That's Gneiss! #95 ~ Take time to see the things around you (it's fun!)
Good evening!
I will admit that I keep getting distracted in the process of writing this week’s newsletter. I had better get it done if I want to get to bed at a decent hour tonight!
You can really tell that summer is winding down. The days are suddenly much shorter (it’s dark when I get up for work now, *sob*) and there is a crispness to the air. We’ve still got plenty of warm weather to go - the next few days we will see temps in the 80’s. I’m enjoying every bit of the summer while we have it.
In last week’s newsletter, if you made it to the belated list of comics (thanks N!) you have checked out Seattle Walk Report. Upon discovering there was a book, I immediately put it on hold and it arrived quickly.
When I saw the following panel in the first few pages, I new right away the author and I are kindred spirits.
Be still my heart! A carrot with a straw through it? What a lucky find. I will admit a pang of jealousy that I have not seen something so magnificent on my walks.
I learned some interesting things from this book. Have you ever noticed the little silver discs on telephone poles? Those are placed on the pole after it’s been inspected by Osmose, a company that makes sure our infrastructure is hanging in there. This pole was inspected 14 years ago, and treated with Durafume (a fumigant). Now you know more than you thought you ever would about the care and keeping of wood utility poles. You’re welcome.
I also learned about standpipes, which can be found on or near buildings. I’ve seen plenty but didn’t know what they were called. I don’t have any recent photos of standpipes, but you can be sure I’ll be on the lookout now. Standpipes on not to be confused with bollards, of which I have taken many, many, many photos. Here’s a somewhat random bollard we pass on one of our walk routes:
It seems a bit odd, until you realize it’s purpose. It will keep any vehicle backing up to do whatever it does with that metal grate from falling on the railroad tracks below! It’s a bit of a drop off just beyond those blackberries, and the tracks are RIGHT THERE.
I thoroughly enjoyed Seattle Walk Report. I like seeing things through somebody else's eyes, and loved the representation of the walks as comics. As you know, I am always on the lookout for strange and wonderful things when I’m out walking whether it’s one of my regular dog walking routes or somewhere else. Here are a few more things I’ve seen recently on my rambles about…
Trees. Large trees stand out in my neighborhood because there usually aren’t very many together in one place. I am planning to make a map of the most spectacular trees, so I’ve been paying close attention. There are some very large willows, a huge Black Walnut, and these two, which I have not accurately identified yet. Look how much extra height they have on the also quite large trees closer to the house!
A few days ago I walked up the street to drop off some books in the little free library at Summit Park, which overlooks I-5. I saw this scene:
No pressure - just trying to quickly fix a broken truck while a state patrol watches! No pressure at all, stuck in an horrible spot between the highway and an on ramp. Poor guy.
Finally - a shopping cart abandoned far from its home. I’m fascinated by the randomness of objects left around the city.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little window into my neighborhood.
Have a lovely week!
Tidbits
Short today - I got too distracted by the sunny days of summer to find a lot of things.
August 20, 1959 - one day of The 1959 Project, a snapshot of jazz 60 years ago, every day
Making: So much art! I used my alcohol ink on the base of Michael’s latest pedal, and it worked great. I also got some new watercolors that are neon and metallic colors! I spent some quality time with them today so will have photos for you next week.
Recently eaten: we cannot get enough of Mahal Indian Cuisine. I know it hasn’t been long since we’ve eaten there, but we were in the mood for a good curry.
Reading: see above!
Videos of the Week
A pairing you can’t miss… a reading of H.P. Loveshack, and this very fine song.
Our second entry is the Museum of Failure. I’m a bit concerned they may have failed themselves… no new posts on Instagram since May 8th!
Question of the Week
If you feel like answering the question (or to just say hello), hit reply to this email. Answers will be shared next week - always anonymous.
Take a walk, long or short - it doesn’t matter. What’s the most interesting thing you see? Can’t get out for a walk? Play around with Google Maps street view and see what you can find.
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Last week I asked about your favorite color, or palette of colors that make you happy when you see them.
There’s a sea foam green that my mom had her interior home painted with I love but it’s hard to duplicate and it’s rare. A nice blue or green is my colour palette if you will but I also enjoy a nice neutral grey scale including blacks and whites.
There are a couple of color groupings that I enjoy - I like to see purples and greens together. The other palette I love is the gradation of yellow to peachy pink. I’ve seen dahlias, roses, and snapdragons with those colors.
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