surprise!

On Friday Jack earned A MILLION HUSBAND POINTS by throwing me a surprise 30th birthday party, complete with good friends, good food, a beautiful park and trimmings like glow-stick decorations, kites and frisbees. 

Emo unleashed

Recently we took Emo, who has spent all of her 10 years as an indoor cat, on an experimental outdoor adventure at my parents’ house.  She absolutely loved it, quickly assuaging any guilt I felt for stuffing her in a bag and taking her on a car ride. 

Viaduct/Alaskan Way tunnel: part 4

On Saturday I went to the official launch of Bertha.  We were allowed to go in and walk around the site and even to sign our names on a few of the curved tunnel panels.   I’m happy to confirm the rumors that Bertha is really big.

Japanese

Today I noticed that the city added Japanese street signs to all of the streets of the International District, making the previously fuzzy distinction between Pioneer Square and the ID very clear.

Winthrop wedding

Two weeks ago we celebrated my cousin’s wedding in Winthrop.  It was a simple and stunning ceremony that took place on a scenic hillside. 

hiking report 2

My apologies for this laundry list post, but I’ve done some fabulous hiking in the past six months and I want to keep track of it.  This is a follow-up to hiking report 1.

Is it still yard work if there’s no house?

On Sunday we spent about 8 hours clearing blackberries and Japanese knotweed from our lot, which is totally dwarfed by our borrowed truck. 

happy retirement!

Earlier this month, my dad retired.  Two years ago my mom took the leap, but I think this is when the fun really starts.  Now they can forget about days of the week and really get down to the active life of leisure to which they aspire. 

views from my flight

I just flew in to Denver where I am about to meet my sister for a few days of talking, hiking at high altitudes and ... catching our breath. 

the corner of 4th and Madison

Two of my favorite places in the city, the YMCA and the public library, can be found at this intersection.   They give me the gift that keeps on giving, which is the ability to help myself.

yay for new camera settings

Here are some panorama views I took with my phone during our trip.  Below: looking west toward Albuquerque from the top of the mountain.

the owls have it

Here’s an account of our week in Texas and New Mexico. 
We got a hoot out of visiting the wildlife rehab/rescue center where my sister, Becky, has volunteered for the last several years.  This insane-looking owl family was recently rescued.

S M A R T

My older sister just finished her PhD in biophysics.  At the same time, my brother-in-law finished his MD/PhD.  By leaps and bounds, this makes them the most educated people in our family.  We’re so excited for them as they move to Boston for the next steps in their careers.

Lubbock

We are are on vacation in Lubbock, TX enjoying a little literary siesta with my sister and brother-in-law's cat.

making sushi

We were given a sushi set as a wedding gift and yesterday we finally got around to making some.  

11 authors of multiple books-I-have-loved

Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of adding a new name to my treasured list of authors who have written multiple books that I love.

We bought a tandem!

Tonight we bought a Santana tandem.  We will be its third owners.

at beard hat night with the very talanted mariners

“be of use”

Dr. Larch, from The Cider House Rules (which I just finished reading on Friday) would have been satisfied with us this weekend.  We managed to “be of use” at Jack’s grandparents’ house by constructing a steel-cable railing for the back porch.

marathons make me cry

Even when they are not the scene of senseless violence, like what unfolded in Boston yesterday, marathons choke me up.