Washington Cascade forecast

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Updated July 25,2012
Forecast for this weekend July 28 and July 29 indicate a ridge of high pressure and dry conditions. The extended forecast for the first week of August suggest the ridge of high pressure stays in place for mostly dry conditions and above normal temperatures. The map below shows this pattern with a ridge of high pressure over the West Coast. The map is at 18,000 feet.
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KUOW- Hike of the Week Lake Valhalla

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Updated: Tuesday July 31, 2012
This located at Stevens Pass. Wildflowers are in prime time mode.
All photos from Maria Lamarca Anderson
Photo below is Lake Valhalla and Lichtenberg Mountain


Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials

Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 144. Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/

Photo below shows hikers on the way to the lake

Photo below is paintbrush. One of hundreds on flowers along the trail
Photo below is Heather in this rock garden
Photo below is one of the small snow patches that you cross (easy crossing)
Photo below is Michael Fagin sitting on a rock near the lake smiling because it is lunch time
Photo below is Maria Lamarca Anderson taking nap near lake after lunch and photography shooting
Photo below is on the way back looking south towards Mt Howard
Driving Directions: From Seattle take Highway 2 to Stevens Pass. Park across street from the Ski area (north side of the Highway). The trail is at east end of the parking lot.
Trail stats: 11 miles round trip and 1500 foot gain. High point is at 5000 feet.

KUOW Hike of the Week: Noble Knob

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Updated Monday 8-6-2012
Visit this old lookout which is off of Highway 410 just east of the town of Greenwater.
Photo below is view of Mt Rainier close to  the top, photo by Dennis Long
Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 238 and 239. Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/
Photo below is view down to George Lake, photo by Karen Sykes


Photo below is view from the top of Noble Knob, photo by Karen Sykes
Photo below is view of Mt. Rainier from close to the top, photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is bear grass flower, photo by Dennis Long
Driving Directions via Short cut: (Provided by Karen Sykes and Dennis Long) Getting there: From Greenwater on SR 410 continue about 2 miles to FS Road 70 and turn left. Take FS 70 for 5.8 miles then turn right on FS Road 72. Take FS 72 for 0.6 miles to FS 7220 and turn left. Take 7220 for 1 mile to FS 7222 and turn right onto FS 7222. Finally take FS 7222 for 5.7 miles and look for wide spot and park. There is an unsinged trail going up on the right and this is trail 1184. .
Trail Stats via short cut(provided by Karen Sykes and Dennis Long)
4 miles round trip with starting elevation at 4888 feet and Noble Knob at 6011 feet
GPS waypoints: Trailhead: where we started along Rd 7222
N 47-03-55 W 121-30-06 (4,888 feet)


Directions via longer hike via Coral Pass From Enumclaw, drive east on State Route 410 about 31 miles and turn left (north) onto Corral Pass Road (Forest Road 7174). Drive 6 miles to the trailhead on the left, near where the road hooks south (elev. 5700 ft).

Trail stats via long way: About 7.4 miles and 500 foot gain

Directions and trail stats are our best estimate however please have a good local map and or a GPS unit.

Extended Weather Washington Cascades

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Issued August 8, 2012
Extended forecast models through at least August 18 indicate a strong ridge of high pressure that will remain over the Northwest for much of the time. We will get occasional weak troughs of low pressure (like today 8-8-2012) that move into the region for some minor cooling and chance of a few mountain showers. However most of the period we can expect warm and dry conditions. The 500 mb chart below (18,000 feet) confirms this ridge of high pressure over the Northwest which generally brings dry and sunny conditions.

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Extended forecast Washington Cascades

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Updated Monday 8-13-2012

Extended forecast models  keep the ridge of high pressure in place for much of the period between now and August 27. The ridge will periodically break down, like this weekend 8-18 and 8-19 for some minor cooling and chance of showers. However the tendency will be for the ridge of high pressure to rebuild. Thus, temperatures will tend to be above average and below average precipitation with this type of pattern. See forecast map below which is the average postion of the ridge of high pressure at 500 mb (18,000 feet).

KUOW Hike - Bear Cr. Mt & Annette Lake

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Updated Tuesday 8-14-2012
Bear Creek Mountain east of White Pass in Goat Rock Wilderness. Best days to go are Tuesday through Friday. Chance of thundershowers this weekend.
Photos and directions from Dennis Long
Photo below is lupine field with Goat Rocks in background
Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 303 and 304 . Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/
Photo below is on the way to the top through the meadows
Photo below no shortage of lupine
Photo below is from the top with Goat Rocks in background
Driving directions: From Seattle to go Highway 12 to White Pass and drive east till you get to FS 1200 (Clear lake Rd.) Take this to FS 1204 all the way to the trailhead near Section 3 Lake. Need high clearance vehicle for last several miles. Good map and directions Critical. . There was a Subaru at trail. Trailhead waypoints . coordinates. 46-33'-21", 121-18'-43" Trail Stats: Start at 6000 feet go to 7337 feet. 3.5 miles one way. Trail 1129 to trail 1130 to trail 1130A.Directions are our best estimates. Please bring map and compass and or GPS.

Option 2 Hike: If you are looking for a hike that is closer to Seattle Lake Annette is a good oneThe Annette Lake Trail climbs steadily and sometimes steeply up the western slope of Silver Peak. The first 0.75 of a mile crosses old clear-cuts, finally entering into old growth on the south side of the Iron Horse Trail. From here, the switchbacks continue up the mountain for two miles and level out in the last mile before the lake. It ends near the lake outlet. Good campsites exist beyond the outlet, on the southwest section of the lake shore.
Driving directions:Exit #47 from I-90. Turn south at the first stop sign and then turn left on FS Road #55. Drive 0.25 mile to the large parking lot on the right. The trail begins at the east end of the parking lot, up the gravel road and to the left.
. Just click link below for more detailshttp:// http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/annette-lake>
Photo below is of Lake Annette, Photo by chienhtsai

KOUW Hike of the Week- Spray Park

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Updated Tuesday 8-21-2012

Hike is Mt. Rainier National Park. Flowers are still abundant and so is Mt. Rainier view.
All photos are from Nick Eckstein.

Photo below is view of Mr. Rainier from Spray Park
Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 269S . Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/
Photo below is of Mowich Lake-this is where trail starts
Photo below is of Spray Falls
Photo below are the  flowers in Spray Park
Photo below are Avalanche Lilies in the Park
Photo below is of Hessong Rock from Spray Park


Driving directions: From Enumclaw drive  west on State Route 410 to Buckley. Turn Left (south) onto SR 165 and proceed through Carbonado. Just beyond the Carbon River Gorge bridge, bear right onto Mowich Lake Road. Follow the road about 17 miles to its end; the trailhead is at the far end of the Mowich Lake Campground.

Trail stats:  7.5 miles roundtrip with a 1600 elevation gain. High point 6400 feet.

Extended Weather Cascades

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Issued Wednesday 8-22-2012
There will be some cooling over the region during the next several days and chance of some mountain showers on this Thursday and Friday. Then some warming over this weekend followed by chance of showers early next week 8-27 and 8-28. The extended models bring some warming and dry conditions by September 1. The map below indicates this dry pattern for 9-1 with a strong ridge of high pressure.

KUOW Hike of the Week- Burroughs

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Updated Tuesday 8-28-2012
This hike is started at Sunrise Visitor Center Mt Rainier National Park.
All photos by Maria Lamarca Anderson and you can view all of her photos of this hike  on facebook.http://https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.455840097781884.109401.100000676939214&type=3&l=5168be79fc >

Photo below is from Burroughs Mountain of Mt. Rainier up front and close
Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 269S . Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/
Photo below is the moonscape type of landscape found
Photo below is of momma goat and baby- keep distance
Photo below is of Frozen Lake
Photo below is sun is starting to set
Driving Directions: From Enumclaw, drive east 43 miles on State Route 410 to the Mount Rainier National Park White River Entrance. Go up to the Sunrise Road and and park at the large parking lot and visitor center.

Trail Stats: 7.4 miles roundtrip and 1000 foot gain.Directions are our best estimates. Please use map and compass and or GPS.

Do not feed animals
If you encounter a goat here are some suggestionshttp:// http://www.wta.org/signpost/mountain-goat-basics-give-the-goat-the-trail-1 >

KUOW Hike- Melakwa Lake

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Updated 10-2-2012

Great hike near Snoq Pass and just west of the pass. Great hike rain or shine.
Photo below is one of the waterfalls
Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 207 . Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/

Photo below is river crossing- during hot summer day many folks would be in the water.Photo below is fall colors
Photo below- you will find happy hikers on the trail
Photo below is Melakwa Lake
Driving Directions:From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 47 . Turn left over the overpass and proceed to a  junction. Turn right and travel 0.25 mile to Denny Creek Road (Forest Road 58). Turn left and drive 2.5 miles, turning left on the paved road just after the Denny Creek Campground. The trailhead is at the road's endTrail Stats: 9 miles roundtrip and 2300 foot gainPlease bring map-compass-GPS as our directions are the best estimates

I am retiring....

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Tomorrow is the teacher in-service.  This is the "official" start to the new school year.  My official start, on the other hand, was Monday when I conducted a three-hour grammar review for in-coming students - and that start continued today when I administered the required grammar proficiency test.  The in-service tomorrow will be from 8:30 - 3:00 and then Thursday night is back to school - when we meet with the parents of each class for a whopping 8 minutes to try to explain all that we plan to accomplish over the course of this academic year.

I am normally quite ready for school to start again - and I must admit that I do have some anticipatory butterflies in my stomach that accompany this fresh new beginning.  I still enjoy shopping for school supplies (there is nothing like the feel of a brand new spiral bound notebook or an unopened back of BIC pens just waiting to document snippets of truth gleaned over the course of the year) -  but this year feels a bit different.  Perhaps it is because my summer was filled with angst that never quite allowed me to fully relax and recuperate from the past academic year.  Or perhaps it is because last year was a challenge on so many levels that I am a bit leery of what this year may hold.  But mostly I think....it is because I am preparing myself for retirement.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this profession - calling -vocation.  It sought me out...and while I did not willingly heed the call, I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.  But for quite sometime now I have felt that it is time to move on.  Last May I gave notice - three years' notice - and let them know that I will officially retire May, 2013.  This feels right for a variety of reasons, but mainly, I will be 55 years old and that is a very respectable retirement age.

I still have three more years to teach - and I hope to impart as much knowledge as I ingest.  This year I plan to try to the concept of the "flipped classroom" - which will be a huge learning experience.  Next year I will drop the freshman English class in order to free up some time from grading all those papers.  And the following year....well, that will be the last hurrah.

I am ready.  But I am determined not to wish my life away.  I look forward to the classes I will teach this year:  English 8 (with 16 students); English 9 (with 10 students); Brit Lit (with 7 students); Yearbook (with 7 students); high school grammar (with 7 students); and college level English Comp (with 13 students) ---- but I also look forward to a new chapter in my own life.

An Answer to Un-asked Prayer

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I am in a good place.

It took a while to get here - and I know I can always improve but....I am in a good place.

I won't go into much detail here, although perhaps detail will be forthcoming, but suffice it to say that I have maintained a good writing regimen since February.  I have maintained my morning pages via 750words, and in February I also developed a devotional routine, which has me reading two different devotionals at YouVersion (Rick Warren's - Decade of Destiny, and Joyce Meyers' - Promises for your Everyday Life).

While my summer was far from perfect, I must admit that this writing routine, coupled with Patti Digh's Verb Tribe for Teachers, helped me to maintain perspective and find peace - something that has been lacking in my life and I have wanted for years.

I went to our teacher in-service yesterday ready to start the year.  I was teaching more classes than I wanted, but I knew that retirement was a mere three years away, so I was willing to continue.  I adore my school - I love the administration - I respect the families - and like most of the students :)

But yesterday I learned that life could be even better than I ever thought possible.  And again, without too many distracting details let me just say that I went into the meeting prepared to teach my full course load and I left the meeting lighter and freer than I ever anticipated.

There was a teacher there who wanted more classes - and who was more than qualified to teach the classes that I felt most inept.  It was a win-win situation --- for the two teachers involved as well as for the students.

I never bothered to pray for my teaching schedule to be reduced.  And yet....I desperately wanted it to be reduced.  I have wanted it to be reduced for two years.  At this time in my life I feel as though I have too many other interests to pursue:  writing - photography - a greeting card ministry.  And as I have heard so many times before:  if not now....when?!

And then I received this little love-gift from God.  Without asking for it in prayer - He knew my need and granted the desire anyway.  How awesome is that?!

I am now teaching the classes that I truly feel called to teach:  Brit Lit - Yearbook - Grammar - English Comp.  Just the sound of those classes makes me tingle with excitement.  Yes, this is indeed going to be a GREAT year.

Of course, I will no longer be known as the "super teacher" --- the one who maintains 10 different preps in the course of one academic year.  And while I never did it for the accolades (I truly do love to teach).....I must admit that those accolades boost the ole self- confidence.  And I must relinquish that crown to other "super teachers"  But I believe that this, too, is a life lesson.  I am doing what I am supposed to do:  nothing more and nothing less.  And there is great comfort in that.

I am learning that I am indeed...enough.

If not now.....when?

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I took an online writing class this summer, VerbTribe, offered by the author of Life is a Verb, Patti Digh.  For those of you unfamiliar with that book (I offered a series of writing prompts about two years ago based on its contents)....it was born out of the death of her step-father.  He was diagnosed with cancer and told he had just a few months to live -- 37 days later, he was gone.  Since that time, 37 days has become a significant demarkation of time in Patti's life, and she asks her readers this basic question:  If you knew you only had 37 days left to live (and truly who knows how many days we have left) - how would you live your life?

On the day of our final VerbTribe conference call this summer, Patti's husband was diagnosed with cancer.  One week later Patti turned 53 years old --- the age of her father when he passed away - and her eldest daughter turned 20, the age Patti was when her dad passed.  In addition, Patti had submitted the manuscript of her newest book to her editor just one week prior to the diagnosis.  The topic?  Grief and Loss.  An amazing set of coincidences, don't you agree?

So Patti has decided to do what she does best and write - documenting events, thoughts, feelings and insights.  In the process of sorting through all these changes in life, Patti discovered that there are exactly 137 days from her birthday until New Year's Eve.  Another coincidence (?)

And Patti has decided to use this opportunity to build community.  She is now offering an online course, Project 137, where we can join her on this journey of self-discovery through writing prompts from now until December 31.  The cost is whatever you choose to give - and ALL proceeds go towards medical bills, which are overwhelming due to the fact that they are currently un-insured!

I realize that this course may not be for everyone - but if you are at all interested, I urge you to check it out and consider it.  The writing prompts are thought-provoking, and the donation is for a great cause.

In the meantime....I want to share the prompt from the first day.  I am still thinking about it - and the truth contained - and how I can begin to take those first steps toward living fully:


For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.             -Alfred d'Souza

Suffice it to say...I think I have been waiting a long time for life to get perfect before I start living - and I have missed the point.  I used to think, when the children were young, that I would start living when....

• they would sleep through the night (and truthfully, I am a more functional human being when I have had 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep).  
• Then it became, I would start living when they all would be in school.  
• Then I thought I would start living when we entered the empty-nest phase of life.  

But guess what?  With each phase of life there comes joys - and there comes sorrows; there is a renewed sense of freedom on the one hand, and newfound responsibilities on the other.  As I have been reminded several times this summer during my devotional readings:


If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.              (Ecclesiastes 11:4 - Good News Translation)
No, life is not perfect, but life is good.  And it is time to start living --- because if not now, when?!

Another Year Begins....

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While I do not necessarily feel that I was born to teach, I do feel that I was born to live the academic life.

From the time I was a junior in college and constantly asked the proverbial question, "So, what do you want to do when you graduate?" I would answer ---- I would love to be a professional student.  See, I have always loved to learn.  I never really enjoyed the assessments, and I truly hated the standardized tests, but I was born to be a life-long learner.

It only took me about two decades after my college graduation to realize that teachers are indeed professional students.  And I have been quite blessed to have the opportunity to pursue this vocation, despite my lack of qualifications.

But aside from the learning aspect of this profession, I have come to the conclusion that my internal clock is based on the academic year.  Oh sure, I celebrate December 31st with the traditional toast and the obligatory list of resolutions, but I consider my TRUE New Year's Eve today ---- the last day of summer before another academic year begins.

I will get little sleep tonight - not from worry, but from great anticipation of what this new year will hold.  I will meet new students and become reacquainted with past students.  And as far as I am concerned, we all start with a clean slate - myself included.  Mistakes of the past are behind us, and a bright future lies ahead.

And for the first time in several years I feel as though I am teaching only the classes that I am well-equipped to teach - and it feels DIVINE!  I will no longer be donning my "super teacher" cape with nine preps a week, but I will reap the benefits of time leftover to pursue personal interests.  And while I know that this year won't be perfect - there will certainly be frustrations along the way - I also know that this year feels right.

Yes, today is somewhat bittersweet, as I do enjoy my summer freedom - but tomorrow will begin a new chapter in life - and that is worth a stomach full of butterflies.

A writing prompt

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It is not often that I share a personal writing sample here on this blog.  Well, that is probably not entirely true.  This blog is nothing but personal essays on a variety of topics.  But today I was profoundly impacted by the writing prompt from the Project 137 Days - and I decided to make it more of a public declaration.

Today's prompt was this:

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it."             - W. M. Lewis 

What would you like to begin?

And here was my response (unedited --- totally rough draft):

I feel as though today I have truly begun a new chapter of life - one that provides balance to what has been a very chaotic life so far (all my own doing!)

Today was the first day of school, but today was different.  Today I taught only classes that I want to teach - that I am passionate about teaching.  And in doing so, I have truly begun to live again.

This year I am not overtaxed by lesson plans or grading or disrespectful students.  Rather - I feel as though I can take this all in stride because I am in balance; I am pursuing a vocation without a loss of self.  And I have felt lost for quite sometime.

So what would I begin?  I think I have already begun.

I have added writing to my regular routine.  I have organized a greeting card ministry.  I have found a photography hobby that promises lots of learning and personal growth opportunities.

For me the question has finally become what and how will I continue to do all these activities that stimulate my emotional, intellectual, creative, and spiritual sides --- and find a perfect sense of balance to provide a life of sustaining peace and joy.

Back in the Saddle Again....(maybe)

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It has been so long since I have read - and finished - a fiction book that I truly cannot remember.  I'm not sure why.  It isn't that I haven't been reading - I have just focused on non-fiction books that relate to photography and writing.  And I enjoy reading fiction, I just couldn't seem to find a book that held my attention.  I am sure it was not due to the writing - it was due to my frame of mind.

But I have read two - count them TWO - fiction books since Thursday evening and I am ready to pick up a third later this evening.

The first book I read was purely a spontaneous decision.  I was at the bookstore with a friend and we spotted the book, Keepsake by Kristina Riggle, on one of the display tables.  The blurb on the back of the book sounded intriguing, and I was immediately hooked when I read the first three pages.

Essentially, the book focuses on two sisters - as different as night and day:  one a hoarder, just like her mother, and the other a neat freak bordering on OCD.  The book begins when the hoarder's 7-year-old son breaks his collar bone when an avalanche of collected debris falls on him.  The doctor has his suspicions and sends a social worker to inspect the living conditions.  The mom is given an ultimatum:  either clean up the house and seek help from a psychologist --- or risk losing custody.  She has already lost her teen age son and husband due to the mess, and she cannot bear the thought of losing the only person in the world who loves her unconditionally.

The novel focuses on the massive clean up of the house - and the psychological attachment that hoarders have to objects, and the compulsive aspect of hoarding compared to any other substance abuse like alcohol or cigarettes or drugs.  And the equally devastating effect that OCD can have on the ability to connect to others in a real, physical way.  And the proverbial question of "nature vs nurture" and how the best intentions of those growing up in a dysfunctional household oftentimes find the pull to repeat the cycle greater than the desire to repel it.

I must admit that I am intrigued by this topic - hoarding - although I have never allowed myself to watch the real-life television drama that chronicle examples of this lifestyle.  I think deep down I am too empathetic to their plight.  And while I pride myself on a neat, organized, clean home -- I think I can easily see "where but the grace of God go I."  There is a sadness when I read of those who hoard - or those who house the one odd stray cat that turns into 100. They truly have a compassionate heart - they just don't know how to let go without feeling supreme loss of self.

This is truly one example, I believe, where fiction tell more truth than any non-fiction story could dare. And I am still haunted by the questions that the end of the book causes the reader to ask.

The second book I read this weekend was The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Calyton, and can I say that I am most anxious to read any other work by this author?!  I was ecstatic to hear that her fourth book, The Wednesday Daughters, will making its debut sometime in 2013.

Again, I am drawn in by the blurb on the back of the book - as you would imagine anyone who fancies themselves as a possible writer:
... Then one evening, as they gather to watch the Miss America Pageant, Linda admits that she aspires to write a novel herself, and the Wednesay Sisters Writing Society is born.  the five women slowly, and often reluctantly, start filling journals, sliding pages into typewriters, and sharing their work.  In the process, they explore the changing world around them:  the Vietnam War, the race to the moon and a women's movement that challenges everything they believe about themselves.  At the same time, the friends carry one another through more personal changes - one brought about by infidelity, longing, illness, failure, and success.  With one another's support and encouragement the Wenesday Sisters begin to embrace who they are and what they hope to become, welcoming readers to experience, along with them, the power of dreaming big.

 I was astonished by the author's ability to end each chapter with a captivating line that made me want to read more:

• She didn't say anything that first afternoon about how lonely her childhood had been.
• Still, in some way I can't even explain, we set her apart so that what happened to her couldn't possibly happen to us
• It would all fall out over the next week, leaving him bald as the moon before the Apollo astronauts planted their unflappable flag.  But it would grow back improbably thicker, a portent of things to come
• "If I don't believe in my work, how can I expect anyone else to?  Besides, it was only sixty-two rejections. The last one was a yes."
• And despite our promise, despite that reminder, the moment she was out of sight we were talking about it amongst ourselves, unable to grant her even this one small request.

And this is only the first 14 out of 46 chapters!
I long to have a writing group like this one.  One that I feel comfortable enough to share my most inner thoughts and trust enough to help me make them better.  A group of women whom I can share my personal life and not be judged or criticized for what I choose to do.
I was captivated by each of these five women - and there were times when I would audibly sigh or gasp when I learned their deepest secret or when I knew they had realized their deepest fear.
The writing in this book made me want to try harder as a writer - to realize the potential in crafting fiction to illicit real emotion in the reader.  I admire Meg Waite Clayton's talent and I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting the release to the sequel of this book.  I want to hear how the daughters -- my generation - grow up and find themselves in the 21st century.

A Book Club of One

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For years I have wondered what it would be like to be a part of a book club.  To meet with other adults and discuss a novel:  the likes and dislikes, the themes and how to apply them to everyday life, the fictional characters that have somehow become our personal friends.  But apparently this is an experience that I am not meant to have.

Perhaps I am supposed to focus this "book club" desire on developing that environment in the classroom.  I do try to have round table discussions rather than teacher lectures, and I always enjoy hearing the insights of the students.  I now teach only one literature class, Brit Lit, and the juniors and seniors are near adults, right?

Perhaps I am supposed to take part in an online group read, something that I have so far avoided for fear of not keeping up with the reading schedule, or with the intellectual conversation.  I think I might wait until retirement to give that a go.

But then it occurred to me that I could engage in a self-discussion of the books I read.  This past weekend I completed two books, Keepsake and The Wednesday Sisters, and both had a detailed reader section at the back of the book.  This section included an interview with the author (I LOVE those!!) as well as several questions on the work itself.  While I think these questions are included to help foster discussion in a group setting, I believe I can use these questions as personal writing prompts --- helping me to perhaps dig deeper into the reading than I did on my own -- as well as helping me learn to relate the book to my own life.

And I am rather excited about this prospect of being a member of this book club for one --- although I must admit that I feel a bit ostracized like Woody Allen in the movie, Annie Hall when he quotes Groucho Marx:  I am a bit leery of joining a club that would have someone like me as a member.

A Recording for Posterity

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I'm not sure anyone would be interested in reading this little rambling, but I want to record this for posterity's sake.

In my English Comp class yesterday I tried a new idea.  I had originally asked students to bring in an example of a "bodacious beginning" - that is, an introductory paragraph that grabs the reader's attention and inspires them to want to read more.  I think this is imperative for any writer (as I tell my students - you WANT me to want to read your essay; not rely on the fact that I HAVE to read your essay).

This exercise is useful because it teaches students the variety of ways to grab a reader's attention:  begin with a question - or a statement that causes the reader to form his own questions - or a very short, direct sentence that leaves the reader hanging - or beginning with the climax of the story that draws the reader into the action.  There are a variety of ways to "hook" the reader - and the students seemed to learn more about writing by reading good examples.

But the twist to this assignment was that I asked students to bring in an example of an introduction that they did not find particularly inviting.  Now they thought they were going to compare and contrast the two, but instead, I asked the students to rewrite the rather dull introduction by making it more inviting.  You should have heard the moans and groans.  "This is hard!" they exclaimed.

But you know what?!  They DID it!!  They utilized what we discovered in the previous discussion and they actually improved the introductions.  They discovered that asking a question is a great way to hook the reader.  They managed to entice us to want to read an Algebra II text.  They learned that restructuring paragraphs or sentences can have a profound effect on the reader.

Sometimes my classroom experiments fall flat. But yesterday - it was engaging for both the students and the teacher.  And this, I feel, is worth recording for posterity's sake.

Lessons from Unplugging...

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I know that I can use the internet as a major time waster.

Oh, it is easy for me to rationalize my excessive use:

• Facebook helps to keep me in touch with friends from far away and friends close by.
• Pinterest can help inspire me to make cozy home crafts for the holidays and tasty treats for others.
• Blogs can help educate me on photography techniques and books to read.
• Listography can help me brainstorm what to write - and to let others know a bit more about myself.

But I learned something interesting this week when our cable was inadvertently disconnected for three days - I learned that I really don't need these distractions in my life.  I can easily find other ways to spend my time, like actually reading a book that has been suggested, or taking some pictures to hone those new skills, or sending a card to one of those close friends.  And word document programs - or even the old-fashioned pen and paper, work great to journal my thoughts and feelings.

And it was very eye-opening how I did not miss cable at all for viewing television.  I like to watch my morning news - and weather - but quite frankly, I can easily obtain that information from the internet, when available.

But the lesson I really learned over these past three days is that I am incredibly dependent upon the internet for basic communication.  Our school relies on the website to update grades, correspond with parents, write lesson plans and provide homework assignments.

Email is my primary form of communication with most people in life.  And if a student or a parent has a question or concern, I feel that it is my responsibility as a teacher to answer that note in a timely fashion.

I use the website, 750words.com as my journal and have finally developed the habit of writing every morning.  I was nearly lost without access to this site.

And I have used YouVersion for my daily devotionals since February.   While I could access the devotion entries on my iPhone - the journaling was made more difficult because I couldn't just copy and paste specific text into my Day One app.

Yes, it has been an interesting three days and while I learned that unplugging can bring me back to a simpler, less distracting life....I also learned that I am completely dependent upon it for some basic communication.  It is incredibly hard to believe that 20 years ago, I had never heard of the "world wide web" ... and it makes me question what 20 years from now will look like.

Wake up call...

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This morning I followed my typical routine:  awake at 5:00AM - secure a hot cup of coffee before heading downstairs to let the dogs out of their crates - turn on the news (mostly for background noise and to notice the weather so that I know how to dress for the day) - and begin writing.

I usually start with my morning pages (750 words), move on to my devotion reading plans at You Version, and then proceed to the writing prompts of Project 137.  By this time it is usually time to return upstairs and prepare for the day.

This morning was typical is all those ways until....I read one of Patti Digh's prompts:

Capture six moments today when you felt fully alive

This may not be such a difficult writing assignment for many of you, but it stopped me in my tracks.  SIX?!  I'm not sure I could name one moment a day when I feel fully alive.  And that got me to thinking....

• What does it mean to be "fully live"?
• How long have I simply "existed" - going through the motions of the daily routines without really engaging in life?
• Have I lived such a dormant lifestyle that revival to a "fully alive" is state possible --- I would settle for once a day, but is it really possible to achieve that status six times in a 24-hour period?
• How can I begin to add "fully alive" activities to my day and/or change my attitude towards the mundane activities so that I fully engage in the moment?

I have not had time to answer any of these questions yet - but I plan to spend some serious time contemplating each one. In the mean time, I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Extended Weather Cascades WA

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Issued Wednesday 8-29-2012
Forecast models keep a ridge of high pressure over the region through September 11, 2012. There will be some weak weather systems that try to move in and when they do any precipitation will be limited. The 500 mb map below (18,000 feet) confirms this pattern as a ridge of high pressure is over the region. The map is the mean position of the ridge during early September.

KUOW Hike- Bullion Basin

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Update Tuesday 9-4-2012
This hike starts off at Crystal Mountain Ski area. Since no snow some great hikes.Photos by Karen Sykes and Dennis Long.

View of Mt. Adams from the Pacific Crest Trail. Most of this week will offer great views based on current weather forecast.

Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 269S . Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/
Lots of flowers still out- Paintbrush and Pearly everlasting @Sykes
Photo below in hiking from Bullion Basin now on Crest trail @Sykes
Photo below is lazy hikers or hikers resting @Long
Photo below is Henskin Lake @Sykes
Driving Directions: From Enumclaw drive east on State Route 410 about 34 miles and turn left (east) onto Crystal Mountain Road (Forest Road 7190) leading to the Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Drive about 5 miles to the end of the road and trailhead is on the left of the upper lot. You can drive a little closer to trail -see map but this is the easiest way.
Trail Stats: 7 miles roundtip and 1500 gain. Start up trail 1156 (Bullion Basin) take this 2.2 miles to the Crest Trail (2000 trail number). Go right (south) and hike about 2 miles to Bear Gap. Then take trail 1193 west to Henskin Lake. Finally, right on 1192 north back to Bullion Basin Trail 1156 and back to ski area and your car.

Driving directions and trail stats are our best estimates. Please bring map-compass-GPS