Sauntering Vaguely Downward

As we begin Week 2 of lockdown, I find myself more inclined to revisit the times before covid-19 transformed our lives. The photos below were taken on my most recent visit to my parents earlier this month. We always go to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge when I see them, as it’s only a short drive on the freeway from their house. This was one of the best trips for bird-watching that we’ve ever had, and that’s even counting the time we saw a nesting bittern.


It were a cold and grey day on the marshes.


Circling hawk.

( More landscapes and birds this way )

Me and my parents, today, on a walk in a nature reserve. Also featuring Sockenmonster.

One of the fun things about visiting the parental abode is going through and labelling old photographs. Here I share a selection of those featuring me at various stages of my childhood.


Here I am sitting in the frame of what would become my aunt and uncle's house. I have no idea what image I was actually trying to achieve here, but I can't look at this without thinking of Heathers.

( It gets better. Or worse, I dunno. )

I didn't take many photos during the visit to my parents since I was pretty busy with them for most of the six days I was there, but I did manage to have a walk around downtown Olympia, including Capitol Lake and the waterfront.

Three lovely people made special trips to see me. victorine drove up from Oregon for an evening. becala came down from Seattle for a cuppa. And my dear friend Josh flew all the way from San Diego to spend the weekend.

After having tea with becala and her young gentleman (no photos - the universe will explode if we have too many facetwin pics), Josh and I went for a walk through downtown. I spent my early teens in Olympia and it's been interesting to see it evolve in a series of leaps over the course of my annual visits to my parents.



The state capitol building is the same, although the dome has gotten dirtier. The lake, which is man-made and was established pretty much for the sole purpose of setting off the view of the capitol from downtown, now has a very nicely designed walking and cycling path all the way around it.

( More words and photos, some with people in them. )