“A” Town is the Best!

January scurried by so crazy it’s hard now to remember the days: Exception: Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle and fabulous Argentine Tango Performance and Dance at The Anacortes Depot.

J Chihuly Garden and Glass

But twelve days thus far in February in Anacortes make my heart and head think of Wordsworth and C.S. Lewis referring to the phrase “surprised by joy.” An old hymn also comes to mind-“Count your blessings, name them one by one.” Those blessings are Our wonderful A-Town! Normal winter rains, then blue skies shining on colorful bulbs. Rhodies and Camelias already in bloom and even the mowing of some lawns! Walkers cheer. Is winter over so soon? Probably not. Here’s a portrayal of our bay’s watercolors on one of those better days.

Movies seen: Spotlight, The Finest Hours right here in town. Enjoyed my Bas Bleu book club, laughing over a fun depiction of a Seattle Microsoft fictional family. A must fun read.

A birthday party at Gere a deli. Surprises in a small town. I go and discover people who I didn’t know knew the birthday girl. A weekly tango lesson at the Depot, client work in this hot market, early packing for Mexico trip and the list goes on!

Herons. Snow geese. (after never being in the right place at the right time) and enjoying the usual family of eagles near the Edison bridge.

Last night the Camera Club assignment was to share black and white images. I can’t think of anything more appropriate than sharing one I took several years ago at the Pirate Show. Bill Mitchell, our well-known Mural-Man.

But the crème de la crème of the week was “The Final Chapter”– the selling off at Scott Milo gallery of the remaining art work from Dick Garvey’s estate. I bought two incredible photos. As I write this, I am looking at my signed copy of Dick’s book “The Western Waltz” I bought before he passed.His words to me : “Ruth, keep up the truly good work. And remember to always come closer.”

And even more memories for me as I read my dedication to him in my own published photo book, “Give me the Blues,” which he titled and never got to see.