Random Numbers

I just returned from another quick trip to the Northwest; I drove this time and got home hours before Winter hit in full force – we have serious snow outside right now!

The morning I left Poulsbo, WA, I woke at 4:30 am, jumped in my truck while still in my PJs, and caught a very early ferry to Seattle in order to get the 10 hour drive to Bozeman, MT done in mostly daylight. I used the ferry ride to get dressed and have coffee, then wandered the boat taking phone pics of random numbers I saw. The Giveaway recipients!

This particular boat had the capacity to ferry 188 autos, according to a little chart on a bulletin board by the First Mate’s office.

The walls of the ferry showcase vintage photographs and prints from local artists. This gorgeous print was signed by the artist in ‘91.

The Seahawks obsession is still in full force after their win at Superbowl 48. Flags, posters, even football-shaped cookies frosted in blue and green are EVERYWHERE.

In case of ferry fire, station 31.

The delivery van parked beside me, with the Seattle area code 206 stickered on the door.

So there we have it: 31, 48, 91, 188, 206! I’ll be emailing you directly.

THANK YOU to everyone who shared a bit of themselves for the Giveaway. I have loved reading all your words, which, together, created a truly awesome mandala of life and experience and heart. So beautiful and real. Thank you.

Wild Sunrise

Here & There & Everywhere

Ahoy, Internet! It’s been a while. I’m glad I entertained and/or puzzled some of you with my shadow self portrait. (It was very simply done: just me, standing in the driveway with the sun behind me and Chloe sitting in my shadow. Phone pic, no manipulation, just a cool moment.
This is the hat.)

The Tetons, from the back portal of a plane.

My BFF is very sick in Seattle and I’ve spent 22 of the past 35 days out there. My time in airports has been practically nonexistent for the past ten years, and I’ve been surprised and delighted by the all-around wonderfulness of the people I’ve encountered in transit. A welcome contradiction to my memory – TSA agents (angelic! no sarcasm!) and fellow travelers enhanced and enlivened what would otherwise be rather doldrum days at best.

I also hit the Northwest at its best, weather-wise. When we were teenagers, my BFF described the Seattle climate as “living in a big gray dog’s asshole.” When you really let yourself think about it, she’s right. But September is the exception, made of mild sun filtering through pines and gentle breezes carrying the scent of kelp and just a little bit of rain here and there, offering the excuse for a wood fire.

I arrived home from my most recent trip on Friday, and after an epic love relay from the Farmily (who were doted on by Mike during my time away), I cleaned and sorted the week’s awesome egg bounty for the Farmer’s Market and harvested tomatoes from the garden, salvaging what I could from this strange season. While I was gone, Mike put the roof on the barn. It is gorgeous! We put up the corral yesterday, and Sir Baby is the first barn resident (after quality control from Daisy, of course). More on that soon, once I take pictures.

Today, I head into town to look at proofs for the 2015 Charlie Calendar! If all goes to plan, it will hit the press mid-month and be ready for you at the end of October. I know I say this every year, but this year’s calendar is my all-time favorite. I’ll post updates here, along the way…..

Barn Progress

the skeleton of a building

peeled pine trees for the exposed beams

Mike’s gorgeous star braces

it’s so beautiful without walls or roof

The vertical posts down the center are temporary test supports; we jack them up with a truck jack to see if they are bearing weight and whether we need to add real load-bearing posts. So far, no.