Packing for a trip about six years ago, Pushkin & Gorky cozied up in my suitcase.

Oh Canada

Beer reveries at the Park Way Tavern sketching tap handles when the woman on the next bar stool tells me her great uncle was Grant Wood. We talked art for a while. Then the barmaid sang “Meow meow meow, meow meow meow” for the chorus of Black Hole Sun and I don’t think my life will be the same.

Murals and chalk drawings.

2/2

Sunday morning bike ride in Tacoma.

Little Free Library stocked with fixings for an Easter basket, yard art with monster trucks, and more.

1/2

Souvenir bumper sticker from Third Man Records in Detroit.

Walking in the drizzling rain on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

A damp, drizzly November in my soul - and it’s only February.

In other news, happy frosty lunar new year- the year of the snake- and good luck to all the monkeyshiners venturing out in the fog in search of hidden treasures.

#tacomamonkeyshines

Flew our flag half staff with a black mourning band for the traditional 30-days to honor President Carter after his death. What’s the traditional time frame to fly at half staff for the death of your government?

The Tacoma varietal vitis vinifera collis is coming along nicely and promises an exceptional harvest for the traditional ice wine.

For those with a flag at home wondering how to fly Old Glory at half-staff in honor of President Carter, a solemn black sash draped from the top is an acceptable manner of mourning. Remember, it is not acceptable to fly the flag upside down…

#halfstaff
#flagetiquette

Meanwhile, where’s the uproar over this? No select committees crafting legislation banning cephalopods?

Stocking stuffers. From the Asian market in a package marked “What the Man!” Chestnut Man, Orange Man and Walnut Man. I wanna know “What the Backstory?”