a rainy wet day today in the northwest ...

which would be typical of the northwest in winter if we ever had a typical northwest winter ...

i've been living here eight winters now and every year it seems i hear the comment "oh this isn't typical" ... 

this comment is usually preceded by "unusually heavy rains causing flooding" or "unusually heavy snowfall causing road closures" or "unusally heavy rainfall causing mudslides" ...

you get the picture ...

and have any of us forgotten the winter storm with "unusually high winds" that left us stranded without power for days on end ...

i have discovered though that for accurate weather forecasting, a trek to Ace Hardware is a must ... those men know their seasons and have been able to predict for me a looonnnnnggg winter well in advance ...

just my little tip for the day ...

this year we've been blessed with "unusually sunny and warm" winter days, early blooms and light spirits ...

and i'm feeling rather put out that it's raining today ...

but perhaps it means i should spend the day catching up on my "other life" ... maybe making a meal that doesn't come out of a box with microwave instructions ...

yesterday, our sweet daughter was off skiing for the afternoon while our youngest cherub was receiving his yellow belt in karate ... he and his friend are training together and i must say that they are doing very well and receiving many complimentary words from their sensai ...

i'm proud of both boys for working hard and reaching the next level ...

in the meantime, get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature ... rain or shine ...

here are the cherry trees outside the university of washington's school of art ...

once the blossoms start dropping, it's like a lovely pink rain ...

have a wonderful day ...

i'm off to spackle and touch up walls today ... and maybe even prepare a decent meal ...