April, come she will

 

 

From painful past experience, you would think I'd remember not to overdo the yard work each spring. Also, the double whammy last week of moving heavy pots around and around. No one made me do it, but I was excited getting the patio organized after the deck was finished. It looks great but now Advil is my best friend.

The plan this week is easy walking, stretching and not lifting anything heavier than a bag of potatoes. 

They say the worst thing for lower back pain is sitting, which we did plenty of at the Symphony yesterday. 

It was a good program though, featuring a new African American themed saxophone concerto (not something you hear everyday) and that old chestnut, "The Planets" by Gustav Holtz-- complete with NASA space pictures on a big screen above the stage. People enjoy these multimedia presentations, but to cranky old time symphony goers, it’s too much like gilding the lily.

Farewell and good riddance to the stormy month of March.

Busy

 

I've been busy the last few days getting things organized after the deck project. Even though it was outside, any construction event somewhat scrambles your life and brain. 

Also time for the spring switcheroo with the jade plants. These guys are actually from cuttings I potted last summer. 

When the plants get too unwieldy and heavy, I chop them up and plant the pieces. For some reason, Jades love the summer climate here. They thrive with neglect. I bought a new tiered plant stand and like the look on the porch.

Maya and Nova in a tropical courtyard...

Amanda, Tom and the girls are exploring southern Baja on spring break this week. They are skipping the Cabo San Lucas tourist scene and heading by rental car to some of the more remote areas and beaches. Let's see, Taiwan last week-- this week Mexico for Nova. Kinda like when we were teenagers, huh?  Ha ha.

They are traveling with two other families from the Methow Valley so it should be a blast. I am only human, and yes, feeling jealous looking out at our rainy yard. Maybe someday I'll see the amazing wildlife in the Sea of Cortez. In these appalling times, it might be renamed the Sea of America by then. 
 

All's clear

 

There hasn't been a severe thunderstorm warning in Seattle since 1999. The news outlets went crazy and had some people so scared they took their cars downtown to covered parking garages. Expensive and inconvenient! 

I watched our neighbor trying to cover his fancy Rivian with patio furniture cushions, which freaked me out a bit.

Anyway, all this frantic activity seemed overkill for such a slight chance of big hail. My only preparation was cutting a bunch of hyacinths in peak bloom so the dear things wouldn't get beaten to the ground.  I'm glad, because I'm laying on the sofa right now smelling their heavenly aroma.

Anyway, no hail in Seattle, but it was an impressive thunder and lightening storm by any standard. Speaking of aroma, I stood on the porch right before it rolled in with that peculiar ozone smell that took me right back to childhood in Colorado and Pennsylvania, where violent thunderstorms are common.

We might complain about the monotony of grey skies and rain, but our mild coastal climate is a blessing.

 

Stormy weather

 

 

Lightening and thunder storms in Seattle are rare. The local media is in a frenzy this morning about severe weather expected tonight, the result of these record high temperatures interacting with an incoming cold front. 

That kind of weather event is common as dirt in many parts of the country, but highly unusual in our stable (boring in a good way) climate in Western Washington. 

The only thing that sends a chill down my back is the possibility of large hail hitting my pristine new car. We have no option but to park on the street, like thousands of other people around here.

The deck is finished and we're thrilled with the result and workmanship. From start to finish, including demolition, it took this single hardworking man six days. We are so lucky.

One day wonder

 

 

 

 

Today will be the warmest day of the year, courtesy of an unusual thermal trough coming up the coast from California. We might pay for it on Wednesday with thunderstorms. But one day at a time.

 

In one of those impulsive moments at Costco, I threw a bag of 15 lily bulbs in the cart and now they need to go in the ground-- somewhere in the over planted beds. Then the rain can water them in tomorrow.

 

Many of the pretty trees in West Seattle are already blooming, and this jolt of heat will jump start all the other spring flowers. 

 

Elias should have the deck finished today, then I can start putting the yard back together.

"Loveliest of trees, the cherry now

Is hung with bloom along the bough,

And stands about the woodland ride

Wearing white for Eastertide" 

A.E. Housman

Big weekend

 

 

My Honda CRV EX-L all-wheel drive, with five miles on the odometer, ready to drive off the lot. 

I've been thinking of a new car for quite a while. The 2014 Avalon was coming up on expensive maintenance, then the leaky window finally pushed me over the top. Enough with soggy rolls of paper towels on the floor!

Burien Honda (the same dealer where John bought his Passport) had exactly what I was looking for on Saturday, right down to the color. With who knows what around the tariff corner, it seemed like a good time to go for it. 

The nice thing about having the same brand cars (I really should say, computers on wheels) is we can switch back and forth easily, and since John learned all the bells and whistles first on the Passport, it's been much easier to figure out the CR-V.

Anyway, if cars were horses, the old Avalon was a Thoroughbred, but the CRV feels more like a Quarterhorse-- a steady ride on whatever the trail throws at you. Twisp, here I come.

 

 

In other news, the deck should be finished today or tomorrow. What an improvement. We're thrilled with Elias' workmanship and counting our lucky blessings he came our way.

 

Last but not least, a sure sign winter is losing its icy grip in the Methow Valley-- old "Ginger" already has a spring clip to keep her cool in the strong spring sun.

Nova returned safely home from Taiwan Saturday morning at 1 am. She was back to riding and horse chores on Sunday afternoon. Oh, the resilience of youth.

Taiwan adventures

 

We sure enjoyed following the trip with the stream of pictures posted by their teacher on WhatsApp. The photos came in early each morning, about the time they were getting settled for the night over there. 

Today (or is it tomorrow I get mixed up) their flight leaves Taipei about midnight, arriving in Seattle at 7 pm the same day. 

Then a long ride on the school bus over the snowy mountain passes to arrive in Twisp about 1 am. We're talking some tired and jet lagged kids. And no doubt cranky-- I don't envy the parents.

 

It rained yesterday and Elia just put a canopy over his power tools and kept going. Today he works on the arbor, railings and skirting. Check out this craftsmanship on the steps. Almost too nice! Now the fence looks horrible, but he offered to stain it for us. Wow.

The first day of spring

 

 

Although you would never guess from the cold and rainy weather today. But they're teasing us with the possibility of 70 degrees in Seattle next week. Be still my heart.

 

 

The deck is progressing and we really like the color of the composite boards. From the comfort of the warm house, we watched Elia yesterday, working steadily hour after hour with hardly a break. Being both a fast and careful builder is a rare thing. We got lucky.

He told John that he first learned carpentry in Romania working with his father, who made and repaired fine furniture. 

You can certainly see the attention to detail and skill in everything he does. 

 The new deck already christened with rain!

Looking strong

 

Speaking of strong, just one person built this yesterday. Step risers are tricky! And the day before, he did all the demolition himself.

As far as decks go, this isn't a big project, but we were expecting a crew. It doesn't matter, as long as the job gets done right. Our worker is Romanian and has a strong accent, but good enough English. He is obviously experienced and very anxious to please us.

Still, after detailed consultations with the company salesman and a written bid/contract, it does seem odd (and somewhat inconvenient) that we're having to explain the project from scratch as we go along. Anyway, so far so good, and we certainly can't fault his work. 

The footprint of the deck isn't larger, but those wonderful wide steps should really open things up. And instead of that boxed in look, we'll have open railings. One more dry day before heavy rain comes back. Let's see how much he gets done today.

Moving right along

 

A single hardworking guy deconstructed the entire deck yesterday.

And now, a big step down outside the back door!

Since we are creatures of habit taking out the trash, my little visual reminder to open with caution. 

Today they build the foundation. We're using a local company called Olympic Decks, and so far so good. Fingers crossed the construction goes as smoothy as the demolition.

Meanwhile, over in Taiwan. Goodness. Surf lessons in the South China Sea, paddle boarding lessons on a river, ebike rides on Liuqiu Island, also a popular adventure sport called river tracing. What a time.

 

Top of the morning to ya

 

Corned beef today? No? Well, good for you-- salty, fatty meat is not exactly health food. We have it once a year when it goes on sale for St. Patrick's Day. 

I bought a large brisket at Safeway (coupon, of course) to roast this afternoon with potatoes and carrots. 

I'm trying a NYT recipe that uses white wine instead of water or beer for the braise, and then finishes the top of the meat with a honey mustard glaze under the broiler. My mouth is watering.

Today is a big day. We finally say so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen good bye to the deck we've walked over for the last 45 years. It looks it, too.

 

Forests of moss and lichen growing on top of wood rot. Construction of the new deck should take about a week-- exciting. 

History lesson

 

I'm learning more about Taiwan (formerly Formosa) as the kids continue their 10-day tour of the island. The rugged interior is mountainous, with many peaks over 10,000 feet, giving the country both tropical and alpine climate zones. Most of the population lives along the coast.

Those trails the kids are hiking to hidden waterfalls have been used for centuries to move goods by backbreaking labor across the country. This northwest region is famous for mining, fishing, waterfalls, nature and hot springs. 

During the Japanese occupation, the local inhabitants along with POW's were forced into slavery in the gold mines and most died. This country has known terrible suffering. 

Formosa was eventually liberated by the allied forces, and after the Japanese surrender, it was placed under the People's Republic of China. Then a different war began for democracy and independence, which continues to this day (but that's another story.)

They are staying at a hot springs hotel, so I expect pictures of beautiful young people frolicking in the local mineral water. On this dreary day in Seattle, we will view that with some jealousy. This amazing experience for 15 and 16 years olds seems almost unimaginable to people our age. We took high school field trips to potato chip factories and the Colorado State Mental Hospital. Occasionally the Denver Museum of Natural History to marvel at the dioramas. 

Don't get me wrong, the experience is wonderful! But 99.9% of kids in the world can only dream of a trip like this with their friends. And such a long, long way from wintertime in the Methow Valley...

Rite of Spring

 

 

We have a Seattle Symphony concert downtown today at noon, which is an unusual time to go.  Our subscription this year packed three Sunday afternoon concerts into June, essentially eating up those nice summer weekends when you would rather be outside or make vacation plans. 

We don't know why they consistently do that, instead of spreading the concerts out through the dull winter months. But season ticket holders can swap their tickets free of charge, so we choose this one, featuring a Mozart piano concerto and The Rite of Spring. 

Bring on Spring. Please. The weather suddenly turned cold and wet, and sleet was beating on the patio cover at The Bridge yesterday, where we were belting out Irish songs over the din. 

It should come as no surprise that Irish music is popular with the ukulele set, and the cornier the better. Traditional Irish songs are basically about chasing pretty girls, drinking, and death. (I'm not kidding.)

 

Another big day (last night for us) in Taiwan. Here they are having lunch at the Yaoye Tea House. Yes, teenagers can pack away a heap of dim sum!

Meanwhile, over in Taiwan

 

From the west coast, the time difference with Taiwan is 15 hours. In other words, early morning here is roughly early evening there. Hopefully, the tired travelers are settled in for the night right about now.

They hit the ground running after the plane landed at 5 am, with a hike to Elephant Mountain and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Park. The weather looks wet and warm. They have an even busier day planned tomorrow (tonight here) to a tea plantation and zoo, finishing with a visit to one of the famous Taipei night markets. 

Not much other news. Winter returned to the mountains and we have rain, but the cold kind. For dinner last night, the first asparagus grown by our friends south of the border. Only $1.77 a pound at Safeway (with digital coupon.) That's what passes for excitement in Seattle.