Oops.

Fell asleep at 8:30 last night. Awoke at 8:30 this morning. Henceforth, no post. More later.

Wrong

So here I always had an idea where I was born although I never knew exactly where. Well on my last trip to Scranton, I drove past the house and figured I would take a picture of it. We lived in it when it was built new back in 1966, although I have no memories of it.

So today was a day of sun. And in spite of what I wrote yesterday, I was wrong, and I did leave my rain gear at home. Same thing for tomorrow and Thursday. Sun, sun, sun. Problem is, it always get colder out when the clouds do not cap and retain the heat. So with clouds comes a bit more warmth in the air. Clear nights are usually chilly, as tonight will be (in the mid twenties).

I went to catch the movie Into the Wild tonight at the local theater. It was well done but the recklessness of my twenties pales next to this dude's. He sort of reminds me of that goofball guy that lived amongst the grizzlies in Alaska and was later found mauled and in pieces. But it was a long movie and kept moving throughout with few dry spots and nicely woven subplots. Yeah, I would recommend it on the screen. But then again, I've seen some average movies lately.

Refresh

So this is where my rain gear spends most of its winter evenings - drying off in front of the gas fireplace. One day on your way out the door, you realize that you won't need to pack your rain riding gear today. A nice thought, but probably many months away.

However, it is the most beautiful thing to ride in the winter rain - today a hard drizzle on the ride home at nine o'clock. And it is a beautiful thing to have much good coffee or tea close at hand. Today I rode all over Bellingham and most of it was in the rain. And it is nice to be at home in front of the fire feeling rosy and refreshed like after a day of cross country skiing.

And I found a cool website today that puts the temperature at the bottom of your computer. Yeah, pretty basic, I realize. But I am a little challenged in certain aspects of computers. But this is one of the best weather programs I've ever seen. And it is 37 degrees Fahrenheit in Bellingham right now, by the way.

Sun Day

This was not taken today, but on the Fourth of July looking southwest towards (I believe) Orcas Island.

Today was a day of doing house chores. And it was sort of fun. These craftsman houses have crawl spaces underneath that have vents that need to be covered in the winter to keep the house a bit warmer. So I did that, and got sidetracked on shining up the BMW; then I ran some errands, and most sadly, signed papers for a most unfortunate divorce. Mine.

But what a resilient species we are, and a crummy morning (of weather and moods) turned into a nice, although chilly, day with many people out and about. I thought about taking the motorbike out, but that will be Thanksgiving Day (high forties and sunny) to go for a ride and visiting. Instead, I took the Trek cruiser. Then I made some oyster stew, which I must admit turned out pretty good.

Here was how I generally made it:
Into a crock pot (on high) mix together...
- Medium sized container of oysters (1/2 quart?)
- Half of a small container of half & half
- Plenty of sea salt (maybe a 1/2 tbsp or more)
- Three stalks of celery
- Sliced garlic (roughly four medium cloves)
- Two or three medium potatoes
- Medium onion
- A little water, which may have been a mistake
Cook for about 90-120 minutes

Alaska

This is a recent picture of me due to lack of sleep.

The fun never ends. Today I went down to the Maritime Expo in Seattle with two commercial fisherman that I work with. Basically a trade show for those that work the waters of the Puget Sound. I just putzed around and ate chocolate (from the vendors' booths). I've heard almost 10% of Bellingham's economy is driven by myriad occupations related to the sea. It was neat though. Really neat. And to ride a bike through the deserted streets of a Pacific seaside town with a light fog and slight breeze at five thirty in the morning with all the sounds and smells of the sea is added to the pile of fond memories.

But the coolest part is that I might be going to Alaska this summer for two weeks for the season up there. The town is 250 people and a few hundred miles up the Yukon River. I've been to all of the 48 lower states, so Alaska will definitely be a trip. And to be flown in on a float plane, as the only road is the river.

C

This was a picture taken yesterday out the south-facing window southwesterly towards town.

By one indication, I am at my 100th web log post. By the other indicator it is 98. Oh well, I will celebrate by not writing anymore. I need to get up at five tomorrow anyway. Blech.

Drearyham

This is Philly, and a beautiful view straight down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The last day in the east and a nice weather transition into the PNW. This picture was from Monday. Oh, and I wanted to see a Renoir exhibit at the Philly Art Museum. And a Cezanne painting (Le Mont Sainte-Victoire). But it turns out the Cezanne wasn't even at that museum. And besides, it was closed on Mondays. Oh well.

This morning was a day I thought would be rainy, windy, dark and cold. I had to bike to a breakfast meeting at 6:45, and any two the aforementioned undesirables I can easily handle, but all of them would've sucked at such an early hour. Well it turned out it was only dark and windy, and the strong wind was a tailwind up a small hill to my destination. This weekend I need to repack the hub on my one speed, so that will be a mini-project.

It's nice to be sitting in my easy chair in Bellingham listening to the Mamas and the Papas and decompressing.