SAYING FAREWELL TO 2011

So, the end of another year.....wiping that past away and making way for the new. A time to reflect on what's been, what is and what will be by being aware that the NOW is where we really are and that will creatively influence our future.
I've been reading the most wonderfully delightful book by, Elizabeth Griffin....."A Taste of Grace".
She writes her story beginning with her life from Seattle and finally over to Trieste, Italy......dramatic, humorous and certainly holds various episodes in her life that we can all relate to. Also, interspersed are Italian recipes lovingly created by her husband, Mauro. There are meditations and Italian words and phrases along with the phonetic pronounciation. There was an explanation of what must be an Italian cultural view in how the Italians view 'breezes'. And I take it that one of the worst things that can happen and must ALWAYS be guarded against, is the Dreaded Draft! So, the people are always noting if it happens to be a windy day.......Take Care!! Her examples are pretty funny. Now for followers of my blog, you might remember quite some time ago that I mentioned re-connecting with a friend I went to high school with.....and her Italian born father's misuse of some of our American terms. As teenage friends, we loved to find something to giggle about regarding our corny and 'so-out-of-it-parents'. So, where the Italians will say "What a breeze"........Mr. Tuccori would say "What a windy". So hilarious did we find this that even now, my husband and I will comment on 'what a windy' when our Port Orford coastal winds get roaring..........and when I talked to my old friend after so many years, one of the first things I said to identify myself was "What a windy!!" We laughed and laughed as if it were yesterday. I'm so loving Elizabeth's book and if you have a chance to take a look at it on Amazon, it might appeal to you too. American meets Italian culture plus a whole lot more! And Elizabeth's own personal journey through health crisis and into a beautiful spiritual Awareness that she readily shares with all.

The photos I have posted here were taken a couple of weeks ago. The first one was of Meyer's marsh up in Bandon. There are some photos that have too much 'nature' in them too make a good photo. This is where I really appreciate my Topaz software. It can soften all the features so they aren't competing with each other.
The below was taken on a very windy day (where IS Mr. Tuccori?) and the sea looked more turbulent than I like.........again Topaz softens. I know this look isn't to everyone's liking but for the time being, I'm enjoying it a lot.

So, I'll give you my Happy New Year's greeting and advice to stay safe if out on the road. May everyone have a great weekend and an even better 2012!

It's raining in Port Orford and "What an incredible Windy!!"

A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

I hope you all had as lovely a Christmas as Norm and I did. Norm is always like a little kid on Christmas morning.......waking me up early (by mistake, of course.... NOT). So, the coffee was already made and I fortified myself with sips as I dug out all the gifts for each of us to open. Great fun and many wonderful surprises........plus some needed items that went under the tree "From us" "To us".
Following breakfast were the family phone calls, everyone giving thank you's and how are you and what the plans for the day were. We all had plenty to do so the Sunday calls were a little abbreviated......at least for my sister's and I. Now, Norm.........he can get on and off the phone before the person at the other end even knows who they're talking to! 8-))

We had been invited over to our friend's home for Christmas dinner at their beautiful Bed & Breakfast, The Compass Rose. It was like stepping into a Currier & Ives scene. The house was so beautifully decorated.......everywhere. Outside, inside and in every room.............Even the bunny hutches~~! So inviting and cheerful. And the aromas in the kitchen!!! Ohhhhh..........Not one person thought of keeping any piece or particle of a diet. That can be postponed until Jan 2nd I guess. So, in the top photo we're greeting by our wonderful host and hostess.......Doug and Karen, in front of their Noble pine Christmas tree.

The crown pork roast pictured here was every bit as delicious as it looks. Moist, full of flavor.....just fantastic. There was also stuffing, great tasting broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, to be followed by a number of decadent and scrumpious desserts made by Karen. A fruit pie, a lemon cake, and a chocolate cake. I had the chocolate.............ohhhhhh, was it ever good!!!

The cheerful lights below were something they made up and it just showed off it's own holiday warmth in the dark powder room. I can't do all the various scenes justice, even if I could post them all on this blog. For more, you can go to Facebook, but still, you'd have to have seen them in person.

We arrived at Karen and Doug's at 1:30 and were driving home a 9 that night~I couldn't believe we had spent that amount of time............It was so much fun and time passed so quickly. We were tired and I can only imagine how our friend's were enduring! And Karen had to work Monday!! Later, I found out that Doug was up and out burning limbs and fallen junk down in the woods. Gesh!

So, as our Christmas leads into New Year's and the close of 2011, it's now time to look at the past year and be grateful.........for gifts but also for lessons learned even if they didn't quite feel like that at the time. Everything has value and some time or another, looked at with appreciation for what it held. All evolving into who we are now. With more to come! So bring on 2012 and let's all try to make the world a more peaceful experience for us and our children.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

To all my friends and family, Norm and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may 2012 bring peace to all, in mind and spirit...........

OAK TREE STUDY

Are you all having a good holiday week?? The count-down has begun and it's only 6 days until Christmas. All my baking is done.......all packages gift-wrapped and under the tree......tomorrow off to Coos Bay/North Bend to deliver some gifts to our doctor's offices and maybe pick up one or two things if we can muster enough courage to combat the rest of the shoppers. My week promises to be a good one with meeting up with friends and sharing some cheer. And our weather continues to cooperates with the promise of plenty of sun.........with just enough cold bite to the air to remind us that it is, indeed, still December.

I loved this old oak tree down on the Elk River and decided to experiment with a few various editing applications. I like them both........they each have a 'frosty' look, don't you think?

Watching the Monday night football at Candlestick Point........twice the electricity went out, delaying first the beginning of the game, and again in the second quarter. What a mess........at least no one in the audience panicked. Must be hard on the players, though, to stop, start, stop, and start again. No wonder it's such a low scoring game.

Speaking of start and stop activities...........I just spent an hour talking on the phone and words have now lost their appeal for me, so I'll close this up and start getting ready to end the day.

Night all..........

A DAY OF WINTER WANDERINGS

Yesterday was great to go photo shooting with my friend, Karen. We were both just driving with no particular destination in mind, and stopping to shoot whenever something appealed to us. It was fun.....all the places that aren't on the menu when the trips up to Coos Bay don't offer the opportunity............no husbands, in other words! The rivers and surrounding areas, marshes, cattle.......and you can see below that I finally got a few pictures of the beautiful white bulls that I've been trying to capture. They are just magnificant and powerful animals. When we got out of the car and (carefully) treaded our way through the soggy grasses....over to the fence....and all the cattle were watching intently. The younger cattle were in a group off and away from the bulls. Something about our presence finally spooked them and they all went charging over to the white bulls. The bulls never moved a muscle even with the rest of the herd heading to gain some sense of safety with the older 'gents'. I call them gents because in the small panic that the younger ones felt, one felt he needed to gain some reassurance by trying to climb one of the white bulls. The bull seemed to realize that this wasn't really going to go anywhere and he actually looked bored with the whole business. Instead of putting the younger one in his place.......it was more of a "ho-hum".

That top photo was looking down from Hwy 101 onto the Sixes River. There was some kind of big cement block........maybe the left over from a bridge. I think my straight photo was pretty uninspiring so I played around with my Topaz until I thought it was softer. It appealed to me more.

We went on to Bandon Old Town, drove around and explored. I have a ton of new photos but can only post a few on this blog. I'm putting more on Facebook and Flickr if you want to view more.

Today I returned to A Course In Miracles group after almost a year away. It felt like returning home. And I had just met a young woman an hour earlier, whose son had just died. I felt so badly for her.......as well as the man who brought this to my attention. No words could ever be adequate at a time like that........only a hug might convey my sympathy and empathy. So young.....and at Christmas time it seems even more painful. So, if any can remember this young woman and her son in your good thoughts and prayers, please...........

EARLY DECEMBER

Not a very original title today, huh? But it WAS an originally beautiful morning. We got the last of our Christmas gifts mailed off and on their way. The white bull I want to shoot (camera-wise) down in the Sixes pasture, was not near the fence like I'd hoped. The only time I see him is when I don't have the time to stop. But here was the Elk River looking perfectly photographable......If you look closely you can see one lone fisherman down there wearing a red shirt. I got the impression that he didn't care whether he caught a fish or not, but was just enjoying the quiet, sunny morning. Course, me not being a fisherperson, I am probably interjecting my own thoughts.

Got the last of my Christmas cookies made up today...........lemon shortbread, my two favorites, Snickdoodles and Chocolate Lumpies. I think I like the names more than anything. "Chocolate Lumpies" just says it all, doesn't it?? 8-))

The next stop we made yesterday morning for these photos was out at the Cape. I thought it might be less windy than usual.......HA! I could see the whitecaps over my the Hughes House and as usual, had to find something to brace myself against to try and keep the camera (and me) steady.

Our Christmas tree is an artificial one that we bought a number of years ago. The last real tree dried out so quickly and dropped needles all over that I was afraid of a house fire. The time has come for a new artificial tree right after Christmas.....hopefully at some sale price. The tree we're presently using is probably a 6' and if around this area, you readers know of anyone who might give our old tree a new home please have them get in touch with me. If I don't hear of anyone than towards the end of the month, I'll probably put out the word on Facebook or emails. Sorry, it can't be before Christmas since it's being used right now.

I hope everyone has a great weekend........the weather looks like it might be changing soon, so this is the weekend to get out enjoy..............

Happy Christmas season..........

WINTER'S PRESENCE

Here on the south coast we all have a pretty good idea that winter is here......even if the calendar is a little behind the time. We went over to Roseburg a couple of days ago and the fog over in Coquille was thick and mysterious looking. I love the various effects that it gives nature. Oh, there was one sight that I wish I could have had my chauffeur stop for so I could take a quick photo........It was a grove of trees, completely bare of any leaves. In the gray fog, it gave the mystical appearance, but in the middle of the group there was one large tree not only holding all it's leaves but they were bright gold.........really showing off a great contrast. Beautiful!!

How are your plans and activities coming along towards Christmas?? I managed to have most all of my gifts just waiting to be wrapped up and some mailed off. I put up our Christmas tree yesterday and all the trimmings around the house today. Ahhhh............it feels good!! You might call it smug.......and you'd probably be right. *-))

A couple of weeks ago Norm and I were shopping up at WalMart in Coos Bay. We had finished and I needed to visit the ladies room before heading home. As Norm was waiting for me a younger man approached him and said, "Thank you for your service, Chief." with an outstretched hand to shake. He was in civilian clothes so there was no knowing if he was in the service, but probably so since he knew Norm's rank by the USN-ret SCPO cap he was wearing. It might seem like such a simple gesture, but it meant so much!!! I imagine that particular baseball cap might just be his favorite one to wear now. And if he forgets I'll remind him. I felt so proud of him!

Well, cold weather tonight and tomorrow night.........keep warm and be carefull if you have to drive anywhere.......Enjoy the season!

IN BETWEEN STORMS

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? We had some good friends over and I cooked.......and ate too much! As I'm sure most of you did, too. And some wild, wild weather before Turkey Day!! Wow! They said it was 85 MPH winds.........I'm surprised there wasn't a lot more damage. Even our electricity stayed on.
One set of friends were away for the holiday week and Norm and I would go over and feed and do what petting we could for their bunnies. They were fine the whole time, but I did worry that something would break into their cages and have rabbit stew.......or one would get sick on a hair ball.......or the wind and rain would somehow scare them to death. Obviously, nothing like that happened at all...........they were fine, enjoying their banana chips, alfalfa and apples....or carrots. and the pets...........Very lovable little bunnies.

Another friend of mine had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at Redfish here in town. That's my plan for next year. Maybe some friends and relatives will be able to join us. The only problem would be not having the turkey leftovers. Today I finished making up gallons of turkey soup for the freezer. Coming home from a day of shopping, add some vegetables and bake up some fresh bread..........all set!

Tomorrow we need to go up to Coos Bay and replenish our food and hopefully get some Christmas shopping done. I don't do the Black Friday shopping. It just sounds too crazy for me......Although I doubt that there are too many pepper-spraying shoppers around. That was just bizarre. But rare, I think. I had thought I was ahead in the Christmas shopping for this year.........suddenly the reverse seems to be true and I need to hustle!!

Well, hope everyone has had a restful and long holiday weekend and are all rested up to begin another new week. It's still raining so drive safe and stay dry.

TWO RECENT FAVORITES OF MINE

These both look better against the black of my 'real' blog page......for those of you who subscribe and get them on a white background. The first is of some vine maple leaves set on a glass table top. A gold speckled ball added an extra color and the processing led to what looks like a background of blue velvet. Edited using Topaz..........

Below photo is of a painter down on the beach at Brookings. He seemed completely oblivious to me and/or my camera. That's the way to really get involved in your art......completely right brain ingrossed........and my right brain loves that unbrella~

A DAY IN BROOKINGS

My friend, Karen, and I went on our own little shopping jaunt last week. We hit the Fred Meyer's in Brookings. I hadn't been down there in years and I was so happily surprised to see how large it was. They had a great selection of women's clothing up on the second floor and there really wasn't enough time for me to take it all in. Perfect reason for a return trip! I've been wanting a number of particular items and had no problem in filling a few shopping bags!
Love Norm to pieces but this was just no place for him!

These two photos were taken on our way down........somewhere between Gold Beach and Brookings, I think. The day was perfect with not a cloud in sight and no breeze. Maybe the water wasn't quite THIS placid since I did play around with editing, but it was beautiful. It was even a little warm in the afternoon.

We had a nice lunch, a few errands and then headed home. There was a forecast of possible rain and it seemed the weatherman had to be wrong but as we closed in closer to Port Orford we could see the lineup of clouds offshore, and it wasn't too long after we got home that the drips started in.

I have more photos of our day plus an album of Doug and Karen's new bunnies at the Compass Rose posted in a photo album on my Facebook page.

Hope you're all having a good weekend. Thanksgiving is probably on a lot of people's minds.......only a couple of weeks away now. I have a partial menu planned and most shopping done. I've even started in on my Christmas shopping. This holiday season is so different for me than last when Norm was in the hospital or newly arrived home. He's so better than ever now.....and I still feel incredibily blessed.

Happy soon-to-be-Monday.

'DOCK' ADD ON

NOVEMBER AT THE DOCK-

Had a good lunch and great and long-overdue lunch with my friend, Pat, last week. I vowed to order something unfattening..........does fish and chips count? I ate very few chips and that was only when I wasn't thinking about it. I'm sure you've all done the same thing, right?? I hadn't been down to the dock in quite a while and here are a couple of photos from that day. I have more that will follow but I'm having trouble downloading them again.......The day was fairly gray with plenty of clouds so everything look fairly drab anyway. Just the time to use black and white......and with the wisps of clouds and mist around Humbug and the off-shore rocks, I think it enhances it nicely. If you double click on the photo it should take you to a larger sized photo where I think the effect shows better.

This fish float and net are hanging on the old grayed wall behind Griff's Restaurant. I like it.....and one similar that's done in a painterly look is a favorite of mine also. I'm posting it separately.

Rainy and windy out tonight............we did still get in a bit of a walk (Good for us!!) Tomorrow I'm making up a nice big pot of split pea soup with rustic boule` bread. I think I make this comfort food up just to let the house smell so good!

Have a great Sunday and travel safe on these wet roads if you are going out.........

FIRST RAIN OF AUTUMN?

Or is it? It seems to me it's the first autumn rain.......it was enough for me to start baking bread again. I changed a few recipes of mine and the loaves came out great. I've been making Irish soda bread for years but for some reason last year every batch I made up just wasn't very good. Anyway.......I realized this year what I had changed and went back to my old way and "Oh Yum!" and I added a handful of millet which gives a little more crunch. More Yum~

I met up with a good friend who I hadn't seen in too long and it was wonderful to catch up, see how good she looked and sounded. She's a fellow photographer and sounds like she's moving on-ward-and-upward at full speed. Is putting my lazy self to shame! So, I thought I'd better try and get back with the program. And I actually enjoy shooting more in the fall and winter anyway. More diversity.

My family had a death in the family about a week ago. It was too far for me to travel, and I hadn't seen this cousin in decades. Still, she was the last of the older generation and my thinking was set to honor the past memories of our family's shared history. The good and not-so-good...........it all helps make us who we are and I like to believe that THAT's a good thing. We all have so much more to us than what we realize. I know I always seem to have a higher opinion of others than they do of themselves.......even by what they do or don't say. There's a saying that I think of every so often......"Who you are speaks louder about you than what you say and do." And people do do the best they can with what they have, at the time of their lives that they are, don't you think? This lady who passed on was a strong woman with strong convictions and a softer heart than I think she let many see. Her life was filled with many years of her own share of struggles, successes, losses and joys........ and much courage. And she passed through her final life phase still caring about others while demonstrating dignity and grace. I picture her rejoicing in happy reunions with past family and friends and wish her God-Speed.



So, these are some early autumn snaps that I took a couple of days ago. The one above I tinkered around with a little editing but it is a late still blooming hollyhock.......vivid pink which I only gave a hint of. When viewed on large it's amazing that there's a whole other world down deep in that flower........Guess that's why some people enjoy macro photography so well. The photo below is of one of our Japanese maples. It's so happy where it's planted.......(not too far from over the septic tank). I don't need to elaborate anymore on that. This last shot is a closeup of a barrel full of mums. Cheerful little guys! After the rain I expect them to look a little weathered so I'm happy I snapped while they still looks photogenic.

Well, hope everyone is having a good weekend...........lots of football games and did you see that World Series??!! Wow~! That was something special this year!!

Have a great Sunday!

BUNNY B&B IN THE MAKING!

For those who know of Doug and Karen Hansen's beautiful B&B, The Compass Rose, there's going to be an extension built on that will offer space for future bunnies that need rescuing. This has been a long-time dream of Doug's (and Karen) and I hope that the rescue hutches will open the way for more in the future. But maybe it's best to not get ahead of ourselves...........especially by those 'selves' who aren't doing the building and tending. So this first photo on top is Doug measuring something for one of the next steps towards completion. It will have a place that will be protected from our sometimes fierce and blowy Port Orford winter storms. (That's my Norm with him, taking it all in)

And here are the furry little darlin's themselves. They don't know yet that there will soon be another couple to be moving into the neighborhood. For the photos, I fooled around with Photoshop..........cause that's what I seem to want to do right now.

I have to admit that I can never remember these little guys names. I'm pretty sure the boy is PJ, who's this little brown-haired one. I refer to the white lady of the hutch, as PJ's Mrs. Hopefully there will be more photos in another week or so of the occupants of the new Bunny B&B.

SOME OLDIES

At least some older photos from my files. Seems that time is short these days for going out and getting new shots. These were from my sister-in-law Lucy's garden during her memorial. And the top shot was a beautiful and colorful presentation at the table.......among many other yummy things to eat.

I should have taken a photo of the apple-crumb pie I'd made today. Norm's been wanting me to bake one so today was the day. Good day for it......Sunday's always are. Now I'll be walking double time for the next week wondering if it was worth it...........Oh, Yeah!!

Did anyone see the San Francisco 49er's win today??!! Another "Oh, Yeah!!" Maybe their time has finally come. And the sun was sort of out, the sky was pretty and the air was crisp..........all in all a good day.

So, now that most of all the doctor's appointments are pretty well behind us for a while, maybe this week I can grab a little time to take more photos. Norm has been having to use a cream on his face for some basil-skin 'thingies' (because we disagree as to what to call them, 'thingies' will do for now). He's staying low as much as he can since he doesn't like his appearance right now. It really isn't that bad but I understand how when it's YOU that your feelings are more focused and self-conscious. Anyone over the age of, well, you name it, can remember how we used to lie out in the sun and tan, tan and more tan........thinking we looked so healthy and great. I used to lather on the baby oil or whatever the newest fad was at the time. Oh, all the dead gnats that would collect on my limbs as I baked to a nice crisp brown.........Now we pay the piper; at the very least added wrinkles and spots. Those spots that we call freckles for as long as we can get away with it.

Norm remembers when his father recommended he smoke cigarettes because it kept you from getting TB......especially if you smoked the menthol. Amazing, huh?

So.......stay out of the sun and burn up those cigarettes before they burn you!

And have a great week!