Lately we've been house hunting which means I've been eyeing any home jealously. The houses around my neighborhood are all wonderful (and of course pricey). I walk by, lusting after certain entrances, backyards, and the imagined interiors. This move will be bittersweet; an exciting time to stretch out a bit but my neighborhood (with the familiar faces with increasing waves and hellos) will be sorely missed.

We went here and it was everything I expected - 30 acres of tulips.

Thoughts of the day: 
“Feelings, whether of compassion or irritation, should be welcomed, recognized, and treated on an absolutely equal basis; because both are ourselves. The tangerine I am eating is me. The mustard greens I am planting are me. I plant with all my heart and mind. I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath. Nothing should be treated more carefully than anything else. In mindfulness, compassion, irritation, mustard green plant, and teapot are all sacred.” 
-Thich Nhat Hanh

The blossoms are already almost gone from the trees somehow. This may have been gradual, but it seems as if they disappeared in a day. I think this is a sign, I need to slow down a bit.

Thanks to a dear friend I've been reading this book and am trying to live more in the present. It seems simple enough, but my mind is always racing to what I'm about to do rather than keeping with what I'm doing now. Time has felt more precious to me lately, like a gift I shouldn't waste.

Sometimes I wish I could just be a wild animal, running free, with no thoughts of coding sites or what has to be done. Perhaps in the next life eh?

One of my film cameras takes multiple images when I put a new roll of film in. Usually nothing turns out, though, I enjoy this.
Happy Sunday...

Just a sunny day a while back

(they are so few and far between lately, each has to be recorded and thoroughly enjoyed)

For I will consider my Dog Ducky

(in complete adoration, excerpts taken from this and an equally wonderful poem from this book)

For she is made small, but brave at heart.

For if she meets another she will kiss in kindness.

For in her morning orisons she loves the sun and the sun loves her.

For she is of the tribe of Wolf.

For she is a mixture of gravity and waggery.

For by stroking of her I have found out electricity.

For when I go away she watches for me to return. 

For she loves me. 

I've been trying to imagine where I will be living in just a little over a month from now. Changing apartments is always a stressful time, although this time will be bittersweet. I am excited to move into a larger place (with perhaps a private backyard, gardening anyone?), but I truly love my neighborhood. Fingers crossed we find a lovely home nearby.

Some days we just like to drive (and living in the Pacific Northwest makes for some beautiful road trips). We tried to visit Mt. St. Helens, but roads were closed due to snow, some were covered with tree limbs, keeping us from getting terribly close. Regardless of not reaching our destination, it was still quite a day.

(just a little side project that made me laugh)

Start to Finish

Almost 2 years ago now, I travelled through this Gorge for the first time. We were on our voyage from Missouri to the Wild West. I had never seen anything like it. Somehow I spotted this building high above. Finally, we made our way to it.

Somehow these never get old. I'm breathless every time.