It's that time again.

It's been almost a year now since my last post. Nothing like life to get in the way of writing about life. But it's that time again. V & I are relocating to the central coast of the Golden State. So as we wrap up our five odd years in the greater Tacoma area, I find myself feeling retrospective.

Thus the attempted return to this blog.

This place has been home to me for longer than any other in this country. Yet I feel too much like a stranger here still. There are lots of things about the Evergreen State I won't miss--the infamous Tacoma aroma, the seemingly constant drizzle of rain, the ice cold beaches, my mossy backyard. And there are things I don't get--hiking boots to work in an office and pale, largely unkempt Northwest men. (Sorry, I don't get it!)

But here too is where I nurtured my green side, where nature and the environment is daily business to many and not just a trendy catchphrase.

This place also bore witness to many firsts--our first home, our first dog, my first museum job (which I hate to leave). This is where V & I grew as a couple, then grew older as a married one. I turned 30 here. He became a major here. In all, it's a place we will never forget, and probably come back to again.

So thanks for the memories Tacoma/Dupont/Washington! I leave with good thoughts and a new mountain bike from REI.

PS. Post about Briscoe's birthday to follow. She just turned 1!