It's My Lucky Day!

Those of you who have read my blog know that I made a decision a while back not to pick up the strange items I come across during my morning walks. Well, this is what I spotted this morning. And my question to you is, "Do you think I picked it up?" Damn right I did. And it is in my pocket this very moment.


And here is something else I came across. It was a headboard and a footboard for a twin bed, and it was made of the most gorgeous birdseye maple I've seen in a while. They were lying in the wet grass on someone's parking strip. There was a big sign on them that said "Free." Do you think I picked them up? Damn right I did. And they are leaning against the wall in this room - happily protected from the rain that has been falling all day. The rain that would have completely ruined that beautiful wood. Yes, wood. The entire thing has not one particle of particle board in it that I can see. It is the real deal. My guess is that somebody didn't really know what they were trying to get rid of.


I spotted this on the beach this weekend. Very odd. I'm not sure what it is because I didn't want to get close enough to find out. I'm wondering if it is something from outer space.


This is one of the most beautiful cherry trees in our neighborhood. It belongs to Tom who lives down the street. It must be close to 80 feet tall. Every year it produces the most spectacular show of blossoms. And almost every year, before I know it, a spring storm has blown through and thrown all the blossoms onto the sidewalk and into the gutter. I always have to remind myself to savor the sight before it all goes to heck. It is so easy to take that tree for granted. I bet it doesn't bloom for more than a week.


Another view of the peace arch (see below). I have been noticing it every day now. I feel sort of like Monet observing the same haystack over and over again. Sometimes the "arch" is lying on it's side. Sometimes it is bobbing in the water because of the high tide. This morning a seagull was standing under it toying with a flapping flounder. I got my camera out to take a photo. But before I could click the shutter, the gull swallowed the flounder whole. You could see the fish wriggling as it went down the bird's throat! EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!


Our first Tee shirt weather. Everyone was out. It's a wonder they weren't all in bikinis.

Finally, I have to note the passing of one of our Alki walking regulars. Although we are all characters, Charlie was right up there as most eccentric. For many years he would walk right by me, refusing to make eye contact. I finally stopped trying to say hello to him. But recently, he had started to acknowledge my presence with sort of strange remarks about the weather. The last time I saw him he stopped me and said, "How do you know my name is Charlie?"

Charlie was in his mid seventies and had an alcohol "problem" in his past. He had informed us that he didn't date because he couldn't afford it. He lived alone but ate lunch at the Chelan Cafe every day. When they noticed that he had missed a few meals, they went and checked his apartment. There he was lying in bed, dead. They say he had suffered a massive heart attack. Goodbye Charlie!