Archive for July, 2013
Mt. Si Forest Fire
Posted by nbdog in Around the house on 27-Jul-2013
A small forest fire broke out some time early Friday afternoon on the south side of Mt. Si, about a mile and one half from our house. For those who have visited us, it’s about 400 feet up the slope of the mountain, perhaps a quarter of the mile east of the Little Si trail head. Fire fighters are still working on it this afternoon and we have a lot of smoke in the valley. It’s like having a big camp fire burning all the day and night.
Forest Service helicopter dropping water on Mt. Si fire
Related articles
- Mt. Si trails closed as crews battle fire (blogs.seattletimes.com)
- Wildfire closes Mount Si trails (q13fox.com)
Breaking 80 Again!
Golf is a new adventure every time out. I had no special expectations when I teed off on a lovely Saturday morning. After playing in a charity event scramble on Wednesday I just wanted to get out and play my own ball for eighteen holes and enjoy the weather and the scenery at Mt. Si. Starting with a nice 10-foot par putt on the first hole and a bogey on number two didn’t suggest an especially memorable score. But pars on three, four and five and a tap-in birdie on number six got me pretty excited. I managed a super bunker shot on number eight that led to another tap-in par and recovered from an errant tee shot for a par on nine to finish the front at an even par 36!
As is so often the case I struggled on the Devil’s Triangle of holes 10, 11 and 12 but ended the back nine at six over 42 for a very satisfying 78; my third time under 80 in the past five weeks.
Month With no Rain
We’re in one of those Northwest summer periods of endless beautiful weather. It’s been clear with daily high temps in the 70’s and 80’s since our last measurable rain on June 25. It’s lovely but hard on our plants.
Wow! 45-year Running Streak Comes to an End
I had read about this guy, Mark Covert, on the Unites States Running Streak Association web site. In the early 1970’s I had a streak of running every day for six months, six days; which at the time I thought was impressive. Little did I know of streaks like Mr. Covert’s or half a dozen others with streaks of forty plus years. On Tuesday, July 23, Mr. Covert did the last run of his 45-year streak and took the next day off. Truly amazing.
Related articles
- Antelope Valley Coach Mark Covert Ends 16,437-day Running Streak (DailyNews.com)
Raccoon Babies
Posted by nbdog in Animals, Around the house on 20-Jul-2013
We haven’t seen our backyard raccoon for many weeks and haven’t thought much about it. Then this afternoon mother raccoon showed up with two adorable youngsters. They explored the bird feeders on the maple tree and the bird bath underneath. I tossed them a few nuts and some old bread. After a quick snack they headed off into the woods.
New Fire Station
Posted by nbdog in Around the house on 20-Jul-2013
At least we know our local tax dollars are going for good things. The local fire fighters officially opened their new station today after decades is a truly ratty old facility. We attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the very cool, modern building. Love it.
Trisha at new North Bend Fire Station
Related articles
- North Bend’s new fire station 87 opens… (ValleyRecord.com)
Driveway Touchup
Posted by nbdog in Around the house on 13-Jul-2013
We’ve had our driveway edged with some of the many rocks harvested from our planting efforts over the years. I finally took the initiative to replace the tired-looking rocks with some brighter, more formal looking, dry-stack flagstone–2 tons worth. The result is beautiful. Here’s the final product (with a before view in the inset).
Weather in Paradise
This is the time of the year when we realize part of the reason the Pacific Northwest is a wonderful place to live. We watch the national news and see terrible fires, record heat, flooding, tornadoes, hurricane warnings, etc. Then I look at the monthly forecast for North Bend and get this:
July Forecast
And the first two weeks of August look the same. With over fifty golf courses within an hour’s drive there’s no need for trips to Florida or Arizona this time of year.
The Lone Ranger Rides Again
Posted by nbdog in Entertainment on 8-Jul-2013
Saw The Lone Ranger this afternoon at the super comfy new Regal Theaters in Issaquah. As usual, the professional critics got it all wrong. I like Johnny Depp and his Tonto was spectacular on many levels. Here’s my review posted on Fandango
Critics be damned. This movie is a hoot. The stunts get a little tiresome but I loved Depp’s Sancho Panza-esque Tonto along side the Quixotic Lone Ranger. I don’t understand the reviewers wondering how Depp and Disney will recover from this “debacle.” Along with all the trite portrayals of evil corporate big wigs and rampant violence there are hints of profound questions about what motivates an ostracized Tonto to hang around a hapless white guy. Depp’s bizarre character reminds me of Jeremy Brett’s neurotic Sherlock Holmes. In the end, though, you can ignore all that and just enjoy the subtle wit, understated dialog, and ridiculous stunts.
Summer Flowers
Posted by nbdog in Around the house on 7-Jul-2013
Trisha’s lilies are out and some of them are spectacular this year. I’ve been feeding them since April and the extra attention seems to have paid off. I love the color on this purple one;
…and this orange-ish one is lovely too:
Nutmeg50@hotmail.com 