Saturday, January 9, 2016

Another day, another walk around town

I'm sure liking this so-called winter we're having.  Sure, it's a bit chilly and frosty in the mornings, and some days it barely gets above freezing.  But the clear sunny days!  I'll take it.  I want to take advantage of them as much as possible and get out for walks.

Today I wandered downtown again - it's always nice by the water (though if you do the walk often enough it's a bit dull).  I stopped into a couple of shops in hope of finding some good tea, but no.  I'll just have to make a stop at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op for that.  I'm in search of a couple more caffeine free teas to drink in the evening, instead of wine.

I should mention that I've gone one week without drinking any alcohol.  Woohoo!  I'm feeling better already, and if I keep this up AND walk as much as possible I should be able to fit into those clothes that got a bit squeezy!  It will take a bit of work, however.  But with more days like today, that will make it a lot easier!

Anyhow, here's a few things I saw on the walk today...

Oh dear.  Nothing good could have come from the consumption of this rum in the park gazebo.

Bacardi party in the gazebo

It got better after that though.  The low angle afternoon sun made some great shadows.

Shadow lines

The birds were busy everywhere, but this lot were trying to settle down on the log.  The were noisy as get-out chattering at each other and flying here and there.  But they were trying.

The log is a popular gathering place!

The days are getting longer, but the sun still goes down pretty early.  The ducks were enjoying the golden glow on the water.

Sunset


What a beautiful day!  And another is expected tomorrow.

Cheers!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Communications from afar...

I just received this touching email...


I am Mrs Beeko Afoko Harriet I am a widow with a 15 year old daughter. I am contacting you because I am dying and I want you to adopt my daughter. In adopting my daughter, I am willing to allocate to you my funds worth Seven Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ( $7.2million USD)  When I get response from you, I will give you more details.

Remain blessed.

Thanks
Mrs Beeko Afoko Harriet






Nice try.

Monday, January 4, 2016

The Lottery Ticket

Last year I did "A Year of Making" which entailed making something every day for 365 days in a row.  I'm not going to write about that now, but wanted to mention it as many people have asked what I will be doing this year.

My answer, besides not committing to do anything 365 days in a row, is that I will be reading more.  My goal for the year is 100 books.  I read more than that in 2014, so I know it can be done!  My reading habits are a bit different now though, as I no longer have to read a large number of young adult fiction for my job.  Yay! (I was getting a bit burned out on those)

Last year, I also started Goodreads group based on the 2015 Reading Challenge put out by Popsugar. I did not come anywhere near finishing - some of those categories were real skunks.  The group has grown, and this year we developed our own 2016 Reading Challenge.  Today I finished my first book!



The Lottery Ticket, by Jules Verne (also known as Ticket No. 9672) was what you would a call a very NICE book.  It was published in 1886, and it was certainly appropriate for young people or those wanting a gentle read.

Plot Synopsis: 
(courtesy of D. Kytasaari - http://epguides.com/djk/JulesVerne/works.shtml
Hulda Hansen of Dal, Norway anxiously awaits the return of her betrothed, Ole Kamp who promised her great fortune on his return. Ole works on the fishing boat, Viking, which is expected to return soon, but when it doesn't, it is feared lost. While this is going on, Hulda and her brother Joel also worry about their mother Dame Hansen, who hasn't been acting like herself, ever since that visit from a man known as Sandgoist. A guest staying with the family is Sylvius Hogg, who is taken with Hulda's story and uses his position within the government to help out. One trace of the ship is found, a bottle that contains a note for Hulda and a single lottery ticket, numbered 9672. News of the tragedy and the hope of the possible riches of the lottery ticket spread around the countryside, especially interested is the man Sandgoist. What fortunes await the Hansen family when the day of the lottery drawing arrives?
I found it for free on iBooks, and thought it would be kind of fun to have on my phone to read during those times I found myself with a few minutes to spare here and there.  It worked well for that.  Easy to pick up and put down, so to speak.

That's all for today!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

sNOw

Can you see it?

It's snowing!

Look hard!

It didn't last very long - just a few flakes and then it was gone.  Nothing to get exciting about, though rumor has it there could be a bit more overnight.  Not looking very promising, however.

Of greater interest is the clandestine, forbidden romance meeting I stumbled upon today while walking through town...

Forbidden love

Oh my!

I also saw some ancient technology.  It doesn't get anymore exciting than this, kids.

Look!  I found some 8-track tapes!




Saturday, January 2, 2016

More beach!

It's been cold here for days.  Cold enough that some of the frost doesn't melt, if it's in the shade all day.

Icedlashes

It was another gorgeous sunny day, and despite the cold we got out for another walk.  Today we headed to Deception Pass State Park.  The walk around Cranberry Lake is one of our favorites - it's not too long, and you get a little bit of forest and a bit of beach.

Look at the happy little wave!

Joyful wave

How can you not love this place?

Another beautiful day at the beach


We are so fortunate to live where we do.  It's easy to get out into a natural place, just a short drive in any direction will get us to a park with a beach and forest.

Ahhhhhhh.

One more day of my mini holiday.  More reading, relaxing, and another walk are in store.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Oh hello!

Today was a beautiful day.  Cold, crisp, sunny.

Perfect for a walk at Ebey's bluff!

Looking south

Wow.

It's been a while since I've stopped by here.  I was rather busy in 2015, with this "Year of Making" thing I was doing.  Writing wasn't very high on my list, but I did a lot of crochet.  A LOT.  I also did quite a lot of doodle drawing, and a few other assorted things.  What I did manage to do was "make" something every day for 365 days in a row!

365/365

The only thing I usually do that often are sleep, eat, and have a wee.  Heh.

This year I'm not committing to do anything for 365 days in a row - anything out of the norm, anyhow.  I have set a goal to read at least 100 books, which should actually be quite doable.  The great thing is I don't have to read YA books anymore if I don't want to - woohoo!  I'll read one, as one category of the 2016 Reading Challenge is to read a YA book.  I do have an ARC here that I want to read, when I'm in the mood.  Maybe I'll take up blogging more regularly again this year.  I suddenly feel in the mood to write (which has also been lacking for a while).

Here is a peek inside bull kelp:

A peek inside

And a couple more lovely scenes from our walk.  Happy New Year!

No finer place to be!

Ebey's prairie