We have a bird bath hanging on our front porch and it makes a really soothing reflection on the porch ceiling. One afternoon, we set up a video camera to capture it. It reminds us to take a minute out of our day and slow down.
Music: The Reckoner by Radiohead
People who have Great Danes know what zoomies are. Zoomies are when your 140+ pound dog goes nuts and runs in a circle. It’s a daily happening. This one was caught on tape one afternoon.
Now that’s happiness. Notice how she keeps returning to the sunny spot. Oh, the joys of a simple mind.
Seattle is a very dog-friendly place with dogs being allowed (perhaps illegally) in many cafes, pubs, and restaurants. In fact, I see more signs posted about people needing to control their kid’s behavior than I do signs than about anything to do with taking care of dogs; Herkimer has water bowls on the sidewalk beneath a sign that reads, “Unwatched children will be fed caffeine and sugar.”
Yesterday, we saw a sign in Ballard that shows further proof that Seattle values dogs more than children:
Let me get that straight before I even start. On a personal level, when I’m sitting in traffic, the last thing I care about is if the dumb ass in front of me 
believes actors can do it on cue, whether or not all those who wander are lost, or whether their dog is their copilot. I operate on the premise that those who don’t know me don’t give a shit what I think. I expect reciprocity in this matter, and thus principally don’t believe in bumper stickers.
That said, a friend from work recently left for a vacation in Cannon Beach. I received this email from him:
No pictures, no movies – just thoughts.
So I drive through all two blocks of Cannon Beach, all of which are dedicated to the Beach – Kites, bikes, sand castles, and more.
I’m getting into ‘Vacation’ now, and looking forward to going to sleep with the waves riding up on the beach.
As I pull into the hotel parking lot, I get stuck behind a car that won’t seem to turn – and I have no idea what’s going on.
While I’m waiting, I notice a bumper sticker – “I see Dutch people”. [sigh]
First lesson of my 2009 vacation – no matter how far you go, you can’t escape the Dutch Monkey.
I think we can all agree that I need this bumper sticker. Accepting donations now.
Michelle, Pat, the doggs, and I all headed up to Whidbey Island on Sunday to check up on the property there and make sure everything is A-OK. (The lot was perfect.) After an unusually long wait for the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, we passed through Langley on the way up through Freeland and to the lot. After a quick checkup on the site, we drove the mile north to South Whidbey Island State Park to have a picnic and a walk on the beach. Naturally, we ended up taking more photos of the doggs than of people or scenery, but that’s what we do. Enjoy.
