Springtime Distractions!

Springtime here has been coming and going since December. Unfortunately, when renowned jeweler and painter, Ann Krupp, and her husband, Famous Photographer, Allen Bryan, were here last week, they saw the snowy side of spring in the Northwest. We had a wonderful time, anyway, and on my day off, I showed them some of my favorites from the Quirky side of life on the Peninsula.


Fat Smitty's, at the junction of 101 and 20 is open regularly again, with its abundant American Flags and walls and ceiling festooned with dollar bills. The burgers are BIG and Good, and Allen took some pictures that are classics...The man and the counter stools looks like a winner to me!


On the way up route 20 to Port Townsend, Eaglemont is home to a 1940's motel and Roadside Attraction, decked with the Wonders of the World, a relief map of Washington state to scale, and this Twenty Mule Team, heading through the trees under the watchful eyes of a cement Indian Princess. I've been watching over the last few years as the new owners lovingly restore the glory of a past time when road trips were slow and full of adventure. The motel is open for business again.




There's nothing like traveling with artists to see
familiar things with new potential. Walking at
Allen's pace, with his big camera capturing all
kinds of details, I remembered my idea when traveling with Annie and Patti two summers ago, to do landscape shapes to turn into abstract paintings, now maybe with portraits or collage or textures.





I have to believe that all the ideas and excitement will still be waiting for me when I have the time/make the time to get back to them. At least my digital camera makes taking notes easy.










A very gray-blue day, in which repeated shapes, or a distinctly-different color really stood out.

We stopped at Akamai for inspiration. Ann and I both want to try outdoor sculpture. Her flames coming out of birch trees idea seemed perfect for Apoxie Sculpt. At Wm. James booksellers, we each got a copy of BIZARE BUILDINGS.


Allen added a lighthouse to his collection at the Port Townsend beach, and I continued my rock adoption program. This one cried out for reproduction in its subtle colors and textures--perfect for Golden Paints.

I keep trying to hone down my possessions, interests, commitments, but there's still never enough time to explore all the potential avenues.





Ann, a master gardener, introduced me to Euphorbia, in one of its many strange shapes. I bought myself a Euphorbia plant in her honor, and discovered that I already have one, growing up at the top of the hill by the fence. Both are different from this one and from each other.

I was saying that Ann and Allen are from my Previous Life...in Saugerties. There was another before that in Burlington, and one before that in the bad old Schoolhouse days in East Ryegate. No matter what lives we may be leading, we carry Ourselves along with us for better or worser. I like to think that I've been doing some positive evolution along the way. It's good to have the kind of friends with whom one can just pick up where we left off five years ago.


I woke up Thursday morning to sideways snow and hail, the mountains and trees outlined/detailed in sparkling white...I really should carry my camera wherever I go...didn't think of using the phone to take pictures...technology is getting ahead of me again.

Saturday (yesterday) was a PERFECT Northwest warm spring day, with Mt. Baker showing itself from Port Williams beach, (the photo is a bit enhanced). The top edge of the Peninsula is laced with exquisite bays. This has become one of my favorites sites for the Rock Relocation project.







Long beach down the west side of Sequim Bay, tall compressed sand cliffs, with fossils, I'm told. Many dogs, grandfathers, children, and lovers being taken out for walks, everyone discovering a special treasure.

Today I created a special white rock setting for the Euphorbia I got at Visions Nursery. The code phrase for this month's discount is, "I Love Who I am!" Say it with enthusiasm!


Driving home along Old Olympic Highway, snow-covered Cascades (summer's drinking water) to the south, Strait on the right, green open (still, thank the Goddess and the Land Trust) in between. I love the open skies here (a remnant of my Iowa life?). They are framed by mountains and salt water.

A piece of pizza in the car, plants and rocks to arrange, and I didn't even mind stopping in at work to finish my charting for Friday.

At 63 I am feeling the finite nature of my life span, and have been concentrating on honing my efforts to what I love the best. In the spring, outdoors trumps ART, but I have to believe that all the ideas and excitement will still be waiting for me when I have time/energy/attention to get back to them. On the fly, I take notes in pictures, sketches, words. Following my instincts...no regrets. Each thing chosen implies letting something else go..."bless it and release it," as my wise brother, David says.

Look around you, enjoy each person, sight, sensation as if you might never have it again.