Abandoned Roses

There used to be a "meditation garden" ...

At the now-abandoned-and-wrecked mega-church.

We still go there and meditate in our own way.
Amidst the hidden beauty
Of the overgrown gardens.

How to Win the Chicken Wars

The cute little chicks are all grown up now. They are way too big for their temporary pen, and busted out ... free to roam the yard. After they started digging up my mom's flower beds, my brother-in-law helped me build a larger new home for them.

I used an old drawerless dresser turned on its side for a small shelter. They roosted on the top. Yesterday I decided to add another partial (lidless) dresser on top to make laying boxes.

Evening came and the ladies went to bed. On top of the open "nesting" area. They fought for supremacy along the narrow slats at the top. Every time one of them moved, another fell off and the war for a sleeping area had begun.

And it was NOISY.

I decided to put a 1X6" piece of lumber across the top for them to roost on. When I had put in the dresser, the chickens went crazy getting away, so I figured I wouldn't have a problem.

Wrong.

As I slid the piece of board across the top of the nesting area, the chickens immediately decided that this was a very good idea. They hopped right on. So here I was, trying to position a board -- still halfway out of the pen, with 13 chickens crowded ONTO the other end. I had to tip the board back and forth, chickens swaying with each motion, to inch it into place.

Silence ensued.
Blessed silence.
Good night ladies.
Sleep well.

Rise and Fall of a Mushroom Family

I found this little family of mushrooms out by the driveway. I took their portrait, then hurried away to find my sister, who was part of the work party cleaning up my parents house.

We rushed back to where I had found them.

And ...

Sniff, this was all that was left.
Sigh.
Snort.
Mmmmmm I'm getting hungry.
Mushroom omelet anyone?

Don't Wok the Frog!

My sister and I were sorting through a pile of metal.
Look what we found watching us!
I hope his new home is just as comfortable and safe
As the bottom of this old frying pan.

Sweet Dreams, Chickens

Red and Vulture ...

I woke them up to take this picture. They clucked for a few minutes, then went back to sleep.

Every night they sleep in the same place, near the front window so they can see inside to their family. I guess the nights are getting cooler, because they scootch up like this on purpose!

Doesn't look very comfortable to me.

Providence Angel

Three weeks ago, my daughter was here at Providence Hospital in Newberg for surgery on her finger.

It all started as a small bump on the outside of her left ring finger, nestled against her pinkie. Then it started growing. The doctor said it was probably a "keloid", and not to have it removed because it would grow back.

Eventually, however, it started getting bigger. And painful. Over the past year it increased in size from a pea, to a marble, to the size of a nickel - and 1/2 inch thick. Back to the doctor we went. She wouldn't touch it. Then came the referrals. The general surgeon wouldn't touch it. The hand specialist wouldn't touch it. When the dust finally settled, we had found the perfect match - a plastic surgeon who was referred to as "an artist with a scalpel".

During the surgery wait, I wandered outside the hospital. Directly overhead, I saw the most amazing clouds ... and this wonderful angel. I knew my daughter was in good hands.

The surgery went fine, the "benign nerve sheath tumor" was removed, and my daughter has her beautiful hand back. It is now completely healed. Thank you God, Providence staff, and Dr. Gruber for doing what you do best and well.

Weddings and Things

The past few weeks have been wonderful. And awful. My little sissie, AKA "Honey" got married. She is so beautiful, it was wonderful.

My parents are getting ready to come home after their accident, and that will be wonderful as well.

Still, so much needs to be done so that they can be safe and comfortable in this old house. I sometimes despair that it will all get done. How could one house collect so much dirt ... cobwebs ... junk? Fifty plus years of living ... raising children ... memories ... here. So much stuff. Every nook and cranny jammed full of stuff. "I might need that someday". It's a curse we have. Something I am trying to break through myself.

It's hard to let go of the stuff of life isn't it? When I had meningitis 14 years ago I lost a lot of memories. To me, "stuff" helps jog those memories and old feelings out from the fog they are stuck in. I am afraid I will lose them forever. But I can't keep all this stuff.

Staying busy is not an issue now. Finding a moment alone and at peace is what I crave. I don't know when this will happen, if ever.

And the stuff? I guess I need to learn to concentrate on the words of my recently-married-little-sister ... "Sometimes you just gotta close your eyes and throw it away".

Seventeen Cents and a Bum

My brother, Dow, was the quintessential "bum". And PROUD of it. He accepted people for themselves, not their station in life.

I didn't want my 43rd birthday. It meant that I would be older than my brother ever was. Somehow I made it through.

This year, on August 11th, Dow would have been 50. He would be hanging out with his young grandchildren. And would probably still be haunting the streets, spreading kindness among his fellow "bums".

I don't usually buy coffee from a coffee shop. I make my own at home. But that day I needed one, so I splurged.

When I returned to my car, I noticed a shabbily dressed, stringy haired man standing nearby - his lifetime held in his dirty backpack. Horror of horrors - he was coming up to me!!!

I'll never forget what he said. In a beautiful, soft, well-mannered voice he said "Do you have seventeen cents? That's all I need for a cup of coffee." Remarkable words? No. What was remarkable was that my hand went into my pocket and pulled out what little change I had. "I'm sorry", I said, "this is all I have." We both looked down - at the seventeen cents I held in my palm.

Thank you Dow, for sending me the angel bum. You remind me, even now, of the value of kindness. Of the value of life, of love. I still miss you bro!

Alan and Beth

It didn't turn out as clearly as I saw it, but take a close look anyway. Do you see them? My sister Beth and her wonderful husband Alan. Embracing in the clouds. Their heads form the top of the heart, by the way.

Congratulations on making it together these long, challenging years. Your love lights up the world around you.

Looking To The Clouds

I couldn't resist the clouds the other day. I see so many images here! My favorite is the old guy with bushy eyebrows and flyaway hair. Do you see him?

Fenced In or Fenced Out?

Their back yard is fenced.
But this Bachelor's Button doesn't care.
It's got the best of both worlds!

Through The Window, Again

Grass Through Glass

Sunset Reflections

Angel Cloud for Beth!

She has faded a bit since she left your house and came to mine. But I still see this wonderful guardian angel in the cloud. Thank you again, sissie, for reminding me to look up! And for sending her to me.

Two-Way Glass

The random patterns in the broken glass door fascinated me. I stopped to take some pictures.

I am intrigued by the way the glass changed with my focus.

One can lose oneself in the beauty of the glass ...
Or see through it to the beauty beyond ...

Really Big Tree

I can't even begin to imagine what the world was like when this old growth Douglas Fir sprouted along the banks of the Willamette River. The picnic table gives some perspective as to the size of this giant. If this table was set against the tree, the tree would be bigger.

Most of the old growth timber in this area was logged out in the 1920's and 1930's - to fuel Portland's booming growth; and to make way for farms and fields.

I am glad some of these trees were saved early on - for future generations to ponder.

No CAT Parking!

I found this amusing sign at a Thriftway store in Canby, Oregon.
"No CAT Parking" it reads ...

So ... if I am a dog I can park here? For 5 minutes or less?

Okay, here's the rest of the story. This is a bus stop for a local bus service called "Canby Area Transit". Or ... CAT. (Catch a CAT is their slogan).

I still think it's a cute sign.

Shattered Dreams?

Sometimes I feel like this ...

Split personality.
Shattered dreams.
Broken promises.

But mostly I don't. :)

My Dad

I hadn't seen Dad since the accident, so I jumped at the chance to drive down to my sister's house for a BBQ and visit. Dad was able to get up and go outside to the back deck - for the first time! We had a great visit, and my brother Mark surprised us by driving down all the way from his home in the Columbia Gorge.

There was a lot of family 'catching up' done, and dad enjoyed every minute. It's hard to believe that 3 weeks ago, this wonderful vibrant man was hurt so badly. Isn't he the cutest "grampa" ever?

Rhonda's Garden

I was leaving my cousin's house - admiring her many secluded little gardens, when I saw a butterfly. Then another! We spent a wonderful few minutes stalking pictures, then I had to go. Somehow I need to try to make more time for family. My cousin lives just a 10 minute walk away, and we haven't talked since last summer!!! I just hope she doesn't think I'm only coming over for the gardens ... and the butterflies ... :)

Take a Moment to Shine!

By day, the parrot-shaped ornament is rather dull and boring.
By early morning sunlight, it is transformed into a beacon of beauty.

Let the sun shine on our lives today ... because those around us love to see us all sparklie - no matter how boring we think our lives to be.

A Rose for Fred

Uncle Fred. Just saying his name brings a smile. Crotchety old guy, loud booming voice. Heart of gold. He grew up with my dad; his cousin. He called Dad brother though. "Not 'big' brother, older brother" (lifting himself tall, patting his round tummy).

He lives in Idaho. When he heard about Dad's accident, he climbed into his ancient motorhome and started driving. Claimed he had to visit his family in Washington. So he did, then drove all morning to get here.

He still had another 2 hour drive to see his 'older' brother, and I tried to get him to stop for a while to rest. His loud booming voice muted. No. I have to see him. Now. A tear; another. Now I had a tear; another. We mopped our eyes, and smiled. I gave him the address. He tottered back to his motorhome, and was gone.

He is now happily visiting his 'older brother'. The Best Medicine in the World. For both of them.

Harvey's Visit

Harvey helped pick blueberries. Unfortunately he could only carry a few at a time.

Working in the garden made him feel at home.

Gnome torture.

A visit with friends.

Tomorrow is the last day of Harvey's visit with me. To commemorate, he will be picking my Postcard Friendly Friday contribution on Random Cards. I can't wait to see which postcard he ends up with!

Locked and (Not!) Loaded

How many locks does it take to secure a gate?

I actually think there are more locks than there are chain links here. Does this seem very secure to you? I wonder if anybody even knows who they all belong to; somehow I don't think so. Hmmmm maybe I should add my own lock and see how long it takes for anybody to notice!

Pink Elephant On Parade!

I took this cloud shot near sunset the other evening. It had been raining hard, and we got a brief respite while the sun turned the world into a wonderland. Do you see the pink elephant? Doesn't he look happy to be parading across the evening sky?

Maybe he's happy because he has heard my dad is doing well after the car accident. He is improving some each day. It is still hard for him, as well as my mom and my beautiful sister Leigh with whom they are staying. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers for my family. Your support means the world to us!

Harvey the Gnome is Traveling the World!

Introducing Harvey the gnome. He lives with the lovely Michelle over at http://mylifeonthexyzlist.blogspot.com.

Harvey has gone walk-about via blogland this summer, and hopes to travel the world. I hope I can make his stay in Oregon a pleasant one!

Steady Light of Hope

There is a story behind this lamp. But first I have to say something about a very special person, Nina P., whose blog helped me so much today. I wanted so badly to visit my mom and dad, who is still in the hospital after their car accident. Time, money and other commitments have kept me home. I was stuck in a rut of blackness and despair ... so much responsibility, so much bitterness.

Then I read Nina P.'s blog ... about searching for and finding the steady light of hope. I was reminded of the story behind this lamp ... Thank you, Nina, from the bottom of my (chastened!) heart.

Now about the lamp ..... my mom bought this lamp, light bulb still inside, at a yard sale on the 4th of July while she was staying with my sister for a few days. She had it in the car when "the accident" happened. It, along with everything else in the car, tumbled and rolled up the freeway.

My sister found the lamp and brought it to me. It looked good, though a little wobbly. I plugged it in. The light bulb burned bright. The light bulb -- the one that tumbled with the car over and over -- still burned bright!!!

I found my steady light of hope, Nina P.!!!!!!! Thank you.

Tiger Lilies

Many years ago mom planted some tiger lilies near the serviceberry tree on the south edge of their property. Over the years the tree got bigger, blocking the sunlight. The lilies grew up, but didn't bloom. Last winter's snowstorms toppled the old tree. Now the lilies have plenty of light, and are blooming all over the place! On a downside, the blackberry vines are taking over as well. Sigh ... such is the price of beauty!

On a personal note - a heartfelt thank you to our friends and family all over the world who have been thinking of and/or praying for my family after my parents' car accident. UPDATE: Dad is doing much better! He is joking with the nurses, which is a very good sign. Mom has been caught laughing with her friends, which is also a very good sign. God bless you all.

July Roses

Some beautiful July roses from our garden.
Who would have thought orange and pink would look good together?

Bee Still ...

I was taking some pictures of blackberry blossoms when I saw this yellow jacket sitting quietly on a dead branch. So I snapped his picture. When I enlarged it, I realized I must have woken him up - he appears to be rubbing his eyes! Normally I hate yellow jackets, but this little fellow was just too cute!

On a personal note, my dad and mom were in a severe car accident yesterday. They were heading back from my sister's house and their car somehow left the freeway and flipped multiple times. Dad has a fractured vertebra in his neck (sounds much better than "he broke his neck"), and had to undergo hours of surgery to put his scalp back on. He will be in for a long recovery, but as I said in my other blog, the wonderful part is he WILL be in for a long recovery. God willing.

Nature's Fireworks

Oooooh!

Ahhhhhhhh!

Wow!

Grand Finale!!!

Unhand the Art!

It started with a note to herself, written on the back of her hand.
But she was bored and began to doodle.

One doodle became another, and then another still.
Time passed, but not a lot of time.

I caught her as she was getting ready to wash it off.
"Hey, you'd make a great tattoo artist" I said.

Maybe someday.
Until then, I have the unique privilege of finding her unexpected art in randomly unexpected places.

To see how detailed her "doodles" are, click on the picture to enlarge it.

The Butterfly in My Garden

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued,
is always just beyond your grasp, but which,
if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you”
Nathaniel Hawthorne

The butterfly counts not months but moments,
and has time enough. ~Rabindranath Tagore

The butterfly is a flying flower,
The flower a tethered butterfly.
~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing