8.27.2017

Late summer...

The first feeling of autumn in the air has arrived already. I look out the kitchen windows at the orchard, and it just looks like autumn. The vinemaples are changing color, and the big leaf maples in the pasture are already losing their leaves.

But the biggest clue is waking up at 6:00 a.m. to mornings in the mid-40's, but the afternoons are still hot and dry.

All the tell-tale signs of a season in change, balanced so beautifully with late summer flowers.

I welcome the change. I put the garden to bed, then don't have to worry about it until spring. I welcome having the extra time for quilting and for photography.

Autumn is my favorite season.









8.26.2017

Deer at PT...

When we drove into this side road in Coupeville, ready to hop out and look for a cache, we weren't the first ones there. First an almost-grown fawn wandered up to the door, then a very small fawn, and already grazing on the grass we spotted the doe.







The older two weren't the least bit bothered by having us there, but eventually the little one got a bit spooked and trotted off across the driveway, heading for the tall grass of a vacant lot.



The other two kept on grazing on the landscaping, just as though they were waiting for their appointed time at the physical therapy clinic.

8.24.2017

Chuckanut fossils...



A geocache brought us back to Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham a couple of days ago. When we read about fossils being here, we had to see it for ourselves. So south we drove, parked on the wide shoulder, and crossed the narrow highway to look up on the cliff. I never knew about the fossils that were exposed when the road was built, but I bet my sister does... she has a minor in geology from Western.

In one place you can see a variety of tropical plant vegetation, including palms. There's also an embedded tree, now petrified wood.







8.23.2017

Swarmed...

We took the long way home from Bellingham yesterday, exploring parts of the Skagit Valley we'd never seen before, all in the name of geocaching. Chasing a string of caches down a windy wooded road in the eastern county, we came around a bend and stopped on the shoulder. I was just about to hop out of the car when Dave told me to close the door... quickly. Something in his tone made me do it without asking "why?"

Glad I did. I looked out the side window and saw hundreds, maybe thousands of honeybees swarming around the Pilot. We sat there and watched, in awe, at the sheer number of bees. With the world's dirtiest windshield, it was tough to get a photo.



I put the palm of my hand against the glass, and gradually a few bees landed on the window.







Outside the Pilot was a stand of  tansy, the good kind of tansy with the bright yellow button flowers. And every flower head was literally covered with bees, so you could barely see the flowers.





It's the second honeybee event I've seen this month, and it makes me hopeful that these little creatures are making a comeback.

8.22.2017

Bellingham...


I never lived here, but Bellingham will always feel like a second home to me. Both my sisters went to college at Western, and when I was in high school, my dad took a job as campus architect there. My parents rented the third-floor apartment in this building on High Street, which took up a quarter of the third floor. The broad staircase rose through the center of the building, with wood steps and handrails darkened by time and polished by hundreds of hands.

Our apartment had high ceilings and built-in cupboards, and had a killer view out over Bellingham Bay. I loved visiting my dad there, spending a week or so every summer. I'd watch out the windows as college kids walked past on their way to campus, and in the afternoon I'd take a blanket and a book across the street and lay in the sun for a few hours. When I think very hard, I can almost feel what it was like to walk in through the big glass door and climb those stairs, surrounded by dust motes dancing in the sunlight and the faint scent of an old building.


The past few years, we've gotten in the habit of staying in town whenever we pass through, to give us a chance to get reacquainted. Bellingham has changed a lot from those high school visits, but so much is still the same. The great downtown core, with one-way streets and views over the water especially. It's a hub for micro-breweries these days, fun to investigate. And there are great restaurants.

Before we left this morning, we drove past the old apartment building, the only one on this long street of bungalows. When we lived here, the houses were in pretty sad shape. But not any more. There are still couches on the front porches, and I imagine the college kids still hang out there on nice evenings. But the houses are painted and the yards are green with grass, and the whole of college hill looks like someplace you'd love to live.

8.21.2017

Eclipse day...

In a clearing in the woods, on beautiful Whidbey Island, we gathered to watch the sun rise above the trees, then watch the moon move across the sun and out the other side. It was magical and special, even though we didn't get to see a total eclipse.

The last time our little telescope was set up for a solar eclipse was in 1979, when we watched the total eclipse from the desert in the Tri-Cities.

I remember that day so well... we took the morning off from work, walked out into the desert near our house, and set up the telescope ready to project the eclipse onto a white card. We watched, worried that the clouds would keep us from seeing this amazing event. And half an hour before the eclipse was to begin, the clouds parted, leaving a wide band of sky bare for the sun and the moon to dance. It was an experience I will never forget.




The boys ready for the show



Playing around with a colander full of tiny half-moons.



Showing off those stylish glasses.


And while we didn't see a total eclipse today, we had a pretty great time together, one we won't soon forget.

8.19.2017

Whidbey Island blooms...

My hydrangeas at home are starting to fade, but here on Whidbey Island they're in full bloom and gorgeous.






I'm looking forward to a few days with DWs family, camping out on our niece's wooded five acres. Three days of fun and good food, spent with some of my favorite people, topped off with a solar eclipse. And some backroads touring with my camera, something I've not had time to do lately.

8.15.2017

Remembering...

Coming past the fountain park today, it reminded me of that hot, hot summer the year after I got my first digital camera. I went to the library at lunchtime one day, then walked across the street and watched the kids splashing in the water.



This little girl caught my eye, in her cute white and black suit and sun hat. She was smaller than all the other kids, and stayed on the fringes. This huge black marble rolls around in a hollow in the tiles, and all the kids loved pushing it around. On this 100 degree+ day, I'm sure I wasn't the only adult who wished they could jump in the water, too!

8.13.2017

Quilt cat...


Madison has been my constant companion in the quilting studio lately, curled up on her own quilt on my cutting table, or sitting in the wicker chair.  I'm working my way through some old projects before I begin anything new... a very good feeling. Today I finished a quilt made from 1940s reproduction feedsack fabrics in blues, greens, pinks, yellows, and purples. Soon it will be on the bed in the guest room, perfectly at home on the brass bed in my antique farmhouse.

8.11.2017

Finally, clouds...


The past few weeks we've been smothered in smoke-filled clouds sent our way from the awful forest fires in British Columbia. It's been a grim reminder of how Canada is suffering through some of the worst forest fires in decades.

Tonight we went to dinner with DWs mom and his uncle; he's leaving for home tomorrow after a fun 10-day visit. As we walked outside, and looked up, for the first time in too many days I could actually see clouds in the sky.

8.08.2017

Red Town on Cougar Mountain...

What better way to spend a blistering hot day than a walk in the woods, followed by cold beer and pizza at a new (to us) brewpub.


The hot, dry days are bringing the maple leaves down early.



Cougar Mountain is old coal mining country, always interesting to explore.





We found this little place in our old neighborhood, in the building where I used to do my grocery shopping. I like the new tennant much better! After a couple of hours walking in the heat, we were more than ready for an icy cold beverage and a perfectly wonderful pizza. Love this place... we'll be back soon!

Honey...

There was an article about honey bees in a recent Costco magazine, and one thing really hit home. The best way we all can help save the honey bees is to plant things they like to eat.  Our farm came ready-made with a long row of lilac bushes, which are almost 50 years old now. And we sweetened the pot by planting lace cap hydrangeas and butterfly bushes, and a lot of perennials that attract butterflies. I didn't realize then that the bees would love them just as much.



All summer, the garden has been humming with the usual bumble bees, but also with honey bees. I don't remember seeing so many before; maybe someone in the valley now has bee hives. I hope so... that would be awesome for all the old orchards here.

8.07.2017

Run for the roses, Corgi style...

Between Thoroughbred races yesterday, we were entertained by the sight of short-legged Corgis racing to the finish line.

The call to the post...



The parade to the post was a bit disorganized...



At the starting line...




False start...



And they're off!




These two had other things on their minds, while the others bolted for the finish.




The winners got their turn in the winner's circle...

8.06.2017

And they're off...

In my husband's family, everyone's favorite uncle is a retired Thoroughbred breeder and race horse owner, and for years when he came to town, we'd sit and talk horses. I miss that he's out of the business now. I loved researching pedigrees for him, and wish I could do that work again.

We still love when he comes for a visit, and this time DW's sister and brother-in-law arranged for us to spend an afternoon at Emerald Downs. They are part-owners of a horse that races here, and I was excited to see him run. We had a couple of private boxes right up front, and they even arranged to have a race named for Dee (he was tickled!).

Oh, and did I mention the Corgi races? More on the wee doggie races in another post.

Enjoy...

My handsome husband and his beautiful sisters














Outriders, ready for the first race


Because "we" were sponsoring the first race, we got to go to the saddling paddock before the race




My favorite entry (he didn't win, but oh, my... he'd make a great dressage horse!)

Dee, with the "Dee Williams Purse" on the readerboard


Waiting in the winner's circle


Number 7 won going away










I've never been in the winner's circle before!
The guys called this tall gray a giraffe, with his long legs and high head carriage and skinny rat tail.
I love his name: Snowball's Chance.




Second trip to the owner's enclosure to watch the horses come in.


Arrom Bear heading for the saddling paddock


Rocco Bowen up on Arrom Bear, ready to run



Bear finished 5th. They later found out that he has a bone chip in his knee, which may end his career.


Engrossed in the Daily Racing Form


The last race was a mile, which means the starting gate was right in front by the grandstand. A bird's-eye view for us!




My favorite was the No. 5 horse, English Kitty. No. 9, Stuck River, won the race.



Look at all those bay rumps, side by side in the starting gate.



And they're off!



Stuck River won it easily



Family photographs before the last race