Fiona, The Spy Cat

This is my neighbor, Fiona. She isn't allowed out of the house because her owners have had too many sad experiences with kitties being hurt while outside. So since she can't get out and hunt for birds and chase mice, she has to be content with - spying. 

She sits in this upstairs window and keeps an eye on the neighborhood. She tracks the movements of the raccoon family that makes its way through the yard every afternoon on its way to dinner at a neighbor's house. (I know, we wish the neighbor wouldn't feed them, but she does.) 

Fiona is startled when Harold the blue heron flies overhead, squawking on his way to the Douglas Fir he likes to hang out in. She is bewildered by hummingbirds. She is interested in squirrels. 

But mostly, Fiona likes to spy on me. From her perch on the windowsill, she looks into my kitchen window and down onto my deck. She watches intently as I rinse dishes or go outside to clip some herbs. Her eyes follow me as I walk back and forth in my kitchen. It makes me laugh to glance up and see the look on her face. 

Soon the weather will turn cool and Fiona's family will close the window for the season. From then until the first warm days in spring when the window is open again, I will miss my nosy little neighbor.

Alki Art Fair

For all the grousing people do about the weather around here, we've had some gorgeous weekends lately, allowing us to fully enjoy local events. We had a gorgeous 4th of July; perfect weather for the Seafair Pirate landing; and most recently, a magnificent weekend for the Art Fair at Alki Beach.

Look, not a cloud in the sky! Unusual for around here.

We had perfect weather and a perfect setting for an art show.

People got here any way they could.

No Seattle grey in evidence here.

Even a paddle boarder stopped by.

Another wonderful day in the neighborhood!