Post Holiday Musings

My sweet little hummingbirds are gone. 

This is probably the last shot I took of one and that was about two weeks ago. 

For a while they were going through 4 of these feeders in just a few hours. 

I had a bumper crop of little ones. Two varieties, Rufous and Anna's. They were so numerous that you had to watch where you walked on the deck or you would run into one! 

And now they are gone. 

The parents are not tied to their nests any longer and the young ones are off to seek their own little place in the world. 

Talk about an empty nest. 

I managed to take a photo of our 'Super Moon' a while back. 

What do you think? Sort of spooky or rather artistic like a van Gogh painting? 

It was a beautiful, warm night with a soft, fragrant breeze. 

Maybe that will help you decide. 

Mt. Rainier has been glowing pink nearly every evening that it is clear. 

The Western Sun sets along the Cascade Crest and we have long, lingering evenings filled with afterglow. 

We each have a pair of binoculars and we enjoy being able to see all of the glaciers highlighted by the slanting light. 

From here to Mt. Rainier are miles of uninhabited forest. 

Once, I saw an elk grazing in an open field, but other than birds, we rarely see any sign of life. 

Occasionally a small plane or helicopter comes by and if we are really lucky, we will see one of those motorized para-sails. I have no idea what you call them. The person sits in a basket that hangs beneath these colorful 'wings' made of parachute cloth and he putt-putts around. 

Wouldn't that be fun? No? You don't like putting your life on the line in a little basket with one tiny motor keeping you aloft while you float over vast uninhabited forest? With Bears. And Cougars? No? 

Me neither. 

Still......if somebody offered me the chance......

So what did you do on the 4th? 

We relaxed at home with our loyal companions. 

They are terrified of the 'booms'. 

My big, brave guard dogs that would very happily chase a 500 lb bear up a tree, are afraid of the revelry. 

So, because they so willingly guard us and protect us every single day, we stayed home with them, in the house, with every fan going to drown out the sounds. 

Everyone was happy. 

We even saw some pretty fireworks from a distant hillside. 

As we watch people struggle this very moment for Democracy and Freedom around the world, 

let us take a moment to reflect upon the great fortune we all share here in America. 

It is easy to take our freedom for granted if we are always looking for what is wrong with this country. 

We can only remain strong if we join together to proclaim what is right. 

We need to work together to find positive solutions. 

We must meet in the middle. 

And set an example for developing nations. 

And leave this world a better place for our children and grandchildren. 

xoxo