Dia de Los Muertos

Although the Dia de los Muertos doesn't get celebrated till Sunday, 

the keeper used this image on her door today to give people an idea.

The Keeper's Entry

The keeper decided to go with a Dia de Los Muertos theme.

She brought all kinds of things for her altar...including candles, gourds, tequila, lots of images of death and photos of some who had died trying to cross into the border.
She also bribed the judges with Day of the Dead tattoos. Can you believe that some people actually frosted cookies with their door numbers on them to bribe the judges?
They won't know who won until Friday.

Halloween Doors

Today at the keeper's office the Halloween Door judging took place.

She couldn't believe how competitive all these social work types became.

Deb, across the hall, had cut out all these silhouettes in black. The keeper was very impressed.

The Fund Development group had an equally impressive door with caramel apples and cookies.

Yes, everyone bribed the judges.

Progress!

The deck is moving along. ML is back at work.  I get to watch her work every day.  She often works in the garage putting pieces together, And then she  builds them into the deck. We may get this done by Thanksgiving, including lighting!  This year it may happen!

Catherine's Baptism Day

The keeper came home from Tacoma early for Catherine's baptism.

Trouble is...she didn't factor in traffic, so came in just as the baptism ended.

She felt terrible.

But she was on time for the party at the community room in at Catherine's parents' building. The room used to be the old indoor pool! But she had a great time visiting with old friends and catching up on their lives.

In Tacoma

The keeper left me with a pet sitter while she went and stayed in Tacoma for a conference.

This was their display. They had lots of visitors. 

I also understand that downtown Tacoma looks way way better than it used to when she lived there for 17 years.

Wondrous Day

An incredible day for a 4-5 mile jaunt.  The leaves have just started to change color and fall. The keeper was not the only walker today. It felt like August! People were water skiing, running in tank tops, shorts, slurping ice cream cones.

Last Sunday Market

Today was the last Sunday market until May.  It ended as gloriously as it began, and the llama Basil who opened the event also closed it while his keeper spun wool from his alpaca friend.

I am Alice and I Approve This Wall Hanging

Cats Rule! Thanks to Suzy and her family in San Jose.

Prayers for you all mañana!

Oh, Dorothy!

Today, the keeper received this from a friend. 

Dusk in a Familiar, but Famous, Place

This late afternoon the keeper headed into the Cathedral and it was light out.

After Mass the dusk had settled in and it seemed magical. If she were a tourist visiting she would have taken these photos.

A Nice Surprise

Under $3 per gallon! 

Dinner Party

The keeper took today off to catch up with herself .She spent most of it running some more.

But tonight we had a favorite guest at the cottage- Judy,  who is a good friend to both of us. They had so much to talk about they barely noticed me till I began to meow quite loudly. It worked. I got some of their Tuscan chicken and promptly took a nap. But those two kept on going.

We Turned On The Heat

It was an incredibly busy day for the keeper, and when she got home it was dark. 

 So she didn't see the work that ML did on the deck, but she did find all of ML's tools and wood in the garage. And we turned on the heat tonight, so I can sleep on those warm registers. 

Sunday in the Neighborhood

This afternoon post liturgy and errands the keeper ambled into the grey day around the neighborhood.  No one was stirring. 

She must have been the only one not taken in by football. She told me that it felt good to get out after being sick most of the week with aching bones and no energy. 

But the purple berries are back in a beautiful way and the neighbors are all dressing their yards for Halloween. The biggest Halloween yard has all the usual gory heads and body parts, but has added  a huge serpent  that lights up and spews venom.

The Wedding

A grand time was had by all!

The Wedding

Later this eve, the keep changed into her newest and finest formal attire to celebrate and help witness the wedding of two wonderful friends.

High Noon at High Point

The keeper left me early this morning to be part of a poverty simulation experience in which she played the role of Dan, a 17 year old, who was a drop out drug gang banger and only son of a single mom. She spent a week in jail for selling drugs and stealing.

Luna and Lake

It was a stunning moon last light.  Obviously, the keeper's phone is no match for the moon!

Moon withLFP Traffic Lights

Last night the keeper snapped the moon while waiting at the stop light. The traffic lights and street lights posed no real competition.

Nisqually Pumpkins

The deacons conference ended today and so I was put in the cattier, into the car, and I was carted home.  On the way we stopped to check out the pumpkin fields in the Nisqually Delta area. I am not sure that is what the keeper wanted to do, but I started howling about then, so we took a little break till I settled down with more kitty downers.

Moon Over Canal

I told the keeper that this could also have been a spot on the windshield. But I was there and I saw the moon rising over the canal and also watched the mist appear and wrap around it. She was too slow in getting out there before the mist did.

Deacon Convention

The reason the keeper came down was a convocation for deacons. She gave a retreat and had a lot of conversations with the deacons and their wives. She also had a good time meeting new people and seeing folks she had not seen in a long long time.

My Trip to O. S.

I met Josephine who stayed with us. She and the keeper took me out on the leash down to the dock and around the yard. It was pretty warm. I saw ducks, smelled deer and raccoons, although I didn't see them. I am having a marvelous time.

Morning on the Grand Canal

The keeper put me in the cage and in the car, and instead of going to the vet, I went to Ocean Shores. But truly, I don't recall much of the drive because she gave me some special medicine. But when we got down here it was like coming home and the canal was beautiful at sunrise this morning.

Blue Bella Luna

Half moon that looks pretty cold up there!