Sunday, November 29, 2009

I read the morning paper...

~
The reaches of hope extend beyond what we can see
the hard news we hear about,
the tragic happenings that bear down.
Violence prowls and even the tides carry some away,
and yet hope reaches...
~

Friday, November 20, 2009

Coast Walking

Thursday morning flew by in a variety of chores. There is always something that could stand a little attention and dear ones had real needs as well. Rain was forecast in the near future and although there was a nip in the air the day was clear and bright.




The idea of an afternoon walk seemed more and more appealing. Want to come?




Looking south back toward the house. The arches in the rock are inviting...doors to swim through, but not today. Brrr...



I did see an otter dining in the cove...someone who actually belongs in the water. But can't you just see yourself gliding through that little hole in the wall?



My camera can see the house ....



glowing in the afternoon light. What a perch to return to.



A nice picture of Point Lobos wound up on my write purpose blog. I hope you'll come ready to read a bit. And please don't forget, I enjoy your comments and the opportunity to search out your web offerings. Oh my, the underside of the clouds left from this morning's storm are glowing red. I better get out there, these sunset moments don't last long.



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The land of sharing...fun in the blogosphere.

During the Fall Quilt Festival I visited many of the festival participants. I am still working my way through the list and enjoying visiting so many creative and generous blogs. Look at the prize I got from visiting and leaving a comment at one friendly blog...

The reason that there are two sets of stamps is that this persistent woman sent this gift to me twice. The first time the post office didn't finish delivery but Anne did!
The fabric is really cute. I am sure it will inspire some fun project. Anne also sent bias tape, an iron on airplane and luggage tags. I had a local friend in the car when I received this envelope and she just marveled at the fun , the generosity and friendliness that this little package represents. If you hop on over and take a look at Anne's blog please say hello to her from me.
Thank you Anne.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Great Blue Heron at the Crossroads

Literally at the Crossroads, just out of the corner of my eye, on an empty lot, I saw a Great Blue Heron. I took this photo while still in the car (from the passenger seat, I'm not crazy) and then asked to get out of the car, please. I wanted to get closer...if you click on these photos you can get closer views too. Use your back button to return to the post.

The field is polka dotted with the holes of gophers and still sporting some golden poppies. After we met, I read that although the Great Blue Heron is

"primarily a fish eater, wading (often belly deep) along the shoreline of oceans, marshes, lakes, and rivers, it also stalks upland fields for rodents, especially in winter. "

Learning this about Heron's feeding habits helped me understand the normalcy of the Heron's early November jaunt to the shopping center, which isn't all that far from the marsh at the river's end at the ocean. I did see one diving beak motion down into the ground before I approached. I realize now I may have delayed this bird's dinner procurement and I already had mine in the bag. It's amazing how just a little undeveloped land can provide for wildlife. Directly to the west of where we visited is a gas station and to the north is a motel. Across the street one can bank or buy groceries, flowers, jewels, coffee, or books and there are lots and lots of cars,


but the empty lot is a small paradise. Rightly wary, we both remained respectful in our dance of approach and distance but of course the Great Blue set the rules for boundaries.

~Such a beautiful bird~

all else faded away as this elegant bird captured me.

Standing tall this Great Blue is at least three feet. This may be a younger bird and or female, as the plumage is not too fanciful.

Must you go? I must too. I thank you for the visit, lovely bird. I'm glad your terrain includes many vistas far and beyond the road. Next time I see you, I'll be more polite about your meal times. I was glad to learn you thrive all over the continent, and I am especially glad that we are neighbors. You can visit my garden anytime... we've got gophers aplenty.

~~~~


An Amiable Rearrangment

Phoebe the Cat was ready to come inside and Kitty Bumpkins was ready to go out.
Their gaze at each other as penetrating as a laser... I opened the door
and quickly there was a changing of the guard...It's convenient when you can obey two cats at once, being that meeting the expectations of a cat usually involves getting up to open a door. Not as convenient for photography though; I got no more than a shot of their respective tails it all happened so fast.
"Hm mm...now what shall I do?"
Earlier in the day a red headed woodpecker had visited the bird bath, that is what it's for...the birds...and we have many who safely dare to visit here.
But Bumpkins thinks the bird bath is her auxiliary water dish although it takes quite a straddle to get a drink. I think the birds sit in the trees and laugh at her, but not too loudly, she is quite a tree climber too.
If you click on these photos you can see just how cute and silly a cat she is. And her little story and photos just had to be posted for someone who might be, nay must be missing her quite a little bit. But not to worry, she knows whose kitty she is.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Home again, home again Jiggety Jig.

Not that you missed me, but I have been away from home and the computer and consequently this web log. We walked out



the garden gate and drove on up the road.


Sunday afternoon we visited with many old friends and my brother, Steve, before we headed to check on our house "up there" that is currently rented out. Report of leak on a deck that is also a roof over a special room that looks out into the garden mandated that Mark see what was needed. With the rains coming, it was basically he that was needed. It was not the kind of job one can hire out...improvisation is one of his many skills. Next season we hope to revisit the repair in a much larger way, but for now, all should stay dry.


But first he had to take me east to stay with his momma, the original heart of our journey, that old leak just being a minor but demanding complication. While Mark was busy driving back and forth and repairing the deck I accompanied Miss B. through some special needs and I must say she is a very brave lady indeed.


One night I worked



a bit on this vintage quilt top.


The blocks were made by hand, but by whose hand I do not know. The fabrics truly seem like "her aprons or blouses" and "his shirts." I joined them together and found a backing I like. I was able to pin baste and then sew baste the sandwich together, but that is as far as I got for now. I also sat and did a little hand sewing in the hospital waiting room and during one night of television. It was calming to have needle and thread in my hands. We had nice dinners together. I roasted vegetables, cooked sauce for pasta, made soup and some guacamole for which I tried to make tortillas...but corn grits doesn't quite work...they tasted good though.


Up and back on different roads, we drove through beautiful lands...I didn't take a single picture except in my mind's eye, of the tumble down barns and black cows, new grass pushing through the golden straws of last summer and leaves and berries in bright reds and oranges sprinkled amongst the tree greens. Every corner of the land has its own colors...


and now we are back to the blue Pacific on the granite cliffs.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Monday Morn Pink Moon over the Water

Pink sky and the moon just about to drift away as Monday morning unfolds.

It's a new day

All these colors but the palette of a moment...more colors coming of course. They'll be brighter and bluer and the green trees where the birds have hidden the night will sound with singing.

It reminds me of images in Psalm 104

1 Praise the LORD, o my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the the heavens like a tent...

12 The birds of the air nest by the water; they sing among the branches...

16 The trees of the Lord are well watered...

17 There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.

19 The moon marks off the seasons...

22 the sun rises...

23 Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.

~~~~

Monday morning and there is much to do and I'm sure that's true for you too. Thank you for stopping by for an early morning visit. The gulls are flying now, their wings white with sunlight.