Yesterday was an unexpected surprise.  I had the day off of work, which was not unexpected.  I had put together a list of indoor things to do, assuming that the weather was going to be rainy.  I was so very, very wrong.

I tend to stalk Weather.com.  Because, yes, rain is expected.  But sometimes the Pacific Northwest will surprise us and will give us a stunning day in the middle of November…or December…or January.

As I mentioned, I had put together a list.  It included purchasing craft supplies for ornaments that I intend to make for Christmas, checking out the new Home Goods store that recently opened in the area, going to the gym and perusing the racks at Kohls.

By Monday Weather.com was insistent that there was only a 20% chance of rain on Wednesday, and that it was going to be partially sunny.  And I believed.  Which is sometimes a risky prospect in the great state of Washington.  My thoughts went from inside activities to outside.

Hiking would have been ideal.  But I had the day off.  The husband did not.  So, I stayed local.

I started my day with sunrise at a local park that sits up on a hill.  Even though we’ve had rain pretty consistently these last couple of weeks it seems that the mornings have started off quite nice.  However, from the hole (property is surrounded by trees, no views to speak of) we live in it’s hard to assess how nice, until I’m on my way to work and catch a glimpse of the mountain.  Or rosey skies.  Or wispy clouds in blue skies. These are the things that I’ve admired on my way to work on a handful of days recently.  My fingers have itched for my camera.  But, alas…work called.  Well, maybe not called. Demanded is perhaps a better word.

My reward for leaving the house a little after 6:30 on a day off was a beautiful sunrise.  The mountain was draped by a gown of clouds.  I couldn’t see her, but I got to admire her shape.

It was worth the somewhat chilly morning.  I do wish, however, that I knew of more places to go locally to see sunrise and sunset.  We just have so many trees!  Listen to me…complaining about trees.  Cry me a river…you are surrounded by lush, green trees.

After sunrise I headed to the gym and did what I needed to do.  I then headed home and, still in my gym clothes, threw on a heavier jacket, stepped into my rubber boots and winterized my dahlia bed.  I’m sure I cut quite the figure.  I don’t believe in digging up dahlia bulbs.  Too much work.  The risk is obvious…if water gets down the “stem remnants” that are left after cutting them back then the bulbs will rot.  I had a big dinner plate dahlia that I loved that didn’t come back this year.  It likely fell victim to rot.  But, it’s a risk that I’ll take.  I can always buy more bulbs.  So, I simply cut the stems as low as I can get them, pull a little dirt over them and then go in the back yard (where all of those lovely maples have shaken themselves bald) and fill my garden cart with leaves.  I spread the leaves over the bed and…voila!…instant dahlia blanket!

Once that was done I took a quick shower and headed to town for a haircut.  Just as I was preparing to leave the house I got a text from my cousin inviting me to join her, her son, my aunt and my uncle for lunch and The Peanuts movie.  I had been considering heading out to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, but there was enough of a breeze in town that I was quick to talk myself out of it.  A breeze here becomes a cold wind out on the Delta.

I had enough time between haircut and lunch to find one more outside place to play, so I headed to Tumwater Falls to catch the waning fall color and to work on shutter speed skills with moving water.  Still seeking that silky look.  I think I need a tripod so I can really lower that shutter speed.

Lunch was tasty, the movie cute and the company good.  The clouds had started to roll in by the time we left the restaurant.  70% chance of rain today.  100% Friday and Saturday.  With wind.  And possible flooding. You gotta play outside when you get the chance.