The beauty of small moments: a Sunday in Skagit County
Reflections on owls, music and the quiet magic of everyday life in the Pacific Northwest
Today, I came back to this piece written a week ago. The weather has changed. Windy with moody skies and rain. And just now, the first few, wet flakes of snow are tumbling down like rain. We came back from dinner with friends the other night and all was dark in our community. A power cut, likely caused by a fallen bough or tree. There’s something magical about going to bed by candle light. The power was restored by morning.
It’s Sunday evening, dark outside and I’m on the sofa, cosy under a blanket, well fed and content after a beautiful day out and about in Skagit County in brilliant sunshine with ice under foot and a sharp bite to the air especially in the shadows.
The sinking sun warmed our faces sitting on a giant fallen log on the shore. Here in the warm, a candle flickers. Renaissance music fills the living room. How can we ever get over the thrill and miracle of recorded music?
It is truly one of the wonders of human invention. To bring a symphony, an orchestra, a rock or folk band into your home or carry them with you, vibrations hitting your ear drums translated into joyous sound via these awe inspiring brains. What an extraordinary thing. Music has been a constant companion, from my early box record player, playing my Mum’s records, The New Seekers, Bread, West Side Story. Nowadays, it is digital music but I may yet return to vinyl. There’s a fabulous record shop in Anacortes.
This week, the invitation to get out and about under the stunning blue skies has been hard to refuse. I used Substack Notes to share some photos of walks around the area.
Today, why was it so beautiful? For sure the landscape was a fine backdrop but it struck me, what made the day so special, was the feeling. We were in a beautiful feeling. Not every moment. In fact an early grumble might have sent the day in a different direction, but we reset and the day that unfolded was magical. I’m moved to share it, hoping you catch the feeling rather than the detail. Hoping to share that feeling and a little slice of life here in the west of Skagit County.
First a drive to Mariposa, a quirky and delicious Mexican Tacqueria in Bow, Edison. Sarah and her crew feed locals and visitors. People travel from as far as Seattle to eat at the communal tables inside. In the Summer the little garden is filled with an assortment of outdoor tables, laughter and conviviality. The food is simple and delicious.
After lunch we follow our nose to drive out to a low lying island, close to the mainland, Samish. A thin spit of land has houses either side of the road. One set looking west, the other east. All look out over water. There’s a mix of grand properties and little beach shacks perched above the water. I get the sense round here, when planning laws were more relaxed people staked a claim and threw up shacks to enjoy water front living or as holiday homes. Then tastes and legislation changed and more substantial dwellings appeared.
Driving through the fertile valley, the light reflecting on the puddled rainwater, my heart filled again and again with awe at the beauty around us. Mountains cradle the fertile valley, home to thriving small farms. We pinch ourselves often that we get to live among this beauty. Writing about it and sharing it feels good.
Owls - owls are calling, literally. On the way to Samish, we saw a short eared owl hunting in broad daylight in the Skagit Valley eagerly watched by a hoard of camera heavy twitchers. It flew close. I swear it did several fly pasts on purpose. A hawk nearby might chase it off. A wildlife photographer from Oakland, CA, who donates his photos to non profits, told us, he must be hungry to be hunting in the open like that.
Later on Kukutali Preserve, two great horned owls called to each other. Were they mating calls, territorial warnings or were they just serenading the dusk? It was magical. A deep sound like pan pipes. Sometimes we hear Barred Owls from the house. Last winter we were walking in a little wooded area behind some houses on Salt Spring island in British Columbia, when we spied a small owl sitting in a tree. He just stared at us, mutely. We stood for several minutes, feeling the miracle of this meeting with such an elusive creature. Owl symbolism in different cultures is rich and fascinating from harbinger of death to an agent of wisdom and seeing into hidden realms. For a delicious meander into this area, read Modern Gypsy
Gratitude
I’m grateful for small things: fresh coffee, a loving husband, friends old and new, the trees.
Links
The meaning of dusk. Fascinating. I had no idea there were different definitions of dusk: civil and nautical. The long lingering twilight or dusk nearer the poles is because of ‘the shallow angle of the sun’s path relative to the horizon.’
What a gorgeous poster and I see it was sponsored by Dakota Pastels, a store I visited recently. It contains the biggest retail selection of pastels in the USA. This area is full of artists, poets, writers and musicians so no surprise but still felt like a hidden gem.
Threads that pull me
Music: Listening to an exquisite album, The Golden Renaissance: Palestrina by Stile Antico. A vocal ensemble that performs without a conductor, specialising I’m music from the medieval to early Baroque eras.
App: Peak Finder $4.99 one off purchase. Works offline after initial download. How cool is this app, it identifies the peaks you see and so much more. I’ve wondered if more information about what I’m seeing would enrich or detract from my experience. Sometimes, once we name something, we cease to engage with it in real time. Instead relating to our file marked eg Cascade Mountains. But sometimes, learning about something or someone can lead us to more questions. Scientists know this. To look with love on something and bring curiosity, is that a form of worship? It feels sacred to me. A homage to the wonder and mystery of life. So thanks to Peak Finder, now I know the names of the peaks I am looking at. And thank you to my neighbour Jim, who mentioned Mt Pilchuck some months ago, which sparked my curiosity.
What do you notice about your feeling state and your experience? How does learning change your experience?
That’s all for now. A little like, share or restack is always appreciated. Or message me to share your reflections and of course you can comment and connect with other readers. Until next time
Juliet
the feeling of hunger. For food, forest, community. 😄 That's probably not what you meant. 😄
A feeling of wonderment (owl hunting during the day?), expansiveness, immense gratitude for life, for your writing with photos, for human connections. Those feelings came up. ♥️😊