Happy Holidays to You!

Saturday Afternoons in the Summer

This is one of my favorite old buildings, in the heart of my hometown down in California. I miss it tonight, my town and this wonderful old theatre. Many childhood Saturday afternoons in the summer were spent in there, perched wide eyed before the screen enjoying all manner of movies. I loved the moments before the lights dimmed and the popcorn and soda commercial torment began. When the ceilings, walls, light fixtures and the organ well were all in view. Oh and those magical side balcony seats that looked like something out of a European theatre, or so I thought as a child. They mimicked the balconies in the tower. What wonderful workmanship that building held and holds still I'm told. Bless renovators that stay true to original design.

Many towns across the country had theaters just like this and that pleases me no end. It means there were places for other kids to enjoy movies and architecture once enough pop-bottle pennies were saved for a ticket. We were the kids of the 50's, saving landfills from early closures by capturing all those returnable bottles. Who knew? We didn't. It was a means to an end. In my case it paid for fabric to sew clothing too.

This image was made in the early morning just as the light hit the side of the tower, lighting it up like a Christmas tree. As I raised the camera and zoomed in a bit, I realized the spires and other elements edges were wrapped in tinsel and sparkling. A gift for getting up and out to see the sunrise? Maybe. It was definitely a gift to have a bit of quiet, private time to enjoy the building and reminisce before traffic and noise hid it's memories from me. It was also the spot of my first kiss years later. Do you have some favorite spots in your hometown?

Summer Color for a Winter's Day

A bit of summer color for a winter's day. And winter it is here in Western Washington where our morning temps have been in the teens. A tad farther south in Olympia, friends have been waking to numbers like 8 and 9. Burrrrrrr. What a difference a little distance and height make. We have risen in Taos, NM on days with similar temps or lower and marveled at how it feels warmer than it should. Add a bit of wind and NW humidity and those temps make my bones bark.

Why, I believe I'm whining. Hmm. Revised version. Though our winter temps have been dipping, what a delight to live where enough rain falls to lessen drought worries and keep the area green year round. We are truly lucky to be here. How am I doing? Hope you are getting all the things your area needs at this time, where ever You are. Enjoy!

To Love the Ordinary

“It is ordinary to love the marvelous;

It is marvelous to love the ordinary.”

-Donald Windham

Photos taken at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

located in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, WA

The remaining portions of Fort Nisqually,

home to one of the Hudson's Bay Company trading posts,

were ultimately transferred from their original location to the Park.

Recently a major restoration project was completed.

Nothing Seems Enough

I've been trying all week to find a way to adequately express the love and support we want to offer the families of the four brave and committed police we lost this Sunday past. Nothing seems enough. A lunatic savagely altered the course of so many lives. The arraignments of those who foolishly assisted him have been taking place across the street from my office.

I have great admiration for our local and regional police men and women, sheriffs, sheriff's deputies and emergency responders. They have all stayed to task, employing the highest levels of professionalism and control during tense times. Please keep them all in your thoughts; the four now lost, their families, friends, coworkers and the vast sea of people impacted by this weeks events.

Bring in the Brass Monkey

Another of my favorite spots to pass for visual R & R out here in the hinter lands. I don't "think" I've posted this before. To late and too tired to check so apologies if that is so. This week winter is making a colder and less wet statement. Jackets and a warm neck scarf are thrown into the car each morning for good measure. The pellet stove was officially kicked off today as well. I may bring in the brass monkey before heading to bed. Or not. Stay warm! Even you folks down in that CA time zone. Wink.