Artist Date: Flower World, Maltby, WA
A trip to Flower World is phenomenal therapy for me. My case manager took me last week to buy unusual flowers. She had never been to Flower World, and I think it blew her socks off. The grounds are lushly landscaped. Chickens, ducks, and geese roam freely. I noticed lambs and baby goats hanging out … Read more
Artist’s Dates: Edmonds, WA Tide Walks
A stay-cation means a trip to the Edmonds waterfront. Edmonds reminds me of South Haven, Michigan ~ my favorite retreat when I lived in Chicago. I was ecstatic to discover a restaurant has finally opened a patio next to the beach and is serving juicy burgers. We’ve been blessed this Spring with a series of … Read more
Artist’s Date: Mill Creek, WA Trails
My late cousin Judith Vollbracht was a cartographer (she drew maps for a living). She created the maps that became the planned community of Mill Creek, Washington. It came to life as a golf course community and grew to have its own town center. Hiking trails are laced through reforested old-growth wetlands and around the golf … Read more
Artist’s Date: North Creek Park, Mill Creek, WA
Mill Creek, WA celebrates reforested old-growth wetlands. North Creek Park is a huge urban wetland with a 3/4 mile floating boardwalk. This massive old growth tree is at the south entrance of the park. The limbs are so huge that they bend at the ground and appear to each be a tree. In a month, the … Read more
J2J: Bulbs in Bloom, 2012
My flowers bring me tremendous joy. I love the romantic blend of pale pink, lavender, and white. Hyacinths are favorite bulbs because they herald Spring. I discovered these tiny grape hyacinths in Edmonds and love their delicate addition to a container of bulbs. When this hyacinth bloomed, it took my breath away. The daffodils this … Read more
Good Grief, Charlie Brown! I Need a Vacation!
A quarter is about as simple as math gets. The quarter is our most popular coin. Little kids who can’t count know that a quarter is 25 cents, and it takes four quarters to have $1. The US Mint uses the quarter to promote celebrations (bicentennial quarter in 1976) and coin collection (50 states and national parks). Yet, this … Read more
Celebrating Over a Quarter Million Visitors from Over 125 Countries!
This weekend I’m celebrating the quarter million visitor milestone for Navigating Unchartered Waters. The little blog that started out with just 20 visitors/day on V-Day, 2009 has grown up. Visitors now come from over 125 countries around the world! It is a dream come true. I feel profoundly blessed and humbled by your support and loyalty. … Read more
Maundy Thursday: Are You in the Garden Today?
It seems like every year on Maundy Thursday that I have myself a WTF moment and know exactly how Jesus felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. My mother is terminally ill, and one of the winning lottery tickets was sold in the tiny town where I was born. So, I’ve had a lot of chats this week with … Read more
Jodee Blanco: Turning Pain Into Purpose
The bully never remembers, the outcast never forgets. – Jodee Blanco Bullying. It’s everywhere: on the playground, in our boardrooms and bedrooms, and in the news. Jodee Blanco is a peer abuse (bullying) survivor who is making a difference. She is on a mission to teach us how to treat each other with dignity and respect. … Read more
Bravo, Rita Anita Linger: Raleigh, NC Is 3rd Most Optimistic City!
Who says one person can’t make a difference? ABC News reported tonight that 74.9% of the people in Raleigh, North Carolina believe their city is becoming a better place to live. This makes Raleigh the third most optimistic city in the country. How did this happen? RitaAnita Linger became the CEO of the Southeast Raleigh Assembly (SERA). She … Read more
