Hokium, through the years

I thought I had published this last year, but somehow I left it lingering in "drafts".
Hoquiam in the 1910's
1930's
1940's
1950's
and the 1960's
The photos shown today are from The History Link's Hoquiam history page, where I learned the earlier spelling of the name was actually Hokium. I think it's time to bring that back!

Books on 7th

We've signed a lease, and tomorrow we meet with the landlord to note any damage to the space and get the keys. Then, the fun can begin.. moving shelving and books and stand-ees and bookends and posters and books and the big table and the desk and books and.. and..

I keep thinking of more things I'll be needing over there. Of course, we already have all of it, it's just a matter of getting it into a box and moving it 4 blocks. I have been hoping we'll have dry weather and can move most everything by foot, on a handtruck. It'll be nice bragging rights to say this was an entirely Green move.

Stay tuned, I'll have more pictures tomorrow!

Toy Town

My dear friend Shini has posted a very cool photo editor, Tiltshift. You can play with the sliders and upload your final picture. And since I'm spending the day with my left foot elevated, it was a lovely way to play with some local scenery.
This image can turn into a miniature toy set:
If you have a strong vertical image, you may not need to tinker at all!
Remember the chainsaw artist in North Hoquiam?
I like this one a lot: the Lady Washington, docked at Westport.
I just had to play with this shiny picture of Roisin & HRM's hotrod.
The train tracks next to the Hoquiam River:
Just across the river, a train moves up the siding.
A crabbing dock outside Westport.



If anyone makes a cool picture, send it to me and I'll add it here!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Snowy hilltop.
Biggest snowpeeples in town. At least on the drivable roads.

The big storm haz hit

Mid-morning snows.









Poor birdies! We'll dust that off tomorrow and put out water. Birds have a hard time finding non-frozen water at these temps.













Rain is freezing on the windows! I have never seen weather like this!
























Update! Car spun out and pedestrians, and other drivers jumped out to help push! I love the friendliest town!

The Weather Report from Hoquiam

We have a couple inches of snow, and winds haven't been too bad. Overall, we are enjoying the Winter Wonderland.
Here's a comparison, Summer and Winter from the same window.

And another.



Stay warm!

Sunset Tonight

Looking at the Garden

It's a little intimidating, because I've been told by the locals this house and grounds were "the Crown Jewel of North Hoquiam!" and "I moved to the Harbor 25 years ago and that place was a Showcase!"

Here's a partial tree list, with pictures!

15 Rhododendrons
5 Azaleas
3 Magnolia


3 Apple Trees
2 Cherry
1 Fig
2 Pear


6 Peony plants
3 Blueberry Bushes
Striped Variegated Bamboo


2 colors of Wegelia
Snowball Tree
Hydrangea


Salmon colored Quince

Salmon Berries!
2 Japanese Maple
Lilac
Bayberry
Daylillies


Hardy Fuchsia
2 Camellias


And somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 roses. I'll try saving as many as I can, but they are on very aged and damaged root stocks.

Day One of Our New Life.

Here's a photo re-cap of the last couple weeks. We are eternally grateful to Rudy and Andy for pitching in and doing whatever needed to be done to get our butts moved. We really couldn't have done it without them.


The big truck of the household arrives in Aberdeen.

The cat who will not stay out of boxes any other time proved to be quite a difficult capture. Bubba is now quite happy in the new place.

There's a lovely dock just 3 blocks away.


The "new grandkids" get fishing lessons from a local dad.

Back to Seattle to empty out the storefront.

Still much to do, and we decide it will take one more truck.


The truck has a definite tilt. It must be the all books that lean to the left...


And now it's all in storage until the remodel is over.