DRIVING 101

Wow!! These are busy, busy days, aren't they?? Cookies to bake, gifts to buy, gifts to wrap, packages to mail, etc. etc. The weather hasn't really allowed much photo shooting either but today that changed!! Yaaaa!~..........there were a lot of various sights along Hwy 101 on the way home from Coos Bay today. We stopped off at a couple of places in Bandon, then here and there along the highway. This pretty horse I spotted in Denmark. He pastures with another roan horse but 'Oats', as I've named him, was the more curious one. His coloring was like an albino so his eyes were a little weird to figure out. I'm sure there's a special name for an albino horse but I don't know what it would be.............probably something like "albino horse"!!
The skies were spectacular this afternoon. Big thunder-bumpers were developing towards the east and this second photo was taken almost to the corner of Seabird and Hwy 101 in Bandon. We had been told a number of years ago that there was a Bi-Mart scheduled to be built there, but nothing ever happened. That one large flat stretch seems like an ideal location for some kind of business...........How about a TJ Maxx???? Or a Trader Joe's??

Well, Norm continues to amaze the doctor's with his rapid healing. All doctor's have given him an A-OK and none want to see him for another couple of months. He's back on a normal diet, he asked and got the ok to take walks, lift weights, and (his all-time-favorite!) DRIVE!! We weren't even out the door before he was after the car keys! "Gee, Norm..........I might get the mistaken idea that you don't care much for my driving"!! 8-)) Anyway, it's good to see him getting more and more back to good health. He still needs to re-gain weight.......I think it's because his internal healing is still going on and that takes a lot of energy so the weight gain might be a little slower than he'd like. I'm just happy that he's home and feeling good again! It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and it'll be a great Merry Christmas!!
Hope you're all enjoying the season. Have a great Wednesday........it's that happy half-way mark again and the weekend will be here before you know it!! 8-)

WHAT A WINDY..........

That how Mr. Tuccori would refer to a windy day. He'd leave off the 'day' part.......coming over from Italy his little English flaws were a never-ending source of good-humored giggles between myself and his daughter, one of my best friends in high school. Even now, Norm and I will use the same term......."What a windy...." describing some of Port Orford's more robust days.

This first photo was another from last weeks shoot over on Arizona Street. I love the reeds in many of these photos. Love their texture and contrast.

This second photo is of our Nativity scene. My sister, Beverly, brought it back for me many years ago when she vacationed in Mexico. Norm build a creche for it and it's one of my favorite 'treasures' each Christmas. There was one Christmas, many years ago when we lived in Grass Valley. A sweet little girl down the road from us was dying of leukemia. I wanted her to have a Nativity scene, ordered one and had Norm make a creche for it also. Christmas got closer and closer and still no Nativity scene, which was to be delivered UPS.
I was afraid that my one 'great wish' wasn't going to happen in time. Then!! Christmas Eve in late afternoon, up pulled the UPS truck with the Nativity! Talk about dramatic timing!! I wrapped it all up and ran it down to my neighbors house. So.......that memory is also wrapped up in my own Nativity that comes out every year. Sweet memories.......

......everyone have a wonderful Wednesday and try not to fly away with our latest coastal wind-storm!!

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE..........

OK........the tree is up!! It still needs a few 'tweaks' but the majority of work is done. All the ornaments and home dressings were up in the attic. Norm is still healing from his surgeries so our good friend, Nanci, came over to help me get all the boxes down. Next year I'll have them in a big plastic container and put them in the shed. The attic is a pretty precarious climb up that rickety ladder on narrow little steps and grasping for handles and beams to hold onto to......can't forget to look for wee beasties in webs and such, either. I was wondering, as I climbed and risked life and limb, why it was so much easier to go skydiving than to climb into that attic. Maybe in skydiving the question of whether you'll fall is pretty much taken care of when you take that first leap in faith. Still need to finish up the outside and some other decorating around the house but the tree is always the most time-consuming but the more joyful.

Tomorrow will be a good day to start the Christmas cookie baking, too. They need to go into the freezer immediately since I tend to sample and test whether they're good enough. Funny, how they always seem too.........8-))

But first thing tomorrow morning I go to visit my favorite hair dresser extraordinaire, Tim in Langlois. He's recently made another trip to New York and I'm looking forward to seeing what new items he has for sale in his salon. It's always has such a wonderful, friendly and warm feel to his place. It's just a treat to be there. And I bet it's especially so for Christmas. I'll let you know.....

So........it's Sunday night as I sit here at my computer and almost the beginning of a new week. Hoping that yours will be happy and sunny even if the weather isn't.

BUSY TIME OF YEAR

I did most of my Christmas shopping yesterday up in Coos Bay!! That is a VERY big accomplishment considering how many we give gifts to. And now the grandkids are "begotting" like crazy and there are 3 great-grandchildren with more not far behind, I'm sure. The stores were busy but not as bad as I was afraid they might be..........but I'm sure it'll only get busier as time moves closer to Christmas. Lots of great deals this year if that holds any interest for you.

I'll be putting up a Christmas tree probably this weekend. I'm one of those with an artificial tree. A number of years ago the 'fresh' tree almost burnt the house down AND I found a bird nest in it. Of course, that nest was left over from the previous summer but still I hate to cut down a tree.....any tree. Hmmmm........do you suppose that might be why the weeds have free reign in my yard?? Think.......little trees! 8-))
Anyway, last year I didn't put up a tree and missed it. I've collected Christmas ornaments from every country I've visited plus so many memories are attached to the others. It'll be worth the extra work when it's up and 'dressed'. Like greeting family and old friends..........and times past. This first photo is what I'm calling 'Hansen's pond'. It's on Paradise Point Road and this marsh is down the hill from Doug and Karen Hansen's beautiful Compass Rose B & B. As you can tell, I'm still fooling around with the HDR. Love the different textures in this image though.

And this second gorgeous sight was looking out over our canyon towards the west last night. I was on my way home from my Christmas shopping and the sky was so incredible with different light, clouds, backgrounds and foregrounds. It's a good thing I didn't have my camera with me or else I'd never have gotten home. Each view seemed more beautiful than the last. Thankfully, this sight was still there for me to shoot from our deck. Pretty great, huh??

Hoping you all have a great weekend........there sure is a lot going on around our Port Orford area tomorrow...........sales, bazaars, theater, art, goodies to eat and drink, etc. Enjoy the season!!

A WET WEDNESDAY

Well, it is December so what else can we expect?? We all know it rains in Oregon so we need to make the most of it. Personally, I enjoy the effects of my photography more in the winter months. The soft look that the mist and gray overhead gives everything is appealing. Course, here I am enjoying the soft look but at the same time still experimenting with HDR! Go figure!! This first shot was taken today on Paradise Point Road looking from the low point towards Lake Garrison. There were a couple of pretty little wood ducks down there but they quickly paddled away when I got closer. I know there are a number of wood duck nests that some of the local residents have built, and I think they were occupied this summer. I'll have to double check on that.....

This second photo was taken from the bluff at Paradise Point SP. The sea was pretty churned up although maybe it doesn't show that much in this shot.

I received an email from a friend today that told me she just returned from a trip over to India and Nepal. She usually goes to Mexico every winter but it doesn't seem the safest place to visit these days. She is someone who reminds me of the infamous "Auntie Mame". Flamboyant, outrageous and willing to try just about everything. She's a fascinating woman to listen to, believe me. I'm anxious to hear all about her newest adventures on this latest journey to dark and far-a-way places. Last year she went to Uganda to see the low-land gorillas. Another year it was somewhere in South America climbing up a mud hill while the local government helicoptors were not too pleased with whatever they were doing. I probably shouldn't supply too many details here......just needless to say, she lives a very stimulating life!! And good for her......it's fun to listen to but I'm very happy here with Norm enjoying in the quaint and quirky little fishing town of Port Orford. If we want excitement here we might go out to Cape Blanco in January and open our jackets to our arms to see how far we might fly.......Or climb the Headlands trail and see if we can spot any whales. One of my favorites is the 4th of July parade when the U.S. Coast Guard flies overhead and waves......to me!!! I'm sure of it!!

Have a great Thursday!!

THINKING CHRISTMAS

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I have a few things I've managed to pick up here and there, but still a long way from where I usually am by this time of year. I was going to go up to Coos Bay today, but the weather promised to be nasty so I thought I'd go another day. I should have gone anyway since today has been one of those that I accomplished pretty much N-O-T-H-I-N-G!! I made up a pot of stew and that's about it. Pathetic for productivity.

I have started some of my Christmas cards though. I thought this year I'd make my own using my photos. Takes a bit more time but I think it will be fun and a little different. I wish I had taken this first photo earlier and had prints made for cards........it does look like Christmas, don't you think?? This was taken last week when we got that unusual artic blast for a day or so.

The second shot was also taken a while ago. I tried using my new software plug-in and I sort of like the intensity of it. I also used it on the snowy trees but you need to see the photo enlarged to notice the difference.

Well, I'm off to write up a few more Christmas cards........stay warm and dry and have a wonderful Wednesday!!

HALF-SUN SUNDAY

A little of this and a little of that........rain and sun. This first photo was taken last evening as the sun was setting. I have a new 'plug-in' software in addition to my Adobe Photoshop and I'm still trying to get it right. So, bear with me. The second photo was taken a few weeks ago. It's a white mountain ash or in Ireland and Scotland, it's known as the Rowan tree........full of faerie tales and myths of the magical powers of so much of nature including the Rowan tree. They grow wild over there and those trees that I saw along road sides were generally skimpy and not too remarkable in appearance. I saw one at the home of Robert Burns, though, that was magnificant!! Tall and thick with beautiful golden and red leaves. It must have been about 20 feet tall and then and there I found I wanted a rowan tree in my own yard. I looked but no one around here had ever heard of this particular tree and I figured that it only grew in Europe. Then one day at Bi-Mart.......there it was!! In fact two of them, only called white mountain ash. But it was my long lost tree!! I snatched up the two of them and they've done beautifully in our yard. White blossoms in the spring, red berries in the fall and the beautiful colors of autumn in October! And almost 20 feet and widening more all the time. Haven't found the faerie-folk yet though.

Have a wonderful Monday to start the new week off right! Time to get into the holiday season and feel the joy!

BACK HOME-A BLESSED THANKSGIVING

Hi Everyone.......Norm and I are both back home now after a grueling month of some serious health issues for Norm.......a couple of surgeries.......and now the happy road to recovery and good health. I was staying in Coos Bay while Norm was in the hospital and completely centered and concentrated on everything to do with him. No photography or blogging. He's just remarkable in his recovering process. He was so debilitated and weak not that long ago and is now moving around, lifting firewood when I'm not looking and starting to gain some of those 20 lbs. he's lost. While going through all the ups and downs of this personal crisis, we realized how very lucky we were to have each other. There are many, many people who don't have anyone. We just can't imagine how extremely hard that must be. And we squeeze each other's hand just a little tighter.

And there have been so many angels in our corner to help and encourage, to love and pray for us that it's been truly humbling. Love to you all.......and you know who you are. One of those angels, Nancy and her daughter Sherry, brought us over a delicious platter of turkey and all the trimmings for our Thanksgiving dinner. As they were coming in the house, Sherry, who I hadn't met before, told me she had something to show me that would surprise me very much. Well, THAT was putting it mildly!! See this hummingbird tattoo below?? Sherry had her boyfriend follow one of my posted photos to have her foot inked!!! Pretty cool, huh? I felt very complimented. AND the dinner was delicious! These following shots were of our snow day of earlier in the week. We don't get snow here often, which is fine with some people, but if I can stay home and not worry about driving in it, I love it. For the short time it falls and hopefully sticks, the world is transformed into a quiet, pristine wonderland. Think Norman Rockwell........

Now I'm looking forward to getting the house looking ready for Christmas. I haven't done any shopping yet but I'll get there. I really couldn't face all the Black Friday sales. Many started in the middle of the night, for Pete's Sake!!! That's just crazy. Guess I just love my flannel sheets too much.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and have a safe and meaningful holiday season. And I will, too.

MORE AUTUMN COLOR

I think everyone is out Halloween-ing tonight.........if not Trick-or-Treaters at the door then a Halloween-Hoot party. I do miss the children coming to the door. We live in an out-of-the-way country road and have never gotten any little Trickster's visit. Every year since we have lived here, Norm has bought a couple of bags of candy.....just in case........We would then have to dole out the neglected treats to ourselves. Like either one of us really need that!! So, for the last couple of years we have left temptation at the store. Now we're hooked on Skinny Cow mint ice cream sandwiches. So good! And we had the best dinner last night thanks to Karen and Doug.......a wonderful and delicious carrot with ginger soup. Some crusty bread made the dinner complete.........I have the recipe, which is far simpler than I'd have thought and is even good for you. So....that balances out the Skinny Cow mint ice cream sandwiches, right??


These are a couple of photos from last year that I've re-worked. Today was very gray and drizzly with a little rain. Hopefully tomorrow will be clearing up a bit cause we have another trip to Coos Bay to make. Just safer driving. Now that Norm is beginning to feel better than last week.......he cares a lot more how I drive. I've mentioned before that I AM a good driver. But when you're driving with someone who is spotting every little flaw, it can make you nervous, right??
But........I just figure that he's temporarily a bit grumpy and Hey! if he wants me to drive 40 mph, then 40 mph is what I'll drive. But if we turn up late for our appointment, I won't say a word.......just point my finger at him!
Isn't it wonderful that we can still bicker over silly things??

I hope everyone has a great Monday.........begin the week off expecting it to be happy and successful in all ways.

POST-STORM SEAS

Both these photos were taken the other day after the big storm we had. And I just got a plug-in software program that I'm trying out. Much to learn there yet, but already I can tell it's going to be a lot of fun.............Thank you, Randy!!

More doctors appointments today and coming up next week..........so both Norm and I are really looking forward to a few days to just kick back, watch football or maybe some corny movie and just BE. I might even get an hour or so to go out to do some shooting. Every time I ride by the Sixes River I see at least one fisherman standing in those tall rubber boots, out in the middle of the river fishing. I'd love to get that shot......I'll keep my fingers crossed that he hasn't reached his limit yet and will be out there when I go take of look.
Have a wonderful Friday and enjoy the cozy indoor weekend.

VIVID COLORS OF THE DAY

I saw a photo the other day on a photo site I subscribe to that I liked a lot......a closeup of brightly colored autumn leaves. This afternoon before the rains started in again, I went down to the yards to collect some various leaves of color from some shrubs and trees. Not quite as they had it, but ok, I think. I had to climb up on top of the dining room table with my tripod at all sorts of odd angles trying to get what I wanted. I used my "Nifty-Fifty" which is a stationary lens. So.........a little cheery color for this gray afternoon. Hope everyone is having a good week.........half-way mark again, so start planning that fun-filled weekend, all you Party-Animals!!! And in the meantime have a good Thursday! We have another doctor's visit.......how's that for something different, huh?? (excuse the sarcasm......it's really only just a little bit). And it's helping us to memorize Hwy 101 like the back of our hand. That might come in handy sometime......well, it's possible.........

SUNSHINY DAY

As many of you know, this past week and a half have been pretty horrible for Norm and myself. We went to see a surgeon today and on the way driving home I was thinking to myself the importance and exuberant feelings in certain words we hear........words like "Fixable" "comfortable" "pain-free" "cancer free"

"normal" "no serious signs of" and how about the one I happened to be feeling right not........."so very, very grateful!!" More tests to go and some little things that need healing, but very manageable. Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all of you who sent prayers, encouragement, support and good thoughts.......
Love you all!!

MONDAY WET

Quite a show Ma Nature put on for us this weekend, huh? Especially yesterday......water spouts, enormous waves and lots of the wet stuff falling......and today has been pretty wet, too. Every once in a while, a downpour!! I needed to go out for a couple of errands and grabbed my camera. I thought I'd see if the seas were as dramatic as reported yesterday. No, I missed the big show but today's waves weren't anything you wanted to get near or turn your back on. I went to Battle Rock and then to the dock. The clouds were approaching that spectacular level but in almost black and white I don't know how well it actually shows up. Same with the photo of the "Gate".......if you live around Port Orford, you know that it's not an everyday event that has the wave surges hitting so high on the rocks. I had one of the nicest surprises today! Norm and I have been pretty house-bound this past week and my friend, Nanci, knew that today wasn't my best......so she came to the door after lunch with a TRIPLE (that's the big 3!!) chocolate chip mint waffle ice cream cone from Sirens!! It was the best ever!! I think it might have had something extra in it.........like a lot of heart!!
How lucky am I to have such a great and thoughtful friend and neighbor?
Wishing everyone a great start to your week and a terrific Tuesday!! Keep that smile going! You never know who might need it.

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

A good day for indoor photos. The day was beautiful this morning.....and as long as I needed to drive up to Bandon, that worked nicely. Now, about 4:30, it the wind is starting to whip up a little and in reading the weather forecast it sounds like we'll have some high winds and rain. And everyone knows the weather forecasting is always right on, right?? 8-))

These two photos were taken at WildSpring in the guest hall. A beautiful little bowl holding the fruit, and a Chinese Checkers game that I fooled around with a little on Photoshop. I was out in the garden a while ago and was surprised to see what a large batch of chard and beet greens I was able to harvest. Enough for dinner tonight and into soup on Saturday. Tomorrow will be a good day to make up soup and bake up bread. Comfort food along with that fireplace burning nicely. Hope you all stay warm and dry over the weekend........get a good book to read and a warm cup-a-whatever and you're set! I think the Port Orford library is holding on of their book sales tomorrow........perfect timing, huh? Whatever you do, have a great weekend with safe traveling, if you must....

WEDNESDAY IN THE "WILDS OF OREGON"

When my nephew was a little guy and I had found him a deer antler out in back of our house and he brought it to school on "Show and Tell" Day......he announced that this deer antler had come from "the wilds of Oregon". Said in an ominous voice like Port Orford was like the darkest of Africa. And probably to him at that time and coming from a larger city in California, it did seem that way. Well, here below we have a view of Battlerock looking from the dock. It always surprises me how much smaller it looks from this angle than from up by Redfish. And there really was a battle up there when Oregon was a wild place. I guess we really don't have to travel all that far to find some of those same conditions......minus the wars.....at least the same kind with guns, bows and arrows. Now the battles and wars are launched with words. But there continues to sit Battlerock.....oblivious to it all. How did you all like our misty morning? Quite a change from yesterday, huh?
I guess our sun will remain shy for a few days but in both these two shots, it was out in full glory. This second photo here is one of my favorite scenes every fall. Probably because we have few maple trees around in Cedar Terrace that I can see so I treasure this little display like it's my own treasure. I took this with my little Kodak......resolution isn't all that great but as long as no one looks TOO closely, the colors can be enjoyed.

Hope everyone's week is going well........It's getting to be time to start up that fireplace again. We lit a fire this morning and actually did NOT drive outselves out of the house into the cool. But, you know we have to do at least one 'swelter-first-of-the-year-fire' to kick off the season right. Now we get down to the serious business of feeling warm and cozy.

Have a wonderful Thursday and remember to give hugs freely! They feel warm and cozy, too.