Dipping, Driftwood and Dogs

Smelt dipping today turned out to be a real bust!

Our first stop was the Cowlitz river next to the Hall of Justice where Steve watched the dippers pulling in net after net full of smelt on February 14. Today was a different story. Crickets were chirping; the only action we saw were the horde of sea lions and seagulls swarming the water seeking a snack.

Onward to Lexington. Traffic was horrendous but it gave us a chance to ask smelters if they got anything. Over and over again all we heard was "Nothing!"

Last stop was Castle Rock. No action at the boat launch and the only activity we saw were people on the banks, chewing the fat, holding their nets as everyone waited with baited breath for the few dippers to come up with a fish.  Never happened so we threw in the towel and called it a day.

After Steve left figured it was time to tackle the big driftwood from Willow Grove project looming on my crafting horizon.  First question was should large or small canning jars be used or should the glass globes pulled from storage be the ticket. After going back and forth, decided the globes were the winner.

Before

Filled each hanging globe with shells and pebbles from Arch Cape and added a battery-powered tealight. Looped a piece of twine onto each globe then nailed it in place to the driftwood.  Most difficult part of the process was deciding the best spot for my beachy art as space in Chateau Diva is pretty limited. Cleared out a corner and winner, winner, chicken dinner!  Turned out rather classy!

After

At one point during the crafting process I looked around and saw all the animals were lending their support. Stubbs on the bed, three-legged Lily on the floor, and Romeo aka Bully aka Butthead aka Donald Trump (due to his over 20 pound build) had taken over Stubbs dog bed.

The Circle of Life

Thankfully it's been a long time since I went to a funeral. However, attended one on Saturday of a high school classmate who passed recently. About seven months ago his cousin, another classmate, passed - both at 55. Sad.

Was able to catch up with another classmate I hadn't seen in years - probably since high school. We chatted about life then discovered we each had experienced a brain aneurysm, both on the left side. His was fixed with a long slinky type device they threaded into his groin and up to his head to latch on to the vein. Me, of course, had the craniotomy, shaved head, and five titanium clips. He did mention only 3% survive. In May it will be my 25th anniversary of beating the big one! Glory to God for that miracle!

After the funeral, Marie and I took a detour to visit "Bunny Hill" - a neighborhood famous for its abundance of bunnies. Several were basking in the sun, chewing on carrots in the yard, and looking cute.

After rabbit road, Marie and I stopped off at the Cowlitz River as she wanted to see the sea lions which are out in full force due to smelt. Have you figured out yet she's a big animal lover?

Yesterday after work she cajoled me into visiting Rainier where the sea lions frequent the marina dock. Alas, no sea lions there so we made our way to the river park for the dogs to play.

Took a vacation day tomorrow to go smelting with Steve. I don't care for smelt but it's always fun people-watching while I empty the net into the bucket.  Based on the last few mornings have a feeling it's going to be a cold one!

Published Poet

The February Columbia River Reader was just published so the haiku contest results are in!  One of my beach poems was selected for Publisher's Citation so that gives me a smile! 😄  Look closely and you'll see my poem squeezed in as the last one below.

Pink and Playhouse

Bit the bullet, stepped outside of the box and went pink yesterday! Abbie added it in darker so it will fade to a pastel pink. I'm really digging it.

Last night Marie and I attended a play at the local Longview cinema, which has been reincarnated as a playhouse. Marie had a $1 off coupon plus we received the senior discount. Actually, based on the attendees it looked like the majority received the 55 and older bargain price.  We ended up with seats that, on the electronic map, were the last row far, far from the stage. Ended up being a small auditorium so our 7 rows back was still quite close to the front.

The play was titled "Maybe This Time" and centered around on-line dating and the meeting of strangers. I had the ending figured out before intermission but the performances were above average. Took me back to acting at 14 in college plays with my family. Fun times and a lot of late nights.

As we exited following the end of the play, the actors lined each side of the foyer so we were able to give them kudos as we left. Was the first time attending one of these productions but it is going to be on my list for future Saturday nights options.

Valentine's Day 2020 in the Books

Valentine's Day 2020 turned out to be a red letter day.

Left for work early as it was my turn to provide Friday treats. Went with a pink theme - strawberry milk, yogurt, cupcakes, etc. Picked up a stuffed bear with box of chocolates to use as a raffle prize (yes, I'm unable to resist the HR in me when it rises its head!)

After unloading the pink bounty in the breakroom, walked over with coworkers to snag a latte. Tried coconut latte with almond milk. Good but strong - so strong I didn't fall asleep Friday night until about 1am.

As a thank you, our account manager decided to take my partner in crime at work, Pam, and I out to lunch. We were leaving when the receptionist said I had received a visitor- a man. She thought we had already left and told him so; he said he would return.

During lunch grilled Steve to see if it was him - it was smelt dipping in the Cowlitz so you never know. He said nope so I proceeded to ponder who my visitor might have been.

Walking back to the office who'd parked rig do I see but Steve's! A-Ha!  Came inside and there he sits with a big bouquet of Rose's just for me. And he didn't even go smelt dipping! He made a trip from Portland with the sole purpose of making me feel special. It worked!

When I arrived home there awaited another surprise - Marie had bought me a raspberry brownie cake!  Haven't sneaked a piece yet but it looks awfully tasty!

On this Saturday morning I got up, grabbed the dog, then went to Walmart for groceries. I'm playing with the idea of eating like a vegetarian or even vegan. The more I read and see, the more sense a plant-based diet makes. Therefore, grabbed a bunch of produce, brown rice, and beans to see where this goes.

After grocery store hit the car wash as the SUV was filthy. So filthy my hands would become dirty when I opened the door. Stubbs found the experience quite exciting and let the car wash workers know exactly how he felt by barking, snapping, and snarling.

Free vacuum token came with wash so vacuumed the rig, wiped down the inside and gave it a squirt of Glade Cinnamon Cedars spray. Much better.

Now here I sit at the hairdresser's freshening up my do.  Tonight Marie and I are attending a play in downtown Longview and my grays will not be making an appearance!

Change is in the Air

As always busy at work but did have one accomplishment this week that really tickled me pink!

We've had a process that takes forever to accomplish. We have to create a document, PDF it, open it, open another PDF document, attach it, save it, then manually email it to each client.  By simply attaching a document to the required form, it would remove all of those steps and be quickly electronically distributed. When asking about this last year, was told there were too many obstacles to doing this, IT won't let us, and it's always been done this way.

Well, I took this as a challenge! I was determined not to repeat the time waster process from last year!  Asked one of the big bosses about it, then pursued it with IT.  And guess what? We are now able to attach the document which will significantly reduce the time we spend distributing the forms. Like press of a button compared to the lengthy manual process. This made me so happy!!  It's not just improving the process but succeeding in a task that I knew could be done that gives me a thrill.  Hmmm, perhaps it boils down to the fact I always think I'm right so there's some underlying psychological condition that demands I prove it. Deep I know!

Moving on, due to no cable ended up following the Oscars via Internet updates. Coincidentally, just finished watching The Joker this last weekend so agreed with the Academy's choice of Joaquin Phoenix for Best Actor. Watching his acceptance speech, cannot believe the man has gray hair. Wasn't it just yesterday he was a little boy in Parenthood?  (Actually, was in 1989 - 31 years ago!)

Speaking of gray, my roots are coming in so it's time to dye my hair. Was toying with the idea of making a change. Maybe lighter blonde or even some pastel pink subtle highlights.  What do you think?? (The color - not the cuts.)

Have been scouring Pinterest for not only hair color but updos to tame my longer hair. Here are a few recent styles. Have actually done the faux hawk a few times along with the bun on top/hair down in back style.  And I don't give a rat's ass if these are not "50 and Older" recommended styles. A true diva does what she wants with her hair - rules be damned!

Beach Memories

The birthday beach trip is now a distant memory. However, there are a few pics not yet shared:

Last day at the beach.

Steve and Stubbs bonding, family pic, tasty cup of cardamom latte, and twinning at the beach.

Fantastic sunset.

Over 60 elk getting on their Pig-N-Pancake.

 Seagull King of the Hill.