Two books have been traveling with me for many months.  Each is being read slowly, savored.  Allowed to resonate.  One, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte, is a shared reading with friends.  Every Wednesday afternoon a phone book club is held, discussing a few chapters at a time.  Speculations arise as to the fate of our characters.  Astonishment at what has transpired within the plot is shared.  General appreciation for the craft of the author is remarked. 

The second, The Paper Garden by Molly Peacock, has also been read in a similar slow fashion.  Bits at a time.  In a way one might consider it a book club reading of sorts.  Alicia Paulson mentioned it on her blog Posie Gets Cozy.  I suspect many of  her reader did as I did and found a copy for myself.  Mine came from the local library.  Their policy on renewals of checked out items being limited to three has forced me to return the book a couple of times.  It's a book to be read slowly.  To browse longingly over the beautiful detail of Mary Delany's paper floral "mosaicks."

In the still, unhurried quality of reading, these books have sat with me on park lawns, in restaurants, on a cozy sofa, under the trees of my back garden.  These little editions have traveled.  It makes me ponder about the words themselves.  Where have they been as they were being written by the writers?  What places have readers found themselves reading these lovely molded sentences?  Where will the travel to next?

InDependence Day

Deer, deck flowers, doggies (Devin and Daisy), dune buggy, ending with a big detonation of fireworks!

Birthday Celebrations

Patrick surprised me on the Saturday morning before my birthday with a present sitting on top of our antique radio in the living room. From all appearances it seemed to be a shoe box. I was gitty at thought of receiving the L.K. Bennett heels but admittedly deep down a little twinge of sadness snuck in thinking I wouldn't be getting the camera. Upon picking up the present though the weight of the box was a little suspect. I unwrapped the shoe box to find it said Rockport instead of L.K. Bennett. Patrick was up to his usual tricks. It was the Canon EOS 60D!!!! 

After stopping off at the local farmer's market for the deliciouslemon sugar crepes we headed to the Washington Park Arboretum to play with my new toy.  Patrick brought his Sony SLR camera as well.  We strolled out along the Foster Island trail.  Stopping now and again to take photographs.  Patrick was very helpful in providing me tips on how to adjust for different lighting and focus points.  We then made our way towards Marsh Island but true to its name the trail was more marshland than trail.  Without wellies to keep our feet dry and a little Cavalier to think of we turned back.  This was Daisy's first visit to the arboretum.  Her ears were perked, tail high and wagging, nose low sniffing around everywhere.  She seemed to being having just as much fun as we were.  The Wilcox Footbridge was our destination.  A couple with a small baby girl were having a portrait session along the bridge so we waited until the coast was clear and took a few photos there ourselves.  By this time our tummies were grumbling and so we packed up and headed home. 

The next afternoon found us on Kirkland Argosy day cruise.  The winds were blowing strong on the lake making for great sailing weather.  We saw a number of sailing boats out enjoying the day.  This leisurely cruise took us along the shores of the lake exploring some of the neighborhoods of Seattle and the east side.   One of the highlights included Bill Gates' home.  As the boat slowed in front of his house I saw a man strolling the grounds.  Perhaps it was Bill Gates himself!  His house is the reddish one with the adirondack chairs in front. 

My birthday day started quietly with tea in my favorite tea cup and a beautiful bouquet of peonies picked up at the farmer's market a couple days before.  Then it was off to celebrate my dear friend Teresa at her graduation ceremony from graduate school. 

   
Needless to say there was a lot of pomp and circumstance for this lady's birthday!!!