THIS IS LATE SPRING????

 What??  Late spring?   Looking at the rain coming down and the wind blowing, forgive me if I doubt the calendar............But according to these recent photos of my garden flowers, I just might have to question my senses a little.   Crazy south coast weather........rain and showers all week here is what we'll be looking forward to.  At least it allows the flowers that ARE blooming to last a little longer than they would if it were hot.  And I did get all (almost of my weed whacking done before Mother Nature's latest joke on us.  These above flowers are English daisy; the second is my first clematis of my favorite vine and the last is my friend, Nanci's rhoddy.   I don't know what kind of fertilizer Nanci uses but she has the biggest and healthiest looking rhoddys of anyone I know.   This one is particularly pretty, don't you think?

Well, some annoying news on Norm's latest ear surgery and healing.   He's had 2 surgeries over the past few months..........lots of cleaning, tending and bandaging...........Finally, last week he got the final good-bye and all-clear from the original surgeon.   Hip-hip!!   The skin graft doctor (doctor #2)  said Norm could treat the heal/ed ear the same as the other...........(NOT!!!)   Norm got out of the shower a few days ago and briskly dried his ears........and I'm pretty darn sure that along with the water drops went his new skin graft.   I know it sounds petty but I'm so ticked off!........it seems like a personal insult to all my hard work of helping it heal up.   I'm just really SO not happy with this.  The man doesn't know his own strength but wouldn't you think that a body would know to be careful of a body that was partly a new body???
So.......tomorrow we're back up at the crack of dawn to make it to yet another doctor's appointment where we sit for over an hour along with all the other patients.  Maybe the doctor will say that he won't need any further surgery and let it heal up slowly from the inside out.  And really, when I get un-ticked, I do feel so sorry for Norm haven't to extend the whole ordeal further..........for a man who has had excellent health and stamina almost all of his life, this must seem like some of life's unfairness.  Oh well, you do what ya' gotta do.

I have a wonderful book I'm reading right now that I think shows more of the future trend of medicine.  It's name is "Mind Over Medicine" by Lissa Rankin.   She's a doctor who realized that the type of medicine that she was practicing was not the kind she had envisioned.   So, she quit and moved to a farm to write and paint.  But her purpose of healing won out and she began exploring healing minds and how they seemed to make such a positive difference in healing the body.  I know most of us have heard a lot of this previously but the depth of her exploration and expansion of study and results are really pretty remarkable.  It's an easy read so you don't have to have a doctorate to understand it............(always good to know).   If this type of a read interest you, be sure to take a look on Amazon.  The description and reviews will do a better job explaining all that this book holds than I can do justice for in this limited space.    What is fascinating is how, as if to validate the road I'm exploring,  there have been a number of people I know who have recently had some pretty substantial healing or improvements to a particular health issue, that was related to mind healing.
If any of you have had anything in your experience like this, I'd love to hear about it........

OK.........done for today..........Have a great rest of the week, everyone.  And a happy weekend!!

A TRIP TO RIVERTON

 Today is Mother's Day and I'm wishing all you Mom's out there.....or surrogate Mom's, happy Blessings for the day......It's not an easy job, so celebrate yourself!  

We were looking for a particular tree for a good friend of ours whose own mother recently passed over.  We had given a liquid amber tree to her when her Dad died..........so she could remember him every fall when the leaves turn those beautiful colors............Now, one for her Mom.  Well, we aren't have an easy time finding one.  Norm thought there was a nursery over in Riverton that might have some.  That's what our reason for our trip was.......fruitless as it turned out to be in that regard..........But there were many photo ops and I had my handy little Nikon at the ready.   As always, the problem lies in convincing my chauffeur to stop.  I did get a few though.......
The top photo was a charming little cottage about a block off Hwy. 42 in Riverton, itself.   There were many flowers around and the garden looking lush and healthy.  I'm finding the blooms, both cultivated and wild, to be just glorious this year!   Everything is so full!

 This magnolia bloom I had some fun with in editing.......trying to keep the softness but intensifying the color since it's a single close-up bloom.
When we finally found a nursery (it was not the right one........that one went out of business), but they had a flock of chickens out behind the greenhouses..........Silly birds!  As I walked closer to their  yard they started running towards me.  I know they must have thought that I had feed to throw them.   I love this one shot of them, all lifting their skirts up to charge forward.   They are such characters with their funny mannerisms.   I threw them some grass blades that I picked and they moved fast forward, only to look in confusion as to the poor choice of treat I sent.  

The name of the nursery was Copper Goose Nursery.   They have about 4 or maybe 5 greenhouse......large greenhouses, full of beautiful color, and the most delicious aromas...........Ahhhh.  Makes you want to inhale only.   Mmmmm.........

So.......our trip didn't produce the tree we wanted but we do have the 3-B's nursery in Coos Bay on the hunt for us.  I can't remember the owners name but he is exceptional in helping you find what you want, if he doesn't already have it in stock.........and he has a very full nursery.  I'm sure we'll find our tree eventually, even if it isn't until the fall.  Personally, I like to plant things in the fall anyway.  At least perennials.  They have all winter to settle their roots and do well in the spring.

Hope you're all having a good weekend and getting well refreshed for the coming week.   And everyone think "SUN".   Ours is trying to disappear again...........The time is NOW, Mother Nature!

SIGHTS AT THE DOCK

 Good Spring Day, Folks...........Here in the south of Oregon we're having a beautiful spring and the photos on this page are just a few of some of our local sights.   Norm and I started out at the gorgeous view from Paradise Point.  Here is Norm over-seeing the spectacular sea........He has the stance of a sailor, doesn't he?     I just bet he spent 20+ years in the Navy........(I have inside info).   From there we went on to some other places around town........all involving water.

 Our last stop was down at the dock.  I don't think I've ever been down there when the weather is so perfect.  This above photo is of the dock workers separating the fish and weighing them so they can tell how much the fishermen will be paid.   Some fish are worth more than others.  

 This view from the dock looking down at a boat waiting to go out that just sighted the whale that was spouting around and feeding.  "Thar' she blows!"

And here is another boat and you can see the blow of the whale behind the boat about half way to the shore.  I don't think the whales were humpbacks........they didn't seem very big to me but seeing this is the first time I've actually seen a whale while I was down at the dock, I was still excited about it.  

Our garden is just full of spring blooms right now.  The rowan trees are full of white blossoms.....eventually turning into red berries come fall.  My prize bearded iris........one sky blue, the other black, are almost out.  First year my tower of jewels is blooming.........a tall big stalk filled with tiny purple flowers......Thank you, Emily!   I hope to have many baby 'jewels' next year.  Calla Lilly, clematis, roses, etc. etc.

And all the birds and assortment of critters are all here and accounted for......goldfinch, house finch, grosbeaks, chickadees, hummers, squirrels and chipmunks........rabbits eating Norm's chard, and raccoons washing their paws in a dish of water with shells and rocks in it.  Every year they dig out a few of the shells looking for what tid-bits there might be inside.  They're always hopeful but never find any treasures....

Went over to Roseburg shopping last week.  It was beautiful, warm and sunny.   One of the few times that it felt sort of dismal to me returning to the foggy coast.  We're getting  more fog this year, it seems to me.
We're wondering what a move to Roseburg might hold for us.   Then I think of the summer heat......I don't know about that......some pretty great shopping opts over there and a nice offering of homes plus an active art community.   Have to sell our place first though, and to do that we would definitely need a looker!   The couple from northern California were a no-show.  I'll keep my opinions to myself about that......

If any in the Port Orford area didn't make it to the Tri-Angle Square Art Gallery to see the newest work of Elaine's, be sure to take a little time to drop in and see her most impressive collection yet.   Her theme is "The Art of Praise"............It is inspiring and highly spiritual......especially if you know that Elaine's heart and love is very much in her work........

Al Alfonso has some of his woodworking on display also........It's beautiful, fluid and is another example of Al's appreciation of the world of nature around him.

Hope you all are enjoying your week and have good plans in the making for the weekend.

A BAD WEEK........

 I think everyone will agree that this has been a very hard week for our nation...........innocents murdered, innocents maimed and so many marred by frightful images of a sense of right and wrong gone amuck.  I don't know about all of you, but I've had a difficult time getting away from the TV today as the last suspect, #2, was being sought and the final drama of his capture.   The national and collective sigh of relief that this stage of the terroristic act/s were over.   Along with our sighs of relief was the joyful and spontaneous applause of the people of Watertown for all the brave law enforcement officers, the FBI, National Guard, State, county and city police and many more, I'm sure.  They cheered, clapped, waved and all wore beautiful smiles of sincere appreciation for a job well done.  I think most all of America was there in spirit, as well, telling them that it was a professional job so well done.  I remember a town I lived in being ravaged by wildfires that destroyed so many homes and disrupted so many lives........and hundreds of acres destroyed........and the cheering and appreciation that we all felt for all the firefighters, coming in from other states and areas, after the fires were finally put out.   Your heart just feels like it could burst with joy and love for those brave men and women.   I know that's how the people of Watertown must be feeling.....

 So, today I'm bringing more spring bloom photos...........hopefully bringing a sense of new birth and hope for a fruitful season.   Sending prayers and thoughts of healing for all those victims of this past week's horrible events.........

The other day I met with a long-time email buddy.   We finally got together in the flesh.....such a special visit.   I knew she was a friend to be comfortable with online, and meeting with her in the flesh far exceeded the former limited friendship.   I'm looking forward to far more bouts of sharing and friendship, B.   She is a lady who has been one of my strongest and constant supports for my photography.  Love you for that alone, lady............

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful weekend.   I heard a rumor that the sun is supposed to make a re-appearance.   Let's hope it's not shy!

CR CONFECTIONS & MORE

 The day started drizzley.....just as I was going to go do some gardening.  Mainly the weed-whacking.  I found other things to do and after lunch decided to just-get-out-in-it.  I did manage to get it all done in back, which is the largest area............and now, a few hours later, the sun is shining and it's warm and balmy out.  Crazy spring weather.  Well, at least we don't have snow like so many in the mid-west. 

Last week, I came across the most talented lady and her recent creations.  I'm giving you her website here and I think you'll all be just as amazed as I was when you look at her talent.  According to one of my sisters, she has done a great many creative ventures and is excellent in each and every one.  This latest is cakes and the like.  They are just beautiful!   Her earlier beginings with various confections was exclusively wedding cakes, but now is branching out into smaller items that she can ship with more ease and less risk.  She lives up in the Grass Valley/Nevada City area in the California gold country after spending much of her time and talent in the SF Bay Area.   Take a look and prepared to be "Wow-ed"!      http://www.crconfections.com/     Her creations would be such an asset to anyone planning a wedding or other special occasion........or the services of a wedding planner.   She said she would let me know when she sets up her new line of cupcakes, petite fours, etc.   I'll be sure to pass the word on when I hear.

While the sun was shining today, I went out to take a few spring flower portraits.  Not too many in the garden yet, but they're coming.  I see more and more signs of spring each day.  I saw our first Shasta daisy beginning to open.  Then there are the gophers and/or moles~~stretching their limbs and sharpening their teeth.   The geese are migrating and I do love to hear all their noises as they pass overhead on their way north.  Bon voyage..........Speaking of which......my niece and her daughter, Madeleine are on a special mother-daughter trip in Paris.  Just the two of them doing and seeing the sights that are so full of charm (and rain).  What is so neat, and a sign of this day and age, is that every day she sends photos and videos of their various sights.   This morning there was a little video of mass in church..........a very beautiful church!  There are so many street scenes with Parisians traveling about their business.......or children playing around a large park pond; boys floating and sending their small top sailboats across the pond using sticks, just like they did many generations ago  Seems there is a Impressionist painting with a scene like that I've seen.  All these daily scenes are sent via email and although there are times when I'm disgusted with the age of electronics, these emails are such a joy.  I'm thinking I would love to go to Paris, too. 

Well, hope everyone had a good weekend and are ready to kick up whatever you need to kick, this week.   A good Monday to all.

A RETURNING

Hi Everyone..........long time, no see, huh?   I didn't realize it's been quite so long since my blogsite had refused to download any photos for me.  I was having a problem with photos on FOXnews website showing some photos, too.   Then, suddenly, everything is back working like it should!  Go figure......

These two photos were taken out at Cape Blanco on a perfectly beautiful day a few weeks ago.  There was no wind, which is very unusual for Blanco........almost unheard of.  Tourists were out there just soaking up the sun and enjoying the clear and gorgeous view out on the Pacific.  The photos here represent some of those lookers. 

 

Wow........there's so much time that has passed by I don't know where to start here.  Big in our lives for the past few months is a basal cell carcinoma that Norm had in his ear.  The first surgery to remove it left a pretty deep and large area that had to be healed a little before some reconstruction surgery took place.  So, the reconstruction took place a couple of days ago.  The whole thing has been so tiring for Norm, but the final healing has started; he has the stitches taken out next week, and we're good to go.  

 

We have our home up for sale and there are a couple planning on taking a look maybe this or next week.   Still time for a life-style change.   We've loved living the rural life but it's time to move on and leave it to people who are better able to keep it up (and love doing that).   When we found that almost all of our time is working to keep up the house and property and things were falling behind more and more, then it's time...........We think that Bandon will offer us what we want.  There are arts, beautiful beaches, medical, still close enough to our friends in Port Orford, but new ones to make in Bandon.  Now we just wait and see. 

 

 

 

 This shot is a tourist who is lost in thought.   Can't you just imagine how you might be there in his place?  I can.

Here we have two young people sitting on the edge of the world........that's what it looks like, right?  Actually, there is a steep, but do-able hill below them.   I shouldn't have told you that........spoiled the illusion. 

We recently got a new Honda Accord............It was listed as one of the best of the new cars in Consumer Report and we're familar and have been happy with other Hondas.   It's so nice!  But so many new features that it's going to take a while to learn them all.  Norm is still having a hard time remembering how to start it up without a key in the ignition.  Ha!  Course recently, I thought the car was giving me a warning about low-oil and although I was on my way to an appointment, I turned the car around and went home.  Quickly, took the Toyota after briefly telling Norm that our new car had a low-oil issue.   Seems that what had happened was a warning bell and blinking light was letting me know that I was over the road line on the left side as I was letting a speedy car pass by.  The blinking light that I saw as 'LOW" was actually "LDW".   A simple mistake that anyone could make.......Norm didn't need to laugh quite so much or be quite so smug. 

OK.....well, that's a start to beginning the blog again.  Hope you all have a good rest of the week.  Watch out for driving in the fog all you south-coasters.......And stay dry since more wet weather is on it's way. 

The Tale of the Mary D. Hume

 Norm and I were in Gold Beach today and after looking unsuccessfully for open beading shops, we killed some time before lunch by driving around the town to take some photos.  I'm always attracted to water scenes and right down at the Gold Beach Port is what remains of the Mary D. Hume.  It makes for a pretty interesting story and I wished with her wonderful history that someone would have restored her.  Although, the shipwreck look is pretty intriguing.   There had been talk for a while of restoring her but as you can see from the above photo, I think it's behind hope at this point.  I took some pictures of her a number of years ago and even then she was a mess...........now she's falling in on herself. 

 

The bridge in the background is part of Hwy. 101 crossing the Rogue River.  It's the Patterson Bridge.  Unfortunately, it was getting pretty cold out and we needed to go eat some lunch so I didn't take the time to read the description of the bridge's history.   So, if you're interested in that you'll just have to take a trip to south Oregon and take a look for yourself!

Hope you all had a great Monday and the rest of the week, also.

TASTY KATE'S OF LANGLOIS

 A couple of days ago Norm and I stopped by Tasty Kate's for a bite of lunch.  We've been meaning to for a while and I'm so glad we did.   Norm ordered a turkey sandwich with bacon jam (strange, I know but very good) and I ordered a gyro........a delicious Greek sandwich made of half lamb and half beef.......So good!!! 

It's not just food in there, although there is all kinds of tempting goodies, but it's an eclectic mix of knick-knacks, jewelry, aprons, greeting cards (moi), etc. etc.  The photos below give you an idea of a little of what you might find.  The colors are a riotious combination that cheers the soul in spite of the sometimes dreary days of winter on our soggy Oregon coast........

Kate, herself, is a very perky and fun loving, energetic gal who somehow manages to keep all things running smoothly.   One of the things I really enjoyed about her place is that you can 'touch' things......at least, I hope, because that's what I was doing.  Just fingering, picking up, examining, smelling.........exercising all my senses. 

Bakery items or lunches can either be "to go" or eaten within.  And the 'tables' at this point are some old metal ironing boards painted in primary colors, with stools to sit on.  I understand it's a pretty funny scene when you have some of the local burly men sitting at these ironing boards.  8-))).   Katy is planning on replacing those.....or adding to them, a custom made round wood table that will seat 10.  She plans on having a, hopefully, weekly dinner for those that make reservations (early!) and I suspect that it's going to be a huge success..........Stay tuned for when that happens. 

TASTY KATE'S has a Facebook page and you can "like" it to receive any news of future happenings.   This is going to be another great and fun place to take friends and family when they visit from out of the area, too.   Right on Hwy 101, the yellow building right next to Lee's Market in the middle of Langlois.........You can't miss it.  There's parking in front as well as Lee's parking on the other side of the market. 

 An eclectic mix of who-knows-what, always changing............but lots of fun!

                              Lots of bright and cheerful colors reflect Katy's personality.....

                                    And here's the ever-competent Katy, herself.........cook, artist, creative and thoroughly unique, very neat gal!

                     Jewelry from local artists............

                         Oh, YUM!!   Doesn't this just tempt you to forget that New Year's resolution??   You know you want to...............

A WORKING DOCK

Last week the sun was out and what a beautiful day it was!  Crisp and cold and the Pacific seemed to be living up to it's name, with calm waters........The hopes were high that the crab fishermen would get word that they could hit the water and as you can see, the crab pots were all ready to be loaded up and taken off, to be lowered into those secret lodes of the scurrying crustaceans that the fishermen are so secretive about.   The boats at the Port Orford dock need to be kept on the dock when not working and are lowered and lifted by this enormous hoist.  I think there are only 2 in the country that work this way.  And that isn't working all that well anymore............nothing wrong with the hoist, but the US Corp of Engr. is not dredging the harbor anymore and the sand is filling in so that only a high tide are the boats able to get in or out.  It's a real problem and many minds are working in trying to come up with a solution.  (If anyone out there has any ideas, please share).......

 Hope you're all enjoying your new year and 2013 will bring peace and prosperity to you and yours.......

RENEWAL

We got one of our major storms last week and it ushers in my favorite season of the year.  Fall and winter and the cool wet weather washes away the summer dust and lazy doldrums.  While we usually always have some ocean breezes here on the south coast, the stormy fierce winds of our winter storms rile up the Pacific in a wild and dramatic way.  The surf crashing against rocks and jetties can be so exciting and always intice me to pull out my camera as each minute brings yet another opportunity.  A sense of danger.   A few years ago, and some of you might remember me writing about it in a previous post, a bad storm sent migrating flocks of pelicans flocking towards the shelter of land.   I was told about that there were many in  Bandon down at the jetty there, but nothing could have prepared me for that sight~~Thousands and thousands of pelicans!  It was absolutely thrilling to me.  Me twirling in circles trying to shoot faster and faster photos than I could keep up with as I was surrounded by all these moving big birds. 

 

This photo above reminds me of the drama that this time of year can bring to photography.  As nice as the sun is in spring (or not) but especially summer.........I much prefer the fall and winter.  In putting the garden to bed there is the anticipation of warm fires, comfort stews and soups, flannel sheets and crisp, brisk walks.  I dream of again pulling out my paints or pastels and exercising that part of me again, or photo editing or just drifting off into a little nap.  And it brings a sense of renewal.......moving towards the newness of all that spring will hold. 

 

 

 

This second photo was taken from our deck and looking out toward Battle Rock and the Pacific.  The storm was breaking up and the sun trying to make an appearance.  The mists were rising upwards from the wet canyon floor......twisting up around the tall trees of the forest below.  It was another another special moment in Port Orford.

So starts another new week and I hope it's a great one for all.

LEAVING ALASKA

I'm posting some of my last photos of Alaska........these were taken on from the ship, leaving Juneau and towards Vancouver.  Most of the trip south was during the night hours but the setting sun seemed appropriate as we left one of our most beautiful states.   When I took this first one, I was standing on the back of the ship watching the wake with the setting sun shining so brightly on it.  I was by myself back there as I made a silent 'good-bye' and a promise to return again.   And something that happened today made me think that promise must have been spot-on.   I was looking around for an envelope to hold some cash I need to bank tomorrow.  The envelope I reached for had held a very thoughtful "bon voyage" note from a good friend, sent to me before I left.   As I picked the envelope up, my eye caught something inside......and my friend had placed a Canadian $20 bill inside, that I was to use as I traveled through that country.  I had missed it before......  So, now that does tell me that I need to go back up and spend that money!!!!    Yep! that's my story and I WILL stick to it.   (Thanks again Bernice)

This photo just seemed to call for black and white so nothing would take away from the drama of those gorgeous clouds.   Although I did love the color up there too.   And the color of this last photo I think was just so rich.  We actually had a hard time getting some floating kelp as we were sailing towards Canada.  We were going at a pretty fast clip and it would many times pass by before a good shot could be captured.  I enjoy the jewel like colors here so I'm glad I kept after it. 

What did you south coasters think of today's weather?  I guess all along the western states we're getting a bit of Indian summer.  After the winter storm of last week, this was a lovely reprieve until winter visits us again.  And on the subject of weather.......I know there have been many requests from prayers and good wishes for those affected by superstorm Sandy, so let this reminder be another one of many, please.  There is supposed to be more frigid weather possibly hitting them again this week.  Hopefully, between now and then, many will find their devastation and situations greatly improved so they can 'weather the storm'.   I'm thinking that all of us safe and sound hold all our fellow brothers and sisters in our hearts and prayers.

OK........weekends over, Folks..........enjoy your new week and make the most of every minute in your own beautiful way.

REFLECTIONS

I've posted a few more photos from Alaska............these were all taken from a Tlingit community, Hoona, located on Icy Strait.  It was one of my favorite places.   It was not only beautiful in a misty, rainy and wonderfully gray way, but the excursion we went on in visiting the rain forest was full of

 Native folklore, ancient healing ways, and so many examples of a people living with all aspects of the natural world.  We heard of Native ceremonies and rites, births and funerals, giving and receiving and valuing people in many beautiful and respectful ways.  And it surprised me that I found it, not simple, but fairly complex.  

And with that rumbling through my head, when I returned home I soon had a birthday.......One I considered somewhat of a milestone event.   It wasn't so much the age itself, although any that mark another decade is always noteworthy.  No, this one has left me doing a lot of reflecting and examining different aspects of my life.  I think that every one of us experiences this at one time or another........many times in a life, most probably.   It might be brought on my a health crisis and life change or some deep personal experience.   Everyone has or will have these times.   A time of really looking at what is working and what isn't..........What is the truth and what is false........considering what helps in our life and what doesn't.....and deciding on what brings joy or peace and what doesn't.  Of course, a life lived will always bring bouts of both.  Hopefully in balance.   It's when it doesn't that it needs to be re-examined..........A time of change, for better or worse.

I think the photos I posted speak for themselves.......Oh, the whales!!!   The whales tail I took, here below, is a favorite of mine.   I love the water sloughing off, as well as the way the light hits. 

The second photo shows the scale of one of those tails compared to the fishing boats.   Oh, Wow!  And as we left Hoona to move on to the next port, Juneau, the last view through our wet and rain splattered port window, was of two humpbacks, in perfectly matched time, gracefully gliding past the bow of our ship, wishing us a fond farewell and me thanking them for their exquisite performance.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and rest of the weekend!!

ALASKA

What incredible country Alaska is!!! 

 I think I'll always be in awe of everything about it.......the air, the magnitude, those enormous mountains erupting out of the sea, glaciers, wildlife .............just all of it!   This post is dedicated to my good friend, Bernice.   I wanted her to see at least a few of the photos that I've posted on Facebook so far.  There are plenty more but I haven't been able to edit them all yet.  
The first photo here is not in the order that I wanted but it's of me and a very outgoing, singing and whistling, conductor.  With his hair and hat on he reminded me of Capt. Kangaroo!  I think he loved posing and as you can see here, he had me get in front of the lens, too.   This was on the train that we had to get up at 4 AM!!!! to catch out of Anchorage, to Seward where our ship was waiting.  The flights up to Anchorage were long and tiring and I really thought I'd sleep on the train, but it was too exciting for me to even bother trying.  We saw a mama bear and somewhere out of my sight, anyway, were her 2 cubs loping on down the tracks in front of the train.  I think the train engineer is very conscious of the possibility of wildlife because it slowed down to practically a crawl while most of the passengers shifted from the right hand side to the left with cameras clicking and snapping.  Mine included.  I did get one not-so-great shot of mama.   This was my one and only bear sighting.   Karen really scored in this area.  She was visiting friends one afternoon over in Haines and her hosts drove over to where they thought she might see a bear.  There it was fishing and eating a salmon.  She had a super telephoto lens and got some of the best bear photos I've seen!   I think she should make a calender of her different photos, they were that good!

This photo is out of

 order, too.  It was actually taken on the second day of crusing and viewing Hubbard Glacier.  I had been up there once before and that glacier viewing was just miserable......freezing rain and wind.  I had to change my clothes about 5 times to try and dry out and warm and never did get very good photos.   This day was different.  The clouds were giving way to blue skies which had some beautiful patterns in the sky.  I didn't SEE any glaciers calving but a HEARD a number of them.  That was so exciting for me...........the sound echoing and there were about four of them close to each other.  So neat!  I guess the glaciers are retreating but the length, width and depth is still very significant.  The above view is taken from a distance from the glacier...........maybe about 1/4 or 1/2 mile?   I'm not very good with judging distances but believe me that this was an awesome sight. 

 This is one of my favorite photos from the cruise.  Our porthole window here is right over the bow of the ship and we'd climb up there and get some pretty good photos if it was cold and windy out on deck.  Karen loved this little "hidie-hole" as I called it and she'd retreat some afternoons and read......slow down and catch a breathe.   It was interesting that at night we were supposed to close our light-proof drapes because the light from our room might interfere with the navigating of the ship.  Maybe the reflections or something.  No problem........we went to bed so early that most of the time it wasn't even dark yet~Such partiers, huh??   We couldn't have been happier with our stateroom and that view.....

And this was our beautiful ship!  I kept looking for a port where I could get a long shot of the entire ship without anything interfering with the image.......this is the closest I could find.  But I think you can get the idea............it was LONG!!  12 or 13 floors high.........All the crew was fantastic.  The only thing I could even think to complain about was that they tried too hard.  Everything you ever wanted and any help they could provide was done immediately and with friendly smiles.   And they were a lot of fun!   It was a great trip and we're already talking about Ireland next............
Have a great week!  Feel the fall in the air?

YIKES!!!

OK.............I need to state right here that this photo below was NOT my idea!!!   Norm was in a very goofy mood and thought it would be good for laughs.  He actually wanted me to post it on Facebook and I refused.   For those of you who don't know us, please believe me when I say he does not usually look like this.  I'm really married to a very nice looking, conservative and normal guy.  Not one that looks like he stuck his finger in a light socket! 

OK........on to other things.  I'm getting ready for my Alaskan cruise that I'll take with my friend, Karen.  Today I plotted out some of the things that I'll pack in my suitcase.  I usually bring way too much for all the "just-in-case" moments.   In case the weather is cold; in case the weather is hot; formal or informal, comfortable or "Ugh".  Getting excited is half the fun, don't you think?   I'm so looking forward to all the beautiful scenry and animal life........and giving my camera a good workout!

I hope everyone is having a good summer.  Around the south coast here we were wondering if it was ever going to come!  While the rest of the country is melting away, we've had fairly cool weather.  The sunny days are here, though, and the vegetables, especially the tomatoes are loving it!  Late planting of green beans......Romano beans are my favorite as well as carrots, sugar peas, lettuces, beets and other greens......The blueberries are ripening, and looks like early crops of blackberries. 

Did you all enjoy watching the Olympics??  We did!  The U.S. did our country proud!  Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin were incredible as well as our women's gymnastic team, the soccer team as well as many, many others.  Always sorry to see them close.  Looking forward to the Winter Olympics in another two years..........

Norm's battle with the squirrels and other assortment of seed-devouring critters has calmed down somewhat.  Most have figured out that it's just not worth the trouble.  However............there was one new little chipmunk a couple of weeks ago..........very tiny little guy.  For some reason he was very interested in the hummingbird food.... (Go Figure).  He crawled out onto the PVC pipe and then just seemed to stay in one place.  Norm thought it was hilarious and I did, too, until it became obvious that something was wrong.  I looked closer and then walked out on the deck to check it out.  Chipmunk still wasn't moving.  Then I saw what the trouble was.  Norm had put a LOT of TangleFoot on the top of the pipe.  This lititle guy was so small that his tail got wrapped around the pipe and was not only stuck but completely encased in thick TangleFoot.  Poor little thing couldn't move to go anywhere.  I had to slowly peel his wee little tail from the bottom, working it free little by little, and hoping I wasn't hurting him.  He finally regained his tail and dropped like a rock down to the shrubs below.  The next day I saw a couple of baby chipmunks on the deck drinking some water we have out for them.  I'm going to assume that our little- hummingbird-want-to-be was one of them........alive and well!

OK...........that's it for now.  Hope you all have a great rest of the week.  

HOORAY FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE!

 I don't know where my summer is going this year!   My sister and a surrogate sister came up for a long weekend a while ago.   Good visit, although when I took them out to see Cape Blanco, we were greeted with a solid wall of gray.......rain and fog.  You couldn't begin to even see the lighthouse, much less anything beyond.  But the next day when we went to Bandon, it had that beautiful after-the-storm gorgous skies.......big fluffy clouds, shadows and light adding such great interest. 

We stayed home this year during the 4th of July festivities.   I had to have some kind of holiday celebratory photo so I placed a couple of appropriately colored things like white lilies and a hat around and snapped a few.  My favorite, though, is the flag up there in the trees.  And we watched a few fireworks from our deck.  And went to bed early listening to the fireworks down at BattleRock going off.  It sends the sound echoing up the canyon below our house.

I hope everyone's summer is going well in spite of the cooler temperatures.  It may not be as warm as we'd like but when I read about all the awful things going on over much of the rest of our country, I'm just so thankful to have our Pacific Northwest weather.  The garden is a little slower than it should be for this time, but we're picking plenty of lettuce, spinach and beet greens.  Just at their perfect and tender best.  Yum!  Carrots are growing nicely as is the garlic and onion.  The beans, peas, and cubits are a little slower and the broccoli doesn't know up from down......basil in the greenhouse has been clipped already.

My niece and her wonderful 3 kids are coming for a too short visit tomorrow.  They won't be here long so we'll have to cram a lot of visiting in.  Beach combing, maybe, a hike on the Heads, maybe the kids would enjoy the Wild Animal Park.........well, let's be honest......that's one of MY favorites!  8-D

I'm about done with any new clothes and things for my Alaskan cruise with Karen.  That will be coming up in about,  ummmm........46 days.  It'll be here before we know it!   I'm so looking forward to it. 

Did anyone else have some trouble with their computer and getting knocked off the Internet?  Everything seems OK now but yesterday and even the day before, in trying to get my printer hooked up to my laptop was just one big headache!   It seems that anything new or off with my computer I just know is going to be one big time-consuming, head-achy, hassle.  We have Frontier and I think to avert any problems on Monday, they did some switching around on Sunday.  Which was immediately after I had finished getting the software downloaded and set up for my printer (Mucho thanks for Nanci's help).  As I unplugged my printer (perfect storm timing here) my Internet connection went off.  So, anyone would naturally think the two were some how connected, right?  A few hours later, it still wouldn't come on and I was just about to make some drastic changes to my computer when my friend, Karen called to ask me, or tell me, that her Internet was off.  Now THAT was perfect timing!!  That call saved me from hours of more frustration and further drama. 

Saw our first little spotted fawn the other day.  Our squirrels still keep Norm on his toes with their antics and the attempts to help the birds eat their seed.  There was one I call, Junior, who kept trying over and over again to leap from the deck railing out to one of the circular squirrel proof feeders.  He had us in stitches and each try landed him in the bushes underneath the feeder.  Over and over, he lept too high, too low, sliding off the rounded top.........  Then he finally aimed his leap just right......or just blind luck.......and he got in.  So there he was, "squirreling" down the seed as fast as he could as he sat there all by his lonesome in the middle of all that seed, nervously looking up constantly to see if his position was in danger.  He was right; it was.  Out Norm went flying and Junior leapt from the feeder to the safely of the shrubs.  But in another few minutes, here he comes yet again!  Persistent little Junior!

I guess his leap of faith was just luck because he continued to miss his mark and finally got tired, I guess of ending up flying and falling below.  I think Norm did do something else to that feeder, whether it was more sticky stuff or hung it out further, whatever it was, that particular feeder is again safe from the squirrels. 

Well, hope you all enjoy your summer and whatever plans you have coming up........family, friends, fun or just relaxing.  Our summer of 2012 still has all kinds of possibilities. 

Be safe!