A lust for paper products

Hello friends - I have a problem.

It's not an horrible problem - certainly not life-threatening in any way.  Unless the buildup of unused and half-used notebooks becomes so large as to crush me.

I suppose it could happen.

For two years I subscribed to Field Notes.  They're lovely little items, and while I'm using many of them for different things I'm still giving them away.  Though looking at what I have unused, I'm pretty much down to what I want to keep for myself. Aren't they lovely?

Then along came Cognitive Surplus - I've restrained myself and only have one of their notebooks, but I am so tempted by them!

Ants!  I love them so.

This morning I was suckered into clicking on a Facebook (damn you!) advert for a company called INK+VOLT.

Swoon.

So many notebooks and planners.  This one, however, speaks to me.

I must use up some of the other notebooks before buying another, or so I tell myself.

Thank goodness it's time to get ready for work, otherwise I may succumb to my weakness for paper!

Good morning!

Last night I made reservations for another camping trip, to Rasar State Park in August.  We didn't go there last year, so are really looking forward to it.  While the above picture was not taken there, it does look very much like it in spots.  Great trails for walking, and you can get down to the Skagit River.  Very lovely!

The online reservations process is pretty easy, but it seems like they're constantly getting a "new" system.  Last night I selected the site we wanted (only one left for those dates!), and was prompted to create a new account.  I did so, and when I went back to the reservation page and signed in the site I wanted was unavailable - because the non-account me had it in my cart!  Oy.  I had to wait about 20 minutes before the site freed up, and then I was able to properly reserve it.  Usually when I'm shopping online, if I put something in the cart and then log in it's still there.  Oh well.  I used the time to think about where we might stay on a short hotel trip to the Peninsula...

Happy Monday!

Dusting off this thing

Have I really not posted for over three years?

Why yes, that is correct.

I'm so disenchanted with FB, and have been enjoying writing a bit more lately.  Seems like a good enough reason to resurrect this thing.

Rowland agrees.  He's had enough of the FB shenanigans and says blogging is the new FB.

We'll see.

Cheers!

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.



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



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




What a beautiful day!  And another is expected tomorrow.

Cheers!

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.

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!

sNOw

Can you see it?



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...



Oh my!

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