CHILLY FALL DAY

It's been threatening all day to drop a little moisture and it finally did happen. Not really a rain, but that heavy drizzle/shower that manages to soak through clothing rather rapidly. My neighbor said they might be having their first fire of the season tonight.......sounded good! The rose in both the first and second photos is the last of this years blooms for "Goodbye Polio Rose". I misnamed it last week as just Polio Rose. That was a pretty unfortunate misname!! Anyway, I wanted to see if it looked 'old world' by de-saturating it. Wha'cha think?? Norm thought it looked like "nothing", but admitted he doesn't see things the same way I do artistically. No right or wrong, just preference.

Our little tomato plants are still giving us plenty of fruit. A lot of them are split when they're brought it.........the perfect ones to pop into your mouth immediately.........Yum!

Friday, again tomorrow!! Does time travel as quickly for you reading this as it seems to for us? It's down right eerie sometimes.........

So, make the most of tomorrow and the weekend.......stay dry!

TREES STUDY

This is a continuation of shots I took with my new little shoot and snap. This first one was just a tangled mess of branches, trunks, leaves, light and shadow. Talk about not being able to tell the forest for the trees.........
Every time I see one of those gorgeous photos of birch tree trunks, I keep trying for something even close and using our abundance of alder trees. Well, this certainly isn't even close, but I do like the way that it became more interesting by converting it to black and white and 'upping' the contrast quite a bit. It will be something that I think I'll experiment with in the future with other possible promising scenes. About a week or so ago my high school down in California had their 50th reunion!!! I can't believe it!! I was unable to go but friends sent me lots of photos.....and there's a ton of them on Flickr. What a reality check this was in looking at all those people that most I would never have recognized!! There were some familar faces, others reminded me of the movie "Benjamin Button". The more I thought about it, and the more I slapped my own hands at being critical, and the more I saw how life progresses.......the faces that I remembered were around 18-25 years old. So were their bodies. You remember the personalities and so-called status or pecking order and who-was-who back then. Age has been quite a leveling agent. Some that thought they were high and lofty have fallen low and others who were too quiet and meek have grown into a beautiful grace and kindness that matters now. The similarity is that Life has happened. Everyone has had successes, failures, tears and laughs. Life changes everyone in one way or another and those that have struggled and been fortunate to have reached inside for that certain 'extra' are the ones that seem the happiest. Maybe they accept the ups and downs more easily. By the look of the photos, they all (or most) seemed to be having a wonderful time.....remembering, reconnecting and reliving good times of being carefree and so hopeful in youth, with eyes to individual futures. Life never stops with it's lessons.

OK.....this photo of a single madrona tree looks like a pair of tango dancers to me. Close and intertwined. There's that lovely peeling bark again, too.

Tonight we're watching a Netflix movie I've wanted to see for a little while. "Ondine" starring Colin Farrell. About an Inish island dweller who saves some woman from the sea and doesn't know whether she's a human or a silky. Good Irish mythology........And hopefully there's that beautiful Irish scenery. I'll report tomorrow.

In the meantime, get ready for a fantastic Thursday. Appreciate Life.

THE NEW CAMERA

Tonight I thought I'd post a few photos that I took today with my new point and shoot Kodak camera. I looked for a wide variety to see how it does under many different circumstances. It does seem to blur just a little, but that might be me more than the camera. I got such a great deal on it and was afraid that it might have been a waste of money. You know the saying "you get what you pay for". This was on sale as a kit through WalMart for only $49!! The only thing extra I needed was a camera card.
This first shot was off Vista on a little deer trail. I took the same scene about a month ago when there were a few more leaves on the alders. Everyday, less and less. This photo was taken from my deck towards a bit of a limp sunset. I haven't seen any this year, so far, that have been spectacular. Course, that's just from my house and I don't have a real good view west without the interference of a hill or two. This scene is looking south.

And we can't have any photos this time of year that don't include a few beautiful leaves.......in this case from one of our small Japanese maples.

Enjoying the sunshine these days............can you feel that autumn nip to the air?? I could today....it was almost chilly and pretty close to sweater and sock weather. We have one granddaughter who moved from Arizona recently and is cold almost all the time. She might have a bit more of an adjustment in the coming months.

OK........get ready for a fantastic Wednesday!! Time to start planning a productive weekend......Time to get out and do some garden pruning .....again!!

REMINDER OF REDFISH

These two photos were taken on my birthday a week or so back. We had just had a fabulous brunch at Redfish, Port Orford's new "Shining Gem on the Water". The light is always different, and that morning I liked the almost silhouette look of the rocks offshore, but especially that mist rising throughout the hills and towards Humbug Mt. Even the sun's glare on the water had an appeal to me, adding that contrast that I love. This was one of those times that turning them into black and whites just didn't work like I'd want. The mists didn't stand out as anything much. Just lots of grays. I received many nice comments on Flickr and thought maybe you'd enjoy seeing it also. Today was Donna to the Dentist Monday. I said before that I rarely have any problem with the visit, in fact, sort of look forward to it. My dentist is too darn good!! They are so efficient in that office and he is so good at what he does, that I barely got to close my eyes before he was finished. The preparation took longer than he worked on my re-filling and a couple of polishes. In and out!! Snap-Snap!!

The rest of the day was spent waiting for a doctor's office to return a call........which meant ALL day!! And they never did call! Makes me want to scream sometimes!! Ommmmmm...........

OK........everyone have a great Tuesday. Remember to laugh.

SUNDAY POTLUCK

The 'potluck' here is just a couple of odds and ends from my photo files. This first one is an example of Mother Nature's open food pantry........huckleberries. Our house is surrounded by them and I've picked some but not too many yet.......and I'm afraid that now that the robins have returned and found them, there probably aren't going to be that many left, either. They still made for an appetizing image, though. I hope everyone's weekend lived up to the expectations. Mine did. Today, I met with a group of like-minded people in learning and wanting to explore the healing modalities of energy work. It's been quite a few years since I've done much of this but lately it's re-occurance in my life is a welcome return. Norm says he's benefiting from daily sessons and that the ole' heat from my hands is revving up again. It's something you never really forget how to do........like riding a bike or typing. Just practice a little more regularly and sensitize your feeling abilities once more. It feels right to be engaged in this particular way again. And, I'm very happy to have others to share it with. A very giving and caring group of people.

This photo is another from that foggy day on the Coquille River. I like the contrasts that having this in black and white, bring out. If you look closely you can see the Bandon Lighthouse across the river, fading into the fog. Course, your eye is immediately drawn to that very white splash in the foreground as it hits the rocks.
Hope everyone's coming week is a great one.........BTW, for those interested in new exercise and workout programs, I understand that there's to be a new "Zumba" dance group forming, to be held in Langlois at one of the school gyms. I think if you're interested in learning more particulars, that you might call either Maria Belmont-Forty or Tim Belmont at Jeffrey's Salon in Langlois. There are so many people that are really jazzed about this and I'm sure it's going to be fantastic fun for all.

Happy Monday!!

FOGGED-IN FRIDAY

Looks like our little heat wave of yesterday definitely came to an end......it's been cool and foggy all day here in Port Orford. So....I thought we'd return to the in-coming fog of Bandon from a few days ago.
This first shot was of a small craft coming back over the Bandon bar, escaping the fog, I'm sure. If you can view this photo in it's larger form, you'll see that the fishman at the back isn't about to quit just yet. "Just one more" I think of him saying. When Norm and I had our boat, I didn't really care whether I caught anything or not. I enjoyed just sitting there, waiting and taking in the sights and sounds of Suisun Bay in California. I usually managed to catch something........much to the annoyance of Norm, who didn't. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that my theory on that is that Norm had this disgusting "good luck charm" of spitting on his bait. Ugh! I used hand lotion.........I caught the fish! 8-)) Neat thing happened this morning while Norm and I were having our morning coffee. We heard a loud 'thunk'.....sort of like when a lid pops off a container after too much pressure has built up. I checked and THAT didn't happen........then we both thought that it might have been a bird hitting the window. I went out front to check and sure enough......a fairly large dove. And there was another dove, either a mate or off-spring, that swooped down to it's fallen companion. I figured it was dead since there was absolutely no movement and it was lying on it's back, feet up.
I went back inside and planned on finishing up a few things inside, I'd dispose of the bird's body. I felt really badly about the other bird coming down, knowing something was wrong. Well, when I went out again in about 15 minutes the 'dead' bird was gone. I've rescued various birds over the years that had stunned themselves by hitting glass, but I really thought this one was a goner. I was so happy I was wrong!!


This second photo of the Bandon lighthouse as the fog creeps in.......actually 'pouring in' is more accurate.........I liked it in black and white. Sort of in keeping with the atmosphere of fog and mist.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe weekend.......Have fun!

SIGHTS & STEPS IN CEDAR TERRACE

Wasn't it hot today??? And humid!! We traveled for our weekly trip to Coos Bay and we finally had to AC on in the car for the drive home. Into Bandon came the first of the fog.........now, here at home, it's foggy and enough of a wind to make it chilly outside. We turned the heat on in the house to take the chill out! Crazy weather swings......course that's pretty typical for the coast.

This first photo was a Queen Anne's Lace flower going to seed. One of my favorite flowers.......the other day I dropped some of my greeting cards off at Tim's.......Jefferey's Salon in Langlois, and found the most beautiful scraf. It reminds me a lot of Queen Anne's Lace. Definitely not a scarf to keep the cold at bay. Sort of a mauve color, with velvet tassels and lace. To be worn when I feel Victorian. Thanks, Michelle, for pointing it out. In the second photo, it's one of the Cedar Terrace yellow-jackets....8-))
They grow them big up here, don't they?? Six feet tall! This particular yellow-jacket might be known by some as "My Norm". Going for his much-hated walk. Poor guy........it's only cause he knows it's good for him.


After our little bit of rain last week it was enough to send a few mushroom pushing through the soil here and there. This one has already been nibbled on although I think it's poisonous......at least to humans.

I got another new camera........it's a little point and shoot which will be handy for times when the heavier D90 is awkward. I've taken a few photos and they look pretty good on the camera's screen but I haven't put them on the computer yet. That's the proof of whether it was a good buy or not. Maybe tomorrow I'll have posted some photos from the new one.

Celebrate Friday and get ready for a fun weekend. Hopefully, our great fall weather will grace us with it's presence again.

COQUILLE IN MIST

I survived my dentist's appointment just fine. They really run a first-rate dental office there. Everyone is super friendly, efficient and professional.
But........I'm always glad when it's behind me. A return visit on Monday....otherwise I got an A-1 report.

After the dentist we took a ride down by the south jetty of the Coquille River. The fog horns were blasting away, the tide was at minus and sun losing it's hold to the mists that were pouring up the mouth of the river. It was beautiful. This first photo was further up from the jetty. It's the location that I found thousands of pelicans last winter that had blown in with a bad storm. Today the water was shrouded and mysterious looking. No pelicans that I could see, just lots of gulls poking through the exposed rocks for their mid-day meal. Just realized that I got the photos reversed. So, this description is for the second shot. You can see the Bandon Lighthouse across the river.

The first shot is down closer to the jetty and the fog was thicker. The tide was beginning to come in and every once in a while one of the waves would splash fairly high. Not in this photo, though. The fog became even thicker while I was shooting........a couple of people walking their dogs blended into the gray background and there was the usual gull hang-out that is down there in the parking lot. There are always a large flock of about 50 gulls looking for people to come down with some food to share........they're always VERY alert and at the slightest sign, you'll find yourself immediately surrounded by more birds than most would want. There are some people, and I've seen them, that enjoy going down frequently with lots of bread or whatever for them. Brave people.......and a little dirty after the feeding. Not for the timid-hearted..........Not for me.

Have a wonderful Thursday..........Enjoy the adventure!!

SUNSET CONTINUED

These are two remaining shots from Sunday night on the way home after dinner. As I mentioned yesterday, the 'blaze of color' sort of fizzled, but I was able to make a little out of it anyway, I think. This first one was around that rib restaurant of the sick-but-now-better-Mom. I really do like the silhouette.

This second shot was out at Lake Garrison with this soft reflection on the water. The water was so calm and occasionally we'd see a duck dive under for dinner and then he's 'bob' up again. Then repeat the process......

This morning looked like it might be another warm day so I took my walk early (for me!) carrying my ever-present camera around my neck. I've ordered a little snap n' shoot that should be arriving any day now. It might be handy for places then my heavier camera is awkward.......like these daily walks. Course, I can see where there will be times that I could kick myself for not having my heavy-duty with me. While on my walk, there was one stretch where the air was just thick with flying ants or termites......I'm never sure what they are.......except that they hatch and fly out of their ground nests this time of year. Always seems to be rather warm weather, too. They fly blind and there's always some that fly into me.....I remember to keep my mouth closed at this time. I was wondering where the dragon flies were today.......In past years, they float and dart through the air grabbing up these thousands of flying beasties. Nature seems to be off-kilter this year in a number of ways.........this being one of them. I haven't seen too many butterflies, dragonflies, or Rufus-sided tohees. There have been some but not as many as pasts years.

Well, get ready for a great Wednesday everyone.........think of me tomorrow morning as I suffer in the dentist's chair.....8-((. No, actually, I'm lucky to have few dental problems compared to many. And if it gets too uncomfortable, I just go somewhere else in my thoughts. I did this once so well I fell asleep and my dentist had to wake me up because my teeth were wrapping around his fingers.......Ouch!!

Have a great day!!

MONDAY MADNESS

I've spent most of the day putting off and dreading calling for tech support to get online again. Some kind of computer glitch.......Do any of you have the same love-hate relationship with your computer? Well, as you can see I am back in business but I'm sure my blood pressure is elevated. And I commend the poor man that had to help me.......I panic when I can't hear what's said........rummage around looking for numbers on equipment I can't name. It's just a major nightmare in my description of things!! (OK, Donna.......calm down. It's over now.....sigh.
Ommmmmmm..............)

Today we're having a little 'Indian Summer' weather.....pretty warm and sort of humid. Maybe a pretty sunset tonight, huh?? Last night's promised to be colorful but instead just sort of 'grayed out'. The first photo here was taken on our way to dinner along Bandon's Beach Loop. It was my birthday yesterday and Norm took me to brunch at Redfish.......very good, by the way. I had their European quiche and Norm had Eggs Benedict. Then for dinner we went to Inn At Face Rock in Bandon and enjoyed that meal and our cutest little waitress ever. Very sweet and of course, she laughed at Norm's jokes.

This second photo here was in a trailer park in Charleston and someone's own little garden design. It's pretty clever, don't you think?? Not many flowers but clearly a fishing town theme.

Picked the last of the basil for this year. I love it's pungent aroma. Since I think I have enough pesto made up and frozen for the next year, I'm drying what I picked today. Especially in this warm weather, the scent is filling the kitchen area. Makes me think of my nephew Nick. He loves pesto..........actually he loves food, period. I'll have a pesto dinner for him when he visits next month.

Tomorrow is Tuesday and I expect it to be better than today.........at least as long as my computer remains working. Fingers and toes crossed..............

All of you enjoy and have a great day!!

MORE ODDITIES

This sign is at a south coast restaurant between Port Orford and Bandon. It's a rib house and they have enormous bar-b-ques out in front that they fire up every weekend. A few weeks ago they closed with a hand written sign announcing to all who passed by on Hwy 101, that Mom was sick and they were closed. Then about a week ago you can see in this photo that they're telling everyone that "Mom is better". Still closed, but for all who passed by and were concerned for Mom, rest assured that she's OK!! 8-)) Just thought you ought to know...........This second photo is one that I cherish every year........the return of the geese!! It absolutely thrills me every autumn and I always consider it Mother Nature's birthday gift to me. I know what they sound like when they fly overhead and if in the house, all that I might be doing comes to a dead-stop as I rush out to wish them on to whatever adventures they're off to. I welcome them back every year, same as their annual return. And in late spring I feel a real sadness as I see many flocks in their 'V' formation as they honk their way to the north, carrying my "God-Speed!" with them........And then I await until the next autumn for my annual gift. Hoping everyone has a gorgeous and healthy weekend!!

ODDBALL THURSDAY

Today my camera caught some fun and unusual sights between Port Orford and Coos Bay. Everything was catching my eye today. It was one of those mornings that if we had stopped to take a shot of everything I saw that was worthy of an photo image, we'd just now be arriving in town to do our shopping. I just happen to love everything I saw this morning.

This first one is of a spider web. (Duh!) I've been wanting to photograph it for about a week or so. It's much larger and thicker than the usual spider webs we see around our area. I'm thinking that it might be a mite web that the state brought in to combat the gorse that is taking over the south Oregon coast and into the valleys. That was pretty much a dismal failure, but every once in a while I see the thick webs enclosing about a foot of branch. Anyway, this is pretty interesting when viewed on large. And it has it's own beauty......... The traffic was pretty light today, which was a treat for us. And the amount of shoppers was fairly light also......double treat!! We had a bite to eat at The High Tide in Charleston overlooking the bay. The boat traffic was heavy.........the bridge had to be raised at least three times that I saw. And crossing the rivers....the small boats were lining up and down all fishing for salmon, I guess. The first rains are supposed to bring them up river to spawn........and it spawns fishmen, ever hopeful and nets ready.

This second shot is a goofy one, huh? I had stopped in Bandon on a high bluff to take shots of the Islands. There were pieces of crab lying all over the place and it occured to me that this gull wasn't going to fly off until he ate all his dinner. You see the look he was giving me.....haha! 8-))

He got the last laugh, though. On one shot I knelt down on the grass........and something did not smell right. 8~( Enough said.

Huh......I just got a phone call from a carpet cleaner who said I won a contest and he's coming to clean 2 rooms tomorrow for free. Norm thinks it's a scam........and truthfully, I don't remember entering a contest to have carpets cleaned. So......I'm preparing my "NO!" word in case they think they can "offer" more. Stay tuned tomorrow........

Everyone have a great Friday and prepare for an even better weekend.

Laugh and smile...............

WEDNESDAY WHIMSEY

No, I didn't see the flush of autumn color that I'd expected, but as you can see, I made due with the few bursts that I did see. Makes it all the more 'worthy' of enlarging and admiring these few leaves, huh? More to follow......... I was up in Langlois this morning getting my hair done and it's always a treat. This morning, Tim gave me a piece of his delicious quiche........soooo good!! He's another one around the area that is getting an abundance-plus of Valley Flora vegetables. So, he sometimes worries that they might be spoiling there are so many, and he gets up at midnight to bake a quiche or two. Now that particular kind of thinking is as foreign to me as anything I've ever heard!! I don't know whether to call him an early riser or a late night-owl. How about crazy?? But it must work for Tim because it was one of the best quiche's I've had!! It definitely worked in my favor. He has more new items in his salon........scarves from Arabia are among the newest and most beautiful. Some gorgeous and reasonably priced knits from a lady who uses her own wool and brings it to it's product forms as socks.......beautifully colored! Also makes placemats, table runners and aprons. I bought myself an apron, as a matter of fact. (Just in case I ever lose my mind enough to get up at midnight to bake up a quiche, don'cha know!) 8-))
Tim will be carrying some of my greeting cards. I brought in a couple dozen today and Tim and Maria bought enough so that I already need to supply more. And I'm not complaining!!



This second photo is again of the stream that feeds into the Elk River. Isn't it a perfect representation of what the Pacific Northwest is all about? The green, the moss, water and more water, those rocks.........I love it! The untamed land.

Well, enjoy this beautiful autumn weather.........at least it's beautiful right now on a late Wednesday afternoon. Tomorrow might be another story.......but whatever it is, enjoy it anyway!!

SOFT GLOW ON THE FLOW

This hardly look like the same river as yesterday's postings. The water seems like a gentle flow, barely moving. If you look a little further upstream, or in the background of this shot, you can see a little rush of white water as it runs over rocks. The water here is fairly shallow......right now. I'm sure it will be a torrent after we get some healthy, hardy rains. Isn't the reflection of the golden trees nice on the water??

We watched the last episode of Pillars of the Earth tonight. Yep!! Those bad guys got their come-up-ins. All others lived happily ever after..........or as happy as life could be back in the early 1100's. Pretty grim, all in all. It seemed that life was cheap......and the lifespan certainly wasn't all that long for your everyday person. But the love of family, pride in God, self and country has been there throughout the centuries. Course, those were, and are, the basis for many wars and personal battles. And still we all have hope for a more peaceful world.....Maybe we should look to ourselves first. Can't give away what we don't possess. When I re-look at these photos and remember the peacefulness of being there, it seems so easy. The trick is to carry that memory around with me when I drive back down to Hwy. 101 and someone cuts in front of me in their car!! That's the test!! 8-))

In looking at the second photo, you can see I'm still enamored with trees. These two stately alders were growing up on a steep hill across the road from where we were parked. Love that white bark.............Almost as much as the new lemon risotto I made tonight.......Oh, it was SO good! Even Norm liked it, and Norm never likes rice of any kind much. I have some left over and thought I'd try risotto patties tomorrow night. Yum!

Tomorrow.......Wednesday, and I have an appointment with the "Hair Wizard" as Norm calls Tim, of Jefferies Salon. My morning of treating myself to enjoy the company and conversation with one of my favorites. And all of you have a great Wednesday......the half-way point of the week and if I'm not mistaken, the first (official) day of autumn. Time to find brightly colored leaves.......and acorns. One can never have too many fallen acorns!

MAPLE LEAF COUNTRY

Up the Elk River this afternoon.......I thought there would be more color but I guess I'm going to have to remain patient a while longer. There were some leaves turning color, but I really got side-tracked when I discovered a little path down a short hill to where a stream fed into the Elk.
But first........look at this beautiful old tree. That wonderful moss with some maple leves, still fairly green, surrounding it. I also took a wide angle shot, but I though this image showed off the lines of the tree more. I wonder how old it is.

As you can see, I'm still working on getting that slow shutter, silky look on moving water. I thought this one was fairly good. Of course, I didn't have a tri-pod so instead I plopped myself down on rock or ground to try and remain motionless. There was quite a bit of water flowing......more than I'd have thought from the little rain we had.
When we were driving back towards Hwy 101, I saw where the man who is looking for gold was still at it. I don't know if I mentioned him or not when I was up there about a month or so ago. He was in a diving suit with goggles. There's some kind of machine that's in the water, too, and I'm just guessing about what he's doing but that's the only thing that makes sense to me. Be interesting to find out how much, if anything, he's finding.

My poor old kitty Willie is just getting so old. I'm not sure, and I hope that whatever the problem is passes, but I think she's acting like she's in pain. This is the hardest thing about having a pet.......at least if you have it in your mind that the pet is part of the family. I've had to put other pets down and it always evokes feelings in me where I again realize how precious is life. Our own or those who wander onto our paths. Then again, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with Willie's appetite, so maybe she'll get to acting a little less pained. I really hope so.

How was everyone's Monday?? Mine was pretty good. I even got out and did a little bit of pruning in the 'Backyard Jungle: The Movie'. Speaking of........we've finished the wonderful 'Doc Martin' and are now watching 'Pillars of the Earth'. It sure isn't a comedy. Life was cheap back in the 1st century.....I think that's about the time period. The church and everyone else was corrupt and so far it appears the bad guys are winning. There are a number more episodes to watch and hope that those evil villains get theirs!!

Tuesday should be a good day for one and all........Have fun!!