A Good Run

I went running today.

The weather was cool, I was home earlier than all of last week, and I needed a shower anyway.

I smelled woodsmoke from someone's fire and apples as I ran past someone's apple tree.

Running here makes me feel like a wuss because there are hills - whereas in Texas and Louisiana where I used to run it was flat.  It doesn't help that I live at the top of a hill, so no matter which way I go, I have to finish by going up hill.

The part that really made my run good was that I saw 5 or more deer.  I slowed down - even though I was going downhill - to let them cross the road in front of me.  When I came back down the road later I saw one again.  I'm not sure if it was another one or the same one.  I am not sure when, if ever, I have been that close to deer.  It reminds me of having a bear cross the road in front of dad and I while we were biking one summer.  Even stranger was the day I had an alligator cross the road in front of me while I was driving.

I am thankful for a healthy body, a beautiful area in which to live, and the variety of God's creation.

It's Official - I live in Washington

As of this weekend, my Washington residence is official.

• I received my WA driver's license in the mail.
• A neighbor helped me put my WA license plates on the car (which included drilling a couple of holes in my front bumper - being from a one plate state it didn't even have an indent for a license plate).
• I received my voter registration in the mail as well.

One thing that might still be lacking is that I haven't been paid in this state yet so I haven't paid my state income tax - oh well, that will come soon enough.

Back in the Northwest

It has been below 70 in my house for a couple of days now (without air conditioning) - I even closed the windows!  I have voluntarily worn socks part of the day two days in a row - they are fun socks.  I even wore a sweatshirt when I went to school this morning.  The weather in the Northwest is definitely different than living in the south.  Although it takes some adjusting, I like it. :)

Another perk of being in this area is the fresh fruit.  Each meeting I have had at school so far has included home grown plums, compliments of our principal.  I have blackberries growing in my backyard, and some in my freezer (thanks dad).  This evening I made an apple crisp with local apples brought to me by one of my student's mom.  YUMMY!