I took this from the deck of our old house one summer evening. The houses across the street are right on the Sound, and we were high up enough on the hillside to see over their roofs. Our view of the water was more than 180 degrees. We could watch the Fauntleroy ferries (that's one in the picture) going back and forth to Vashon Island and Southworth. All big ships that come in and out the Port of Tacoma pass by here, too, and so do sailboats, tour boats, tugs, and lots more.

This is the same view on a winter morning. The far shore is Blake Island and beyond that, the Kitsap Peninsula. The mountains in the distance are the Olympics. The north tip of Vashon Island is behind the tree on the left, and Bainbridge Island is out of the picture to the right.

We saw bald eagles, as many as three at a time, flying over or sitting in the trees across the street. There was at least one blue heron living nearby that looked a lot like a pterodactyl when it flew around. We saw raccoons, possums, and foxes in the yard or nearby. I heard seals barking on the beach. Once, we saw two whale spouts out just a little ways offshore.

I kept saying I wouldn't move from this house until I actually saw a whale from my front porch. The last summer we were there we did see an unmistakable something very large, swimming just offshore, but it could have been a basking shark--they've been seen in the Sound, too. But I decided that seeing anything that big swimming out there should count, whether it was mammal or fish, so we were finally free to move.

 

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The Rules of Housekeeping

1. Vacuuming too often weakens the carpet fibers. Say this with a serious face, and shudder delicately whenever anyone mentions Carpet Fresh.
2. Dust bunnies can evolve into dust rhinos when disturbed. It's much safer to leave them alone.
3. Rename the area under the couch "The Galapagos Islands" and claim an environmental exemption.
4. Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 5 and leave it alone.
5. Cobwebs artfully draped over lampshades reduces the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If your S.O. points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look hurt and exclaim, "What? And spoil the mood?"
6. In a pinch, you can always claim that the haphazard tower of unread magazines and newspapers next to your chair provides the valuable Feng Shui aspect of a tiger, thereby reducing your vulnerability. Roll your eyes when you say this.
7. Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing handsewn play animals for underprivileged children.
8. If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."
9. If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "This is where dear Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes..."
10. Don't bother repainting. Simply scribble lightly over a dirty wall with an assortment of crayons, and try to muster a glint of tears as you say, "Junior did this the week before that unspeakable accident... I haven't had the heart to clean it..."
11. Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself onto the couch, and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere..."

 

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