Hello, I am back from two fabulous weeks in Costa Rica. And am now organizing and planning for the week ahead. Included in this blog are bird photos taken by Rick, by our birding guide Dylan, and by me. There’s also some information about a Valentine’s Day Workshop I am offering on Tuesday, February 13.
VALENTINE’S DAY WORKSHOP
Yes, I will hold a Valentine’s Day Workshop for Pair Work on Tuesday, February 13, from 6pm-8pm PST and it is not too late to sign up!! The workshop is being offered both In-Studio, Seattle (REGISTER HERE, space for two more pairs of yogis) and it is also being offered simultaneously on Zoom Online (REGISTER HERE). One fee covers two people and the workshop is intended for yogis of varying levels of flexibility and practice. This Pair Workshop is not just for couples. So yes, invite a friend, a family member, your bestie, or your spouse and join me for two hours of creativity and fun. (When signing up, “One Spot” equals two people just as one fee covers two people).
I’m also excited to let you know that Jessie Jo Egersett will be my partner for this Pair Workshop! For those of you who know her, it will be fun to be in her presence! And for those of you who have never met Jessie Jo, you are in for a treat. She is fabulous and fun to be with.
Can love be expressed through words? Can you take the sea home with you? (translation of the photo below)
At 6:43 a.m. the painted bunting arrived, like a dream between the crease of shadow and light. His silhouette grew toward color for the seven short minutes he stayed. And when dawn struck his tiny feathered back, he ignited like a flame: red, blue, and green.
-Terry Tempest Williams
The above poem sounds like a description of the BIRDS OF COSTA RICA
Enjoy these photos of winged dazzlers!
The following two photos were taken by Rick:
The following photo was taken by our birding guide Dylan:
I bring to you a blog post capturing my year in photos. It was a good year, overall, with some bumps along the road, especially this last month of December, when I had to close my yoga studio for one month due to flooding and the damage it caused.
Though many of the photos below are beautiful, my life is not all a bed of roses, you see. I’ve been around long enough to know that no one’s life is easy all the time. So when you see gorgeous retreat photos of Sicily, Iceland, and Greece below, you must know that a lot of work goes on before the start of each retreat. That smile you see is real because I did all the work behind the scenes to get to the point where the photo is being taken. And when you see a welcoming yoga studio, you have to know that it didn’t just appear. For years, I worked for everyone else until three and a half years ago, when I set up my own studio. When you see me smiling on one of my retreats, alone or with a group of yogis, you have to know that seemingly perfect moment or posture (asana) didn’t just appear out of thin air. Effort, consistency, fortitude, hard work, tenacity, honesty, a strong work ethic, a strong sense of putting one’s best foot forward, genuinely believing in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits of the yoga practice…and, quite simply, showing up day after day, even if just one person shows up for class, and showing up even when your sister is dying of COVID..that’s the real truth behind the photos.
It’s no secret. You just show up and do your best, day after day. When I teach, I leave my problems behind and step into the sacred space that is love and kindness. There’s a Sicilian saying that goes along the lines of The Bitter with the Sweet or The Thorns With the Roses. It goes like this, according to my mamma: “Lu Signiuruzzu li cosi, li fici dritti, vinni lu diavulu e li sturcìu.” God made things straight, and then along came the devil and twisted things up.” Yeah, mamma got it right. Things get a bit twisted every now and then. People die and then we learn to carry the memory of those we love in our hearts. Studios close. Repairs are made. Studios reopen!
I was looking through some papers and came across this beautiful quote written some years ago by Leslie Shattuck from Vashon, Washington:
Appreciate what you have, because someone, somewhere, only dreams of being as fortunate as you are.
Mostly what I want to say is Thank You.
Thank you, family and friends.
Thank you, to the yogis who have taken classes with me for nearly 28 years and thank you to the yogis who have just recently discovered the studio and my teaching (in-studio and online) and who have started taking classes with me.
Thank you to my blog readers, for your interest and your comments.
Thank you to small business supporters. I could not do what I do without your support.
Thank you to everyone who offered to help me during my horrible studio flooding. I’ve had a really hard time, emotionally and financially, and I so appreciate your reaching out. I am feeling better now that the cracked foundation has been repaired, the dry wall done, and the flooring installation now underway. All restoration will be done at the 11th hour and I will reopen the studio on Tuesday, January 2. The best way to help me is to help spread the word about my classes, workshops, and other offerings in 2024.
Most importantly, thank you to all who help spread light, joy, and peace in this needy world, a world hungering for kindness.
Wishing you, to all of you, a health-filled, joyful, successful, and peaceful New Year 2024.
Namaste, Fran
*************
January and February
Off to a strong start with the in-studio and live stream classes in full swing. My heart is so happy because I have a studio where yogis have a welcoming space to practice yoga in a peaceful, healthy environment. As you do yoga, you can relax and let the best of you shine through.
March
A yoga retreat in tropical Costa Rica. Our youngest yogi was Baby Nora. So much fun to have her on board. And running a retreat with Laurie Leonetti is one of the best experiences.
Hard to pare down to just four photos, but here you go: Pura Vida!!
April
Another year without Toni in this world. On the two-year anniversary of her COVID death, I made an altar for her once again. My heart still aches from the loss of my special sister Toni. She comes to me in my dreams. In my dreams, I see no traces of the tracheotomy, no traces of pain. She is loving, wise, and beautiful. She is whole. I think about her every day. She is a part of the fabric of my being.
And then there is Yoga in Sicily. Dreamy! This was the year of retreats. In 2024, I will take a break from leading international retreats and resume in 2025. Here’s a memory of Sicily, the Pearl of the Mediterranean. It’s hard to pare down the Sicily photos!
Sicily Villa Saracena Clouds Beautiful!
Sicily Villa Saracena Clouds Beautiful!
And I celebrated 35 years of my life with Rick!
May
I celebrated Kathryn’s birthday in Santa Barbara, California. A short sweet visit. We enjoyed each other’s company. Enjoyed her Bengal Kitties, and I took a bunch of rose photos at the Santa Barbara Rose Garden.
June
Get Fit Yogis class goin’ strong. After a half hour of yoga, followed by weights, cardio, and core workout, the class gets to chill out for 15 minutes. Pure Bliss!
July
I guess you’d say I work a lot. I do! I love teaching. And here is Yoga in the Park. It’s an annual summer highlight! Next year, I will start as soon as it is warm enough to be outdoors! And I will go as long as weather permits us to be outside doing yoga!
My nephew John and family came to Washington for a visit! We went to Leavenworth for a week. OH, my heart! I love them so much!
August
For the first time, I floated a lantern at Green Lake on the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. This is a sobering and meaningful annual event promoting peace.
September
And a retreat in Iceland. A week filled with Yoga, hiking, hot springs, glaciers, and otherworldly Landscapes. One of my favorite places!
October
I came home from Iceland, taught a week and a half at the studio, then took off again for two two-week back-to-back retreats in Greece. OY!
As I mentioned above, I overdid the retreats this year, so I will be taking a break from International Retreats until 2025. In 2024, I will focus on my studio offerings. Maybe I’ll even be able to blog a bit more in 2024. That’s the plan, Stan. Some cool events/classes/workshops/local day and weekend retreats coming your way. Stay tuned!
Came home from Greece and immediately flew back east to Massachusetts to attend my cousin Fran’s Memorial Service in Plymouth. A grand adieu to my dear cousin. Sis Zina and I were hosted by our cousins, John, Anne, and Chris Gallo. We loved our time with them. We hope to see more of them, under happier circumstances.
November
A home-style retreat in Gig Harbor, Washington. Tiffany & Family & Friends used to attend an annual weekend yoga retreat at our Ocean Shores sanctuary and home until we sold it in 2019. Post-pandemic, we have started up again in Gig Harbor.
And the end of November holds two bundled celebrations: Thanksgiving and my birthday. Thank you, Barbara and Denise, for hosting us in your new home on Whidbey Island. This photo was taken on the morning of November 25, my birthday:
December
A flooding incident forced me to close my studio most of December. It’s been a hard time, though I am happy to report that the studio is being renovated and I will be able to reopen on Tuesday, January 2. Note: I am not including photos of the damage until the renovation is complete on Friday evening this week!
Hallelujah!
And here are the dreamy sunsets of December! If you live in or around the Seattle area, I know you saw these sunsets, too!
Unfortunately, the heavy rains at the beginning of this month here in Seattle brought some serious water intrusion / flood damage to my beloved yoga studio. So the studio has been temporarily closed since December 5 for mitigation, repairs, and restoration. The good news is that the studio will be completely restored to its former glory by the end of this month.
It’s been a stressful time for me as I deal with the building manager who, initially, did not want to take responsibility for the damage caused to my studio from cracks in the foundation of the building and the root-lifted sidewalk that tilts toward my studio! I was prepared to take legal action, but then a compromise took place between manager, landlord and me: I am to pay for the installation of the wood flooring (yes, the whole floor needs to be redone) and the Landlord will take care of all other repairs. Since I cannot use my studio, they will wave my rent this month. With studio closure, comes the hardship of wage loss. I’ll have to work with the city to see about compensation on wage loss since the tree is owned by the city.
Meanwhile, the manager seems to be dragging his feet on getting the foundation cracks fixed. The sidewalk will also have to be repaired at a later point, when the city gets to our work order.. The big almost-century old maple tree will have to have a few roots amputated, as determined by the city arborist. The aborist will do all they can to save the tree while making sure the roots cause no further damage. And here I am, feeling like my hands are tied. The foundation should have been dealt with by now! I can’t move forward with the flooring until foundation cracks are repaired, dry wall installed, and wall painted. I am teaching some Zoom and all Facebook live stream classes from home, but honestly, this FFF (Fran’s-Flood-Fiasco) could not have come at a worse time! Is there ever a good time for a flood?
So, I’ve been feeling sorry for myself, worried, and anxious. I keep reminding myself, “Wait, Fran! You’ve been through much worse than this and you pulled through.” A shattered heart mends, and a flooded studio can be restored.
And as my head was spinning from this disaster, I had two revelations:
Yesterday, as I was teaching two people online, I saw a glimpse of Santa behind Mary, one of the online yogis. When our session was over, Mary excitedly showed us her life-sized Santa. She told us she bought him online at Horchow. He’s so unique that he’s signed and numbered! He is so beautiful! He has a porcelain face and a sturdy body. His eyes are both soulful and jolly. I was moved by him and I surprised myself when I blurted out, “Oh, I love him!” Mary gently patted Santa’s head and said, “Oh, Fran. I do, too! I find myself talking to him.” Just as Mary said this, Maureen, the other yogi in class, said, “Well, I’d talk to him, too! He’s wonderful.”
It’s a simple story, but I am emotional writing about this. You see, I’ve been so upset over the flooding, studio closure, and slow restoration that I forgot to enjoy this special season. Thank you, Mary (and Santa) for reminding me about the magic of Christmas!
Mary’s life-sized porcelain-faced Santa:
And then this happened: I was walking home from the studio today, again my head rumbling with numbers, figures, and dollar signs after having met with the owner of the flooring store, when suddenly, I looked up and witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets! Right here at Green Lake, Seattle. I pulled out my iPhone and got these gorgeous photos.
What flood? Santa and Purple Sunsets are rockin’ my world on this cold December day.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
Group One has already left Greece. I took a few days to rest fully and in less than an hour I will meet up with my second group and begin the second retreat here in Greece. I am, somehow, managing to film short yoga sessions for the yogis back home, too. Greece is lovely as ever. There are more tourists here than I have ever experienced before. But even so, it is a joy to be in Greece!
Here is the slideshow I put together from the first group. Turn up your speakers. The music is called Golden Sun by Michalis Koumbios and Thanasis Vasilas. Enjoy the show.
Hello. It’s been a long time! The last time I wrote a blog post was Spring 2023 and that post was about Cherry Blossoms. What happened to summer? What happened to Fran’s writing? Some people have asked me if I’ve taken them off my mailing list. I would never do that. I simply got ensconced in teaching online and in-studio…and taking advantage of our beautiful Pacific Northwest summer. Plus, I got involved with planning for the Iceland Yoga Retreat and for two back-to-back yoga retreats in Greece coming up soon. My goal is to get back to blogging.
I’ll be home (Seattle) Tuesday evening, September 12. I’ll teach all my regularly scheduled classes -online and in-studio – from September 13 through September 20 (plus a few outdoor pop up sessions). Then I take off again for a month on September 21. There are some newsletters coming your way about all this. If you’d like to receive it, sign up for my newsletter here.
Meanwhile, I am posting 30 beautiful photos for you from Iceland! Enjoy this otherworldly landscape! (had some issues downloading photos. I hope the ones I managed to post come through).
Reykjanes Peninsula. This is a photo of Seltún. The many mudpots, fumaroles, and minerals deposited from geothermal activity make this site very colorful.
Bruarfoss Waterfalls. Usually we hike to the falls, but this time around, we drove directly to the falls because it was raining heavily and steadily!
Langjökull, or “Long Glacier”, is Iceland’s second largest glacier. The only way you can walk on this glacier is with ice traction devices on your feet, crampons. The ice I held in my hand was light as air and had tiny air bubbles.
Fludir hike
From the Fludir hike, photo below by Gail Fox.
Gail
Laugarvatn hike and hot springs
Two flowers below photographed by Cindi Faith
Cindi LaugarvatnCindi
White flower photographed by Gail Fox:
Gail
This is Lake Laugarvatn, the frigid lake we jump into after soaking in the hot springs.
Kerid Crater. You can walk along the rim and down to the lake.
We visited the only geothermal mushroom greenhouse in Iceland. They produce 80% of all mushrooms consumed in Iceland. And we enjoyed a gourmet mushroom buffet. Tons of mushrooms growing all year round.
My favorite photo of Gullfoss Waterfall! Mist Mist Rain and Rain. It’s hard to see under any weather conditions, but there is a thin line of railing at the edge where these people are standing.
And Reykjavik, land of HARPA performance center, rainbow street, and many beautiful murals.
Cathedral photo by Gail Fox:
Come Fly with me!!
Photo above: I grew wings!
And yes, we did yoga every day! This photo is from the hotel’s conference room in Reykjavik.
Two days ago, on Sunday, I went to see the cherry blossoms at the University of Washington campus. It was raining and, yet, the campus was filled with people admiring the blossoms. I am so happy I brought out my Leica camera for the occasion. Enjoy the photos scattered throughout this blog post.
Ephemeral is the word that comes to mind when thinking about Cherry Blossoms:
E·phem·er·al
/əˈfem(ə)rəl/
adjective
lasting for a very short time
Yes, cherry blossoms are ephemeral. And that is their magic. For just a such a short time, you can enjoy and admire their beauty. Every year, the ornamental cherry trees burst into blossoms and most everyone stops to take notice.
At the University of Washington, there are 31 ornamental cherry trees in full bloom in the quad area. The Quad’s signature Yoshino flowering cherry trees are nearly 90 years old and were originally set in a grove at the Washington Park Arboretum. In late 1964, the University transplanted the trees to their current spot, bringing thousands of visitors to campus each spring to admire the blooming trees. Yoshino cherry trees can live anywhere from 80 to 100 years. So according to this information, they will need to be replaced within 10 years from now.
I learned to really appreciate ornamental cherry blossoms while I lived in Japan. In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms, known as sakura, represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The cherry trees at the UW campus are a symbol of friendship and academic ties:
“The cherry trees on our campus will remind us of the long history of Japanese and Japanese American students at the University of Washington since 1894, and the enduring friendship and academic ties with Japan and UW.”
When we lived in Japan, Rick and I would head over to Ueno Park in Tokyo every spring to witness and marvel at the cherry blossoms. Delcia had asked me how many Yoshino cherry trees are in Ueno Park. I didn’t know the exact number, but I knew there were many. I found out later there are over 1000 flowering cherry trees in Ueno Park. If you have never experienced it, picnicking under a cherry tree is something you must do one day!
The first cherry trees in today’s Ueno Park were planted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the legendary shogun whose reign began the Edo Period (1603-1868). Main Street, about half a kilometer long, runs from the main entrance of Ueno Park past most of the museums and the zoo.
Main Street, about half a kilometer long, runs from the main entrance of Ueno Park past most of the museums and the zoo. It also hosts more than half of the park’s 1,000-plus cherry trees. During cherry blossom viewing season, Main Street is packed with nearly two million people coming to bask in the beauty of the sakura.
Hanami parties continue well after dark. As the sun sets, lanterns along the pathways illuminate the cherry blossoms. This spectacular nighttime view of Ueno Park’s sakura draws lively crowds late into the night.
Here are the lyrics and translation to the famous Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossom) song:
Lyrics:
sakura sakura
yayoi no sora wa
mi-watasu kagiri
kasumi ka kumo ka
nioi zo izuru
izaya izaya
mini yukan
Translation:
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the spring sky,
As far as the eye can see.
Is it mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come now,
Let’s go and see them!
After viewing the cherry blossoms at the University of Washington campus, we drove over to view the line of cherry trees in full bloom at 21st and Prospect in Seattle’s Capital Hill neighborhood. Sean’s dad told me that the street used to be lined with large hawthorns. Unfortunately, the hawthorns had to be cut down because they were diseased, old, and dying. They were replaced with cherry trees! In recent times, this residential street has become very popular with admirers driving over to take in the spring splendor.
Iceland 2022 Yoga and Hot Springs Retreat Slideshow (5 minutes long)
Research shows that the average attention span (in humans) is 8.25 seconds! That is shorter than the attention span of a goldfish (a goldfish has an attention span of 9 seconds). Can this be true? If it is true, you, my audience, will miss out on much of the above video. I did my best to curtail the number of Icelandic images, but, even so, the video is 5 minutes long. The song you will hear is by Eivør. Here’s to hoping you will take more than 8.25 seconds to enjoy this slideshow and blog post.
In case you cannot access the video above, try this link: Iceland Slideshow
Iceland!! Even with its dark cold winter days and, in general, its unpredictable weather, Iceland appears to be a Utopia of sorts. Icelanders believe there is no bad weather, just the wrong choice of clothing. Iceland is the most peaceful country on earth. The country does not have a weapons industry. Iceland does not have a military and the country’s police are not armed. Women have six months paid maternity leave and men also have six months paid paternity leave. They can take their maternity or paternity leave at different times and they can split it up as needed. There is virtually no crime. According to one website on “world happiness”, the happiest people in the world live in Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and Iceland (in this order).
Iceland is beautiful, covered with mystical and rugged landscapes. Some areas are covered in thick lush moss. I have never seen such soft moss. It beckons you to lie down for a while. The moss feels like a dreamy bed of memory foam.
Going to Iceland is like journeying to another planet. Black sand beaches, cliffs, lava fields, volcanic plateaus, mountains, fjords, glaciers and glacier lagoons, waterfalls, rainbows, and glacial rivers dot the landscape. Geothermal heat warms up hot houses, where tomatoes and other produce grow. Iceland hosts 60% of the world’s puffin population. We did not see any puffins because by September, they migrate to warmer climates.
And the hot springs are oh-so-relaxing!
I was in Iceland just three weeks ago with twelve very lucky yoga retreat participants. The peacefulness of the island is calming and the bright light, which comes in at an angle, makes the landscape look even more beautiful. We, surprisingly, had fabulous weather for a number of days (“fabulous” is defined by a mild daytime high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and blue skies). At the very end of our time in Iceland, we had heavy rains. Even so, our entire time in Iceland was lovely.
Northern Lights: The Aurora Borealis light show took place on our first night. During our orientation meeting, I asked each person if they would be okay being woken up in the middle of the night in order to see the Northern Lights. There was a unanimous agreement to being woken up! We were jet lagged and tired on our first night, but all of us knew that with the night sky so clear, there was a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Everyone slept with their ringers on in case someone saw the lights and texted. Before going to sleep, I pulled up the shades next to my bed and rearranged the pillows and down comforter so that I was facing the window and the star-filled sky. I fell fast asleep.
The Northern Lights made their eerie and spectacular appearance around 11:30pm. However, I am the world’s heaviest sleeper, so Amy could not wake me when she knocked on my cabin door. She and Einar left a number of text messages on my phone. Einar’s messages were urgent, “Please go have a look at the Northern Lights. They are spectacular tonight! Not to be missed!!” Even so, I slept through the numerous dings on my phone! What woke me up at 11:45pm was a series of loud whoops and hollers by the resort staff. They were all outside marveling at the ever changing green swirls and beams in the night sky! I opened my sleepy eyes to my green-lit room and I quickly jumped out of bed, put my coat on over my pajamas, grabbed my hat and gloves, and put my bare feet into my boots. I quickly found Amy outside. Earlier she was unable to wake anyone up with texts and knocking on cabin doors. So, together, we went back to the cabins and pounded vigorously on cabin doors, waking up our group of yogis. Success! Well worth the sleep interruption. Thrilling as you can see in the slideshow.
Hana’s photo of the Northern Lights
I’m sure there will be an Iceland retreat encore sometime in the future. Einar asked me if I’d like to change the program, but I am reluctant to change an already perfect itinerary. It will stay the same for next time.
Last week, Rick and I had a magical outdoor dining experience at Don and Simone’s enchanted garden. I have featured Simone’s flowers in many previous blog posts. Her flowers are the heart of spring and summer. It’s been a hot summer here in the Pacific Northwest and the day we went to their house was…. hot. Simone and Don’s garden, however, is wonderfully shaded and we all enjoyed the cool of the evening sitting outside.
All the photos in the blog post are from Don and Simone’s garden. I do believe Simone has a deep green thumb!
Simone does something I never do: She tries out new recipes on her dinner guests. I am not so adventurous. I always present a tried-and-true dish for dinner guests, but not Simone. She is a fabulous cook and whatever dish she makes always turns out delicious. Her meals are always surprising and very healthy. I keep thinking about the first course she served us: cucumber yogurt soup with dill, served chilled in vintage cups from Simone’s grandmother.
The true focus of the evening was to bid farewell to and celebrate our dear friend, Melinda. Melinda is leaving Seattle and moving back to her home city in Bakersfield, California to live near her family. She decided during the pandemic that what she really wanted in life was to be closer to her sister-in-law and nieces. We are sad to say goodbye, but so pleased that Melinda is making this big change in her life. She is following her heart!
Below: Rick, Simone, Don, and Melinda
Simone’s raspberry crumble. So GOOD!
So the story of how Melinda came into our lives goes like this:
In 2008, my mother passed away. Among the many ways her death affected me was my inability to cook, clean, or do anything productive at home. All I had energy for was to go to my various work sites, teach yoga, come home, sit on the couch and veg out.
One day, after teaching a class at Continental Place, Julie Bacon asked me, “How are you doing, Franny?” She must have sensed something. So I told her how I was unable to function outside of the required work of teaching yoga. I told her how the house was accumulating dust bunnies, but that there was nothing I could do about it.
That very evening, while sitting on my sofa in Fremont, vegging out, there was a knock on the door. I answered the door to find Melinda there. She had a vacuum cleaner in one hand and the other hand held a pail of cleaning supplies. Melinda explained that Julie had sent her over to clean the condo for Rick and me.
In she came and changed our lives forever!
Not only did Melinda leave the house sparkling clean and smelling of fresh organic cleansers, lemon, and vinegar, (we hired her on the spot!), but she also proved to be a good friend. Rick looked forward to Melinda’s cleaning appointments so that he could discuss politics and current events with her. From time to time, I would have to gently remind him to let her do her work.
And it’s not just flowers:
Simone also grows radicchio! Radicchio is ridiculously priced in the grocery stores! Have a look next time you are at the store. Radicchio is full of minerals and vitamins, especially Vitamin K. It is great for lowering cholesterol. It has a bitter taste, which I abhorred at a child, but am quite fond of as an adult.
These hydrangeas look like a painting!
This garden says, “Come on over and stay a while!”
Thank you, Don and Simone, for your fabulous dinner. And Melinda, let’s keep in touch always!
On Friday, I went to Anacortes, Washington with friends Don and Simone and their elderly dog, Annie. We first went to visit our friend, Janet, who lives in Anacortes. While there, I got some gorgeous photos of her lush fragrant garden. You will see the photos of her garden below. After a short stay at Janet’s, we went on to hike to Cranberry Lake, about a 10 minute drive from Janet’s house. While we hiked, Don carried Annie in a little dog-carrier-backpack.
The town of Anacortes is named after Anna Curtis Bowman. She was the wife of a Fidelgo Island settler and railroad surveyor. The town was founded in 1877. Historically, it was the territory of the Samish people. The waters off Anacortes are great for whale watching. There are three resident Orca pods living off shore. The town of Anacortes has forests and some 50 miles of hiking trails, biking trails, ship building sites, oil refineries, coffee shops, cafes, a farmer’s market, and majestic views of the Cascade Mountains and the San Juan Islands.
Enjoy the photos below of Janet’s garden in Anacortes and the hiking trail, which is just a few minutes from her house.
Hot cocoaChocolate cosmos perennial
If you are reading this and have been to Anacortes, Washington, please comment below and let me know which are your favorite trails to hike there.
East of the Mountains You hear that expression a lot living here in Seattle. East of the mountains is where we go for sunny warm weather in the summer, apples in the fall, skiing in the winter, and gorgeous wildflowers in the spring. Last Saturday, Rick and I drove through rain, over to Pine Hills, east of the mountains, where rain gave way to mist, and mist gave way to dramatic clouds and bursts of sunshine. There, we spent the day with our friends and fellow yogis, Ginger and Woody. We did a five-mile walk on their pine-wooded property and had a magical visit.
wildflowers and green meadows
pine trees and pine cones
an old abandoned cabin about to be restored
groundskeeper-jack-of-many-trades Shane welcoming us to have a look around
the socked-in rainfall turned to face-moisturizing misty drops
tell me more about how you met Patty, I ask Ginger. what will you miss most about her, I ask.
i imagine the bright yellow balsam wildflowers and deep blue camas flowers will smile as the Wednesday Walkers approach with the ashen treasure in their hands
ashes of a dear friend about to be strewn in the alpine-forested meadow, ashes among the late spring wildflowers, memories of Patty carried by the wind
the rainbow I couldn’t find as the misty drops fell and the sun started to make its appearance
the squinty-eyed foursome almost ready for the bright sun
late spring in Pine Hills, a day well spent
The photos below capture some of the imagery I mention in my free writing above:
FranGallo's Blog 