Age is Just a Number

Escape election drama with Age is Just a Number, the latest release from Chicken Soup for the Soul. "Happy When I'm Hiking" (my story) is on page 164.

The book will be available in both paperback and ebook formats on Tuesday, November 3rd. You can pre-order your copy here:

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084G9MW4M

Barnes & Noble link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../chicken.../1137364542

If you enjoy spirit-lifting stories, then "101 Tales of Humor & Wisdom for Life After 60" is a book you'll like.

October at Mount Rainier National Park

Photos from crisp, sunny days in early October at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State (USA). A great time for hiking!

View of Mount Rainier across Bench Lake

Lunchtime view from the Snow Lake Trail. That's my granddaughter exploring among the grasses.

Autumn colors

Rampart Ridge Trail

I'm linked with:

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Auburn #Art on Main

Recently I took a walk down Main Street in Auburn, Washington, to check out the current public art installations. Here are some of the delightful creations on display. Descriptions of the art were taken from the City of Auburn website.

Artist: Ann Danis
Title: Seahorse
Medium: Stainless steel body and armature with steel nose
Location: 10 East Main Street (#5)

This whimsical fork seahorse, created by Elizabeth Ann Danis, is one in a series of seahorses created in Studio B.  It represents the joy of nature and our responsibility to protect all the creatures of the earth,  but sea creatures in particular. We are all in this together.

Artist: Tom Benedict
Title: The Corkscrew Juniper
Medium: Rocky Mountain juniper wood
Location: B St. NE & B St. parking lot (#8)

Rocky Mountain Junipers  grow for hundreds of years in some of natures’ most inhospitable places. “The Corkscrew Juniper” celebrates the refined beauty, and tortured endurance of these amazing trees.

Artist: Cyrra Robinson

Title: Reflective Balance
Medium: Stainless steel
Location: 10 East Main St. (#4)

This sculpture is about reflecting upon our actions in order to bring balance to the universe, so that we may experience freedom. 

Artist: Chuck Fitzgerald

Title: Strawberry
Medium: Stainless steel and polyurea
Location: D St. NE & Main St. (#10)

Because the northwest is well known for its berry production I decided to create a "pop art" version of the strawberry on a fork.

Artist: Pat McVay
Title: Cow That Tried to Jump Over the Hamburger
Medium: Single block of salvaged cedar
Location: B St. NE & Main St. (#7)

Cows are vegetarians, as you know
And they really are built to mow!
They can’t get that high
Away up Into the sky
Dreaming of jumping if she could
But actually, she really did pretty good!

Although not part of the street sculpture display, I like the way this storefront supports the Auburn Symphony Orchestra. 

More photos of all the sidewalk sculptures, along with descriptions by the artists, can be found on the City of Auburn website: HERE

FYI: I've posted photos of Auburn's Main Street art before. Here are the links:
November, 2018
March, 2018
February, 2018 (These sculptures are permanent fixtures.)

I'm linked with:

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Snack Time!

One of my favorite treats this time of year is Rainier cherries. They taste similar to the more common Bing cherries but have a lower acidic content. Rainier cherries are grown in the Pacific Northwest and readily available here from mid-June to mid-July.

According to Washington State Magazine:
"Their skin is thin and sensitive. They’re easily bruised. And their season—six to seven weeks, if we’re lucky—is more fleeting than summer itself. That short harvest time and extreme susceptibility to wind and rain and temperatures either too hot or too cold are just a couple of reasons why Rainier cherries are so special."
[Link HERE for more info.]

They taste as good as they look!

I'm linked with:

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Same Place. Different Week.

For a couple of months I've been meeting two friends every Thursday to hike on trails near our homes. And although we often cover the same territory, there's always something new to see. Here are a few photos of the sights we encountered last week.

Thimbleberries (Rubus parviflorus). Some were ripe, so we tasted a few. Pretty good!

Blackberries in bloom. The fruit won't be ready until later this summer.

The PlantSnap app on my phone identified this plant as rockspirea (Holodiscus dumosus)... probably.

It has a lovely scent.

Does this say "Wow" or "Mom?" I'm guessing Mom.

This Pacific banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus) slimed its way across my front sidewalk. We saw a big one (4+ inches long) on the trail today, too.

As summer progresses, different plants line the paths. I can't wait to see what's in bloom next week.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

"Juneuary"

Sometimes in the Pacific Northwest, we have a month called "Juneuary." That's when summer starts but the weather remains cool and rainy. However, when we have sunbreaks, it's a great time to take a few photos.

A bunny decided to sunbathe in my front yard! I was afraid he might be injured, but when I walked onto the porch, he hopped away.

The hummingbirds are hungry! It's unusual to see two at the feeder at the same time. I love the green iridescence of these two.

This little guy glowed!

Wildflowers are blooming along a nearby hiking trail. These daisies brightened my day.

Mock orange created a delicious scent.

Foxgloves added a splash of color.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

At Home in Springtime

The world may be in lockdown, but nobody told the flowers! When we bought our house in the Pacific Northwest U.S., I knew the previous owner had been an avid gardener. Now I'm enjoying the benefits of her hard work.

Clematis

Lilac

These climbing yellow roses have a delightful scent.

A few tulips that the deer missed!

Viburnum

Bleeding hearts.

Rhododendron (and bear, on lookout duty)

I hope everyone is healthy and coping well.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

#Hike Deprivation

It's been two months since I posted on my blog. Two months without a hike! Lucky for me, I have two friends who understand the value of time in the woods. Recently they led me down trails not far from our homes, staying six feet apart at all times and with our masks at hand. Here are a few photos from our outing.

Mount Rainier dominated the horizon on this perfect spring day.

Thanks, Melanie and Diane, for a great day. My soul is revived.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Fleurs de Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival - #Seattle

Have you ever seen a dress made completely out of plants and flowers? The recent garden show featured these gorgeous "flowers of the cities" creations by Seattle florists. They remind me of Rose Bowl Parade floats but with mannequins! (Click on photos for a closer look.)

I hope you enjoyed the floral fashion show!

More info: Fleurs de Ville

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE