Children in a Family

"Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: 

there's always one determined to face in an opposite direction

 from the way the arranger desires."

Marcelene Cox

I suspect in this case the florist was pleased

 but the wedding organizer would have preferred 

all eyes directed to the bride and groom at the alter. 

Mine included.

First Wedding

This little one landed in front of my camera, in silhouette, at a recent wedding reception. She was precious in her little raw silk dress with eyes wide open, in awe of the festivities. Nothing quite like attending your first wedding!

Our power is back on and the low, low temps fled today. We forget how much we enjoy Pumpkin Pie until Thanksgiving rolls around each year. That is probably a good thing as it could be habit forming. I gave thanks for your visits and hope your holiday, if you celebrated one, was lovely.

Give Bees a Chance

These are little homes of honey bee hope. At least that is how I think of hives in this time of honey bee fragility. As the seasons first snow begins to fall outside my window I'm thinking of the beekeepers I know in different areas of Western WA and hoping the predicted temperatures, in the mid to low teens for some of the nights this week, do no harm. Each has struggled with the challenges bee health has seen in the last few years.

These hives in the countryside near Chehalis, WA provide honey, wax and pollination to the nearby gardens; fashioned in plantings commonly found in the 1800's. What magical little soft bodied, winged workers bees are. The Egyptians held bees in godly stead. Considering how critical bees are to tree, ground and bush crops, they may not have been too far off the mark. On this snowy evening, I'm just thinking...give bees a chance!

Mercurial Birds

One of my favorite installations continues to be the low flying mercury glass birds, in a pond behind the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Do stop there if you are ever in the neighborhood. Short on time, just walk the outer grounds. 

Even the Water Knows

Even the water knows fall is here.

Splashed Across the Region

Fall colors are splashed across the region this week 

like rich juicy paints on canvas. 

Paying Respect

I was visiting one of my old friends, the Paper Birch tree at Wright Park, on my lunch break recently.  She is big and tall with some calloused damage in her largest branches, proving her determination to live.  

By the time I can get to the park from where I now work, there is little time to spend there, but the journey is worth it. The dance of the Paper Birch is not to be missed. Of course the fall leaves are a draw, but on this visit I spent most of my time paying respect to one of the park's finest.

Where Donkey Creek enters Gig Harbor Bay

This is the point where Donkey Creek enters Gig Harbor Bay. The harbor is a lovely place, sunrise to sunset, but I often wonder, would it be as enchanting without the grace of Mt Rainier in the distance? She seems to me, the candlelight that changes a beautiful supper into a night to remember.