Monday Things, Rain and Chickens

Yes, I know it's Tuesday.  I'm a bit behind.  Maybe it will cycle around and I'll be ahead?

We've been getting some rain in the mountains and it's a good thing.  If we go too long without rain in The Northwest we all get a bit anxious. It's refreshing and relaxing.  Good coffee drinking weather.

(image from Garden Of Words)

Have you noticed that it's becoming more popular to keep chickens?  We have always known a few friends who have had chickens, usually in rural areas. But chickens are showing up in urban settings, the suburbs and yes, even in the mountains.  A neighbor up the road has a pretty nice coop set up, complete with metal roof for snow that matches and is attached to his home.  I ran into another neighbor yesterday who told me they have chickens "in the bathtub".  Their coop is decidedly more basic, $20 worth of materials attached to the porch gives the chickens shelter and keeps them close.  There are a lot of options for your chicken home.  I saw This Place on a recent trip through Ballard.  While I don't think I could keep chickens myself I certainly admire those who are taking it on, especially in the mountains where there's an extra challenge to it.   

Have you noticed chickens in your neighborhood?  Do you have chickens?  I do like the thought of fresh eggs....Happy Spring!

Awhile Ago We Went Surfing

My husband surfs.  He's been surfing for decades.  Me, well, I'm trying to learn but several things put me off....the other surfers, the cold water, the thought of sharks, the cold water.  Possibly, I won't learn because you can't learn if you don't get in the water.  But learning in say, Washington state, is quite a bit different than learning in California or Hawaii.  Possibly it's just an "old dog, new tricks" thing for me.  I'm going to keep working on it but in the mean time, I really enjoy our trips out to the coast.  On this particular day there were at least 75 surfers out in the water off Westport, but a quick drive around the corner yielded solitary surfing and some decent waves if you were patient.  

When I showed my husband this photo, he was struck by how small he looked out there.  Um....yeah.. The next day there was a story in the news about an 18' Great White shark being spotted off of Ocean Shores, right across the way. They estimated it's size by examining the bite mark on a seal that had been bitten in half. I'm sure the shark wouldn't look very big either if I took it's photo.

While we were there, I hung out with my best dog friend Scout and we spotted these boxes built along the jetty.

We had seen several cats that darted quickly into the rocks when we approached.  There was a fish processing plant of some sort across the street. It seems like there's a great animated cat movie here?  This guy could be the star I think.

The beach, ocean waves, sunshine , being with my beloved man and pup, and cats....a very complete day. Right?

SNOW TODAY

A LITTLE LATE TO THE PARTY, DON'T YOU THINK??

Monday Things 3/23/15

Well, we are all getting over our complaining about the mountain being closed, though some grumbling remains.  The employees are getting the shaft, being laid off, having their health care coverage changed, unsure of their futures here on the mountain.  And while the ski area made good on it's promise to give pass holders a discount on next year's pass (80%, very substantial), it grieves me to see so many people in the industry slapped by mother nature.  I really hope this isn't a trend and that next year we go back to "normal".

In the mean time....here we are.  

A week or so ago I heard this song, Killin' Time,  a Diamond Rugs tune, and it's been stuck with me since.  I really like the music, but I grasped on to the entire concept of how often we are just killing time. For me it's: Killin' time, drinking lots of coffee.  Killin' time, filing my nails.  Killin' time, sorting through my emails, killin' time, thinking 'bout the summer.  Killin' time, wishing I was somewhere....sigh.  What's your song ?  How much killing time do you do? 

Anyway, happy spring! I hope it's truly a fabulous season for you.  Here's a random cute photo of my daughter's beautiful adopted cat, Luna.  Have a great Monday~

What February Looks Like

  Well, the ski area has finally thrown in the towel and sent out a message that they are closed until further notice due to lack of snow.  For a place that has an annual snowfall of close to 500 inches, that's just sad and so many other things.

Today it's 56 degrees, partly sunny and looks like this...

Freezing level is around 8000 feet

What should February in the mountains look like?  Well, here are a few shots from seasons past.  

THIS was February 21, 2013

Mt Baker Banked Slalom, February 2013

Mt Baker Banked Slalom, February 8, 2013

This year the Mt. Baker Banked had to be "postponed" for lack of snow.  They are optimistic that a reschedule may happen in March. In the mean time, it's a beautiful day here in the mountains but would be so much more fabulous if there was snow!!!  And while I've been telling my east coast friends to take a run or two for me, and telling all the lucky riders who have snow to whoop it up and think of me, I'm tired of riding in thoughts only.  The real "rub it in" moment came  when I called our dentist today to make an appointment and found out that he won't be available for another week....he's skiing in Idaho!!!  

You got snow?  Lucky!!   What's February look like where you are?

Things You Should Know If You Run With Me

Do you have a regular running partner? Do you run with a spouse, a friend, a buddy?  An entire GROUP?  Generally, I run alone.  In fact, on one of my playlists I even have a song that is my "running alone anthem".... No One to Run With Any More.  It's great, but sad, right?  

The Allman Brothers  Give it a listen while I tell my tale....

I used to have regular climbing partners, snowboarding buds, mountain biking madmen and general badasses to get out with and share crazy things we used to do.  But life stuff, joint replacements, a continent between us has made that difficult.  In December, I was lucky enough to have my husband go out running with me a few times.  After only a few minutes on the trail he yelled, "hey! Watch it with that snot!"  And I realized that maybe I have a few bad habits. Maybe if someone runs with me, they should know some things.

On A Mission, to FIND SNOW

Our snowfall amounts here are still seriously low.  It's rumored that the ski area is going to throw in the towel on the season soon!  Boo hissssss.

My husband went out searching for snow in other places and had a couple of successful snowboarding trips to Mission Ridge over in Wenatchee.  They don't have a great natural snow depth either but.....they make it!  AND, importantly, they GROOM really really well.

blue skies and a view

lunch spot at the top of Mission Ridge

sea of fog below