Thirty years ago, I was regularly sailing a Bill Shaw-designed Pearson 32 out of Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle. I was … Continue reading
Category: Miscellaneous
Invasion of the monkeygrass
I keep an eye on the monkeygrass (liriope muscari) in our garden in late summer waiting for it to blossom. Continue reading
A whole bunch of rhododendrons
My wife and I until very recently had no idea that the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden existed a short drive away … Continue reading
Spring methinks
Not for the first time, I am in our front yard pondering the uses to which I might put a decoction of mole. The garbage truck … Continue reading
Things present
I have driven past the Winsome building in Woodinville, Washington, many times, admiring the monumental art facing … Continue reading
Blooming viburnum
Ground travel from one side of Washington State to the other requires crossing the Cascade Mountains or tracing the … Continue reading
Life hands you grapes
The present age of the Earth is estimated to be 4.54 billion years (give or take), a figure so mystifying that were it … Continue reading
Worth waiting for
In these La Nina winters, those of us in the Puget Sound basin who hope to see at least a bit of snow in the back yard each year … Continue reading
Try not to breathe
Forest fire smoke has blanketed our region. Parks, beaches, boat ramps, and playfields have been closed in Seattle. Continue reading
Harbinger
I wandered into our back yard to tidy up after the latest windy afternoon and was pleased to find a wild daffodil … Continue reading
Better than a visit to the Bat Cave
My brothers and I grew up first riding mini-bikes and then graduating to larger dirt-bikes and small-displacement … Continue reading
Dig a hole. Fill it up.
I lived in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle for many years, and, while I do not miss the traffic since moving to the … Continue reading
Sunbathing turtles
Near our home is a 110-acre lakeside park. It is a neighborhood gem that escapes the notice of most, despite being the … Continue reading
Enough snow
Snow in Seattle is an infrequent event. The Pacific Ocean and Rocky Mountains combine to moderate winter temperatures … Continue reading
Marketing scores a point
As a male of the species, I take the usual measure of pride in not reading instructions for things. No dwelling of mine has … Continue reading
Happy New Year
We traditionally have a meal out with family on New Year’s Eve, and in this season of reflection and expectation, we were … Continue reading
Christmas snow
After the wettest spring and driest summer in the recorded weather history of the region, we were due for snow on … Continue reading
Yeah, uh … oops
There is a low-clearance train trestle in Durham, North Carolina, with which inattentive drivers of overheight … Continue reading
Farewell in the park
When it opened on the bicentennial of the independence of the United States, the Brutalist masterwork Freeway Park in … Continue reading
Little White Corvette
As long as I can remember – that is, a long time – I have admired the Chevrolet Corvette and believed that one day I would own … Continue reading
Thor’s Day, indeed
Thunderstorms in western Washington are uncommon events: the dew point is rarely high enough and the Pacific Ocean … Continue reading
Gone fishin’
When a good friend visited from out of state this past weekend and wanted to get some lures wet, I thought it sounded like a … Continue reading
One less trip to the mall
I really dislike shopping for shoes, which is one of the reasons I wear whatever is in the closet until they begin to … Continue reading
Fascinating crap
I have long been fascinated by bits of machinery left to rot where they stand. Continue reading
Snow welcomed
Our winter to date has been relatively dry, and some concern about the coming summer’s water supply has made its way into … Continue reading
Excuse me, your elevator is low on oil
I stepped onto an elevator in a local retail mall’s parking garage and spotted a Low Oil button. Continue reading
Hang up and drive
Virtually without exception, any trip I take on the motorcycle that requires my leaving the driveway leads to … Continue reading
Happiness is a pair of good boots
Several years ago, I set off on a week-long hike of the Washington coast from Oil City Beach to Shi Shi Beach wearing a pair … Continue reading
My favorite daughter
My daughter and I have developed a ritual salutation over the years. I most look forward to the perfectly world-weary … Continue reading
Village People
Even as an old fart, I embrace the holidays: decorating the Christmas tree, hanging stockings, and scattering … Continue reading
Autumn leaves
Every autumn for several years, I have said to myself, “I need to get a picture of the leaves on the ground along the … Continue reading
Sale ends October first
I am generally the one who fetches our mail, and I typically toss the junk into the recycle bin without glancing at it. Continue reading
It sure is nice outside
The record dry August in Seattle was in 1974, when 0.01 inches of rain fell. Continue reading
Snow this morning
Low pressure to the south pulling cold air out of British Columbia, onshore flow blowing moist air in from over the … Continue reading
Rainbow over Semiahmoo
I was watching several sloops depart Drayton Harbor this morning for what later formed up as a round-the-buoys race … Continue reading
Grown-up car
Ever since the mid-’70s Eldo convertibles, I have wanted a Cadillac. Continue reading