Big horns

I’ve seen these big horned cattle in a field around this time for the last couple of years. They’ve usually grazed some distance from the road, but recently moved into camera distance to sample low hanging branches on a tree.

I know the difference between a bull and a cow, but that starts pushing the edge of my cattle knowledge. I assume the horns come with the breed. And I didn’t have a chance to confirm if this is a bull or a cow. Anything much bigger in the animal world than a Labrador Retriever commands my respect – and distance. This critter retreated to the other side of the tree after it consented to its portrait.

Memorial Day

Ahhhh! Today’s Memorial Day in the U.S. Long holiday weekend. Got the watermelon? Check.

Barbecue fired up and ready? There are plenty waiting at the hardware store if the old one didn’t make it through winter. Check.

Flag flying? Check.

Now, if you haven’t already done it, it’s time to thank those who’ve fought and served, and send a prayer of thanks to those who’ve lost their lives in the service of their country.

Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, 2

Here are more shots from the Juan de Fuca Festival. Here’s the fiddler from The Burren Boys, left, the group that kicked off our day yesterday.

I loved the music. If you want to hear audio clips, check out the Juan de Fuca website for links that will lead you to performer music. But I also loved the visuals. This was a play of light against Anna Tivel, a gifted musician, singer and songwriter.

Here’s Anna in the flesh.

There used to be a bumper sticker that read, “Use an accordian, go to jail.” Music snobbery, now dated. This woman from The Barbary Ghosts from San Francisco rocked it with sea chanteys, ballads, and drinking songs. I was completely taken with the beautiful detail of this accordian. It wasn’t your father’s accordian, that’s for sure.

Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, 1


It’s Memorial Day weekend, time for the annual Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, four days of live music, dance, and art. It kicked off yesterday. We love that you can get front row seats if you arrive early and hear music until your ears get full. We’ve heard great local and regional groups in addition to bigger names from further afield. Four days of virtually nonstop entertainment.

The Shook Twins from Portland, a terrific act with great music.

Highway 101 widening

A 3.5 mile stretch of Highway 101 is being widened between Sequim and Port Angeles to the west. Big swaths of land are being cleared to add a second lane in either direction, dramatically altering the look of the land.

The work and the changes are a big distraction to drivers and many aren’t accustomed to the caution necessary to drive safely in a construction zone. There have been three accidents in this zone in the last two or three weeks, the most recent including a fatality. As drivers have slowed or made a turn they have been rear-ended, causing chain reactions that have sent cars into ditches and spinning into oncoming traffic.

The man who was killed this week did work in our home shortly after we moved here and was a very nice, kind, and gentle soul. I don’t care how impatient one can be with traffic, or how late. Nothing justifies ending a life like this because someone’s following too closely. Locals, please drive like your life depends on it. It does.