Blogs from Vancouver, Washington, United States, North America

Today seemed like a great day to revive my old blog. Not a special day by any means, but a good day for reflection and to edit a lot of my former posts (HOLY DRAMA, BATMAN. Those entries had to change). Four days ago, I completed something that I never thought that I could: I hiked 30 miles in ONE day. Well 30.2 plus maybe another quarter mile to check out a viewpoint. But I'll get to that. First, an update. What a year it has been with COVID-19. Who knew that I would be sent home from work in March and told to telework until further notice. Who knew that "social distancing" would become the norm, and facial coverings would be mandatory whenever leaving the house. Who knew that life would change on a global ... read more

Bonjour à tous, Ce soir le Président Holland doit être bien déçu, la défaite des Bleus ne va pas aider à remonter sa côte de popularité, Ce matin la journée commence mal, au petit déjeuner, je me prends un verre de jus d'orange sur le ventre. Je me suis déjà exprimé sur le sujet, mais en Amérique du nord les gens ne savent pas faire un pas sans leur verre, leur café, ou quoi que ce soit à boire dans la main. Et à ça vous rajouter le téléphone dans l'autre main, les yeux sur le téléphone, et on avance, sans regarder devant. J'étais au grille pain, et une femme, assez imposante (Norme US), me rentre dedans sur le côté, et tout le jus sur moi. Les insultes sont sortis spontanément en Français. Si elle a ... read more

test from Patti's computer... read more

FORT VANCOUVER In 1818 the United States and Great Britain entered into a Joint Occupancy Agreement for settlement in the Pacific Northwest. The Brits did not give up easily on their notion of colonization in North America. They were persistent devils when it came to commercial enterprise. They wanted to expand their trade routes and open new markets for their goods. By 1821 the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Company had merged resulting in a trade monopoly for the British. The company was run with an iron fist by George Simpson at York in Canada. Fort Vancouver was opened on the north bank of the Columbia River in 1824 with John McLoughlin as Chief Factor. It quickly became the center of commerce and civic authority for a huge portion of the ... read more

Is it just me? Or has anyone else felt like time is fast and slow at the same time? I have the impression that it is a commonly shared feeling among mortals. I want this season to last, and I want the time to not drag by. Don't let me confuse you. I love Christmas time! No mistake about it. I love the Northwest and the evergreen trees. From Winter's first light dusting, of accumulated flurries of snowflakes covering my garden and lawn. To the fluffy marshmallow-y look of the heavy snow laden trees and mountains, under a beautiful blanket of glistening snow. Winters in the Northwest bring a certain reverence for nature, and you don't have to be a native or "tree hugger" to appreciate it. There is nothing quite like the feeling of playing ... read more