Bellingham's steady landmark

Bellingham's Old City Hall, downtown's oldest, most familiar picture postcard landmark, looking as stately as ever, with harbor winds carressing, sometimes whipping through its cupolas.   

The slate's clean for spring

That's right, kid. It's all gone.

It doesn't take long with a warm front in February and temperatures "soaring" into the 40s.

Bleak promise

Casey and I thought we would check out the neighborhood greenbelt in its full, outright winter phase. He loves going full tilt in the white stuff, so today we indulged him.

Tomorrow rain, and then more rain, until spring...the price we pay for the greenery.   

But for now Casey, enjoy.

Just resting my eyes

Bubba-Sally

This look is Classic Casey - one ear down (a drop version), one ear up (a prick version). It doesn't happen that often, but when it does we just attribute it to his Pop and Mom (Bubba and Sally). The partial blue eye is also a genetic hand-me-down from his blue-eyed Blue Merle Pop.  

Winter's last hurrah?

Waking up to another record-breaking low came as no surprise, but we were underwhelmed with the snowfall. Barely two inches blanketed the neighborhood, but you know what, Casey was a happy boy.

Winter will just not loosen its grip with spring less than a month away. High winds and bitter cold are expected for the next couple of days, with temperature records being shattered tonight.



We might be going out on an icy limb here, but after this weekend conditions will be getting back to normal. Enjoy it while you can, kid.

   

Sort of giving peace a chance

In Stella's little corner of the world, there's no chaos, no hate or discontent, and no gnashing of teeth. But believe it or not, she snores. 

Rough seas and a mixed bag of weather

Winter seems to be going out with a bang this year. Winds gusting to 40 knots, freezing rainshowers, and temperatures in the 30s today...with 4 inches or more of snow falling tonight. 

Someone's going to be happy in the morning.

I'm pooped. Anybody wanna go home?

It won't be long now, long now...won't be long now

(It won't be long now...how much longer...not much longer...if I just watch that door.)

(That's not my Mom...won't be long now.)

Random Border Collie thoughts while waiting for Vic to reappear from the depths of Jo-ann's Fabric Store. Not exactly patience personified.

(I knew it...it was just a matter of time...as long as I just kept staring at that door...I wonder if she brought me a goodie. Think she brought me something?!)

Clear and much, much cooler

The downside to today's picturesque sunset, with the retreating sky cover, is the much cooler air moving into the Northwest for the next couple of days. In fact Bellingham is forecasted to break a low temperature record that's been around since 1952, 23 degrees. Tonight we may be hitting 20 degrees or lower! 

Look who's getting along

You could've fooled us. Rasa (from tabula rasa), Casey's "cougar" German Shepherd girl friend stopped by, which is usually Stella's cue to disappear under a bed.

But not this time.

You just never know, but obviously our girl sensed abolutely no threat at all. It had always been obvious to the rest of us, including Casey, from day one.

Maybe not the beginning of a beautiful friendship...but at least some good vibes.

Long day, sweet dreams

Low tide

With the wind and rain finally letting up, at least for awhile, an ebb tide made snooping around the waterline a drier, more civilized diversion, until the next blustery, southwest flow moves in.

Daydream believer

Sun breaks are few and far between out our way in February, so you have to pay attention when those ultraviolets slide across the floor.

All you have to do to break up a border collie reverie though is say the magic words.

Like, "Casey...ya wanna play Frisbee?"

Objects may appear larger than they are

A dry-docked orca facsimile at Bellingham Harbor just didn't seem to impress the kid at all today, even with their matching color schemes. 

In fact the winds were kicking up over 50 knots by this time, with even higher gusts. Can you tell Casey doesn't want to spend any more time outside than he has to?

Aftermath

Another blast from the past

Somethings never change - Stella checking out the wind and rain in the sunroom like she was in an Imax Threatre .

Every gust, with rain pelting the windows, is an adventure, but she still hangs in there.

And today, a year later...she's still amazed at the special effects.

Quilt # 15...but who's counting.

One more beautiful Whatcom Hospice House project, a sampler quilt near completion by Victoria and closely supervised by our two bored anchors.

Go figure

With water dishes accessible in just about every part of the house, Stella prefers to stretch for a slurp out of Casey's water bowl in the kichen. What's more comical than this is to see them gulping side by side.

Cats. Go figure.

Day is so done

At day's end, Stella and Casey are hostages to biorhythms that say loud and clear -

"Lights out!"

Goodie "paws"

No stroll through Fairhaven begins without a diversion to Paws Awhile. Casey knows any time we're near the Village Green, and from there, it's just a short leash-drag to the doggie treat dish at the Humane Society's "eclectic gift shop".



His internal GPS (guilty pleasure sensor) never lets him down. 

 



OK, one more, kid. You'll work it off.

One impressive sunset over Bellingham Bay

Stella and friends

Stella's kind of attached to her toy mice. But we're still wondering how one of them assumed this dominant position during her nap. 

Leaving on the 8:45

Another in a long list of first-hand experiences for our farmboy - hanging around the Fairhaven Amtrak station while Vic and friends, Carolyn and Judy, board the 8:45 for a day in Tacoma and the Museum of Glass.




You just know what Casey's thinking, "They were on the platform just a minute ago."

OK, maybe not. But he did seem a little perplexed at just what seemed to swallow up his mom and all those people.