The city freezes and the blog block melts

Snow - again? Three times may indeed be the charm, as this is the third time this day that the flakes have fallen and this time they may even stick. I did not get what I needed this Winter where snow was concerned. I like the blanketing of white, the crunch under foot and the chilly breath that comes with snow.

The views of North Renton as I sloshed home tonight were dipped in pearly white and slightly mushy around the edges. My camera somehow made the cut into the new handbag and voila! instant Kodak moment.

A snow blizzard feel as I made tracks in the unmarked lanes about town.The blue light here stands out in a wonderfully weird way.

The houses wrapped in snowflake batter were what drew my eye.

 

While the city became drowsy with cold, a hearty group of bloggers met to discuss the plans for a new blog in the offing. One that brings a confluence of assets and efforts and helps lapsed writers reenter the land of the web and Renton news.

So stay tuned and I will help spread the word. There is a new voice in town ( well, a few voices pulling together under one gleaming banner head) and we mean to make a difference.

I sitll heart you, Renton

I got an email for Valentines Day from a faithful reader telling me that four months was too long to wait for a Picaroon update. And I am still late in saying, I still do heart you, Renton.

The walkers of Coulon Park have better holiday attire than most. Artfully contrived with Velcro and a few safety pins for good measure, these clothes are all made to order for each occasion by some costumer of witty talent.

Can you believe the blue skied wonderfulness of the day these photos were shot? The weather is a mix of Spring whipped up into an occasional Winter cool fest. I never know how to dress when I get up - unlike our statue strollers here, who can wear the hell out of anything.

I still think of the days of old, blogging away about the town I love. My Valentine to you, dear Renton. A photo of your winning colors.

Last look at October

Halloween began with a great brewing of Halloween Tales over at the Renton History Museum. Dorota Rahn (pictured above)  helped conjure up a crowd to come see the free speaker program that I am so fond of over at the museum. Why weren't you there?

Bea and her well known talent of a mother, Naomi Baltuk, regaled a rapt crowd with tales of Halloween at the museum. Storytelling is a craft and form of entertainment that is good for the soul. Get away from that TV and video game when the opportunity presents itself. What a great duo! 

While out on the streets of Renton, some dressed for the holiday - and others, just dressed in the tie dyes that comprise the greater part of their wardrobe. Phyl Carroll is a grandma who dressed as a granny and Richard Stout is a man who loves color, especially the swirly kind.

Halloween can be a great time to experiment with possible new looks and hair colors - like Bill Provin here, who I must say, has a flare for purple. So does Brandy.

 How could I get away without one last fond look at jack o 'lanterns? They should somehow be an acceptable use of a pumpkin all the way up to Thanksgiving.

North Renton as a neighborhood completely rocked - with the Schelgel's Home on Williams Street hosting a Haunted House in their backyard - which was awesome.

Across the street, Halloween craftsmen, Evan and Dave created their own ghoulish destination for the more intrepid trick or treaters.

 

It was a great Halloween season - sigh.

Wanna know why I started to blog again today? I read my horoscope over at Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology and it said - blog. I kid you not. I was gonna try to be lazy a little longer, but I was shamed back into it. Really.

The North Renton Picnic rocked - again

Sorry for the lame "pet" ad - just click on the "X" right away, and that pesty little thing with vamoose!

Join the Renton Picnic today

Feel like a little picnicking and  meetin' the neighbors and that sort of thing? Join the North Renton Neighborhood Association and my wee self this evening between the hours of 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Jones Park on Wells Street for some free hot dogs and convivial surroundings. We won't frown at a little potluck activity from your kitchen, if so inclined. Norma is said to be collecting recipes of any dish that you happen to bring. So come along and share - whether it be just you, or you and a dish or two. All comers welcome.

My favorite part of the evening is seeing people from all walks of the City of Renton's many departments out cooking up dinner at the grill.Check us out last year.

While you are at it, check out the newly formated North Renton Neighborhood Association website, thanks to a local figure known to many as Renton Ben.

North Renton Picnic
Tonite! Jones Park on Wells Street
5:30 - 7:30 pm   FREE!

Hey! It's a Parade

Renton River Days Parade - an event I look forward to each year. Fry Bread purchased each year in front of the Eagles Club and a chair to bask on the sidelines while the kids (and adults!) hope to score a candy or two thrown their way. This is a slice of Americana and it is heavenly.

Light on text? Yep - off to play with my niece at the last day of the Renton River Days at Liberty Park. Hope to see ya'll there.

Here a duck, there a quack

As of today, all of the Renton rubber ducks, whose locations have been being mysteriously hinted at in the Renton Reporter since the end of June, have come to roost at Liberty Park. Man, my Mom had a great time tracking down every last one of those cleverly outfitted ducks in the hope of being the winner this weekend at Renton River Days.

Since I have been such a dilatory blogger as of late, here is a look back at some of these cute little yellow duckies in their recent environments. Pongi Bonsi at The Landing featured here.

Tricked out by Tor, tattoo artiste of Downtown Renton, this guy was seen at Happy Delusions.

Cute little reporter duckie found at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes- he had, by far, the yummiest hang out.

Okay - so this one needs no explanations from me. Dude is hella cute, right?

Got some of your Duck Hunt bingo sheet filled out? Head over to Liberty Park and put your sheet with your name attached in for a drawing. Maybe this is your ducky, I mean, Lucky Day!

Renton River Days - Celebrating 25 Years of Rubber Duckies!