It’s a cultural? thing
last update: 12/11 @ 17:36

It’s like this see:

Steve went to WSU to study Physical Chemistry. While there, he found out they also have a good Ag program. And the Ag program has a very good dairy program.

In addition to making really good ice cream, they make cheese.

And, oddly (perhaps uniquely) package it in cans.

You can order those cans directly from The Creamery. But if you order in the summer, you’ll pay an arm and a leg for expedited shipping in a cold pack.

By fall, you pay regular shipping.

I don’t think this will become a tradition, but it is a fun reminder of personal history. I expect there are a few others who can fondly remember cans of cheese, but not many others.

(It’s a very nice, well aged cheddar that I will be happy to enjoy.)

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Happy Birthday to me
last update: 12/10 @ 17:42

Back from unusually sunny Seattle to…

…Foggy DC.

But not a bad day to be on the river. It’s about 2.8 and I had Angler’s Inn all to myself this afternoon.

I really liked how still it looked at the beach.

And the (low) water was plenty clear to see through, but I didn’t see any fish today.

And surprisingly few birds as well.

It was a bit cool. And there was a bit of rain yesterday and the forecast is for more tonight. So maybe the birds were all curled in warm in their nests.

Speaking of warm, thank you PTO: I used part of the NRS gift certificate for Endurance pants which made the enviable splashes much less shocking.

I even decided to treat myself to new wetsuit booties — my toes are sticking through the ones I have now. It’s likely the first time I’ve worn them this fall or winter.

I’m looking forward to getting out more with my new cold weather gear.

I bet I can even find a pretty, blue-sky day (even if cold) in the next few weeks.

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Thanksgiving in Seattle
last update: 12/03 @ 20:48

We had a great time; thank you again David Z. and Lynn for hosting. I can’t imagine how it could have been any better! Lots more photos in the vacations section.

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Good reminder…
last update: 11/21 @ 11:57

I know our NC family and friends learned this with hurricane Helene: running water is modern luxury that is way too easy to take for granted.

Our water company is working on lead pipe remediation; it sounds like it will be a long term project. Our service line was scheduled for today.

I’m guessing having a ditch across the road may impact leaf, trash and recycling collection. More modern luxuries it’s good to remember to be thankful for.

Bonus points: I think the digging is complete and no impact the recently installed fiber line!

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Jamestown history lesson
last update: 11/12 @ 12:47

We took a quick trip back in time to learn more about Jamestown and the earliest days of the English arrival and history of the US. It was a very nice way to spend a couple days and surprising to learn how relatively recently Jamestown has been rediscovered.

There are more photos in the vacations section.

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Very specialized
last update: 11/09 @ 23:13

We stopped by the adult book fair (compared to elementary school, Scholastic book fair) today and ran across this very specialized offering :)

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Head clearing
last update: 11/07 @ 18:15

We’re still very much trying to process what just happened in the elections.

Time outside is a great stress relaxer.

And getting away from screens and news and having such a pretty place to focus on and pay attention to really helps reset (or at least temporarily calm) the mind.

Another crazy warm November day (yes, I do worry we’re the frogs in the pot gradually warming up), so we got the boats back out.

I’m glad to be the recipient of Sarah’s excellent photographer’s eye, but clearly my game is slipping.

As we paddled over from the Maryland Chute to the Virginia side, I liked this view of Sarah with the fall leaves behind her.

But when we came back to the Maryland side; and saw the Heron hanging out, she saw this great shot of me under the Heron’s gaze:

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WOW
last update: 11/07 @ 17:53

Not at all the election I hoped for and expected.

I feel bad for my (former) colleagues at PTO (and other executive branch agencies); they will have some chaotic times ahead.

And, in the back of my mind, I had factored working for Trump again in my decision to retire in the summer.

I am saddened, dismayed, angry and feeling at a loss. But I’m not going to crawl into a hole and hide.

And I’m not going to let the election change who I am and what I believe or, really, to shake my faith that generally, we’re mostly all good people. Clearly I disagree with the priorities of many, but I’m going to hope, when things get really dark, they will come around. I hope to recognize those who won’t come around and avoid wasting my time with them.

I hope to be aware of, and able to add my voice of protest against, efforts to subvert or overturn the constitution.

And I’ll continue to look for advice and hope from trusted voices like The Guardian, Heather Cox Richardson and Ken White, among others.

And I’m going to give myself time outside to enjoy where we live and let my head clear and thoughts percolate.

But it will take awhile to get over the shock of this election loss.

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Closing out the month
last update: 10/31 @ 22:17

We took advantage of with warming weather and headed back to Angler’s Inn today.

The river was about 2.8; low but still a fun spot to play in.

And the fall colors are looking pretty good.

It’s been so long since it rained that the river is really clear now. And it’s great to be able to see down to the bottom.

We scared off our heron before we could get a picture.

(That’s the center chute on the right; no boats in that picture — we had the river to ourselves.)

But we saw lot of minnows cruising over and around the rocks.

And the birds really seemed to enjoy the thermal over the river today.

It was a great way to step away from the news and goings on in the world and just enjoy the river in our backyard.

We did neglect our Jack o’lantern carving duties; but it seemed like a more than fair tradeoff.

(That the Maryland chute above and to the right.)

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Fall
last update: 10/30 @ 17:52

A very smart person said something like the best camera is the one you have when you need or want to take a picture.

Sitting on the porch on a beautiful afternoon (perhaps too warm for late October, but I’m not complaining), I thought I’d try to capture some of those fall colors.

And I was too lazy to get out my Pentax. I think my aging Pixel phone did an admirable job. (Even if I really don’t know how to tell it what to focus on.)

It may not be as spectacular as Robert’s views of Mt. Ranier, but it’s not shabby either.

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