Lavender Season

A Meditative Moment at Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm

With the onset of summer, Sequim residents are beginning to see the color purple, not only in our local farm fields, but just about everywhere in town – and some are even seeing it in their mirrors, like my very enthusiastic neighbor, who recently dyed her hair purple.

It’s a season that most of us look forward to with pride and anticipation since Sequim is the lavender capital of United States, and Google now AI agrees:

“Sequim, Washington is widely known as the “Lavender Capital of North America”. This small town’s unique climate, characterized by a “rain shadow” effect from the Olympic Mountains, creates an ideal environment for growing lavender, similar to the Mediterranean. The town hosts the annual Sequim Lavender Weekend and festival, attracting visitors to its numerous lavender farms and fields”.

But if you’re concerned about the influx of tourists and the onset of traffic, the rise in prices, or ? keep in mind that every dollar earned through those lovely and fragrant flowers is keeping Sequim alive and lively – and would you have it any other way?

Yellow Waves of ?

Farm on East Anderson Road

Like many other locals, I drive by this farm quite often and this time of year, I asked the same question I did last year….just what are those beautiful yellow wildflowers we’re all seeing; could they be mustard, buttercups, canola, or…what?

Aside from my attempts to resolve the mystery, I love indulging in the color against those slate blue mountains and the powder blue sky. I only wish there was roadside parking…just think, we could sit, indulge our senses in the beauty of farm, sip on a cup of coffee, and thoroughly absorb the splendor of the day and good fortune in living where we live.

Moody Blues

Farm with a View, Pt. Williams Road

I think I need a bumpersticker that says, “I Brake for Drama” because this scene had me applying the brakes way before I reached the farm in the foreground; our cloud coverage that day was so spectacular that even the mountains paled in comparison.

And as you can see, the Blue Hole, that Sequim is so noted for, was poking its way through, reminding us that although rain maybe forthcoming, it won’t be long before we’re back to sunshine and pretty blue skies.

April Showers

A Roadside Farm Field with the Olympics / Hurricane Ridge in the Distance

As residents of this incredible community, we’re blessed to have views that most Washingtonians and many others can only dream about.

And on this particular day, I found this farm field off of Old Olympic Highway to evoke nothing but quintessential Sequim. Although dark clouds may cover the landscapes, we have the “blue hole” to focus on, and May flowers on the horizon as well.

Enjoy!

FAKE NEWS ALERT – Not Gone After all!

Sooo, I’m not sure how to say this but, my post this morning is totally inaccurate – so fear not dear readers, the building is STILL THERE, at least for now, as is the other smaller shed.

And although there is a bulldozer and other heavy equipment on the property (see below) as well as a lot of debris (aside from the blue bins), I’m blaming my mistake on the recent time change, but please forgive me nonetheless!

And…best wishes for a great day!

In the Neighborhood

It seems that on any given day one can drive through Sequim and/or the surrounding area and see calves being born.

This particular Jersey was born in February, 2023, at the Dungeness Creamery, and I suspect that by now, she’s providing milk and cream to our local population, or perhaps she traveled to another farm with a new owner or family.

Regardless, spotting her nursing, after hobbling and shaking to reach her mama after emerging into the cold was just the kind of visual motivation I needed to press on with my day, undeterred by any fears of failure, or reservations of acceptance. 

And knowing that mama’s there to assist along the way, either in spirit or in the flesh, is often the ultimate motivation.