Fishing for mail

This eye-catching mailbox lives at the new Black Bear Restaurant in Sequim. Black Bears are locally owned franchises and the ones I’ve been to in California and now here all have large carved bears adorning their landscape. The bears here are fresh, cute, and nicely executed.

Here’s a closeup of the fishing bruin. The knot in his cheek is a nice touch.

Today is Saturday and the bear can expect a mail delivery today. This may change by fall if the Postal Service gets its way. I saw a recent poll and it seems people on the Olympic Peninsula don’t seem to mind losing their Saturday delivery. Parcels will still come. I guess it’s no big disappointment if the bills don’t arrive until Monday.

Sharing with Weekly Top Shot hosted by Madge from The View from Right Here.

Happy Valentine’s Day

People who spend much time around me invariably discover that I tend to collect hearts. I don’t go overboard, but there are a few mugs with hearts, two heart-shaped bowls, some jewelry, the heart here and there in the home decor. Many years ago, walking in the desert, I began a collection of heart-shaped rocks found on rambles. The hearts that happen, the random occurrence in nature, are the most special to me. Those are my favorite valentines and I welcome them on any day of the year. So, naturally, when I discovered the random valentine in a bite of dinner it became a photograph. I know I pour love into my cooking. It’s nice to see the proof.

I hope you feel surrounded with love today and every day. It’s there if you open your eyes. Happy Valentine’s Day!

My three cents worth

Our Canadian friends are losing their pennies. The Canadian government ceased making them a week ago today and there’s a growing concensus that the U.S. should do the same. I’ve heard radio discussions about the numbers of seconds wasted counting out each penny in change, that costs could simply be rounded up, that it costs more to make the penny than it’s worth.

The sad thing is that it’s been so very long since a penny could buy anything. Sad because it makes me feel much older than I care to admit. But in the days when I bought the odd penny candy I certainly never imagined that oneday I’d “spend” most of my money with a debit card and rarely hunt up change of any denomination because I wouldn’t need it.

Lost in primroses

I was nearly overwhelmed when I came upon this display of primroses: flats and flats of bright flowers with the unmistakable sweet smell of spring. Now I think I know what a bee feels like when she happens on a trove of pollen. “Wow! Wait ’til I get back to the hive and share this!” I carry mine back in my camera.

Happy New Year to all my Chinese friends. May this Year of the Snake be good to you.