Forbes and Greatschools.org combined to study the best cities in the U.S. for educational and lifestyle qualities. Based on school rankings, test scores, and availability of recreation activities, Mercer Island came in at the number 2 position.
While many of the cities in the rankings had much lower median home prices, Mercer Island’s $700k median was second only to Manhattan Beach, CA ($1.3 million). Mercer Island real estate is certainly more expensive than many areas of Greater Seattle, but the locals know that they’re paying for a high-quality lifestyle and superb educational opportunities. Specifically cited in the story were Mercer Island students’ outstanding SAT scores and extra-curricular activities including music, tennis, swimming, and water polo. The island’s 40 miles of trails and 400 acres of parks and open space make up a large portion of the 10-square mile island’s environment.
Geese Scare. Early A.M. this morning (1 a.m. or so) , Tiffany heard a lot of noise from the geese and went outside with a stick and a light and saw the eyes of something that was trying to drag off a goose. She made a lot of noise and it ran away. The goose is still alive and Tiffany thinks it might be okay. So that means it was probably a cougar and the geese are on borrowed time.
The store window is outstanding. Was that Jess' idea? Beautiful.
Hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful Easter. Yep, that's right, Tiff and I will be at Judi's house for a nice ham dinner. I am bringing the deviled eggs. Looking forward to it.
Took my poor car over to Judi's and washed it this afternoon and it looks like a new vehicle. Was afraid if I didn't do something soon, I would be drummed out of the hood.
Judi and I went to the Walmart in Lebanon in her car. It is really nice. She also has a trailer hitch on her car which I really want. Nice rig.
Lots of goose eggs in the nest and the racoon and/or skunk hasn't been eating them lately. Now that I have said that, they will probably all be gone by morning.
Beautiful day at the farm and the dogs and I walked over the creek and into the next field and walked the area. If you all ever decide to move to your farm and you walk that field, do not panic if you see a big yurt and a little yurt. That would be me and my chickens. The turkeys were in the lower field and went running off into the woods. One of the dogs decided to roll in some turkey poop so we had a little bath upon returning to the trailerhood.
Tom and I are back from the field -- the hounds did pretty well in the show, not placing but recognized by each of the three judges as being in the top half, top half, and top third respectively. The 'boyz got injured early on in the coursing and racing, bringing home only one ribbon by Jazz. With both Tom and me working, our hounds are getting lots of freedom. Of course, Judi kept the home hounds fed, watered, and comfortable in our absence. One of us would have had to stay home from the nationals. As it was, we had a sort of "together vacation" albeit a pretty hard working one.
Naturally, we are worried about Kay's dear eyeball. We are sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers. We're sending healing thoughts to Dee too. Flu can be very very tough to live through.
Tory's home from her adventures with Robert in Costa Rica. I loved reading her blog while I was on the road. I finally found a really good use for my cell phone's ability to connect with the internet.
Thought I would let you in on my most recent accidental recipe. I threw some chicken thighs in a plastic bag, put in flour and garlic salt and then added my seasoning salt. I kept shaking in the seasoning salt so it would be sure to cover the chicken WHEN all of a sudden I realized it wasn't seasoning salt but cinnamon. It was eatable but I certainly do no recommend it.
The geese are alive and well and Max is taking care of the chickens. Haven't seen Miss Kitty but her food is gone when I go out to the farm. So, either she is eating the food and/or one of the farm residents is eating the food. Turkeys were in lower field by bridge.
