Late Summer Days

It's been hot and dry here in our little corner of the world.

 

It's been two months since any measurable rain has fallen.

 

Forest Fires have been raging just East of the Mountains, filling the sky with a smoky haze.

 

 

 

There are warnings of unhealthy air quality West of the Mountains, and hazardous air quality East, where fires have been raging for weeks.

 

I never thought I would pray for rain here, where we usually get more than our fair share.

 

 

By midday, Mt. Rainier is lost in the haze. The smell of smoke fills the air.

 

I am glad that I am finally done staining the deck. I finished the outside rails yesterday.

 

 





I venture out only to water my flowers. This has taken on prime importance and I spend most of my free time trying to keep my plantings alive in a time of no rain.

 

Because we have to rely on our well water, I must make sure that I ration my water use. So I have to water one area at a time.

 

I do this several times a day.

 

 

There is only a very slight breeze, leaving my wind chimes quiet and still, but drawing the smoke further down into the canyons of the foothills and the valleys below.

 

 

Maggie finds a cool spot to sleep away the hot afternoon.

 

 

My birdbaths are popular places these last few weeks and I make sure to keep them filled. I also leave out shallow buckets of water near the bird feeders, as we have more than birds that come to feast.

 

Squirrels, chipmunks, mice, raccoons, possums and even skunks.

 

All are welcome.

 

They are all God's creatures.

 

 

These, I have added to my nature journal.

 

I use colored pencil to add subtle hues.

 

The feather makes a fine brush to sweep away erasing's without smudging my artwork.

 

 

Golden Crowned Kinglet

 

 

Northern Flying Squirrel

 

 

Added in Spring were Trillium and Buttercup.

 

Once I have filled all of my sketchbook pages, I will create a hand bound album.

 

But I have many pages to go.

 

 

These warm hazy days are also good for herb and flower drying. Here I have roses, oregano, sage, rosemary, basil, thyme, and hydrangea.

 

Once the herbs are dry I will make some little packets to drop in soups and stews.

 

The flowers will be used for potpourri.

 

I will be sure to post recipes as I prepare them.

 

 

And one last thing.....Today my youngest son turns 30!

 

Here he is in the middle between his older brother and sister (the eldest not pictured here)

 

He has filled our lives with love and laughter for 30 years.

 

Where did the time go?

 

I am truly blessed.

 

Wishing you all blessings and love.

 

xx

Anniversary Cruise

 

 

Blue Eyes and I celebrated our Anniversary this past weekend.

 

The 'Fab Four' (our 4 children and loves) took us on a Dinner Cruise around Lake Washington in Seattle.

 

Thank you, my darlings.

 

 

 

It was a perfect evening for a cruise.

 

 

First stop was 'Happy Hour' at a lovely Cantina where we all met up for drinks and nibbles.

 

It was so warm that all the windows and doors were thrown wide open to the breeze.

 

People were strolling around in the beautiful late summer evening.

 

 

 

The rafters were full of colorful lanterns.

 

 

 

 

My Pomegranate drink was very refreshing.

 

 

I slipped out onto the sidewalk to take a photo of the family through the open window .

 

 

The Marina was just a short walk away.

 

 

The building on pilings has apartments overlooking the lake, the city of Seattle, and the Olympic Mountains.

 

Sorry, but you can't afford to live there.

 

Unless you are very, very lucky.

 

Bill Gates lives across the way.

 

 

As we walked towards our ship, the sun was setting, turning the sky into a living work of art,

 

 

And reflecting on the lovely harbor and buildings.

 

 

Once on board, we posed for some photos up on deck.

 

 

Our life's meaning, all together.

 

 

Here's to a wonderful life, full of love!

 

 

We couldn't ask for anything more.

 

Wishing you all life, love and happiness

 

xx





Keeping Summer

 

 

I've been taking lovely walks in the late afternoon sunshine.

 

Dry leaves crunch beneath my feet.

 

The air is warm and still.

 

 

The late summer fields are full of golden flowers.

 

 

Mimicking the late afternoon sun.

 

Another lovely summer comes to a beautiful close.

 

 

Blackberries ripen in the languid air, nature's bounty free for the taking.

 

 

Filling my pail becomes a daily ritual in anticipation of cobblers, pies and tarts.

 

 

Watchful eyes peer from the shadows, hoping my browsings rustle up a meal.

 

Can you see my little friend?

 

 

Sculptural seed pods replace summer's beauty.

 

 

Hummingbirds sip nectar from the last of the season's flowers.

 

 

Swallows gather in the late summer skies, garnering strength for their long migration soon to come.

 

 

And as the sun sets on another beautiful day, I savor these moments in time, keeping them locked away to open up once again when the summer sun is but a distant memory.

 

What is your favorite memory of summer?

 

Linking with http://www.theviewfromrighthere.com/blog/?p=8102

 

 



Choosing Kindness

 

I haven't done much that is blog worthy lately. Mostly just maintenance chores to take advantage of the beautiful late season weather we are having.

 

I've been painting and staining outside. Of course I have the floor of the deck done, but now I am working on the rails and the stairs.

 

My housework has been piling up on me. But I am tired of housework. I am tired of cooking. I am really tired of doing laundry. And the chore I hate the most is cleaning the bathrooms.

 

 

 

But these are minuscule concerns compared to what is going on around me in the world. When I am spending my days painting, I have lots of time to think. But I really don't know what to think about the state of this world.

 

 

What is going on?

 

 

It's a helpless feeling.

 

Maybe I have been watching too much television news.

 

Maybe I am reading too many newspapers.

 

I just don't understand how we can kill each other in the name of religion. What religion condones war? What religion condones hatred? What religion condones persecution and killing?

 

I don't get it.

 

 

Do you?

 

Our brave young soldiers are putting themselves in harm's way to fight for freedom in this world.

 

But freedom is a concept not readily embraced.

 

Sometimes....some things are a lost cause.

 

We can't fight someone else's battles.

 

 

That is true in all aspects of life.

 

You can't control anyone but yourself.

 

That is where the power lies.

 

It all begins right there.

 

 

 

 

You have the power to make the choices each and every day.

 

All acts ripple outwards, originating with you.

 

Peace and Love?

 

Or Anger and Hatred?

 

 

You can send turbulence out into the world, with angry and self important reactions.

 

 

Or you can choose a life of peace and serenity, with love and understanding.

 

Refusing to add to the misery.

 

It all ripples outward like a pebble thrown in a quiet pond.

 

 

Every single day we have a choice.

The hope of the world begins with each of us and the choices we make.

 

One small act of love and kindness can ripple outwards and expand upon itself.

 

 

Therein lies the power.

 

 

 

 

 





Morning

 

It's a beautiful late summer morning.

 

Light streams in through colorful glass.

 

 

 

The deck staining is done.

 

Just in time for falling leaves.

 

 

A lovely rose to greet me with it's heavenly scent, coaxed into bloom by recent rain.

 

 

The morning light illuminates intricate weavings.

 

 

Colors seem to stand out in rich detail.

 

 

Leaves are starting to turn color.

 

Berries are ripening.

 

 

Rich golden color descends from a cloudless sky.

 

 

 

Everything is so peaceful and quiet.

 

I wish I could stay home and enjoy it.

 

But I have to go to the dentist.

 

My favorite place to spend the afternoon.

 

(a little lie)

 

I hope your day is beautiful.

 

xx