June 29, 2013 - Summer's Here

Sunset after a hot day

This evening we went out onto the deck late, after the temperatures dropped a bit, to be greeted by a vivid orange and gold sunset.  My camera didn't capture the colors - but I can still see them in my mind.  Then, as we watched off the front deck, a pair of night hawks flew by.  This morning it was a flock of pelicans, wheeling over the house.  No matter the time of day, there is always something of beauty to encounter.

 

The day was spent either in the garden or helping to put up produce from the garden.  A friend came over to make pesto, I harvested raspberries, zucchini, kale, garlic, and basil, and got out in the late afternoon to pull some weeds.  It was gratifying to discover that I can still manage 90-plus degree temperatures...especially as much hotter weather is predicted.  A good day - a very good day.  



June 28, 2013 - Summer Close-ups

Wisteria pods

Clematis blossom

Mimosa blossom and bud

Asiatic lilies

English rose

English rose

Today it warmed up considerably.  So, a few photos before the soon-to-appear very hot weather wilts everything!  Most of the roses are in between blooms - but there are a few blossoms spread here and there.  The lilies like the hot weather (though they don't last as long).  Some of my vegetable garden will be delighted (think corn, tomatoes, tomatillos) and some will be pulled out sooner than anticipated (think lettuce, kale, and beets.)  I'm feeling quite protective of what's out there...cooler weather in late June has extended the harvest, and I've enjoyed that. 

 

But - it is summer after all, so let the hot temperatures begin!  The garden always survives - and I do, too.  (That's what huge mugs of ice water are for.)

June 27, 2013 - Non-visual beauty

Today I left the camera inside the house.  There are things of beauty there, to be sure, but I simply paid attention to what I saw outside the house.

First, there was the loveliness of dawn.  O.K., actually, I was up a bit late for that - but it was still early enough to catch the early morning shadows, and the brightness of early morning colors.

Then, after working out, I went to a friend's house to harvest blueberries.  There is something exquisite about the way the berries are arranged on the branch, the difference in color between those that are ripe and those that are yet to ripen, and the promise of what is yet to come.  And....there were orioles inside the netted area.  Lovely to watch!

Later, conversation with a friend over an iced coffee.  Granted, we were three thousand miles apart, but that is the joy of the cell phone.  We had a wonderful conversation as I sat outside, enjoying the warmth and sunshine, which has at long last returned.  (And is planning to return with a vengeance, so we hear.)

Finally, back home and into the garden.  I harvested the first of the green beans, some tiny baby zucchini, more raspberries, broccoli, and kale.  I deadheaded most of the roses, sacrificing a few blooms to make the work a bit more expeditious.  I pulled a few weeds, and wandered through the beds, looking to see how everything is doing.  So far, so good.  I have peppers that have already formed, and expect there are some tomatoes in the midst of all those flowers and all that greenery on those plants.  The corn has grown easily a foot in the past week - and the late planting will manage to be "knee-high by fourth of July".  

Then onto the deck with my husband for a glass of wine for me and a glass of tea for him.  The birds sang, the sun set beautifully, and a pair of killdeer were wooing on our front driveway.  We fear we've lost the kingbirds - all the rain last week doubtless floated the nest they built in our rain gutters.  Alas!  We love watching those birds!

So finally, some time with you, remembering the day, and the beauty that filled it.

June 26, 2013 - A Different Kind of Beauty

Honeybee

Bumblebee

Bumblebee

Some kind of bee...

Snail



Bee in gladiolus 

Sage

Today was a different kind of day.  A friend came over to harvest sage for Native American religious ceremonies.  I wasn't sure if she'd let me join her, but she did.  First she smudged us both, and her harvesting knife, then we went out to ask permission from the grandmother sage plant.  We were told to go ahead and harvest, so she did - paying careful attention to how much was taken from each plant, which plants were healthy, and blessing young plants.

 

Upon returning to the house, we shared lunch and conversation, then went to the front deck to tie the sage for drying.  It cannot be knotted - so she showed me how to tie the sage in such a manner that it will stay together without knots.  We made numerous bundles, which she will dry at home.  The leaves shown above fell off the plants as we worked - I decided to leave them on the deck, until the wind disperses them.

 

As we worked, we talked and we listened to and watched the birds.  A hummingbird flew by, a woodpecker was busy down by the river, several pelicans flew past.  I shared with her the history of the pelican being an icon for Jesus, which makes them especially significant for me. 

 

After she left, I headed out to the garden to take photos of the small beauties I do not always pay attention to.  There is something exquisite about making room for openness to those things I don't always notice.  

June 25, 2013 - The Mimosa Tree Begins to Bloom

Most of the blossom now is at the crown..,.

But there is some all through the tree.

Gated garden

Garden view

Before I left for fishing last week, I thought I heard a hummingbird near the mimosa tree.  It seems to be a favorite for gathering nectar.  Upon return, the tree was emphatically in bloom - and I heard the hummingbird again today. 

 

The garden is filled with purples, pinks, and yellows right now.  Roses, day lilies, lavender, salvia, and Asiatic lilies are all in full bloom.  And the vegetable garden continues to produce!  I picked another gallon of raspberries today, made eleven containers of pesto (it freezes really well) and made four batched of kale chips, on which I've been nibbling all day.  Next up?  Dilled green beans - lots of fresh garlic, dill, and the beans are only a day or two away from being ripe!

 

Beauty around me everywhere - today I even spied the female oriole, gathering bugs (or whatever) off several of my favorite plants.  Keep 'em clean, girl!  And thanks for the help!

June 24, 2013 - The Harvest Continues

Kale, basil, garlic, raspberries - and you can't see the lettuce, broccoli, and zucchini

A gallon of raspberries - and they're only half-picked!

The weather slowly improves, giving us beautiful evening views

Today was a "get settled back at home" day.  So, grocery shopping - check.  Catching up on the e-mail - check.  Dealing with various details - check.  And finally - out into the garden!  The lettuce won't last much longer - it's too late in the season - but the cooler weather has stretched it a bit.  The raspberries have just come into their first full production.  The zucchini has also just begun.  The basil - help!  It's taking over!  The broccoli will soon be done, so we enjoyed a good meal with it this evening.  The kale will soon be done, too.  Kale chips are waiting to be made tomorrow.  And the raspberries are already packaged and in the freezer.  Pesto tomorrow!  Really, how much more beautiful does it get?

June 22, 2013 - A Fish Story

Cirrus clouds overhead

The day's catch

Today was the last, and best day of our fishing.  We all caught fish, several of them were quite good sized, and the weather was lovely.  (See top photo - those clouds were incredible!)

 

We were visited today by a pair of mallard hens, who came visiting whenever we showed up in a specific location.  We haven't seen the drake or the duckling, and are hoping both are well.

 

The day was beautiful, fun, and originally, frustrating.  We were catching nothing, and seeing no one else catch anything, either.  Finally, we went back to a favorite spot - and the bite was on!  We spent the afternoon catching lakers, and wondered why we'd bothered to get up at 5:00 am.  But then, that is the fishing life.  And we finished the day with a wonderful fish fry, accompanied by great salads, veggies, and fresh raspberries on ice cream.  Some days life is simply good!

June 21, 2013 - A Duck Tale, Part II

Threatening skies can be beautiful

Approaching the boat...

We have a hitchhiker!

Back on the lake today in similar weather (see top photo) we found ourselves being followed quite persistently by the mallard drake.  (We think it's the same one we saw yesterday.)  He swam in close, then decided to hitch a ride by climbing up on the swim platform.  I get the idea this isn't the first time he's tried this trick.  He preened himself, he yawned, he stretched his wings, and just generally relaxed.  It was much easier than paddling after the boat, I'm sure!

 

And, as you can tell by the final photo...the weather has begun to improve.  All in all, a very good day!

June 20, 2013 - A Duck Tale, Part I

Mallard pair

The hen

The drake

The surprise!

Duckling

Today was spent fishing on Lake Chelan.  We had reasonable success, in not completely reasonable weather.  While fishing in an area called "Memorial", we were followed by the mallard pair you see pictured above.  And yes, they really got that close.  They followed us fairly persistently, then left when we got ready to move to a different area.  But before we moved, much to our surprise, this little guy showed up!  He was all on his own - no adults anywhere!  And we all agreed he was much too young to be begging from boaters - or to be on his own at all.  Yet here he was, out in the middle of the lake, getting (and keeping) our attention. 

 

We hope he is well...he quite captured our hearts.

June 17, 2013 - It's My Birthday, I'll Take the Photos I Want To!

Angry western kingbird

Burning off Jump-Off Joe

Another fire across the river

Wild sunflower - first of the year!

Fire drama

A bit closer...

Jump-Off Joe in the evening

As you can tell, it was an interesting day.  It began normally enough, with time in the garden, after finishing my workout.  I saw the first fire (across the river) when I came in for a late lunch.  I headed into town to enjoy being treated to a coffee by a friend/family member...then as I came back, saw the beginning of the Jump-Off Joe fire.  There really wasn't much happening there - but the one across the river was really going.

 

So, more time in the garden, playing with the dog, watching a thunderstorm roll in, and then watching the fires.  And more watching of the fires.  (The crews set a backfire on the Jump-Off Joe fire - that's the line you see on the left.)  At this point it's completely dark, and there is no glow across the river.  A good sign.

 

I don't take pleasure in destruction - but fires are beautiful.  From a distance.  Preferably when they're under control.  Prayers for those in Colorado, who are suffering with much, much worse.

June 16, 2013 - Father's Day

Evening sunlight over the river

Sunset from the deck

Newest birdwatcher in the family

Today was an unusual Father's Day.  Unusual, in that I was at home, rather than at Annual Conference for the United Methodist church.  So, the day included taking my husband out for breakfast, then for coffee.  He dropped me off at church (something that rarely happens - we're usually there together) and I enjoyed services as he went home to accomplish a very long laundry list of tasks.  Doesn't sound like much of a Father's Day for him - except he really had a good time getting all those tasks accomplished! 

 

And at the end of the day, we had two good friends over for dinner.  Standing rib roast, three different salads, homemade bread (courtesy of another friend) and rhubarb crisp.  This was the first standing rib roast I'd tackled.  Okay, that was easy - I do believe I'll do that again!  And the men enjoyed it so much (not that we women didn't...)

 

Finally, a brief trip out to the front deck, accompanied by our granddog.  The kingbirds were emphatically unhappy to see him out there, and scolded him severely.  For his part, he seemed to find them fascinating.  So, a new birdwatcher in the family!  Of course, this one is a bit of a bird chaser, as well.  We'll try to restrain him - fortunately, he hasn't caught one yet!

June 15, 2013 - The First Day of Kayaking!

White pelican

Caspian terns

Regatta above Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River

Kingbird doing its hummingbird imitation

Today was the first day I got back in my kayak!  A friend was supposed to take me yesterday - but the wind kept up until the afternoon, and I wimped out.  Today was beautiful.  My husband loaded the kayak on the jetboat, and off we went to Charbonneau Park.  Once there, we unloaded the kayak, and I launched from the beach.  I was even able to use my standard entry method - which had seemed much more difficult a couple of months ago when I made a "dry run" in the front yard.  I paddled past the park, past several nice beaches, and into an area where the terns are that you see pictured above.  There were carp at the surface everywhere, and lots of bank swallows.  Eventually, I paddled out to my husband, and we tried having me exit onto the swim platform of the boat, then load the kayak while in the middle of the river.  Success on both counts!  So, it looks like I'll be able to take up kayaking again - once I get a roof rack that works for the car I'm using now.

 

The photos above were taken from the jetboat.  Except the last one, of course, which was taken off the front deck.  The kingbirds have indeed built a nest in the rain gutter over the deck, and get quite agitated when we come out to use the deck.  This seems to be their method of making sure we're staying where we belong - on the deck, at a good distance from the nest.  They really do hover, right in front of us, apparently just keeping an eye on what's going on with the downstairs neighbors.

June 13 - Preparing for a Party

Roses from the garden

The house is ready

Today I had the joy of throwing a surprise birthday party for a very good friend for her 60th birthday.  There were seven of us present - and yes, it was a surprise.  Once she got over the initial shock, we had a relaxed evening.  Dinner, a decadent dessert, gifts, the promised games of bananagrams, and good conversation with lots of laughter.  I don't do things like this very often - and sometimes I wonder why.  It is a real delight to see people enjoying themselves, relaxing, and simply having fun in one anothers' company.  The beauty of good friends - that's what I celebrate today!

June 12, 2013 - This and That

Sunset from the front deck

Patton, enjoying his bone

I haven't taken any photos the last couple of days.  Not because there was nothing to photograph, but simply from being busy with other activities.  You know, daily stuff, like grocery shopping, lunch with a friend, deadheading roses, bananagrams with friends, having family stop by for a night.  Fun stuff - the everyday pieces of life that don't receive nearly the appreciation they deserve!  Grocery shopping - I noticed that even though my foot hurts while I shop, my speed is increasing, incrementally. Lunch with a friend - what a wonderful way to spend some time enjoying good food and good conversation!   Deadheading roses - what better opportunity to stop and smell the ones that are still in bloom?  Bananagrams with a friend - time to talk, to think, to laugh, to be a bit creative with language.  Family stopping by - a niece we haven't seen for years!  So we got caught up, and in the process, enjoyed a meal together and spend the evening talking about family, catching up on family, and watching the fires across the river that were started by a train.  (It was quite lively for a while.)

 

The photos above were taken this evening after my husband got home.  We enjoyed a relaxed (late) dinner together, then went out on the deck, with Patton, and watched the sunset, listened to the birds, etc.  Since coming inside, Patton has been busily trying to demolish a toy that is resisting all his efforts.  It's been a busy day, a good day - and I look forward to whatever may happen tomorrow.  And will try to better about documentation of the beauty that is always before me.  (Did I mention the female oriole feeding in among my roses late this afternoon?  Right where I could watch!)