Random photos of this morning’s walk in the rain. How vulnerable we are when a mere raindrop can turn our world upside down 💧

#morningwalk #rarotonga #myislandlife

Brightly lit lower car deck full of vehicles on the M.V. Yakima ferry.

From the leading end of the M.V. Yakima looking toward Anacortes WA in the distance at first light. The multicolor sky looks much lighter in this photo than it did in person.

From the leading end of the M.V. Yakima looking toward the lights of the Anacortes WA ferry landing under the moon. You could see its light faintly reflected in the water.

#IslandAirporter #SeaTacShuttle #PlacesYouCanKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit

Jackson Beach on San Juan Island WA for sunset under cloudy skies on winter solstice 2025

Jackson Beach on San Juan Island WA for sunset under cloudy skies on winter solstice 2025

Jackson Beach on San Juan Island WA for sunset under cloudy skies on winter solstice 2025

things will get better. I will keep knitting. I’ll keep showing you what I’m doing, and I hope to see more of you.
Happy new year.

#WinterSolstice #IslandLife #IGetToLiveHere #MyIslandLife

Photo grid of the treasures I brought back from the Old-Fashioned Holiday Market at the Brickworks here in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island WA

The Brickworks in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island WA

Outside the Brickworks, the brick pig stands decked out in Santa garb

Afternoon December sky of sun and scattered clouds on San Juan Island WA

The Old-Fashioned Holiday Market, tucked into and around the Brickworks is a festive collection of artists' beautiful treasures.
• Alpaca/wool yarn
• Flavored chocolate bars
• Bjorn Ironside the Viking Gnome cards
• Glass ornament

#HolidayMarket #OldFashionedHolidayMarket #MyIslandLife #IslandLife

San Juan County WA interisland ferry

San Juan County WA interisland ferry

Knitting on the San Juan County WA interisland ferry

Knitting on the San Juan County WA interisland ferry

A calm and peaceful place to knit that's not a fluorescent-lit interior room.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #IslandLife #IGetToLiveHere #MyIslandLife

Admiring this pottery Orcas vase by Devon Morris (IG: @DevonMorris). He displayed it in his booth at the Island Artisans Holiday Market, and I succumbed to its charm. The hash marks sold it. Beautiful work, Devon!

#HolidayMarket #IslandArtisansHolidayMarket #MyIslandLife #IslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

In conclusion, here are 15 seconds panning across the very brightly lit market floor.

#HolidayMarket #IslandArtisansHolidayMarket #MyIslandLife #IslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

November sunset at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island WA.

November sunset above Griffin Bay at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island WA.

November sunset sky reflecting into Griffin Bay along Jackson Beach on San Juan Island WA.

Yesterday was a good day, so I took advantage of a break in the clouds to walk to Jackson Beach for sunset. I wouldn’t say sunset was spectacular, but the sky and beach were lovely.

#IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Yesterday was a good day, so I took advantage of a break in the clouds to walk to Jackson Beach for sunset. I wouldn’t say sunset was spectacular, but the sky and beach were lovely.

#IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Washington state ferry M/V Yakima arriving at the Friday Harbor landing on San Juan Island on a misty afternoon.

Calm water, misty sky, and Washington state ferry M/V Yakima arrives at the Friday Harbor landing on San Juan Island.

#IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

it looked like a dead stick. Oh well.

Last week I looked over at it on my way somewhere and saw… buds! Tiny, brilliant green leaf buds all along its length. Way to go, stick! But it’s also November, so really, stick?

#Lilac #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Official Ballot Dropbox at the San Juan County Courthouse in Friday Harbor WA. It’s covered in a somewhat garish stars and stripes design, but you get used to it.

When I slide my ballot into the Official Ballot Dropbox at the San Juan County Courthouse, I often post yet another photo of it.
Predictable? Yes.
Any better thing to be predictable about? No.

#BallotBox #ElectionDay #SanJuanCountyCourthouse #SanJuanIsland #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

A cool, misty PNW morning, looking out to fir trees and an overcast sky.

It’s a damp, cloudy 49° here. Without thought, I put on a windbreaker, brought my coffee to the porch, and immediately felt myself relax. Today, change was just a few steps away.

#PNW #AutumnMood #Autumn #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Overcast day. High tide at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. This row of birds was spread out along the water’s edge.

High tide.
Shift change.

#HighTide #JacksonBeach #SanJuanIsland #MyIslandLife #IslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Decayed pipe with jagged, broken holes sticking out of Jackson Beach at low tide. Seen here looking along its length toward Griffin Bay.

Interior view of the decayed pipe sticking out of Jackson Beach at low tide. Seen here looking inland from Griffin Bay, with sun shining through ragged, broken holes.

Interior view of the decayed pipe sticking out of Jackson Beach at low tide. Seen here looking toward Griffin Bay in the distance, with sun shining through ragged, broken holes.

Interior view of the decayed pipe sticking out of Jackson Beach at low tide. Seen here looking inland from Griffin Bay, with sun shining through ragged, broken holes.

Low tide exposes this decayed pipe at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. I stuck my phone inside for some post-apocalyptic photos.

#JacksonBeach #SanJuanIsland #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

A photo, taken shortly after sunrise, of golden sun and sunlight streaming between trees behind my bit of San Juan Island in Washington state.

Sunrise is hidden by trees behind my house, but the sun briefly shines through.

#Sunrise #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Part of my yard of brown, crunchy grass

A grid of four flower, lichen, and seed photos from my yard

A grid of four flower, lichen, and seed photos from my yard

A grid of four seed heads, cones, and pods from my yard

I cut my grass longer than is typical so that small things flower and pollinators thrive. It’s brown and crunchy now, but I’m surprised by how much is still blooming. Still, seed heads/pods make the year feel farther along than it is.

#IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

I’m not surprised. I am furious.

It isn’t uncommon for people to comment on my posts that San Juan Island looks idyllic. It is. Just not for everyone. 3/3

#MyIslandLife #IslandLife

A young black-tailed deer grazing in my side yard this morning just as the sun began shining through the trees

A young black-tailed deer grazing in my side yard this morning just as the sun began shining through the trees

A young black-tailed deer grazing in my side yard this morning just as the sun began shining through the trees

A young black-tailed deer grazing in my side yard this morning just as the sun began shining through the trees

Good morning! Look who came to breakfast. Black-tailed deer are a common sight on the island, but I don’t usually see fauns on their own in my yard.

#Deer #Faun #BlackTailedDeer #SanJuanIsland #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

One of the last days of spring, birds singing, breeze playing my wind chimes, a few blooms still to be found in my yard.

#SanJuanIsland #SpringFlowers #Flowers #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Close up photo of one little white clover flower in my yard.

After a day of questioning whether headlines are factual, here’s one thing that actually happened. A close up of a small white clover blossom in my yard.

#Clover #WhiteClover #SpringFlowers #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

(7/7) Ferry Knitting. The interisland ferry is almost back to the San Juan Island. The ferry lending it just out of sight behind Brown Island. You can hear the arrival announcement in the video clip.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife

(6/7) Ferry Knitting. Returning to San Juan Island, this video clip caught the wake of the interisland ferry through one of the large windows of the observation area.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GuysWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

(5/7) Ferry Knitting. Yours truly turning the heel of a knitted short/sport sock.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GuysWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

(4/7) Ferry Knitting. Time lapse video of the ferry ride from San Juan Island to Orcas Island, Shaw Island, and Lopez Island under sunny skies and warm winds.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GuysWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

(3/7) Ferry Knitting. Leaving the San Juan Island ferry terminal to begin the interisland loop to Orcas Island, Shaw Island, Lopez Island, and back to San Juan Island.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GuysWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Both ends of the ferry have the same observation deck. Four long benches span the width of the area, behind a row of large windows that protect passengers from wind and cold. The wood of the benches seems a bit anachronistic, but that makes them my favorite part of the ferry.

The interisland ferry is almost back to the San Juan Island ferry terminal. The marina lies ahead, and the ferry lending it just out of sight behind one end o Brown Island. You can hear the arrival announcement in the video clip.

Back again at this place I now call home (San Juan Island WA). We're standing on the car deck, waiting for the boarding ramp to lower so we can walk off ahead of vehicles. Huge flaps at the end of the ramp adjust to the position of the ferry.

(2/7) One of my favorite things to do is knit on the interisland ferry. More photos from my last trip. Ferries are noisy.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

On board the interisland ferry at the tie-up slip, waiting for crew change while another ferry docks at the San Juan Island ferry terminal.

I really do knit on the ferry for fun. Here is the heel flap of a short/sport sock in front of a water-streaked window and the islands passing by.

One end of the impressive, detailed Lego model of the M/V Issaquah. A plaque on the case (not shown here) says it was designed and built by Wayne Hussey and donated in 2025.

Looking ahead of the interisland ferry as it approaches Friday Harbor. The rounded end of the car deck is visible at the bottom of the photo.

(1/7) One of my favorite things to do is walk onto the interisland ferry and knit as it travels to Orcas Island, Shaw Island, Lopez Island, and back to San Juan Island. Ferries are noisy.

#FerryKnitting #PlacesYouCanKnit #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

The latest lavender iris flower in my yard, front and center, flanked by the first two blooms now drooping. These three stems have another ten buds. It’s bonkers!

Clockwise from top left: - I don’t know what it is, but the deep pink flower is chaotic and colorful. - I don’t know what what this is either, but the fat red bud is about to open. - Another deep pink flower, open flat and waiting for pollinators. - Another secretive red bud, still wrapped in green, accompanied by tiny unfurling leaves.

Clockwise from top left: - Bushes of this are thick with gorgeous yellow flowers. The individual blooms remind me of wisteria, but these are not that at all. - A demure white flower on a… bush? Low tree? Kind of flouncy and fresh. - Pink and petite, another mystery flower in my yard. - Such a tiny white flower is easy to miss, but I was able to get this close up. It’s like a miniature daisy.

More stunning iris. These are shades of a deep reddish purple that change to a sort of tiger stripe closer to the stem. Very intense and dramatic.

My iris are blooming like crazy. I wrote “my” but they were planted long before I called this home. All manner of other things are also flowering, although I don’t know what they are. Some are so very tiny and cute. All are beautiful.

#IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

clockwise from top left - Pink wisteria drapes languidly above the front gate. The individual flowers as seen in this closeup are so beautiful. - One lovely white lilac graces a corner of my yard. I want to propagate it to enjoy more of its pleasant scent. In this closeup of the profusion of flowers, you can practically smell it on the breeze. - A flowering dogwood tree, I think. I love how the tips of the petals begin, joined together and popping open. In this closeup, one flower is stretching its petals. - Although I like the pure yellow of these small flowers, I’ve found that it’s invasive creeping buttercup. Another battle lies ahead as I also fight sticky weed, but for just this moment I’ll appreciate the closeup.

clockwise from top left - Purple wisteria drapes languidly above the front gate. The individual flowers as seen in this closeup are so beautiful. - A flowering dogwood tree, I think. I love how the tips of the petals begin, joined together and popping open. In this closeup, one flower’s petals haven’t quite separated. - One lovely white lilac graces a corner of my yard. I want to propagate it to enjoy more of its pleasant scent. In this closeup of the profusion of flowers, you can practically smell it on the breeze. - The Camilla’s blooms are fading, but a few perfect, beautifully shaded flowers are still beckoning to pollinators.

clockwise from top left - This deep purple iris will open soon. I find myself appreciating buds as much if not more than the full flowers. At this moment, sun shone through folded petals. - This little white flower is such a sweet little, humble-looking thing, but I think it’s a ravenous blackberry that must be cut back. - This lavender iris will open soon. I find myself appreciating buds as much if not more than the full flowers. In this closeup, the tightly packed petals are hinting at the colors to come. - An image search suggests that this tiny purple flower is Geranium pusillum a.k.a. small-flowered crane’s bill. As far as I can tell it isn’t harmful, so I can just enjoy enjoying it.

Spring flowers in my corner of the island. I appreciate my wild yard's character while battling #CreepingButtercup and #Blackberries. For now I pretend they’re as pretty as #Iris, #Camilla, #Lilac, #GeraniumPusillum, #FloweringDogwood, and #Wisteria.

#IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere