Inflation

 

Luckily, it was free to use today.  But back in this door's day as a pay toilet the jump from 5 cents a use to 10 cents was probably a steep increase.  I bet people paid it though.

Railroad Alley

The back of an old building, taken on Railroad Alley downtown.

Mamacita

On Sunday we went out for a drive in the country and ended up at Everybody's Store, in the township of Van Zandt. Everybody's Store has just about anything you could want... well, anything I could want, anyway, since they have what is probably the best cheese selection in Whatcom County. And I loooove cheese! They've got local nokkelost and goudas, five different cheddars from five different regions, sage derby, marigold goat, italian parrano, and much, much more. They carry fine wines, too, many of them local, including their own red table wine. 

Any store that carries fancy cheeses and fine wine already has my love, but one with a cat, too? Now we're in undying devotion territory. The store cat is fat, black and sleek, and very friendly. We ordered sandwiches (also fat!) and were eating them in the garden behind the store when my five-year-old daughter asked what the cat's name was. I didn't know, so she told me to go ask. I said no, I'd like to finish my lunch. 

"Well, I'll find out myself, then!" She cried. She stomped resolutely all the way back into the store, where she confronted a store employee. My husband sneaked up and peeked in on her through the front window. 

"Do you work here?" She asked the woman. 

"Yes," the lady replied. 

"Do you know you have a cat?" 

"Yes," the woman said, smiling. 

"What's her name?" she asked. 

"Mamacita."

"Thank you."

And she stomped back out to the garden, very proud of herself. As she should be! And now we know. Nice to meet you, Mamacita.

Mount Bakery

The Mount Bakery. The name, in case you aren't familiar with the area, is a play on the name of our nearby Mount Baker. If we go out to breakfast, it's my favorite place to spend a Sunday morning-- especially if I don't happen to have the children with me. Then I can take the time to order their delicious shirred eggs, which take quite a while but are worth the wait: oven-baked eggs with pesto, brie, and swiss cheese. YUM. While they work on my eggs, I nibble an almond croissant and listen to whichever talented musician they have performing this particular morning. Heaven!

Mutual Curiosity

My youngest daughter and I were wandering around Fairhaven yesterday enjoying the mild weather when we passed a shop that was being remodeled. The carpenter building shelves caught her eye so we stopped to watch for a bit. We caught the eye of the carpenter's dog and he returned the favor.