“You know all those paintings your mother makes and then throws out?” My sister and I nodded as my dad said this. We knew. “Well, I pulled a few out of the garbage and stuck them up in the attic. Remember to get them out of there when I die so she doesn’t toss them.” I understand why… Read more
Writing
On Monday, I hobbled into my teaching job. Every other step, pain zipped though the right side of my hip and forced me into a jerking sort of movement just short of a collapse. I could not keep my face straight or look people in the eyes until it eased up again. Over and over I heard… Read more
One more deadline this week so another post heavy on pictures today. (More on deadlines and productivity coming up. Wow! Those things are motivating!) I spent Valentine’s Day at the zoo with my two guys and my wonderful Seattle family. I hadn’t considered it before we went, but it turns out other people think Woodland Park… Read more
I am staring down two deadlines this week so this week’s wonders will be long on pictures and short on words. Flaming Geyser State Park has a very small flame from a natural methane source (in the concrete circle), but the wonder there and at Neely Mansion in the Green River Valley kept us entertained this weekend… Read more
In my last piece for The News Tribune, I mentioned my middle school teacher Mr. Pat Keaton. He emailed me a few days later, congratulated me on my writing and then mentioned that Dieringer was celebrating its 125th year as a school district. Would I like to go on a tour of the old school… Read more
On New’s Year Eve, I crashed and burned so hard that I am still recovering here at the end of January. It all started out so well. My son and I were at First Night in Tacoma. December 31st was the kind of cold that made everything hurt from the tips of my nose to… Read more
The wonders this week are heavy on the critters I know. My cats love to harass the bird. For the most part, she takes it well, but I do lock them away from her at night so at least she can get a good night’s rest. Ash especially likes to climb up to toast his backside… Read more
While looking up blog designs and doing my research, I checked out the site of an illustrator and writer I really admire. I have loved Debbie Ridpath Ohi ever since I discovered her work in an interview by Dan Blank last year. Debbie has a brilliant idea to but up a badge for wordcounts. She created a badge you can… Read more