What's Up With That?

Writes the photographer, Ukrainian artist Anatoly Melaniy: "The photo was taken in June 2020. This is the entrance of our house. I went up to the apartment and saw pigeons cooing on the windowsill against the backdrop of the same house as ours. I was also happy about this bird's joy of love. It's been exactly a year since we moved into this house, to a new apartment. I asked them to wait so that they don't fly away until I get the phone. You rarely have time to photograph such shots. And everything turned out."

What you see from your window is seen by 3.1 million viewers

Facebook’s “View From My Window” launched early in the pandemic continues to connect people worldwide.

Writes the photographer, Ukrainian artist Anatoly Melaniy: "The photo was taken in June 2020. This is the entrance of our house. I went up to the apartment and saw pigeons cooing on the windowsill against the backdrop of the same house as ours. I was also happy about this bird's joy of love. It's been exactly a year since we moved into this house, to a new apartment. I asked them to wait so that they don't fly away until I get the phone. You rarely have time to photograph such shots. And everything turned out."

Lake Stevens trucker ‘Stogie’ chronicles long-haul life on TikTok

Shawn Dirksen traded the cigar industry for driving a big rig with his pit bull, Bonnie. They keep three eyes on the road.

Gabriel Herrera works on a piece of artwork in his studio Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Herrera said he is in his blue phase as an artist, which is why he uses blue pens to create his art. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Prison was art school for this Lake Stevens man

While incarcerated in Monroe for 10 years, Gabriel Herrera used a ballpoint pen to stick out.

Gabriel Herrera works on a piece of artwork in his studio Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Herrera said he is in his blue phase as an artist, which is why he uses blue pens to create his art. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
"Unsellable Houses" stars Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb (third and fourth from left) join three other HGTV teams on the competition show "Rock the Block" that premieres Feb. 28. (HGTV)

Snohomish ‘Unsellable Houses’ HGTV stars to premiere on ‘Rock the Block’

Twin sister real estate agents Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb are in competition show airing Feb. 28.

"Unsellable Houses" stars Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb (third and fourth from left) join three other HGTV teams on the competition show "Rock the Block" that premieres Feb. 28. (HGTV)
Bart Lematta proudly stands in the engine room of his ferry Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, along the shore of Langley, Washington. “I go down in the engine room, picture all the work that has gone into it and all the hands, the artistry and craftsmen,” he said. “It’s a beautiful piece of artwork that has taken millions of hours.” (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

He’s the guy who bought a boat — a big old $290,000 state ferry

Bart Lematta has plans for the retired Evergreen State ferry, docked in Langley since October.

Bart Lematta proudly stands in the engine room of his ferry Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, along the shore of Langley, Washington. “I go down in the engine room, picture all the work that has gone into it and all the hands, the artistry and craftsmen,” he said. “It’s a beautiful piece of artwork that has taken millions of hours.” (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Toshihiro Kasahara works the grill on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at Toshi’s Teriyaki in Mill Creek. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Teriyaki trailblazer: Mill Creek’s Toshi created our regional dish

His humble takeout on Bothell Everett Highway is a throwback to the 1976 Seattle store that made the fast food famous here.

Toshihiro Kasahara works the grill on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at Toshi’s Teriyaki in Mill Creek. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Evolution of Language (Getty Images and Herald Staff)

UW’s ‘problematic’ word list: ‘crazy,’ ‘ninja’ — and ‘grandfather’?

Words matter. Inclusive language is the message of a guide that is spinning on social media.

The Evolution of Language (Getty Images and Herald Staff)
Christa Meyer, residential physical therapist in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, plays Wordle daily. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

What in the world is Wordle? It’s an online game C-R-A-Z-E

Solving the daily five-letter brain teaser in six tries is the latest social media obsession.

Christa Meyer, residential physical therapist in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, plays Wordle daily. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Veteran Keith F. Reyes, 64, gets his monthly pedicure at Nail Flare on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 in Stanwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

No more gnarly feet: This ‘Wounded Warrior’ gets pedicures

Keith Reyes, 64, visits a Stanwood nail salon for “foot treatments” that help soothe blast injuries.

Veteran Keith F. Reyes, 64, gets his monthly pedicure at Nail Flare on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 in Stanwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jack Rice, left, gives his grandmother Carolyn Rice, a tutorial on her new tablet Saturday afternoon in Edmonds on November 20, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Need to Ring or Zoom? Edmonds teen comes to the rescue

Jack Rice, 17, started a free service to help seniors connect with tech. “He’s a hero around here.”

Jack Rice, left, gives his grandmother Carolyn Rice, a tutorial on her new tablet Saturday afternoon in Edmonds on November 20, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Laird Will and Glenna Atkins share a laugh Saturday afternoon in Marysville on December 18, 2021. Will found out he had additional siblings through a DNA test. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Oh, boy! DNA test reveals Marysville mom’s 1957 secret baby

Shirley Howard, 86, has two other kids, ages 60 and 62. They didn’t know they had a big brother. They welcomed him.

Laird Will and Glenna Atkins share a laugh Saturday afternoon in Marysville on December 18, 2021. Will found out he had additional siblings through a DNA test. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cindy Jensen, left, greets Auggie Doggie as his owners John and Lorna Landis walk around Alderwood Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

This dapper dog in a bow tie has business cards for his fans

An Everett couple pushes Auggie Doggie in a stroller and engages others to share their pet tales.

Cindy Jensen, left, greets Auggie Doggie as his owners John and Lorna Landis walk around Alderwood Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The back view of the 10,000 square foot home at 3727 Shore Ave. in Everett that's for sale for $4.9 million. (Norton Zanini)

For sale: A $5M mansion expanded with Alfy’s pizza dough

The marble-floored Everett estate is among several pricey pads for sale. A Woodway wonder is $16 million.

The back view of the 10,000 square foot home at 3727 Shore Ave. in Everett that's for sale for $4.9 million. (Norton Zanini)
Anthony Schmidt, 13, uses forced perspective photography to make model cars look real. This was taken at King Charley’s Drive-In on Highway 9 in Snohomish. (Anthony Schmidt)

He’s 13, and famous for photos making toy cars look real

Anthony Schmidt, who is on the autism spectrum, has gallery exhibits, 2,500 model cars and a real 1957 Ford named Betty.

Anthony Schmidt, 13, uses forced perspective photography to make model cars look real. This was taken at King Charley’s Drive-In on Highway 9 in Snohomish. (Anthony Schmidt)
Jacob Akers in his replica Dude sweater from The Big Leboswki on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dude, you’re knitting some bodacious ‘Big Lebowski’ sweaters

Jacob Akers, 29, a Costco shelf stocker, knits cardigans made famous by the 1998 cult classic guy flick.

Jacob Akers in his replica Dude sweater from The Big Leboswki on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shannon Session's high school photo decorates a signal box at Alderwood Mall. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

‘Lynnwood blue’ eyeshadow, ’80s glam shots adorn new landmark

A signal box by Alderwood mall is a throwback to an era of big hair, lampooned on local sketch show “Almost Live.”

Shannon Session's high school photo decorates a signal box at Alderwood Mall. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A cat watches TV at PAWS in Lynnwood. The animal rescue is seeking TV donations for all the cat rooms. It helps the cats from feeling lonely and acts as a window of sorts for them to watch birds and squirrels. (Lynn Jefferson / PAWS)

Kitty TV: Shelter cats get a digital window to outside world

PAWS in Lynnwood seeks TV donations to keep all 30 of its cats happy and entertained.

A cat watches TV at PAWS in Lynnwood. The animal rescue is seeking TV donations for all the cat rooms. It helps the cats from feeling lonely and acts as a window of sorts for them to watch birds and squirrels. (Lynn Jefferson / PAWS)
Second grader Emma Bahboud jumps for joy after splitting an apple in half using just heir hands during class at Penny Creek Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Apple-splitting TikTok lands Everett teacher on ‘Ellen’ show

Sean Reich teaches students, staff and Ellen DeGeneres how to halve apples with bare hands.

Second grader Emma Bahboud jumps for joy after splitting an apple in half using just heir hands during class at Penny Creek Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Cars drive onto the ferry at the Mukilteo terminal on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

3 miles by ferry, but these days a round trip can take 5 hours

Reporter Andrea Brown commuted on the “20-minute” sailing between Mukilteo and Clinton. Service is taking a toll.

Cars drive onto the ferry at the Mukilteo terminal on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gene Simmons impersonator, Jack Murrin practices on there bass guitar at his storage building on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Murrin, 51, a firefighter and impersonator, is putting on a 2-hour KISS concert with 19 songs in front of his north Everett home on Halloween. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

The Demon: Gene Simmons imitator hosts a free Kiss concert

Everett firefighter and paramedic Jack Murrin will return to the stage for a Halloween show at his home.

Gene Simmons impersonator, Jack Murrin practices on there bass guitar at his storage building on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Murrin, 51, a firefighter and impersonator, is putting on a 2-hour KISS concert with 19 songs in front of his north Everett home on Halloween. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)