Morning springtime walk

Cornwall Park Rose Garden

In returning from the coffee shop today, I asked John to drop me off in front of the Cornwall Rose Garden, so I could see how the plants are coming along, after we experienced the coldest April on record for this are. Everything has slowed way down, and as hard as I looked I could see no signs of any buds to be found anywhere. But hopefully it won't be long now, as the sun's rays reach out to kiss these branches and encourage them to give us some rosebuds.

Top, October 2021; bottom, May 2022

I also noticed that my favorite maple tree in the park has regrown all its leaves, which I admired as they changed from green to red, a little at a time, and then fell to earth to nourish the surrounding soil. Although the change appears gradual, when observed on a daily basis, the seasons continue their cycle of birth, growth, and decay. As does the entire universe, whether I'm paying attention or not: change is constant and inevitable. Even in the farthest reaches, where the light we see from the stars is millions of years old, I marvel at the technology that allows us to study distant galaxies and ponder the nature of life and existence.

Yes, I still have not left behind the fascination that has caused me to learn more about quantum mechanics and to discover how much is still waiting to be understood. It's a very fertile time to be alive! Just as spring is followed by summer, discoveries wait to be uncovered, and I hope I'll still have a functioning brain when the next new thing comes about. Ya know?

When you think about the complexity of our natural world — plants using quantum mechanics for photosynthesis, for example — a smartphone begins to look like a pretty dumb object. —Jeff Vandermeer

In the meantime, I'm going to get my hands and knees dirty, with a smile on my face and look to enjoy some of our infrequent sunshine.

:-)

Raptor Ridge

Hemlock trail

Today my friend Melanie and I went from the North Chuckanut Mountain trailhead up to Raptor Ridge and back. Thanks to some gentle nudging from Mel, I was actually able to make it the entire distance without needing to turn around and make my way back to the safety of the car. This is probably the hardest hike I've done in awhile, and it was almost enough to bring out a whimper or two. Okay, I will admit I did really whimper a little.

Two-toned trillium

We saw lots and lots of trillium, most of them past their prime but still very beautiful. As they age, they turn from pure white to purple. We had to stop and admire them every time we saw these gorgeous flowers, since by the time we hike together, next week probably, they will be gone. If we have a chance to make it to the High Country this year, we will see them at higher elevations. But there is still no assurance that we'll be able to go into federal lands this summer.

Purple beauty

This is the prettiest one I saw today, and I had to share it, so you can see how really dark they get before the petals shrivel and fall. We had a little sprinkle of rain every now and then, but mostly it was just overcast with a few sunbreaks.

Me on Raptor Ridge

Mel took this picture of  me on Raptor Ridge. I had to laugh when I saw the picture, because it's not obvious to me that it isn't an alien come to conquer the world. Frankly, just making it there and back, more than seven miles and 1,600 feet up and down, made me feel tired enough that the rest of the world will have to wait.

More of our trail today

Mel also took this one while I wasn't looking (obviously). By this time, I was getting tired and wishing for it to be over. But once you get out there, the only option is to keep going. Mel is in much better shape than me and really did keep encouraging me.

Banana slug crossing the trail

We saw three large banana slugs today, which are native to the area. If Peggy had been with us, I know she would have moved this critter to the side of the trail, but I did try that once and learned how slimy they are. I just wished him well and kept going.

All in all, it was a truly wonderful outing, and I know I'll sleep well tonight. It's a little disheartening to think that it wasn't that long ago an outing like today's wouldn't have fazed me. But I am still very happy to have been able to make it home in one piece and will very much enjoy a glass of wine while I relax in my favorite chair tonight.
:-)

Reflections

Lake Padden this morning

We ladies met this morning to walk twice around the lake. It rained and rained last night, and was expected to continue all day today. The forecast made it look like we might be able to get an early morning walk in without too much rain, and instead, we had none at all!

The clouds cleared a little, and the lake was as still as glass, as you can see in this picture, giving a wonderful reflection of the golden leaves on the far shore. Because of all our recent rain, the grass is green and lush, too. This is the time of year when the golden leaves look translucent, as if the light might be emanating from within. The dark trunks, saturated with moisture, add to the illusion.

I had a rather strenuous yoga class yesterday, which is when I began to realize that my right hip was in a bit of distress from Thursday's hike. Last night I wondered if it would be prudent to stay home and rest, but by the time I'd made one lap of the lake this morning, all the pain was gone. I'm convinced that working through pain can be beneficial, at least sometimes. The trick is deciding when. Today I made the right decision and am feeling happy and rather pleased with myself.
:-)

Yep, I'm getting older

Hannegan Pass in August 2018

I am very grateful to be able to hike into the mountains every summer with the Senior Trailblazers. I've been doing it for a decade now, and I'm slower than I was, but for as long as I'm able, I'll be out there. I ran across a book of poems which I am enjoying tremendously, Older, Wiser, Shorter by Jane Seskin, and she's got me thinking about getting older in a bit different way than I usually do.

It has troubled me when I can no longer keep up with the others on some of the hikes we do every year. But then again, I'm still continuing to age and instead of thinking of how fortunate I am, I have been lamenting the inevitable changes that come with age. Well, I'm done with that! Here's a particularly relevant poem from Jane:

This is About the Right Now

It's not

the beginning

nor the end

but all those 

damn wonderful

exquisite moments,

the ones in between,

at odd times

unexpected, the ones that fall in

your lap, off your lips,

out of your hands,

can't be duplicated,

the moments where

you inhale in surprise,

in delight and feel full

with gratitude, so

extraordinarily lucky

to be here

in this place,

doing this thing,

at this exact

moment

in time.

:-)

Pretty perfect final day

Sandhill cranes on the golf course

This morning my sister spent the early morning on a golf league, so she allowed me to drive her car to the Y in order for me to take a swim on my own, without her being with me. It was a first for me, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I didn't swim all that long, but it was a full six minutes longer than the last time (28 minutes versus 22) and I'm pretty sure my arms will be sore again. Tomorrow I'll get to enjoy one last swim before packing up and heading home around noon.

The golfers: Thecla, Rose, Norma Jean, Sylvia

I continue to be impressed with the energy of these four women. Thecla is 85, Rose 71, Norma Jean 73, and Sylvia 87. They played 18 holes, and I was happy to see my sister make two birdies! (For you nonplayers, that means one under par for two holes.) I wandered around the course while they played, and got that picture of the cranes, as well as this wonderful view of trees near one of their fairways.

Old oak trees

These mysterious, wonderful trees cover the three golf courses in Betmar Acres, and I am sure that everyone enjoys these nice shady grottos. Unless they get in the way of a golf ball, that is!

In a couple of days, I'll be back in my own world, having been here just long enough for me to appreciate the vacation, and having the enjoyment of my home to return to. Not to mention my Bellingham family and friends. I'll miss the dogs and family here, but there's always next year!
:-)

Love stories

Sunrise from my front porch this morning

I walked out of the apartment just as this gorgeous scene greeted my eyes, and of course I had to stop and capture it with my phone. The soft grey clouds being lit by the first rays of the sun, well it was just the perfect way to start my day off right.

When I climbed out of bed to make my usual cup of tea, my partner stirred a little but I didn't think I woke him up. We usually rise at different times, and sometimes he's gone back to sleep by the time I crawl out of bed to start my day. This morning, however, once I got my tea and came back to bed, a hand made its way from under the covers to find mine. We clasped our hands together for awhile, and he whispered, "happy Valentines day." I wished him the same, sharing a moment in time when we were both feeling gratitude for each other and our connection. Love story number one.

Love story number two: I went to the movies this weekend and saw Paterson. Judy couldn't go, so I went by myself. It was a movie totally unlike anything I've ever seen before. It was a movie about nothing much; Adam Driver plays a bus driver who is also a poet and has a wife about as different from him as it's possible to be, but they love each other in a way that is a delight to witness in the movie. If there were an Academy Award for the Most Zen Movie, it would win hands down. I loved it, and I left the theater feeling wonderful. But it's not for everybody, that's for sure. I say that so you know what to expect.

Erica at Avellino's

And finally, love story number three is beautiful Erica, who dressed up today and was there to greet me this morning, with this visage, and a little Hershey's kiss pinned to a grumpy cat cartoon. I am surrounded with love today, everywhere, and who could ask for more? I wish YOU a very happy Valentine's Day, too.
:-)