Have a Smiley Face Kinda Day!

I found this happy guy in the recycle bin - looks like he's enjoying the sunshine.

A scared old electrical outlet ...

And, of course, the inevitable paintball smiley face! :=}

I hope everyone has a wonderful, smiley face day ... with moments of pure happiness.

Treasure in the Park

I am not the only one who made discoveries in the sanctuary/park yesterday. Where some people may see sticks, spent fir cones and junk that belongs in the trash can, I see a child's innocent treasures from a moment spent with nature. I see wisdom in the parent who did not throw this treasure in the trash, but left it here for other people to enjoy and wonder.

A Walk on the Wild Side!

Okay so this isn't wild, I just liked the random placing of the lights and the way the bench seems to float over the walking trail.

I startled a mama duck and her 4 little ducklings out of the grass and into the water.

Before noticing the gunmetal gray sky that promised (and delivered!) a wild, wet and windy run back to the car!
And I haven't seen the sun since ...

Squirrel!

We are used to squirrels around here. They follow us as we walk, screaming at us. I'm sure if we spoke squirrelese we would turn bright red at the language used.

This cute little fellow, however, never moved or made a sound as we walked by, and even let me take his picture. I wonder what he was afraid of.

Serviceberry Surprise

The serviceberry blossoms snuck up on me this year ... Must have been those few days of warm weather that enticed them out of their winter sleep.

Shattered Magic

The cherry blossoms quivered in the light breeze, and I stopped to watch. Something was about to happen, I could feel it. The breeze picked up -- tipping the blossoms onto their feet, skirts flaring. I knew they were about to dance! They began to twirl. Magic!

A sudden commotion -- the cat that had been stalking JUMPED -- landing on my magical dancing cherry blossoms. He began tearing them to pieces. Soon they were just a few blossoms, some tattered and torn, lying on the ground. Shattered.

Broken Window Surprise

This newly broken window at the abandoned church caught my eye. Maybe the tinted glass gives it the purplish glints, I'm not sure.

Blackberry Blossom

It's amazing to me how this little native blackberry vine is so delicate. And yet so NOT! In clearing a little garden area last fall, I dug and pulled and dug some more - clear down to and including the roots, thinking I had all of these vines finally conquered. Ha! Who has the last laugh now? They are coming up everywhere! I think there are more now than when I started. Sigh. Maybe I can incorporate them into the garden ... a tiny little trellis perhaps? Hmmmmmmmm the possibilities!

My Time At the River

A little place to call home ...

Stairway from nowhere ... to nowhere ...

The Willamette River in sunlight

What a gorgeous day to be "stuck" waiting for 2 hours here near the Willamette River. Lots of fun ... beauty to explore. Maybe next time I will remember the bread I set aside to feed the ducks and geese ...

Nature's Diamonds!

I took this the other day right after a rain storm. There were diamonds everywhere! This Indian Plum bush was simply covered in glowing gemstones. I wish I could capture one to wear.

Look What I Found at Goodwill!!!

Last month I took my kids to the Goodwill Surplus store (89 cents per pound - you dig through bins) to get some clothes. I always head for the paper stuff/books. I found this nifty little book, thought it would look really sweet with my tiny (fake) book collection. Then I forgot about it. Nearly a month later, I found the bag and went through it, finding all the cool hand written recipes and stuff ... and my little book.

There were the cutest little illustrations ...

Then I looked at the publication date ... this thing is for real!

I feel good about rescuing this little book from certain destruction. The surplus store is the last stop for items that don't sell at Goodwill's regular stores, and from there they get smashed (glass), shredded (paper) or sent to developing nations (clothes) by the ton. I probably paid a penny for this gem!

Grandpa and Grandma's Message to my Kids

It's been 10 long years since Grandpa and Grandma G. flew away to heaven within months of each other. I found this poem and note to my children from their Aunt Vicky just the other day while cleaning out some papers. I wanted to share it with, and dedicate it to everyone who has lost beloved people in their lives. May it bring some comfort to us all.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
-- anonymous

Dear Georgia and Victoria,
Grandma and Grandpa G. did not want us to remember them sadly, they wanted us to think of and remember happier times. I am sending you something to help you remember them both. I found copies of this poem all over their house. I believe that this was something they both cherished and wanted their family to read and be comforted by. I am sending windchimes to remind you, everytime the wind blows and you hear the melody of the chimes, that they loved you and wanted you to be happy. Think of having two more guardian angels to watch over you and keep you safe. You two had a very special place in their hearts. As long as we remember and love them, they will live on in our hearts. All my love - Your Aunt Vicky.

Blackberry Vine Shadow

Yesterday evening's last rays of sun made the shadows of this trailing blackberry vine leaf stand out in stark relief to the pottery background. In fact, the whole scene is filled with random contrasts.

Daisy Lawn

I get bored with the new housing developments around here where all of the houses are the same, as are all of the front yards. Immaculate grass, cut just-so, exactly like the neighbors. I can almost imagine the "lawn police" with measuring sticks and tiny little scissors, patrolling each street!

I happened upon this beautiful lawn while walking through one of these neighborhoods. Bravo to the wonderful homeowner who has allowed this beauty to show through! What bravery! I love daisies!!!

Old Railroad Trestle

Trestle from a distance

Looking up

Quiet Waters beneath

I explored an old (unused) railroad trestle today. It was a truly remarkable sight. There was a calm beauty here.

Women For Sale?

Check out this receipt ... you can buy a pair of "women shoes" for $14.99 -- or you can buy "women" for only $9.99! Wonder why there's no cash refund ?!?!

Easter Trillium

When Metro bought the property down the street, they clearcut the trees and underbrush. Their heavy equipment scraped the earth and destroyed the delicate environment ... compacting it under their tires. I despaired of ever seeing beauty there again.

Then I found the trillium. In the midst of the shreds of once-beauty-now-destroyed, this delicate lily has beaten the odds, found it's way home ... as will others I am sure.

If God can protect a trillium from man and his machines, then think of what He can do for us. Beauty from ashes. Hope. Easter's message of God's sacrifice and our renewal.

Blossoming!

Wild cherry blossoms

Oregon Grape flowers

Flowering cherry blossoms

This is the time of year for blossoms! I found these at the Fanno Creek Nature Preserve in Tigard while waiting for mom to get off work. Beautiful, aren't they?

Mika Uppa Tree - Yet Again!

Here is Mika again ... up in the apple tree. She absolutely adores climbing; I'm not sure how she stays up in the tiny little branches, but she does just fine.

Dow Would Have Loved This

Watching the morning news last week, I noticed this very unique typo on their Live screen. This is something my brother Dow would have loved. Miss you, bro. So much.

Vulture Chicken

I came around the corner and there she was. Vulture Chicken standing stock still in the middle of the living room floor staring at mom -- fast asleep in the recliner. I chased the silly hen back out the door, but she didn't want to stay outside. This is what we get for having a spoiled rotten chicken that looks like a vulture ... and thinks she's a cat!

Old Growth "Snag"

We walked down to the beaver dam yesterday. Some of the fallen timber gave us an amazing vision of what the canyon must have looked like before the old growth timber was cut down in the 30's. Mom pointed out a huge snag that she remembered from her childhood - the large dead tree stump is easily 8 feet around!

Near the top of this snag, I saw the outline of a man. Upon further review, it looks to be a man in a robe, a long-tailed monkey on his shoulders ... struggling to reach the top; perhaps to get a better view of the canyon?

Dandelion Gone to Seed

Dandelion seeds in the early morning light. Ready to blow away in the first breeze. They probably won't be here come evening.

Face Carved in Tree

No words needed here ... this is the way I found him. Looks like he might be nursing a heck of a hangover.

Woodpile Creature!

Something was watching me from the scrap wood pile. I swung around, focused my camera, and Yes! Caught it just as it was getting ready to hide again!

Hmmmm that's sure a funny grin on his face ... did I remember to comb my hair this morning? Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Talk to the Tail

Check out the attitude of this goose. He had just realized I didn't have any treats for him, so he hissed at me and flaunted his tailfeathers back to where the food was ... his indignation evident even in the picture!