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!

AND THEN THERE WAS LIGHT!!

Today is one of those days where I just can't get this Blogger to download more than one photo at a time..........and then it delivers two of the same thing..........Arrrgh!! Very frustrating!

But what todays post is about is the additional light and beautiful view we have now. Jerry and Blake White came and finished up the tree thinning and trimming. Wow! What a difference...........I can't wait until the skies clear and we can see down to the ocean again. As it is now we have a beautiful view of the canyon just below our decks although I don't know if it shows up all that well in photo form!

And the amount of light coming into the house gives me hope that maybe Emily's orchid WILL actually bloom someday. Hope springs eternal!

So, Norm and I thank you, Jerry and Blake.........you guys did a beautiful job and we really appreciate your friendship, as well. Exciting futures for both of you and we wish you all kinds of good wishes!

AUTUMN COLORS

Aren't the warm colors of autumn beautiful? My favorites........the reds, oranges and browns with an occasional dash of yellow...........mmmmm. The photo above can't help you not think of apple pie or apple sauce. Add a bit of cinnamon and "oh, so good". Warms the soul.

This second shot is of our trumpet vine. It is the main attraction for our one remaining hummingbird. I hope it gets the hint that it's time to move to warmer weather, though. I can't help but remember one spring in finding one little frozen hummingbird in a branch of pyracantha who was done in by an exceptionally cold storm. That was back in California though. Such an awful thing couldn't possibly happen here on the south coast, right??

Today the sun was out and the weather a little nippy but lovely, I think. I got my walk in and Norm seems to want to bar-b-que for one of the last times for a while. So, the chicken is ready for the grille and we still have plenty of veggies from the garden that haven't made it into the freezer or been turned over in the garden yet.

Add an older "who-done-it" movie for tonight and you know about our day. Nothing earth shaking but filled with contentment. Hope your's is as well.

AUTUMN DAYS

I didn't realize that I haven't blogged in a little while........soooo, I'm back.....
Birthdays, doctor appointments, canning and freezing.......all the trappings of getting ready for cooler and wet weather. We've burned a few fires (pant-pant)
made soups and comfort foods. Next will be breads but the days are tight and time is short. That will change before too long......and it's not too soon to start initial planning for the holidays. Thanksgiving will again be my favorite. A year ago at this time, Norm was feeling very bad and would soon be feeling worse. A couple of serious surgeries done Miracle-Quick would fix that. It took a lot out of him but he's made remarkable steps back into good health. Still, lots of doctor's appointments coming up from all his doctors to make sure he stays that way. He's doing well enough to complain loudly about it, which I see as a positive.

So, these two photos were taken on a little jaunt up the Sixes River Road last week. I'm in the mood for some black and white, although with the autumn colors turning more beautiful by the day, I expect I'll be shifting my attention to the technicolor world of the south coast before long. In fact, there's a certain friend who is graciously allowing me to go and take some photos of her beautiful home overlooking the Sixes River. Bubbling stream and wonderful big boulders have me looking forward to a couple of nice days........at least not raining.

This Wednesday those who wish to exhibit their photos at South Coast Hospital in Bandon will deliver their works. I'm really looking forward to seeing the different creations that will be shown. So......those of you who live or will be traveling around the Bandon area, try to stop by and take a look. The exhibit will hang October thru December.

Hope you're all having a great week~

A FEW LOCAL SIGHTS

Norm had an early blood test and we ate breakfast up in Bandon. This sight at the Bandon marina had me stopping and taking a couple of photos. I don't usually see boats this big in Bandon. Then the seagulls and pilings attracted my attention more than the boat. I've only put a couple of them here.......

This apple tree was loaded with it's bright red fruit. On our own trees at home a spring storm blew off every last one of the blossoms and we have not one apple this year. But the fruit season was not a complete loss.........we did get 2, that's T-W-O! pears. Wow! Don't everyone get all envious at once, now..........

If you view this photo on large you'll get a better look at the fruit. I did work it with Topaz in hopes of letting the fruit stand out more.

TREE TRIMMING WITH JERRY & BLAKE

Waaaaayyyy up there you see Jerry White hanging around in a place not too many of us would want to be. It doesn't seem to bother him, though. Norm wanted some of the tall trees in front trimmed up for winter and Jerry and his son, Blake made it look easy. Well, all except the climb up there and back. He obviously knew what he was doing and his work was smooth, agile and experienced. Blake is a senior in high school this year and he helped his Dad with eyes from below and the hauling of the cuttings. The finished 'product' looks so neat...........the trees look so much taller and allow a lot more light onto the front. In another visit the two will take care of other areas of over grown trees and let more sun onto the vegetable garden. It sure cleans everything up! Thanks, Guys~!

I wasn't able to get all the photos I wanted to download on my blog tonight. Sometimes that happens and I don't know why. So, tonight's pics are divided into two postings. The one on top is Jerry surveying the area and the second is Blake, his son. Great smile, huh?

In the below posting, that's Jerry in a longer view so it shows just how way up there he is. (Pass the parachute, please!)

Today Norm and I picked up a couple of items from the new Mexican restaurant in town, "Don Rey"........Very good and we recommend it for a tasty and filling meal. I ordered a couple of tamales...........delicious. They reminded me of my favorite when I lived back in San Francisco. Our family used to go down to Taravel Street and get the huge corn husk tamales. Memories seem to increase in fondness as time goes by, but really, Don Rey's were just as good as I remember from my childhood. Norm ordered an Adobada Burrito. Since I never heard a word from him and his burrito disappeared at mock speed, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say he enjoyed it.........a lot.

We seem to be getting our Indian Summer.......at least today. It was beautiful! I picked blackberries, huckleberries, cooked up the last of the chard and the first of the string beans. Those beans were wonderful! So tender! Blue Lake or something like that is the type. We have to plant them again next year and they're much easier to pick (pole) than the bush bean that we usually plant.

So........that's been our day.........hope yours went well as well as the rest of the week~

Happy Monday!

CONTINUED TREE TRIMMING

BELATED SPRING POPPIES

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

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

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

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

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

BETWEEN SEASONS

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

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

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

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

FURTHER ALONG UP THE ROGUE

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

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

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

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

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

UP THE LAZY RIVER

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

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

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

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

BURRO times 2

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

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

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

ONE BY LAND, TWO BY SEA

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

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

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

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

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