They stand tall against the wooden back fence, branches bending down with their heavy load of bright red juicy fruit.  I wander to the back, reach my hand up and select one of these lovelies. Placing it my mouth, I bite down and immediately flavor explodes.  I nibble around the pit and spit it out, reaching up once more for another bite.  Cherries must be nature's candy.

The title of the book drew me in and made promises to me, touched me and quite literally forced the purchase of it without looking at a single page. The cover connected to me with the graphics. I needed it.  I hadn't even touched it, just seen it.  One click and it was purchased. While waiting I dreamed of the small adventures I would have with the book, the introspection, the thoughts that it would pull from deep inside my mind. Who would I share it with? Would I feel connected? Would I learn about myself, my art? It arrived and immediately I torn into it. Eager. The first few pages I understood, I had studied already but the heart of the book, would it live up to it's promises? The photos were inspiring, yet I wanted more, I wanted questions, I wanted something that would force me to look hard and ponder. I set up a time with three other gals and we met at my house.  We talked about the book, I had already decided that Tenant Lake would be our destination. The chapter would be "A Walk in Nature". It suggested things like getting on your knees and shoot from down low, or look for harmony in shapes. However I wanted some introspection such as why did I take that photo? What drew me to capture that scene? What was I searching for in the photo? We arrived and I quickly struck out on my own, wandering, trying to find something that would inspire me.  Some days it works, and some days it IS work.  I liked the lavender, thyme and cattails, also the wispy cotton and spider webs on the ends of the branches.  The ridges of the wooden posts with moss being highlighted by the harsh sun begged to photographed. Quietly I photographed the delicate hairs and large eyes of the dragonfly, seeing the vibrant colors of blue, green and black. They all felt forced, like I was trying too hard to be in nature. Looking back on the photos, I feel like connection.  They are nice but I that is.  I realize I like purple in nature but not inside and definitely not on me. I like gates, particularly iron gates but I'm not a fan of western or modern gates. Bugs are not my thing either, though they are amazing. Bridges suggest a crossing to another place and I probably love it the most out of this whole series.  While taking these photos though I was reminded of two other books, "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Tommy's Adventure" a golden book.  So connections were made but not the way I thought.  "Shooting with Soul" is still inspiring but different than I thought. I'm not throwing it out, I'm just thinking about it in a different light.

When I was little there was a house across the road from ours.  I remember one night there was a party. I must have been three or four at the time. Large paper lanterns were suspended from the large deciduous tree next to the patio. The shutters of the house were open and music came from inside.  Outside, people were wandering, talking, laughing, eating appetizers and drinking wine. It was all intoxicating and almost magical.  Ever since I've been trying to recreate the beauty of that backyard.  This year I've strung lights in our paperbark maple and through our wisteria.  I just have to plug in the lights and it transports me back all those years ago to the backyard party of our neighbors.

How is it that we've been here for 15 years and have never done this hike? Oh, we've hiked to Oyster Dome just from Chuckanut Drive and not from Samish Overlook.  Job and I had driven to Samish Overlook about a month back to check it out for the first time ever. So when our friends came to town, it made sense to do this hike.  You start out with a beautiful view of the San Juans overlooking Skagit County.  Since we drove to the Overlook, we had already gained a lot of elevation so the first part of the trail is relatively flat. We meandered through old growth forest, taking in pine and moss covered logs, ferns a plenty and some wild flowers. Towards the end of the trail there is  little more elevation gain but doable, especially since they've redone the trail and made more switchbacks. We took in the beautiful scenery at the top and posing for photos.  This is a great hike, winter or summer.  Note:  Lona and Sydney were a little ways ahead of us and turned onto the regular trail that led down to Chuckanut.  They reached the bench before realizing that they should have stayed to the left at the juncture.  A little phone call and Job running to them and all was good.  They got to the car just as it started to rain.

 There is something about sitting around the table, laughing and competing and teasing that bonds people together. Some of our favorite games are sequence and Settlers of Catan. These two games are hilarious when played with a large group. Sometime, I laugh so hard that I start crying. I can't tell you what we laughed about but I just remember how much fun we have.

 John has a friend from college with whom he has kept in touch. I've gotten to know his wife and now our kids are getting to know each other. We all hung out a few years ago while in Montana and ever since then, the kids have kept in touch. Lucas and Sydney are twins and they get along with Job and Lona so well.  When we learned that they were coming out to visit the kids got so excited!  We met up with them in Seattle for the day and toured the Science Museum and Pike's Place Market.  Each time, it is like a vacation for me. We just don't get to Seattle for fun often.  Usually it's soccer or doctors and we try to cram some fun in but not just to be a tourist.  The museum was our first stop and it allowed the kids to get reacquainted while doing activities. They could let their guard down and just be who they are not who they think they should be.  I loved watching these four kids interact with each other, with parents, with the different stations and be fascinated.
I think Pike's Place Market is a study in people.  At one point there were about 6 of us strangers all remarking that we were MSU Bobcat alumni.  We all came together at one point at the same time and someone remarked on another person's MSU apparel.  I can't even remember who and then we were all saying, I'm from there too.  There was even someone from my hometown there although I didn't know them.  Truly we live in a small world.  We stood under the sign for the original Starbucks but were not going to stand in line for a moca.  We tried ginger beer and ate gelato and pain au chocolat. We posed for photos and took photos and listened to music and paid street buskers for their creativity. And we walked and walked and walked and it was great! I could go to Pike's Place Market every year and not have it get old but it's better sharing it with friends.  I see something new everytime and everytime it is different.