THE DUST WILL WAIT

Clockwise from left.... Mizelle, Sweet Evalina, Red, Dinkum Devo, and Zbub! We are ready.  I bought some crafty stuff and we cut out crowns and decorated them so we could all be royalty as we welcomed in the New Year.  We have snotty noses, coughs, aches and pains, and even a pinched finger in the door (the 2 1/2 year old.)  But we welcome good things that we know are heading our way. God Bless Everyone in 2012. Goodbye 2011.  I'm not sorry to see you go.

Freezing Fog.  Hoar Frost. Weather Inversion.  Yes to all.  No to the Moon Eclipse.  Hidden.   Weather wants to make us all stir crazy and S.A.D.  Instead, I’m shouting that there is beauty – even in the icy barbs on neighbor Bills old tomato cages. Winter’s artist decorated our day for the season.

The smell of fresh cut Fir.  Bing Crosby’s crooning on the turntable – probably his White Christmas LP special.  At church, the story of baby Jesus retold. This is the nostalgia of Christmas past.    I spent hours at the kitchen table turning the pages of the Sears catalogue.  Toys were circled with color crayon. The little frilly dresses were check marked and the page numbers memorized. It was an optimistic game, mom appreciated the quiet, and I never stopped dreaming… even though I knew that my small presents would never resemble anything close to these opulent choices. The week of the “big day” I would tag along behind my dad as he searched our twenty-seven acres for a suitable evergreen to grace our modest home.  Daddy was reluctant.  It was a waste of potential firewood or fencing.  To him Christmas was a nonsense holiday.  Even in the 1950’s there was commercialism and unreasonable expectations…not that any of my siblings hoped...

This is the last month for Janis’s First of The Month hosted @ Murrieta 365.   I've been faithful to my commitment to post this whole year.  I haven’t been faithful to post much else.  What have we been posting all year? Capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month. My theme has been my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum.   I called it: Watch them grow! This fall grandpa piled some dirt back in the corner where the grands are allowed to dig and play without disrupting the landscaping in our yard.  There is also a small sandbox (which they pour all around the area, too!)  Unbelievable late November sunshine and temperatures sent them out to play in their long sleeved shirts.   I grabbed my camera and followed them out to their favorite...

November is a month "Thank" full. If I allowed myself to pause each morning, just the daily list of overlooked blessings would go on forever.  Starting and ending snuggled warm and cozy in my own "blankie."    Yes - I do admit that I have my special bedding that goes with me everywhere.  I'm thankful for it. Thanksgiving is the holiday during the month that most Americans celebrate in some way.  Our traditions are anchored in family and food and football.  That last one slipped into the national mood over the last quarter of a century, and our household has not been exempt.  This year we will be with daughters.  They are my special reason for giving thanks this year. Another day of remembrance in November is Veterans Day.  The saddest part of this day is that we are not running out of them . . . the Veterans. We keep adding to their ranks.  My prayers for these men and women are always of grateful reverence.    The old...

The month has rolled around once more and we return to the meme being hosted by Murrieta 365.    I've been faithful to my commitment to post the First of The Month . The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month. My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called: Watch them grow!  Of course this was actually the last day of the month - but who could blame me for wanting to capture a Ninja, a Transformer, and a Lady Pirate. (Archives - previous months posts)

It all started the first week of June when a door to door salesmen knocked on ours.  My husband opened it to    "Did you know you can Insulate your house up to the new recommended code for very little investment, or maybe none at all?"  Take advantage of the  "stimulus package," rebates, and an insulation company not only knowing how to do the job, but how to get it done free. By the time the young man had finished his spiel, we had an appointment for someone to come by and give us a bid.  Within two weeks we had a crew from this company in our attic. Part of the plan was for the gas company and/or the power company to send someone to take a look at the job, fill out the report, and then you file a Conservative Incentive Application and get the rebate through both energy companies.   It turned out to be not so easy.   The inspector came, and left us with six out of the nine objectives under the word FAILED.  On top of that there...

Faye at Summit Musings chose "Your Favorite Early Autumn Photo" as the subject for Day 14 - the last day of her Autumn Photo Challenge. I thought about this subject for several days and came to the conclusion that I don't have one - a favorite photo. I have many. In choosing one for today, I took Faye's term "early Autumn Photo" back to the early 1980's. Back to the days of film and processing and no instant gratification. The photograph for which I hunted was one of me and all three of my daughters taken at the park on a day in Autumn.  Disappointing that it was not found.   I did find this one taken the same day. I think Karmyn may have been the one just outside of the frame throwing leaves on her younger sisters who were 5 and 2.  Jennifer and Amanda. 

This is Day 13 in the Two Weeks of Autumn Photo Challenge and the subject is color. Here it is, October 5 in our valley, and things are still very green.  The fact that it rained last night - a very pleasant patter on the sky window -- could mean that things will be more likely to turn brown than the seasonal yellow, amber, and reds.  I hope I'm wrong. In the meantime we are still enjoying the pink Anenome and other plants facing east, and the Zinnias in the vegetable patch, The variety of blossoming plants on the north side of the house. Here's some proof that fall colors have arrived:  the American Goldfinch.  They have all lost their bright yellow spring and summer colors.  You may have to click on the image to see it there on the feeder. And, I noticed there were a few scattered yellow leaves on the ground.  I suspect by next week we will be seeing a lot more of those and our rakes, too! I'm so proud of myself ...  I finally di...

I've posted many pictures of the creek path and its wildlife -  as it is one of my favorite places to walk.   How I enjoy the birds! Yesterday at dusk I strolled up the path that was almost abandoned.  Hardly any walkers or bikers.  Hardly any birds. And then I heard the chatter of the Kingfisher.  Try as I could, my attempts to capture its dive into the water did not satisfy.  I think it took pity on me and flew above me into a tree and posed in silhouette. Day 12 of Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge is over at Faye's.

During the summer the sunlight invades our yard at dawn and wakes us if we forget to close the shades very tight.  But as the sun moves with the shortening days, the neighbors huge maple trees block it and our yard stays shaded late into the morning.  As you can see, however, it finds its way between the branches and leaves to poke holes of light that shimmer around our yard.   The sun will return at yet a much southern angle as the leaves disappear and the days grow cold and short.  But for now, I'll take the dappled morning sunbeam hellos and enjoy. Join the sunlight on Day 11 of Faye's Autumn Photo Challenge!  Click HERE ~!

Today is Day 10 of Summit Musings Two Weeks In Autumn Photo Challenge .  We are in currently in Oregon City.  We had a wonderful weekend planned which included attending "Oklahoma" and then a birthday bash for 8 year old Buttercup.  Before we even left the house we had a call from our youngest daughter informing us that she was at the emergency room with her fiance, and her daughter was at the home of a neighbor and friend.   "J" was admitted to the hospital, tested in every way imaginable, then was wheeled into surgery Saturday to remove his gallbladder. We are praying for a swift recovery and that in three weeks he will be ready for that wedding planned!  We are all breathing easier today. (Except J.  His post surgery comfort is slow coming.) As a result, I'm pulling a photo I took last week while on a bug hunt with my grandson Z-bub.  I believe this preying mantis knew I was taking the photo.  ...

We are on the road! So, I'm taking creative license with  Day 9 Early Fall Landscapes subject on Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge. This is Multnomah Falls that is on I-84 East of Portland, Oregon. If you look closely you can see little figures of regular size people on the lower bridge between the trees.   The Falls has it's own personality with each season.  In the winter I've seen it completely frozen.  In the spring the amount of water increases and the mist from the explosive force is cold and impressive.  In the summer it is a nice cool retreat and a great hike for people who need a bit of exercise after a long trip. The most luxurious view is early fall.  Click here to see who else is carrying their camera!

IT CANNOT BE OCTOBER!  Where did this year go? I've been playing the First of the Month. @ Murrieta 365. for 10 months now, plus an extra month of December that I  linked in for good measure. The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month. My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called: Watch them grow! They've really had fun in the hammock this summer.  Oh yes!  Each has taken a turn of falling out and bumping something-'er-ruther. Post your new photo and link up HERE ! (Archives - previous months posts)