A Stream Runs Under It

The Chico stream house is partially hidden by several trees.

Perhaps the goal is to harmonize with nature. Or perhaps it’s to construct something that’s a bit different. Whatever the case, some houses get built in unusual locations: over creeks, near rivers, in trees, on tiny islands, into hillsides, and overlooking steep slopes. One such house—a house with a stream running under it—is located near me. Although you might not notice it when you drive by (see photo), I always stop to marvel at the stream house when I’m biking along Chico Way.

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Spelling Mud Bay Correctly

It’s time to renew the tabs again.

I live on Mud Bay. My old pickup truck has advertised my place of residence via a personalized license plate for almost two decades. However, it was only about two years ago that I was able to swap it for a license plate that spells Mud Bay correctly (see photo). That meant dealing with the Washington state Department of Licensing, never an easy task.

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A Simple Christmas Message

A Peace on Earth display designed for outdoor use

A simple Christmas message for this year, and every year, is shown in a lighted display attached to the water tank fence at Treasure Island (see photo). While it can be seen by everyone, members and guests alike, after driving onto the island, I hope it is heard more widely than that. Peace on Earth is not a new message, but it is one worth repeating, both at Christmas and throughout the year.

A Cycling Calendar for 2026

Ignore the cover, it really is a 2026 calendar.

My sister used to send me a cycling calendar every Christmas. I don’t think she had any trouble finding one each year as they always arrived on time in mid-December. But it’s been up to me for a few years now to make the annual purchase. I’m still having difficulty finding calendars I like and haven’t used the same vendor twice.

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QOTD: Trump and Golf

Are the president’s golf ethics as solid as this golf hat?

Today’s question of the day concerns Trump and golf. Specifically, does the president cheat at golf, a sport played by some of the most ethical people around? I don’t have any empirical evidence on this one way or the other, but that won’t stop me from speculating about the answer.

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In-Something-Out

The logo tells you what to do.

Think of the care In-N-Out Burger has taken to carefully promote its brand. Despite a cult-like demand from potential customers in unserved areas, it has expanded slowly, only adding franchises at a rate that allows it to maintain the quality of its burgers, fries, shakes, and service. But even with corporate advertising, splashy media coverage, a great logo (see screen capture), and my own customer experiences, until last week I was spelling and pronouncing the name incorrectly.

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Holiday Window Lights

Christmas displays in the upstairs windows

They are inexpensive, easy to store and install, safe, colorful, use low-power LED bulbs, and, most important, send a welcoming message. I’m talking about holiday window lights, which might be all you need to decorate your house’s exterior for Christmas or whatever December holidays you celebrate. This is the second year I have displayed them in my upstairs windows (see photo).

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A Green December

Strip mall sign: big sale at Reef Cannabis

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday retailers try to lure shoppers in with big sales and massive discounts. Reef Cannabis in Bremerton (see photo) also wants to cash in on the holiday shopping season. Reef is having a sale that lasts for the entire month. Perhaps the owners are hoping for a green December.

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Sports on TV & Radio

Everything the sports junkie needs, all in one place

What’s your favorite part of the online Seattle Times Sports section? For me it’s not the pages devoted to the Seahawks or the Mariners or the main Sports section page. The page I look at most often is the TV & Radio page (see screen capture showing a small portion of it), which has the listings for just about every sport you can think of. If a sporting event is on TV or radio, chances are it will be listed here.

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Planned Power Outage

Perhaps Puget Sound Energy wants you to catch up on your sleep.

The annual “fall back” drill last month provided an opportunity to grab an extra hour of sleep as part of setting clocks back an hour to mark the end of Daylight Saving Time. On Friday night there’s an even bigger bonus in store for the sleep deprived—a planned power outage for the Rocky Point/Marine Drive neighborhoods.

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