Late Blackberry Blossom After Rain

(click on picture to enlarge and see the world encased in this amazing drop of rain!)

I was shocked to find this delicate pink flower still in bloom ... our blackberries have usually dropped their blossoms by July, and we harvest the ripe berries in August and September! I've never seen such a late straggler!

I'm not complaining, mind you. After last night's rain, I was mesmerized by the beauty of the blossoms ... and the world reflected in the raindrops.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James - and join us for "Weekend Reflections"!

To see flowery beauty from around the world, visit Tina's PicStory's "Weekend Flowers"!

Inclement Weather Bus Stop ... Signs, Signs

With the onset of the possibility of winter weather conditions, we have taken all precautions to chain up our bus stops.

Our desire is that all of our bus stop signs are safe from slip-and-fall accidents!

At least until the weather improves.

To see signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs".

Mika Makes Me Laugh

Mika didn't realize when she fell asleep next to the broken bicycle horn that she would make me laugh.

If she knew, she would be soooooo offended!

Pink Flower in Fence

The flower doesn't care which side of the fence it is on ...
It blooms just as beautifully.

I strive to be like this flower.
No matter where I end up in life!

To see gorgeous flowers from around the world, visit Tina's PicStory's "Weekend Flowers"!

To see fun pictures of fences, visit "Life According to Jan and Jer" - for a fun new meme - "Friday's Fences"!

Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear - Yikes!

I was stopped at a light at a local rural intersection when this semi pulled up behind me.
Closer, closer and closer ... til all I could see in my rear view mirror was his grill.
Yikes!

I scooted forward as far as I dared, and when the light changed ...
SEE YA!!!

To see reflections from around the world, join us over at James' "Weekend Reflections"!

Stay Out While Running - Signs, Signs

I ended up behind this hopper truck on our rural road.
It was going maybe 10 miles an hour, and I couldn't pass.
It's a good thing too, because then I wouldn't have noticed the sign on the back!
I mean ... talk about stating the obvious!!!

To see signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Happy Face Tree

"By laughing, you do not use up your laughter, but increase your store of it."
Dean Koontz - "Life Expectancy"

Silent Music For An Audience Of One

Photo by Clytie

I happened across this group of young men at the abandoned church ...
Setting up their equipment to record a music video.
They are with a band called "I Declare War", and are from Seattle.
They invited me to watch them work, so I did!
I was fascinated with their reflections in the puddle on the floor ...

When they started filming their video, I had to laugh ...
The only sound were two generators to run the lights ...
And really loud drums.
The guitars were silent.
The lead singer didn't make a sound as he sang.

I found it endearing that although their music is definitely NOT the sort I listen to (they are described online as "deathcore" metal), these were some of the most polite and engaging young men I've met in a long time.

And I had a blast watching them NOT sing.

To an audience of ONE.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' Weekend Reflections!

GNISSAPSERT ON ... Signs Signs

It's okay to park here ... unless you are driving upside down!

To see wonderful signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Sunrise Cloud Heart

Just for a moment the clouds break apart ...
In that magical and special moment ...
You know the one.
Right in there between darkness and light.
That moment in time when the sky is lightly pink ...
While the ground is still stained with the darkness of night.
That moment of promise for a new day
A day replete with the gift of life ...
And HEART.

Tina's PicStory challenge this week is "Sunrise/Sunset". Come join us!

I actually meant to post this on "Random Hearts", but I like it here too, so I will leave it! If you like hearts, please come visit!

Each Sunrise ... A Gift!

I look forward to renewed life ...
The sunrises yet to come my way ...
Each day a gift ...
All I have to do is accept!

Tina's PicStory challenge this week is "Sunrise/Sunset".
Join us!!!

Passion Flower

I was wandering around Home Depot with my sister when we came across a startlingly beautiful flower I had never seen before. Both of us immediately whipped out our cameras and started clicking away.

Passion Flower
Passiflora caerulea

To see other gorgeous flowers from around the world, visit Tina's "Weekend Flowers" - and join us for beautiful flowery fun!

Chicken and Gravy With Heart

I grabbed one of those "lean" meals out of the freezer, because I was in a hurry.
I had to laugh when I pulled the plastic cover off and found this Chicken and Gravy HEART!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

Face The Nation!

No words needed here!!!

Peeking Through the Shadows ...

Taggers and graffiti artists leave colors and patterns
On the walls of The Abandoned ...
To be discovered anew each day
By fingers of the sun
Piercing the shadows of the night ...
Illuminating the mystery of this place.

To see shadows from around the world, visit "Hey Harriet" - and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday!

Youth and Consequences

If you're going to take Daddy's BMW ...
Drive out of state ...
Park in a "No Trespassing" zone (see the sign reflected in the window?) ...
Get really drunk ...
And then vandalize the place LOUDLY ...
Waking up the neighbors at 4:30 AM ...

Be prepared to face the consequences!

Morning entertainment!!!
Snicker.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections"!

"But They Were Just Sitting There!"

I was walking at the formerly-abandoned church property this morning, glad that the new owners were cutting down the tall grass and briars ... when I heard a loud vehicle stop at the gate, then heard several loud "thunks".

I walked toward the gate, stopping to watch (and photograph) a man looking at the large landscaping rocks the mower had temporarily moved out of his way.

And one by one he was lifting them up and putting them into the back of his rig.

When he saw me he started to drive away ... until he realized I had taken his picture (I have blurred out his license plate on purpose - I would hate for someone to find out they know someone as dumb as this guy).

The following is the conversation we had, as best as I can remember it.

"Is there a problem? Why are you taking my picture?"
"Well, as a matter of fact - there IS a problem. This is private property, those are landscaping materials ... and you have no right to be taking them."
"Oh, it is?"
"Yes, can you not read the sign right in front of you?"
"Well, the rocks aren't on the OTHER side of the sign, they're in front of it!"
"Are you stupid?"
"No. But they were JUST SITTING THERE."
"Did you expect them to be doing a dance?"
"No. Oh h*%$ I'll just put them back."
"That would probably be best."

Sigh. I just don't get it!

Detour Gone Wrong - "Signs, Signs"

When the town closed off Main Street for the 4th of July celebration, no one could figure out why the parking lot was suddenly full ...

To see more signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Trash (With Heart) Into Treasure

Somebody's 4th of July party must have gotten out of hand ... this broken floor lamp was thrown into the driveway of the abandoned church sometime on the 5th of July ... broken pieces scattered about.

It was once a beautiful floor lamp, gracing someone's house with light!

The broken bulb caught my eye ... a heart!

I dragged the lamp home ...

I took out the wiring and fixture ...
Took off the metal hood ...
Sprayed the broken spots black ...
and turned it over.
I glued the metal hood onto the bottom (now top) and ...

A bird feeder now has it's home just outside the living room window!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts", and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

Deers Can't Read Either

(click on picture to enlarge)

I was taking pictures of the bullet-ridden "Exit" sign, when I saw movement and noticed the, er, exiting end of the deer.

I guess he can't read!

To see wonderful signs from around the world, join us over at Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Graffiti Dude

This delightful "graffiti dude" appeared sometime within the past week or so at the (formerly) abandoned church ... this guy waves goodbye as you exit the old sanctuary area.

This one guards the back door of the old school ...

And this interesting fellow poked up his head in what used to be a fire extinguisher box!

Someone certainly had fun with these! I know I had fun finding them.
I wonder if there are more that I haven't seen yet?
Maybe I'll go for another walk and find out!

No Parking Sign ...

I THINK I'll find another place to park ...


(Photo taken in front of fire station in Newberg, Oregon)

To see wonderful signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

To see wonderful reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections"!

Hot Air Balloons Can't Read!

I took this photo last July when a hot air balloon descended on the parking lot of the once-abandoned church across the street.

I guess they couldn't read the sign from up in the air ...

And I don't think they cared!!!

To see signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Honey Bees!!!

(click on pictures to enlarge!)

As I walked along the Metro trail at Graham Oak Nature Preserve yesterday, I was happy to see that honeybees are making a comeback, after being nearly decimated by mites over the past 10 years or so.

They were feasting on pollen from the oxeye daisies (leucanthemum vulgare) that are starting to bloom.

If you look carefully, you can see reflections of the woods and fields in their eyes ...

I never noticed before that their faces are shaped like hearts!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections".

A Bad Contractor?

I was on my way home from church when I noticed this, um, altered sign. It looks like someone was NOT happy with this company, and came up with a unique way of making sure no one else gets a bad deal!

To see fun signs from around the world, join us over at Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

The Up Side of Too Much Rain!

It's cold, it's wet ...
Rain coats the garden flowers in jeweled beauty ...

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Raindrops on the green plants reflect even more surrounding beauty ...

The lupine beside the road becomes encrusted in nature's diamonds ... and even more reflections!

I have been complaining about the rain ...
Shame on me!!!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections"!

Melted Glass from Dammasch Dump

A couple of weeks ago Sissie and I went for a walk ... we ended up at "the Dammasch Dump". Recent rains had unearthed some beautiful, weird and just plain interesting relics.

Like this beautiful abstract pattern, which is simply the result of holding a piece of melted brown glass up to the sunlight!

Dammasch State Hospital opened in 1961 and ran until 1995 - as a state psychiatric hospital. During the time they were open, they incinerated most of their trash, and the resulting debris was dumped at an undisclosed area on their property.

After the hospital closed, the property changed hands several times ... memory of the dump site was lost. Except by those of us who knew where it was all along!

"Live Every Moment" hosts a photo challenge on Fridays ... this week's photo challenge is "vibrant colors". I am submitting this post in response to this challenge!

A Drip's A Drop ... Weekend Reflections

A drop of water, leaking from the roof at the abandoned church, hits a puddle, flinging glowing drops back skyward ...
(click on photo to enlarge)

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at "Weekend Reflections".

Signs That Make You Go "Huh???"

I'm not sure what this guy was advertising ... but it looks like it involves some kind of flame thrower!

Or maybe he was protesting AGAINST the stupid dangerous pranks on YT - involving flame throwers???

Either way, I found this car parked in front of a craft store, and couldn't resist the pic!

To see fun signs from around the world, visit Lesley, and join us for "Signs, Signs".

Cloud Challenge ...

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find something in the clouds" ...

When Sissie posted this challenge over at "Random Challenges", I just knew I was going to have an easy time. After all, Beth sees stuff in the clouds all the time - and has taught me to remember to look up too!

But wouldn't you know it ... ever since she issued the challenge, the sky has been gray. Steady slate dark gloomy gray. I'm thankful she left the meme open until June 1 - I hear we have ONE DAY of nice weather between now and then!!!

Then, as I was going through Grampa and Grandma G's old Western Road Trip (circa early 1980's) album for a "Sunday Scans" post, this beautiful cloud caught my eye.

So why not? After all, Beth said "FIND something in the clouds", right?
Well, I found a beautiful bird in this old photo!

And now I can link it with Al's "Sunday Scans", AND Beth's challenge over at "Random Challenges"!!!

Wilsonville's Finest Strikes Again

So I was on my way to the grocery store, and had gone less than half a mile when I noticed a Sheriff patrol car behind me. It didn't bother me too much, I like it that they hang out around here.

He followed me for about a mile ... down the hill, the curvy road, the stop sign, the school bus dropping off students ... then he lit up his lights.

I pulled over, and he approached the car. "May I see your drivers license, registration and proof of insurance please?"

As I fumbled for my wallet, he said "I pulled you over because ... I know you tried to cover it up, but it's not working and there is white showing through".

Huh?
"Excuse me???"

"Your taillight," he explained. "You taped it up, but there is white showing through, and that's against the law."

"Oh," I said. "I thought you were talking about my HAIR"!

I thought he was going to hurt himself trying not to laugh. After running my license, he handed it back to me and choked out "Thank you, ma'am - have a nice day" - then he practically ran back to his car.

After I turned around, I passed him again.
He gave me a big smile and a wave.

No Lifeguard On Duty!

Warning ...
There is NO LIFEGUARD on duty!
Please supervise those children ...
They might actually get the bottoms of their feet damp!!!

To see wonderful signs from all around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs Signs"!

"No Trucks"

I was pulling out of the train station in January, and had to pull over to take this picture ... when I noticed this "NO TRUCKS" sign.
Maybe the guy in the TRUCK just couldn't read?

To see wonderful signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Work Those Muscles!

Now is the time to get to the gym for a workout ...
And build up those muscles ...
Because you never know when your next job may include ...

Picking up the Customers!!!

Is there a great sign in your world? Join Lesley at "Signs, Signs" to share it with the world!