A Walk

Yesterday I took a walk, and stumbled across Spring!  It was a gorgeous day, clear and sunny.  The Olympic and Cascade moutains were both visible, which is a treat.

Space Needle and Mt Olympus

Where you see the yellow building at the base of the Space Needle used to be a view of the Science Center arches and ferries crossing the Sound.  sigh

After standing in the street gawking at the view, I wandered over to a hidden neighborhood garden.  There I saw Snowdrops!  In January!!!

Snowdrops blooming!

Bulbs are sprouting up everywhere

It was a beautiful day, and a very enjoyable walk.  I hope you enjoyed the photos :)

New Year News

2013 was a difficult year.  But the last three months had some fantastic moments: London!, new friends, more energy!  I got my knitting mojo back, too.  So watch this space for new projects.

Then came the Big Flare.  It become clear that smaller symptoms I'd been ignoring were part of a single serious autoimmune disease.  I saw a new rheumatologist on Dec. 24 and started to get to the bottom of things.  I can't adequately express what a huge deal this is.  I'm on a bit of a prednisone roller coaster until my labs come back and we can start targeted treatment.  The pred allows me to use my hands again, which is nice.

In London I thought, why am I not seeing similar sights in my own city?  Rather than lurking around museums, I've started catching evening events.  Monday I saw a Hey Marseilles show--I have the biggest band crush on them!  Then last night I went to a reading by Karen Russell, an incredible short story author.  I brought an issue of Zoetrope in which she'd been published, and she was excited to see it.  We're Bradbury buds :)

I have great hopes for 2014!

Friday Night at the V&A

You may have noticed that I didn't finish my London Travelogue.  Adrenal issues and autoimmune flares got in the way.  But I did want to share a magical night:

Friday was spent at the Natural History Museum, one of my favorite places on earth.  It was a welcome Cathedral to Science after the ostentation of monarchy and aristocracy.  Personal endeavor and accomplishment!

Natural History Museum

Then I met back up with my mom and we headed next door to the Victoria and Albert Museum, aka the V&A.  They have the most gorgeous cafe there, which we happily stumbled up.  Need a rest and a glass of wine?  This is the place to go!

V&A

Now picture a grand piano between the pillars, playing the most enjoyable and relaxing music, while you relax with excellent company.  These are the moments I love in life, where fortune smilingly gifts something wonderful which I could never have imagined.

Back in the museum proper, a fashion event was taking place.  A DJ was spinning, well dressed students were mingling, and there I was in the middle!  Viewing Trajan's column while reggae drifts through the museum is an incredibly cool way to end a week.

Winter Color

I don't look forward to the cold weather and dark days of winter.  Once they've arrived, however, I love the bright warm handknits!  Colorful stranded mittens keep my hands warm.  A soft lacy scarf can be wrapped around my neck, or cover a freezing face on a bitter cold day.  Bright hats not only cheer me up, but provide visibility when walking.  Hooray for bright warm woolies!

How to Rock Movember

How to Rock Movember: A Ladies' Guide

First, be cute.  Now you can be born cute, or you can have cuteness thrust upon you.  But I don't know that one can achieve cuteness, at least not without a seed of proto-cute to cultivate.

Second, the 'stash.  All men have to do is stop shaving their upper lips.  But, being a lady, I need to supplement nature.  Hence the invention of liquid eyeliner.

I went with a pencil mustache and soul patch.  It's so 5 years ago, but this was...5 years ago!  What a fun Halloween costume: I actually fooled some friends (from behind) into asking "Who's the new boy?"

The second attempt, at New Year's, was more dramatic.  I still pull it off, but going Handlebar would be over the top.  It's good to know one's limits.