Kingfisher Cove

Oh! It Was Awesome!

I mixed up some "seasoned" butter: Johnny's Dock, pepper, minced garlic, lemon, onion, dill, and fresh basil. John grilled it to perfection. We really love salmon and we eat it pretty regularly, but there is truly nothing that comes close to the awesomeness of Copper River. (They have to travel 300 miles up a ginormous uphill river in Alaska which results in extra firmness, flavor, and moisture. It’s worth every exorbitant penny—which is doable for just the two of us. It’s only available around here from now until about mid-June). Other members of the cast were my berry salad and garlicky broccolini. Mmmm.

Just had to share.

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Very windy outside, and it’s blowing in clouds. No deck fire tonight. So sad. The weather is supposed to suck the remainder of the weekend.

He Barely Caught the Bus

I got off work a little early yesterday with images of arriving to Harstine to enjoy a few hours of sunshine (in lieu of arriving when the sun is about to set), but Mojo was nowhere in sight. We drug our preparations out to give him time to appear, calling for him at regular intervals (that never works, but we never learn). I was so bummed because he’d missed the bus last weekend and then made us worry when he stayed gone for a long time after we returned home (early). Plus, this is a 3-day weekend. We don’t know if we’ll stay here at Harstine the whole time because the weather is supposed to deteriorate, but we really wanted Mojo to come along with us! Stubborn, independent brat.

John got the Durango all packed up and there was no more dawdling left to do. I set out extra food for Mojo and we were just heading out the door to leave when we heard the pet door do its yabbidy-yabbidy thing and we realized that the dogs were accounted for. Mojo showed up in the absolute nick of time! Glee! Squeee! (Yeah, I’d been trying to “communicate” with him, so who knows?)

He loves the ride.

(Here he’s lounging in the back seat of the Durango with weenie butts in the foreground because they always face forward over the console).

We tend to make a few stops along the way, for gas, groceries, Starbucks, and to pick up a Whopper Junior at Burger King; and he never tries to “escape” or anything. He just sleeps. He knows it’s a bit of a jaunt and always goes with the flow. And he absolutely loves it here. We arrive and I open the Durango door for him and he leaps out and does the kitty dance. Well, not that you’d likely notice. It’s a suave dance. Cool-cat dance. But I see it.

Here he is lounging on the bed on this fine day (he was out gallivanting all night – sounds like my son!)

It’s lovely out now, but it took a while for the marine layer of cold damp clouds to burn off this morning. John’s out cutting down some of the smaller trees that have to go for our house and I’ve been battling cobwebs. Literally! This camping trailer is awash in them and I finally remembered to bring along a duster-on-a-pole and I’ve been in attack mode. (Ew). When the light hits everything just right, it’s like the quintessential haunted house. Probably something I should have waited to do until the rain returned, but the sunshine gives me energy so… Mopped the floors, too! Go me.

And on tap for dinner tonight? COPPER RIVER SALMON!! Oh yum.

Back to clearing cobwebs.

~~~~~

P.S. I added an “update” to my last post… 

So Here’s An Example

Remember this? About my long ago former boss whom I’ve always had such a soft spot in my heart (plus it didn’t hurt that he is Sean Connery redux)? I’ve actually been in touch with him pretty frequently over these last few weeks, and a short time ago after an unrelated conference call that involved our business development guy over the possibility of a federal government project, I mentioned to him that he really ought to hook up with my mentor, Erik. Erik is the brain to pick about what it takes to get into the federal arena, plus he is the *king* of knowledge about our industry (architectural/engineering marketing). Our BD guy…lacks those insights. And that’s all I’m going to say about that. (Well, maybe). At any rate, I gave our BD guy (“K”) Erik’s phone number and email address. Like I said, this was a few weeks ago.

In touching base on a separate matter with Erik this morning, I learned that he is actually coming to our office tomorrow to meet with “K” and one of our vice presidents for lunch! As typical, “K” hadn’t mentioned this to me or my boss (Director of Marketing) because he views us as simply clerical. 

AND. It became clear in a conversation with the vice president who is also attending that lunch that “K” never once mentioned that it was ME who hooked him up with Erik — “K” took full credit for contacting him and “out of the blue” coming to the “understanding” that Erik could be a “valued resource.”

I’m going to make a HUGE point of lurking at the receptionist’s desk about 11:30 tomorrow morning to BE PRESENT when Erik arrives. (I’m sure I’ll get a great big bear hug!) And I’ll also make sure my boss is there to meet him, too, so that when “K” comes out to greet him, he’ll see that I/we totally have his number. Snarky evil man that he is. (And that’s all I’m going to say about that…heh).

Also? I’ll off-handedly mention (in front of “K”) to the vice president who is attending the lunch, “I’m so glad I gave “K” Erik’s number for this opportunity for you all to meet!”

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Update: Mission accomplished! Bwahahahaha!

In Which The Twilight Zone Is The Norm

Bizarre work day. There are lots of them, actually. This week isn’t about the massive sweatshop stress of meeting four deadlines (thank you, jeebus), but it’s had its share of Twilight Zone moments, that’s for sure. Every work environment I’ve experienced has had its share, but this one pretty much takes the cake.

Not only is our country threatened with being drug back (kicking and screaming!) to the 1950s/1960s with all the threats against women’s rights, but this company seems to luxuriate in that time warp. And no, there are no women in the top echelons of this company—or even the middle echelons for that matter—except for my boss, the Corporate Director of Marketing. She is the only one. And she is often “mistaken” as clerical.

And nobody listens to her. “Don’t worry your pretty little head.” She has a lot of great ideas. She’s common sense, not pie-in-the-sky. She is smart and savvy. Between she and I, we have a wealth of knowledge and understanding about architectural/engineering marketing. It’s not like marketing widgets. It’s about marketing professional services. We’ve both been doing it for a long time. But nobody listens. Held accountable, but not empowered.

I won’t go into the fine details of what all transpired today (because it’s industry specific and boring if you’re not in the A/E trenches), but I will say that there are a number of white-haired, stooped-over, highly paid men who really need to retire.

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In other news, Nate’s ship has returned to San Diego! Deployment is now history! The USS Halsey’s communications guy will eventually post pictures of their arrival on Facebook and I’ll grab them and put them up. But for now I’ll post this one, taken a couple of days ago on their way home from Pearl Harbor, performing their talent show stint for the Tiger Cruisers.

 

Hmm. Obviously garb they acquired in Oman. I wonder if people were cracking up like they were the last time?

This Independent Cool Cat…

…has been a passion machine ever since his arrival in the middle of the night. Whatta cat. Sometimes it’s scary how much I love him.

[Can you tell I’ve been drenched in the rain? Bad hair day fo shu…]

Sweet, Fast, Then Wet and Worrisome

Friday afternoon and then especially all day Saturday were Harstine Delight, with sunshine and critters and nummy grilled food and (for John) hard work. He might not totally agree with that “Delight” part. He traipsed the god-forbidding slopes and gullies and brush with his surveying device (theodolite) and accouterments to perfectly capture (or close to it) the trees that we must sacrifice to build our house, and to establish the house’s footprint. Huge job, and he didn’t finish because today dawned with pouring rain. We spent a few hours on the deck beneath the deck cover drinking coffee, watching squirrels fight, and playing with our “devices” as we hoped that the rain might subside and, you know, open up to blue skies and sunshine that we’ve become accustomed to these past several weekends in a row (unheard of!) Didn’t happen.

I did take a brief video of our pleasant time on the morning deck, though. There was no wind and the temperature was mild (aided by the toasty fire), so it was quite enjoyable!

Here’s John with his theodolite, siting across the gully to establish the house footprint. There are a number of trees with pink ribbons that mean they’ll have to go. *sob*

We took a beach walk and of course Bailey had to wade in the water. She always does. Regardless of the season or temperature! Wet dog!

It always cracks me up to see clam shells on the path. It’s quite a ways from the beach – these are likely from crows who grab a clam at the shoreline and then fly to wherever and drop it to crack it open and then eat the meat.

What’s interesting is that seagulls do this, too, and there is some evidence that the crows learned from them. (We assume these on the path were from crows because the seagulls just don’t venture inland).

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Right now, this all feels neither here nor there. Mojo missed the bus to Harstine on Friday early afternoon, and today we came home early because of the relentless rain. Here it is almost 10 pm and still no sign of him. I wouldn’t be stressing about this except that Mojo HATES the rain. I really want and need him to come home. I miss my kitty!

~~~~~

Update:  In the middle of the night, while I was deeply asleep, I awoke to wet paws on my arm and a loud P-R-R-R-R-R-R-R in my ear. Mojo's back!

I Actually Did It!

I survived this week. I’m telling you, I had my doubts so many times, accompanied by sleepless nights, a racing heart, and shortness of breath. Holy cow, the stress.

I met all four deadlines.

I really can’t believe it. It really shouldn’t even be possible. But I did it.

The last one was at 11:00 a.m. this morning, at the very last minute, and then I basically deflated — physically, mentally, emotionally. Put. A. Fork. In. Me. Yup, I was DONE.

I left work at noon (what a strange concept to drive the Viaduct at the actual speed limit instead of stop-and-crawl at one-mile-per-century) and we are now landed here at Harstine. Mojo missed the bus, though, and I’m trying to not feel awfully bummed about that. I know he’s fine, he has total access to food and water and shelter through the pet door — but I miss him. He adds such a colorful dimension here. (Way beyond his black and white!) Sigh.

At least the birds and chipmunks and squirrels can feel safe this weekend.

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[Eeeep! Twice now, when I’ve tried to insert a photo, my computer crashed with the Blue Screen of Death! WTF? I’m running checkdisk and other utilities in the background. I wonder if my laptop is on its last legs? Time to do a backup…] Update: Trying out a free trial of Carbonite backup service. For documents, photos, and music it’s only $59/year, which seems reasonable to me. I “liked” them on Facebook when they opted to stop sponsoring Rush Limbaugh.

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I keep peering around here at Harstine in disbelief that I’m here. It was so hard to think beyond the next minute this past week, and I’m just now beginning to feel the stress puddle around my ankles. It’s chilly, though! Sunny, but that constant streaming breeze is to-the-bone. Got steaks marinating so I’d better get them ready for the grill. I’m scared to try to include any pictures in fear of that Blue Screen of Death! I’ll try it again tomorrow…

Update: I included a picture and it worked without crashing my computer! Our weenies “ride inside!” :o)

Remembering

Happy Birthday, Mom.

And, rest in peace, Mom. (And also, Happy Mother’s Day!)

 

                             Lyla Miller

                 May 14th 1936 – May 14th 2006

Mother’s Day

I finally buckled down on this stellar, sunny, warm day and worked for over 3-1/2 hours out here on the Harstine deck. I actually figured I’d be working more hours than that, but I’m still waiting on technical input from others so I did as much as I could with what I had to work with. Something tells me this upcoming work week is going to be brutal.

It’s funny how, when you are so focused on what you’re doing, you don’t even notice  your surroundings. It’s true at the office, as well. If I poke up from my cubicle, I have a stunning view (if the weather’s clear) of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains and cruise ships and tankers and tug boats and ferries and seagulls. But I rarely have a chance to appreciate it. Now that I’ve packed all my work away, I can soak in this Harstine awesomeness (and have some wine!) Of course, the afternoon is wearing on and before we know it, it’ll be time to call it a weekend and head home. Hope Mojo shows his face when that time comes. He hung around us earlier, but he’s been scarce this afternoon.

John spent an exhausting several hours staking out the trees that will have to come down for us to build. It’s not a whole lot of trees, but the ones that have to go are mostly huge and stately Douglas Firs. It breaks my heart! They must be 100 years old!

In this view from the beach, see the wooded area to the left of those houses? That’s where our house will eventually go.

~~~~~

Mother’s Day is odd for me these days. I may or may not hear from Nate — being on Navy deployment means that contact is pretty random and iffy. I’m just embracing the fact that he’ll be home on leave in about 3 weeks. And it was 6 years ago on Mother’s Day that my mom died. (Actually, 6 years ago tomorrow, which was her 70th birthday, and it was also Mother’s Day that year). Hard to believe it’s been that long.

Beautiful Saturday

Ahhhh, Harstine. My healing place.

I was beyond frustrated when we arrived last night and discovered mouse shit every-damned-where. Including the silverware drawer! How do they even manage to crawl up to the counters? (And squeeze into the drawers?) I swear, the turds were on every surface throughout the camping trailer. Oh, the F-bombs! I just didn’t need to face that, not after all the work crap I’ve been dealing with all week. I come here to relax, to check out, to de-stress, to HEAL.

Then today dawned and I began to soak in the beauty that is this place. I actually did relax! Morning coffee on the deck with a fire in the fire thingy, birds chirping, squirrels chasing chipmunks in the habitat, Mojo assessing his strategies to capture/kill said birds, squirrels, chipmunks in the habitat. Mouse shit in the silverware drawer? I’ll get to it. Another cup of coffee, please!

Eventually I did deal with it and it’s done. Oh, and guess what? John found the culprit mouse last night — drowned in the toilet! (Have to say, I’m really glad it was him who discovered that…)

Scenes:

 

Yeah, I know I have to work. Pull out my memory stick, log into work-email, haul out my files, zero in on the gazillion details. I. Just. Can’t. Make. Myself. Do. It.