Sunday Salon, Feb. 22

Wenatchee River

Weather: Beautiful with blue skies and warmish temperatures.

In the midst of this wild park alongside the Wentachee river is a random lightpost, just like in Narnia.

Leavenworth reprise: after I posted my Sunday Salon last week, Don and I headed out for a 3-mile walk along the Wenatchee River which runs right along the city of Leavenworth. Even though it is right next to town it has a very wild and reclusive feel. It was a lovely walk. See photos.

My favorite photographer

Birthday: I turned a year older this past week. Since Don and I celebrated by going to Leavenworth last weekend I wasn't expecting much fanfare. My principal and assistant principal showed up at my desk midday fully prepared to sing, which would have been a hoot, but students were testing in the library so they just wished me a happy day and gave me a card. Don and Carly had planned a lovely dinner and cake from my favorite bakery. Rita even came over to help us eat the cake and spent the night with us. It was just one of those special days for the memory book.

Ash Wednesday soup and service: each year our church ushers in the season of Lent by hosting a soup dinner prior to the church service. Carly made a big pot of Zuppa Toscana to share.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return".-Wikipedia 

40 bags in 40 days: I joined one of those Facebook challenges, this one to simplify and declutter my house. I am to shed 40 bags of stuff from the house, one per day during the season of lent. The directions admonish participants not to do too much each day, just tackle small areas each day. Well, i completely broke that rule. Yesterday Don and I (and Carly) attacked our bonus room which has become a junk yard the past few years. We sorted out six bags of recycled papers, one huge bag of paper we need the shred, five bags of things to go to Goodwill; three bags for the garbage, and one box for Rita to sort through when she has the time. 16 bags! Admittedly it took us all afternoon and evening to do this much, but boy does it feel good.

"Dear Teen Me": I recently read a book called Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves.As I read the letters I keep thinking about things I'd like to tell my teen self to stop or start doing. So, I decided to add a feature to the Sunday Salon called "Dear Teen Me" where I will give myself a bit of advice to make things better for the me of today.

Anne: Hold in your head how much fun it is to play tennis and eventually racquetball. Right now you enjoy playing tennis with your brother and several other friends. Why don't you go out for the tennis team. You won't be a champion but you could have a hoot playing with other people and gaining more friends. Your first year in college you will take a tennis class which really hones your skills. Your second year you take a racquetball class and playing it becomes an obsession for several years. Keep it up. Remind yourself everyday that these are two sports you can do as you age. Make sports and fitness a part of your daily routine.

Currently reading: (I didn't finish a single book this week)

• Defending Jacob by William Landay---I am listening to the audiobook. This is the story of a father and a lawyer. When his son is charged with a heinous crime he is put in the position of defending his son. I don't like any of the characters which is off-putting. I am 3/4 of the way done.
• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins---another book club selection and another book where I don't like any of the main characters. I am in an odd position reading two books and not liking any of the characters. Sigh.

Perfect timing---a jet stream meets up with the mountain