Pretty Carbs

Common Camas Camassia Quamash- native

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Camassia Natural Area is named for this grass-like plant. Most of the flowers weren't open yet when I visited. Camas was a major food source for the native inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest. They used the bulbs as a starch food source and actually cultivated the plant.

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rc

Old Lava

Sea blush Plectritis congesta (native)

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Camassia Natural Area is the home of an ancient lava flow. The rock formations reminded me of something from The Hobbit. So I guess you could call it a "rock garden".
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Rose

Camassia

Pacific Madrone

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I went for a walk in the Camassia Natural Area, near the hospital I worked at last night, after work this morning. The botany and geology of the place is breathtaking. Despite being up all night and being a little cold, I was entranced by the solitude and natural grandeur.

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Rose

Warmth

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After a few summery days, the town is bursting with blooms. This one is on the deck though.
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Drinking in the beauty all around,
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Rose

Reruns

Rufous Hummingbird

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After working last night, I woke up early this afternoon and searched the Web for a suitable place to eat. We wound up at Nicholas Restaurant, a very lovely little, family-owned Mediterranean eatery full of tightly spaced tables crowded with diners, with more waiting outside the door for a seat. When the food started to arrive, I wished I had brought the camera. Of course, I also wish I had a device to share the smell of really good, fresh food. I had the Labney sandwich: "Imported yogurt cheese spread on fresh pita bread and layered with kalamata black olives with fresh mint, extra virgin olive oil, cucumbers and tomatoes." It came with rich, creamy hummus, fresh pita bread, and a crispy Lebanese salad with Nicholas' special recipe dressing. I washed it down with airan: a creamy, Lebanese yogurt drink. The waitress who took my order warned me that people often don't like airan, because it isn't sweet. I needed no such warning; it was delightful, just like the rest of the meal. jc had the best ever lentil soup with mjadra, a seasoned rice and lentil dish that was perfect for him.

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Just the first in what I hope to be a series of fine local eateries at which I'll be tempted to blow my life savings.

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Rose

Bybee-Howell House

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We (and everyone else in Portland) took a drive in the country today. The house pictured above was built in the 1850's in the Greek revival style and authentically restored. It is now part of a park on Sauvie island.
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I'm off to work again tonight, and I'm starting to feel pretty comfortable with this particular hospital and the drive.
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Enjoying the sunny breezes over the river,
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Rose

Normal

Red-Tailed Hawk

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We're settling in nicely, learning our way around different parts of town almost every day. Today I finally got the package sent off to Big M, who shared exciting news this week. The kitties are starting to get used to hearing strange footsteps from our upstairs neighbords, Polly and Larry. Really, it's just Larry who steps loudly. I'll be orienting to the final local hospital system tomorrow, opening up several more opportunities for work. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to taking pictures somewhere other than my deck, too.

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Rose

Recovered

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My hard drive crashed. jc heroically saved my files, when it seemed past hope, then installed a new one, with a net loss of maybe 24 hours of use. Today, I'm relaxing and enjoying the rain and the birds on the deck.

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rc

Mango Balls

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I had a fantastic day yesterday with Laura and her family. Even church wasn't bad, although I didn't reconvert or anything. I was so impressed by what an outstanding man Laura is married to. It's good to see your friends happy and doing what they love. We spent the afternoon between church services chatting while her lovely children napped. You never know how these reunions will go, but this one was just delightful. Laura and I have gone in theologically opposite directions, but she wasn't afraid to ask me pertinent questions. I am so thankful for that honesty from her! I could gush all day, but I'll just say, even the mango balls she brought me are so good that I'm in danger of eating the whole bag in one sitting.
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Rose

Rainy Day

Mt. Hood as seen from Hood River, about 60 miles east of here.

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I noticed that I've used this post title before, but I do so love this kind of day. I worked last night, and a drippy, foggy, grey day makes such a good day for sleeping, or just plain relaxing. I'm meeting Laura tomorrow! I can't wait. She was my freshman roommate at Bob Jones. I'm sure we had our share of squabbles, as teenage roommates must, but we eventually became friends. She is a missionary in the Phillippines, along with her husband and children, of course. I am even breaking my embargo of church to see her. I last saw her at her wedding (I'm guessing about seven years ago), which I attended with Lewis of all people, and she imagined me married to him, an imagining that I can see with humor after this many years. Now, I'm going to creep out of my coccoon in search of sustenance.

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Rose

Western Trillium

trillium ovatum

As Promised

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I'm enjoying a perfectly relaxing day with nothing whatsoever to do. I don't county unpacking those annoying little boxes of stuff that has no perfect place to go, because I'm going to continue to ignore them.
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Rose

I just realized...

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...that we have a view of Mt. Hood from the deck.

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rc

Multnomah Falls

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I only worked a partial shift last night, so I was up in time to go for a day trip up the Columbia River Gorge today. It was sunny and warm, and traffic was light, and the scenery was amazing; we stopped for a picnic lunch before leaving town and ate outdoors. I even learned some new Portland streets today.

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Rose

Growing Braver

Pioneer Square

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Bolstered by a good night at work two nights ago, I'm trying out another new hospital tonight. One of the things I love about the city is that I can pretty much get work on the spur of the moment any given night. My goal is to be comfortable enough to work anywhere, and of course know how to get there.

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rc

The City

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I am something of a neophyte when it comes to the city. Nearly every detail delights me. I went to work last night. As anyone would have predicted, there was nothing to be frightened of. The worst part was the drive home in Monday morning rush hour, but even that wasn't bad; not even with an accident and some snow factored in.
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After some sleep today, we boarded our local bus, and rode into The City. We found some food carts and got some excellent Thai food for $5 each. I had drunken noodles. We ate on concrete bench in front of the university's engineering building, pictured above.
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It suddenly got quite blustery, a turn of weather we weren't prepared for, so we got back on the bus and came home. The people on the bus are the subject of a children's song, but I have a few verses to add about the clothes, both wonderful and appalling, that the people were wearing, the music they were listening to, how polite they were, how the driver helped the girl in the wheelchair, and don't forget the mining of the nares one not-so-sober woman was engrossed in.
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Back home, I'm delighted by it all.
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Rose

On the Verge

Blooms coming soon.
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rc

Spring Blooms

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I saw the first Violet-Green Swallows of the year today, swooping extravagantly over the Willamette River. And spring blooms are everywhere.

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Rose

Washington Park

I snapped this shot near the Rose Garden earlier this week. Snow was seen in Portland today, although all I saw were a few snow pellets. We had a lovely day, a home-cooked meal tonight, and the place is getting more cleaned up every day, although boxes are still stacked all around. The trillium are blooming in the little gulch near the condo. I'll try to get a shot later. I'm off to work in the city for the first time later tonight, so I'm suppressing the little butterflies that want to flit around my stomach.

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Rose

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Didn't work after all. Got cancelled. Try again tonight.

rc

Tree Art

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Frustration drove me from the house. I sat on a bench in front of Safeway and cried until the feeling was gone. I made a brief detour to Vinnie's for stromboli and wonderfully cheesy calzone. I passed the house with all the outdoor artwork that I love, just as three joggers, their well-defined legs splattered with mud from their run, breezed by. It made me smile.
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rc

Spotted Towhee

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This crippled Towhee has been hanging out on my deck off and on for the past several days eating the millet that the Nuthatch kicks out of the feeder. I wonder if I should be doing something for it?
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rc
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The folks at the Portland Audubon Society Wildlife Care Center say as long as the bird is getting around, I should leave him alone. Thanks for the advice.

Exploration

Portland Classical Japanese Garden

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I finally scheduled work for this weekend, and then we took advantage of a sunny day to go out into town for the first time. We took a scenic drive through Forest Park to the Japanese Garden. It turned out to be free admission day, so it was far from being the peaceful stroll we had anticipated. Still, it is beautiful, and we plan to go back with our money on a day when you have to pay.

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We then drove by the hospital I'm going to work at this weekend, stopped for lunch, and a brief shopping trip. I inadvertently bought a twenty dollar tin of loose tea. I'm thinking that tea better really taste good. Now it's time to do more laundry.

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Rose

As Seen From Home

In case you're tired of looking at birds, or just wanted to see where we live now, here's a shot taken from the deck. That's the Willamette River, with downtown Portland off in the distance.
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rc

Rufous Hummingbird

(I've been seeing the Rufous Hummingbird at the neighbor's feeder, but this is the first I saw him at mine. What a beauty!)
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We took the truck back today, so that makes us officially moved in. Next it will be time to start working again. I'm happy for all those days I worked the week before we found the condo. I'm loving life!
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Rose

Anna's Hummingbird

(I set up the tripod in an attempt to capture the Anna's Hummingbird. I haven't gotten a good shot yet, but this is the best so far.)
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We made one last trip to the old house yesterday to clean up and bring back a last load of what seems like mostly junk to me. We filled the pickup and made a trip to the local dump, paid one last visit to Ernesto for delightful burritos and fish tacos, discovered a little too late that he also makes a great smoothie, gave away unwanted items on the street, and drove back in the dark. Both jc and I woke up this morning with headaches. We're still getting up the courage to unpack the truck one last time.
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I'm hard pressed to find an analogy for how wonderful jc has been over the last few weeks. Somehow, moving has made me appreciate him and feel closer to him than ever. I've complained in the past about jc's bad packing, but this time I was the one who was disorganized, and he was the one who suffered for it. But he was, and is, fantastic. Thanks, jc.
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Rose

Online Finally!

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This little red squirrel has been nibbling on the seeds that the messy nuthatch I posted yesterday spills on the deck. Shadow watches both. jc and I are loving life. Just got back from a rainy walk to the supermarket.

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rc

Blogging from Free (Slow) WiFi

We're here. We're waiting for the cable to be connected. I can walk to the supermarket. The only delivery we get is pizza. Jehovah's Witnesses already knocked on the door (we didn't answer). Odds are I'm either cooking or birding from the balcony. Not much else to do.

Rose

Movers

Robert, Jennifer, and Buddy

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jc hurt his back. I maxed out on carrying boxes down the steps. I called movers. They are my heroes.

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rc

This Amount of Cuteness Will Get You Through Anything

The best way the Shadow could find to get close to her Daddy was to sleep on his laptop. It really is a comfort to have her cuddled up next to you.

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We're leaving soon to pick up the truck. Last loads of laundry are still running. T minus 20 hours until we pull out of here. In two days I hope to be ordering Chinese food for delivery in our new home.

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rc

Move News

Well, the management company measured the entrance for us, so we're now satisfied that the movers will be able to get the piano in. I now have visions in my head of the new condo, permanently stcked with boxes from floor to ceiling. We're picking up the moving truck tomorrow afternoon, and this is the time that the gastrointestinal complaints start up/get worse for me. I want it to be over!

Nefarious- dream journal

jc, Schultze, and I were planning some kind of heist. We dropped Schultze off at the water treatment plant in Bellefonte. He had left the truck in gear with the cruise control on and it took off in reverse as soon as he got out. I jumped into the driver's seat, but couldn't get to the brake before we backed speedily through a red light and headed up Molasses Hill. I finally got the truck stopped in front of the elementary school. jc got out to look for a payphone so he could be in contact with Schultze. The side door of the school was open, so jc slipped inside. I watched through the window in horror as the receptionist, who shouldn't have been there in the middle of the night, asked him why he was there, and then the security guards showed up, forming a closing circle around jc. It was getting more and more crowded outside as I tried to find a good place to wait. Finally jc came out. Schultze's phone call was being transmitted over the loudspeaker. We made arrangements, then went to get in the truck, but a hot dog stand was blocking the way.
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I sat in an office with Dieter, waiting for some kind of interview. He was resplendent in his uniform. When the interviewer came in, it was Jason from high school. Dieter asked him how much it would take to make it go away, and Jason immediately got very upset: "are you offering me a bribe?" and kicked him out of his office. I followed Dieter down the long hall; he made it to the car before me and they were taking off when I showed up at the curb. A celebrity was driving the car: Sean Penn or someone. He pulled away a short distance then stopped to let me in.
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Sronnoc Esor

Last Views of the Coast

Bandon Rocks

offshore nature preserve

nesting ground for sea birds

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Things are starting to look like someone is moving around here. The boxes are getting fuller and the cupboards are getting emptier. I even started shampooing the carpet. Yesterday I called a piano mover. Countdown time!

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Rose

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Hallo Dieter! Es freuet mir sehr dich zu sehen.

Dahlia Man is dead.

Shades of Blue

Coquille River lighthouse at twilight; Bandon, Oregon

Say Goodbye to ....

We went househunting yesterday. We liked the condo we drove four hours to look at. We filled out an application. We drove four hours home. I was too superstitious to post about it until we heard back from the management company that we were approved. I just go the call. You can't really see our unit in this picture, but it's a lovely, secluded complex with a view of the river and the city from the deck and the windows in the master bedroom and living room. Birds were atwitter everywhere yesterday. We're busy packing now. What to keep? What to toss?
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rc
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Oh, no. Will the piano fit? Didn't check; waiting for measurements. Ack.

Hello Old Friends!

It's been ten years since we all graduated from college. Anthony left for the Navy. I went to Laura's and Mary's weddings, and then we all got so preoccupied with our own lives. A voice from the past reached out to my email inbox today by way of our alumni association. A Facebook account later, and we're back in touch. I'm happy, pleased, delighted, ecstatic even to hear from them again (and only hope they won't shun me when they find out how different I am now).

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We spent so many hours together. (I was always bemoaning my misfortune when the boy I liked didn't even know me.) There were so many shared meals, weekend ball games, study sessions; enjoying the present that was then and dreaming about the future.

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It's wonderful to see you all again!

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Rose

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now I've discovered my old students from Delta, all grown up

Reminiscent

Finally, I have things to say here, and I'm so far behind in saying them. I've neglected recording so many interesting dreams, and I'll never remember them now. I worked a lot this week: make hay when the sun shines, as they say.
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I woke up early one morning and took a drive- one that I've taken several times before- but this time I found something new. Cape Blanco lighthouse was closed, but I stopped at the Sixes river near Hughes House anyway. I spotted the welcoming gate above before I realised that the field beyond is part of the park and open to the public. A lovely trail meanders through the field and it reminded me of the cow pastures I wandered through in my youth. It was one of the most perfectly relaxing walks I've been on in some time.
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Rose

Sunday Drive

It was a lovely morning for a drive, so we took Ailleanach to Loon Lake. Here's a sample of the scenery.

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rc

Ugly Gull or More Bad Food

I slept late and wanted to grab a bite before getting ready for work this evening, so we walked to Fishpatrick's Crabby Cafe. It had been recommended to us by friends. What I really wanted was a nice chef's salad, but they didn't have one, so I settled on clam strips. The clam strips were indifferent, neither bad nor good, but the waiter did bring extra horseradish with my cocktail sauce aka catsup. jc described his clam chowder as "barely edible". As the clam strips receded and french fries emerged, they were revealed to be a very dark brown bordering on black. I try to be open minded, so I ate one. It was limp, shriveled, dry, and tasteless. When finally the waiter arrived to check on us, I observed that the fries seemed burnt. He replied, "They are just fresh cut, like in and out; that's the sugar from the fresh potatoes." He offered to run a fresh batch, but I'd already lost my appetite. The icing on the cake: when jc paid the exorbitant bill, he learned that the family run business is owned by people of faith. People of faith who don't mind serving bad food and then lying about it.

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Now that I've got that off my chest, I think I'll try to ID that gull.

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Rose

Leap Day

View of the Coast Range in early morning, taken from Highway 101 north of Gardiner, OR. Just one of the lovely views on my drive home from work.

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rc

Crossing the Island- dream journal

It was time to renew my library card. There was a whole group of us, including Baptist Nun. Matt Damon reviewed our applications and marked the errors in red. I recopied the application and waited in line, but the desk clerk told me it was too late, I would have to come back the next day.

A group of us were walking along a shore trail, with a specific destination in mind. It seemed like a college campus. We were caught in the incoming high tide. I had my swimming suit on, so I took the opportunity to body surf. I saw a video of it later, and noticed that my bikini was on inside out. The beige lining made it look like I wasn't wearing anything. I was aware that I wasn't keeping the dress code, but I didn't really care.

We climbed a steep trail and came to a large house. We went inside and climbed the steps to the attic where the owners, who we clearly didn't know, had a stockpile of clothing and food. Jason picked out a pair of snow pants. He said he might need them on the return trip. I didn't want anything so bulky, so I took a pair of rain pants. Then I saw a ten pound bag of flour that I wanted and decided to take that also.

We went down the steps and were about to leave when we heard someone come in. Heavy footsteps made it sound like the person was in a big rush. The footsteps went to a different part of the house than we were in. I wanted to run out a different entrance, but Jason wanted to hide. I squeezed myself in the space behind a dresser in a dark corner only to realize that my head and upper body were showing. I looked up to see that anyone coming down the stairs would be looking straight at me. At that moment I heard the footsteps coming down the stairs. I bolted from my poor hiding place, looking for another, but it was too late.

A goateed man asked me what I was doing. I explained that we needed to cross the mountain. He said little, sternly staring at me. "I found some rain pants," I faltered; "would it be okay if I took them." After an uncomfortable silence I added, "Of course I'll pay for them." Suddenly several people were waiting to pay at a makeshift cash register. The goateed man was putting on some kind of a show. I dumped the change from my wallet on the floor, counting out pennies and nickels. After waiting a while, I realized there was no longer a line and went up and paid. The flour was leaking everywhere.

Back on the trail, we stopped for a breather and I poked around on a side trail. A short distance away I found a beautiful spot with a view of both sides of the island. A woman passed us on the narrow trail. I pushed myself up tight against the brambles lining the trail to let her by.

Sronnoc Esor

Lawn Daisy

Ironically enough, I sprayed the driveway for weeds (like lawn daisies) today, but the best picture of the day, shooting with my new-to-me 70-210 zoom lens, was this lawn daisy. The ones I sprayed in the driveway hadn't bloomed yet, making the act of mass herbicide much more palatable. A few blooming weeds in the driveway were actually spared.

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Who decides what is a weed or a flower? My neighbor mercilessly uproots johnny-jump-ups in the lawn. To me they are lovely. My thoughts inevitably wander to the human corollary. Who gets to decide who is a good or bad person, worthy of life, or citizenship, or enrollment in elite clubs? I confess to my own fair share of snobbery. I like people who are clean, and pretty, and fit, and above all intelligent.

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How often do I overlook someone who might bloom beautifully because the foliage is unsightly or unwanted?

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rc

Lake of Shining Waters

By no means a good photo, but I love the sparkles on the water, and it reminds me of my childhood favorite Anne of Green Gables, with her penchant for romanticizing things. Some days I think that's not a bad idea after all. I've always identified with Anne-with-an-e.
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Rose-with-an-e

Gone Wading

I was contemplating how best to photograhically represent how positively summery our weather has been when I spotted this young lady enjoying the lake. Granted, I wasn't tempted to join her, but I think she does a nice job of communicating how Mother Nature is making us feel these days.

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In anticipation of our nearing move, we've been discussing getting Shadow used to the traveling. She begins to cry piteously the moment we step out the door with her. Today for the first time since our move nearly a year ago (and her accidental foray out the window) we sat in the truck with her for about ten minutes. She spent most of the time in mommy's lap, but little of it actually crying. More on that later.

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Rose

Sunshine and Flowers

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I embraced the gift of a beautiful sunny day today and coerced jc into going for a walk around town. I was rewarded by seeing the first crocus opening.
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A niggling problem was solved for me today. I'd made a few calls to the person with the answer, but when he heard my name he was suddenly unavailable. He inadvertently dialed my number today, intending to discuss me with a third party, and answered my question.
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rc

February Fourteen

We got this for ourselves.

rc

Time

There are those who believe that time is a wheel turning forever.
Which would mean that your moment will surely come.
Then, there are those who believe that time is a river.
If that's true, it's possible your moment has already flowed by.
I think that time is just time.

~One-Who-Waits

Northern Exposure

Season 4, Episode 13

"Duets"

Bonaparte's Gull

It is a delight to find this most graceful gull with its dancing flight and delicate form.

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It is also a delight to have more work than I want offered to me. I was forced to stay home and rest tonight after poor day sleep the last few days. Reallly, that makes me plenty happy.

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Good birds.

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Good work.

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Good rest.

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Rose

House of D- movie review

I'm looking forward to more movies from David Duchovny after this gem. It paints a picture of a vast range of human experience and emotion, riddled with clever wordplay and sensitive, emotional acting. Ultimately, Tommy comes to terms with the unresolved angst of his youth with the help of Pappass and "Lady". Highly recommended.

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official website

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rc

I'm a Lie-Abed

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Most people out there would say it was time for me to wake up anyway at three in the afternoon. The only reason I did get up now is a pounding headache fueled by the need for caffeine. I spent most of my life raging in what I believed at the time to be futile resistance against the daily grind of waking at a reasonable hour and being profitable. Most of those years were spent in school: twenty years learning and two years teaching.

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They told us in nursing school that it was a simple fact that you had to accept. Working night shift for the first several years of year nursing career is part of paying your dues. I gladly accepted a job working evenings and began the happiest time of my life. For the first time in my life, my waking was not governed by an alarm clock. jc and I would go to Miami Beach at midnight for diner food at Big Pink. We would go to bed at three am, and I would wake up when I felt like it. Another decision I made at the time was not to work full-time. I had been surviving for years on minimum wage. With nurse's wages, I could afford not to spend my whole life working. jc adopted the philosophy years ago: don't wait until you retire to enjoy life.

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So that brings me to now: working night shift and loving it, waking up only to silence my headache with a cup of Scottish breakfast tea, brewed from loose leaves.

(Pictured above are our tame, wild, yard deer. I threw a banana peel on the compost a few days ago. Yesterday, when I walked out the back door eating a banana, they came begging. The little fellow ate my whole banana and then ran off with the peel. Hope it isn't bad for him.)

Rose

Sunset

Wedding- dream journal

One of the Fisher girls was getting married and we were invited to a three-day, gala, house party in honor of the event. I was going on vacation, and could only make it to some of the party. There were lots of people there and Sue served a fantastic meal. For dessert, she had fresh, hot, buttered biscuits smothered in stewed blackberries. It was so vivid that I could taste it. I started talking to someone who I perceived as one of my cousins, but was really Bob Speary. He had travelled in from the city for the wedding and was very interesting to talk to. I commented that I never expected any of my relatives to actually be interesting, and that it was a pleasant surprise. It was time for me to go, so I rummaged in the closet until I found my purse, which was inside a hatbox. I went out to the car, which was parked halfway down the long, dirt lane to write a check for my expenses for the party. I wrote a check for $100, took it inside, and handed it to Sue, thanking her for the party. Sue mentioned how happy she and Paul had been since they got married the previous year.

As I left the house, I saw Paul filling some kind of tank from three Gerry cans. I instinctively knew that he was getting ready to blow up the whole place. I furtively went out the side door and around the side of the house and ran back down the lane to the car. When I got in the car, it was full of smoke. Mother was sitting in the driver's seat getting high, and she moved over so I could get in. I drove off down the lane. At the end of the lane was a six-lane superhighway. I wanted to make a left, but traffic was too heavy, so I made a right and drove a short distance before making a huge U-turn. I pulled into traffic behind a big box truck loaded with things. I was following so closely that I couldn't see anything bu the stuff in the back of the open truck.

Sronnoc Esor