22,222 views here – that is a lot of clicks!

Lilacs in eclipse light.

This photo I took during the eclipse last year.  It was quite interesting.  Like I didn’t know that our shadows would waver and multiply.  Like this.  It is difficult to see, but there is perhaps a half inch around the outside of each shadow that was lighter. Odd.

Or this (my hands were still, not waving around.  Most odd.  I had never heard reference of shadows being weird during an eclipse.  The shadows were all  WILD!

Or this, it was the lighting that I found absolutely fascinating. It was dimmer and the birds were still.  I took a photo of the dad Great Horned Owl and he was anxious (well for an owl)  I had to go get mom outside to see.  It was very very strange.

This is the same kind of butterfly that I have as my Facebook profile photograph right now.  It is brilliant yellow. Not during the eclipse

Life goes on here in the desert where it snows.  Winter, hard freezes until recently.  Now it is nearing 90 degrees.  The lilac trees are miffed, only a handful of blooms this year.  I’ll take that though.  I love the old trees and it is a calming thing to see .

Enjoy the day all, tell those who matter to you how you feel.  Life is too short, enjoy each day, all of it!!

Oh a new WordPress layout! Joy of joys!!

Lucy, mom’s rescued kitten (er cat!)

A photograph I took with the iPhone 4s.  Oh good, I found the dashboard function finally. WordPress – grr!  Change is never easy and things like this drive me bonkers.I have been having a great time with the iPhone 4s.  I was particularly thrilled with the iCloud function.  Automatic back up when charging.  No more sending photographs to myself via email.  Just install a panel on my pc and I can…..whoops!  My operating system is Windows XP, which is not one of the pc systems it will work with.  Great.  Back to emailing photos to myself. Which just goes to show it is always something! My computer is ancient, and after the loss of the hard drive last fall – and subsequent ill-timed replacement of a new drive in an old box…..well, going to have to find a new one somehow.  Because of this, I have been writing longhand, as this electricity in a box is on its last legs.  That sadly does not work well for me, with the RA and holding a pen is literally a pain. Being a writer without a computer that works properly and hands that aren’t able to write comfortably is a chore.  Something will work out, it usually does.

I have been having fun with a sinus thing going on.  I am done with it, it can leave anytime.  I have too many things to do to lie around because I am wrecked.  Complain, whine.  Oh well.

Spring in the high Sierra. The desert where it snows.  And likely still will again before it becomes real summer.  The lilac trees are beyond confused.  A few blooms forming on new growth, but none on the main trees.  Hmm.

Have a wonderful day all, tell those that matter to you how you feel.

Life goes on – it’s the specifics we lack

If we are ready for it or not, life does go on.  In the age of being electronically connected, be it Facebook, or Twitter, social media does have its place.  Some use it for no reason but to chat.  Some for getting their name out there.  Or their products or services.  But sometimes, we find someone who is  like US.  We seem to call that having “Internet Friends”  Knowing how electronically connected we as humans can be – it was nice to find a regular guy in a spotlight with kindness and compassion.  He is not afraid to say so.  He helps others and encourages others to do so too.   I had begun “following” him on Twitter.   Robert Irvine is a chef, and really an amazingly kind human being.  Shortly after I began following him, he passed along a message about a gal who is in a health crisis.  I only know her as Susan.    She is a nurse, but has Hepatitis C now.  She is also battling cancer.  She hopes to have a ranch one day, to rescue horses and other animals.  I have been doing this for many years and she enjoys reading the blog.  Not long ago she told me she focuses on the place here to meditate.  I hope it has brought her peace.

So, each time a new episode of Chef Robert’s current show is aired, Susan would “tweet” encouragement to others – saying watch Restaurant Impossible! and to comment on the show.  Such a bright soul she has. But now,  something that has come to light recently for me is this.  While we “know” each other, and I can say that about a LOT of  “Internet friends”, we don’t KNOW her.  I have her email address, and since my last email to her, there has been no reply. I don’t know how to find out how she is.  It is really kind of a desperate worrisome feeling.  It  got me sadly thinking, kind of like the “if a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a noise” theme…….if she is really really ill now, and  leaves this world, will we know? We would like to know, but would we find out?  The privacy issues today, of Facebook or Twitter, or personal email accounts, much like the HIPPA docs we sign at the hospital, no one can find out info on that acct and I mean family, like next of kin.  They can’t close it, if they can’t update those who follow us along on the journey, what happens?

Nothing I fear.  I do hope that Susan has only hit a rough patch, and she will pop up again.  For an “Internet friend”, she is one special lady.  I wish her well, I send her peace and healing and no pain.

I hope we hear something.

It’s spring! Or wait….it’s winter! Or…..

Great Horned Owl fledgling – May 2012

 

 

It is always what we don’t expect here with the weather.  There is green grass springing up all over.  Actually there is longer grass that grew under the plates of ice that seem to have gotten a jump on the free growing grass.  Of course it is still at or below freezing at night.  I awoke to the calls of the Great Horned Owl pair.  I hear them on and off during the night at times.  This morning I went outside just in time to see one go back to the tree across the road to go to sleep.  Such beautiful birds.  I think they may be egg sitting in the nest across the road.  Hmmmm

Life is so fleeting – tell those that matter to you how you feel.  Hug them and enjoy each day.  I do and I think, no I know – it makes life better overall.  Enjoy your day, if it is bright and warm or cold and snowy.

Oh! If anyone could take a moment and leave a comment for me I would appreciate it.  Two things. One – can you easily leave a comment through this blog?  and where are you reading this blog from in the world? I have a map counter on this blog and it is fun to see states/cities listed.  I don’t know who it might be, and I am curious!

Thanks!

Ok, a month later….

The giant iron rooster is like 5 feet tall…..

and the kitchen windowsill with my small iron rooster

I love decorative iron.  Usually small.  Like this iron rooster I bought some years ago.  Then, on a wonderful writers weekend on Whidbey Island, there in front of a shop stood a GIANT iron rooster.  He is like 5 feet tall.  Carol, do you have that photo you took of me and this giant bird somewhere?  Send me a copy please It was really funny to see the big version of my windowsill roo.

So, since my graceful trip and fall onto the bow of the project boat in the dark, in the winter,in the desert – all without any snow or ice to blame…..I am finally feeling more like myself.  I still have bruising but it is finally fading. Thank heavens.  I was so close to really REALLY wrecking myself.  Grr.

I have been thinking – which in of itself can bring forth a lot of strangeness.  And I think of Monty Python, and Eric Idle’s blog recently.  He was amazed to realize that he met John Cleese 50 years ago.  Where does the time go? If you are interested in that blog, it is at   http://www.ericidle.com  and it was his February 23 entry.

There are a lot less older people now, and a LOT more younger ones. This observation just kind of by accident.  I know, all people likely think  that when they are 18, people older than say 30 are ancient.  Well, now not so much so.

When we moved up here, to the desert where it snows, we were still in what I have come to think of as the “acquire” mode.  Animals, livestock fencing.  Strays. Disabled creatures.  Advance! Expand! Build!

Not any more.  At some point in the hopefully near future, we shall move.  No more desert and hello Puget Sound! Can’t wait.

In preparation for saving what was left of my sanity, several years ago, I learned a very vital word.  That word is “no”  as in no more creatures that eat, require attention.  The less to care for, the better for me.  The snow and the cold,  and caring for a whole ranch has worn me out.  My rheumatoid arthritis is claiming more of my flexibility. My hands are really showing it now.  Sad.  I still however will paint my fingernails wild colors and have fun with it.  I refuse to become boring!

On another catch up tangent, you know, people can be so great

There is an amazing man, Robert Irvine.  He currently has a show in production, called “Restaurant Impossible”  I discovered he is active on Twitter.  I chose to “follow” him.  He is very supportive to people in all walks of life.  Within the week, he asked his followers to support a gal who is facing a huge health crisis.  She is a lot like me – she wants to have a ranch some day.  She reads my blog (well when I write it) so HI SUSAN! Have a great evening!

I am going to fold up and get comfortable.  I have had several long difficult weeks for varied reasons.  However each day I can get up and make a difference, I am happy.

The owls were here tonight.  The youngster I dubbed the “bobble headed owl” was in the tree calling.  He flew off and if I can ever figure out how to send a video from my iPhone to my desktop, I can post it here.  Sigh….goodnight all!

xoxo

Always bring a flashlight.

Always.

Never go outside at night without a flashlight.  Even with lights or markers on the path.  I have carried one mostly, but this was right out the back door, I even turned the back light on.  I was carrying a kitchen towel.  I put on my neoprene/rubber high boots.  No coat, no gloves.

I should have had that %#$& light.

Late last night, the chickens were making some noises, so I went out to investigate. Not that I haven’t done this like a million times. However this time, I tripped, and what I tripped ON became the problem.

How many people have a collision with a boat, in the night, in the desert.  In the winter.  Me! At least it had nothing to do with ice or snow.

The coop is illuminated, and bright enough it obscured close up stuff.  Without a flashlight I really did it.

The boat I got as a project for my late husband- when he was sliding down the slippery slope of life before he passed.  I figured it would give him another reason to fight on and live.  Nope.  So now he is gone and the the boat is still here.  It waits (like me) for it’s next part of life to begin.  It is right next to the path, kind of between one chicken coop and the barn in front.

I don’t know if it was I just got too close to the two tire stack that the trailer hitch is on or what.  I can tell you that it was not good.

Once you have your feet out from underneath you, falling forward, you land on the bow, on your chin.  Next, my partially fused- not surgically stabilized neck which was broken in 1988 goes crack crack crack!  Then my back.  Crack crack crack!!!  (Note, my back and particularly my neck NEVER crack)  All the while I am flailing about trying to get my feet back underneath me, realizing that my hands can’t get a hold of anything either.  I begin to hear some noise.  Then at this next point, I realize that noise is ME. Ugh!  I don’t know if it was a mixture of not pg words, or plain disgust.  I do know I wasn’t calling for help, no one would ever hear me.  We live very rural.  While there is a road in front, the neighbors, and my son are all sleeping at this point – not outside, certainly not hurt and knowing I have to get back indoors.  Silent except for my noise and my cat Hawaii who hears me and begins to wail.  I must have REALLY sounded great!  Poor cat!

Finally, I rotate over the bow, which I am stuck on like a fish on a stick. I get my left arm over my head finally, too late, and roll over my chest, my one good arm and drop on my back.  Landing partially on the hitch, on the tires, then finally half on the ground.  Stopping when I am still half stuck on the tires.  OMG!

Now why did I think I had to go outside?

I did sleep, on and off.  I need to heal.  I think the spine and neck are ok, just jarred beyond belief.

I would not suggest anyone else do this. Ever.

It’s funny how we get attached to things….

The friendly Great Horned Owl kid earlier in the year.

In November, we had horrific winds.  85 mph, which are hurricane force.  Sadly, the Great Horned Owl youngsters, who were 6 months old at the time, disappeared.  Now it has been nearly 4 months since, and not a day goes by that I do not mourn their loss.  I whistle for the youngster probably daily, knowing he is gone. At dawn that November morning, looking out the living room window, the wind was white.  And horizontal.  And HORRIFIC.  It was very  scary to say the least.  My biggest fear then was that one of the old trees would give up and crash through our house.  Those trees must GO this year.  I wondered how the owls would fare.  Then, as the days, then the weeks went by with no sign of them, it became clear, even to my mind (which was oh so much happier living in the “land of denial”) had to accept the youngsters were gone.  The parent owls, the speech impediment owl, and his wife – spent time flying around calling, sometimes loudly, sometimes busily, perching in different far off trees out of their usual haunts, all the time calling.  All the time with no answer back.

We were all very sad.

Tonight, I heard a strange owl discussion going on.  It is cold once again, snow is likely.  As I opened the back door, the booming voice of the granddad owl rang out.  He was perched in the owl tree above our house.   I stood still, listening.  Granddad and his wife moved a half mile away 3 years ago, this is only the second time I have seen him since. Much to my joy I could hear a young owl answer, “screeeeeeee” in the distance, calling twice. I couldn’t get into my boots and coat fast enough! I went out and whistled. The youngster I had helped earlier last year would whistle back to me. That young owl’s presence was magical. I whistled several times, no answer. The light pole on my mom’s long driveway had been a favorite spot for it to roost. I chanced using the spotlight and an owl was there! I stood in the dark, the sky pitch black. The stars and heavens brilliantly lit. I see a shooting star. Then above my head, from the pole, the owl flew, dipping down over my head and up to the owl tree. It never called back, but it was a young owl.  I don’t know if this owl is one of the two that were raised in the owl tree – or are related to the granddad owl. Either way, I am thrilled and blessed to have seen them tonight.

 

 

 

Pogonip!! Ice Fog! Freezing Fog! Diamond Dust!!!

The owl tree covered densely with Pogonip!

Pogonip.  This was in our Susanville Stuff.com news today.

Susanville’s resident meteorological expert, Dr. Owen Bateson, talks about the prolonged cold spell. For the past several weeks, our area has felt the effects of below-freezing temperatures; broken pipes, car problems, treacherous roads and sidewalks that are glazed over with ice.The extremely cold temperatures in some areas dropped thermometers to almost 20 degrees below zero “The December snow has lasted longer than my records show over the past 30-years and still shows no signs of even thinking about melting,” says Bateson, “It has been so cold that we have experienced a weather phenomenon called diamond dust.” Diamond dust is made up of tiny frozen ice crystals that precipitate directly out of a clear but very cold blue sky that normally occurs in the Arctic or Antarctica “This type of fog begins as super-cooled droplets of liquid water that begins to form when the dew point and the temperature are within 4 degrees Fahrenheit of each other,” explains Bateson, “These droplets then start to precipitate out of the fog as small ice crystals which can look very much like regular snow.” “It builds up on everything like a hoarfrost, resulting in white flocked trees and bushes and practically everything else that is left outside. It covers the roads with a thin layer of very slick ice creating very hazardous driving conditions and can even build up so much on power lines to cause them to sag and break under the added weight.” “Hopefully,” says Doctor Bateson, “we will get a cold front coming through which will actually raise our temperatures and maybe even start raining or snowing again.”

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This is the weirdest stuff.  It seems to snow out of a blue sky.  Yes, we saw the sky yesterday.  Today too.  But this below freezing for the last month has gotten a bit unbearable.  Yesterday, my frost free water spicket in the barn aisle froze.  This morning, I had the thought flit through my head that “maybe it unfroze since yesterday”  Oh yes.  Not quite.  It was -2 this morning.  It is 6 above now.  Not thinking that is going to be the case.  Now I am hauling water from the house to the chicken coop and the barn.  Thankfully the water near the horse is in front of mom’s place and thus far (knock on wood please don’t jinx this) it is still working.  So far.  I am ready for it to warm up enough to thaw at least!

Yesterday I took the camera out and took perhaps 60 photographs.  Lots of fun, it had warmed up to 18, so I could go without gloves for a bit.  I am not happy with the computer moniter display I am using, it makes things dark.  The sky was brilliant blue, and the ice crystals bright white in this next photo.  Perhaps it will come across better for you.

The top of the tree the owls usually sit in

The branches of the owl tree.

Amazing.

Good thing it is pretty….

So, away from the electronic box again, time to get some work on the house done.  Stay warm all!

Happy Thursday all!

This is snow from the big overnight fall in November.  We still have snow on the ground, it is slowly evaporating thankfully.  It is at the watch each step stage.  Like put your foot down and carefully step again.  At some point the snow loses enough structure it does not support my weight and will drop one to two inches JUST when stepping off to the next step.  Easy to get hurt.  I am excellent at that, so I am slowly moving about doing chores.  Dreaming of spring.

Lilacs of course

Dreaming of moving.

 

Dawn on the beach, Port Orchard Washington

For now though, it is this  sort of thing.

Ice in one of the metal birdbaths

While I dream of this

The beach house Port Orchard Washington

 

Have a good day all!

 

 

 

 

Photographs but not many words….

Winter 2010 – snowflakes on my truck

Not much in the way of words needed.

The winter here, from another year.  Right now we have more snow on the ground than this photograph.

Yep, we live in the country

A fun day, watching the crews fill the balloons with hot air, then the chase was on!  Great day!

Ice in one of the metal birdbaths

Light and texture fascinates me (no, really?) Yes it does!

Dawn on the beach, Port Orchard Washington

We are going to live here one day – not on the beach but with the view of the sound.  So we can say “there goes the ferry!” as often as we can!

The Great Horned Owl babies from 2012.   <3 Owls!

Have a good evening all