some thoughts

'East of Here' 12x18" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

A moat, the dike, even a trench or the channel

It always reminds me

of a friend

who painted

fuzzy ditches.

in defense of color

'A Grey Day' 24x36" oil on canvas;  Kathleen Faulkner

On the greyest of days,

a little color can ease the doldrums.

a rare encounter

'Middle of Nowhere 21x29" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner 

That place 

no humans

no garbage

only nature sounds

A good view

'Roadside' 10x10" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

As I look out over the Skagit fields

I am grateful to know that development 

will not be happening here. 

moving forward

'Best Roundabout' 24x24" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

The first time I experienced a roundabout was in Europe in the 90s  I drove the clutch on the opposite side on the two lane roundabout. 

Forever after I feel empowered when it comes to roundabouts.

Here in the Skagit there are quite a few.  All have unique personalities and we interact with each one differently. The Best Roundabout is, of course, on Best Road. It is handsome. Each direction gives the feeling that the road is really going somewhere.  It may also be the easiest to navigate. 

It has history.  People who have lived here awhile remember the house on the corner with chickens in the yard under the huge willow.  I always made a point to notice the tinfoil on the windows.  The house is gone now but the willow still remains and so do the views, including some new ones.

It is the best.

Landmark

'Landmark' 10x10" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Landmark

A recognizable natural or man-made feature used for navigation

A notable location with historical, cultural, or geographical significance.

A major, important event.*

*Wiktionary