Nov 17, 2010 by Naomi.

The air was sharp in my throat this morning when I stepped out to put the garbage bin to the curb. The yard waste pickup was long gone so that will be put off for two weeks. Yesterday’s extremely hard wind had pruned Douglas Fir. Branches were spread all over the yard. I put some branches in the regular garbage can. I have so little real garbage anyway. The effort to get the bin to the curb was no hardship but I breathed through my mouth and when I got inside where it was comfy warm, my jaws and ears hurt. I have words to write for the 50,000 word novel for November and I already have to make up for more than a week. “We” will see just how much of that can be done. Maybe I will do some heavy breathing if I work up an erotic scene. It is still early and the clouds make for a gloomy day just right for working at the PC. I might as well do what I can. At any rate I must keep breathing, at whatever depth.

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Nov 16, 2010 by Naomi.

The house creaked. I got up to look around at the windblown trees in the light of the moon. Not that I felt threatened but I wanted to see what was going on. Nothing I could do so I snuggled back under my Centennial blanket. After a short snooze I looked out again and through a blank space in my cedar fence I could see the side of Wade’s house. So for all the good my snuggling did, it did not manage to sooth the wind. An eight-foot section had been blown out of place. And so was the four-foot section on the southwest corner of my lot. I put in a quick call and Michael was here by 09:30. The two pieces had not been damaged. There was some shoring up after we got them lifted into place. Short bits of two by fours were nailed in for the sections to rest on. Some of the problem might have come from natural shrinkage of the wood but I think the posts had settled making a void as well. At any rate we fixed it in both places. For however long we shall see. It has been several years that a similar wind created havoc in my neighborhood. At that time the deciduous trees still held all their leaves and being top heavy the capricious wind had very little trouble tipping them over, tearing them out by the roots. Those that were so upset were completely removed. But this time the trees were bare. The branches clicked together like castanets doing a Spanish dance. I thought they were having a hilariously good time and it was no skin off my teeth. I had midnight fun just watching.

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Nov 16, 2010 by Naomi.

When Christine Rossetti asked me back in second grade: “Who has seen the wind?” I admit that I did not see it. Nor did I see it last night when it roared down Abbot St at midnight. My walls creaked. I heard a thump and thought a branch landed on my roof but none had. However the eight-foot section of cedar fence by the Douglas fir tree had fallen over, pulled out of the cleats by which it hung on the cedar posts. The Richland area is well known for its termination winds. When the Hanford site consisted of fifty thousand trailers to house the workers when the notorious winds blew, hundreds of workers abandoned their trailers and returned to their homes in Oklahoma, Kansas, or Texas – where ever their homes had been – because they couldn’t cope with the sand that crept under their windows and doors during the incessant winds. Now that the trees those workers planted have matured, a roaring wind is reduced to a passing wind. Trees stay put, especially last night when only the bare branches clicked against each other like metronomes keeping time to the pulsing cosmos. They had no pulling power so they merely danced against the starlight sky. The weather bureau warned us of the winds twenty four hours before the fact and those of us with the experience resigned, ready to tough it out. No more resting around. Time to put together what nature tore asunder. Although I never get completely accustomed to the wind it is soothing as long as I can be snuggled safely to hear the roar.

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Nov 15, 2010 by Naomi.

Monday is my day to docent in the education center at McNary National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Road in Burbank. I will be late today because I expected company. Michael was going to bring his puppy and visit for a while. He has not come yet and I am going to head out to work. I saw the moon in a clear sky last night but clouds rolled in to make the day look dreary. There is no fog here, too cold I suspect but that may not be true at the refuge. Sound seems to carry very well. I hear the Hanford train signal at the crossing over the Bypass road. Now the day is almost over and I didn’t have but six visitors at the Refuge. I was invited to Byran and Naomi’s for spaghetti and the treat of homemade sauce. I did not get there because I got confused in the heavy traffic and after dark it was a little scary, not to mention that the wind came up blowing leaves right at me down the road making it difficult to tell the road from the ditches. I missed the photo opt of a gorgeous sunset. Dumb me for not carrying my camera. I came home, washed some dishes, killed some ants that were scurrying on the kitchen counter and since it was too early to go to bed I did my finger nails, painted my toenails and settled down to play solitaire on Toshiba. The wind was still whooping it up but I will have to wait until morning to see if the thumps I heard above me were branches falling on the roof or sonic booms, or what? I did look out the back door and was shone on by a bright ¾ moon. Too windy for me to stand outside very long so there is no danger of me getting moonstruck. Pretty moon, though. I might just take my camera and FWS camera and go out shooting tomorrow. Lots of possibilities from here to the Refuge. I will dream on it.

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Nov 14, 2010 by Naomi.

Today is Freethought hour at Hastings Bookstore. Michael told me he wasn’t available today so I am free to do my thing. I just began to consider the subject of the 1600 words for NaNoWriMo when I got a call from Thomas. For a moment I was confused because I often hear from Timothy on Sunday morning but this was not his voice so I was speechless. It turns out that there is a special showing at the museum in London of Egyptian artifacts and Susie would especially like to take the kids during the winter break. Now in residence at 58th Ave in Everett are two cats, a cross between the Servel breed and domestic species that Thomas and Susie could not leave alone in the house. Neither would choose to board them so wondered if I would be available to cat sit. (Wow, I had better not hit the wrong key on that one.) Susie will have the kitty liter changed when she leaves so I shouldn’t have a nasty pit duty. Thomas had a few barf clean-ups out side of the litter box when the cats were getting adjusted to their diet but that is in the past. Probably it is more appropriate to note that Susie eventually learned how to adjust the food. But reputedly these cats do not shed hair and more conclusive to living in Everett, they do not have cat dander to which Susie is quite sensitive. When I first met her in Middlefield, Connecticut, she got a life threatening asthmatic attack by shaking hands with a cat owner who came to visit. No cat anywhere around.
The upshot of this story is that I agreed to be in Everett from December 23 or so until January 2 or thereabouts. I will drive there so my arrival date will vary according to the conditions on Snoqualmie Pass, or rather the weather around that time. I know the Pass is kept open except during a serious snow storm. Cameras that can be monitored from my computer actually are aimed at the highway and look up and down depending on which camera I choose to bring up. Such fun all this high tech can be as well as traveler’s help – big time.
After Freethought Al and I went to Burger King. I had a jr burger, fries and lots of Dr Pepper. We talked for a long time, about how to keep our old brains growing new synapses, and what happens if we don’t. He doesn’t have as optimistic an attitude as I do, but he is working on it. He is getting a bigger circle of friends, enough to feel comfortable about having Thanksgiving dinner at his house. He has been collecting plates, cups, etc for that which will be a major host job. Mildred is going to fix a “correct” turkey and others in our group will add the rest of the fixings. I will take Fred Meyers three bean salad.
He tried to explain the schism in the UU church and doesn’t expect the division to heal. But that is religion for you. ‘I’m right and if you don’t agree go elsewhere’ and see if I care. I haven’t gone to their meetings for either side. Freethought does just fine for me. I came home intending write but took out six books from the library because one I had put a hold on was ready for pickup. And since when did I ever stop with just one book? I chose several FBI thrillers that have the same agents in others I read so these characters are quite real to me and each book is a new adventure. I have the paperbacks, no need to stress my old arthritic fingers heavy hardbacks. Because the hard backs are heavier because the dimension is almost twice that of paperbacks.
Water was dripping from the eaves when I opened the door this morning. I did not intend to get out and rake wet leaves but I will sooner or later. Or maybe not. I discovered that raking leaves is hard work when they were dry but will be twice as much when water is added.
It’s late and I am getting chilly so it is time to crawl into bed before my feet get so cold I have to plug in my heating pad like I did last night.

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Nov 12, 2010 by Naomi.

There is the present to write about. Michael called about 08:30 to tell me he would be coming over for coffee. Brian, Naomi, and Nickolas were off at their cabin near Wenatchee to get a delivery of furniture a their cabin. Then Nickolas would be left home with Michael and June while they went off on their anniversary week of celebration. Michael and I talked for several hours about politicians, politics, and the economy, past and present. He checked out dog-chew hazards in my back yard so he could bring his dog with him when he visited during the next week. While I ate lunch at the kitchen window Lorraine’s nephew came to Wade’s and later the woman in a tan dress, high heels and a vanilla colored shawl with long fringe. I saw her several years ago but then she went around to the back door. Not today. Right up front. Same clothes, at least as I remember they were the same. She left later with younger dark haired women. So nobody clues me in on comings and goings at 409 Abbot street. When my debonair son hugged me on my front step he announced loudly enough, “See you tomorrow, Mom.” there was no doubt as to my visitor this morning. A big lettuce salad and cup of noodles, chicken flavored were my lunch followed by cookies and milk. I have half an acorn squash prepared for supper. I should buy up a supply while they are in season because they are so delicious. And they keep very well but the store sells out quickly and I had better stock up. As far as I can tell I am going to dig deeper to find subjects for NaNoWriMo today. Weather is as good as any. The morning began on a gloomy cloudy mood but no fog that I could see from here. No spectacular sunrise either nor will there be anything spectacular about the sunset. All in all it has been a pretty good day. The clothes I hung out yesterday were dry this morning and the fresh air that came in with them when I hung them in the bedroom doorway was so delicious. The temperature was around 40 F earlier and didn’t get up much higher all day. And since it is not cloudy now I forecast a lower temperature for tomorrow. This is the anniversary of my wedding. Ron and I on the steps of the Presbyterian church in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1949. So long ago I need pictures to help me remember it. Our honeymoon was a weekend at a resort on Mille Lacs lake. That trip was probably the last we took in Ron’s twelve cylinder Lincoln. Did that suck up gas! Ron managed to get a more economical car although we didn’t travel far. Ron was living on his stipend as an honorably discharged veteran in his mother’s house. He graduated from teacher’s college and found the job of teaching grade school was one very small step from poverty. He set up a workshop for the disabled and went on to become a vocational rehabilitation specialist working throughout much of southern Minnesota. What he did was work with the disabled to get funding for small businesses at which they could make a living. He was good at that, got the state’s recognition for the best that year. He died December 9, 1988, of a myocardial infarction in the house in which I still live. We had five children, all living, and often visiting. I drive a 2002 Hyundai two-door, glacier ice blue. I drove to the glacier near Stephens pass to compare the similarity. I drive fifteen miles at least once a week to McNary National Wildlife Refuge Education Center and volunteer as a docent greeting visitors. I also teach natural science to school kids brought out by their teachers for a day of hands-on nature study. I write articles for three websites and novels that are on Amazon. So I had better get crackin’.

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Nov 9, 2010 by Naomi.

At the sound of a city truck rumbling past I woke with the realization that waste bins were being emptied. But this is Tuesday. So I checked the calendar. Recycle day. I rushed out and wheeled my heavy bin to the curb. Only later I realized the truck had emptied my side of Abbot Street first. Now my recycle would wait another two weeks. It had been a month since the bin was emptied. I will pull it back on my lawn to wait. I saw the eastern sky bright so it should be a sunny day. Not warm because the thermometer was at 41 degrees. The Internet had predicted less than that for Richland weather station. I had breakfast and snuggled down for the day. No place to go. No schedule to meet. For a while I worked on my stamp collection. I read some more of Nora Roberts. Chris Simonen called to clarify stuff for McNary Friends records and mentioned that rain was falling in north Richland probably working its way toward me. Maybe the noise I heard had been thunder. OK, my trees will handle the rain just fine. Although I didn’t notice when it happened the street was puddled. My kitchen window had raindrops so it was a wind blown rain. No walk among the leaves today. Tomorrow is garbage pickup. I will get the bin out tonight so I can sleep in for real tomorrow.

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Nov 8, 2010 by Naomi.

A group of elderly people from a retirement home came out to see the McNary National Wildlife Refuge. The displays in our Education Center classroom were of interest to their recreation planner who works diligently at expanding horizons. The hundred stuffed birds, eight mammals, and bones, feathers and posters in our displays are awesome and the visitors were duly impressed. I have been a volunteer at the Refuge for over ten years and am bubbling over with historical facts about the development of our displays and types and numbers of visitors who come to learn and view what we have to offer. I stood in quiet attention, like a Canadian Mounted Policeman, prepared to answer questions. But let me tell you, there was very little need for that. While these folks were interested in what they saw, the displays triggered memories in their own lives and they told me happily what they remembered. Their synapses were filled with their personal experiences and they wanted to share. For the hour they visited, I listened.

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Nov 8, 2010 by Naomi.

Just how the discussion between Muriel and I got around to protein I can’t remember but she simply regretted that she did not eat enough meat to get the required daily amount of protein. I thought about that. Our ancestors evolved eating plants because even though they may have killed animals our system was not equipped to digest red meat. It still isn’t. Only after discovering fire and controlling its use, humans broke away from other predatory mammals and developed preference for cooked meat. So what’s the deal? Where did they get the necessary protein to survive and prosper? On those mind-boggling philosophical questions I turn to the guru – Google. The plants and their protein contents were listed and I was enlightened. Mushrooms were high on the list, right up there with Okra. Well, tough! I don’t eat much of either so I resort to eating meat. And I do prefer it cooked, although very pink is acceptable.

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Nov 7, 2010 by Naomi.

The US Wildlife Refuge System is conducting a survey on visitor use of refuges and I volunteered to open the Center today. I stepped out to look at the birds. Even as a mediocre bird identifier that I am I saw white-crowned sparrows, gold finches, Flickers, red-winged blackbirds, juncos, a pair of Mallard ducks on the pond and 50 Canada geese or white-fronted geese in flight, estimated another 500 resting beside the island out of today’s brisk wind on east pond. Two juvenile double-crested cormorants are preening on log as if relishing a successful hunt. A small crew, five or so, of American coots bob and dive for whatever it is they eat. Leaves are beginning to turn yellow on the Asian elm trees but otherwise the trees are quite green and in no way look like fall. A sumac bush in the native garden in a lovely bright red but mostly the plants are not in a senescence mode. Leaves of the lovely maple tree outside the Center window show no signs of color change but individual ones flutter down slowly as if reluctantly to give up for the season. They join thousands of others that earlier fell to cover the ground. The tree is out of the wind and it was the recent rain that is encouraging the leaf migration. The wind will blow those leaves into the ditch. I will have to rake mine even though the same brisk wind blows across my yard. I just do not have ditch to which they can go.

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