It’s been an aggravating week of technology failure, including (still unresolved) loss of internet at home. On the up side is WiFi is back at the Manor, and along with it, Alexa is back in Mama’s room. She loves Alexa. Visitors are treated to her rendition of Star Spangled Banner. Now I just have to learn how to program her to do things that Mama would enjoy and that would be helpful. More technology. Ugh.

I’ve had a full two weeks of guests in the Airbnb, a good thing; and lots of cleaning, laundry, and baking.

The happy news is the rains stopped on Monday and rather than do the yard and garden work that is getting out of hand, I got out of town for a drive through the valleys of Lewis County to Grays Harbor and the edge of the continent.

And a best friend from Raleigh made a 24-hour visit on her way to British Columbia. On the way from and back to the airport, we stopped at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. In between walked in the woods behind my home. We talked and talked, diving quickly into the depths of our lives. I love where I live. And I miss my dear friends. A few hours with Grace reminded me of the loss.

And then there is this…

Highway 6, heading west at dawn.

Morning has broken.

Dancing.

The view from sea.

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

Thousands of Canada geese flew in.

Raindrops on reflection

Grace and me in the Seminary Hill Natural Area.

No place like home.