On the lake

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, August 24, 2014

We rented canoes at the UW's Waterfront Activities Center this morning and enjoyed the endless water lilies, blue herons, turtles, and ducks. I had forgotten what good fun there is to be had paddling in and around the Arboretum and Foster Island... 

Ah, the decadence of the West

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, August 21, 2014

There is something about living in the Middle East for two years that gives one a new perspective on things. Strolling past Garfield High School on my way to swim lessons I noticed this sign--and marveled at the strangeness of being home.

Beach combing

Lopez Island, Washington
Saturday, August 2, 2014

Having been forced to abandon much of her shell/rock/potsherd/sea glass/stick collection in Jordan, A was keen to start afresh now that we are home. She focused her attention today on collecting the tiniest of shells. No doubt her vast collection will be up to full strength before long.

Blackberry heaven

Yes, that's an adult hand

Lopez Island, Washington
Saturday, August 2, 2014

A (nearly) side-by-side comparison test reveals that Lopez has the biggest, juiciest blackberries around. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week A and I picked enough blackberries near our houses in the Central District to produce two cobblers. But late this afternoon we set out to pick berries here on Lopez and were rewarded with huge juicy berries that proved far superior to those we found in Seattle. In fact, they were so good the berries never made it into a cobbler...