9.19.17

Talk Like A Pirate Day

Also, Tea Time Tuesday

I found some great "tea" for iced tea at Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's has a faintly Carribean/Polynesian island sort of feel to me, so it seems appropriate for TalkLikeAPirateDay. 

It tastes great with no added sweeteners!

9.18.17

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

9.9.17

Looking forward to cooler temperatures. This week has been another hot one.

We did go to the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden last week, when it was cooler. 

Most days, it is fairly pleasant until about 4 pm. If we have remembered to close the windows and blinds before that happens, it is mostly tolerable inside the house. Still waiting on a third air-conditioning proposal. Think I'm about ready to commit.

9.8.17

Cape Horn, Washougal, Washington

I wish the fires would subside. The view is still beautiful but every now and then there is a whiff of wood smoke and I realize the haziness is from the wildfires, not fog like in the Appalachians. I'm already looking for more hikes.

9.7.17

EDITED TO ADD:
Wildfires have devastated acres and acres around this hike and others in the area. Instead of more hiking, like I mentioned below,  I hope to be a part of reforestation events. While watching my new state burn, weather reports of Irma, affecting my old states are claiming my attention. I'm concerned for my many friends and family members. 

Rodney Falls

NieceK and I went on a hike on Saturday. 

We went to Beacon Rock State Park in Skamania, Washington, near the Mt. Hood National Forest. 

I think it is considered a moderate hike. 

It was easy for nieceK, but it was very difficult for me. 



I knew we were going to see the falls at the halfway point because it was a hike, look, turn-around, go back sort of hike. I don't know the technical term for that sort of hike, but I will be looking for more like that.

Hardy Falls and Pool of the Winds 

Seeing the falls is what kept me going, but I wasn't sure I could do it!

I could have stayed with my feet in the pool for another hour. My butt was on a wet rock and I didn't even care. 

My very own happy feet

The hike back was so delightful. I hardly had to stop and get my breath at all! I am definitely going to look for more hikes considered EASY to do.

9.6.17

I have to hurry and get some things DONE! I'm planning a trip and I can drop off gifts, rather than mail them out. This is a little doll quilt, for my mother-in-law's American Girl Doll, Kit. I have pajamas and robe planned, but understandably, 

I'm led to work on the quilt. My visits to Bead Bullies in Tigard, have me INSPIRED. I wanted to make it look like rain, but HAPPY rain. 

I think I'm on my way. The raindrop bead is just placed on the fabric, but I like the way it looks. Hope I bought enough of those bugle beads.

9.5.17

TEA TIME TUESDAY

Blog during composition, before picture added

It's Friday when I'm writing this, but I'm enjoying iced lavender tea at Townshend's Tea on Mississippi.

That lavender tea really is soothing.

9.4.17

MONDAY MANTRA
Enjoy YOURSELF

I think people should spend some time with themselves. Turn off sound or opt for white noise and think. Just think things. Sort things out. And find things to do that are solitary. I'm really enjoying doing that right now. I miss my friends but luckily, I know how to be friends with myself. And I am enjoying our time together.

9.2.17

THREE QUARTERS DONE

A week ago, I lost another colleague at work due to reduced hours and pay, and lack of healthcare options. Rent is about $1500 for a modest one bedroom apartment with utilities. Healthcare for a single person is about the same.

HALF DONE

She was forced to choose between the two. 


She had been at the store a long time and we loved her. Her graduate degree in costuming had long served us as we turned to her as a resource. 

DONE

To celebrate the new beginning she made for herself, we made 12" quilt blocks for her to assemble as she liked. 


I took pictures of mine in process. One done, one three-quarters done, one half done. I enjoyed working on them and I will miss my young friend.

9.1.17

Last week, I set this post up to publish, with space to have pics to share of nieceK's visit. Let's hope I got some shareable ones.