finally writing again

After a five-month hiatus, I've finally started working on my novel again. So head on over to Guns and Gods to pick up where you left off.

Roll On, Columbia!

This weekend, we took a trip to Portland via Willapa Bay. It was time to drive Highway 4, after all.

The lower Columbia valley is very organic and moist. Everything has moss, lichen, or creepers growing on it. All flat areas look like bogs. Even the highways lie organically upon the surface of the earth, rather than cutting straight through it.

In Portland, we visited the Lloyd Center, the largest shopping mall in Oregon. Christina's verdict: blech. Nothing worth buying (except a scarf). Janzten Beach shopping center down by the Columbia River was even worse.

Oh well. At least we got an iSqueeze without sales tax.

So Tasty

Chunlin, my love, are you sure I can't have any donuts? They look so tasty!

Subdivision, part 1

After six weeks, our survey is almost complete. (I returned it for corrections once.) Our newly purchased Pinehurst property is going to be cut in half. Or at least the lot is, separating the house from the huge garage.

But first, I have to fight through the Seattle bureaucracy.

Today, I faxed in a form called the Pre-Application Site Visit Request. Apparently, someone from the Department of Planning and Development needs to come out to the property and verify that the site plan I submitted (a scaled-down survey copy) is accurate. At least that's what I assume they'll be doing.

I'm just glad that because this is a Short Plat, I don't need to fill out the Preliminary Application Form. It seems like every other land use action requires one.

This Month's Photo of Chunlin (and Me!)

Here's the photo greeting me on my calendar at work, for the month of April. Chunlin has the same photo this month.

On our very warm and sunny hike up Mt. Si last spring. Christina took the picture. It was a good thing I had my large backpack full of extra clothing, or else we'd not have had a rest break.

Okay. . .

I just have too much stuff going on. I never seem to have a minute to post on this blog anymore. So I think I'll stop now.

It was fun while it lasted.

Now go click somewhere in the right column. . .

No Summer This Year?

Oh look. It's snowing again.

Not sticking right now, but isn't it supposed to be springtime?

I sure hope this summer isn't a repeat of 1816. We had some snow in March last year, but this year is even colder than last.

Sunspots, get cooking! We need some warmth!

Actually, some sunspots started up, but they are the wrong polarity, so nobody knows what that means. Maybe we haven't seen the end of the low yet. Which means John McCain will definitely win the presidency. But of course he would, anyway, just because of his first name. We've already had four John presidents, after all, and zero Hillary or Barack.

Um... I digressed a bit, didn't I?

WSU Lost

Boo!!

Boo!!!


Boo-hoo.

Protection

Always wear gloves when using a power screwdriver.

Or at least get your hand out of the way if it slips off the screw.

No, strike that. Always wear gloves when using a power screwdriver.

My thumb is healing.

Happy Easter!

Peep!



What do sugary sweet neon marshmallows shaped somewhat like little birds have to do with Jesus rising from the dead?

Nothing, as far as I can tell.

.

.

.

Peep!

Greetings from Minnesota!

It snowed last night.

Actually, it's still snowing.

Welcome to springtime in Minnesota!

Rain in Northern South Dakota

I don't know if any other airline has this (they probably do), but I'm flying Northwest today, so that's where I found it.

When you go to check the status of a flight that's already in the air, they provide a map showing the location of the plane and its planned route. The map also shows weather.

It's raining in the Dakotas. The plane that's coming to pick me up is diverting slightly northward to go around the storm.

I should head for the airport when the plane gets to the Continental Divide.

Sunday Drive

A few days ago Sunday, Chunlin and I took a drive up the Kitsap Peninsula. Coincidence of coincidences, we drove the length of State Route 3.

The road took us through scenic Shelton:


And up into the sky near Gorst:


But eventually, highway 3 ended:


So we went to the beach:


A park near the east end of the Hood Canal Bridge, called Salsbury Point Park. It has a boat launch.


And swings.


And wildlife.


And, as I said, a view of the bridge.


But don't get too close.


Our stomachs told us to leave, so we headed for Port Gamble. It's not just a old-fashsiony tourist town. It actually has industry.


But it does have cute houses.


And flowers.


After a tasty meal of broccoli salad, cucumber salad, chicken fajita, and tuna salad sandwich at the general store, we let the MV Spokane carry us across Puget Sound.

That's a photo of the MV Puyallup, however. And downtown Seattle in the distance.

Smile!


I've posted twice as many photos on flickr, as is becoming my custom.