happy new 2011!

I VISITED THE DARLING Lawrences last night. Dave and Angie. They've been here a year, from the UK, to run a bed and breakfast, the Apple Country Inn. What a blast to compare views on the problems of both our countries.

snowfallin'

LOTSA FLAKES FALLING out there. I'm enjoying it from my picture window. It always makes me sleepy. Probably the quiet, muffled blanket of white, and the subconscious signal to just stay home by the fire. :B

the night visitor

Great Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus)
LAST NIGHT I was startled by a very loud hoo hooing outside, and at first I thought it was kids goofing off. But it was the real thing. It was quiet, so Mr. Owl's hoot carried. I hadn't seen an owl up close. So I tiptoed to the walnut tree where I located the source of his 'hoo - hoooo hoo." He regarded me several times. I stayed very still. But he took off anyway after about 4 minutes. When Ophee and I went out for her nightly constitutional, I was 5 feet behind her, when the owl swept right over us at eye level, and fortunately I didn't have to duel him for my puppy. I think he was checking her out, and decided 14 lbs. might be just a bit much to deal with. Nevertheless, lesson learned, and quite a thrill....super silent and spooky, he was on us before I even knew it. And in a blink was gone.
Here is a photo of when I first spotted him/her (it was dark, so I had to retouch this in Pshop, but it's identical to the scene).

last night's snow

AT MIDNIGHT, I went out in the yard with Ophee, and I couldn't believe how light it was from the fallen snow. I took this photo of the little turret with the lights twinkling warmly. The photo doesn't do justice, but it was charming, even beautiful in the snow. Like coming upon a little warmly lit cabin in the forest.

an elegant hunter

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
HE SWEPT BY when Ophee and I were out in the yard this morning. His presence explains the occasional feathery murder scenes I find in the yard. Also, I am fairly certain starlings are a favorite dish, and I've had big populations in the trees lately. Like everyone, scrabbling for food and warmth. Closeup photo is actually a juvenile. They mature to more black and white.

my snowy block

IN THE SUNSHINE, which we get a good amount of even in winter, the snow is so pristine, and all the colors shine against it. Here's my little street, with beautiful sky overhead, and a shot of Saddlerock, dressed in snow.

our path panorama

THE ROUTE WE walk, Ophee and I. This looks so generic, compared to the way it looked when I took it on Thanksgiving. It was so breathtaking outside, with the contrasts of white and blue, and the sun, sparkling on anything it could.

yer snow buddy

TILL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU.
That's about all I have to say.

before & after

SO ONE NIGHT, it was frosty and cold, and the next morning all was blanketed by our friend Snow.

why the trees

OK, ENOUGH ALREADY with all the leaves. I must explain myself. I am utterly ravished by autumn colors. The tarnished tones of red, gold, and myriad greens make my heart ache. And usually, against the foil of blackened vegetation, give the impression of a Czar's robes. I wonder if I fell in love with trees as a child...I have memories of huge trees with wonderful billows of falling leaves to play with. In Huntington Beach, Terrie and I had the pleasure of attending a grade school where old trees littered the ground with their leaves in September. I remember, even as a kid, on my last day of school there, I walked the grounds, taking in the sights and smells of my old tree friends, and feeling a pang of sadness that I would rarely if ever see them again.

free mulch!

IF IT'S POSSIBLE to be excited about a Troybuilt Leaf Blower, you can see why here. These are just the farthest corners of the Farmlet— lots more leaves in between. But they will make lovely blankets for my transplants.

our favorite walk

OPHEE AND I walk 2 blocks to the irrigation waterways, which are like little streams in the summer, and now are empty of water but the path is covered with pine needles, hoofprints of deer (which I might see if I was up at 5am), blackberry brambles full of quail, and leaves, EVERYWHERE. Wenatchee has its share of trees, and we delight in scuffling through the multi-colored crunchy carpets.

the long shadows

WASN'T IT JUST September, yesterday? Watching the seasons change here, it's so obvious the time of year. In Bothell, seasons blurred. The shadows are really stretching out, and I have plenty to do before winter, which promises to be a snowmonster.
My friend Ethan gave me a leaf blower which has turned out to be my favorite back-saving device. Thank you, Ethan!

so it begins

THE COLDER NIGHTS are starting to stress the trees. This perfect color swash of autumn is a hickory nut tree, taken in the brief sunlight of a stormy grey blue sky.

good morning

MORNING LIGHT IN Wenatchee this time of year stills my heart. I carved my pumpkin last night so seeing his scary little face started it again! He will go out on the corner, and I should take bets to see how long he remains intact, and not a street casserole courtesy of the goblins.

the little surprises

TODAY I DISCOVERED a little clematis Dad planted. Here it is in bloom. ("Dark Eyes?") Diminutive blooms with only 4 petals, like a clover. This is how he breaks my heart. I continue to get small surprises.

crisp morning air

IT WAS COLDER this morning than it has been for several weeks. The mountains toward the pass (HWY 2) looked almost like they could host snow, but it's not cold enough yet. Today I go to work as a lunch lady, and hope it will provide enough income so I can work on the Farmlet™ and the Foundrie™. A long list of creating awaits.

i take pictures

...EVERYDAY, IT'S LOVELY here. I've been waiting for different colors...not that I'm complaining about an 89° day on October 2nd. Gorgeous. But it's getting cooler in Seattle, and my sister Terrie took this of her fading pampas grass fronds, early in the morning with the moon hanging above. Rich as a royal robe.

time to post

LATE, LATE FOR a very important date. But I've been a little busy, too. Strange things happening. I got here, to live and bee at my Farmlet. And then I was laid off. This would be a big stinky deal, except that in the context of the economy, the general angst of peeps, and my destiny, which continues to form, I'm very blessed. Although I lost one job, I will soon start another part-time, and I won't be rolling in dough, but it will provide enough to get by, and I'll have more time to create my dreams here at the Farmlet. For instance, here are a couple pix of my friend's letterpress studio. Just a teaser...more to come!