What Counts in Everyday Ramblings

Will you look at that! The clouds moved back to the edges of the valley today to give us a break from the rain. That is Mt. St. Helen’s out there beyond the crane. I took the long way home from church and walked up into the West Hills. This is the view between two houses.

I haven’t been up there since last fall so it was nice to check out a favorite walking route I have.

Last year there was a guy that slept in a sleeping bag on a small bench on The Elevator Steps during the day. The neighbors knew him by name. This year that bench has been removed and there are private property and neighborhood watch signs all down the side of the hill.

Our homeless and mentally ill populations are expanding. Unless we decide to address this more directly on a local level it is not going to get better in the next four years either.

There are a dizzying array of plates to step up to. Wow.

Looking at the situation in Peru with the flooding it does give me pause to complain about our 8 inches of rain in three weeks. The Columbia River is now over flood stage, which means, trails, beaches, walkways and parking lots are flooded but no serious damage is expected. People will not lose their homes.

But you know, if I listen to my government, spending taxpayer money on climate change is a waste of money…

Big sigh.

Kes gets to go to the house we spend time at this week at the beach with her best friend who is having her condo remodeled. I am not jealous no… I hope they have a blast!

The trees are starting to bud out and it is so encouraging to see color out there under the (mostly) leaden skies. Those are camellias in the picture, the pink flowers. We are expecting the rain to return tomorrow and then to continue for at least a week.

When I left for my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday there were just showers but oh my by the time I met Mrs. Sherlock and Frida (in her bright pink doggy rain jacket) it was pouring!

Even totally waterproof, our phones and wallets wrapped in plastic we were all three dripping like mad when we stopped at a Starbucks for mint tea and coffee.

They let us bring Frida inside. She is well trained and other than the fact that we were all wet not a problem. Besides a black poodle with a pink rain jacket is pretty irresistible. At least according to my unscientific study of people who came by wanting to pet her.

My back is better. I really can now go for hours without thinking about it but I still have work to do. Apparently I have not been doing squats with correct form but boy do I know how to do them now! Somewhere along the path of my female life I learned that it was not appropriate to stick my butt out. :)

Therefore was I putting extra strain on my lower back.

Who knew? I am a spoiled princess. My PT genuinely enjoys working with me. He says I am extremely fast learner and I understand how hard it must be to work with people who either aren’t motivated or disciplined enough to actually do the work. I appreciate the fact that he watches me so closely and can see things I can’t sense myself.

Because I am super motivated. Maybe not enough to stop crossing my legs every time I sit down…but most times.

That counts, right?

Last updated March 19, 2017