BELATED SPRING POPPIES

I was going through my older files and came across these Icelandic poppies and thought I'd fool around with them a bit. Along the way, it occurred to me that it's been a little while since I wrote on my blog. The summer continues to wind to a close, the blackberries are picking-ready and so are the huckleberries. I thought I might try drying the huckleberries this year. I read up on it and I don't know how much time it would save over freezing, but it would save a little space in my freezer.
I'll let you know how it works........have any of you tried drying them? If so, let me know how it worked for you.

Our veggie garden has really been producing this year...........and I know many others around our area have as well. Norm should know better, but he planted waaayyyy too many tomato plants this year. Most of them are cherry tomatoes. Some are the orange tomato which is new to us this year. Very good~! Thankfully, I know people who are happy to help us eat them up.

Today I received an email about how to decorate your Christmas holiday table! It's too early to start in on that, although I have seen a few things with the holiday spirit (I use that word reluctantly) up in some of the stores. The idea actually was to promote a new holiday DVD for the group, Pink Martini........but still.....Wow! I'm so not ready!
We haven't even had frost on the pumpkin yet!

Next month there will be a digital photography show up at the South Coast Hospital in Bandon. They're so great with the arts........always having one kind of an exhibit or another...........Should be fun. There are so many expressive things you can do with editing on your computer now. I'm looking forward to seeing all the results. It runs from October through December, I think. For the coasties......be sure to stop by sometime on your way up to our own 'Bay Area'.

Seems that most of our gold finches have moved on.........and the hummingbirds were here one day and just gone the next.........not even a 'good-bye and thanks for the summer syrup'. How's that for hospitality? More nuthatchers though. And I think the junco's should be arriving in another couple of weeks. The Canada geese also. I love to hear them honking and looking up and seeing their V-shaped arrival. Then I know for sure that autumn is here! Hope you're all enjoying the changes as much as I am.

BETWEEN SEASONS

A little change from the Rogue River shots..........at least for this first one. Norm made this portable rustic planter. We planted some petunias a couple of weeks ago......... add water and sun and 'voile'! Pretty, I think......the only petunias we planted this year. What has been taking over the limelight on our deck this summer is the calendula..........bright, bright orange and yellows!

But backing up the river just a little.........The homeward trek on our jet boat. One of my favorite shots of those I took is this one here below. If you see the two fishermen and see how dwarfed they are by those surrounding hills and mountains, you see how it can really allow you to feel humbled. God's own Creation that we're blessed to live in~!!! You can get a better view by clicking on the photo to see it in a larger image.

And for those of you who live here on the south coast, you'll recognize the bridge crossing over the Rogue just before it empties into the Pacific. The waters just beyond the bridge was crowded with sports fishing boats......all shapes and sizes. I don't know how they did in their luck with fishing. I didn't see all that many holding up their trophies this trip. But maybe it was just a poor day..........But not for me~It was a great trip and now it's time to think about what's around the homestead for a while.

Enjoy your weekend and the turning season...........it's here!

FURTHER ALONG UP THE ROGUE

Little folks are friendly up the river. This little guy was just all charm~his dog, now, he's a different kettle of fish, isn't he? Fido was fishing also, but he came up with a rock. Not like the serious fisherman here in this second photo. I think he looks pretty cool. Including that great and probably good-luck fishing hat.

This third shot is the best I could get as we drove by these two bald eagles in the

oak trees. They always look so majestic don't they?? And I enjoy the lines of those oaks. They match in majestic dignity.

I talked to my sister today, twice actually. Most of the photos I took of her and Nick, didn't turn out very well. Darn! There is one that I might put up next posting where Nick, whose reputation for 'bonking' his head as a little kid spoke for itself, is over on his back when somehow the chair he was sitting in up-ended. It's some of that continuity of life that I love.

Hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day holiday tomorrow and the shortened work week ahead.

UP THE LAZY RIVER

Such busy summe days!! While my sister and nephew were visiting us we went up on one of the jet boat rides on the Rogue. I've been a number of times and it's always different and always beautiful! This was the first time I've actually seen any bear but the view was so distant and camouflaged with trees and brush, I actually see the furry critters much better up here in Cedar Terrace. This first scene was of some Park Rangers who were pulling a large net so they could count each fish to see how the Fall Chinook were running. We stayed around a few minutes for the show. I'll probably be showing a few more from the counting. I think they were having a lot of fun......along with posing for the camera/s!

This second shot is of a peregrine nest waaaaay up at the top and the home-owner there off the the left keeping a sharp eye for anything eatable I suppose. We saw a number of them all along the river that day.

This happens to be one of my favorites of that day. We were just heading up the Rogue and the fog was hanging around making everything look soft and mysterious. I was afraid this photo wouldn't turn out because of the sun in the frame, but the fog softened it beautifully. Reminds me of a Currier and Ives. As to the rest of my recent days, there has been tons of food baking and canning and freezing since our garden is more prolific this year than the past number of summers. I'll be glad come this winter but as for now, I groan everytime I see another zucchini, beet or carrot come into the kitchen. And you can tell every day that summer is coming to an end. Leaves tuning and a new bit of chill to the air. This is my favorite season coming up. Love it and the cozy fire and comfort food.

That's it for now............Hope you're all having a great summer!!

BURRO times 2

Almost every week we drive to Coos Bay via Seven Devils Road and we always look for the two Mediterranean burros that are sometimes in sight in a small narrow pasture. It's been more than a year since I've seen them; in fact I thought they might have been sold. We came screeching to a stop when I saw one right up by the fence line. When I got out of the car and was getting my camera from the back, the burro wandered over to disappear in the brush and shadow. I talked in my best burro-enticing voice and pretty soon not just one, but two, burros came over to the fence. They were very skiddish about the camera but after I let them smell it, they sort of settled down. I snapped, rubbed their noses, snapped, chatted, snapped and discovered they weren't too happy with their ears being scratched..........snapped some more. So, here are a few that I've played around with and am sharing with you.

Busy weekend........my sister and nephew are coming up and we have fun things to do everyday. Saturday night we're going to try Edgewaters for dinner in Bandon. I reserved the table in the corner and facing the Coquille River. Sunday, Sherry Pelton will be playing her newest piano composition at Unity Church in Bandon. I'm reading the book, "Anam Cara: The Wisdom of the Celts", which was the inspiritation for her piece. On the way home we'll stop by the news shops in Langlois; Jeffrey's, Simply Delightful and Inga's. Then on Monday we have a jet boat ride planned on the Rogue River...........I've been on a few times before but not with camera. I have my fingers and toes crossed that I see lots of neat stuff. I can still picture the man standing knee deep wate and playing a fiddle or violin and wearing a floppy hat..........unfortunately no one else but me saw him, hence, the funny looks I get when I tell this. Would I love to see him again, this time with my camera! Who knows? Maybe..........

You all have a great weekend and travel and play safe!

ONE BY LAND, TWO BY SEA

One by land is an photoshoped squash blossom.........The true color, in the overhead sun, was so garishly yellow that it didn't look real. The garden is doing so well this year.....Norm's veggie's that is. My flower gardens are still cottage-jungle. The abundance of blooms right now, thankfully, outshines the unwanted and untamed look. I hope. Norm brought in our first 2 of the season-barely ripe cherry tomatoes. Yum! We've been so patiently waiting. Nothing like sun-ripened tomatoes! Lots of produce from the garden lately to be prepared and frozen for fall and winter. It's keeping me busy.

These two photos were taken up at Charleston. I never seem to get close enough to an ordinary egret. This one wasn't too close either but I was able to crop it enough and then give it a painterly look. Still not what I'm aiming for but, oh well.

The below sunken boat has only been sunken a few weeks. I had taken some photos of it a year or so ago and while it had clearly seen better days, at least it was afloat...........now it'll be in the running with the Mary Hume down in Gold Beach.

Sad, when you think of how it was at one time some fishmen's hope and dream.....and pride, I'm sure. It looks like it was a beautiful boat when at it's new glory. Be interesting to know the story behind it.

I had lunch with a couple of my friends at Siren's today. A later lunch than usual due to a work schedule. Since I had already had 1/2 an apple and some juice, I wasn't 'that' hungry but needed to have something. So......I did happen to remember that I've been waiting since the day Siren's Cafe got their ice cream (over a year ago, at least) that I've been wanting my coconut cream ice cream cone. I was excited when I got there and saw that they had it in and ordered a double scoop in a waffle cone. Ohhhhh..............it was sooooo good! Then one by one, my friends joined me and we all had a little of what is so good for the soul (once in a while). I'm still enjoying the memory of it~

NORM AND SISTER LUCY

The Smith's have all loved their gardens. Lucy, Norm's sister, had gorgeous gardens and her daughter Ann had it looking like a page out of great English garden magazine. Roses blooming and clematis getting ready.....ferns, shrubs and a lawn that looked like a thick green carpet. This top photo is Norm watering his own veggie garden and surrounded by blooming hollyhocks, daisy and red cornus. I fooled around with my new Topaz and it looks like a painting now. Softer, which seems to match the mood I feel in this scene.

Lucy's memorial lunch was a beautiful tribute to her.......her daughters and other family and close friends, supplied everything they could think of that Lucy loved. Everything from Goldfish crackers to fried chicken and delicious blackberry pies. There were many photos of beautiful Lucy and two from her earlier life are the photos I took, above and below. Well, the one above was of Lucy.......beautiful, no??

and the lower was a poster from the Aquacade back in 1940. There were funny and heartwarming stories of Lucy to share as well as plenty of catching up with family. Many family members continued on down to the Klamath River for a family reunion.

A good weekend having a friend for dinner last night and today, just lazy and enjoying the summer day............Hope yours was good and your coming week even better!

TRAVELS ON TUESDAY

Well........who do we have here?? Mr. Blue-eyes exactly as I like 'em. I love this particular smile of Norm's. He was telling me a joke or something and it was taking forever to finish it.........so I pointed my camera at him and started clicking. I now know that if you start taking someone's picture, they stop talking.......
Discovered a handy little tool!

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but have you noticed how there are a few maples that are getting a blush to their leaves?? And our vine maple rapidly turning color. That's always been the case with that one though...........it marches to it's own drummer.

The two flowers here are the same as one I posted a few days ago. I still don't know what they are but do know they're bulbs. Different colors might make a nice photo set for future printings.

I tried a new place for lunch today. Pat S. told me about it and we decided to give it a try. Very good sandwiches. They also have a variety of pizza's as well. The name is something-Kat's or Kat's something........I should have paid more attention. It's located in the old Wild Rose Bistro in Bandon in old town. I recommend you give it a try.

Norm had yet another birthday lunch at Redfish, compliments of Steve Roemen.
One of these days Norm's birthday celebrations will finish up!

Thursday we head on over to Eugene for a memorial lunch for Norm's sister, Lucy. She was a wonderful lady and a strong, beautiful woman. I wrote about her sometime last year when she passed. Lucy was in the Aquacades at the World's Fair in San Francisco, along with her long time friend, Esther Williams and Johnny Weismuller of Tarzan fame. She's missed and is leaving a wonderful legacy in her wake........the value of a life is when you leave the world a better place than when you entered. Lucy's life had so very much value!

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and a fun-filled weekend!

A LITTLE DIFFERENT

I'm enjoying some new creative explorations. Let me know what you think of them if you have a minute.............

I've had the good fortune to have 3 different meals at Redfish this past week. One day with some of my women friends.......that was the carmelized scallops. Friday was Norm's birthday and he had an enormous and delicious burger while I tried out the crab cakes........ohhhhhh...........SO good!! Then on Sunday night I had the lamb dinner. Yum!! some finger potatoes that were really wonderful! And the view from Battle Rock when we left was fantastic. There was a low sun glow reflecting on the wet sands of the beach. I was kicking myself for not bringing my camera. And I naturally thought of Randy Sholten..........HE'd never find himself at that time of the day without HIS camera!! Well, hopefully there will be a next time and I'll do better.

The other night I heard racoons out on the deck........I hadn't known before that their sound is sort of soft chatter. Almost like a purr. I turned on the deck light which had them trying to look cool and calm and they turned around and headed towards the woods. A racoon walking away doesn't have a very graceful gait, have you noticed? They hunch over........very poor posture.........but they're neat to watch in climbing something where they appear almost liquid in their movements. Interesting little guys.

Hopefully this week will lack the animal trauma of last week. One of our little chipmunks got caught up in netting and had been twisting all around trying to get loose. All he did was wind the netting around and around his tail. We cut him down and clipped away most of the netting but he got away with some remaining around that tail. I was so nervous that Norm was going to cut off his tail instead of the netting! I was holding the little animal who was trying with all effort to escape and he did. Just slipped away........ Some friends told me that he should have been able to gnaw away the remaining net. Hope so or else I think he's going to be in bad trouble. I keep looking for the chipmunk but they all look the same.

I'm thinking of trying out how some of these above photos might look printed on canvas. Might be an interesting effect.

Hope you all have a great week. Couldn't ask for better weather lately, huh??

Enjoy.......enjoy!

THURSDAY IN JULY

Drove out by Garrison Lake today for a couple of photos. This one of Tseriadun shows off those wonderful ghost trees. I love their wind and rain washed glow. I noticed that the lake grasses and dune grasses are all at their peak right now.

This flower below is beautiful, isn't it? It was over at my neighbor, Nanci's, for one day only. Then it was 'gone with the wind' as frequently happens in Port Orford.
I don't know the name of this flower.......anyone??

A recommendation for those of you going to lunch at Redfish anytime soon.....at least before they change their menu. The carmelized scallops were fantastic!! On top of a bed of sauteed baby beet greens in some delicious liquid........Oh Yum! And tomorrow will find me back there again since this was Norm's choice on where to go to lunch for his birthday. Opps.......I understand from a friend of his that he's been telling, when asked, that his birthday isn't for weeks and weeks. Ha!
Anyway, I think I might try the crabcake sandwich.............doesn't that sound unusual?? And I love crabcakes so I don't think I can go wrong. Feel free to envy me............

Have a wonderful Friday and a safe and fun weekend!

JULY SURPRISES

More summer treats in the form of blooms and thanks to all that endless winter rain we had.........Norm has been clearing out some of the jungle that was once our garden and came across this enormous and deeply purple butterfly bush flower. Even "he who yields a ruthless set of clippers" knew enough to save this for a floral display. I soooo appreciate him for his gardening help..........which had very distinctly passed long ago the 'cottage look' and moved into wilderness of Oregon chaos. Truly an act of love on Norm's part since I'm not able to get out there much lately.

Now this little group of flowers is actually the rose compion, hybrid style. The last few years I had both the white and the deep pink. I would throw the spent flowers over the fence below the deck where it is free to do what it will. I ended up with these varigated flowers, both pink (a lighter pink) and the white.

Recently I asked a Facebook friend about a particular book that I've had but hadn't gotten around to reading yet. I asked her what it was about. She has set me on a new path with a wonderful group of spiritually minded people and I can barely keep up with it all. They all have so many great and uplifting thoughts, words and quotes. And many more books. I have a definite weakness for books! Almost as much as bubblewrap! And the list just keeps expanding. Takes my breathe away!!

Well, my Monday has begun great and promises to get even better. Hope your's does the same. This Friday is Norm's birthday........One year ago at this time I was going crazy planning his big #80 birthday. That seems like about 5 years or so now......so many things have taken place over the past year. Mainly his surgeries and health challenges. For those of you who have known of this, you'll be happy to hear that he's just getting better all the time.....feeling good (although at this moment he's fast asleep in his chair pretending to watch one of his favorite programs, even though the sound has been on 'mute' for the past 10 minutes! 8-)
Ahhhh.....he must have heard me cause he just turned back on the sound.

His birthday......he wants me to take him to Redfish for his birthday. OK.......that's hardly a hardship for me!

Enjoy our sun!!

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!

My niece up in Beaverton was still getting rain today, but I think a return to summer is coming to Oregon.

Today had me putting some of my photos down at Dorothy & Denny Dana's 'Trading Post".........their delightful little gallery of this n' that. It's always fun to see your own work up in a new display. If you get a chance, drop on by, take a look and let me know what you think.

The black and white photos are from my files.......I seem to still be in my B&W mood. These were taken at Garrison Lake while ago.....maybe last summer or fall.

I had a special treat arrive in the mail today from my friend, David. I had posted a silly little thing on Facebook about how important bubblewrap might be in one's life. It was a spoof, of course and there were some silly comments written in reply. So, today I received a package from Amazon......it even had a big smiley face of the box. Inside, was 30' of (unpopped!) bubblewrap!! And it was wrapped in an orange satin ribbon!! When I first opened it I hadn't read the message and didn't know who it was from......only pretty sure (?) that I wasn't the one who had ordered it. So, in my confusion and until I could figure this out, I automatically began popping that wonderful bubblewrap............that IS what it's for, isn't it?? Too help me in my more confused moments?? Times of stress?? It gave Norm and I some good laughs and reminds us of how sometimes giving an unannounced and nonsensical surprise gift, for no other reason than to make someone else smile, warms the hearts of all concerned. And if not, well, I'll just go pop some bubbles! 8-))

SUMMER RAIN~~just a hiccup

I had some black and whites that seemed appropriate for this rainy day. At least it's a soft rain........still July warmth to the air. It's supposed to be like this through Tuesday so all you garden lovers will have to find something else to do. Today in the late afternoon, I put out a breadstick that was left over from last night. It was for the chipmunk or a young squirrel that hangs around........still trying to figure out how to get to that birdseed. During dinner Norm says loudly and with great gusto "There's a #@*!! raccoon on the deck~~" Said raccoon wasn't just on the deck he was looking in the window at us. As soon as Norm got up and open and slammed the door (rudely), the raccoon ran off. I guess I won't be putting anything more out on the deck. Next thing will be a return of the bear and we definitely don't need that.

I like the way these shots from Cape Blanco turned out........every once in a while I enjoy black and white. I follow a great photographer, Cole Thompson, and he works exclusively in black and white. You probably can time his newsletters by my own attempts at monochrome, be it ever so humble.

Today I made up about 100 more photo cards........tomorrow it's zucchini-rosemary-lemon bread. Yes, our zucchini is starting to produce and I need to start using it up. The rain reminds me that autumn and winter will return.......but not yet. This is just a little hiccup.

MID-SUMMER, SOUTH COAST STYLE

I've been away from posting on my blog for a little too long. There was another photo garden show + fashion show in Langlois. That kept me a little tied up for a while. These are a couple of the photos I took during the show. This first photo is of Tim Belmont's darling little pup, Blanche. She is tiny but with a very big and fun-loving heart! Loves almost everyone and especially perks up when she hears the click of the camera. A true Princess, I think. ~~~~ Princess Blanche. It has a certain ring to it, don't you think?

The garden itself isn't terribly large but a beautiful semi-casual-but neatly-maintained circle of healthy and manicured bushes and florals. In the early evening light, the low sun just set off the colors with a warm glow. The long shadows adding their own touch of suble drama. This white rose was one that just stood out. Flawless. This rose must have believed that she was part of the fashion show..........one of many beautiful models.

SUMMER ALONG THE ROAD TO BLANCO

Well, has everyone recovered from their 4th of July celebrations?? It seems to have left a lot of people sort of turned upside down in their time and space. I did get to the parade which is always fun.........love looking for different things to photograph and I'm never disappointed! Especially with the children. They are so cute and very funny! It brings me back to when I was shooting the Saturday Kids Art Program. They're just so natural and innocent in their approach to everything.......and so much is new and untried. Including their feelings about everything. What you see is what you got! And if not.........well, they're the sad ones.

These are a couple of photos I took on the way back from Cape Blanco the other day. Beautiful this time of year, hmm? The lovely wild parsnip in this one directly above.........such an abundance of it! And the top image is really of that wonderful pine that's been bent by the winds. All who live in our area know what kind of winds can be found out on the Cape. I still resent the fact that it took my favorite baseball hat I brought back from Scotland! Grrrrr...........

Simply Delightful, Jeffrey's Salon and Inge's new shop are all combining energy this Saturday for another garden show and exhibit. This one will have a fashion show with articles from Simply Delightful and Jeffrey's. And I might be running ahead of myself regarding Inge's. We'll have to wait and see. Inge is an extremely talented seamstress as well as maker of other hand crafted items. There will be music, food and drink, the fashion show and lots of fun. Photo exhibits will again be shown with Pat Stannard of Langlois, Lois Miller of Port Orford, and myself. Hope to see you there...........that's Saturday evening from 6pm to ?? Again, in the lovely little garden behind the Piercy Sweet Suites. Come have fun!