In Seattle the cold nights sneak up on you. Autumn chill was in the air, and summertime had slipped out the back door without even saying goodbye. Through the tree branches, we saw flashes of unexpected color that couldn’t be anything but a space ship! Eli and I stopped what we were doing…
…and ran to investigate. We brought the camera for photo-documentation.
We live three or four blocks from a sweeping view of Puget Sound.
For fireworks, sunsets, or alien invasions, we always head straight for the crest of the hill. Ferry boats light up black water like jewels.
But that night, the jewel on the crown turned out to be a ruby, the biggest reddest moon I had ever seen.
Don’t wait for an alien invasion. Just look up.
Click here for more interpretations of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Look up.
All word and images copyright 2012 Naomi Baltuck
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Writing Between the Lines 
so beautiful, you live in a marvelous area, one I have always wanted to visit, alas I will visit vicarously as long as you will post photos ! God bless:)
Hi Len,
I love it here, but some people can’t take the weather. I don’t mind at all. I think of it as silver, rather than gray.
I feel your pain over here 3300 miles away in the opposite corner
I love your area spent so many days in WASHINGTON STATE almost thought about living on a houseboat over that way long ago but my parents were here so now with just Mom I really can’t move that far from her but maybe someday even a vacation on one would be perfect
It’s a great place to visit. We have two National Parks only and hour or two away from Seattle. I sometimes regret having headed out west to seek my fortune, when my mom was still in Detroit. We talked and visited back and forth, but I still feel like I missed a LOT by moving away. I just knew I couldn’t raise my kids in Detroit. You won’t have those regrets, which I still wrestle with.
I hear you on raising children there it must have been very hard I moved to Florida for 8 months when I gave my home to the bank after divorce when bank refused to take ex off loan ot title so I said “Get him to pay you!” loaded up my things I wanted and fueled up my van and Big Rig and off I went(old BF drove van with my dogs and cat,3 dogs lol I have a nice safe quiet trip in my International.
I had run the road but that was work and would always hit the parents home when I was in New England but being there I missed my parents. Bank gave me the house back free and clear as long as I promised to live here so Northbound I headed you can not turn a gift such as that down lol
Kid Rock and Eminem are guys raised there I do like some of the music and a whole lot of music made there but city life there and Chicago and LA are real tough 😦
Eunice
Dear Eunice,
What an interesting story! It seems like you were meant to be there. I also had the pull of Seattle. I was twelve or thirteen when my mom took us there on a road trip–we had been to most of the states already. But when we got to Seattle, with its mountains and ocean, I told my mother I was coming back here to live when I grew up. It has felt like home, and I love everything about it, even the rain!
I know right the Best of Both worlds we in NH have the Ocean and Mountains so I know exactly what you mean lol
I like the idea of a grass ROOF up in your area 🙂
I love New Hampshire! In 1976 I studied literature through the University of Michigan at Camp Kehonka on the shores of Lake Winnipesauke.
You are right such a pretty place to sit and quiet yourself close to the Lake as well as learn.
love that beautiful moon!
Thank you, Grace! I have never seen anything like it. It was the forest fires we were experiencing that made it so red.
Oh, that’s amazing!
Thank you, Patti!
THAT is an amazing moon. Holy Moly. How fun to be able to run with Eli. I envy you soooo much. xx
Thanks, Lesley. I am so so so lucky to have him to come out and play with. It is only until March, when he goes to Argentina on a Fulbright, but for now, I am loving our time together.
Gorgeous!
Thank you!
Beautiful place you live in!
Thank you, Elyse. Seattle isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It is pouring rain outside right now, we have a small lake in our driveway, and it is very dark out. But the twinkle lights are on, I have a hot cup of coffee, and feel very snug inside. As soon as the sun comes out, people head outside like cockroaches out of the woodwork, to take advantage of breaks in the weather!
Amazing shots, esp. the moon…
Thank you Amy. That was a lucky shot! We were fortunate to notice the moon through the trees, so we knew to get out and go find a good view of it. I appreciate your visit!
How lovely, Naomi. That red moon shot is amazing. 🙂
Thank you, ad. A shot like that comes once in a blue moon!
Great for the theme, I loved your intro, and the moon shot is sensational.
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for the sweet words. I didn’t have to do a thing to that photo. We were having forest fires in Eastern Washington at the time, and it probably affected the night sky.
LOVE that moon! Great post, love the way you told the story.
Hi Tina,
Thanks so much. We really got lucky with that shot, but it made me think that I shouldn’t wait for a blue or even a red moon to step out.
I appreciate your visit, and your taking the time to share your thoughts.
I loved the pictures, but ya’ really made me laugh – that was even better!
Nancy
Dear Nancy,
That is one of the nicest things you could say to me! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
I feel the same way when one of you leaves a comment on my own blog. I’m so thrilled when someone takes time to leave a note!
Beautiful interpretation Naomi for this week topic, Thanks for sharing your natural surroundings images ,stargazing I love it too my friend 🙂
Hi Jake,
Thanks for another wonderful incentive. I appreciate the gentle nudge your Sunday Post challenge gives me.
That ‘ruby’ moon is spectacular!
Thank you, Madhu! It was a real fluke–with forest fires affecting the atmosphere.
What a fabulous shot… BTW, I love Seattle. 😉
Thank you, Elizabeth. I love it too. It is a place that I moved to upon reaching adulthood, mindfully chosen. Love at first sight can happen in many spheres!
Every image takes my breath away but the red moon just blew my mind. Beautiful!
Dear Island Traveler,
Thank you so much! It is amazing what you can see from your own backyard! I appreciate your visit, and for taking the time to share your very generous thoughts!
Wonderful pix! All I know of Seattle comes from THAT movie. And also that it rains alot 🙂
Hi Footsy,
Seattle is a silver city, with gardens everywhere. The rain is not usually very heavy–more like mist, but it can be very wet and gray for days at a time. In Ireland they would call it “soft weather.”
It tends to be more casual here, and more progressive politically, which suits me. It is very water-oriented; our metropolitan area is built around Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Sammamish Lake, and then there is Puget Sound.
We have the Olympic mountains visible to the west, the Cascade mountains to the east, Mt. Rainier to the south, and Mt. Baker to the north. It is a mild climate. We hardly ever get snow, but when we do the city shuts down and everyone makes hot chocolate and goes out to play in it.
Now on my bucket list to visit one day. Sounds delightful.
Hurray! When you come, I’ll buy you a cup of Starbucks coffee!
that moon photo is awesome!^^
Thank you, kz! That was a once in a blue moon photo op!
Beautiful, Naomi! What a gorgeous moon…and your sunset is glorious too. The ferry boat twinkling on the water is beautiful….thanks for sharing a part of your world!
Hi Judy,
Thanks for the visit, and for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the follow. I really enjoyed your blog, and will look forward to following you too.
perfect poem:
~
“Ferry boats
light up
black water
like jewels…”
Dear Frizz,
You are so kind! Thanks for your very lovely comment.
So cool, Naomi! I’m glad you were able to capture that moment and really glad that you shared it with us 🙂
Hi Kathy,
So good to hear from you. You really don’t need to get on an airplane to appreciate your surroundings. That ruby moon was just a reminder to get ourselves out the door.
Thanks so much for the visit!
Magical moment. I love that Sound sunset too, Naomi.
Hi Jo! Thank you for sharing the moment. I always love to hear from you.
Apparently, the aliens had cans of red spray paint – how nice of them to create such a beautiful moon for you to photograph and share.
Dear Carol,
Hah! It was just what we needed to get ourselves going. Isn’t that always the case? Once you buck the inertia, you are always glad you got moving and out the door. Thanks so much for your visit, and for taking the time to comment.
That moon is incredible–trying to turn itself into an Edam cheese!
Hi Sarah,
It does look like a hunk out of a wheel of cheese, doesn’t it? Thank you so much for your visit.
Sweet piece (peace). Great catch. Love to all.
Hi Lee,
We got lucky. It won’t be long before you’ll be able to come out for an evening walk and catch the view with us! Can’t wait to see you!
Congratulations Naomi – http://flyawayhomebook.com/2012/11/16/its-been-quite-a-year/
Hey, Maggie! Congrats to you too! Thanks for the visit.
love it! beautiful and FUN!
Dear Paula,
Thanks so much!
Amaziong interpretation!
I love your creativity for the photo challenge Naomi!
You always come up with such great concepts!
Thank you, Pablo! I appreciate your kind words.Hi Pablo,
Thank you! It’s always nice to hear from you.
Good luck with your photo contest. Your entry was spectacular! I have my fingers crossed for you.
You had me hook, line and sinker, Naomi! I love your red Seattle moon, and I’m wondering why I’m just realizing that you live there. I met a woman not long ago who said it was so wet in the Pacific Northwest that you could throw a seed out the window and it would sprout! I always thought Seattle sounded wonderful, and think it’s a place I would embrace given the chance to live there.
Elisa
I’ve lived east and west, but cannot imagine living anywhere but the Pacific Northwest. I think you would do well here, too.
Hey, Naomi, very clever. You always manage to get the best shots too. Particularly love the tree with view and the red moon. Fabulous! 😉
Thank you, Jamie. This one was fun and easy, just got lucky!
What a moon – and what a capture! It may not have been an alien invasion, but the planets must have been aligned in a very special way to give you such a showing 🙂
🙂
Beautiful photos and what a blood red moon. Wow. Love your reminder to look up. 🙂 I’m trying to do that more. 🙂
It sure paid off last night! Thanks for the visit, Kourtney!
Oh my goodness! What a sight … Lovely~ 🙂 … and I’m glad you have quick access to those alien invastions.
I must be loosing my mind. I did read this before. Well! still enjoyed again.
Be well, Naomi. Enjoy the post-holiday cheer.
Thanks for sharing pictures and articles.Happy New Year!
Amazing moon shot, Naomi! The color is incredibly beautiful!
That gorgeous moon is quite spooky. Thanks for joining the challenge.
Thank you!
Great images and story. 🙂 Thanks for joining the challenge!
Thanks for the pingback!
I appreciate your visit. Thanks for the pingback!
Thanks for the pingback!
O appreciate your visit–thanks for linking up!
Was that the strawberry moon? Beautiful