No Foolin'

No jacket required today. Nor the next few days. But I'd suggest you don't pack away all your winter clothes just yet. Pretty sure in the Midwest right now we're in Fool's Spring mode. Or perhaps, optimistically, the Spring of Deception.

Either way, don't put your snowblower in the shed just yet. Keep it handy. For sure we know April knows how to dish up surprises for us fools.

I say, let's enjoy it while it lasts! Look at the temp this afternoon! I mean it was windy so could have "felt" warmer, but I will overlook that in a heartbeat if I can get 10,000 steps two days in a row and not freeze.

My excitement today was online church, a walk, a run (drive, really) to Shippy Shoes in Stevens Point to get new running (or fast walking, most likely) shoes, then another walk, phone call with my momma, and golf (I watched on TV and hubby was off golfing on his friend's simulator). 

Somewhere in there we wished boy No. 1 a happy 30th birthday. We can no longer say all our boys are in their 20s. I'm not getting old. They are. 

Hard to believe we were out there in gorgeous Washington a year ago this weekend, celebrating his 29th. Thanks to the lovely pandemic, that seems more like 3 or 4 years ago. Crazy. 

Cherish the moments and the memories while you can. That includes loving on Mother Nature over this first or second – but not final – spring in Wisconsin. Thanks, lady! Let's have a good week!

Gimme Shelter

The pivotal Day 14: Post-Washington is drawing to a close. We should be celebrating because we both remain symptom-free AND I was set to return to the office (the real one) tomorrow. But then the governor had a few words to say about that.

I know this is happening in so many states – the "shelter in place" directive – but dang, I was this close to finally flying the coop!

So we'll rejoice in the fact we are healthy and employed and able to work from our little shelter on Blue Jay Drive. Oh, not the one above. That was a makeshift shelter built along the shore of Bellingham Bay 2 weeks ago. I don't know if homeless people sleep there or beach partiers sneak in there for privacy. I do know there probably isn't anyone working from home in there.

So we count ourselves lucky and blessed. Just for today. The way things change with each rotation of the Earth, we can't look any further than the presents in our presence.

Praise the Lord!

Our Moss-fortune

Don't be alarmed. This is not another close-up of the coronavirus. It's just moss. And a lot of it! Let's just take our minds off of the chaos that is everyday life now, and think cool, soft, green thoughts...

It was our fortune to walk through Whatcom Falls Park last weekend in Bellingham. A pretty 240-acre park with waterfalls and lots of trees and lots of moss. I sort of became obsessed with it from the moment we crossed this WPA-era stone bridge.

It looked like a seen from a movie about Savannah or somewhere in the south where Spanish moss runs amuck.

It also just looked historical, if there is such a thing. Just added a texture of aging to the 80-year-old bridge.

And when I looked around, it was everywhere. On the trees, on the big rocks by the waterfalls.

In the "chute" that directs more water out to Bellingham Bay.

Of course, every few years out there is the year of moss because of record rainfalls. So it makes sense in place that rained 3 out of our 5 days would have moisture to fuel the growth of this greenery.

When it was wrapped completely around limb to limb on trees, it reminded me of a Dr. Seuss book and the funky, drape-y trees.

Oh yes, I was looking at every angle!

See how it just hangs around. I wouldn't want it tickling the back of my neck, but it's cool to look at!

This looks more like a snake pit! Seriously, those crazy roots.

And roots that aren't even under ground. Who knows what they're connected to?

There. Did I distract you for a minute? Hope you didn't have any moss-givings about reading this blog. I promise I am not talking about that other subject again today!

You're moss-t welcome.

Washington's a Wrap

It was tough to officially end our vacation at 2 a.m. when we got home, but we managed to sneak in a little more fun on our last day.

We checked out of our hotel in Bellingham after breakfast yesterday.

That created a bit of a moral dilemma. I mean the street value of one roll of this in Seattle could've extended our vacay another day! No worries. We left it there.

(But a side note: Hubby went to Walmart in Rapids tonight to get some groceries and TP, and there was only one package left. Everyone everywhere is stocking up... I guess in case they get stuck at home for 2 weeks and go through 2 rolls a day??)

After checkout and some sightseeing, we made our way down to Seattle for a lunch date. Yup, we got some bonus fun with two of Carter's classmates, who we know quite well – and are friends with their parents.

Nathaniel is in the Navy and stationed out in Seattle and his wife Olivia was just visiting for the weekend – she arrived on Thursday as well (early flight) but was taking the same flight back to Minneapolis with us late Monday afternoon! How cool to see them, catch up, and take pictures to share with Carter and their parents (along with virtual hugs home).

The four of us had a nice lunch at Alstadt, a German bar in downtown Seattle. "Vee have vays of fighting zee virus!"

When we got to the airport later, it really was the first time we saw a lot of people wearing masks. The thing is, you don't know if they're wearing them because they have the coronavirus and don't want to spread it, or it they're trying to protect themselves and cross their fingers they don't get it. And there were all styles of masks. Some were almost industrial-type and others silky and fashionable.

Needless to say, I wasn't completely surprised to get a call from my boss that I should work from home for a few days upon my return. That was fine with me. Getting home at 2 a.m., I was taking the morning off anyway. I had my laptop so I could work from home the rest of the day. While we were careful and washed our hands often, etc., I would not want to be the one starting the virus at a place with more than 2,500 employees on site. Nope.

Better safe than sorry. Sure hope our vacation stays wrapped up on a positive note. It was such a treat to see the kids and such a beautiful area of the country. Try to get out there sometime if you can.

Well, maybe wait a few months.

Harbor Views

Our last day in Bellingham was beautiful! No rain, but just enough puffy clouds to obscure Mount Baker from view. Grr.

Still, our harbor views around Bellingham Bay were gorgeous! Enjoy...

Artsy shot of raindrops on Daffodils at the harbor. Love seeing spring flowers!

Nice day for a ride for a few lucky ones!

She sells sea shells...

Hello, Canada! No passport required when you're "just looking. "

So many shades of blue! Life's a beach when you're on vacay!

We'll miss our fabulous hosts! Thanks for great time, kids! See you again soon, we hope!

We're flying out tomorrow so we'll see how our bodies adjust to what seems like 3 hours' time difference (thanks to Daylight Saving Time).

One hundred percent worth it!

Number One is Twenty-Nine

We're feeling blessed to be able to spend son number one's 29th birthday with him. In person!

Thankfully they have Walmarts out here,  too, so we could snag an ice cream cake and candles for him! They rest of the day was just enjoying time with him, Emily and our grandpup Rey. Lots and lots of time outdoors.  We're all going to sleep well tonight!

A few highlights from around Bellingham,  including Teddy Bear Cove in the Chuckanut neighborhood (just wanted to type that!) And a dog park by the beach. Yes. The Pacific Ocean!

Father-son picture. Just a bit chilly when we started out!

All three "kids."

Playing some serious fetch!

Good girl!

So sweet together!

Beautiful walk in Whatcom Falls Park.

C is for Casey (and Clay and Carter, too)!

Oh, Bellingham. Purple looks good on you!

I know it was great (even warmer) weather back home today. But seeing flowers in bloom trumps that for me! And we'll see what wonders tomorrow brings.

Don't forget to spring your clocks forward tonight. And make a wish if you turned 29 today, too!

Soggy in Seattle

Move over, Sleepless in Seattle.  There's now a sequel: Soggy in Seattle,  starring Mr. and Mrs. Austin.

We waited until the rain turned into a light drizzle before venturing out about town this morning. We knew right away from the steady precip that we were gonna skip the Space Needle. Not worth the money to not see anything!

We walked down to the Olympic Sculpture Park and saw some neat things there.

And some unusual things like Japanese cherry blossoms.

And eyes on a naked man in a fountain.  You know,  just artsy stuff.

We could see the harbor and all that activity,  so I liked that.

Introduced hubby to Pike Public Market. Too rainy to lollygag outside. But we got to browse all the indoor vendors...

Including the fish-throwing guys. That's always entertaining. 

Walked by Amazon headquarters. See how they keep their employees in quarantine like the Bubble Boy on Seinfeld. These honestly are Amazon corporate offices in The Spheres. But all employees have been ordered to work at home through end of month. Honestly, after 5 miles of walking around, we only saw 3 people wearing "anti-germ" masks.

On way out of town, we found our way up to Kerry Park, where you can see the whole city below. Again, not the best day for scenery either.

Still pretty sights, though!

Thankfully there's a Starbucks around every other corner for warmth!

On way up to Bellingham, we detoured over to Mukilteo so I could see the lighthouse there.

It was quaint! (And closed to visitors.)

Saw plenty of gulls making themselves at home along the beach!

Got to Bellingham in late afternoon, checked into our hotel, then met Emily and Casey downtown after work.

Soooo great to see them for the first time since July!! Had a great dinner at Bantam 64, and tomorrow will be doing some sightseeing, time to see our grandpup Rey, and some 29th birthday celebration fun.

Crossing fingers for some sun, and no soggy bottom fun!