Heat, Harbor, and a Hint of History

 Ships and Harbor Views

Two RoRos in ONE pic ... very unusual.
RoRos are vehicle carriers ... imagine them full of cars.
The southbound is headed to Port of Tacoma.
The northbound is probably returning to Asia
for another load ... or possibly American vehicles
going that way.

In yet another 2 for 1 shot we have 2 of Seattle's
afternoon tourist adventure ships.
At bottom: Argosy Tour Boat
Middle:  Salish Sea Tours
[For better, larger views, click on images]

Early morning shot of one of our cross-Sound Ferries.
The sun was lighting up the ferry but no so much
so the background which is West Seattle (in the near)
and Vashon Island (in the far distance).
The RED ARROW points to the Emergency Craft.
It is suprising how often a ferry deploys its
Emergency boat to help mariners in distress.

Golden Bear Training Ship
Cal Poly Maritime Academy
This vessel visited Seattle in late June.
Read more about the Golden Bear

Crew of Golden Bear as it arrived in Seattle.
This picture posted in local media by a crew member.
Would have been watching with binoculars if
I had know their time of arrival.

Another summer visitor ...
USCGC Eagle
Training cutter for future officers of the USCG
Read about the USCGC Eagle
My only disappointment ... It wasn't at full sail! 😢

Speaking of a sail boat at full sail ... here is a
colorful one!

My first time to see this ship visiting Seattle.
Per the ship's website ...
The Villa Vie Residences is not a cruise
ship ... it is a LIFESTYLE.
Read about living on this ship.

Keeping track of tariff effects ...

Recent container ships have looked similar to this one.
This is a small load of containers.
This cargo vessel is arrived from Asia
in early July.

This MSC Container ship is departing Seattle
with a very small load. Notice all the empty
spaces for containers.
Early July capture.

A curiosity ... Not sure if it has anything to do with
tariffs ... but this is my first time to see a PIL Container
Ship in Seattle. The red hull and blue containers give the 
ship a unique appearance.
Read about KOTA LUKIS Container Ship

Stamps - Hint of History

What is the most valuable, rare USPS stamp?   Answer:  The 1918 USPS 24 cent airmail stamp featuring the Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” biplane (image below ... NOT in my collection 😓) 

In 1918, one sheet, of 100 stamps, was inadvertently printed with the plane upside down. The stamp was printed in two passes: first the red frame, then the blue plane.  One sheet inadvertently had the plane printed upside down—likely due to the sheet being rotated or the print plate misaligned during the second pass. Of the 100 stamps possibly still in existence, the most recent auction of one “Inverted Jenny” sold for approximately $2 million.

Want to read more about the Inverted Jenny?  Take a look here.  (Wikipedia)

Skies

The morning of the Full Buck Moon was partly cloudy and I was afraid I would miss my monthly picture of the Full Moon. I'm happy with the way a break in the clouds allowed the shot below.

Full Buck Moon
July 11, 2025

Clear skies sent me to Kerry Park
for this overview shot of Seattle
looking south ... Mt Rainier in the distance.
July 12th

I mentioned heat in the title. It has arrived. July 16 and 17 Seattle reached over 90F (about 32C) during the afternoons. So far, it hasn't been as bad as last year. Most of the snow cover on Two Brothers mountains, in the Olympic Range, has melted. How it looked July 11th ...

Two Brothers Mountains
Olympic Range as seen from Seattle
Mid-July 2025

Critters

My friend and blog follower Tim sent me this
photo of his sweet pups ... Arthur and Poly ...
while enjoying an afternoon siesta.

It's tough to post without including at
least one shot of my hummers.

While watching and waiting for hummers I noticed a
crow sitting atop a utility pole across the street. I 
believe most folks think of crows as a nuisance.
But really, they are an interesting bird.

Lastly ... A critter stamp 😂

Stamps (First Day Covers) and Critters ... two
hobbies in one image. This year, 2025 is the Year of
the Snake in the Chinese Zodiac
Read more about it (Wikipedia)

Speaking of Critters ...

I'm linking up with Saturday's Critters

Love critters? Check it out!

Closing thought ...

Sharing ... Do you get daily emails from those you've done business with in the past? Especially ones that might be health related? Well, I do. One of the issues I have with this is all the advertising that is included. I recently received an email from WebMD entitled 13 Ways to Beat the Afternoon Slump. As I read through it, I didn't really encounter anything new, but thought it was nice to see several good tips organized and well presented. So, I copied the information, removed the ads, and share it with you below. Let me know if you enjoy. 😊

13 Ways to Beat the Afternoon Slump

Written by Danny Bonvissuto

Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on February 09, 2024

Take a Walk

Your body isn’t built to be alert and productive 8 hours straight. Your levels of the hormone cortisol go up and down all day, which can leave you feeling sluggish in the afternoon. Take a walk to get your blood flowing. Even if it’s just around the building or the block, the change of scenery will also reenergize your senses.

Eat a Good Breakfast

Do you skimp on your morning meal or skip it altogether? If so, you’re missing out on important nutrients that help you concentrate, problem-solve, and be productive. It may also cause you to overeat at lunch, which can spike blood sugar. This leaves you tired and hungry a few hours later.

Do Energizing Yoga Stretches

Yoga is all about slow movements and deep breaths, both of which get your blood moving. It also helps you release any tension you’re holding in your body. You don’t have to get on the floor. Just back away from the computer and do some neck rolls, shoulder rolls, and a few seated side bends. Remember to breathe.

Drinkwater

Your body runs on water. When you don’t get enough, everything slows down. Drinking a glass of water will not only make you feel less tired by carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells, it also helps keeps your blood pressure and heartbeat in check.

Sip Green Tea

Eight ounces of brewed green tea has slightly more caffeine than soda, and all of it’s natural. Green tea also has plant compounds called catechins that give you a powerful antioxidant boost.

Take a Break From Work

Tiredness is your body’s way of telling you it needs something. And that something might be as simple as a break. It’s tempting to keep working. But when you give your mind and body a few minutes away, you’ll be more focused and productive when you return.

Open the Blinds

Don’t underestimate the power of light. At a core level, your body takes its cues from light to know when to wake up and when to go to sleep. If you’re feeling tired during the workday, bright sunlight or a light therapy lamp can help you feel awake and alert.

Try a Standing Desk

If you have a desk job, most of the action happens in your mind. Your arms may move a bit on a keyboard, but your lower half stays static. If you alternate between a sitting and standing desk, it keeps your body and blood moving.

Grab an Energy-Boosting Snack

These keep your body fueled and offset energy dips in the afternoon. This is a good time to get vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a solid hit of protein in: Reach for yogurt, a piece of fruit, or crunchy vegetables.

Cut Back on Sugar

Like caffeine, sugar gives you a quick, easy boost, but you’ll pay for it later with low blood sugar and a big drop in energy. Get healthy amounts of sugar naturally from fruit or drinks with 100% fruit juice.

Take a Catnap

Give in! A quick nap could be just what your body needs to reset and feel refreshed. Seta 15-minute timerand shut the door to your office or recline the seat in your car. Aim to get your nap in before 3 p.m. so it doesn’t mess with your nighttime sleep cycle.

Turn On Energetic Music

Ever notice how a song can boost your mood and wake up your whole body? Music tells your brain to produce more dopamine, the hormone that helps you feel pleasure. It also helps your blood flow more freely. Think of it as audio caffeine.

Chew Gum

It’s not about how many bubbles you can blow. The physical act of chewing gets your heart rate going and increases blood flow to your brain. This wakes your body up and makes you more alert.

Thank you for stopping by John's Island. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

John

It's About Time

Reminder:
Daylight "Saving" Time begins
tomorrow morning at 2:00 AM
(March 9, 2025)
in USA 

100 years ago there were no smartphones to check for accurate time. At that time, the most accurate time was provided by Western Union Time Service. This little folder (cover image above) was issued to advertise their service to banks, stores, and offices. How did they know the exact time? They got it from the United States Naval Observatory, where a telescope was used to track time by looking at the stars. How did they get time from the stars? By measuring the time it takes for the Earth to rotate exactly once a period of 24 hours could be determined precisely. (I know, if you're a Flat-Earther this is problematic, but just go with the Earth is round this time. 😉) What does all this have to do with Western Union? Once accurate time was determined at the Naval Observatory a signal was sent daily over the Western Union Telegraph System to update clocks all across the nation.

Click on image for larger image ...
possibly readable.

Learning Table Manners, postcard from 1939 ...

An old postcard from my collection.
This one is titled "Learning Table Manners"

Postmarked July 17, 1939
To Mrs Lucy Graves, PO Box 94, LeMoille Illinois
no ZIP code 😉

Ok, I flipped the card so you can read the message.
I love the way J. E. Stelzer signed the card
with his nickname "BROMO" as in Bromo-Seltzer ...
a headache remedy invented in 1888.

I love the title and description.
Enjoy more critters at Saturday's Critters!

Daffodils

Spring time is Daffodil time in the Pacific Northwest. In my last post (Feb 7th) I included an image of daffodils breaking the ground. Out on walks, I continued to watch those Dafs and snapped a few more pictures of the progress. I combined those pictures into the collage below.

Same Daffodils, different days.
A little over a month from breaking ground to bloom.
[Click on image for larger view.]

Nature makes an ordinary traffic circle
look pretty good.

Stamps

More poster stamps to share. The stamps below were issued by the Northern Pacific Railroad in the early 1900s. This group is titled Wonderland Series 7. 

10 Stamps Wonderland Series 7

Clockwise from top left:
In the Heart of the Cascade Range
At Canon Beach Near Astoria, Oregon
On the Summit of Mt Hood, Oregon 11,225 Feet High
A Glimpse of the Columbia River

Clockwise from top left:
Mt Rainier Wash 14,408 Feet High
From the Summit of Mt Spokane
The Gallatin River Montana
Sport on a Mountain Trout Stream
The Celilo Falls Columbia River
Green River, Cascade Range Wash

Skies

March 5 - Clouds and Sun near sunset
looking across Puget Sound to
the Olympic Mountains

Another March 5 capture after sunset.
The thing that interested me ... the shadows of
the rain falling from clouds in the distance.
The Chopper was a happy coincidence. 😊

This week's question ...

Do you get ads ... ALL OVER ... when moving around the Internet? I sure do and some of them are amusing. I have an example for you below. It's a screenshot of an ad from an investment company. I do like the art ... the couple ... who don't look old ... enjoying something to eat with their dog along side. I made one modification to the ad. Can you find it?  😂

Closing thought ... 

By Richard Paul Evans

Thanks for stopping by John's Island!

Here we go again

January 2025

Books

Bob King's Magnificent Aurora is one of the most 
beautiful and informative books I've seen in a long time.
I purchased my copy direct from the publisher: Sky and Telscope
As far as I know, the book is not available in a digital version.
Link for more info or to order.

A new Coloring Book

On my recent West Coast Adventure, described in my 3 blog posts last October, my BIL (Brother-In-Law) was along and introduced me to a delightful adult drawing book printed in Japan. The book consists of postcards and gives an example of a completed drawing on one card, with another of the same image that needs to be colored in. Link for more info about Daiso Products.

Cover

Example of inside page.
The left side is a completed image
on a postcard size of paper.
The right side is for you to 
color in! And send!

All you need  ... Color pencils and time.
This is fun!

History - Postcard Folder

As most of you will know, I collect old railroad memorabilia. Some of my favorite things are the postcards published by the railroads in the early 1900s to entice travelers to take the train on their next adventure. What you see below is an unused folder featuring scenes on the Great Northern Railway which provided service from Chicago to Seattle and is referred to as one of the first transcontinental lines.

Scenes on Great Northern Railway
From the Oriental Limited
Chicago - Seattle early 1900s

Combine Harvester in the Grain Fields
Big Bend Country, Washington

Harvesting Grain in the Red River Valley

Passenger Train in the Cascade Mountains
of Washington

Oriental Limited Emerging from
Cascade Tunnel on Great Northern Railway

Oriental Limited through the Cascades, Wash.

Trout Fishing on the Skykomish River,
Washington. On line of the G. N. Railway

Washington Log and Loggers.

Totem Pole, Pioneer Square,
Seattle, Washington

Mount Tacoma and Part of City of Tacoma, Wash.
(Printed BEFORE renamed Mt Rainier!)

27 Wenatchee, Washington Apples

Power Station, Tumwater Canyon, Wash.

Wenatchee, Wash. fruit orchard in bloom.

Kootenai Falls, Montana

Falls, Spokane River, Spokane, Wash.

Wheat raised by Irrigation in Montana

Hotel at Belton, Montana
Entrance to Glacier National Park

Steam Breaking in Montana

Back Cover of the Folder
The Great Northern Oriental Limited
on Sea Wall between Everett and Seattle, Wash.

Swindoll Quote

I happened to find this on another blog where the person used it as their profile statement. Although it doesn't say anything about the blogger, it sure is a powerful statement and one I thought worth sharing.

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitudes." Charles R. Swindoll

Ships

As usual, I have a few pics of ships to share. I love watching the ships come and go in the Port of Seattle.

The early morning fog had just lifted and the sun
was lighting up this container ship nicely.

A Foss Tug on a windy/rough afternoon.
Wonder what the Captain thinks on a day like this.

Skies

Waxing crescent moon with Venus bright below
and to the right.

Clearing sky overhead but clouds to the west
created an unusally colorful sunset.

Birds

Thanks to my SIL (Sister-in-Law 😊) I just discovered SWANRISE which is an event north of Seattle. A company called Skagit Land Trust puts together tours to see Trumpter Swans who spend the winter in our area. The tours go out in the morning to watch the birds wake up and take off for the day. In the evening tours watch the birds return to Barney Lake where they spend the night. All of this year's tours are sold out, but I plan to get on the list early next fall. 

Link for more information.

A good source of info is Cornell Lab

Love birds? Check out 
Saturday's Critters!

Range Map for Trumpter Swans
provided by Birds of the World
at Cornell Lab

My first picture of one of my hummers
visiting the feeder. I never get tired of
these little birds.

Progress

This is what progress sounds like ... click the video below. The activity is going on at Pier 90 right along the Waterfront Trail I've posted about. What they are doing is driving piles into the ground to provide for new construction at the Pier. City leaders tell us this may take the better part of a year. We will see. The video is probably longer than you'll want to listen. The first two images show you the scene. The large crane is one of the largest marine cranes I've ever seen.

Pile Driving at Pier 90

The whole process for the crane to pick up a pile and
drive it deep into the soil takes almost 2 hours.

Thanks for stopping by and have a good rest of January!