Skywatch Friday: A Cloudy Day at Lake Padden

We're camping this weekend, so see y'all on Monday!

Who needs a tissue?

Orange Dahlia

The fountain of knowledge is flowing...

...and classes have begun at Western Washington University.

Bellingham Bay Marathon

Alas, I could not run the half-marathon and take pictures at the same time. Next time I'll have to find a way, because a couple thousand people running like a sweaty river down Holly Street is a beautiful thing! Anyway, the only picture I do have of the race is this one of me about to cross the finish line, and looking more than a little insane!

Corn Maze

"Of course, some people do go both ways."

Weekend Reflections: Lake Padden

Skywatch Friday: The Little House...

...at the Aeneas Valley Store.

Anemone

Here at Bellingham Daily Photo we seem to have a habit of posting pictures of anemones. (Click HERE for a previous post)  You may notice that we also have a terrible habit of misspelling "anemone".  I almost repeated this tragic mistake but Mr. Gates' spelling machine saved me further embarrassment!

Take a Hike!

It's good for you.

It's another warm day--

--dress accordionly.

Viking Night

The bidding got a little crazy on Viking Night at Western Washington University on Thursday, September 16. Viking Night is an annual event at Carver Gym to raise money for WWU athletics programs. There was a silent auction, live auction, wine tasting, dinner, and all around great time for the hundreds of Western boosters in attendance. 

Skywatch Friday: Night

And now it's time to play... Name That Cheesy Poem at the End of a Well-Known 70's Song!

Breathe deep the gathering gloom.
Watch lights fade from every room.
Bedsitter people look back and lament
another day's useless energy spent.

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one.
Lonely man cries for love and has none.
New mother picks up and suckles her son.
Senior citizens wish they were young.

Coldhearted orb that rules the night.
Removes the colour from our sight.
Red is grey and yellow white.
But we decide which is right...
and which is an illusion.

Hint: Read it with a Cockney accent and imagine the sound of a gong at the end.

Picking Blackberries

the miniature curves of ripe fruit
burst like bubbles
just as satisfying
but much sweeter

Morning Beach in the afternoon...

...summer weather in the fall.

Aw, nuts!

Bike MS Ride

Sunday morning, my friend Kristen and I went for a run from my house to Larrabee State Park. We didn't know we would be sharing part of our route with a couple thousand cyclists, all biking to raise money for the National MS Society. We all picked the same spot to stop and rest and enjoy some lunch-- but while they hit the road to keep sweating the miles, Kristen and I got in our nice comfy cars for the ride back.

September 11 Six-Year-Old

Americans across the country are remembering the terrible events of ten years ago today. In our family, we are lucky enough to have a happier September 11 event to recall-- the birth of our first child. 

It's challenging to have a child's birthday on a day of tragedy. For the rest of her life, her birthday will be marked by flags at half-mast and the images of the towers falling on the various news channels rehashing the event. The miracle of her life will forever be shadowed by death. I will always feel inexplicably guilty for having a new life to celebrate when many can only mark this day with loss. 

But today, for us, is about our newly six-year-old girl, who doesn't know yet that September 11 means anything but her birthday. We will have a picnic at the park, we will eat cake, we will watch the full moon rise over the lake. 

We will celebrate.

Cool Beans on Cornwall Avenue

If their coffee doesn't wake you up, their red walls certainly will.

Transition

Though a cloudless sky is pleasant enough,
a tumultuous one is what makes life intriguing and beautiful.
Welcome change.

Whatcom Middle School

November 5, 2009

September 1, 2011

Whatcom Middle School, our county's oldest school, was severely damaged in a fire while under renovations in 2009. Less than two years later, thanks to an extraordinary amount of  cooperation between the city and the builders, Whatcom Middle School opened its doors once more. My grandmother, sister, daughters, and I all toured the school, basically brand-new other than the original facade. Together with my late mother and great-grandmother, we comprise five generations of past and future Whatcom students. Hooray for Whatcom!

No Words Needed

It's just... summer.

Stepping Into Four

Four years ago today, I looked at this sweet face for the first time.
Life has only gotten better since.

I hope you get everything you reach for.

Happy Labor Day!

Sunday Morning Bleachers

Weekend Reflections: Faces in the Lake

Click here to see a short video on the Lummi tradition of canoe pulling with modern-day Lummi youth.

Skywatch Friday: Chuckanut Sunset

September Theme Day: Perspective

It's almost fall-- time for a new perspective.

Let me take the opportunity, on this first day of September, to share one of my favorite songs.

There are lots of great versions out there, but if you ask me, no one can 

compare to the lovely Sarah Vaughan.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants