2008 shows me the love

I've been meaning to post more pictures and highlights from 2007, but 2008 keeps getting in the way! And what a loving, generous year it's been thus far.

Take this act of kindness, for example. We asked Chas if he knew the maker of his blue rocking chair, because we really liked it and wanted to track one down. A few days later he shows up at our door with the chair. His story was that when his new couch arrived, it made his living room too cramped. Riiiiiight...

Speaking of generous, but also of brave, here's Larkin at the wheel. I'm sitting in the passenger seat while she practices. That's the generous, brave part.

Does anyone tire of seeing this animal love fest?

Many days before Valentine’s Day™, Tim came home with these beautiful tulips for me. I love spring flowers above all others.

Here's the view while saying the pledge of allegiance at our local caucus. Hadn't said it in many years, but it came right back. I will whole heartedly support either democratic candidate, but I have to say after the caucus experience that there are some folks out there who have gone completely Obomkers. Clintonians appeared to be more of the nose-to-the-grindstone, let's-get this-current-mess-cleaned-up, type people, while the Obomites have their heads in the clouds with their eyes toward the future. A lot to be said for either perspective, though I prefer a mix of both. I think it would be too much to hope for to have the two as running mates, but I am still hopeful one of them will at least ask Edwards to partner up.

We attended the annual BHS Music Program spaghetti dinner benefit. Larkin performed in 2 choirs, and we enjoyed fellowship with a few friends who came to show their support. None was more supportive than little Eli (photo credit: Rowan Murray).

I thoroughly and completely destroyed Tim the other night in a brutal Scrabble battle. He even tried desperately to get points for "presatanized." Would anyone have allowed that? It seemed like blatant capitalization of my brilliance, and anyway, when would you ever use that word? "He seemed like such a nice boy when he was presatanized. Once he was satanized, things really went down hill." Tim got back at me yesterday, though, by beating me in 5 straight games of racquetball.

Many folks know about my love for Highway 99 and my intentions to someday write its history, titled, Highway 99: Route 66 Turned Upside Down. One can always find historical hotspots along its stretches. Take this gas station I passed the other day. Time warp!

Another Hwy 99 treasure: an old school bus converted to a Mexican restaurant. You can order to-go out the side window, or you can step inside for a sit down meal. That's what I did. And whoa, 4 carne asada tacos and a Coke for 4.49? You'd pay that much in Tijuana! The Mexican couple that run it are warm and friendly. He takes the orders while she does the cooking. !Muy Bueno!

We loved seeing Emma's play performed at the Seattle Rep. She was one of 4 high school students who's plays were selected for professional performance. Emma's was particularly funny.

Snow has been a more regular visitor this winter. I took this shot from our deck and didn't alter the colors at all. What a captivating light there was that day!

Rowan created this snowman all by himself. You can see the pride of workmanship on his face.

The sounds of the birds in our trees can be deafening some mornings. When you watch this, turn the volume up to eleven. -k8-