puget sound morning..early dawn

The smokey grey clouds reflect in early dawn Puget Sound waters. The bay is like a smooth glass mirror edged in reflected fir trees..swirling clouds...the seagull makes a short cry. The crab boat will soon mysteriously appear and part the waterways in silence. How can I sit and not paint this scene? Soon the lone  Kayaker that faithfully paddles past our house each morning will emerge. The clouds now slowly change formation, the last morning star fades and the sky brightens.....Good Morning. As the old Scandanavian custom..to arise early and go outside and say Good Morning to God first. This inland passage called Elb Inlet could be in far northern Norway, southeast Alaska...Scotlands coast. I love my Puget Sound..I love my Islands. I could get in the canoe and literally paddle around the world. That is the  feeling of freedom and liberty  that living on a  bay that connects to oceans gives. Each evening we have a faithful Blue Heron that flutters and croons and silhouettes aginst the massive Madrona tree on our beach. Last week during our Beach Fire I was strumming the guitar. This fabulous bird came closer, closer...stood... listened... fluttered... and flew over us in grand display , as if to say, "I like your song". Western Washington has everything I found and loved in other countries. The British cozy misty days of mues and inspiration toward proes, poetry, fire and brisk tea. It has the Scottish moors and Highlands, Bays and heather,skies of light and glory. Switzerlands alpine splendour. Our Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges are unmatched in beauty. Our Pacific Ocean..like Alaska's rugged shore. Fishing, Hiking, The Rain Forrest...nestled between the Historic Lake Quinalt Lodge....and The Lake Crescent Inn. These centennial old destinations breathe history. Teddy Roosevelt and his cousin Franklin all had their hands in these" natural-setting hide-a ways." It is rumoured Winston Churchill also payed his visit. We haven't yet mentioned the beauty of Lake Cushman..true Hiawatha country. The one and only Hood Canal where Bill Gates has his summer house and the old Alderbrook Inn stands facing the Olympic Mountains with the Puget Sound surrounding in breathtaking beauty. We haven't yet spoke of Astoria to the south at the mouth of the columbia River. Next writing we will go East and follow that mighty river..I thank God every day for the beauty that surrounds me. It is God that created this marvel. It is God that maintains it. The sun comes up...the sun goes down! The moon rises ...the tides are obedient...the rivers do not overflow their banks...the sealife is hidden but complex beyond our human comprehension.  I feel like King David..."When I consider your heavens..the works of your fingers...What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man that you visit him? selah...God Bless..... Susan Shoemaker