Modern, Local, Organic, Pictures, Pets – My adventure in life as a "modern" Bellingham Hippie.
Daffodil
A beach of Whidbey Island
As a devout beach worshiper, I can tell you there is nothing like standing or sitting while winter weather is raging around you. On this beach, you would not believe how alive it is. Winter is not calm and sleepy here, but loud and imposing. Even if the waves are not many feet tall and the sun looks so demure behind clouds, it is still so wild and untamed. A beach is more spiritual than any church.
Sunday I spent a day in Bellingham, “touring” with friends whom live there, to experience things I have not seen. It is calling my name – nature and a smaller, slower moving community. I had forgotten how clean the air smells and feels away from the city. Later I was looking at this picture and thought something was different – I figured it out…. no concrete in this picture.
I was in Bellingham, Washington this Friday. I love that place, have loved it forever. It’s a great hippy, college, bike friendly town with a beautiful view. I took this one from the beach next to the old boardwalk.
Bobert the Snowman
Note: That is not my car in the background. So no worries, the modern hippy is not being hypocritical by driving a fast car.
I woke up late this morning, after 10 am. The snow was still there. I took Xiann out to do her business and then Milo got to look around while sitting on my hip. The world looks so much better covered in snow. Never mind that Rick might have lupus, or his UC may be getting worse, it looked pretty. For the few minutes, I was out with my animals and then again, with my camera, all our worries disappeared. Nothing better than blue sky and snow on a crisp cool morning.
Each year it gets colder and colder. We have more snow days in the northwest, in areas not normally used to getting snow. It is because the temperature of the earth is rising, global warming. So recycle and take pictures of the beauty that has some tragedy.
Last year, due to deeper snow than normal I called in to work. I’m a massage therapist, I know what happens to people that end up in car accidents. It would be stupid for me to drive my little Hyundai out into traffic surrounded by large diesel trucks and SUVs. It is not safe in an area not used to snow. People do not think about the precautions that you need to take in snow and ice.
I stayed home that day and built a snowman. His name was Jonesy. He lasted a long time. Hopefully, some time soon there will be enough snow to built a snowman again.
I do have something somber to add to this post. Be cautious this year while driving in winter conditions. Do not drive if you feel it is unsafe.
Tonight was our first snow in our little area of the world, Snohomish County Washington. It started snowing while it was dark. Unfortunately, there seems to be something wrong with my camera. I’m not able to take un-blurry shots with my flash off. It was a cheap camera, free actually, so I can’t be too frustrated. I just don’t have the money to replace it right now.
However, even though my camera is disfuntioning. I did get a shot I like, due to the extended time the shutter stays open.
Usually, I prefer summer, spring and fall. I find the brighter colors to my liking. However, since I decided to look for the beautiful in even the boring suburbs, I have noticed more of the small things. The world is not just grey, but brown, dark greens and the occasional icy blue sky. If you look closely there is gorgeous contrast everywhere.
This picture is taken from my porch. The “yard” is not very exciting. It is mostly evergreens that don’t change very much over the seasons. Then I spotted the birch tree at the end of the building. I love the contrast of the bare branches and the bright cloudy sky and the needled evergreen. The lighting was so strange – it looks almost black and white.
Autumn is going to end very soon. We have crossed over into November which is when all our flooding and winter rain storms start. We had a beautiful October. The leaves where gorgeous and the air was crisp. Now most of the leaves are being blown off the trees and will soon turn a dark brown and be swept or blown away and leave the world bare and black and brown with grey skies.
So I’m resisting by posting pretty pictures I’ve taken while lunching with Rick in his office parking lot. Though I’m not a fan of living in the suburban city, with an imaginary camera lens in my eye I see simple beauty that only the city has to offer. I’ll make an effort to enjoy it while we are still here.
