Changes to the WP Admin Navigation – Revised Support

When I saw this post earlier I thought it didn’t apply to me since I use the Block Editor. But this morning when I logged into my Dashboard, clicked on All Posts and no longer had the list view I prefer I came back to this post and made the change to Account Settings as suggested,  and got my preferred view back. I only hope they don’t eliminate this option anytime soon.

SueW's avatarWeekly Prompts

“Was it you or I who stumbled first? It does not matter. The one of us who finds the strength to get up first must help the other.” ~ Vera Nazarian.

Not a Challenge and Comments are enabled.

Following on from yesterday’s post regarding the new navigation implemented on some of our sites. 

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Spring Green From Two Days in May

For this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge I found my best Spring Green from two outings last year in May. The Pandemic was well underway by then and we were finding solace in the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.

The first picture is from our walk in the woods at Millersylvania State Park near Olympia. It was our first time there and I’m reminded we need to go back.

The following day we took our little boat to Spring Lake, between Renton and Maple Valley. While Bob fished for trout I watched eagles overhead, and Canada Geese on shore with their chicks – the lumps you see between the pair.

As we trolled around the lake I experimented with some special camera functions for fun – not much else to do if you’re not fishing –

and was happy enough with the results. I have several gifted cousins who could paint these scenes but I didn’t inherit that gene. We do what we can! 🙂

~ Susanne

Daffodils of the Skagit Valley

On the sunniest day of the last week of winter I made the trek to the Skagit Valley and found the fields at Roozengaarde brilliant with daffodils. I excused my husband so he wouldn’t have to endure the waiting while I wandered around taking too many pictures – for over two hours. Right decision – we were both happy. 🙂

According to the Roozengaarde website, “The Roozen family business of growing Tulips, Daffodils and Irises is the largest in the world, covering Skagit Valley with more than 1000 acres of field blooms and 16 acres of greenhouses.”

It was great to be there midweek with only a few others visiting. It was also great to see the trumpeter swans and snow geese abundant in the valley as they fueled up for their long journey back to Alaska and Siberia. I’ll show you more of those beautiful birds in a coming post.

Sharing this one with Cee’s Flower of the Day.

~ Susanne

Bicycling The Foothills Trail with a Stop by Wilkeson

Nothing takes me back to childhood more than getting on a bike. And nothing keeps me riding today more than my electric bike. That, and a good bike trail!

We found one on a recent sunny day – the Foothills Trail – a 21 mile paved trail built on top of an old railroad bed. We started our ride in Orting – a small town with a big mountain – and headed to South Prairie on the most scenic section of the trail.

Mt. Rainier kept watch over the first leg of our journey,

till we passed through farmland

and intercepted the Carbon River.

The river’s source is the Carbon Glacier on Mt. Rainier, and got its name from the coal deposits found in the area.

We rode the 7.5 miles to South Prairie before returning to Orting, 15 miles roundtrip – not bad for the first trip of the year! By then we were hungry and went looking for lunch in Wilkeson, a short drive up the road.

Established in 1877 and incorporated in 1909, Wilkeson became known for its coal cooking ovens and natural sandstone. The town was recently featured in the Seattle Times and the Carlson Block Pizza was not only recommended but touted to be the best pizza in the state.

We found the pizzeria in the former Carlson Hotel, built in 1910. Unfortunately they didn’t open until 3:00 and we were too hungry to wait.

So we walked the short block through town;

not even stopping by the ‘coke ovens’ – though we did the last time we passed through Wilkeson on the way to Mt. Rainier.

It was here that raw coal was heated at very high temperatures to burn off impurities to make ‘coke,’ refining over 10,000 pounds of coal monthly, during its heyday.

We also didn’t stop by the school; built in 1912 from sandstone, it’s the oldest still operating school in the state. Wilkeson sandstone also provided the material for the Capitol Building in Olympia.

For lunch we went to Wally’s Drive-In in Buckley where the burgers were delivered to our truck fifties style. We could have sat inside and though the burgers were great maybe we should have ‘got ribs?’

We’ll be back to ride another section of the trail and time it right to sample some of that pizza in Wilkeson.

Here’s a link to the map if you’d like to join us! 🙂

~ Susanne

Surprised by Snow

Last week spring was here – maybe even summer – with blue skies, sunshine, and temperatures reaching 60 degrees. But this morning I woke to big, beautiful, sloppy snowflakes falling – winter’s last hurrah I guess.

I love the snow, but there’s a time and a place for everything – now is not the time for snow. Daffodils are blooming in the Skagit Valley and I plan to make the trek later this week – weather permitting – just as I did in 2019. There was no trip in 2020 and you know why.

Ready for spring in the Pacific Northwest! 🙂

~ Susanne

Black and White on the Oregon Coast

I don’t take many pictures in black and white but my favorites are from the Oregon Coast. A few years ago we took a trip down the coast in January, and stopped at Ecola State Park just north of Cannon Beach. The weather was windy and rainy but I’d never seen this view before and was determined to get some pictures anyway. I didn’t shoot them in black and white, these were the stormy conditions at the time!

We made a similar trip in June and it was just as stormy at Cannon Beach though this dog didn’t seem to mind.

Nor did my husband.

Down the road we stopped at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse – slide to see the original – prettier in color I think.

Finally I’ll close with a seagull who seemed happy to pose for me in black and white.

We’re already planning our next trip down the coast. Rain or shine, I can’t wait. 🙂

Inspired by Sunday Stills Photo Challenge, Black & White.

~ Susanne

Finding Beauty in Rainy Day Walks

I pretty much have to. I’m from Seattle where rain – or the threat of rain – happens often, especially November through March. And while we only get an average of 38 inches a year – far less than many other U.S. cities – it’s distributed over 152 days. That’s a lot of rainy day walks.

And so I get out with my husband and walking companion on this journey of life, carrying umbrellas, despite the myth that locals don’t use them. We do. When we remember.

We did remember at Federation Forest where all was lush and green and fragrant from the rain.

And at Point Defiance where we found raindrops on roses last fall.

And last week in Olympia, where the rain arrived just as forecasted, making everything wet and dreary and mousy brown.

But even then I found beauty in the raindrops on Capitol Lake,

and the song sparrow near shore.

Inspired by Sunday Still’s Photo Challenge: Rain.

~ Susanne

Benji – A Question of Heritage

“Hey Benji. I’ve been doing some research and it’s all beginning to make sense now.”

“What’s beginning to make sense, Sue?”

“You are Benji. Did you ever wonder where you got your beautiful, distinctive markings from? Especially your spotted belly?”

“You mean this, Sue?”

“Exactly Benji!”

“‘And your fur is so soft! Softer than any cat I’ve ever had.”

“Aw come on, Sue. I bet you say that to all your cats!”

“No really, Benji I mean it. You’re unique. Not only outwardly but you still have the energy of a kitten even though you’re 5 years old! I had a hunch so I read up on the Bengal Tabby and I couldn’t believe how much it describes you!”

“Go on, Sue.”

“Bengals are exceptionally intelligent and curious cats. They’re energetic, athletic, and love to jump and climb and perch on high places. Sound like anybody you know?”

“They’re also highly active and demand lots of interaction.”

“Okay Sue. I’ll embrace my heritage! But what’s your point exactly?”

“My point is Benji, it helps me understand you! If one of your ancestors was indeed an Asian spotted leopard – which is where the Bengal came from – that would explain your urge to jump and climb and play -nonstop. Why you run around the house pestering me and drop your toy at my feet again and again. I thought it was too much but now I know you’re just living out what’s in your genes. You can’t help yourself! See?”

“Sure Sue. Whatever works for you. Now can we play some fetch!”

“You got it Benji.”

~ Susanne and Benji

An Iridescent Kind of Morning

Okay I borrowed the word from an Instagram challenge but I thought it fit this morning’s sunshine in the garden.

Yes the bike is part of the garden. I had to laugh when I found it planted there by my husband a few years ago.

But he was right; it’s become a backdrop to the changing of the seasons.

Last month it looked like this.

Next month it will look like this.

It’s all good.

Susanne