Happy Birthday John! And Congrats to your wife Brenda for making it to worlds in triathlon. I enjoy your column and always learn something. I like the way you combine history and community and current environmental issues and manage to write it so I can hear you saying it. Like the time you traced current island struggles with land and water rights back to structures created when white pioneering families settled on the island. Bravo!
Happy birthday! I also think of September as the start of a new year, probably from living so many years of my life by the school calendar. Unlike others who feel they have to survive winter, summer is the season that most challenges me. September is always a relief and re-start for me. I always feel so good when we get the first rain. This morning I heard our furnace turn on for the first time in months, and I felt a little zing of happiness. I enjoy all the things you share, but I especially like pieces that give me a way to visit your part of the world, which will always be home to me. I know I'm not that far away (Portland), but it just is not the same place in so many ways.
I grew up in Burien, able to walk through the woods to the beach, with good friends who lived on Three Tree Point—so, many hours on/near the water. One set of grandparents lived in a house overlooking Bellingham Bay, so water there, too. My parents now live between Port Ludlow and Port Hadlock on the peninsula, in a place overlooking water there. Marine air + big water = home. I also feel so, so happy when I wake to rain this time of year!
Rita, did you go to high school at Mt Rainier? I too spent time on the beaches below Des Moines and Burien, and on Three Tree Point. And went to college and grad school in Bellingham. We probably crossed paths in real life as well as here on John's substack. I'm counting the days to rain as some of the native plants are looking a little wistful right now. The chickadees are still taking baths in our recycled seaglass birdbaths!
I did not go to Mt. Rainier; I graduated from Highline HS. (Class of '83) I love Bellingham! I always thought that would be a nice place to go to school.
Happy Birthday John! Every year when fall comes, I am sad to have to get out my long johns, put away my sandals and I lament the longer shadows that yield to darker drizzle. Then the darker drizzle comes and it feels quite comforting and soothing! I think the name of the game is adaptation and to turn that dread into renewed anticipation while witnessing the beauty of the change.
I appreciate your sharing your extensive knowledge and research into water system management, supply, conservation, regulation and chemistry.
Happy Birthday John! September is the start of spring here in the southern hemisphere — an unreliable start in Melbourne. I enjoy everything you write... I read for you AND for the water knowledge. Here’s to another trip around the sun for all of us.
Happy birthday! As for what I like about your newsletter, it's everything. Of course I like that you're all about water. As you know, I live "nearby" on a semi-island, the Olympic Peninsula, so we occupy similar space and interests. I've always admired scientists, invited many to our stretch of land and sea because most private landowners keep others from accessing important habitats for research. I love learning more about science and water and the earth. As for this fall, after our burst of wildfire smoke from the Jupiter Fire, quite toxic, we're having the most beautiful transition here. Day after day where the light shifts and changes over the bay, the birds clustering and vocalizing, our resident Great Blue Heron returning to his fall and winter perch that I can see directly from my upper landing as I do yoga. Sadly, we moved indoors from our cliffside tent - we've slept outside now from May to October for over a decade, and I grew up sleeping in tents on these same cliffs - but our domestic creatures, the two indoor rescue cats and the dog, are overjoyed. And now we'll watch our one movie a week, so if anyone has suggestions, please share!
Happy birthday John! I love the fact that your birthday falls at the transition of my two favourite seasons.
Although it’s not related to water so directly but I loved your piece on your connection to the WWII era and how that connection transpired into your understanding of the world. I would love to read more stories about such ancestral history (like the series with highland potato famine).
I always enjoy hearing about the history of water “rights.”
I generally cozy to a change in season, particularly fall. It’s been a difficult year for me health-wise, and I’m finding that makes me feel unready for the chill in the air. It’s a reminder to be in tune with the season, with the rhythms around me even if my own feel off or different.
Happy Birthday John! And Congrats to your wife Brenda for making it to worlds in triathlon. I enjoy your column and always learn something. I like the way you combine history and community and current environmental issues and manage to write it so I can hear you saying it. Like the time you traced current island struggles with land and water rights back to structures created when white pioneering families settled on the island. Bravo!
Thank you so much, Barb. I'm glad you enjoyed that piece.
Happy birthday! I also think of September as the start of a new year, probably from living so many years of my life by the school calendar. Unlike others who feel they have to survive winter, summer is the season that most challenges me. September is always a relief and re-start for me. I always feel so good when we get the first rain. This morning I heard our furnace turn on for the first time in months, and I felt a little zing of happiness. I enjoy all the things you share, but I especially like pieces that give me a way to visit your part of the world, which will always be home to me. I know I'm not that far away (Portland), but it just is not the same place in so many ways.
Thanks, Rita. The other morning, I awoke to heavy rain, and I was so, so happy!
Portland is different, yes. Here on our little island in the sound, our summers are cooler for sure. Where are your connections here?
I grew up in Burien, able to walk through the woods to the beach, with good friends who lived on Three Tree Point—so, many hours on/near the water. One set of grandparents lived in a house overlooking Bellingham Bay, so water there, too. My parents now live between Port Ludlow and Port Hadlock on the peninsula, in a place overlooking water there. Marine air + big water = home. I also feel so, so happy when I wake to rain this time of year!
"Marine air + big water = home." Yes, yes. We just spend a lovely few days in Richland, but my sinuses and lungs were so happy to be home!
Rita, did you go to high school at Mt Rainier? I too spent time on the beaches below Des Moines and Burien, and on Three Tree Point. And went to college and grad school in Bellingham. We probably crossed paths in real life as well as here on John's substack. I'm counting the days to rain as some of the native plants are looking a little wistful right now. The chickadees are still taking baths in our recycled seaglass birdbaths!
Hi Kirie,
I did not go to Mt. Rainier; I graduated from Highline HS. (Class of '83) I love Bellingham! I always thought that would be a nice place to go to school.
Happy Birthday John! Every year when fall comes, I am sad to have to get out my long johns, put away my sandals and I lament the longer shadows that yield to darker drizzle. Then the darker drizzle comes and it feels quite comforting and soothing! I think the name of the game is adaptation and to turn that dread into renewed anticipation while witnessing the beauty of the change.
I appreciate your sharing your extensive knowledge and research into water system management, supply, conservation, regulation and chemistry.
Thank you, Cleveland!
If you don't mind me asking, what kind of flower is this? It really attracts me, I am overwhelmed by its beauty, and I hope to grow it.
Hi Avril, these are hops, they are the flowers that are used to flavor beer.
Thanks so much! I've never really been around hops, if I wanted to grow it would it be difficult?
Happy Birthday John! September is the start of spring here in the southern hemisphere — an unreliable start in Melbourne. I enjoy everything you write... I read for you AND for the water knowledge. Here’s to another trip around the sun for all of us.
Thanks, Michelle. Happy spring!
Happy birthday! As for what I like about your newsletter, it's everything. Of course I like that you're all about water. As you know, I live "nearby" on a semi-island, the Olympic Peninsula, so we occupy similar space and interests. I've always admired scientists, invited many to our stretch of land and sea because most private landowners keep others from accessing important habitats for research. I love learning more about science and water and the earth. As for this fall, after our burst of wildfire smoke from the Jupiter Fire, quite toxic, we're having the most beautiful transition here. Day after day where the light shifts and changes over the bay, the birds clustering and vocalizing, our resident Great Blue Heron returning to his fall and winter perch that I can see directly from my upper landing as I do yoga. Sadly, we moved indoors from our cliffside tent - we've slept outside now from May to October for over a decade, and I grew up sleeping in tents on these same cliffs - but our domestic creatures, the two indoor rescue cats and the dog, are overjoyed. And now we'll watch our one movie a week, so if anyone has suggestions, please share!
Thank you so much, Kirie, for reading and checking in.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂
I love fall because it seems like overnight, BAM! Everything is oranges, reds, yellows. The air is crisp.
I like all of your water related posts because you're shining a light on a resource we need to , you know, SURVIVE.
Thanks! Yes, fall is sweet.
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you Kim! Maybe I'll meet you at the must meetup.
Happy birthday John! I love the fact that your birthday falls at the transition of my two favourite seasons.
Although it’s not related to water so directly but I loved your piece on your connection to the WWII era and how that connection transpired into your understanding of the world. I would love to read more stories about such ancestral history (like the series with highland potato famine).
Stay blessed 💜🕯️
Thank you, Swarna! I love that about my birthday too.
Ancestral history is a rich vein. I have more research to do and I’m sure more stories to tell.
💜🕯️
Happy birthday, John!!
I always enjoy hearing about the history of water “rights.”
I generally cozy to a change in season, particularly fall. It’s been a difficult year for me health-wise, and I’m finding that makes me feel unready for the chill in the air. It’s a reminder to be in tune with the season, with the rhythms around me even if my own feel off or different.
Lovely to hear from you, Holly. I hope the coming year is kinder to your health. Happy travels. I love your writing.
Happy Birthday, John!