tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78820803340666444512024-03-08T14:27:20.198-08:00OnTheMove-at HomeSeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-44872287255678644652018-03-20T17:09:00.000-07:002018-03-20T17:09:39.318-07:00Hello Spring!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOw2kr2YflE/WrGidiiD00I/AAAAAAAAKWA/63mA9fUayKoen-F7NRnIDOou1r17zZCzACLcBGAs/s1600/APC_2463%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOw2kr2YflE/WrGidiiD00I/AAAAAAAAKWA/63mA9fUayKoen-F7NRnIDOou1r17zZCzACLcBGAs/s640/APC_2463%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...and here we are, one month later, welcoming Spring 2018. What a treat that she chose to arrive with blue skies, unseasonably warm weather, and full floral display. This just might be my favorite season. </span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-14588974293599496302018-02-22T14:37:00.001-08:002018-02-22T14:37:45.666-08:00A Snowy Seattle Morning<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igWLueC6AzU/Wo9CYKRNOvI/AAAAAAAAKPY/KdxMM3Wf7Z0MY-Of3xkciwEiXNCcqGOHwCLcBGAs/s1600/APC_0109%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1510" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igWLueC6AzU/Wo9CYKRNOvI/AAAAAAAAKPY/KdxMM3Wf7Z0MY-Of3xkciwEiXNCcqGOHwCLcBGAs/s640/APC_0109%2BBLOG.jpg" width="602" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's the best part of a sunny, blue sky, snowy morning? Do you really have to asK? <i><grin></grin></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I savored a late morning cup of tea, watched the twitter birds snack at the suet feeder, and knew the snow would melt before it had a chance to grow dingy. TV weather dudes predict another light snowfall tomorrow; <i>bring it on!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-13381924711858731212017-10-10T16:34:00.002-07:002017-10-10T16:34:13.888-07:00Searching for Fall Color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Early Autumn in the Japanese Garden</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7F6HD5txkg/WdvWQ09BeaI/AAAAAAAAKDg/tfLRbPruhqo3EGvev3x3Kmn8HRoysXVrACLcBGAs/s1600/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-8%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7F6HD5txkg/WdvWQ09BeaI/AAAAAAAAKDg/tfLRbPruhqo3EGvev3x3Kmn8HRoysXVrACLcBGAs/s640/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-8%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's officially Fall. My calendar announced the autumnal equinox almost three weeks ago. So where are the vivid, neon-bright leaves that make this season visually unique? Well, it appears the local trees didn't get the memo. Was it the long summer of hot weather? Can we blame the lack of rain in September? Our recent <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/10/09/unusual-warmth-ruining-fall-foliage-season/745696001/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leaf-peeping</a> walk took us through mostly green foliage, unlike previous <a href="http://otm-athome.blogspot.com/2013/10/" target="_blank">outings</a> at nearly the same date. No problem, we're not easily discouraged and will continue to enjoy our walks with or without Fall color. Maybe this week we'll be lucky, or over the weekend, or next week... Drastic action would be to drive to a higher elevation and search for swaths of red-orange vine maples or golden larches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our walk took us inside Seattle's Japanese Garden, a fenced 3.5 acre hidden gem tucked inside the much larger 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum and Botanic Garden. A visit here never disappoints, no matter what the season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Following a winding path around a central pond, stroll gardens invite visitors to journey through the varied landscapes of Japan - mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, islands and the sea. Along the journey, varied landscapes are hidden and then revealed."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Special viewing treats on this visit were...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...sunbathing turtles, perched on pond rocks to soak up warmth from the noontime sun,</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHxpVrhcTgk/WdvWL1jlHwI/AAAAAAAAKDU/m2Lk36yMHb0SGVyaLqh3VncTEnXz7N0ZACLcBGAs/s1600/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-2%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHxpVrhcTgk/WdvWL1jlHwI/AAAAAAAAKDU/m2Lk36yMHb0SGVyaLqh3VncTEnXz7N0ZACLcBGAs/s640/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-2%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...one lone heron, who occasionally speared a small fish in between long minutes of patient immobility,</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JQRBnzAP8RA/WdvWMJ1V98I/AAAAAAAAKDY/qYJEchSRtQk4rqha5-3aVAyoNakmXpJ4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-23%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JQRBnzAP8RA/WdvWMJ1V98I/AAAAAAAAKDY/qYJEchSRtQk4rqha5-3aVAyoNakmXpJ4ACLcBGAs/s640/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-23%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...masses of colorful koi who swarmed to the bridge whenever a visitor paused, ever hopeful that fishfood would sprinkle the water, </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibIprp5FnEI/Wd1XiNMgE2I/AAAAAAAAKDw/zdSlI5kXEQw_PUJMoUUVkhP7rQWmxHtdACLcBGAs/s1600/Early%2BAutumn%2BWith%2BSome%2BColor%2BChanges%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017%2B94%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibIprp5FnEI/Wd1XiNMgE2I/AAAAAAAAKDw/zdSlI5kXEQw_PUJMoUUVkhP7rQWmxHtdACLcBGAs/s640/Early%2BAutumn%2BWith%2BSome%2BColor%2BChanges%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017%2B94%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...and the abundant canopy of green leaves which hold out promise of Fall color yet to develop.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyO2Un2HQ-0/WdvWOycPnPI/AAAAAAAAKDc/qMw58x5FbzAxeTzgupougH7IrBqAz7t3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-36%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyO2Un2HQ-0/WdvWOycPnPI/AAAAAAAAKDc/qMw58x5FbzAxeTzgupougH7IrBqAz7t3QCLcBGAs/s640/Early%2BFall%2BColors%2Bin%2BOctober%2B2017%2BOctober%2B04%252C%2B2017-36%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The annual Maple Viewing Festival runs October 5 through October 15 in 2017. But don't wait for a special event to plan your visit, enjoy this treasure throughout the year. We intend to.</span><br />
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-90488162630708868292014-12-07T21:52:00.001-08:002018-06-04T17:02:16.043-07:00The Morning View, Far and Near<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PyDW4sP2wrQ/VIU0TROKF9I/AAAAAAAAHxs/ti28lLhUMOI/s1600/Mt%2BRainier%2BIn%2BFog%2BPast%2BSpruce1%2BDecember%2B07%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PyDW4sP2wrQ/VIU0TROKF9I/AAAAAAAAHxs/ti28lLhUMOI/s1600/Mt%2BRainier%2BIn%2BFog%2BPast%2BSpruce1%2BDecember%2B07%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sun rose on a very gray day, with a dense ground fog obscuring the view across the lake. It was thick enough that Mercer Island completely disappeared from view. The world outside the bedroom window took on the color of dryer lint, a mottled mat of wispy, twisted gray strands. The fog gradually thinned, drifting south on a light breeze, and within the hour The Mountain,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mt. Rainier, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">was visible again far away in the distance.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fpgkLHlYpg/VIU0cc2PtlI/AAAAAAAAHx0/2g6PXrFP5Uk/s1600/Cormorant%2Bon%2BPilings1%2BDecember%2B07%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fpgkLHlYpg/VIU0cc2PtlI/AAAAAAAAHx0/2g6PXrFP5Uk/s1600/Cormorant%2Bon%2BPilings1%2BDecember%2B07%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These two cormorants spent most of the day perched atop the piling; sleeping, preening and spreading their wings as if to catch the sun as it burned through the fog.This pair remained on those same piling from dawn until 3:00pm, without flying away or diving to fish. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When do they eat?</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eventually the sun broke through and Seattle enjoyed another blue sky day, but I missed most of it. The Seahawks game kept me indoors in front of the television. (<i>Go Hawks!</i>) Maybe tomorrow will bring another sunny day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-27903969664179388872014-10-10T17:30:00.000-07:002014-10-10T17:30:36.993-07:00Seasonal Transition<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPwuCjbYEUg/VDh1OqpOp5I/AAAAAAAAHmU/6yqeuq6_Q_k/s1600/Fall%2BColor%2Band%2BPears%2B10%2BOctober%2B09%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPwuCjbYEUg/VDh1OqpOp5I/AAAAAAAAHmU/6yqeuq6_Q_k/s1600/Fall%2BColor%2Band%2BPears%2B10%2BOctober%2B09%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's officially Autumn. Weeks past the autumnal equinox, the hours of daylight have grown noticeably shorter. Evenings are cool enough to trigger the off switch on chlorophyll production in deciduous leaves and fall colors blaze in full neon glory throughout the region. Drifts of dry, faded leaves from our vine maple litter the yard, blown into corners by swirling winds. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SrWfO9ld93w/VDh1OqXJkiI/AAAAAAAAHmY/b1Qtn-eY4IQ/s1600/Fall%2BColor%2Band%2BPears%2B2%2BOctober%2B09%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SrWfO9ld93w/VDh1OqXJkiI/AAAAAAAAHmY/b1Qtn-eY4IQ/s1600/Fall%2BColor%2Band%2BPears%2B2%2BOctober%2B09%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" height="560" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Mother Nature seems confused by our recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather, triggering flower bud formation on magnolia trees, blossoms on rhododendron bushes and fruit on our Asian pear trees. It's October, so what's up with the new pears developing on trees that have already produced a bountiful crop? </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TRKVlPwijM/VDh5WpVLqtI/AAAAAAAAHmw/PY6Qvk_cQ7M/s1600/Asian%2BPears%2B2012%2B11%2BSeptember%2B10%2C%2B2012%2BBLOG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TRKVlPwijM/VDh5WpVLqtI/AAAAAAAAHmw/PY6Qvk_cQ7M/s1600/Asian%2BPears%2B2012%2B11%2BSeptember%2B10%2C%2B2012%2BBLOG2.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5QH7YPs-k4/VDh2O-yV9GI/AAAAAAAAHmk/BWN1jaVLLmg/s1600/Fall%2BColor%2Band%2BPears%2B5%2BOctober%2B09%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5QH7YPs-k4/VDh2O-yV9GI/AAAAAAAAHmk/BWN1jaVLLmg/s1600/Fall%2BColor%2Band%2BPears%2B5%2BOctober%2B09%2C%2B2014%2BBLOG.jpg" height="572" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd settle for an extended period of mild Indian summer weather, but forecasters predict a return to cool, wet and windy any day now. It's Seattle, so changeable weather is no surprise. Keep the rain gear handy, but head outside with a camera and enjoy the change of seasons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-82302031067127211142014-03-09T19:59:00.001-07:002018-06-04T17:01:07.917-07:00Construction Clutter and Progress<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Construction clutter must mean progress, right? If that's true, there's evidence of progress </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">all over the house, garage and yard right now</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> P</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">iles of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">important</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> clutter abound, all visible </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">signs of progress on our various house projects</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. No single project is finished yet, but there</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">are</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">signs of work-in-progress. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Step inside the house and you'll note every room on the first floor is either empty or full of furniture and furnishings, "stuff" from other rooms. Repair and restoration goes on, hidden from view behind protective drapes of plastic, clearly several works in progress.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qt9Sng2HXDM/Ux0TOG8Fc8I/AAAAAAAAGHc/pKPY6Sk8ROQ/s1600/Dust+Management+and+Protection++3++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qt9Sng2HXDM/Ux0TOG8Fc8I/AAAAAAAAGHc/pKPY6Sk8ROQ/s640/Dust+Management+and+Protection++3++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FVhEmRdNew/Ux0TPE5L7-I/AAAAAAAAGH8/tmcXS3a6opU/s1600/Living+Room+Repair++1++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FVhEmRdNew/Ux0TPE5L7-I/AAAAAAAAGH8/tmcXS3a6opU/s640/Living+Room+Repair++1++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPxPbwiM_a0/Ux0TN9b26FI/AAAAAAAAGHs/zqTGTzMksf4/s1600/Dust+Management+and+Protection++1++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPxPbwiM_a0/Ux0TN9b26FI/AAAAAAAAGHs/zqTGTzMksf4/s640/Dust+Management+and+Protection++1++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" width="465" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The exterior clutter includes discarded siding, trim, roof shakes and doors, all waiting to be loaded into a trailer and hauled away. The construction crew picks up tools and equipment, sweeps up miscellaneous debris and leaves an otherwise tidy job site each night... except for those piles of clutter.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww3Dy2K2ANA/Ux0TB4I66UI/AAAAAAAAGHA/11PZSe2QCrI/s1600/Construction+Clutter++8++March+08+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww3Dy2K2ANA/Ux0TB4I66UI/AAAAAAAAGHA/11PZSe2QCrI/s640/Construction+Clutter++8++March+08+2014.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unpredictable wet weather meant the unfinished replacement siding was stained, sticked, stacked and stored in the garage to dry. Our previously large garage seems to have suddenly shrunk by half. Access to the mail slot and freezer involves tricky maneuvering and careful footwork. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djpGHwTt_c4/Ux0TNf3beGI/AAAAAAAAGHU/sSyh8C79udw/s1600/Construction+Clutter++5++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djpGHwTt_c4/Ux0TNf3beGI/AAAAAAAAGHU/sSyh8C79udw/s640/Construction+Clutter++5++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The door scorecard reads 2 doors removed, 1 new door hung still needing trim, 1 door opening covered with plywood waiting for replacement door to arrive on site, and door #3 still waiting for any action. Next week could be Finish the Doors Week. Stay tuned.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WprYiIXqPG4/Ux0TOklKP6I/AAAAAAAAGH0/U0VL8J-MuXQ/s1600/Front+Door+is+Hung++3++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WprYiIXqPG4/Ux0TOklKP6I/AAAAAAAAGH0/U0VL8J-MuXQ/s640/Front+Door+is+Hung++3++March+08+2014+v2.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A new square window replaces the old acrylic half-dome bubble window, dramatically increasing the great room balcony's light and framing the view to the south. Those are bonus features, the important fix dealt with a sneaky leak. I can hardly wait for a clear day to snap a photo of Mt. Rainier in all its glory as seen through this new 4x4 pane. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-7842236325355984152014-02-12T21:12:00.002-08:002018-06-04T16:58:52.437-07:00A Busy Week in the Neighborhood<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's never a good time to suffer through the flu, but this week was the best time to <i>recover</i> from Flu: Round Two. I had planned on hours of television time, watching Sochi Winter Olympic events, clicking from </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">station</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">station</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> on US and Canadian channels. I did some of that, but there's only so much curling I can view before dozing off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">No chance of dozing when the rumble of heavy equipment invades the neighborhood. Vroom, vroom! Thud! Crash! More vroom, vroom! Chunk by chunk a neighbor's house disappeared, knocked down by one man with a tracked Komatsu machine with a toothed bucket. Demolition is noisy and exciting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next day the world outside my window turned black and white, blanketed by a light dusting of snow. Such a lovely visual gift, though <i>not</i> appreciated by anyone who had to traverse Seattle's hills on that day. It was a good day to stay inside and enjoy the view, in between naps and Olympic events. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later in the week I thought it curious that a group of crows kept doing power dives past the upstairs window, flashing by close to my reading chair. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Local crows are known to pester osprey and eagles in flight, just for fun or hoping to steal something edible. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's hard to ignore large, winged objects hurtling past your head just feet away so I stepped to the window to check out the action. What a circus as crow after crow swooped down to harass an osprey that had landed in a neighboring yard. Oops! one young crow might have misjudged his approach and was now captured - osprey prey - soon to be osprey dinner. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_SyXsjClfI/Uvw_OVdtEJI/AAAAAAAAF98/qESTW-HgvBI/s1600/Osprey+(_)+Young+with+Captured+Crow+1++February+08+2014+ver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_SyXsjClfI/Uvw_OVdtEJI/AAAAAAAAF98/qESTW-HgvBI/s640/Osprey+(_)+Young+with+Captured+Crow+1++February+08+2014+ver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was quite an interesting week in the neighborhood. Flu recovery wasn't </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">at all </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">boring. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-12420392404859071212013-11-01T19:20:00.001-07:002018-06-04T16:57:18.570-07:00Fall Color at Coulon Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xiPN_NMpD68/UnRXDYAPeoI/AAAAAAAAFjg/yXASYO5AR-M/s1600/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_9+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xiPN_NMpD68/UnRXDYAPeoI/AAAAAAAAFjg/yXASYO5AR-M/s640/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_9+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The lure of a warm, blue-sky Fall day was irresistible, so we headed out for a sunny walk through <a href="http://rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=74" target="_blank">Gene Coulon Park</a>. This impromptu visit to a favorite waterfront park might have been our last opportunity to enjoy 2013's changing colors since, <i>WHAM!</i> Mother Nature is switching gears tonight. At least we had a glimpse of that Autumn display, before the last of those colorful leaves blow away in the upcoming storm. There's no way most of those fluttering leafy bits will hang on after the next few days of wet, windy, cold weather. I know, I know... it happens every November, but I hate to trade this vivid leafy beauty for the drama of storms and stark tree silhouettes. At least until a wonderful Winter walk reminds me how much I love the quiet beauty of that season.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo: Yellow leaves shine like spotlights in the landscape...</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rHEoYGrSMu4/UnRXDAjSX3I/AAAAAAAAFjk/Jv8xKEaf69A/s1600/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_84+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rHEoYGrSMu4/UnRXDAjSX3I/AAAAAAAAFjk/Jv8xKEaf69A/s640/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_84+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo0ShKujAOE/UnRXCoIz1lI/AAAAAAAAFjc/0qiILj1O3kM/s1600/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_79+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo0ShKujAOE/UnRXCoIz1lI/AAAAAAAAFjc/0qiILj1O3kM/s640/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_79+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcvibXjPLog/UnRXCR74IfI/AAAAAAAAFjU/Yu1oN4UNGiY/s1600/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_74+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcvibXjPLog/UnRXCR74IfI/AAAAAAAAFjU/Yu1oN4UNGiY/s640/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_74+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8U9YAiE9sI8/UnRW-DLKiAI/AAAAAAAAFiA/6EqYnpkkBFo/s1600/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_13+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8U9YAiE9sI8/UnRW-DLKiAI/AAAAAAAAFiA/6EqYnpkkBFo/s640/Coulon+Park+Brillant+Fall+Color+2013_13+_October+28_+2013++v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo: Coulon Parks's buildings are wonderfully eye-catching</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo: Ivar's fish and chips plus seafood chowder is a traditional stop at the end of a park visit... unless we are tempted by neighboring Kidd Valley's burgers instead. </span></i><br />
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<i><a href="http://otm-athome.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-walk-in-park.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Coulon Park in January, 2011</span></a></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://otm-athome.blogspot.com/2008/11/a-walk-in-park.html" target="_blank">Coulon Park in November, 2008</a></span><br />
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-58700333283948276732013-10-30T22:58:00.000-07:002018-06-04T16:53:57.045-07:00Seattle Japanese Garden in Fall<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo: Cloud Reflections in the Koi Pond at the Japanese Garden (photo by RL))</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Exuberant Fall color grabbed my attention, drew my eye <i>and</i> the lens of the camera immediately at the entrance to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Japanese_Garden" target="_blank">Japanese Garden</a> located in the <a href="http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/index.php" target="_blank">Washington Park Arboretum</a>. The sky may have been overcast today but the landscaped 3.5 acres were a riot of color as vivid golden-orange leaves of lace-leaf maples contrasted with the bright yellow display of ginkos and the deeper crimson hues of several other species. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The garden's technicolor display may have peaked a week ago or more. Several early-turning trees were already bare while others held leaves with fading hues, no longer brilliant, their edges going brown and crisp. Without a distracting cloak of neon-colored leaves, branch structure is highlighted, then smaller details clamor for attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love walking through this tidy little garden in any season, any weather. Form, pattern and texture have a constant presence to share with anyone who takes the time to pause and observe. But today, it was all about dramatic punches of color highlighted against a background of evergreen trees and mosses, color so vivid it was as though a spotlight shined here and there and there...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seattle holds many wonderful parks (<a href="http://www.seattle.gov/parks/listall.asp" target="_blank">link</a>), but the Japanese Garden and <a href="http://otm-athome.blogspot.com/2011/11/autumn-walk-in-kubota-garden.html" target="_blank">Kubota Garden</a> are high on my list of favorites. Set aside some time to explore a few, and remember to take your camera.</span><br />
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-39687816685134416292013-06-23T15:18:00.001-07:002018-06-04T16:52:32.367-07:00Osprey in the Yard<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaOkSzcqAvs/Ucddnrq-PqI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/unlB16bjERo/s1600/Osprey+in+Our+Cedar+Tree+v2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaOkSzcqAvs/Ucddnrq-PqI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/unlB16bjERo/s640/Osprey+in+Our+Cedar+Tree+v2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More precisely, the osprey was in a tree, but just barely. How<i> DID</i> that large bird balance all of its bulk on the slender, flexible, topmost leader branch of our cedar tree? and <i>WHY</i> was he in the area? Neighbor Marcie reports that osprey are common around the lake, sighting them frequently near the Rowing Center. How is it that this is the first osprey we have ever seen or heard locally? An osprey's call is distinctive, loud and piercing enough to draw the attention of even non-birding humans. It was this repeated high-pitched call (<b><a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/sounds" target="_blank">link</a>)</b> that prompted us to stop and look up. The bird remained in place for ages, perched comfortably atop a 65-foot tree, long enough for us to grab the cameras and snap off a series of shots to use for identification. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wicked-looking curved beak indicated the bird was a flesh-eating raptor, but it definitely was not an eagle or a hawk. A comparison of our shots with some bird book photos and several on-line images indicated it was an osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Click <a href="http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Pandion_haliaetus/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for a brief but interesting article about osprey. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some impressive still images of osprey in flight, visit Graham Owen's <a href="http://www.grahamowengallery.com/photography/ospreys.html#top" target="_blank"><b>website</b></a>, or check out this brief BBC YouTube video of an osprey fishing (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA3LtXnNIto" target="_blank"><b>link</b></a>). These birds are impressive, sitting still or in motion. C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">apturing an image of an airborne osprey </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">might become a new photo challenge, paired with my ongoing effort for improved eagle action images (<a href="http://otm-cruisenews.blogspot.com/2012/07/sudden-eagle-flyby.html" target="_blank"><b>link</b></a>). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-55142692596634008842013-05-23T21:58:00.000-07:002018-06-04T16:51:25.042-07:00Garry Oaks and Duwamish Canoes <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a typical quiet weekend morning with our energies focused indoors on house-related projects when a series of unusual background noises caught our attention. Rhythmic shouts and occasional thumps, human sounds </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">apparently</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> not mechanical, grew louder and closer. One long canoe, then another passed the house, heading south and approaching the shore near a local park. Curious, we grabbed the cameras and headed to nearby Martha Washington Park to investigate. There were two overlapping activities taking place, both reflecting history and current day concerns. Two canoes paddled by members of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duwamish_tribe" target="_blank">Duwamish Tribe</a> arrived at the park as a group of conservation volunteers gathered to clear underbrush from a stand of Garry oaks (<a href="http://www.conservationnw.org/getinvolved/calendar/seattle-garry-oak-rescue-at-martha-washington-park-1" target="_blank">link</a>). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I knew that oak trees lined the park's shoreline, but have never thought much about this species or their history beyond gathering a few baskets of fallen oak leaves for Autumn decorations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems Garry Oaks are native to Puget Sound, with large groves once widely distributed throughout the region, but now harder to find as development has displaced them. They are magnificent trees, and Martha Washington Park and Seward Park boast two groves and volunteer groups who work to keep them healthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><strong style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;"><strong>Field notes</strong></strong><img src="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/art/ui/dot_grey808080.gif" height="1" style="background-color: white; border: none; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;" vspace="2" width="192" /><br /><img src="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/art/ui/dot_clear.gif" height="6" style="background-color: white; border: none; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;" width="1" /><br /><strong style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;">Garry oak</strong><strong>(Quercus garryana)</strong><strong>Puget Sound's only native oak,</strong> this striking deciduous tree has white-gray furrowed bark and round-lobed leaves. Resistant to fire, the oak withstood frequent burnings by Native Americans who used fire to manage the growth of desired plants and berries. Oak acorns were a staple food for those who visited and possibly lived along the shore between today's Seward and Martha Washington parks. They pounded and soaked the acorns to leach away bitter tannins. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">seattletimes.com/html/outdoors/2003717960_nwwnaturalwanders240.html</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One branch of the Duwamish Tribe has ties to the lake (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duwamish_tribe" target="_blank">link</a>) and the land around it,</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the one-time prairie that still holds some Garry oaks, aggressive patches of blackberries and used to support camas and other harvestable plants. This tribe, though small in number, is an active group that continues its long fight for federal recognition. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The land, the Garry oaks and the Duwamish paddlers share a history and a somewhat uncertain future. I like to think both were celebrating and celebrated at the park this weekend.</span><br />
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<br />SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-54582103912900264622013-04-11T08:57:00.001-07:002018-06-04T16:49:14.439-07:00The Buick Emerges <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all these years, fifteen or more, my 1972 Buick Skylark convertible came out of the garage, into the sunshine, and is moving again. Moving, but not exactly self-propelled, not yet. After years of hanging out inside, under a protective tarp, it was time to send her off to the auto shop for a check-up, time to get her running again. Then what? I don't know yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am the second owner of this old girl, and we have a lot of history together, hundreds of hours of local adventures and one memorable west coast road trip south to Palo Alto for a summer computer institute. Most of these fond memories involve carefree, top-down cruising in the sunshine, and not so much the slipping and sliding on Seattle hills during a rare hit of freezing winter weather. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RL was a hero when he found this car thirty years ago after my red '66 Chevy Impala convertible was totalled. A Subaru 4x4 traveling at 50 mph ran into the back of the Chevy while I was stopped in traffic. This yellow Buick brought a bright beam of sunshine back into my driving life and we cruised along happily for years. S</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he handled like a dream, and w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hat's not to love about a soft ride and classic lines?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then...? Then a smaller, sportier, more-fun-to-drive stick shift convertible seemed an absolute necessity, an antidote against the reality of an approaching <i>major</i> birthday. The Buick went undercover in the garage and remained there until this week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's next for the Skylark? her long-term future is uncertain, but it will be comforting to know she is still in great condition in my garage this Spring. I will enjoy driving her again in town, and perhaps someone else will have the opportunity to treasure her soon. </span><br />
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<br />SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-58235945745318006392013-03-29T18:04:00.001-07:002018-06-04T16:48:08.586-07:00Old-fashioned Twig Fences<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A daily walk <i>could</i> quickly become boring, a thoughtless routine that provides fresh air, exercise and some level of satisfaction in the knowledge that it's a healthy pursuit. <i>Could </i>become boring? maybe, but not lately, certainly not in our neighborhood. Beyond the neon colors of Spring flowers, clouds of petals falling from blooming fruit trees, noisy songbirds darting about in the bushes, waterfront activity around the park shoreline... beyond all that, there's always some small scene to stop a walker in their tracks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today I spotted some raised beds being readied for planting and was intrigued by the twig fences dotting the property. It felt like a step back in time to an era when such handwork was routine, when fencing wasn't supplied by the nearest big box store, and when nothing, even pruned branches, would go to waste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I'm tempted to prune the ornamental fruit trees in our yard and create something with the branches, maybe weave a basket to line with moss and display on the deck. Or maybe I'll put that notion in my Someday File, my file folder of good intentions, and focus instead on 2013 cruising preparation. Spring does force me to make choices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-80945672157234506262013-03-06T01:00:00.000-08:002018-06-04T16:46:47.756-07:00Winter to Spring Transition at the Market<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Not-Quite Wordless Wednesday post, following Sunday's visit to the <a href="http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/west_seattle" target="_blank">West Seattle Farmers' Market</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day's cool 45 F. temperature felt appropriate for the attractive array of typical Winter vegetables...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... though the cabbages looked more like flowers than members of the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">Brassica oleracea vegetable family they belong to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday's surprising blue sky and sunshine felt more suited to the riotous display of these early Spring tulips. What a colorful feast for the eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Spring is coming! </b>just not soon enough<b>.</b></span></span><br />
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-15004196100226793312013-02-11T14:04:00.001-08:002018-06-04T16:45:12.807-07:00Fast Pheasant Footwork<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In recent weeks I've caught a brief glimpse of some long-tailed, two-legged critter dashing along the fence line, infrequent sightings that were more a blur of motion rather than a real sighting. What <i>was</i> that quick-darting thing? Today a pair of squabbling squirrels must have distracted the bird, causing it to pay less attention to me as I sneaked outside with iPhone in hand, trying to capture an image. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My motion made him cautious, nervous about the antics of the squirrels and wary of my approach. He darted under the rhododendrons, turned toward the squirrels, reversed and headed back toward the lake and finally took flight, clearing the fence and landing two yards away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photos are blurry, but they definitely show a common or ring-necked pheasant (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Pheasant" target="_blank">link</a>) racing toward the lake. Now I'm curious to know more about this species, unusual in my immediate neighborhood but common throughout the Pacific Northwest. Did this guy escape from a penned or netted enclosure? Does he live in nearby Seward Park? Will he ever return now that I have startled him? </span><br />
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-12761628314677745842013-01-01T20:04:00.002-08:002018-06-04T16:44:09.143-07:002013: A New Year<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How did you celebrate the holiday? Parties? Fireworks? We went the quiet route and stayed home last night to watch the festivities on TV. The Space Needle fireworks show was impressive, with some unusual effects lighting the structure as well the sky above it. This morning attention turned to the Rose Parade, the 124th, and I clicked the remote repeatedly to switch between stations and not miss a minute of coverage. 42 gorgeous flower-bedecked floats, created around the theme "Oh, The Places You'll Go!", traveled the 5-mile parade route, interspersed with 21 impressive equestrian units and 33 bands strutting their stuff while they played in the unseasonably chilly weather. Brrrrr, you had to be hardy to camp out on the curb all night along Orange Grove, Del Mar or Colorado Avenues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seattle's blue sky lured us out of the house for a trip to Alki Beach, for our own parade along the sea wall and lunch at <a href="http://www.spudfishandchips.com/index.html#history" target="_blank">Spud Fish and Chips</a>. Sunshine brought crowds of people to West Seattle today. People of all ages were taking photos, scuba diving, kayaking, jogging, walking their dogs, strolling and biking all along the waterfront. It was <i>that</i> kind of day, clear and crisp at 34 F, a day to enjoy being active outside.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there was lunch...</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXUgGojj2dM/UOOiCnjBpiI/AAAAAAAADrc/WS8NLgrvFF4/s1600/Lunch+at+Spuds+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXUgGojj2dM/UOOiCnjBpiI/AAAAAAAADrc/WS8NLgrvFF4/s640/Lunch+at+Spuds+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It wasn't health food, or even heart-friendly fare, but this tray held a lot of history along with the chowder, clam strips and chips. Spud has been an institution at this location in Seattle since it's founding in 1934, four years earlier than well-known Seattle competitor <a href="http://www.ivars.com/index.php?page=history" target="_blank">Ivar Haglund</a>. I remember Spud as the first place I saw someone sprinkle vinegar on their fish and chips. Vinegar?! Oh yeah. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All that was missing was a pint of beer, but the day was probably too cold to enjoy one. I know we needed another long walk, or maybe a long nap, after we finished this lunch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One last </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">celebration today, again in front of the television, as I cheered Stanford on to victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl Game. Sorry Badgers, you played a good game today, just not good enough.</span></span></span></div>
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-42898532188058827242012-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:002018-06-04T16:41:49.232-07:00Seattle Christmas Ships 2012<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An<b><i> Almost Wordless Wednesday</i></b> post since the shot doesn't really need a caption. But I want to share my enthusiasm for this holiday tradition. It was a joy to view the dozen or more lighted vessels as they cruised past in front of the house and gathered in the cove. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ENJ1uAbB9I/UMqLOx1B9sI/AAAAAAAADnQ/U-zqu2atot4/s1600/Christmas+Ships.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ENJ1uAbB9I/UMqLOx1B9sI/AAAAAAAADnQ/U-zqu2atot4/s640/Christmas+Ships.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The flotilla paused in front of the nearby park and treated our neighborhood to a 20-minute program of Christmas music. The truly hardy souls gathered along the park's shore, other neighbors viewed from their windows, and many of us hung out on docks to enjoy the annual event... and dash inside for a hot drink to warm our hands and our insides. Cool, windy, drizzly weather and any stress of the season was forgotten as the familiar carols filled the air. I LOVE Christmas happenings in Seattle. </span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-78808372420953265042012-11-19T22:55:00.003-08:002018-06-04T16:41:03.970-07:00How Windy Was It?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A Rainy Day at U.Village</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yellow umbrellas dot the landscape in Seattle's<a href="http://www.uvillage.com/" target="_blank"> University Village</a>, available to shoppers any time, 24/7, throughout this open air shopping center. We're a city of hardy souls who rarely grab an umbrella to dash from car to store, or shop to shop. On days like today, when the sky opened up to pour down a record 2 inches of rain in six hours <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019717741_weather20m.html" target="_blank">(link</a>), umbrellas were much appreciated...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah1nYW9Cnhs/UKsfLgZsHhI/AAAAAAAADg0/x7RM5Vhn-do/s1600/Yellow+Umbrella+at+Rest+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah1nYW9Cnhs/UKsfLgZsHhI/AAAAAAAADg0/x7RM5Vhn-do/s640/Yellow+Umbrella+at+Rest+v2.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... appreciated, that is, until the winds gusted and swirled, turning umbrellas inside out...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... threatening lift-off, with or without any human accompaniment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The yellow umbrellas were far more decorative than useful today, like alien yellow blossoms opening to November's moisture and gray clouds. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They seem better suited to gentle showers, not serious storms, but any umbrella is considered a friendly gesture from the U.W.Village management team. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lunch with a friend at <a href="http://www.sonrisamodernmex.com/about-us.shtml" target="_blank">Sonrisa</a> was a treat, as usual, but later on I had more fun watching the umbrella-wielding shoppers than I did actually doing any shopping. (Mary Poppins would have been right at home in The Village today.)</span></div>
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-36771577672024604012012-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:002018-06-04T16:38:03.756-07:00Chihuly Garden and Glass Visit<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>A Wordless Wednesday post following a recent in-town field trip.</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80sSKtoEBfU/UIy7Hrcgb_I/AAAAAAAADbI/RAPISCOjqaA/s1600/Ikebana+and+Float+Boats+October+23%252C+2012++5_+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80sSKtoEBfU/UIy7Hrcgb_I/AAAAAAAADbI/RAPISCOjqaA/s640/Ikebana+and+Float+Boats+October+23%252C+2012++5_+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-33617129493271682172012-09-12T10:31:00.004-07:002018-06-04T16:37:11.300-07:00A Birthday Bouquet<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...another Wordless Wednesday</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzjdHQWO9g/UFDGkmQNaRI/AAAAAAAADMs/OkV3F3A4tYA/s1600/3+more+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzjdHQWO9g/UFDGkmQNaRI/AAAAAAAADMs/OkV3F3A4tYA/s640/3+more+flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...thanks Mom.</span><br />
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<br />SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-29654497828875312012012-05-21T08:03:00.001-07:002018-06-04T16:36:02.233-07:00Ready and Waiting for Summer<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The south deck has suddenly sprouted spots of color, in keeping with the vivid blooms of the rhododendrons in the background. I can only imagine the laughter and good times that will fill up this space as the weather warms up. Good choice, Laci. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-16657812714478156152012-04-07T13:14:00.000-07:002018-06-04T16:35:14.857-07:00Cute Little Critter<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our local raccoons are usually active after dark, but this character ambled along the waterfront in full afternoon sunshine, casually ignoring all human activity. That could be confidence born of experience, or lucky-so-far overconfidence. I was so captivated by its actions that I almost forgot to grab the camera and record the moment. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNKVju_wOdg/T4CbpjbdEAI/AAAAAAAACqA/9pCbTxlYpnk/s1600/Raccoon+On+Patrol+April+04,+2012+2+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNKVju_wOdg/T4CbpjbdEAI/AAAAAAAACqA/9pCbTxlYpnk/s640/Raccoon+On+Patrol+April+04,+2012+2+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-52106718359810504482012-03-20T01:00:00.017-07:002018-06-04T16:33:52.129-07:00The First Day of Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's official, today is the first day of Spring 2012, the Vernal Equinox. Throw off your winter coats and revel in the lengthening days... or at least look forward to it feeling less like Winter. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weatherman has forecast rain today with a high temperature of 46 F and a low of 39 F. I'll welcome Spring's arrival, but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm ignoring March and looking forward to April when the Skagit Valley tulip fields are awash in color and our daytime temperatures might stay above 60. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For now I'll keep my coat handy and my umbrella too, for a stroll around the yard to exhort the spring flowers to ignore the rain and keep those blooms a'coming.</span></div>
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-74114349290811744322012-03-10T22:43:00.001-08:002018-06-04T16:32:56.608-07:00Set the Clock Back? No! Forward<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's that time of year again, time to lose an hour of sleep as we set the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Time to fool the body clock into thinking it's time to wake up an hour earlier. My brain will not be fooled by this clock adjustment. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mother Nature is doing a number on us at the same time. It seems to happen every year. The cherry blossoms are out,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the daffodils are in full, glorious bloom,</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4fw0XXlSfs/T1xGi3593KI/AAAAAAAACmU/Ifnc5CMYwZ8/s1600/Spring+Flowers+2012+March+09%252C+2012+3+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4fw0XXlSfs/T1xGi3593KI/AAAAAAAACmU/Ifnc5CMYwZ8/s640/Spring+Flowers+2012+March+09%252C+2012+3+v2.jpg" width="513" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the clematis is sending out shoots and climbing up its trellis,</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-km4PoCeiHPw/T1xGkoBu-xI/AAAAAAAACmc/6yaBM9MPOsc/s1600/Spring+Flowers+2012+March+09%252C+2012+5+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="555" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-km4PoCeiHPw/T1xGkoBu-xI/AAAAAAAACmc/6yaBM9MPOsc/s640/Spring+Flowers+2012+March+09%252C+2012+5+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">even the Asian pear trees are setting buds,</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jblL2mXzaAo/T1xGlODnz5I/AAAAAAAACmk/GvIyIzeDEeU/s1600/Spring+Flowers+2012+March+09%252C+2012+6+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jblL2mXzaAo/T1xGlODnz5I/AAAAAAAACmk/GvIyIzeDEeU/s640/Spring+Flowers+2012+March+09%252C+2012+6+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">while the TV weather folks keep talking about the possibility of more snow. Nature's idea of a joke, perhaps? Tantalizing us with promises of Spring and then dropping another dusting of Winter snow? I revel in this wild transitional weather, as long as there are a few days of sunshine thrown into the mix.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882080334066644451.post-78597885946733214902012-03-04T18:51:00.000-08:002018-06-04T16:31:23.827-07:00Neighborhood Thief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNeynuwtcfY/T1Qd9WcnfdI/AAAAAAAAClU/o_t6WPb-CRA/s1600/Squirel+After+Bird+Feeder11262008+B+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNeynuwtcfY/T1Qd9WcnfdI/AAAAAAAAClU/o_t6WPb-CRA/s640/Squirel+After+Bird+Feeder11262008+B+v2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This little critter may look cute and harmless, but don't be taken in by his innocent appearance. He's a thief at heart, a bad guy twice over who shows no signs of remorse for his past misdeeds. Oh no, instead he's back casing the grounds daily looking for new opportunities.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used to scare him with a toy squirt gun, chase him out of the nearby vine maple in the courtyard, away from that tempting suet feeder. It was a hopeless effort of course, but he did learn to scamper away when he saw me move toward the door. Then one day he boldly stole the whole suet block, metal cage and all. No, I didn't catch him in the act, but he was the most likely culprit. The flickers and downy woodpeckers were certainly not suspects.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbrpAmvEris/T1Qm2X-lxyI/AAAAAAAAClc/iNoeD8w4184/s1600/Flicker+in+Snow+12182008+B+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbrpAmvEris/T1Qm2X-lxyI/AAAAAAAAClc/iNoeD8w4184/s640/Flicker+in+Snow+12182008+B+v2.jpg" width="584" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sigh. I walked to the Seward Park <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/environment/seward.htm" target="_blank">Audubon Center</a> and invested way too much money in a large seed feeder that was advertised as "squirrel proof". Imagine that, just the thing to confound my pesky squirrel. I gleefully hung the new feeder on the same branch in the same tree as the missing suet feeder. Gotcha, Mr. Squirrel.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sigh. Now that feeder is gone too. I'm left with a 10-pound bag of birdseed and no feeder to put it in. Damned cheeky rodent! I do have to admire his go-gettum attitude... just a little. Be on the lookout in your neighborhood, I'm encouraging him to move on.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNdm1P91Vo4/T1QoNJSOtYI/AAAAAAAAClk/ZA33lHg3LhM/s1600/Squirrel+MugFebruary+29,+2012+2+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNdm1P91Vo4/T1QoNJSOtYI/AAAAAAAAClk/ZA33lHg3LhM/s640/Squirrel+MugFebruary+29,+2012+2+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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SeattleDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02885122380991510212noreply@blogger.com0