Photo Hunt: Clouds

When I was returning home Mother's Day week-end I drove through a storm on Highway 395 through the Chewelah valley.


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Porches

I really love big porches, but don't have a big one in the front or back of my house, at least not one that you can gather around. This simple poem has stayed with me as I think of what remains on porches. I guess in the northwest we are known more for decks. Thanks to classical clark for this photo.

Porches

The table will receive

Summer drinks;

They wait, arranged,

Strange and polite.

On the back porch

Garden tools spill;

An empty basket

Leans to one side;

Porches

On the front porch

Chairs sit still;

The watering can

Rusts among friends.

-Valerie Worth

Thanks to luvs2chick for this photo.

Changing The Landscape, Part 1: One Tree at a Time

We love the pine trees that surround our property. During Windstorm 2008 we watched a few of them sway enough to make us consider removing a few more trees. Also, we are continuing with our goal of making our place safer in case of fire. JEJ found a guy that would take down the trees and haul them for free if he could have the logs. It worked for us. Today DH changed the landscape of our property.

Before they began Kit heard there was a big, yellow cat in the yard and he came out to investigate. My important job (while not taking photos) was to secure all animals in the house. This tree was the biggest one to come down. We were concerned because it had to fall between a light pole and another tree. Timber and a perfect landing! DH knew what he was doing! The second tree came down easily and I even caught it as it was falling to the driveway.
All it takes is the sound of a chainsaw or the running of a cat to bring other guys from the neighborhood to see if they can help. The whole crew gathered around this tree in the garden to figure out where it would fall.
Here JEJ is running the chainsaw on the last tree to fall.
The guys gathered around after this last tree went down to solve the problems of the world.
DH moved the slash into a big pile, but JEJ's work is certainly just beginning. Next we wait for the logging truck to come and load the logs.

I fulfilled my duties by keeping the animals in although Annie wasn't too happy here. I also got lots of photos and JEJ presented me with a lovely pine cone cluster that he knew I would want to photograph.



I love the shiny texture of cones fresh off the tree.

The Best Things in Life Are Nearest

"The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life." ~Robert Louis StevensonToday we had our neighbor over for a casual breakfast gathering on the deck. Nothing fancy, no gourmet dishes, no new brunch recipes. We enjoyed simple food, a lovely morning, good conversation, and some fresh picked peppers from the garden to add to the eggs. This is a fine way to start the day.

All Summer Lily Mix: A Cure for the Dog Days of Summer Blues

Planning bloom times is a challenge for flower gardeners. When I used to just plant annuals I was safe because usually something was in full bloom. When I first tried bulbs and perennials I was just happy when things came back the second year and bloomed again.I have tried recently to pick plants that have different bloom times. I hate it when you have June glorious roses to nothing until the mums bloom in September. Last fall I ordered a set of lilies called " All Summer Lily Mix." It was a mix of lilies that had different bloom times so they just overlapped each other. I have loved not having all my lilies bloom in the same week and then be done. This mix has really worked out. I started having blooms in late June and they are advertised to bloom until September. I don't know the names of any of the specific lilies pictured here.These blooms are perfect subjects for my photography 101 sessions I have been trying squeeze in each day as I learn how to do different things with my camera.I found this lily mix in the van Bourgondien catalog. You can find it online at www.dutchbulbs.com.This photo was taken by my niece Z2 during her stay here recently. I think we can survive the dog days of summer with these flowers greeting us each day.

Summer Bouquet #2 : A Window Opening Into Heaven

"The radiance in some places is so great as to be fairly dazzling... every crystal, every flower a window opening into heaven, a mirror reflecting the Creator. "John Muir