A Perfect Day Out

It was time to shake up my routine.  I decided to take a half-day off to do fun, unusual things my wife would also enjoy.  We began by arriving for the Grand Opening ceremony of our little town’s Farmers Market.  All the newspaper said was “9am Goat Parade”

Mikey’s Absurdly Geeky Oscar Trivia Quiz

In Search of Ancient Oscars

Did you know the word “quiz” originally meant an odd person?  That’s from the Oxford English Dictionary.  In the days before the Internet I used to read dictionaries and reference indexes while in residence upon the porcelain throne.  Some prefer magazines, I’m told.

In Anticipation

Like the weather in my region, I’m in a holding pattern.  I haven’t felt the need to write much lately.  I’m recharging my psychic batteries, reading, dreaming, and waiting for it to get warmer and dryer so I can enjoy more outdoor activities.

A Story in 4,011 Words

Fear Not: For, Behold

The Gun Control petition I reprinted yesterday went viral.  It gathered more than 200,000 signatures in support, and the author, Staci Sarkin, will be going to Congress in person to present it.

There’s some current woo-woo about the world ending on December 21^st, because that’s when the Mayan calendar “ends”.  I wouldn’t put much stock in the prophetic abilities of the Mayans.  They stopped calculating their calendar because they were too busy dealing with the invasion of the Spanish, and two centuries of drought, both of which decimated their culture, neither of which they saw coming.

An Inclusive Border

Our front deck is 35 years old.  It’s been rained on often enough over the years to penetrate the paint and sealant and cause rot.  We considered how to repair and replace it, and talked with local carpenters over the past two years.

Puppy Club Day Trip

An important part of raising potential guide dogs is exposure to any kind of travel a blind person might undertake.  People who live in northern Washington use ferries.

Substitute Puppy

This little Lab is our guest for a few days, and our regular guide dog trainee Spice is staying with another couple.  Her name is Pippa.

The Best of Mikey (so far)

Since I’m nearing 300 posts, it’s time for another retrospective.  These articles were among those most viewed, but more importantly, I thought they were good even when re-read.

Steampunk Snaps

Agent O (Men in Brown – 1895)

My outfit took a turn toward spywear, an appropriate expression of my personality.  I found an African metal object in my box of odd accessories, stuck it on the coat as a badge, and became a Victorian paranormal operative.

Dream Engines

I’ve been away from the computer, recharging my imagination.  The weather has been unwilling to decide which season it is.  It rains, the sun breaks out, it rains again, and so on.  The constant changes have invigorated my unconscious.  I’m waking up with memories of my dreams

Sunday’s Challenges

Our guide dog puppy-in-training has made it to the halfway point.

Grand Parade

77th Annual Rhododendron Festival

Children’s Parade

77th Annual Rhododendron Festival

Jenniconography

WordPress’ latest updates have somehow blocked my ability to comment on other people’s blogs, so although I would have preferred to pass this reaction on directly at http://becomingjennie.wordpress.com/ , I’ll have to do it here. Perhaps those of you who appreciate photography and design will enjoy this kind of analysis.

I don’t know Jennie personally, but the care and craft she puts into her highly confessional blog was instrumental in making me want to start writing again, after a 30-year pause.  Her memoir “I Am Jennie” will be out July 10^th.  The book’s cover portrays her in a manner that says a lot to me.  Have a look:

Why, no…What were you thinking about?

A nice amateur couple.

Good Smells Survey

Since you couldn’t be here with me, I’ll send you some things to smell.

Full Steam Ahead

Steam-powered zero carbon water taxi

Having always been an odd boy, at different ages I sought identity among the punk enclaves where I lived.

Evaluation Day

I’m encouraged.  Our guide dog puppy in training is now five months old, a little older than the last one was at this point in the regimen, but she has retained her docile temperament.

Born That Way

Our guide dog hopeful’s training regimen has been increasing in complexity.