Gathering Around The Table

8/3/10

Dodge, the Official Greeter at the Vet's Office

Today JEJ and me decided to take four cats at one time to the vet. Lots of weird sounds came out of the carriers as we transported some unhappy cats to Colville. The resident cat Dodge climbed up on the carrier to greet the cats.

The kittens are getting used to it. They just sat quietly and looked cute.

Dodge decided to get to know Sweet William and Lily.

Sweet William was not amused.

Lily wanted to be anywhere else except there.

Dodge also tried getting JEJ's attention by laying on top of the carrier.

He was sure this would get Lily's attention.

When our cats went back to the exam room Dodge gave up and went back to being the door greeter. I thought Dodge had such beautiful markings. The receptionist never asked me why I was taking so many photos!

It is a tough job, but some cat has to do it!

8/1/10

Rain, Last July Tour, New Porch

What a refreshing change to have rainstorms the last two days.

Raindrops help create lovely photos, especially of the vivid colored trumpet vines twining up the trellis by the deck.

I love lots of our lilies, but this one that greeted me when I returned home Friday is quite a showstopper.

JEJ designed and built a new front porch. I didn't get really good pictures of the whole porch, but now we have room to sit on the front porch and here is a lovely view of the front garden.

Speaking of lilies, I received this lovely gift from one of our participants at the summer institute in Moscow. I love the way the setting sun shines through the pretty lily. Thank you Audrey.

Grayson and Junebug Are Now Climbing Trees

Kittens grow so quickly and these two gifted kittens just keep learning new skills.

Their new favorite hobby is to climb the flowering plum. Junebug decided to pose for a photo.

There is a plank used to steady the tree after a windstorm and that works well as a ramp for Grayson.

They love living on the edge.

7/28/10

A View Through the Window

Windows that provide

a view from the dining room,

a view from the barn,

a view of a farm field,

a view of the sunset,

and a view of a squirrel friend sleeping in the tree.

7/27/10

Woman Who Loves Gardening

I have dirty nails

and rarely paint them, living out

my long growing season in the flower garden, trellises

giving view to royal purple clematis, climbing honeysuckle

where aromatic flowers

grow in profusion.

I pull the weeds

in the early morning,

gritting my teeth,

wiping sweat from my brow

and listening

to footsteps of my husband

coming in range to help.

Sun makes my face red;

each sniff with my nose

leaves lily pollen behind.

When I rest it’s the beauty

that causes anxiety to shake loose

from a woman in need

of a quiet place to retreat.

by Christy Woolum

A Contrast of Country to City

Today I returned to the collection of photos I took during my trip to Minneapolis in June. I was struck by the tall buildings and how closed in I felt. I suppose people that have always lived in cities surrounded by skyscrapers don't understand wide open spaces.