Water Under the Bridge

On this Eve of 2011, I send you wishes for a wonderful New Year. Goodness and light ahead, where ever and when ever possible. As for those things that may have weighted you down in 2010, may they be water under the bridge, dissolving on their journey down stream or out to sea, reforming as gained understandings and growth. 

The photo above was taken at Deception Pass in WA. 

This Passing Year

Sending you a reflection; a moment from this passing year.

It Has Been A Treat

It has been a treat to have time to post more frequently this past week, thanks to a bit of vacation time. Now it's back to work. Hope you enjoy the week ahead. In case you didn't catch it the first time, here is a little Chris Smither to go with that light. Not the best video, but hey, it is live after all. With our work days still beginning and ending in the dark, this song comes to mind often. 

Up Close

Leaf. Bird. Leaf. Bird. 

That's what it did to me from a distance.

Then, up close, the truth was revealed.

Aging vision can be a fun thing.

Keeps the imagination cooking.

PEACE

Sending you all wishes for a Peace filled season 

of love, laughter and the things that bring your spirit joy. 

And 

many, many thanks 

for all your visits, comments and kindnesses. 

They have been more important this year 

than you will ever know. 
With warm hugs to you and yours, 
Chris

The Day of Rich Colors

We are creeping up on the day of rich colors 

and twinkling lights at break-neck speed. 

Be sure to stop and take a look around when you can, 

it's lovely out. If instead, you are dealing with things 
of more import and difficulty than holiday lights, 
please know you are in our thoughts.

Head Straight to the Jellyfish

If you are near the Monterey Aquarium this Holiday Season, head straight to the jellyfish and have a look-see for me. Not first on your list of "Holiday Adventures"?  Well, you might want to consider it. Pure ballet at half the price. And though I haven't had the fun of being there at this time of year... I truly would if I were in the neighborhood. Ethereal costuming, tranquil dancing and lots of color. Just thinking about them ALMOST makes me want to go for a swim. 

Sorry for the slight blur, but dancers rarely hold still.

Thanks Albertson's

I love the thoughtful Albertson's Grocery in Port Orchard. During the season of color, they take the cake with changing trees all through the parking lot and around the building. Planting evergreens would be simple and less costly. Thankfully they choose to light up dark days with splashes of color everywhere. If I knew who to hug for it, I think I would. Plus they have a great produce section. Thanks Albertson's.

Country Roads Take Me Home...

During those all to rare occasions that I am able to return to my home place, invariably John Denver rings in my head the minute crop rows and country roads come into focus. Flying above the clouds is really something, but flying low over the familiar has its own unique charm. Calendars begin their backward turn, while the voices and characters that shaped my past come to life once more. As the plane touches down they become most vivid in memory, and my age a yo-yo of six to sixty. Being able to look into the eyes of my dear Aunts and Cousins and see glimpses of my mother, father, grandparents and beyond, firms the ground beneath my feet. Genetic patterning is a comfort; like aerial crop rows, the familiarity is palpable. 

On Christmas Day this year I hope to have worked through the details necessary to talk with and SEE the family through Skype. No low flying involved. The opportunities for communication today were unimaginable to that child of six. We'll see if the decades older version can get the wiring and software hooked up. Should you hear me humming "Country Roads Take Me Home" this week, you'll know I found the on-ramp to the Skype highway. 

Mirth

Seasonal mirth expressed in a vintage scarf.

Or at least it seemed so to me as I passed it recently. 

I love it when "they" happen, 

those smile making unexpected encounters.

In the Pink

I hope this day finds you in the pink!

Sunset on Henderson Bay

There are times when it is impossible not to be "in the moment". This was one of those times. On my list of most calming spots, this one ranks right near the top and close to number one for the most frequently viewed, as I pass it daily while commuting. As some of you know, it tends to grab my camera on a regular basis. It also serves to heighten senses while calming nerves. Of course there are those times, with heavy wind, waves and rain, that driving the stretch of highway across it provides more sense heightening than calming.

Today is undoubtedly one of those. We are gathering some inches of rain and area ditches, streams and rivers are over topping. The power is still on so... I'm choosing to remember this early November sunset on Henderson Bay and not think over much about the branches and beyond-heavy rain I hear pounding the roof. 


Also keeping my co-workers in my thoughts as they muster forces to address flooding needs. The folks who put themselves at risk to keep us all safe have my admiration, including the death defying acts I see power line workers perform during wind storms here in the Northwest. Unbelievable what they accomplish. Thanks to each of you emergency responders for your efforts, expertise and willingness to take action.


Happy and Safe Sunday all!

Puyallup Valley

 In the remaining farm lands along the Puyallup Valley,

 I went in search of a pumpkin patch as October began to fade,

 The late afternoon light found me on the seasons 

closing day at Duris Cucumber Farm,

Where all manner of local goodness tempted those of us passing by.

Fall may be a theme for awhile as so many photos were taken then, with little opportunity to get them posted here. Though they may be out of sync with the our winter days, hopefully their colors will be welcome reminders of Autumn's kind gifts.

The Shenandoah

 Just imagine how many months were spent at sea,

 And how many more were spent waiting to return,

 And how many hands tended to her care,

Until she could run no more.

Then by the grace of timing and kindness,

Her final resting place was found,

At the local museum.

A lucky lady, 

The Shenandoah