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Spotted this in Ballard, around 34th Ave. NW and NW 57th St.:

Obviously, this was originally a “Dead End” sign. I wonder if someone changed it to “Rear End,” and then someone else modified the first “R” into a “P.”

Great headline: “Local soldier killed in Afghanistan, for second time this week.”

The actual article is titled, “Fort Lewis solider killed in Afghanistan.” And clarifies that two different soldiers were killed. Perhaps “Two local soldiers killed in Afghanistan this week” would have been a better on the front page. Or simply, “Local soldiers killed in Afghanistan.”

Bonus: The “If you died today …” ad for life insurance. On a related note, check out 23 Badly Placed Internet Ads from BuzzFeed (via Bore Patch … and I don’t remember how I arrived there).

Every time I visit Sidecar vegan grocery (which is frequently), I’m tempted by the display of cute and creative vegan wallets and bags by espe.

Yesterday, I finally gave in to temptation and bought an espe wallet:

I love how, when the wallet is closed, the cat’s tail disappears at the bottom corner and then reappears at the top as the clasp. This wallet was $28.99 (plus tax) at Sidecar – they carry a good selection of espe wallets and bags.

(Lest you think “it’s cute and I’m a girl” was my sole motivation for buying this, let me assure you that my previous wallet had definitely seen better days & needed to be replaced. Also, it was a plain, black fabric wallet by Tom Binh. And last time I checked {a couple of years ago}, Tom Binh no longer carries wallets.)

Drinking iced tea while reading about the history of coffee:

Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World, by Mark Pendergrast.

I purchased the book from the gift shop at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. The Burke’s current exhibit, Coffee: The World in Your Cup, continues through Sept. 7, 2009 and includes weekend coffee tastings through Aug. 29. The exhibit then goes on tour to museums in Oregon, Texas, and Iowa.

Applicable to people as well as peaches.

Spotted at the Ballard Sunday Farmers Market.

I think Martin Family Orchards should make (and sell) t-shirts with this slogan.

Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe, WA (photos taken July 11).

(Taken at the Northwest Fuchsia Society‘s Greater Seattle Show at the Ballard Locks, on July 25.)