I'm still in shock over the results of the election yesterday, but I can talk about that later. For now, I'd like to share the wonderful week I just spent with my family and try to focus on how lucky I am to have so many positive things in my life.
Read moreLife: Week 37
This week was rough. After our lovely, relaxing week off, this week started with a stressful trip to the emergency vet. Our cat is back to his usual cuddly self now, but the ordeal was exhausting for all of us and it took most of the week to recover. Thankfully we had a quiet weekend of relaxing at home. We went on a few short walks around the neighborhood, but for the most part we were total and unabashed homebodies.
Every time we did manage to step outside, I was happy to see signs of fall everywhere. Since moving to Washington as a child, I remember the sight of spiders perched on their webs decorating the woods around my parents house throughout September. Apples have started to spring up all over and bright yellow leaves have been tumbling from the trees outside my apartment all week. I always love seeing the piles of leaves littering the walkway at our apartment, and can't help but feel sad when the groundskeeping crew come to blow them away. For now, though, my favorite season is just beginning, and even when these early leaves are gone, there will be plenty more to turn vibrant colors and fall through November.
Read moreLife: Week 26
I'm trying to take advantage of every moment of these long, glorious days of summer. While the days feel long and slow, the weeks fly by! Soon Andy and I are going to have to take a weekend off, because for weeks we've been busy, busy, busy and I know we can't keep it up. The trouble is, every time I think of setting aside a day or weekend to relax at home, all the adventures we could have instead pop into my head, and getting them dislodged is not at all easy. For now, I'm thoroughly enjoying these jam-packed summer days. One evening this week, we met friends for a long, drawn out dinner on the patio of our favorite local beer shop. We stayed nearly until closing time, and between the good conversation, good beer, and late sunset, we hardly noticed the time passing. Saturday, with the holiday weekend, we got up early and headed for Whidbey. It's been too long since we've spent time at the cabin, and it was wonderful to be back. I had almost forgotten how peaceful it is there. There are never enough days in the summer, but hopefully we can make time for one more weekend on Whidbey!
Read moreLife: Week 6
This week felt like spring. So much more so than the February fake-out we usually have in the Pacific Northwest. As usual, we had a few days of delicious sunshine and warm temperatures. What made it feel more springlike was the fog, heavy rain, and gusty wind thrown into the mix. True spring in the Pacific Northwest. Now we're back to the constant flat grey skies and cooler temperatures of February, and I don't expect to see much of a change for at least a few weeks. Thankfully my office has lots of windows, so I was able to soak up the sunshine while it lasted!
Read moreLife: Week 5
Another truly excellent week! I never regret getting outside - something I really need to remember for the weeks to come. The damp, chilly months of spring are always the hardest for me to get outside. My lack of motivation probably has something to do with my impatience for peak summer hiking. I always forget the often unbearable and bugs and dream of gorgeous trails still under feet of snow, then feel disappointed by the lowland trail options available early in the year. This year, I'm determined to appreciate the trails that are accessible year round for their own beauty, and to squeeze in as many snowshoe trips as I can before the snow becomes too unstable and avalanche danger too high!
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