ROUND ABOUT WITH ANGIE

I had one of the nicest of days yesterday........along with one of the most frustrating mornings.  My new neighbor, Angie, was taking me on a 'round the area' tour to help me get my sense of where things are a little more finely honed.  I was so happily surprised when we pulled into the Winston Wild Life Safari Park.  I thought, "Wow!  This camera-crazed woman was soon going to be one happy camper!!"  The day was overcast with chance of some showers forecast, which was a good time to shoot (camera-wise) the animals.  Years ago Norm and I took a family of friends who had driven all the way from Colorado, to Wild Life Safari, only to see no animals at all because it was too hot, and too late in the day......very disappointing.   This day was going to be so different!  Camera primed and ready to go........the first wildlife spotted was a pair of ostriches.  I did get a couple of ok shots....a little blurry but.......When I went to take more shots........disaster struck!  My camera froze up!!  No amount of fiddling would un-stick it.  I don't want to give the impression that I didn't enjoy the rest of the trip ride through the park because I did.......but I silently growled whenever I saw anyone else with a camera taking photos.  All the animals were out.......there were 4 or 5 grizzly bears....2 in a pond of water, play wrestling.  There were a large circle of elk that were around a feeding bin with all their tan bottoms lined up perfectly.  A pair of rhinos........a couple of cheeta.....and course the King of Beasts and his mate........all kinds of birds and etc. etc. etc.  And no working camera!!  ARGGH!  Well, it's a good excuse to go back and now I know the perfect time and type of weather than should be the most promising.  

After a bite to eat at the Park, we went on through the vineyards and farms and estates of Winston and Melrose.  Angie was a wealth of information and the afternoon passed quickly.......and about that time I tried my camera once more and heard the joyous sound of "click-click-click".   So, I was back in the game once more.  God is Good!!  (I know......he has better things to think about than whether my camera is working or not)...........

 OK....some of the photos I've posted here..........The first one of the chimney and birds was taken at the Umpqua Valley Art Center.........here the migrating swifts will stop over and all go down into the chimney together nightly.  I read somewhere that at times there are 2400 of them!  I can only imagine what an incredible sight when they all take to the air in the morning!   The hydrangea was also at the Art Center.  It looked and sounded like a great art center, too, BTW.  Very active and supporting to all the arts and artists......with a lot of help from dedicated volunteers.  I am looking forward to becoming more involved in time.

 All the rest of the photos were of our beautiful drive through the area.  Lots of wonderful old barns, a retired B&B, one of the few round barns left in the country (not pictured), and always.......those gorgeous skies.

 It was a wonderful day and I so enjoyed getting to know my new friend better as well as her little 'darlin' Paul.....a sweet 4 year old blond cutie.....with his blue tongue.  (Don't ask).

Hope you all have a great weekend, enjoying the last days of summer.........be safe but have fun!!  I'm off to take more photos with my now-working camera..........Stay tuned next week

DIAMOND LAKE HIGHWAY

It's already our third week here in the "Land of Umpqua".  And there's a feel of autumn to the air as the dried thistle above shows.  Summer is winding down....

This morning we took off for the Douglas County landfill.......or the dump.  Now, you might think that a dump is just a dump is just a dump.  But, I disagree.  The Delightful Douglas Dump is really a very special place.  Others that we've had the UNdelightful experience of visiting have been dirty, stinky and no one who has business there ever, ever looks at each other...........like they are embarrassed to be seen there doing something they shouldn't be doing.  There was one back in Nevada County where the wild pigs would run all over and they were friendlier than the human visitors.  Well, here in Douglas County, it's a happy place where they have everything marked as to where you drop off your 'wares', clearly labeled signs all over.  There are guides to direct you, attendants that will unload some of the bags of trash, and they SMILE and say hello.  When we went over to unload all our moving cartons, others dropping off their trash were smiling, talking and saying a friendly 'hi' to each other.  And  one of the nicest bonus' was that it is FREE!!  We were so pleasantly surprised!  

 OK......moving right along, after that trip we headed a ways up highway 138 on the way to Diamond Lake.  We stopped and had a very good Chinese lunch.  Good food and the cute young Chinese waitress was bringing around an added enticement of a return visit by carrying her 5 month old baby on her hip.  He was very at ease with all the customers..........His name is Edwin.  I had to ask twice to make sure........Yep, he's Edwin.  Full of smiles.  There was one elderly grandma and grandpa like couple that had their own smiles from ear to ear, holding and cooing with Edwin.  They were regular customers and had shared in Edwin's adventures each week when they came for the weekly Chinese lunch.  Then, one day the Grandpa didn't feel well and they didn't return for quite a number of months.  All this was what Edwin's mother told me and she was very worried about the elderly man.  It sounded like he'd suffered a slight stroke of something.  Anyway, everyone was soooo happy to be sharing their good lunch, good health and good baby Edwin.

 We then continued on heading east for about another 10 or 15 miles.   I know my chauffeur only has so much patience when I'm looking for some photo ops.  When some of my more adventure-loving and photographer friends & family come, I'll be back and get more shots and travel further up the highway.  But the little we traveled, showed that the countryside is beautiful.  I do absolutely love the skies here!!  The skies of the coast were always gorgeous, too, but in a different way.   You'll notice that most of my shots have a lot of sky showing.

 And barns!!!   There are so many barns.......all shapes and sizes as well as varying degrees of questionable condition.  Some were falling down so much that you almost didn't know it was a barn.  This last photo shows one barn way up on the top of the hill........

So, it was a fun day.  Full of getting to know more about our environments and some of the people in it.    And I even managed to unpack more cartons in my studio.  Hope you all have a good rest of week........

NEW HOME IN WINCHESTER

Some of my friends have asked for some photos of our new home and surroundings and they aren't on Facebook, so I thought I'd post a number of photos so they could get a small glimpse of our new place.  We're away from the beautiful south Oregon coast and are now in what some call "The Land of Umpqua".  I find it beautiful here also........although completely different than Port Orford.  Actually, the surrounding hills reminds me of  California....down through Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin Counties.   Although, the native trees that are growing here are different.  More madrone, some firs, black and white oaks.......Warm weather and I'm adjusting with the help of our air-conditioning.  

This first photo is a corner of our back yard.  It's a small yard but nicely landscaped and room for me to add my own personal touch.......eventually.  

 This photo of the tractor was one I took when we visited Kruse Farm in Melrose.......a suburban area of Roseburg.  This market/farm is wonderful in it's offerings!!  Fresh vegetables and fruits in season.  A lot of specialty items.......wonderful pies, spices, ICE CREAM!  pickled items, chutneys and salsa.......so many others.   Oh, the 'real' tomatoes again!  Instead of red wax.......yum.  And the corn on the cob was so sweet and the kernels so big I ended up nose deep in the biting.  (How's that for a graphic image?)   Next time we go to Kruse, I'll be bringing my camera inside to shoot some of the colorful bins.  The photo below was also of the farm.  I love old barns, trees and mists........this photo has them all......

 OK........here is our little 'castle'..........Actually, the color is a sage green and we thought we'd name it "Sage House".   Norm will make up a sign in his own artistic style.........

 We went for our first walk today and these photos are views of our surrounding hills.  I haven't seen any deer or other wild critters but I know there are deer around since they come at night to nibble on our hydrangea in the front of our place.

Love this big ole' oak

And here's Himself...........reading the local paper......or it might be the Port Orford News and reading about some of our old friends.  Notice the cartons still waiting to be unpacked.......and there are more that are unseen.  This is why you're not seeing photos of the other rooms.

I found my new hairdresser the other day.  I very much like her and her work.  Her name is Tye-Anne.  She, her mother and her grandmother all work in The Winchester Hair Salon.  We've also found our doctors.  The forms we have to fill out are like a couple of manuscripts!  But we need to complete them before an appointment can be made.  I'm just happy we found someone who is recommended to be a very competent doctor.  (Thank you, Ms. Emily)  The same Ms. E. who had found the perfect real estate office where we found our perfect-for-us home.

Our dining room set found a new life today.  After 40 years of service to us, our families and friends, we passed it on to The Rescue Mission of Roseburg.  A very worthy organization.  And 9 cases of extra canning jars I had (still waiting for that magic genie to come and can for me), to a church group that supplies canned fruits and veggies to those in need.  They have many organizations, churches and charities in Roseburg.  I'm hoping to become a part of something like that come next spring.  Maybe sooner.

And talk about a small world!!!   Our next door neighbor, who is so helpful and a joy to be around, has a sister who lives in Port Orford!  What are the chances??  And her mother is/has been involved in Hospice and CERT........another of my interests.  It's sometimes remarkable how things work together, isn't it??

Well, it's getting late and I'm just so happy to be writing again!  (A side note to Rosaria-----I'm not far away so we can still touch base and share...8-))

OK.......as they say in the commercial, "It's Hump-Day" so finish off the week and look forward to a great weekend!

BUSY AS A BEE

 Well, we got the word this afternon about 4:30 that the home we've been living in for so many years now has a pair of new owners.   One's that we are so sure will enjoy, love and care for this special space.  Time has come to pass the torch and Norm and I couldn't be happier with those who have been touched to carry on caring for this precious little patch of heaven we have called 'Home'.  

We've been packing and packing and packing for what seems like years.........in reality only about a month or so.  But.......that's where the "Busy As A Bee" title comes in.  How could we have possibly accumulated so much 'stuff'??  My studio alone, took days and days to undo.  I must have broken the all-time record for "Pack Rat of the Year".  We won't even approach the subject of Norm's garage and work area.    But, just about all the packing is done except for last minute things.  And we'll still be here for another couple of weeks or so.   Then come the movers and we're off of new adventures!

We'll miss all the many friends we've made over the years here in Port Orford.  The many activities and experiences that have influenced us and are now a part of who we are.  And since we really aren't moving THAT far away I'm holding a good many of you to the promises of coming to visit, stay awhile and continue on with new experiences and fun times.  There are a few gals that have already agreed that next spring we  go zip-lining!  I can hardly wait!!

I will be continuing my blog as I get settled in over in Winchester but I think this last sunset photo is a good one to end with here.   So, I'll sign off for a while.......stay in touch........Love you all!!

HOME-SWEET-HOME

 I thought I'd post some photos of a few of the local cottages around Port Orford today.  This first one has been deserted and neglected.  I knew the lady who lived here.......Marian Weston.  She was a 'one-of'a-kind' gem.   She joined a spiritual group that had formed and which studied together with the others on a weekly basis.........Marian was feisy, strongly opinionated, and a 'militant' practicing Buddhist.  She would frequently become irate at some issue or situation, and start chanting a Buddhist prayer for peace.......chanted in anger until it eventually reached it's desired emotional state for her.  One year the city cut down a big wild rhododendron that grew in front of her house.  Marian was away from home when they did the dirty deed.  She was fit to be tied, being a strong environmentalist.  She said "I would have THROWN myself in front of it before I'd let them cut it down!!!!"  Marian's house had many cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, corners and every other place the spiders decided to make a home.  She liked her spiders and they lived in perfect harmony together.......not a life-style for everyone, but it worked for her.  Marian died of an aneurysm and her many friends missed her strong statement in our lives.  Her much loved house has been empty ever since.  Except for the spiders.......

 This pretty little cottage is owned and lovingly tended to by a wonderful little lady from England.  Her garden shows her love of gardening and the seemingly natural knack that the English  to have for taming and tending nature..........When I walked by to take some photos, the flower fragrances were just tantalizing!   One of those times when I want to breath in only........hating to release the aroma with an exhale.


 And finally, here is one of the Lindstrom homes, I believe.  He was an early architect during the early days of Port Orford...................sometime during the last century.  I don't think the photo really shows off the sweet details of this Victorian cottage garden.  But it's another example of someone who loves gardening.  The arch over the entrance says it clearly..........."WELCOME TO MY GARDEN"...
And now a bit about our life these days............I think we sold our house.   There are many days now of sorting and throwing away parts of our life that no longer have purpose.   And this woman grew up hearing all about "The Great Depression"...........you NEVER throw anything away!!  Until now........even then, I'm throwing away........going back and throwing away more........sometimes even a third time.   Oh, Ouch!!!   But even through the chaos and hesitation about the whole move, it's exciting in thinking about where life will take us next.......what the future might hold and the new experiences and new friends...........and hoping that they will be as precious as our old friends we made in Port Orford.

DIVERSIFIED POST

 This is a little scene from my garden.....which we named "the fairie garden" for obvious reasons........

 The news from our place in the sun, is all over the map this week.  As are this selection of photos.  The photo here on top is of my first daylilly bloom.  I love daylillies.......and for the longest time they only seemed to come in the standard orange.......now there are so many different colors and combinations.......love them all but my favorite is probably the cheerful yellow.

 

 Our house was shown for the first time this season.  Apparently it went well and the way we continue to hear how the market is really getting back on track, it's promising.........

The rhoddy above is from friend, Nanci and Ray's garden.  These have to be about the biggest and most boisterous of the rhododendrons.  It's a large shrub anyway and covered with these flowers just make quite a statement.  They look like they should have a wonderful aroma, but before you lean down to sniff......watch out for all the little fly-type critters in there~I'll post a close up of one of the blooms soon.  It's a whole n'other world in there!

Those of you who are friends of mine on Facebook probably know about our bear encounter.  That really livened up my afternoon and evening yesterday~A large black bear only about 3 feet away, casually climbing up and over the railing of our deck.  It obviously didn't see me until I pounded on the window.  That brought me to about one foot away.  and that was AFTER I looked for my camera and realized it was in  the other room.  It did escape back down into the canyon but after the regular parade of critters making their way to the bird feeding station this year, we've eliminated the sunflower seeds altogether, and the thistle to be up only during the day to mid-afternoon.

Some of you might have been aware of the recent FDA investigation of Costco's frozen fruit medley that might be responsible for Hepatitis A infecting some.  It's an Oregon based company that sells to Costco and apparently the fruit comes from many sources and other countries.  The pomegranates from Turkey seem to be the guilty fruit.  My sister was one of those that contacted Hepatitis A.  She was notified by a recorded message from Costco about the possible contamination.  She's still not feeling right........and although this is still an
investigation, it would be wise to steer clear of Townsend brand frozen fruit for while.  Or if this is a product that you have bought and still have in your freezer, you might want to hold on to it until you know more......

This cute little house in the last photo is here in Port Orford........When I took this photo a friendly and curious little pug was staring out the window at me, wondering what I was doing.  Snap-snap......

Next week I'll be hopefully taking some photos of Tim Belmonte's new 'compound' on Hwy. 101 in the south of Bandon.........Jeffrey's.  It's already showing itself to be a great success and with Tim's creativity, it's only going to get better.  I was up last week and had a delicious quiche......one of my favorite lunches.    If you have a chance to stop in, do.  It will be well worth it........and take a look at the gorgeous chickens in their own charming little coop.

Have a great week, everyone.........enjoy your Monday!!

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.