I like the rain, like watching the dim curtains of mist wash across the Missoula Valley, smelling the soil as the rain soaks in, smelling the freshness, anticipating the new life. It is spring--spring!!--and the rivers are running higher, swifter; the buds are pushing out of the dark tips of branches; and the birds are weaving their canopies of song above me as I walk to work or school.
But rainy days like today are perfect for curling up on the couch, with warm yellow lamps pooling light around me, a fuzzy blanket tucked around my legs, and my laptop on my lap. Perhaps, if I feel so inclined, I will make myself a cup of tea as I sit here reading and writing this afternoon.
Spring break. Doesn't FEEL much like spring break, since all it means is that I get to work even MORE this week, with no inconvenient classes taking up my time, but already I'm feeling more relaxed. Though I suppose it's a bit of a false feeling, since I really ought to be working on my project for my environmental organizing class. Yes, indeed, I am working to bring glass recycling to Missoula, and at times this seems a nigh impossible task. Yeep. However, I encourage ya'll to check out www.recyclemt.org for some pictures of the mobile glass pulverizer in Helena (and you might just see a certain familiar face in a few of those pics, too).
Speaking of pics, I ought to post a few, eh? Though it's been three weeks since I visited my sister out in Lynden, I did promise to put up a few pictures of our trip. Enjoy!
This was the day I left: it snowed the night before, thick, soft snow, and all the streets and cars and trees were white and clean that morning. This is my view on my way to work, and is my favorite part of my two-block walk.
Here's Ishta in the blizzard we drove through--let's just say that I did not at all mind going 20 mph while driving in this stuff!
Andrea on the ferry ride from Anacortes to Orcas Island. Oh, little did we know that the ferry ride would be the best part of the day!
Sistah luv:
Discoveries in Victoria, BC:
After wandering around the city for an evening and the following morning, we made our way to the southernmost point of the city (and, therefore, of Vancouver Island). Waves, water, sky, cloud, wind, driftwood: beautiful! And, of course, we couldn't help but take some 'artistic' shots.
All in all, it was a great weekend, though it did feel as though we did a lot of driving and money spending. It was lovely to get out and away, though! Even lovelier is the latest news that Andrea accepted a teaching position at Ebenezer Christian School in Lynden, WA, and will be moving there this summer! I'm looking forward to many more excursions to the Pacific Northwest in the future.
Just a few more pics, of people I often talk about but whom most of you have not met: my good friend Lindsay Iudicello and her family. A couple of weeks ago we went hiking up to the "L" on Mt. Jumbo.
Here's Linds and Corin (who's 3) and Seth (in the jester hat):
And Corin in the late afternoon sunshine:
And here's a view from the "L" of my lovely Missoula and the mountains which embrace it:
Soon the hills will be green, as will the lawns and the trees and the bushes, and the days will be sparkling with color and light and warmth, and I'll throw all the windows in the house open, day and night, to let the spring drift in.
Ahh.
