Sunshine & Torrential Rain~

I had a meeting in Shoreline this morning.  Not having driven down that way on my own - for years - I noticed plenty of changes.  Traffic was moving right along - no complaints there.  Afterward, it was still early enough - that I decided to stop at Alderwood Mall & visit Nordstroms.  Another place I hadn't been to in forever.  The parking lot was full, but when I saw someone leaving - I managed to get the space.  Nordstrom wonders why their sales are falling off?  Well, bringing in more quality clothing for their outrageous prices might help.  I was looking for a trench coat - I've needed one for several years - so was happy when I found a nice London Fog that should last me forever.

The sunshine in the city, followed me home.  I let Farah out into the pasture just as I saw a big dark cloud to our west.  By the time I'd returned to the house - the rain hit!  It was stunningly beautiful!  Not long after - Butch was pulling in the driveway - he said that everyone must have left town yesterday - it was one of his shortest commutes ever!

Climbing Hydrangea

All that rain made for an incredible evening!  The days are getting SO long!

Rascal in the pasture~

I was walking around taking photos - something I've not done much of around home lately - when I saw that Rascal was out for a walk too.

On the fly!

In the next instant - he's flying down the pasture as fast as he could go :-)  Or almost - when a white blur of motion enters the frame!

He was running for his life from the "Princess"!  :-)

Nika was running so fast - the length of her stride is twice Rascals!  :-)  Rascal squeezed under the fence & made his way back up to the house with Nika right behind.

Nika - looking so innocent :-)

Hard to believe that Nika had her fourth birthday on the 17th.  It seems the older I get, the faster the time goes...

The Cottage~

With all the pollen washed away by the rain, the air was so fresh & clean!  I'd just love it if the temperatures could moderate & stay in the 70's rather than jumping back up into the 80's - predicted for next week.

Circle of life~

Even with all the yard work that's stacking up - it's easy to just enjoy being alive this time of year!

It Happened Again!

Bright green foliage of Spring~

I'd scheduled another of those "must" do appointments, teeth cleaning :-(  Guess what?  It was another stellar morning!  The personnel in the dentist office - when I explained my dilemma, responded with the suggestion of booking my schedule solid - so that the rest of the residents of WA would benefit from my weather predicting knack!  Not!

Instead, since the afternoon was staying almost as nice as the morning, I saddled Farah & we headed out to enjoy the filtered sunshine & get in a short gallop or two.

The Wetland has taken over the access road~

Sometimes things stay the same, sometimes they change quickly.  Since the last time I was up here, the wood debris had been washed away from the water's edge & opened up the flow over the road.

The water of the wetland was as still as a mirror~

It was one of only three rides so far this year where I could get away with long sleeves & a vest.  The bugs are really coming out now - even if somewhat delayed from "normal" temperature years.

Down the hill~

We took some trails through the woods, went through sections of the trees where there wasn't a trail & came out high enough to see the way I take on west.

Here's a section of the steep hill down~

We didn't go as far today, it was getting late & after finding my second Trillium of the season, we turned for home.  The first two I'd seen last week looked pretty "sick", falling over on their stems.  This one was at least healthy~

Trillium

The view down & across the width of the valley is an ever-changing panorama~

Mt. Pilchuck & Green Valley

Great way to get the vision of where you live in the big, wide, world.   This view has changed a several times over the years, but I've always wished the the Homestead sat up here!  We stopped to talk to Pat & family - the puppies are All too cute!  As we turned out at the bottom of our road, Butch was turning up!  Farah was Very Happy to see him & we zoomed right up to the gate behind his truck!  :-)