Life in the Slow Lane.

Life here in Boise moves a bit slower than was the case in California and Hanoi. That has taken some getting used to. It's especially noticeable in the way people drive here. Not only do they obey the traffic laws (including the speed limits!) but they're almost unfailingly polite when behind the wheel.

For example, every morning I take O to work, then head for the gym. Taking O to work is against traffic, so it's a piece of cake. Getting to the gym, however, puts me in the middle of the morning rush. Said rush is laughable, really, by California standards, let alone compared to Hanoi; it actually takes about two or three minutes longer than it would any other time of the day.

But there's a section where there's a traffic light just before a short stretch of freeway. Just before the light the road widens from one lane to two. Just after the light, the freeway ramp narrows from two lanes to one before opening onto the freeway itself. I know, great traffic flow design. Anyway, there's usually a long line of cars waiting at the signal to get on the freeway. But here's the thing: it's a single line even though there are two lanes!

In California, and certainly in Vietnam, that brief second lane would be filled with people trying to get onto the freeway a few car lengths ahead of their original position in the flow. In Boise, that would be considered rude. No one tries to push their way to the head of the line. They wait their turn.

Weird, but kind of sweet. The place is growing on me.

P.

Coop deVille.

John and Michael have constructed a grand chicken condominium out back for the girls. They seem very happy with their new home.

Chicken delight.

P.

Fine Weather We're Having.

A few days ago it was raining. Then it hailed. Then we got sleet. Not what I want in late May weather, though the hills, just beginning to turn slightly green, looked lovely with a fresh coat of snow.

But today is beautiful. Mid-70s, a gentle breeze, and deep blue skies dotted with puffy white clouds.

Ah, spring!

P.

New Granddaugther Pictures!

Syona has become a tween, and by the looks of it so have these three. It seems only yesterday that they were three little peeping balls of fuzz.

It makes us feel so old.


P.

Sex With Ducks. Apparently It's What's Happening.

They make quite a compelling case.

So does Pat Robertson.

P.

The Angle of Reflection.

I love reflection shots. They are at once mathematically precise (the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection) and impressionistic (how impressionistic depends on the turbidity of the reflective surface). 

They can be part of a landscape.

 Or semi-abstract compositions on their own. 

I love how the slight agitation of the water here resembles brush stokes.

P.

The Long Spring.

It's been a long time getting to spring, and while we're in the full flower of it here in Boise, the higher elevations are still trying to break free of winter's grip. It hit 75 for the first time this year here a few days, and it was great wearing shorts and not carrying a jacket everywhere, but it quickly dropped back into the low 60s.

This weekend O. flew to southern California to see Teresa and her family, and I was feeling a just a bit stir-crazy from being holed up in our cozy, but tiny, apartment for months, so I decided to take a drive to McCall, a mountain resort about a hundred miles north of Boise.

It was a gorgeous drive. The Payette River was in full spring flood.

The forecast called for showers, but though a few drops 

splattered the windshield from time to time, the skies were 

mostly about half clear, with glorious drifts of puffy gray 

and white clouds.

Though the trees were still bare at altitude, these had 

sprouted new branches in bright orange, lending a touch of 

fall color to the greening landsacape.

In McCall itself, at 5500 feet, winter was still in effect. 

There was snow piled everywhere, and Payette Lake 

was still mostly frozen over.

The farmlands north of Weiser were a lush green dotted with 

little yellow flowers and pools of standing water.

And the hillsides were covered with bright yellow drifts of daisies.

Turns out I picked the right day to go, because today it rained most of the day in Boise and it was snowing again in the mountains. Even in May, spring's hold is tenuous. Next week, however, is forecast to be in the 70s. How happy we will be.

P.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips Down The Oregon Trail.

It turns out that our apartment house is built right on the Oregon Trail, just a miles few south and east from the original site of Ft. Boise.

 There's a historical marker in a little park about a block from us.

 As promised, April showers have brought May flowers. 

Full spring is finally here, and there are tulips everywhere

in colors that could put someone's eye out.

All the more beautiful because we've been waiting for it for so long.

P.