Song joins us all IMAGINE

Just play this...Love you all Stefani (Scotty)

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=uh3_magweather_web_gs&p=pentatonix#id=4&vid=8ec554a1eba8986d5093c21e49274d45&action=view

Remembering Columbine and the Other Violent Tragedies

It has been very difficult for me to write "cherry" bloggs the last few months with the political ups and downs, but even more so in the last few weeks.
After teaching for 40 years, the most disturbing and sad times in my life was how to explain to myself and my students who asked "Why?" Why Columbine ?, Why 9-11 ?, Why Sandy Hook? Now, I know my fellow teachers are dealing with Parkland. There are no easy answers. Though, I am positive that research would show it has something to do with the child not believing in their-selves, their gifts and not finding their spiritual selves. Of us not believing we all are of one KINGDOM, not believing we are one with all life.
 I also believe there is no reason why any one of us needs an automatic assault rifle. Don't tell me you need such a gun to put food on the table.  Indigenous people in other lands use food gathering in forests, a hook and fishing pole or a  net. No person who believes in the 2nd amendment can possibly think that it is more important than the Declaration of Independence- all men (people) are created equal-they deserve a life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..This is about our children and the world's children. And how could ANYONE think even an arsenal of assault weapons could protect them from even one home evasion at the right time or against globally a nuclear bomb. Please listen to this pod cast.

https://www.livingmyth.org/living-myth-podcast-58-the-heart-of-tragedy

And now pray for Wisdom and Change.

Winged Monkey Hollow, Jimmycomelately Creek, Chimacum Valley and other points of interest

At Winged Monkey Hollow there is a Weather Underground that Pat swears is accurate, no way, I say, each day is predicted but the best is hour by hour on my google weather.
 We live in a Logging area, it is the big employer; one day there is a forest and the next it is gone.  Our very wealthy neighbors below us bought 15 acres up by us as a buffer next to our property so nothing would be logged after our property was logged way back when (?).  I think they will be happy to see that as much of it as we can will be planted with Natives.
Port Townsend which is quaint and pretty harbor town, nice restaurants, the Wooden Boat Festival, a neat Antique Mall, Music scene, "culture"  has one very sad detriment called a paper mill.  To get to the town you have to past an area that is always smelly. I thank my lucky stars that Pat didn't find land closer to that corridor.
My favorite car ride is to Sequim cross Discovery Bay and Sequim Bay which also has a mostly finished bike ride-not tried yet. But I love seeing the signs for roads and landmarks like Jimmy Comelately Creek and Chicken Coop Road and closer to us Egg and I.  Hope to get some of you bikers here to do the Olympic bike trails.
Sunny Sequim is the town's nickname.  It is almost always sunny in Sequim because the area is in the rain shadow of  the Olympics. We past through Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe land to go to it and I really like the totems.  I sent a photo of their casino around Christmas.
Development of south Sequim Bay began in the late 18th century with logging, roads and railroad construction, dredging, wetland drainage, fill and diking. Jimmy Comelately Creek itself was relocated, channelized and straightened, and constricted by roads and fill to facilitate farming and the settlement of the community known as “Blyn.” In the late 1800’s, wetlands were filled and converted for a mill and a log yard that was in operation until the late 1990’s. In addition, native vegetation was removed, and non-native vegetation became established on the fill and dikes.That has all changed..  Restoration of the area to save the salmon started in 2003 with re-channeling the creek and reestablishing the estuary to their original states and replanting native plants. Who was Jimmy? Historians dispute the identity of the Creek’s name. The Creek may be a namesake for a watchmaker named Jimmy Whittier who was an early settler in a cabin nearby. The term “Jimmycomelately” was generally used by the Native Americans of the area and early settlers to refer to newcomers who were ill-prepared for pioneer life.
There is a coalition of people and groups (private and local, state and federal government who work to preserve land and restore it here. And that makes me hopeful.
Yes the home is coming along...tile and cabinets started this week, Pat and I have been working on the labyrinth and planting birches and ferns, but it is difficult without the final grade.  Soon, soon I keep telling myself. will send an update of the house soon, soon.

Rain Rain Beautiful Rain, Spring and Storms and so far No Tsunamis

Don't believe all you read or hear.  We weren't in any danger from the tsunami that was suppose to hit from Alaska down to Oregon.  We aren't on any major fault lines like Seattle and Bainbridge Island, but if the Cascadian fault should "fault" everyone along the Pacific will be in  trouble (knock on wood).  We are far enough away from Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helen's not to worry about a volcanic eruption except for the ash.  I think we will be more in trouble from forest fires during the dry season from July through September when it simply doesn't rain.  We have had only one cold spell when temperatures dropped into the 30s during Christmas week, but the daily temperatures have held mostly in the high 40s and low 50s.  Ben says winter is almost over and everyday spring is closer around the corner.  I know that sounds good to you all in the NE where you have had terrible cold weather.  Toby calls us from Buffalo and talks to us when he can't leave his apartment.  

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We have had 2 major storms.  On one side of the Hood Canal Bridge which we usually cross once a week as you see going from our side of the Olympic Pennisula to the Kitsap Pennisula.. it is crazy.  The other side blocked by the bridge looks so calm compared no matter how hard the rain and wind. The day winds were this high the ferry from Port Townsend to Whigbey Island was blown side ways but still passed.  Most of the time the rain is calm and not continuous.  But it is cloudy.  Pat and I try to spend at least every other day working for about 2 hours moving rocks and making paths. We are coming to the conclusion that we will have to wait for summer to really finish the landscaping as we are unsure of how much sunlight we will have.  The one really good sunny area is part of the neighbor's easement on our land and can't be planted except with wild flowers. We plan to put a small labyrinth in the area with lavenders.

This is the ceiling in the living room.  I am sorry to say you will not see rafters but dry wall when it is done.  The Energy requirements are very strict here...That whole area will be filled with insulation and air tight except for the whole house fans which are required. I think because we have 80-100% humidity.  I won't write anymore about the house until the end of February when the floors and kitchen cabinets should be in.  They will finish the dry walling and spackling sometime this week. 

Christmas and House update

Enjoyed Ben and Kelsey who visited on Christmas Eve and we had snow, but it melted by the end of Christmas day. It is warm enough they plan to paint the outside of the house next week starting on Jan. 2, the first 2018 work day.  The plumbers and electricians have been in to do the "roughing in".  Kitchen cabinets are ordered, but won't arrive for 6 weeks.  We are still looking at a spring move in, but lots of work still to be done. Snow on our picnic table outside the RV, Dec. 24.

Home at end of November with roof tresses started.

Home 2nd week in December.  Christmas tree up in yard and house with first layer of siding on and roof enclosed.  

Dec. 30  roof shingled, skylights in for porch, Breckenridge siding up, rough plumbing and electrical wires in, but trenches for actually getting electricity to house and RV pad not yet.  

We are still living in the RV park.  The prettiest Christmas lights were on the boats in Port Ludlow Harbor a short distance from the RV park.  I wish a photo could have been taken of the colorful lights high up on the sails and around the other boats. But here is one with the Olympics in the background.  The mountains have been spectacular. 

Port Townsend is very secular and did not even have lights on the trees in town, but just 30 minutes down the road at the 7 Cedars Casino (Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe) are the most amazing display as well as beautiful totems. All the snow is gone, just latest long enough for Christmas day.  Best to all in 2018. 

Holy days from Thanksgiving 2017 through the Solstice and the day Jan. 1 of the new Year 2018

I know you all have been waiting for this update which through emails I kept promising, but because the home construction, holidays=holy days and other challenges I am sending several updates now. and on Jan. 1. Blessings and may the light from the moon, stars and sun bring you a good year...

Thanks for food and song. Ben playing his hand-made banjo and Pat singing with him Yankee Lady by Jesse Winchester. We are so grateful for the bountifulness of love and home grown food. 

Ben and Kelsey, playing around and  cooking in the kitchen. 

Kristen, Kelsey's sister in foreground and Ben in the background with Jan Linda's sister (Kelsey's mom) and Mark Jan's husband,.  They had fun dancing and singing, too.

Chuck Kelsey's Dad and all of us digging in.  Kelsey spent a lot of time  in the kitchen.
The house at the beginning of November. See next blogg for update.

Polar Bear Plunge Unusual Snow 2 weeks before Thanksgiving

We decided to take a trip up the coast on the opposite side of the Puget Sound to Birch Bay and stayed (thanks to a UUFSB Auction we won 2 years ago donated by Tom Krausz) at the Sandcastle Raintree Resort. The resort share-time had 3 bedrooms and was larger than the size of our house to be... We left in sunshine in the RV and hit snow.  We had to take Eliza with us (no nice West Meadow Lane EXT. neighbors to take care of her)and so she stayed in a RV trailer park while Pat did the Polar Bear Plunge. It is a beautiful, quiet place this time of the year here.  
The Bay in summer is a boater's delight. And very touristy because it is just about a hop, skip and jump from Vancover, Canada.
Sunrise off the balcony with Mount Baker in the background.  Trust me my camera makes everything look small. Mt. Baker looks like it is at your backdoor and you could walk to it. We walked and walked along a small river from the backdoor.  Saw eagles and lots of waterfowl. We are now back home our little RV forested park above Port Ludlow Bay, but hope to be at Olele Point by Jan.  We have so many rocks to move.  Being Thanksgiving is coming I try to be grateful everyday, so I am thanking the Universe for the rocks-they will give me purpose, paths to make.  We will be at Ben and Kelsey's for Thanksgiving ...I will take photos of the progress of the home and our time with them and the Kozaks, Kelsey's parents, so welcoming and loving. We do so miss all of you all and West Meadow Lane Ext. 

Colors of fall with a touch of snow

Eagles Nest

Pat on Birch Bay