Part 2

Every day, millions of dollars in building materials are thrown away. Indeed, the United States and Canada throw away more materials every year than most countries can produce. Doors, windows, insulation, floor coverings, pipe, wire, lumber, light fixtures, appliances – just about everything you would need to build a home! For the people getting rid of it, it’s junk; damaged, leftover, obsolete, not worth saving. But, for you, it may be a different story.

The San Juans are a treasure trove of resources for redecorating, or even building, on a budget. The very nature of these… read full article

Useful Information if you are new to the Washington State Ferry System and want to go to San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, or Shaw. This Blog is in three parts.

Get a ferry schedule before you tell anyone when you will be arriving.  You can go online to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.  This is the department of transportation’s ferry website.  It has the most up-to-date information.  For example, sometimes the ferries are on special holiday schedule and occasionally one will break down or be late.  Also, note that the ferry schedule (and also the prices) changes four times a year. … read full article

Part 1

There seems to be a change in the way people are thinking about true wealth, true happiness, and the homes in which they choose to live. Many Americans find their hearts turning toward visions of a mellower and somehow more fundamental lifestyle.

Many yearn for a simpler life – one more attuned with the natural world, based on pleasures rather than possessions, guided by needs rather than trends. At the same time, we are becoming aware of the earth’s limited resources, and the necessity of doing more with less. These desires dovetail in a way that… read full article

When visiting other cities and countries, I’m reminded how truly awesome our island is and how thankful I am when returning home. The San Juan Islands are a destination place that many people come to visit and fall in love with. I can see our island through their eyes and it encourages me to take the extra time to stop and ask if I can help with directions or information.

Visitors are starting to arrive; I can feel their energy. They visit our islands, fall in love with its beauty and find a new place to call home.… read full article

Sure, Islanders do go on vacations occasionally.
I am on one now.
And here are the things I miss about San Juan Island when I am gone:

The smell the sea
The storekeepers that know me by name
The visitors and their silly questions
The Orcas feeding off the west side
The grocery store where I know how to find everything
The sound of the teenagers when they walk downtown at lunchtime
The pet store where they know my dog
My favorite take-out dishes at the restaurants
Happy… read full article

Markets and services have changed to adapt to and accommodate Baby Boomers through every stage of their lives: from the growth and expansion of school districts and colleges as Boomers moved through their childhood and youth to housing starts in the 70s when Boomers began forming households. Boomers have also comprised the largest and most educated group of employees in U.S. history. They’ve been the largest and wealthiest consumer group in the U.S. and their choices are influential. Given this background, it is only to be expected that the Boomers will shape retirement in the U.S. to fit… read full article

When we moved to the San Juan Islands in 1974 I was just a little girl. It was, for my mother a noticeable change from the mainland. For my brother and me, it was just another small town. Like most places San Juan Island has changed dramatically since the 1970’s. It was a quiet little fishing community as I remember it. After living in Friday Harbor for a couple of years we moved again, this time we went out to Stuart Island. This was a noticeable change to all of us. Stuart had no electricity, no running water,… read full article