors, laying of a wreath and continued to stand in the rain for over an hour to honor those from our small community who paid the ultimate price for our country.  So very proud of all of them.

Fox Island, Washington

May 26, 2013

Dave and I watched last night as a dozen sailboats of various sizes came to anchor and tie up together in our quiet, calm little cove here on Echo Bay.  What a fun weekend for these boaters and sailors... essentially camping on the water!  Fun, that is, until they got a bit rowdy and kept our pups growling and barking through half of the night..... which translates to a not so good night sleep for us.  Karma swoops in quickly around these parts.  Downpours, buckets and buckets,  this morning.  Huh.... I'm not seeing anyone enjoying a steaming cup of joe or hot tea out on those shimmery, slippery decks.  It's kind of nippy too.  I think I might need to turn on my fireplace to warm things up here in my dry, cozy home... sip my coffee and ponder... pancakes of waffles?

Fox Island, Washington    

May 25, 2013

Early morning start at our house.  The boys needed to be at the drop-off point for a Boy Scout sailing and camping adventure no later than 6:30AM and I was running with the Dirty Girls at 8:00AM.  The boys got off just fine and I was then off to Fort Steilacoom Park for a trial course run before next week's race.  It's not really a race for me, but just a fun trail run to help prepare me for my upcoming running weekend with the girls.  After my run, I got out with my camera to take in some of the blooming foliage.  The rhododendron is the Washington State flower and has a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors.  I'm partial to the pinks.... and I like the big bees.... from afar.

Lakewood, Washington