WELCOME TO SUMMER???

POST # 267

THE BEACH ON JUNE 20th

"Technically speaking, the summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, or 23.5° north latitude. In 2017, this will occur at exactly 12:24 am (Eastern) on the 21st. (But we can celebrate on either day.) "

So, technically speaking, that means that the summer solstice occurred at 9:24pm on June 20th, here in Port Townsend, Washington.  But you certainly wouldn't know it from the temperature, or from the photo I took yesterday down at the beach.  It was very chilly, and rather gloomy to say the least.

Of course, my Aussie friends would be celebrating the winter solstice at this precise moment except for the fact that for some strange reason which I was never able to figure out all the years that I lived there, they use the first of the month to denote the change of season.  Even the meteorologists who should know better, use the first of the month as well.  Weird!!!

The forecast high for here today is only 15C (59F), and yet up in Dawson City the temperature is expected to reach 23C (73F).  Anything but normal.  But what's normal nowadays??  Now that the jet stream is all wonky, due primarily to the melting of the ice in the Arctic, things will only get weirder as time passes.  Here is a video to explain this phenomenon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nzwJg4Ebzo&spfreload=5

When I was at the beach yesterday, I saw a lone Heron, just hanging around on a rock.  Perhaps it was wondering about why the weather was so cool as well?

But that was yesterday.  Today, in spite of the chill in the air, the sun is shining brightly which inspired me to take a few more photos.

And finally, another photo of the beach that I took this morning  from the same location as yesterday.

And so the summer is now officially upon us.  I wonder what it has in store for the Northern hemisphere?  With the Arctic ice on the verge of disappearing, things could get very interesting indeed.  Pass the popcorn.

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

Now, back to the weeding project.

  

THE PROJECT CONTINUES

POST # 266

Even though we are on the verge of the summer solstice, you certainly wouldn't know it by the temperature outside.  I could see my breath this morning when I went out to greet the hummingbirds. They don't seem to be bothered by the cool temperatures, and since I refilled their feeder yesterday, they appear to be happy. This morning, there were three of them hovering around.  What a great way to start the day.

I noted this past week that there was snow near Reno, Nevada, and not far away as the crow flies, in Phoenix Arizona, the forecast for next week is for temperatures up to 120F.  This is what we get with the jet stream all screwed up, now that the ice is almost gone in the Arctic.  Welcome to the new normal.

However, this cool weather has been very beneficial if one happens to be out working in the yard, pulling more weeds, and cutting grass, which is exactly what I have been up to this past week.  My friend won't recognize the place when he gets home.  Here are some before and after photos.

WEST SIDE OF HOUSE

EAST SIDE OF HOUSE

Of course, a good weeding project wouldn't be complete without a nicely trimmed lawn to match, so after I had the sides of the house looking somewhat more respectable, I turned my attention to the lawn.  On five acres, there is an abundance of it.

The above two photos are in the front yard and garden.  I forgot to take a "before" photo of the back yard, but here is the "after" shot.

There is a scene near the end of the movie "Forrest Gump," where Forrest is sitting on a lawnmower. (I didn't have that luxury).  Anyhow, as he is cutting the grass, the voice over says, and I quote, "...and 'cause I was a gozillionaire, and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIe0RyDPYOg

  Well I certainly am not a gozillionaire, but I did cut this grass for free, and just like Forrest, I liked doing it.

So bit by bit, the yard is getting to look better than when I arrived.  Of course the weeds and grass will continue to grow, in spite of this wintery summer weather, so I won't be out of a job anytime soon.  However, this first go around has been the biggest hurdle to jump, and now all I have to do is maintain the place.  That should be a breeze in comparison to what I have already accomplished.

Finally, here is an oldie but goodie from Annie Lennox with the song, "Why."  I could be asking the same question when it comes to the amount of grass that some people have.  Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7I4oniOyA

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

WEED THERAPY

POST # 265

With all the hype these days about the changing laws on the growing,  and use of marijuana, the reader might think that this blogpost is dedicated to the discussion of the benefits of weed.  Alas,  the topic today is rather boring in comparison.

I have recently returned to my friend's place here in Port Townsend, Washington to do another house sit.  He was more than happy to leave the weeds grow in my absence, so I have plenty of "weed therapy" in front of me.  I've included some before and after photos, and this is only just the beginning.

BEFORE

AND AFTER

And here are a couple more.

BEFORE

AND AFTER

(thankfully, the yin & yang rock pattern I made last year was still intact after I got rid of the weeds)

There is plenty more to do so I had best not spend too much time on the computer while the weather is cooperating.  I will take the time to appreciate the flowers growing as well, and if the weeding becomes too much to handle, I may have to consider that other weed therapy in the future.  Both therapies provide different benefits.

BEARDED IRIS

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

WANDERING AGAIN

POST # 264

BLUE SKY, THE SEA,  AND A BIKE- LIFE'S GOOD

The Thoughtful Wanderer will be on the road again today, after spending some wonderful one on one time with my newest furball friend, Tina.

THAT'S PURRRFECT,  PAUL

I HAVE THE HUMAN UNDER MY SPELL

JUST ANOTHER DAY OF SUN TANNING

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER LAP NAP

Perhaps in the future, I will have the good fortune to pass this way again.

I'll leave you with the tune from Seals and Crofts, "We May :Never Pass This Way Again"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd6zYQPCgsc



living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

TEENIE TINY TABBY TINA and SADIE

POST # 263

 I've had the great pleasure to know many furballs in my travels, but Tina is without a doubt the smallest one to date, hence the title of today's blog post.  She's a real sweetheart.

I think I'm losing my touch as the cat whisperer though, as it took a couple of hours for her to decide that it was going to be OK for me to share her mansion with a total stranger.  But now we are best of buddies.  And like so many others before her, she now tends to follow me around like a dog is prone to do. That's OK with me.  In fact, it's what I prefer.

This is  a rather short sit, and by the time my next blog post date comes around, I'll be gone from here.  But I'll be taking memories of Tina along with me.  In the meantime here are a few more photos of this lovely furball.

AFTERNOON NAP TIME ON THE HUMAN'S LAP

PERFECTING MY FURBALL YOGA POSE

ENJOYING THE MORNING SUN IN THE VEGGIE PATCH

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SADIE

On a sad note, I happened to hear through the grapevine (Facebook), that my old hill climbing buddy, Sadie from Grand Forks,  has died.  I don't know the details, and I no longer have an email address for the owners so I can't find out anything more.  She was a great dog, and I was glad that I had a chance to spend some time with her back in 2012.  She was the only eye witness to see the stupid human (that would be me) as he tumbled head over heels down the mountain side. For the details, the reader can refer to this previous blog post.
http://wherespaulnow.blogspot.ca/2012/03/sadie-and-pauls-big-adventure.html
Here is an excerpt:  Each step was a challenge, and with each step, Sadie would grab the ball and drop it down in front of me hoping I guess that I would pick it up and throw it, or at least kick it ahead. "No Sadie, we can't play ball right now."

 And here is a video of Sadie which was taken a year after our adventure, when I returned to Grand Forks to re-climb the hill,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K7q5JLHECA

and a view of the rocks as Sadie and I climbed up the hill, that I had fallen down in 2012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcrEM0tC3o0

Along with her furball buddies, Bob and Blueberry, and her toad friend, Mr. Bumples, Sadie was there to keep me company while I began to heal from my tumble down the mountain.  For that I am most grateful.

I imagine that her owners are sad, and will miss having her around.

I'll finish with a sad Sadie song by the Spinners, titled "Sweet Sadie." It's not about a dog, but some of the lyrics are appropriate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2K8O-78Tw0


living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

SO LONG FOR NOW, FURBALL

POST # 262

Poor old Piper, having to once again share his couch with the human. One wonders how he manages to get through another stress filled day?  Life sucks, eh Piper?
But there's good news, my furry friend. By this time tomorrow, I will have "traded you in" for another model of furball, and you'll have the whole couch all to yourself.   That's probably what you were dreaming about when I took this photo of you the other day. Always scheming, and not even behind my back. Where's the love?
Well all I can say is at least I had a good time, and something tells me that the past couple of weeks, haven't been too bad from your point of view either.  At least that's how I see it.

Even though it's now the middle of May, you sure wouldn't know it by the air temperature outside.  It feels closer to winter than summer.  But now that the jet stream is so out of whack as a result of the rapidly disappearing ice in the Arctic, it's almost impossible to predict what the day will bring. Here is a video link to explain the jet stream. https://youtu.be/_nzwJg4Ebzo. With the expectation that the Arctic ice could be gone completely later this year, the impact of that on the jet stream will be even more pronounced than it currently is.
 At least it's warmer than it was when I was here in December/ January.  Back then, Piper's owner had headed out to Newfoundland for a holiday.  She won an award while she was there. Here is her certificate as proof.

Thankfully, I haven't had to do any snow blowing during this current house sit.

That about wraps things up for now.  Piper gets the last word.

"I SLEEP, THEREFORE I AM"

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

POST # 261

It's hard to believe that less than three weeks ago, I was hanging out with Bonnie and Clyde, who are featured in the photo above.  Bonnie is on the left and her brother Clyde on the right.  I made sure to take the time to be with these two whenever I could.  No doubt that they had a few things to teach me.  Here we are,  having some fun together.

I miss them, however I have my buddy Piper to hang out with for now,  and as long as I focus on him, then thoughts of Bonnie and Clyde are just pleasant memories to be filed away in my deteriorating brain, along with all the other memories of moments that no longer exist.  It's amazing that we even have the ability to do that.  These days though, I work on being as in the moment as I possibly can be.  It's not a very well honed skill for us humans, and that is one of the reasons why I  like to spend as much time as possible with the other critters in this world.  They continue to teach me that moments are all that we have, and all that we've ever had.  

Piper certainly appears to have this "living in the moment" thing worked out.  If there was a gold medal for it, Piper would have collected quite a few by now.

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer