Curb Appeal

First impressions really do matter. That's why it's important if you're looking to sell your home that you make the best first impression that you can. You can create a positive first impression with just a few simple projects.

Paint your front door. You don't always need to paint your entire house but painting the front door in a memorable color will help it stand out and make a good impression.

Boring old house numbers are most likely the same as all of your neighbors. You can replace those numbers with new fresh updated and colorful numbers. The can be painted or metal and they don't always have to be the same size.

If you have a mailbox in front of your house, plant a garden around it or even replace the mailbox. You can often find unique mailboxes at farmer's markets or seasonal markets.

You can add interest to your entryway with a pot of flowers or even a chair or a sitting area. Let folks imagine themselves sitting there morning or evening and watching the neighborhood happenings.

Flower boxes are a great way to add a pop or color or interest to an area that looks a bit tired in the summer sun. Go bright and bold. Remember that you don't always need to have flowers in a traditional flower box, but use an old boot, beach bucket or any kind of interesting container.

Art Installation and Ice Cubes

Art can take all forms and shapes and what we consider art can certainly be a personal preference.

I've just read about a new art installation of a giant ice cube! Did you know that the shape of an ice cube can impact how quickly it melts?

"ICE CUBE is a 10-ton sculpture designed by Seattle architecture firm Olson Kundig and assembled from 64 smaller blocks of ice delivered to the park.

It's time to go to Occidental Park and watch ice melt. Ice Cube Melting In Occidental Park

Yard Art in West Seattle

Only shows when it rains

This sounds really cool,  especially for a native Seattleite like me.

A rainwork is an interesting design or message on concrete 
that only shows up when it gets wet. Some map marker titles 
are intentionally left vague. Go explore!


http://rain.works/

The waterfront in Seattle is filled with pleasure and pain.

For example, the Ballard fishing fleet is still active. There are still seiners, trollers and longliners...the kinds of boats that have a small crew and demand hard physical labor. Pictured here are some seine skiffs, all parked on land waiting for the season. (herring and salmon)

Beautiful Ballard

 I love living in Ballard. One recent day, It was foggy and misty in Loyal Heights, so I took a little trip to the docks at Fisherman's Terminal in Ballard to see what was up, and it was sunny.

Draining the Locks

It's that time again. Draining the locks in Ballard to clean out whatever grows underwater.
I wonder what odd items are found...

Landscape Painting in Seattle

Thanks to Gage and Peter Van Dyck for a great week painting in Seattle!

Driving in Seattle

Sometimes, driving is just so beautiful, and then there's a bump.

Seattle's Viaduct View

Colorado River

Here is the video man, Matt Fahey, slipping off the boat for an underwater shot through Lava falls. This is what some people do to get the shot.

Had a great time on the trip.

Sand Dollars and Yellowjackets

Here is a snapshot of what I collected (non Buddhist-way) at the beach recently. A couple of wasps and some sand dollars, some sun and some wind added in for good measure, and some sarcastic commentary on life in a small town. I met some interesting weirdos and watched some tourists playing on the beach and attempting to surf.

Best view: guy teaching his 6 or 7 year old to surf, and watching her giggle gleefully when riding the board in on her knees.

Driftwood Days at the Beach

Here is a fine image of some driftwood heading past as the tide goes out.

Birds

Did you know that West Seattle is a stopover spot for many migratory birds? Check this out. I've seen hundreds of these birds lately. At first I thought they were Canadian Geese, but it tuns out they are Brants.