She watches over our valley like a proud mother and Saddlerock was one of the reasons I moved here. I distinctly remember driving up Cherry/Orondo on a warm, Spring morning, seeing Saddlerock standing guard, and knew this was where I wanted to raise my kids. I'm not a Wenatchee native, but I have been here more than 17 years and moved here after visiting for only one weekend. Drove back to Seattle after a weekend visit and walked into my job with a company I loved and gave my two weeks notice. Moved here with two young daughters and no job. If anyone I knew said they were going to do that now, I would tell them they were crazy. It must've been destiny because it was the best decision I ever made. I must have a hundred photos, drawings or paintings of Saddlerock, yet I still keep making them. They might all be of the same subject, but each one I look at takes me back to that exact moment. I don't think I'll ever have enough.
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Wenatchee
I'm not one for making resolutions. I think when the moment arises that you sense an urgency to better yourself, you should jump at the opportunity, be it the start if a new year, 3:29 in the afternoon or any ordinary Tuesday. But I can admit to loving the blank canvas that is January 1st. I use it more as a starting point, a measuring stick that lets me see how far I go. Last year my "goal" was to do pull-up, learn all the lyrics to Salt 'n Peppa's "Push It" and to spend time each day studying Spanish. I actively studied Spanish until my husband got sick and nursing him back to health became my number one goal. I will most likely pick it up again sometime this year, despite realizing that French is really much easier for me (because of taking it 7 years in school). Maybe I'd go that direction if I lived closer to Quebec, but In Wenatchee, Spanish is the most useful. I never did a pull-up (I didn't even try) but I did learn the lyrics to the song, and rap it quite happily in the privacy of my car, but you won't see me at karaoke night anytime soon. I may know the lyrics, but I still can't carry a tune. A few other goals I intend to continue are to "Make Something Cool Everyday" (art/craft), leave positive messages for people to find (guerilla art), move my body, on purpose, in the guise of exercise, and try, t-r-y, to drink some water. I say 'some' because I am not a drinker of much of anything, let alone water. And I know that leaves me room for improvement.
Whether you make resolutions or not, the beginning of a new year holds the promise of possibility. And that is where the magic lies. Maybe enough magic to do a pull-up.
I was recently asked what I did to break up my day. It took no time at all to answer. I am so fortunate to live and work in the Wenatchee valley, where access to beautiful views is as easy as heading down the street to the river, or up the street to the hills. Several times a week you will find me at one of the local PUD parks, even on a 15 minute break, camera in hand, if I need to recharge my brain batteries. Give me a lunch hour and I might be on or near Saddlerock or Sage Hills. An afternoon free might find me in Cashmere, Monitor, Peshastin, Leavenworth , Entiat or Chelan. And with our 4 distinct seasons, it never grows old. Always something to see in a new light. How do I break up my day? I stand up and walk outside.
Explorers enjoying a sandbar exposed during low water on the Columbia river near Walla Walla park.
Another mixed-media piece courtesy of my time spent on the shores of the mighty river.
So many beautiful winter shots, but I really am ready for spring!
It's that time of year again! This year is certainly different, my daughter, who has always been a player, is now an assistant coach at WVC. Shade is home visiting while Eric is deployed to Afghanistan, so having volleyball to (once again) fill her time has been helpful to keep her busy.
I once again get to say "Go Knights!"
