That's Gneiss! #96 ~ Starting a new season
Welcome to September!
I am enjoying the three day weekend - I hope you’re taking a moment to appreciate the reason for our long Labor Day weekend. For many it signifies the end of summer, with one last hurrah before school starts up again. However, the holiday exists to recognize the struggle of workers for their rights - safety, security, and what today we call work-life balance. Since not everyone has the day off, please be kind to the retail clerks working the sales and tip your servers well if you have a meal out.
Ad I mentioned, the beginning of September signifies the onset of fall, even though technically summer isn’t over for about three more weeks. Or is it?
I guess you can take your pick! Who knew? Meteorlogical fall just makes total sense to me, so I’m going to run with that.
It really does feel different out there now. Leaves are starting to fall from the trees, and we’re starting to crunch our way along the daily walk. The air is crisp, and the days are getting shorter (noooooo). A Spirit Halloween store has opened nearby.
The spiders are starting to move inside. Fall is here.
Spiders are our friends - really! They just want to eat bugs, and look for mates. If you haven’t found a spider in your bathtub yet, it will no doubt happen soon. Here’s a handy spider ID guide, for those of you that live in Washington. Most of them are harmless, and will help keep your home free of other small pests. Personally, I’d just rather they stay out of the bedroom.
One common variety you’re likely to see is the Cross Orb-weaver. Nolan recently posted this photo to his iNaturalist site:
If you’d like to see the full-size photo, click here (it’s really quite amazing). Or don’t, if you’d rather not see every hair and web fragment. You might find his Bog Cranberry easier to look at if you’re not a spider fan.
Nolan and Mia visited this week as they passed through the area for work. They’ve been out looking for rare plants around western Washington for the last few weeks. It was great to visit with them, even though it was short.
This coming week we’re heading to Yakima to visit my parents. Hopefully I’ll have some interesting adventures to report back on next week. We’re really looking forward to taking the Challenger on another longer trip - first journey over the mountains!
Vroooom!
Enjoy the day off tomorrow, if you are so fortunate. We’re going to go try a new place for lunch, The Anchor Pub. Stay tuned to find out if it’s any good!
Until next week!
Tidbits
I bet you didn’t think of doing this with maps…
Update: the large trees from last week’s newsletter are Horse Chestnut trees. I walked by them and the conkers are starting to fall to the ground.
Recently eaten: I’m fessing up - I ate my first pumpkin spice item today. It was good, and I have no regrets.
Making: inking last week’s watercolors and alcohol inks, and new alcohol ink pieces (I CAN’T STOP)
Reading: I have way too many books sitting here waiting to be read. I am currently working on Trust No Aunty (hatecopy on Instagram) and Walking: One Step at a Time. Where is my second head to dedicate to reading while I do other things?!!
Wondering: why do I keep hearing fireworks? Or is it something else?
Videos of the week
Our first video is in honor of Labor Day, and all of the workers who fought to gain the benefits we often take for granted today. Thank you!
Our second video answers the question - how will a tsunami from a 9.0 earthquake affect the Washington coast and Puget Sound? Quite a lot, it turns out. Fascinating how the waves split as they hit the west side of Whidbey Island. My commute to work would get a bit sloshed… just a bit.
More videos from WA State Department of Natural Resources
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.
A few days ago a friend shared this video of some exceptional guitar playing - and what a gathering of greats sitting around him! Which guitar players do you find exceptional?
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Last week I asked you to go on a walk, and share an interesting thing that you saw.
While the most interesting things that I see will probably be cats, crows, and chickens, I did happen to see something a little unexpected on a walk recently.
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Insects are the most interesting thing I see on my walks!
Say no more…
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