streets of Seattle

For a day that begin less than auspiciously--with sirens and alarms and detectors blaring (seemed it was the annual inspection of all of the above.  Too bad they began when I was still sleeping), today turned out to be a nice one.  

Bright little fountain tucked into a corporate courtyard.

Vivid flower box.

Click on the photo to read the poetry.

And finally, a treat from Traders.

yes, world

 "Faith is not making religious sounding noises in the daytime.  It is asking your inmost self questions at night--and then getting up and going to work."

from MJ Irion.

My current desktop.  Taken a couple weeks ago at the Arboretum.

sing along with me....

Sunshine.  On my cookies.  Makes me happyyyyyyy.

For some reason am wide awake after a mere five hours of slumber.  Was worth it to see the stunning sunrise.  But now it's time for a nap.

gorgeousness amidst the greys

We've had several drippy days in a row now, but my walks are still filled with stunning, if soggy, moments.

Was a little unnerved when a flock of crows followed me for a block or so.  Most of them flew off before I snapped this photo, so you'll have to imagine five times as many birds.

Very cool bright green shrubberies that were filled with red leaves--voila!  Instant yuletide feeling.  (I don't know why my camera is suddenly blurry.  I've checked the settings.  Perhaps it is just old age?  The camera's, not mine.)

I do not know what this bush is, but it has intrigued me for several weeks.  Any gardeners out there who know the species?

Why yes, I did take photos of all three purple-berried bushes.

Last shot.

Think Bogart may have already developed SAD; he mopes around on rainy days and glares at the rain drops on the window.  And on mornings like this bright one, he's plants himself in the sunny spots.  I may have to get full-spectrum bulbs just for him!

from the snowy to the silent

Woke to see dustings of snow across the Lake.  Or actually upon the mountains on the other side of the Lake.

So, it seemed the ideal morn for oatmeal with pumpkin and cinnamon sticks--wish you could smell this!

As I was reading the online news, saw that it is the anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall and I glanced up to see my chunk of it, sitting amongst my books.  Reminded me to get to the post and send off my passport renewal as well, so that I may travel again and see wondrous sights.

And found a dime on my walk back.  I'm impressed with my blurry 'action' shot here.

And the day will be topped off by a viewing of The Adventures of Prince Achmed.  67 minutes of silent film, accompanied by the Wurlizter organ.

After an aggravating work week, I am pleased to say that calm and accord have returned to the rank and file.   There are days when I simply want to stand on the piano bench and shriek, "Just suck it up and deal with it!"  I miss working with teens, because I could do that.  Now, I have to pretend to have a veneer of maturity and provide wise guidance.

(see above photo.)

Am also pleased that after many days of procrastination, my budget draft was finished tonight in time for me to skip down the hill to Compline.

pennies from heaven

The rain has been peltingly hard, it feels as though one is being nailed with coinage.  Today's find yielded four pennies over a four block stretch.

But the true tesoro (treasure) of the day was this birthday gift arriving on my doorstep.