Dove's Eye View

Northwest Passage

Dear Readers - I am lounging about my in-laws' beautiful home in the Northwest, on an island off Seattle. On our walk today we passed Queen Anne's lace, and blackberries, and tall pines, and Puget Sound; the children befriended some sheep and goats in the neighbor's garden, and we bought cookies at the bakery and ate them at a picnic table under a green oak tree. Tonight we fried chicken Southern-style, made cornbread and greens with ham hock and green beans and sliced tomatoes - all washed down with a West Coast Pinot Gris. The others are in the hot tub now (slate lined, with lights and bubbles and a fountain); I am too tired and sweaty from all the cooking to want to get in.

Earlier this week we spent time in Portland, Oregon, with more in-laws, wandering the city on the excellent tram system, or relaxing with the children.

This morning we visited the Bainbridge Farmers' Market, buying tomatoes and bitter greens for supper. Bien sur the chicken, produce, eggs, even ham hocks, as well as the wine are local to this region. (Okay I think the wine was from Oregon, three hours away by car). Life is pretty good for us and I am grateful I get to share in the good times with my darling relatives.

Photos when I get home to my USB cable...

Bainbridge Island, WA

I almost got to eat enough blackberries on Bainbridge Island.

Brother-in-law made paella on the barbecue.

Local salad mix.

Bainbridge-Seattle ferry.

Vacation

We're driving to Portland, Oregon, then Seattle. If you are really interested in my personal doings, you could snoop here in case the owner writes about us.

Not going to post, unless I change my mind (and get to a computer).

Enjoy August, and I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

See You Next Week

I'm off to New York. I doubt I'll be accessing the internet much, so no posting until at least Monday, June 6. See you then!

My Hometown

Photos from Mieh-Mieh

Borre Ludvigsen photographed the first few in this series from the roof of the house where my father was born. Succeeding pictures show the street below.

After 17 years absence, I returned to this place, which had been gutted, shelled and abandoned in the 1980s. Despite a complete renovation from the pipes up, it still smelled like home.