Excused

 

 

Not a word from The Bailiff yesterday. Yea. 

I'm trying to remember the last time I was so happy being passed over for something. It was probably during jury duty about 20 years ago, when a defense attorney decided I was too opinionated and the judge excused me from the panel. 

Here's a hint if you don't want to serve: elaborate on every question they ask. You will soon find your big, fat foot in your mouth and the lawyers won't want you.

Anyway, the month of February was littered with appointments and obligations and now finally whittled down to a few things. The taxes are in the accountant's hands. I still have to do my routine medical labs. An anxious person by nature my imagination always has a dandy old time waiting for results. But soon that will be in the rear view window also. 

Enough about my trivial complaints! Exciting things are on the far horizon. Short term, we're looking forward to finally getting back to the Twisp house for a quick visit. Winter is having a last gasp in the mountains now, but next week looks more like spring.

 

Zen

 

On Sunday we dragged ourselves out of the house and drove across town in the rain to the Asian Art Museum on Capitol Hill.  I especially wanted to see the "Geometry of Light" exhibit by Pakistani artist Anila Agha.

 

A brilliant light installation, and good cure for the winter blues...

 

Also Ai Weiwei’s Water Lilies, the artist’s largest and most ambitious LEGO project. Yes, over 650,000 Legos. 

 Grandpa Buddha and friend. 

 

Of course you can't go to Volunteer Park without a walk through the lovely 100-year old glass conservatory, a favorite place of ours, especially on a grey winter day. 

In 2010, the city was on the verge of closing it due to a budget shortage. Happily that didn't happen, although there is a small admission charge now.

 

 The orchids were especially beautiful this time. 

As for my jury duty, on closer examination of the rather confusing email, it looks like The Bailiff has until 4:30 today to summon me. If I don't hear anything by then, I'm off the hook. 

So might as well be Zen about it.

 

 

 

Woo hoo (I think)

 

 

A new iPad Air with the Apple magic keyboard and pencil...technology on top of technology.

I bought it for travel in particular, since lugging my laptop through airports seems to get more burdensome as time goes by. And as John says, "the blog must go on." 

Yes, there's the irony of simplifying your life with yet another complex thing to master and maintain.  

Our Apple gadgets here have multiplied over the years like rabbits! We still have an 8-year old iPad which I use only for ukulele group, and will probably continue. I'd hate to see that shiny new machine on the concrete floor at the Bridge Tavern.

John was an angel and helped me get my email going yesterday, so I'm determined to muddle though the rest without pestering him too much. He has used an iPad for years, but a new hobby for me. 

In other news. I'm on pins and needles this weekend wondering if I have to report for jury duty Monday morning. I was summoned about a month ago by King County Superior Court. But until I hear from the bailiff (as late as Sunday night) I don't even know if I'll have to report in person, or where, for that matter. There are three separate courts in King County, and a nightmare commute to all. 

Anyway, if I have to sit around a courthouse all day, at least I'll have new toy to play with. 

Have a good weekend. 

Queens of the Orchard

 

 

Someone let the cats out...

That's Miss Georgia taking in her new domain and fresh air, after basking in front of the Russian stove all winter. 

 

And Calico Millie there under the table, doing some spring claw sharpening. 

Both cats are plump, to put it nicely. Amanda's best friend, a small animal vet, did not mince words about their weight and prescribed expensive diet cat food. It didn't work. They just ate more and got fatter than ever. 

Not to be morbid, but those gals could be a high calorie snack for the coyotes they hear yipping at night in the orchard. 

Although these former town cats are smart. They managed not to get run over on the highway behind the old house and will figure out farm life. Anyway, they prefer lounging around the house getting hair on everything and using the litter box in the summer, much to Amanda's annoyance. 

Speaking of the orchard, that bare ground is remarkable for this time of year. There is snow up in the high country, but it's been a poor winter in the Methow Valley for recreational sports, not to mention, the snow plowing business.  

Sad! We have not been over to our house since Thanksgiving, but hope to get in a short trip soon.  

 

Ash Wednesday

 

A day of repentance, marking the beginning of Lent. 

Heigh ho, heigh ho

 

Love this photo of Nova carting around one of the docile hens. Nova is terrific with all animals, and in fact, she just started an internship with a local small animal vet. 

    

Busy morning here. I got thoroughly acquainted with the Scandinavian Airlines website (not Alaska!) trying to select seats for our upcoming trip in May. (Much more on that later.) 

 

Now I'm off to Burien to have my Honda serviced for the first time- 6,000 miles, still a baby.

 

 

This is the uncropped photo. Kinda scary seeing those claws so close to her pretty face. Life on the farm.