Pacific NW News Service
Online Since 1992

With its latest update Friday, the Washington Health Department says there have been 11 flu deaths in the state this season.

Spokesman Marqise (mar-KEES') Allen says the number is not unusual, but the department urges everyone over the age of 6 months to have a vaccination. The swine flu has been the most common strain, and the current vaccine available covers the H1N1 virus.

Five of the deaths have been in King County, which can be expected as the population center of the state.

Allen says the state Health Department tracks only laboratory confirmed deaths so "official" numbers are just an indication of the overall flu situation.

There were 54 official flu deaths in the state last season, 18 the season before. 

Kathy Meader for Pacific NW News
 

"Had an outing today, but was upset with myself because I forgot to change both the filter and the shutter speed - not my best common sense moment, but despite my errors, I did take a couple of photos I like.  The eagles, sadly, have begun to move on - but I'm thankful for the time I've spent with them over the past month - and what made it really spectacular was sharing that time with friends - both the time and the photos!" -Kathy 

California farms lead the way in almond production
Powerful cyclone lashes Tonga
Fire ravages ancient Tibetan town w/video

"The day was cold - and windy.  The man, Dennis, leaning against the tree was lost in his own thoughts.  He recently lost his wife of many years, and to me, his expression and sense of being alone was the epitome of grief.  His daughter (the young woman) is also lost in her thoughts as she makes her way around the the bend of rocks.  Neither knew I had captured them, but despite the fact we were in a beautiful place with an abundance of beauty, the sense of loss was still very much on our minds.  Even in grief, life does move forward - whether we like it or not.

The eagles were a reminder of that.  Fish live; fish die.  It's eat or be eaten.  The eagles, with sharp talons, thick talons pick off the spawning fish as easily as I pick grapes off a vine one by one and eat them.  To the eagles, fish are food.  Period.  It's energy that will see them through for a short while until it is time to move on, and move on they will.

Do the eagles think of the fish they eat?  Think of the loss that occurs?  Probably not, but we don't know for sure, after all, we are only human.  As a human, I do think of the losses that have affected me.  I miss my mama, my friends Marta, Erin, and Carol.  I miss my auntie and others who have passed on and are waiting for me when it is my time to travel from this world to the next.

I look forward to Heaven where love, light, and laughter will fill every second.  While I may not like the death and the feelings that it brings about, it does make me appreciate the ones that I still have with me here on earth.  To ignore them and lose myself totally in grief would mean, to me, a way of stalling, of not living - and missing out on moments with current loved ones around me.  It's an internal conflict, but one we all deal with at some time or another - but it's also a time of growth.  I try to take what I can from it and move on. 

Like the eagle, I must move forward.  Stopping my life and becoming stagnant will not help my feelings of grief.  I will cry.  I will feel depressed.  However, I will also laugh and the depression will lift if I trust God and the reassurances of my loved ones.  To those who have passed, I say fly.  Fly with the eagles, go forward, soar in ways that you couldn't on earth, and when you can, think of us from time to time - until we  meet again." -Kathy Meader for bobshannon,org

Some didn't get the message
Ski Day 2014

© Foster Fanning

© Foster Fanning

© Foster Fanning

Foster the Photographer
He did the above and invites to the below this picture

Freckie Face Gourmet in Republic, Washington will be hosting a photography show by J Foster Fanning Photography opening at 6pm Thursday January 30th, 2014. Hors d 'oeuvres provided. Wine and local brew/beverage Menu available.

Parking Available by Bob Shannon

wordspics © bobshannon.org