20th Anniversary Day

The light on the lake was amazing this morning. Arvin and I were looking out from the breakfast table as we wished each other "Happy Anniversary". It was 20 years ago today that Susan's father officiated at our wedding ceremony at my parents' house in El Cerrito. Amazing how time flies.

Ken's Flowers

Ken Osthimer, who shares the studio where I paint, is a photographer who uses old large-format view cameras to create amazing black and white images. He mixes chemicals and paints sheets of paper with them to make platinum prints. His work is wonderful. He sets the still lifes up in our studio. One day I asked him if it would be okay for me to take some pictures of his set-up. He graciously agreed and encouraged me to do so. So now when I see one, like the spent tulips I found on the table today, I take out my GH1 and have a field day. Thanks, Ken, for the beautiful tulips to play with.

Big Rock Park

Took a walk this afternoon. I enjoy walking up through the woods, up into Big Rock Garden, and on down to Big Rock Pond. We are so lucky to live so close to this park. The top two pictures are in the garden. The first is the Korean War Memorial.

Trades Tower - Sculpture at BTC

I went to Bellingham Technical College today to buy a stethoscope in their bookstore. On the way home I passed this great sculpture. Had to take some pictures. It's called Trades Tower and is by Ries Niemi. To learn more check out his Website.

Sunset Pond

It's been quite awhile since I walked around Sunset Pond taking pictures. Somehow it had lost some of its charm for me until yesterday when the day was perfect and the colors were just right. Luckily I had a bit of time to myself after we dropped Duma at the vet and Arvin at Goodwill and after my drawing session at Studio UFO and a bit of shopping. Passed right by Sunset Pond on the way to pick up Arvin at Goodwill. Couldn't resist stopping. I'm so glad I did.

Worried about Duma

Two days ago we took Duma and Mehitabel in for their annual checkups. They are only 16 months old so we didn't expect trouble. Mehitabel passed with flying colors. Duma unfortunately did not. He seems healthy and is always happy and loving. But when she listened to his heart the vet heard a heart murmur.

We took him in yesterday for an ultrasound and his heart is not at all as it should be. He was awake during the procedure so they could not be as thorough as they could if he were sedated. They found that his heart has very thick walls. They think they also found a big septal defect allowing blood to cross between the two atria. There is another vet in town who specializes in ultrasounds and who will sedate him during the procedure. We have an appointment for Duma on Friday for a second untrasound.

Both of us are very concerned. Duma is not just any cat. (Of course none of our cats is... but he is really special.) He is the most loving and funny cat we've ever had. We want him to be with us for a very long time. We are waiting with bated breath to find out what the prognosis is and what can be done for him. We are also concerned about costs as we are both retired. But we'll go pretty darn far to bring him back to good health.

Book Club at Nancy's

View of Mount Baker from Nancy's house

Starlings circling and landing in Nancy's tree

Nancy's alpacas

The Palette Princesses met at Nancy's today. She has five acres and many animals including these alpacas. She's also got a flock of chickens (I got some eggs... yummy!), two horses, two llamas, a flock of sheep, and several barn cats. I love visiting and communing with her animals. We had a good lunch and a lively discussion of Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna" before heading home. There were only five of us today but that didn't slow the discussion one bit.

Still the Queen

Thanks to life with two young cats Fiona has grown younger. She is 16 years old but looks and acts much younger. She is still, and always will be, the Queen of the Universe.

Never Thought I'd See the Day

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Fiona and Mehitabel snuggled together on the cat tower. Fio has been pretty clear that she is not a big fan of Mehit. But there they were sleeping together seeming as contented as can be. Even Duma had to check it out.

60th Birthday Party

Wade and Tom celebrated their 60th birthdays at Studio UFO on Saturday. I took a few pictures.