I've Been Doing Better

I took this picture on the way home from our 7½ week road trip this last Spring.  Paul and Babe are located at The Trees of Mystery site  in the middle of the Redwood National Forest on Highway 101 in northern California.  They are located 320 miles north of San Francisco and 32 miles south of the California/Oregon border.
*******************************************************************
Anyway, back to my original thought this morning.  I am trying to be a better Blog reader.....but I find I'm having trouble leaving comments. Sometimes it's no problem, but other times I'm forced to log into Google (which I've already done since I go into my Blog and then go to the Dashboard). So I log into Google and then it takes be back to the Blog's comment area where it shows my comment as an 'Anonymous'comment. Then when I click on the 'POST' button it takes me back to the Google log in page. Very frustrating. So I am reading Blogs, it's just that sometimes I'm unable to leave a comment.

Our weather here in the Pacific Northwest has not exactly been what most people think of typical summer weather.  This morning for instance it's 61* and there's a sprinkle now and then. The western Washington humans may not like this mild weather but let me tell you....my garden and the weeds are loving it. I've been able to harvest some strawberries, rhubarb, swiss chard and sugar peas.  There are lots of cherry tomatoes (hope they get enough sun to ripen)out there.  There's tons of carrots and the bush green bean plants are loaded with blossoms.

We have had some lovely, sunny and warm days (The 4th of July weekend was delightful for instance) and I know in my heart there's more coming. In fact the Saturday of the 4th of July weekend my grand daughter and I drove around town looking for deals at various yard/garage sales. That day it was in the 80's and I felt sorry for the people out 'guarding' their stuff.

My grand daughter was 19 on July 4th....she is such a sweet young woman. She is still at home, a part time caregiver of her mom (my daughter) who had a massive stroke 9 years ago. She is very active at church and has a 'nanny' type job caring for a 5 year old girl.

I always enjoy the time we spend together. And at 19 years old...it makes me happy that she still likes to come & spend a night once in awhile with her granny.

Bob and I are considering a little road trip around Washington's Olympic Peninsula.  We do that almost every summer and always enjoy our time camping and seeing the beauty of that area.  There's a primitive campground right on the Pacific Ocean where we love to spend a few days.  He likes to go to Sol Duc Hot Springs and splash around in their pools and while he's doing that....I can read my book.           

The city of Forks is the city featured in the original 'Twilight' movie is always packed with tourists.  In Port Angeles (up at the top) you can take a ferry to another country.  It travels across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.  Kalaloch is the location of the 'right on the ocean beach' campground. It is a wonderful place and I've going there for many years.  I have pictures of my kids that were taken on that beach. Besides the beauty and sound of the surf there.....the beach is littered with the coolest flat rocks I have ever seen.  I have a one that my daughter painted like a lady bug when she was about 12 years old, that I use as a door stop...that was over 35 years ago. 

Look at them...every size imaginable.  They make great door stops and paper weights.

Well, my friends I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer.  I know some of you are enduring miserable heat...please stay as cool as you can. Drink lots of water...and don't forget your sunscreen if you go out. Until next time.....

July has finally brought summer to the Pacific Northwest

While away from home this last March 27th thru May 16th….I fell in love with palm trees and blooming cactus.

But the weather that produces palm trees and cactus is not my favorite.  I don’t do hot & dry very well.  One day in Sun City West, Arizona  it was 106* with 5% humidity.  It literally takes your breath away not to mention drying out your skin and hair.

Even as we were traveling northwest I was anxious to get home and get to the garden store so I could plant my hanging baskets and various planters around the yard. 

I completely missed April’s tulips and I didn’t want to miss the Spring planting season here in the Pacific Northwest.   Now that July is here, everything is growing well (as long as I remember to water them) and I love looking out and seeing the beauty of flowers all around the yard. 

 So here are some of what I have growing at my house this beautiful July day. The first picture shows some strawberries. Last fall I obtained an old water-bed frame and I turned it into a raised garden. I have strawberries, rhubarb and green bush beans growing in the water-bed garden. I’ve already harvested enough strawberries and rhubarb to make a couple pies. I’m looking forward to green beans in a month or so.  Also in large pots I have carrots, swiss chard and tomatoes growing.

 
   

Don’t you just love summer…..as long as it doesn’t get too hot anyway.  We are blessed here in the Pacific Northwest to have many summer days in the mid to high 70’s.  And only a few days where it’s up in the 80’s and 90’s and totally unbearable.

And finally...the latest touch to a flower bed away from the street, on the side of my house. Pinkie the flamingo that was rescued from the Goodwill Outlet.  She had no legs so I drilled a hole in her tummy and whittled a garden stake to fit the hole, painted it pink so it looks
like she has a 'leg to stand on.'