THE DUST WILL WAIT

Last year a pair of House Sparrows nested in the little bird house on our patio. It hung there “just temporarily” when the Globe Willow came down. Overlooked, it stayed there another year, giving us a second opportunity to share some space with a family of sparrows. Last year’s male ran off with another “chick” before the eggs even hatched. The little mother amazed us with her constant care and dedication. She chose to ignore us and our proximity as the babies demanded more of her time and food. I was happy to see this year’s male helping tend to the little brood. He was more hesitant to approach the nest when we were outside. He sat on the chimney and chee-chee’d at us while she scurried back and forth with bugs and seeds. Unfortunately, before the care and feeding was complete, another female lured him away and he did not return. The mother bird seemed frantic in her efforts the last few days. Those little fledglings (and the crickets!) chirped constantl...

Okay...so it is probably a rock and a shadow. While up in the Blues this weekend, we were very close to the watershed wilderness where many Bigfoot stories originate. I was taking some digital photo's of the moon coming over a distant ridge when something caught my eye and shivered down the back of my neck. It just looked like something looking back at me from the next ridge up. I set my camera on 48X zoom and snapped two shots and hopped back in the truck. When I got home I realized my shaky hands did little to clarify whatever dark form had appeared in my lens. It is lying next to the tree stump. I say it is Bigfoot (snicker.) The hubby says it is my imaginary friend. Karmyn said it could be a young bear. Jammin' says it's a monkey with a teddy bear, and Buttercup says it is Strawberry Shortcake. You decide.

We drove through the foothills today into the Blue Mountains . The gusting wind rolled like waves through the lush wheat fields and crested in the sun light. As the mountain road changes from paved to gravel it ascends into switchbacks that slice through rock-filled ravines and open meadows. The blustery air followed us up the crooked path. The tamaracks and pine trees whispered and moaned. The aromatic scents of wildflowers mixed with pollen and dust to tickle our noses. Our original goal for this afternoon jaunt was to utilize our permit to harvest rocks that have rolled into the roadway. The landscape around our pond and the waterfall feature has yet to be completed. One of those ‘always in progress’ tasks. However, my attention kept drifting from rock viewing to the symphony of sounds and smells. The blessings of living in a beautiful place and sharing it with those that I love felt overwhelming. My emotions climbed with the terrain. I saw the Memorial ...

Today was my annual mammogram. I am thankful for the friendly technician, her efficiency and skills. This visit was very significant for me BECAUSE my sister-in-law, Bindy, underwent a mastectomy two weeks ago. The lymph node status was discouraging, resulting in yesterday’s full body CAT scan (Computed Axial Tomography.) Bindy has been through five crazy years. It started on June 14, 2002 when she woke up with a tortuous headache, which quickly proceeded to a grand mall seizure and unconsciousness. My brother, who is a respiratory therapist, was home and able to do CPR with competence until the ambulance arrived. The paramedics intubated and transported her to the closest Emergency Room where they quickly diagnosed a brain aneurysm. The mortality rate is high and one out of three survivors sustains permanent disabling neurological symptoms. An airlift to Harb*rview H*spital in Seattle and the skilled hands of one of the four top Neurosurgeons i...

Update. Several of you commented on the Clematis. I don't know the variety. Here is another look at it for those who are interested. There are at least six stories in my head and in my notes to write. But there they stay for now. In case you wondered, I do write notes other places than on my furniture. I have been distracted by busy "stuff." Many of you have mentioned the same seasonal phenomenon affecting your blog. However, life goes on. Fortunately, I'm blessed to see some of those wonderful going s on in my own back yard. A squirrel and a starling, fighting over the bird seed. These two naughty creatures chase the desired birds away. Then they hiss and jabber and chase each other. Amanda calls me a bird snob because I would chase the starlings away if they would leave. Papa Quail as the lookout on the fence. He is very protective of his family. A quick picture of a camouflaged bunny before Mr. McGregor (the hubby) shoos it away. The Rhododendro...

The time finally came for me to upgrade my blog so that I could access the "bells and whistles" offered by the New Blogger. Blogs Gone Wild designed this for a minimal fee around the recent picture of Gram's antique desk. I'm sure I'll do some tweaking as the days go by. I can tell you right now that it is MUCH EASIER than the old blogger. I need Easy. I like Free.

Nikki is hosting today's Fun Monday. The Rules: Write a Poem, Illustrate it, and then post it. Click over to visit all the other participants listed at Tales of a First Time Mom . Simple you say? Not. My poem and my illustration was to be the beautiful Rhododendron. Not only are several blooming on the north side of our house, but the native shrub is the Washington State Flower. In some areas of the state they bloom naturally and profusely in the wild. I picked a huge bloom and floated it in a bowl. They did not bloom naturally and profusely on my paper. My eyes and my hands would not cooperate. Thus, my HAIKU. Watercolor Blues The artist’s rendition Of Rhododendrons stays In the bowl **************

Even though you will always be Mandy, to me.

I can fly, I can fly, and pop bubbles in the sky. Then I race and I race, an amazing bubble chase. Mama,Blow! Mama, Blow! Just watch those bubbles Go. Let me try, Let me try! One just popped right in my eye. Do-Si-Do, Do-Si-Do. Grandpa pop one with your toe. Peek-a-boo, Peek-a-boo. I can see right through it, too!

Curly Mop and Amanda came for Mothers Day - and we drove 15 miles up to a the house of a friend who has the hummingbird summer destination. I messed up the camera by accidentally setting the red-eye assist, thereby missing many wonderful pictures. What you don't get to see: Curly Mop's mouth and eyes wide open in complete surprise when the first hummers brushed past her cheeks and the breeze from their wings bounced the wispy curls around her face. Several little hummers getting up close and personal with the hubby's sister. She was dressed in a bright striped shirt and sparkling earrings that attracted them. I think they were even fighting over her. One nearly getting tangled in Amanda's hair when she placed her hands across the corner feeder. The Hubby and Curly Mop surrounded by eight or nine at once. Me swearing at the camera because I was frustrated with the delayed action, whereby the hubby finally took a look at the control functions. What you will get to see :...

Today's Fun Monday is being hosted by Willowtree . He wants to see our favorite Coffee Mug, our favorite glasses for drinks of any kind, and for extra credit even our favorite plate. He said we could get creative. I'm going to stick with the mugs. A precious gift from a Japanese Exchange Student. Masami stayed with us eleven years ago and has kept in touch. She returned to spend Christmas with us one year and presented me with my very first FINE CHINA as a Gift. It was a starter set of Mikasa oh oh.. I did this too late at night. It is Noritake. My TO DO list has a notation to complete this set one day. For now, I enjoy looking at it. This stonewear is my preferred coffee, tea, or hot chocolate drinking mugs. They fit perfectly in my palms and warm my fingers. We have many other mugs that we have collected over the years. We have colorful mugs, advertising mugs, souvenir mugs, mismatched sets of mugs... you get the picture. Some of you may remember the one wit...

Massive Ice Sheet Partial Cause of Missing Canadian Gravity A mysterious dip in gravity over Northern Canada has long been a weighty topic for some scientists. Two theories have emerged to explain the strange phenomenon, but conclusive evidence has been elusive. I'm moving and taking my bathroom scales. Most-Wanted Part of $2M Estate: the Dog A man who didn't have a will left a $2 million estate, but the most hotly contested item in court has been his golden retriever, Alex. Royal, the dog's attorney, said he believes all four people (the man's Father, ex wife, ex girl friend, and fiancee) love Alex and would take good care of him, but they were using the fight for the dog to punish each other for past transgressions . The Dog's attorney? Am I the only one who thinks that's Goofy? Wis. farmer finds new calf has two noses Mark Krombholz had to look twice at his new calf, Lucy (born May 4 ) _ one time for each nose. "I didn't notice anythi...

Coffee on the patio in the gorgeous morning sun Shining through transparent colors of a Hot Air Balloon above the rooftops A bird ballet in the soft breeze Accompanied by the tinkling melody that echoes off the waterfall I would sit here all morning. Alas, I must go to work!

When I left work yesterday, the Emergency Broadcasting System was bleeping on the radio. The warning was for a fast moving thunder storm and high winds. Indeed, the sky to the southwest was ominous. This is not unusual when a May day becomes a blistering 91 degrees, and a cold front moves in from the Pacific Coast. It reminded me of a year ago when I accompanied my cousin on an unscheduled trip to Portland. We encountered one of those storm cells that makes you think you are in Kansas. The horizontal hail and the dirt falling out of the sky was a new experience for us, but we recognized the danger. Traffic pulled over to the side of the road for lack of visibility. Although we didn't see it on that day , a twister preceded us across Interstate 84 and the Columbia River. The funnel was confirmed by numerous people. It cut a path through a B**se C*sc*de tree farm and a huge apple orchard. Thank Goodness the damage was only in agriculture dollars and not in lives. Needles...

My friend Vicky, Catching Light , is the Host of Fun Monday #16. She is the accidental c reator of Fun Monday, with input from Willowtree, down under, at A Dingo Got My Barbie. Vicky says, "hhhh yes! The day finally has arrived. My noseyness can be satisfied until Summer.Today is the day I can peek through y our door and see what you see everyday. It makes us BFF. It a lmost shows my stalker personalit y. It satisfies my sweet tooth. Makes me feel all cozy and warm inside when I get to peek into your world.' So, here you are, dear Vicky, and all my other guests. E.N.J.O.Y ****Front Door West Front Door North****** And this little guy greets you at the front door. The birds claimed it as bird bath; note, it is next to the feeders. We had some fantastic rain storms this spring, so I moved the feeders under the eaves to keep them dry. ****Front Door South (note, it's garbage morning) Back Door East ***** Make sure to visit Vicky and find out who else is participa...

Just for a few days. Make sure you check out The Blogging Chicks Carnival Sunday. It is a Mother's Day special hosted by Girls Can't What? Then on Fun Monday , Vicky at Catching Light revisits the View From Your Front Door, the spring version.

I was too tired to go into the store on our way home Sunday evening. “I’ll just sit in the car and rest,” I sighed and let the hubby run in to pick up a few last minute things needed for the workweek. Moments later an older model car that had seen better days rolled in to a nearby parking spot. There was an empty space between our vehicles allowing me total observation. So, I did what I do best. I watched. The driver got out and went directly to the trunk. The passenger hopped out on his side – he looked to be about eleven. “Mama,” he said, “do you need my help?” She opened the trunk, pulled out a baby stroller, and began the process of unfolding it. “No, I’ve got it,” she replied and inclined her head briefly towards the back seat. Acknowledging her gesture, he opened the back door. From there he reached in and carefully unbuckled the restraints on an infant car seat and lifted out a little bundle in pink. “Hi sweet baby,” he whispered ju...

I know he won't be particularly pleased with the attention, but I have nominated Peter (Willowtree, Once Upon a Blog) at A Dingo Got My Barbie as my choice for April's Perfect Post . Please click on Devastated , where he explores in verse the mercurial affections of Beep , his new calico cat. If you aren't a cat lover, read it anyway to appreciate Peter's self-deprecatory wit. And, as Peter says, It won't "kill ya to comment. " Enjoy. *************** Lindsay @ www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and MommaK @ www.petroville.com host the Perfect Post Awards every month. There isn't a prize. It is just an opportunity to share someone's post that made you cry, touched your heart, had you laughing out loud or made you believe in magic again . (Read all the past awards in ...