Monday, December 28, 2009

Photos: Week 24


First Snow. Kulshan decides whether or not to get his paws wet.


Books Galore. I love how the books at this used bookstore in town are piled enticingly all over the floor.


Christmas Greenery. Chandler and I put up the tree, even though we agreed on just stockings, no presents this year.


Mountain Belt. Clouds part to perfectly reveal the mountains.



His and Hers. Sheep grazing, back to back.


Twig Chill. A twig dangling over the creek is completely iced over from spray.


Island Gap. After rough waves, this stretch of fence disappeared...

Monday, December 21, 2009

Photos: Week 23


Rainbow at Sunset. The first square rainbow I've ever seen, plus lengthened reflection.


Waiting for Summer. A dinghy parked with a view of the snowy mountains.


Dressed for Christmas. The island church is small and simple--it reminds me of the Shakers. My boyfriend's grandmother made all the tapestries hanging in the church, including these two.


Two By Two. These perches are never empty, and their occupants always seem to face in opposite directions...


Island Children are Smarter. The homemade response to the poorly worded "Slow Children at Play" signs everywhere.


Island Winter Summed Up. This sign has been here for weeks--but at least the ferry is running!


Overlook. The site of the old island ferry dock.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Photos: Week 22


Water Views. One of two tiny, weathered, old-as-the-hills cabins near the ferry dock.


Home. The ferry waiting for its passengers.


Welcome Committee. Seagulls hanging out near the mainland.


Lifesaver. It's reassuring to see these on the ferry in rough weather, as thoughts turn to Titanic-style scenarios.


Uncommon Signage. A sign spotted on the reservation.


Purple and Gold. Sunset over the mainland fuel dock (next to the ferry dock).


Waiting. Waiting for the ferry to take us back to the island.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Photos: Week 21


Mukilteo Ferry. As we ate lunch at Ivar's Seafood, we watched the ferry going back and forth between the mainland and Whidbey Island.


Pink Perfection. Sunset over the bay, as rain clouds roll in.


Green Giant. My favorite moss-covered rock in our backyard.


Propane Truck. A lot of houses on the island use propane to heat their homes, or run their generators when the power goes out (which I've heard it frequently does here in winter!).


Stormy Beach. Between the strong wind and waves, the configuration of driftwood on our beaches changes frequently--here are two new additions.


The Answer to World Peace. After years of a no-furniture rule, the combination of cold weather and cuddly pooches has resulted in occasional visits on the couch.


Our Creek. Now that the drought is over and rain has been steadily pouring down for weeks, the creek that runs under our driveway and through the yard to the beach is back in full force!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Photos: Week 20


Snow! Wednesday night as we drove across the mountains to Eastern Washington for Thanksgiving, this is what greeted us at high altitude.


The Winding Road. A beautiful sky as we started driving home Friday morning.


A Slice of Washington Desert. I was surprised at how similar this view is to the San Jose area!


Beer Grows on Wires! Hops growing apparatus waits for its next crop.


Winter Wonderland. Walls of snow on the side of the highway, post snow-plowing.


Grey Ahead. As we descended the mountains, the snow turned into fog and rain--familiar WA weather.


Early Moon. We encountered this perfect weather just outside of Bellingham.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Photos: Week 19


Willow Ware Church. The Island Congregational Church is my favorite building on the island. It has a small 100 year-old graveyard and a path behind leading to the church beach.


Light in the Dark. Power suddenly went out the other day just as the sun had set! After bumping into a few pieces of furniture, I was able to light this candle and find a flashlight. I spent the rest of the evening reading an old novel by flashlight... rural living, indeed!


Blue Evening. The luminous south sky from the ferry.


Island Sumi-E. I like how this photo looks like Japanese brushpainting. Do you see the heron perched on top of the tree, with his long neck stretching up?


The Grange Hall. Last week we held a town meeting here to talk about the implications of the ferry contract with the Lummi Tribe expiring in February. Although not quite as dramatic as town meetings in "Gilmore Girls," there were some interesting people eager to speak their mind... I love small town life!


Winterizing. As cold, wet weather is now upon us, we decided it was high time to ask someone to help fill in the woodpecker holes to discourage critters from crawling inside to get warm.


Buoys on a String. The colorful parking divider at the island post office.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Photos: Week 18


Rainbow Supper. In Bellingham--the most original mural I have ever seen.


Winter on the Mountain. Mount Baker covered with layers of snow and fog.


Orange Silos. The old Georgia Pacific factory in Bellingham--the silos once held pulp to be made into paper, but the factory is no longer in operation.



The Three Faces of Seagulls. Anger, coyness, and contentment: as seen through a windshield covered with rain drops.



Washington Rain. IT'S RAINING! The upstairs view looking out the window past the roof at the bay.


Cozy Corner. One of the tables at the Taproot Cafe.


Rural Life. Don't worry--both my car and I are okay. As deer were crossing the road, I pulled over to watch them, and ended up uselessly spinning my wheels in the mud. Thank goodness for boyfriends with big trucks and boyfriends' uncles who give their newphews towstraps as presents!