End of the Year Scavenger Hunt

You're expecting a wrap-up of 2015, aren't you? Here's the condensed version: longest temp job ever, longest summer ever, documentary produced and shown locally on PBS (you can see it here). That's nothing compared to what 2016 holds in store - selling up and moving back across the pond!

But let's not get too far ahead. It's still the holidays and all, so let's just chillax and do the year-end Scavenger Hunt. Thanks as always to Greenthumb for hosting!

Guess what our list consisted of this month -- lots of holiday-themed prompts, so you get to relive Christmas! I took some of the photos on my recent beach retreat in Newport, Oregon.

This was in a gift shop window -

JOY

If you go to Newport, DO NOT get a hotel on the bay, where the sea lions hang out. They are very, very noisy!

TOGETHER

Our (artificial) Christmas tree at home. The extra-bright lights in the middle are were the only original lights still working. They've blown out now, and it's nicer with fewer lights.

TREE

I remember this crow ornament from as far back as I remember Christmas. I don't remember it ever having a hanger; it always just sits in the branches.

ORNAMENT

Decorated light posts by the beach, and unbelievable blue sky when I arrived in Newport.

LIGHT

Christmas-surround!

CHRISTMAS

In a different shop window -

SPARKLE

I decorated these little tins and filled them with chocolates for Christmas gifts. You can see more here.

GIVING

Is it any wonder my clothes are tight?

FOOD

Staying in bed to read and drink coffee. And then tea. And have some cookies. So, yeah, tight clothes.

RED

I seem to have missed KITCHEN, but here's my WHATEVER. This sea bird looked like a rock until I walked by and it brought its head out from under its wing.

And squawked at me.

Now we've relived Christmas, time to celebrate the New Year.  

 Happy 2016 - spread peace, love and understanding!

Val

So much water the earth must be tipping

Have you heard about the wet and wild weather on the Oregon coast - incessant rain, flooding, wind, high surf?  Perfect time for a beach retreat, don't you think?

I went to Newport, which sits right at the corner of Pacific Ocean and Yaquina Bay.

Surprisingly, it was sunny with blue sky on the day I arrived, probably the last blue sky until July.

I stayed at The Whaler Motel, which was lovely - immaculate, fantastic view from every room, large swimming pool and spa, plus small gym. The staff were very nice, and there was an off-season discount - thank you, Santa!

It was an easy walk to Nye Beach, with its quaint shops.

There's something about seaside towns - all the maritime kitsch and clapboards, the never-ending struggle against the elements.

The green building is the Sylvia Beach Hotel, which is known for its author-themed rooms, comfy library, communal meals and a ban on phones and wifi. I thought about staying there, but I wanted solitude, and yes, I wanted wifi.

 Here it is from the beach, at dusk.

And here's my motel from the beach. 

This is so misleading. It does not sit alone on an isolated bluff - there are other motels just out of sight, but nothing gets in the way of the beach.

The blue sky didn't last, and most of the time I was out it was windy and wet. My waterproof jacket drained straight onto my jeans, which then soaked down into my rubber boots. It was bloody cold!

But when I was watching the incoming tide thunder against the craggy rocks at Depoe Bay and Boiler Bay, I could have stayed forever - it was exhilarating!

Val

Generation

Ladies, you are all so wise! I do appreciate your comments on my last post about my work dilemma. You didn't let me off the hook. Of course, I was hoping you'd all say, Forget the job! Do your art! Live life on the edge!

But you didn't.

You basically told me to be sensible and try to earn some money while I can. Which is wise. I realize I was just completely drained from sleepless nights and stress at work, and was having some bad days. I put in my application for the open position and will wait and see what happens.

In the meantime, we have a teenager in the house. What an experience! I never had kids of my own, and I became a grandmother after only four years of marriage. And now that baby is almost 15, wearing way too much make-up and traveling on her own.

When she was here four years ago with her mum, she met my neighbor's "granddaughter" and they became friends in the span of a few hours. They kept in touch via Facebook, and now have spent the last three days together going to school and camping! I'm so glad she's having a good time with someone her own age, and I'm so glad she's expanding her horizons and seeing what potential the world holds for her.

Since we ended up having the weekend to ourselves, Mr. S and I have been gardening. Not our favorite passtime. One honeysuckle is full of aphids, so I had to cut off a lot of the blossoms. But, the other one is just starting to bloom, and smelling heavenly!

There are snails everywhere.

That's a snail on his belly, not an outie.

Or rather, there were until I relocated a couple dozen of them to the park across the street. Is that wrong?

Tiny, tiny flowers - I love these because they choke the weeds!

Okay, that's enough excitement for now. Time to sit outside with my book and take it easy. Enjoy!

Val

What a long, strange month it's been

First, thanks to those who read my last post, which was kind of long, but hopefully not boring. I just wanted to get that story written down, especially after I found the news articles about La Professoressa. It was all true, and no, I'm not going to put in a link to the news stories because I think it's best if I don't reveal her name!

Second, if I haven't been around to visit your blogs, I apologize. Who knew being unemployed would be so time-consuming? Besides registering for Unemployment Insurance, and Job Search, and checking out health insurance, and applying for jobs, I've also been dealing with long-distance family stuff, and looking at options and possibilities to go freelance with editing/proofreading/writing. I feel pulled in a lot of directions at the moment! I need lists, lists, lists or I'll never survive!

For now though, I'm posting my Scavenger Hunt photos, plus hanging out with some of my other favorite link-ups (because I aim to be efficient). So without any further ado and in no particular order, here we go!

10AM
This is the good side of unemployment - totally casual.

Linking this up with Visible Monday (I was visible riding my bike to run errands) and 52 Pick-me-up, where the theme is Minimalism.

B is for BEACH

I got a few pictures on my last outing.

HABITAT

WATER (too easy, really) 

MANMADE

CALM

OPEN

I used this photo in the last Scavenger Hunt and once before that, so it also fulfills the prompt  
YOU AGAIN!

SPOON

A gift from my brother- and sister-in-law. On the back it says C. Boyes, S. Africa.

STEAM

Making my latte in the morning - and taking a picture at the same time.

SOCCER

The best I could do was take a picture of the TV in the lead up to the World Cup. 

PUPPET

We bought this to use as a prop when my husband recorded some readings of one of his books. You can see part of the puppet in this video (viewer discretion is advised), and there's a gadget on my sidebar that should take you to The Prisoner's Tale on Amazon.

Does he make you nervous? I don't like being alone with this guy. And he's been drinking the expensive vodka!

Come and check out the link-ups - the laundry can wait.

Val

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

I'm not going to give you some saccharine phrases about attitude or inspirational photos of a tropical beach at sunset and a smug, but perfectly coiffed model staring at the horizon.

I'm going to give you this.

Friday the 13th was my first day unemployed - a very lucky day indeed - so I went to the beach.

The weather was completely different from when I was there three weeks ago with Anne, but I had the same scarf and, surprisingly, the same nail polish!

The beach had been completely rearranged, with rolling sand berms and driftwood everywhere. I imagine the same weather conditions that fed Hurricane Cristina had something to do with this. We had strong winds 50 miles inland the other day, and it was obvious the beach got a spanking.

Except for the Corps of Engineers ship going in and out of the river entrance, I had the place almost to myself.

I walked, I ate a picnic lunch, I wrote in the sand and talked to myself - loudly. I walked in the cold water as long as I could and let the waves chase me in and out. I took a lot of photos for the next Scavenger Hunt, and I kind of just played.

I didn't see another human being for over an hour!

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always our self we find in the sea. e.e. cummings


Val