Mooning about

Maybe that's why the cat was even odder than usual today, the full moon lurking. Not to mention the rest of us.
Nice warmish afternoon, with a walk by the lake, fording streams of oncoming people, and a visit with the kids, who are happily ensconcing a new roommate; may it go well.
Have gotten a good way into Zola's novel Nana, which is most engrossing, as well as grossing out, the latter for the shitty treatment of women of all economic levels in mid 19th century France. But his writing is wonderful, it would have to be to keep my attention during long scenes at horrible-sounding social events; it's his deftness, even via a translation, of dealing with the characters and their behaviors, that wins the day.

Out of synch

No bites today for climbing, the women I worked out with a couple of days ago are back country skiers, so are probably out for the day. Weg et in a couple of walks, catch up with a couple of neighbors, and the day evaporates.
Terrific dinner, fresh crab, home made water bagels, and great company.

Another in a long line of milestones

Today our nonegenarian added another year to her repertoire, and was amazed repeatedly that it had happened. Flowers from family members arrived in the afternoon, creating a florist's atmosphere in the living area. A fresh hairdo added the crowning touch, and we mellowed out into the evening.

Unlooked for gorgeousness

Hiked off in search of things, and along the amazingly sunny four mile walk, observed many flowering trees and a few errant dogs. Fortunately the first one was a pug so fat it would probably have exploded if it had tried to give chase. The other two, large retrieverish looking animals, seemed to be at least with some odd man, if not on leash. I asked him to get control of them when they mobbed me, and he said,"Oh, the black one is mine, but the other one is my neighbor's. That dog is deranged!" Such comforting words.
A whole mall full of stuff, and not any of it really worthwhile; had to make due. Small wonder the planet is perishing.

Hinge of the week

It creaked away, and we performed our usual round of exercising and chores. We et bison for dinner; it was delicious.

Shifting air

A day of chill drizzle, which was a bit of relief after days of out of season sunshine; a bit more snow up in the mountains, and some forestalling of drought. Okay for walking around, getting stuff; great for a cool room at night. Many blooming plants put in the cooler, and the gray atmospere makes them stand out all the brighter.

gals getting high

Whisked off to a short climbing session with a friend; we pummeled ourselves the best we could in the time we had. Good walking around the hood; off to a pleasant dinner with a friend of the beloved spouse.

Sunny Sunday

Ho hum; so nice, getting to be old hat. Cruised up and around the block, chatting with a few neighbors, had a fine dinner at home. Onward into the new week.

Diurnal delights

Early morning frosted auto glass, melted away by the time we get done with the little climbing session; plenty of walking and airing for us all. Evening treat of sushi and conversation, and a pleasant day all in all.

Photophobia

We'll be developing it soon, if this sunny stuff keeps up; sweet day for the nonegenarian, lots of exercise, relatively good mental acuity, perhaps in anticipation of an upcoming birthday. Looking forward to treats keeps one on the sharp end. Kids away to the north, climbing on their favorite local granite cliffs; the dark rock will be nicely warmed up for them.

Mash up

Had to waste some the swellest weather we've seen by waiting around for a mammogram; all for a good cause, of course.
Re-reading Carter's Nights at the Circus made me want to revisit her short stories; I've never really been much of a revisitor, but it seems to be happening more lately. Interesting the way you can find diferent angles by doing this.

Tidying up details

Family was off very early to another part of the Northwest to see another bunch of family; glad the weather is holding nicely, they'll be able to get outside and amble around while everyone is at work or school. Some confusion here about who was here and what we did, but it got sorted out.
The Winter Olympics seem an increasingly scammy huge expensive joke. We flit by them, and settle on a documentary about large African animals. Not as long a con.

Best of show

And it was the nicest day so far; lots of exercise for our nonegenarian, pleasant poking around at the big outdoor store on the outskirts of downtown for the rest of us. We each found a good discounted item. Beloved brother and his new bride took me out for lunch, which we decided should be a representative bowl of chowder at a nearby Lake Union establishment. The wind was picking up, punishing the palm trees incongruously stationed out on the restaurant's patio, but there was sunshine somewhere over the lake. Good time had by all.

Swellness

More almost sunniness in which to walk about; the newlyweds are enjoying the signs of spring which increase daily. Green Lake was insanely populated, so many people exercising on President's Day; we barely escaped kneecapping by some diminutive scooter riders. Pleasant family evening including a tasty dinner of game hens and various root vegetables; the edible chocolate box is almost gone.

Hearts and minds and chocolate

A bit of V-Day festivity for all, and we managed to decimate the edible box of truffles given to the newlyweds. Decent day for a little walk, mainly to view the other house. Hoping for better weather tomorrow.

Anticipation

Seemed to be unsettling our nonegenarian; once family had arrived, things appeared to right themselves. Much conversation, then gathering of supplies for a family feast; most enjoyable. More to come.

Undertow

We are sucked into another miserable excuse for a day; luckily hair and toe doing is diverting for a bit. We are expecting family for a visit, including a brand new person none of us has met yet. Hoping for a pleasant time had by all.
Surprise dinner invitation, and that buoyed up the evening.
Nearly finished with Le Guin's novel Lavinia, and regret its winding to an end; she is still a fabulous artist, into her eighties.

Day to move

Miles of walking for exercise and procurement; nice morning that shaded into soaking misery, but if you keep moving, it's comfortable. That must mean spring isn't far away. Toddler with his dad, little one in a snow suit that made him resemble a red starfish; he didn't mind the rain, lurched along happily, face shining as he laughed at his father, stared and smiled at me as I passed by, then called out some wordlike sounds in greeting.

Frozen fog

Punished for the relatively gorgeous day before, with icy fog, then chilly drizzle; quick run to the climbing gym, where we worked our cores. The old climbing pal and I are slowly gaining strength, but she needs another day per week to keep it going. She regales me with tales of having two young drivers in the family, about "forgotten" parking violations, smashed mirrors, and other delights. Fortunately the lead-footed one hasn't gotten into any big scrapes, and perhaps will outgrow that dangerous tendency.

Swept away

By blue skies and sunshine; walking about was wonderfully pleasant, so many little clusters of snow drops, crocuses, and early iris to observe. There are even early flowering cherry trees venturing forth.
Found a novel of Le Guin's I hadn't read, a historical foray called Lavinia, which is immediately engaging; intriguing structure and development.

Edging up the charts

Overall improvement in the day, pretty nice little climbing session, just too short; we are always having to be somewhere else, one way or another. We think about past trips, and hope for at least a little one in the future.

As I pondered, t'was dank and dreary

Gah; we didn't like this day much. It skunked us, in every way. We cheered up at our usual cocktail time, and did not watch any football. Dinner with the beloved spouse was the high point, which was fine. Manana we need sunshine.

Weekend cameo

One of those speedy gym sessions, mostly for maintenance; still fun, of whatever length. Hairdoing today, and it's mostly sunny day until later in the afternoon. Reading about horrific winter storms elsewhere, I feel most fortunate to be right where we are.

Breaking news

The UK is switching to shatter-proof pint glasses, owing to the huge number of violent acts in which broken glasses are used as weapons. Oy.
Four months into its growth, the crop of hair upon my head was shorn and refreshed; my head feels lighter.
Sweet evening walk and light repast with beloved spouse; it was a busy Friday everywhere we passed. We got a report from the kids, who are enjoying sunshine and temps in the 60's. Do hope they fully appreciate their good fortune.

Sunshine patchwork

Fickle old thing, it warmed us up late morning, then shied away when I had my errand time; forgot to note that the other day I heard what sounded like a concertina being squeezed down by the lake; it was actually a very down and out looking fellow, holding what looked like a miniature keyboard to his mouth, and blowing -on it? Through it? He was producing the most indescribable riffing, in tune, completely unrecognizable as any cliche song or line of melody. Now that I think about it, the blowing part may have simply been a physical accompaniment, and had nothing to do with the sounds trailing out. As I drew farther away, the breeze kept forwarding little bits of his sound. It would have made an amazing little black and white documentary moment.

We crushed!

Wee climbing session, and during the course of it one of the gym employees sidled up to me; she was giving a climbing lesson to a burly fellow, who was up near the ceiling. She told me he was wondering how hard people were climbing, and pointed to us two ladies of a certain age, commenting that "They crush, don't they?" - climbing lingo for climbing in a strong way. This about made our day, and my friend remarked that it might be one of the few compliments we'd be getting for awhile, so we should take it. She is prone to exaggeration, but she may be right...
Dude, I am so stoked to be crushing!

The famous groundhog tweeted

And that's how the "news" spread; may as well have a robotic groundhog, who could tell the difference?
Visited the Pike Place Market, to procure skin products at the Soap Box and generally have a look around. It was relatively quiet, except for the construction down where the child care center is located. When I walked by the place, an old teaching colleague and friend walked out the door, and we hailed and hugged one another. She's a bit older, wiser, and now the child care center's director. We hope to get together for a beverage, as we did in days of old up on Capital Hill.

Holding ground

Late-breaking gym session, with my oldest climbing pal; she and I spent a solid block of time at least maintaining our general endurance, if not conquering mind-bending problems. It's funny when people claim certain routes are "intellectual"; they just have older crappier holds, and you're lucky if you can hold onto them. There are many forms of climbing spray, a term for bragging.