January 1, 2012



Dried wildflowers on the stem-
great for crafts!



Look what Santa brought!

















We received 2-1/2" of snow Thursday night, but the ice below it makes it slow going.  Have to really watch our step.  But it looks like winter again and that's what counts.  Saturday morning the temperature was a crisp 19.  It's chilly out there again today but I am not about to go out on the porch in my bathrobe to see exactly what the termperature is, especially since we received about another 1/2" of snow. . .

JB's Mom calls him every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and yesterday we learned that their power went out at 10:30 a.m. Christmas morning.  This when they were expecting 15 people for Christmas dinner at 2:00 p.m.!  With the help of the grill, everything was ready and served on time.  Two fireplaces and lots of candles kept everyone warm and well lit (or maybe that was the punch).  Anyway, a good time was had by all. 

Friday afternoon, clad head to foot except for my face, I climbed into the crawl space with a stack of towels, and wiped down all the water off the metal siding and wood.  Not fun.  Fortunately it was just around the outside edges and mainly on three sides.  Needless to say, we are now searching for an industrial size dehumidifier.  Have to get that moisture out as quickly as possible.  And keep it out. 

Larry and Elsie came up to visit last night and brought some of Elsie's pickles and home made salsa for us.  They ended up staying to play three rounds of cribbage partners (the women won two out of three), so it was a perfect new Year's Eve.

Well, it is finally 2012.  The year the Mayans and Chinese predicted something interpreted as ominous and earth changing would happen.  I would like to think it will be a positive change for mankind.  Lord knows we need it.  Perhaps it will be in the children.  I know I am seeing an intelligence and mental quickness in the youngsters I am acquainted with that is far beyond what I remember at that age.  Maybe if we all just pray for peace. . .

Thought for the day: 
  Cultivate Virtue in your self, and Virtue will be real.
  Cultivate Virtue in the family, and Virtue will flourish
  Cultivate Virtue in the village, and Virtue will spread.
  Cultivate Virtue in the nation, and Virtue will be abundant.
  Cultivate Virtue in the world, and Virtue will triumph everywhere.
         Lao Tsu

December 30, 2011

Icy road




JB installing the game cam

 












After it stopped raining and blowing on Wednesday, the dogs and I went for a hike down the road to the Wood Spirit.  About a mile and a half round trip.  It was brown just about everywhere except for the road which was still ice.  Melting ice with water on it, but ice nevertheless.  I cleared the few small rocks and branches that had fallen on it, surprised that there weren't more than just a few after all that wind.  It was very odd the way the snow had frozen around many of the deer prints and then started melting.  Made them look like we have a herd of giant elk Up Here.  It was a good hike and a good workout.  All downhill going and all uphill coming home.

Our son gave us a game cam for Christmas and we were able to get it installed on Wednesday.  It is a Primos Hunting Truth Cam 46.  I picked a spot where it looks like there is a lot of deer traffic which is on the east side of our north ridge, between the ridge and the driveway.  We programed it for 30 second videos to start with.  I wanted to check it on Thursday, but JB thought we should wait at least 48 hours.  However Thursday morning he changed his mind and we pulled the card to download.  Got a couple good videos of the dogs, but no other wildlife!  It's a very sharp picture, even the infrared which Dinga tripped at 4:10 a.m.  We changed it to a 15 second video and will check it again tomorrow.

After a nice afternoon, the downpour started again Wednesday evening and it looked like it would be like that off and on for the rest of the week.  It was really getting muddy and the dogs had to be wiped off each time they came back in.  However the wind picked up again that afternoon and continued til yesterday morning, so it pretty much dried out all the mud.  The temperature dropped and it finally started snowing mid afternoon Thursday, and the forecast for us has changed from rain to snow through today.  Wenatchee was 52 on Wednesday which is 21 degrees above normal.  We were 36 and that's about 10 degrees warmer than normal for us.  However, this morning it looks like we received two to three inches (can't really tell with a flashlight).  Our Winter Wonderland is back.

During the week between Christmas and New Year, I always feel a really strong urge to organize and clean.  To prepare for the New Year.  Closets and drawers that are in disarray from a year's use call to me for help.  Wednesday I heard the sideboard calling and reorganized all the kitchen towels, table cloths, dish rags, etc.  I also started clearing up the Christmas decorations and finished taking them all down yesterday, so the house is looking a little empty.

We spotted a couple more coyotes on the east ridge yesterday afternoon.  This has really been the year for them.  Usually we rarely hear them, let alone see them.  Larry shot and killed one this year up a small canyon from his house.  He says if you just leave the carcass, it will keep the others away.  As much as they make me nervous because of our dogs, I would really hate to shoot one.  Just my tree-hugging, city mind kicking in, I guess.

I am so thankful that I got the plastic sheeting laid on the ground on both sides of the house.  The water seems to be draining away from it nicely.  Every house with a basement that I have ever lived in, as far back as I can remember, has had drainage problems.  As in flooding.  So I think our current drainage problem is part of my karma.  When I was in high school, I remember a particularly bad basement flood in a house we were renting where we were wading in water up past our knees.  When I was in grade school, we didn't have a basement, but we did have a crawl space.  One December something happened to flood it.  Don't remember if it was a broken pipe or what, but the worst thing about it was that we couldn't go to Spokane for Christmas that year.  I'm sure it was as bad as the Christmas I had the measles and couldn't go.  Don't have any specific memories as I'm sure I have blocked them out.

Thought for the day: Don't listen to those who say you're taking to big a chance, [if he had], Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor.   Neil Simon

December 28, 2011

Cascade mountains from Erno's property
to the east of Rose Camp

Finally got outside for that much needed hike on Monday.  The dogs and I trekked up to the 40-acre lot to the east of us.  Lots of deer tracks, but no new ones since it snowed on Sunday.  Lots of grouse and turkey tracks, and Jesse flushed two grouse.  So glad he did it because those birds always wait until you are practically on top of them before flying, and they always scare the sh-- out of me.  It was cloudy but still got some great photos.

Monday night we watched one of the movies that Santa gave us - Inception with Leonardo Di Caprio.  Fantastic!  Although I am going to have to watch it several more times in order to completely understand it.

Tuesday was our 42nd wedding anniversary.  Yes, that is a long time.  And sometimes it seems longer. . . But more often than not it seems much shorter.  JB went Down There for a regular scheduled blood test and some grocery shopping, and brought back a beautiful bouquet of yellow daisies and a book that I wanted.  Still in love after all these years. . .  Probably won't go down again till the middle of January.  Weather predictions are for several snow storms to pass through this week.  We had some sun Tuesday morning, so I was able to get the dishes done without turning on the generator.  Also defrosted the refrigerator, which was long overdue.  I have completely ignored it the past few weeks with all the Christmas excitement.  The predicted snow was actually rain yesterday.  As the clouds moved in, the air warmed up to 32 and what was supposed to be snow turned out to be rain.  Mud in December.  Lovely. 

And not only was it just rain, it was a Seattle downpour well into the early morning hours.  The wind is still blowing this morning with 45mph gusts.  The dogs do NOT like going out in the wind, so they did not wake me up until 7:00am - just one minute before the alarm went off for JB.  I couldn't get on the internet then, so that is why I am so late in posting today.  And now the weather forecast is for all those snowstorms to be rain instead.  The brown and white spots have reversed themselves, much more brown than white this morning.

In compiling information for the index on firewood sources I could not find where I had written about power/telephone poles.  At least I thought I had written about them.  So I will mention them again.  I think it was in September that Larry told us that when the PUD or phone company need to get rid of old poles, they will put a notice in the paper.  The cedar poles are free for the taking and must have the tar and preservatives taken off the outside before they can be given away.  So all you have to do is go pick them up, which Larry does.  We may just do that next year.

I also want to say a few things about our ATV, MAX.  Most of what I have written makes it seem like we have had nothing but problems with it, but a lot of that was our own doing by not understanding just how to take care of it and how much air should be in the tires when the tracks are on.  Also, when we first bought it used, there was some debris in the chain channels that we only discovered after it had caused a problem.  The vehicle itself is an excellent piece of equipment, especially considering it is about 15 years old.  It can go just about anywhere in any weather as advertised.  The company who manufactures them, Recreatives, Inc., has been very helpful. 

My friend and Neighbor in Illinois is gone, having passed away Friday night.  She leaves a big hole in my heart, and an even larger void in the lives of her children and grandchildren.  I could say that her incredible voice is now heard with the angels, but more likely she is singing rock'n soul with Janis Joplen.

Thought for the day:  Do not begrudge growing old.  It is an experience than many are denied.

December 26, 2011

Wind and snow arriving Christmas Day

Still basking in the glow of Christmas.  Although I shouldn't be just basking, I should be outside walking, hiking and otherwise exercising.  Fortunately we had friends drop by on Friday and Saturday with whom we could share cookies and eggnog, otherwise I'd really be in deep doodoo.  The wind picked up and started blowing the snow in about 1:00 pm on Christmas day, which was so perfect.  Not a lot, but certainly enough to turn the brown spots white.  Fortunately we still had plenty of snow for Santa on Christmas Eve.

We made an unscheduled trip Down There on Friday in order for me to overnight a letter to my Illinois Neighbor.  Her daughter had just e-mailed me that the doctors said she has less than two weeks.  That was the hardest letter I have ever written, and never want to have to do it again. 

We left the dogs at home and weren't really gone all that long, but it seems that Dinga felt she had to be as generous with Jesse as he was with her during the last time we had left them alone.  So when we arrived back home, we discovered that she had climbed up onto the kitchen counter by way of the wood box and my desk.  She had shared to two pieces of cornbread and the loaf of Irish soda bread which JB had baked for me that were sitting on the counter.  The corn bread was completely finished, but apparently the Irish Soda bread wasn't to their liking, fortunately for them.  I know it was Dinga because that were several bites out of their frozen chicken broth that I had left out to defrost.  Jesse does not like ice.  Not sure exactly what we are going to do if we have to leave them alone again. . .

Even though I almost OD'd on them, one of my New Year's resolutions is to bake more cookies.  Not necessarily the rich, buttery refrigerator ones, but oatmeal chocolate chip, which are one of my all-time favorites.  For gluten free baking, I absolutely swear by Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour.  We order it off their website in 25 lb bags, along with 25 lb bags of gluten free oats, so it's not much more expensive than buying 10 lb bags of regular wheat flour in the grocery store.  You can substitute it for regular flour in any recipe (except yeast bread) along with a little xanthum gum, and won't be able to tell the difference.  Their website also has gluten free recipes, and the one for yeast bread is perfect!  Actually that bread turns out better than any gluten bread I have made.

So Christmas is over and now we have that week of floating between the two holidays.  Of merging from an almost overwhelming celebration to beginning a new year, with all of its promise and full of all of our plans.  And planning we are.  Have really been thinking about the root cellar, although it won't be an actual cellar like in the crawl space under the house.  Just went down there yesterday to get potatoes and noticed that the metal and joists closest to the outside are weeping.  I guess we really need to insulate the floor if we are going to keep it dry down there.  Oh, goody. . .  That will probably be our second project for the year.  I swear I am going to get our inside walls finished before I do anything else!

Besides Christmas, another great thing about the last several days is that my allergies seem to have disappeared for a while.  I never had allergies as a kid and have only developed them in the past ten years or so.  I thought that moving Up Here would free me of them, but it was not to be.  The winter can be just as bad as the summer, which I thought was really odd.  But the first year we were Up Here, Larry told me that he has a terrible time with snow mold.  Snow mold.  Okay.  My first reaction was that this guy has obviously been living in the mountains too long.  But there really is such a thing.  After the snow has been on the ground for a while, there is a mold that grows under it.  And whenever the snow starts to melt, the mold can really cause the allergies to kick in.

Thought for the Day:  Prayer is the relationship flowing out of love, with another person or persons.  M. Basil Pennington 

December 25, 2011

May Peace, Love and Happiness be Yours this Christmas, and throughout the New Year!           Wild Rose & JB

December 23, 2012



Christmas in our home


We are on the downhill slide to sunshine!  The Winter Solstice was yesterday, and even though it may be awhile before we can see the effect, at least we know we there are a few more minutes of light each day.  With the waning moon, the dark nights have really accentuated how long the darkness visits each day.

And speaking of darkness, I know that many people are struggling to find joy in this holiday season, whether it be financial difficulties, illness or other dilemmas.  I was just notified that my Neighbor in Illinois has had a recurrence of her breast cancer, and it has spread.  This just after having stayed with her oldest daughter to help with her baby after her daughter had a double mastectomy.  Kim (my Neighbor) is such an incredible friend, mother and grandmother, with a wicked sense of humor.  She wouldn't tell me of her problems but fortunately one of her daughters did.  Don't mean to put on damper on the joy, but it does bring home just how fortunate we are, and how many others need our prayers. 

For us, it is just so incredible to be Up Here - even though it was just 9 degrees outside Thursday morning.  That means putting more wood in the stove more often.  Adding an extra layer when we go out.  Bringing in more firewood.  It also means appreciating the warm and cozy inside, and our indoor plumbing; our good health and ability to do these chores that need to be done.  So many, many things for which to be thankful.

The mountains and passes really got hit with a snow storm Tuesday night, but it went north and west of us.  I thought we might have to go through the entire month of December with no new snow, but now there is a storm forecast for Christmas Eve Day.  Oh, My Gawd - that's tomorrow!  Christmas always does that.  It waits and waits.  It sneaks and creeps.  Then, suddenly it's here.  And like so many special events, the anticipation is almost as delicious as the even itself.  Or not.  Just depends how patient you are.  As an adult, I am very patient, savoring each moment before and during.  As a child, not so much.  I do miss having young children around this time of year, but our son keeps us updated on our Grandchildren's excitement.  Sending us wonderful little videos from his phone.  And Elsie keeps me regaled with stories of the joy and delight of the season experienced by her three year old Grandson, Gage. 

On Monday, Elsie and Gage were Down There in one of the many decorated stores.  He spotted a Christmas tree which he excitedly pointed out to her.  Then down another aisle, he saw a wreath.  "Oh, look, Nana.  A round Christmas tree!"  From the mouths of babes.  From now on, wreaths will always be round Christmas trees.

Thought for the day:  The difference of the soul/spirit dimensions in being with children is the difference from pretty to beautiful, from cute to enchanting, from interesting to awesome, from respect to reverence.  Carol Mankiti

December 21, 2011



Only into the first two 1/2 rows & they
should last into the first week or two
of January!

 There is nothing like getting up and having a couple of Christmas cookies with your coffee first thing in the morning.  Have I mentioned just how much I love Christmas?!

I finally had time on Monday to sit down with the new BackWoods Home magazine.  Ah, great minds.  But silly me for not listing them along with Mother Nature and the Boy Scouts for teaching preparedness!  Being prepared is their mantra, and in this newest issue is an excellent article entitled, "The 7 Core Areas of Preparedness."  And I so enjoyed this month's "Last Word."  I completely agree.  However, there is also an article on raising rabbits for meat.  Well, this is where my City Mind really kicks in.  Not unless we were in dire straits could I kill and butcher a rabbit to eat, and even then I would get tears all over it.

Yesterday the wind kicked up around mid day and blew away all the Valley fog.  Much to the delight, I'm sure, of all those living Down There.  It's been blowing all night, so I'm sure once the sun is up we will have a crystal clear day for everyone.

When Larry and Elsie visited on Sunday, we got to talking about their chickens and it turns out that two of their hatch lings have grown into roosters.  One of them is quite mean and may turn into chicken tacos.  I asked them about plucking, and Larry said that with chickens and grouse, he just splits the skin open below the neck, pulls it apart and just gets the breast out.  He says you can also cut off the legs & peal the skin off them too.  That sounds logical, and much easier than plucking.

And speaking of logical, I have never been one to wear sweats much, but I do have a couple old pair that I have practically been living in lately.  Living Down There, I always went for the tailored slacks or jeans but I have become much more relaxed Up Here in the winter.  Sweats are warmer, so I don't have to wear long underwear bottoms when it is chilly, and my outside pants and overalls easily pull over them.  So new sweats are on my Christmas list.  I hope Santa is listening. . .

I have finally created my index pages, one for the index to my blog and one for the index to my photographs.  Please let me know if there are any additional subjects you would like to see listed.  Hopefully I will remember to add to them with each posting. . .

Thought for the day: The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us.  Dorothy Day

December 19, 2011

Caught the mountains just seconds
before they disappeared

And speaking of taking things for granted (as I was yesterday), I am confident that this is one of the main reasons for so much waste of our natural resources.  For our loss of freedoms.  For our unpreparedness.  For our current economic situation.  We take way too many things for granted in this country, when in fact, we should be taking nothing for granted.  One more thing that nature (and the Boy Scouts) teaches you - be prepared!  Like that old saying: Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

Okay, I think I'm done ranting for a while. . .

Sunday was another beautiful day with very little valley fog.  JB fixed an amazing breakfast - individual quiches in ramekins.   First he lined each dish with thin sliced ham.  Then he added salsa, chopped red onions and parsley.  He put one whipped egg in each dish and topped it with Swiss cheese.  Oh my!  The recipe actually called for fresh chopped tomatoes and scallions, which we will try next time, but the way he made it was yummy!

I took the above photo Saturday afternoon when I went out for firewood.  Once again the fog had been slowly climbing towards us most of the day.  After the mountains disappeared, little tendrils of white tried sneaking over the ridge and through our trees, but they never quite reached the house.  By sunset, the fog had receded back down the canyon a bit and the mountains had re-appeared.

In the middle of one night last week, Larry's and Elsie's little beagle woke them up in the middle of the night.  When they went downstairs to see what was going on, they discovered some does in their yard watching two young bucks fighting.  As they stood there watching, more deer arrived, some of them wandering into their garden to nibble at the remaining greens.  What a sight that would have been!  I really need to get those two interested in photography.

Larry and Elsie visited us last night and we exchanged Christmas gifts and goodies.  In addition to a beautifully wrapped gift she added to our growing pile, Elsie gave us fresh garlic from her garden and some Chinese pork she had made. Yum!  Did I mention that I LOVE Christmas?

There is a fascinating book I bought years ago entitled, "Chop Wood, Carry Water, A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life," by the editors of New Age Journal, published in 1984.  If you are not of that mindset, don't let the title deter you.  It's all about getting in touch with what is most important in life and realizing your dreams, even in spite of the physical world seems to be telling you.

Thought for the day:  Your mind will be like its habitual thoughts: for the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.   Marcus Aurelius

December 18, 2011

The answer

I received a discourse in frustration from a good friend regarding the state of affairs in our country, which expressed a violent solution about which I am sure many of us have fantasized.  Being Up Here has removed me from that frustration level, thank goodness, but I do believe this current situation is a consequence of mankind's innate greed.  Greed, which in my opinion, is brought to the surface as a result of having become so out of touch with the natural world.  This seems to create a need to "have" and the fear of "not having."  I am no world history buff, but I don't believe that since the empires of old has there been opportunity to wield such power and to want to grab that power, and look what it did to all of those countries.  Power tends to bring out the worst in men.  Revolution, on the other hand, often brings out the best.  Where are the George Washingtons, Thomas Jeffersons and Abe Lincolns we so drastically need?  They were building a new country, full of promise - and they were farmers.  I especially love the quote from George Washington, "I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world."  That pretty much says it all.  According to my quote from a few days ago, even Leonardo Da Vinci roamed the countryside when he needed answers.

Today's politicians and business tycoons are wielding power they were never meant to have.  While the founders of our country were focusing on the freedoms and rights of each individual (most of them, anyway), today's power brokers are focusing on the 1%.  But by the same token, it is my belief that the freedoms and ease of life that most have enjoyed in this country have made our citizens lazy when it comes to ensuring the continuation of such freedom.  Greed is a two-headed monster that can invoke both the need to grab for more, and complacency in keeping what we have, fearing such actions that may cause any loss.

Being Up Here, especially when the fog covers all signs of life Down There, the answers seem obvious.  At least to me.  And if I cannot be a part of the direct answer, at least I can be at peace in Rose Camp, in the midst of nature.

And that is my political commentary for the day. . .

When JB when Down There on Wednesday, he brought back all of our favorite magazines, BackWoods Home, Countryside, BackHome and Outside.  My laugh for the day was the last page in Outside, their "Parting Shot".  It is of a fox and is absolutely hilarious! 

And on another note, I wanted to talk about the water saving techniques that we employ Up Here.  First of all, we don't take our water for granted.  So that makes us stop and think every time we turn it on or go to flush.  We have a front loading washing machine that is a big water saving device.  We also have low-water-usage faucets and shower head.  I wash my hair in the sink, not the shower.  And when we wash our hands, we always use cold water and turn it off while soaping up and actually washing.  Then turn it back on to rinse.  For watering our indoor plants, I use what water is left in the dog's water dish when I fill it each day.  (I think my plants actually thrive on dog drool.)  The one luxury we do allow ourselves is keeping the water on while showering.  I know that many people shower like we wash our hands - turn the water on to get wet; turn it off to soap up and wash; then turn it back on to rinse.  Not for me, thank you.  I just don't dawdle.

I finally cleaned the wood stove yesterday.  Something that was overdue, but I had been waiting til it warmed up outside to do it.  With the heat wave that started on Friday at 32 degrees, I was able to let the stove cool down enough to clean it.  We bought an ash vacuum last Spring to help with this chore, but I didn't realize at the time that you are not supposed to vacuum up soot with it.  Well, I really don't need it for the ashes, so I do use it to clean out the soot from inside the top of the stove anyway, and the catalytic combuster.  Seems to be working fine so far.

I made some more cookies yesterday, too.  I had forgotten how good for your abs it is to roll out cold cookie dough!  Of course that is probably a wasted effort when you consider what you are making, and just how many of those cookies you are going to eat. . .

The good news for the day - actually for the week - is that JB's computer is fixed, and he didn't lose any information.  When Jake finally found the right web site, it took only 2 minutes to download the info, another few minutes to cut the cd, and then less than 3 minutes for him to get back into his computer!  Yippee!!

Thought for the day:  Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.  Rachel Carson 

December 16, 2011

Rimed spider web
on pine drops



Rimed grass





















We were fogged in all day Wednesday, then Thursday's sun shone on all the rimed forest and grass.  Even the spider web on the pine drops I have on the porch was frosted.  So beautiful!  So cold!  We only had a high of 10 yesterday in the fog, and the sunny day before was only 12, so bundle up Laramie!  It's on the way.

If the dogs stayed out more than 10 minutes on Wednesday, they came back with all their eyebrows and whiskers rimed.  It was so cute, but I didn't manage to get a picture of them.

Thanks so much for your feedback, Randy.  Glad you are enjoying my blog.  In answer to your question about getting on the internet, we have a wireless MiFi 2200 device from Verizon and a Wilson Electronics wireless cellular amplifier attached to an antenna on our roof.  Weather doesn't seem to effect it at all.  We have great Verizon coverage in this area.

In compiling information for my index, I was unable to find where I had written about the rattlesnake vaccination for dogs.  Maybe I only thought I wrote about it. . .  Anyway, when we first adopted our dogs the vet told us that a rattlesnake bite for a dog (or anyone) is extremely painful and it would cost several thousand dollars to save the dog.  But a vaccine has been developed that protects a dog so if they are bitten there is very little pain or damage.  As an example, he told us that one owner brought his dog in thinking it had sprained or fractured his leg, but when the area was shaved they discovered the dog had been bitten.  A simple antibiotic was prescribed and the dog was fine.  We had both our dogs vaccinated which initially consists of two inoculations a month apart, and then a yearly booster after that.  Well worth the $35 per shot.

I also want to explain about the catalytic combuster in our wood stove.  We have a thermometer made especially for top of the stove that sits on top of it.  When it reaches 250 degrees (which means it is 500 inside the stove), we flip a lever which sends all the smoke and fumes through the combuster.  It re burns everything creating even more heat, and less much pollution, much like the catalytic converter in a car.  No smoke comes out of the chimney, just heat.

JB drove Down There Wednesday to do his Christmas shopping (for me).  He was again able to drive his Jeep down the road as there has really been no change for about three weeks.  He parked at Larry and Elsie's, and took my Jeep into town, as it needed to be used.  While he was gone, I finally put up the Christmas decorations.  I always think I'll just put up a few, but once I get started I can't stop.  I even put out all the presents.  I LOVE Christmas!  Was going to bake more cookies yesterday, but just got too late of a start to the day.  Will bake some today.

JB cleaned my gun for me yesterday (since he's the one who used it) and I got "high" on the smell of Hoppe's gun cleaning fluid.  Something about that smell.  And I can picture my Dad cleaning his guns as I watched entranced. 

Thought for the day:  You can have my gun when you pry it out of my cold, dead fingers.   All Free Men

December 14, 2011

Another island in the fog

While Monday was clear again, there was no valley fog.  However the fog was back on Tuesday and spent the morning climbing towards us.  It arrived about noon and spent the rest of the day wafting in and out.

I baked cookies as planned on Monday, but not the peppermint swirls I wanted to as I discovered we were out of peppermint extract.  I did find an interesting recipe for chocolate zingers which have both black and red pepper in them.  As you bite into them you can taste the bittersweet chocolate and as you finish, your mouth is left with a zingy tingle.  Very good!

I put the last of the cookie sheets in the oven about 3:15 and got started getting dressed to get firewood and go for our walk.  JB was in the loft trying to get his computer to work.  I had one boot on when I saw two coyotes going up our east ridge.  They were beautiful - about the color of Dinga only lighter and much larger.  Then the dogs spotted them and started barking and scratching at the door.  I told JB, who came down, grabbed the gun and went out as I held the dogs back.  He fired off a few rounds, and managed to kill a tree branch.  I was trying to get my other boot on.  The timer for the cookies rang just as he was going to come in, and then his phone did too, up in the loft.  Somehow he got in without letting the dogs out and answered his phone just before it went to voice mail.  It was the call he was waiting for - Jake, to help him with his computer.  One of those focal points in time that seems to be a magnet for everything to happen at once.

He still cannot get into his computer, so Jake sent me an e-mail with a link to a file to download.  I'll copy it to a cd and Jake will call this evening and walk him through it.  He had changed his domain and then couldn't get back in, and it has all his bead research information which he has not backed up.  Thank goodness for a son who is a genius with computers.  Personally, I don't understand much about them other than what I need to use them.  I have noticed that my moods can affect them though.  (I do not jest!)  Which is why I really enjoy doing many things manually as we do everyday Up Here.

One the the aspects of living Up Here that took me a long time to get used to is the lack of need for window coverings.  I have always liked my privacy and living Down There that meant drapes and/or blinds that I closed as darkness fell each night.  Up Here we have no close neighbors or public roads.  There is no one to look in our windows.  But the first year I had drapes on the living room area, bedroom and bathroom windows, ostensibly to keep out the night chill.  Larry and Elsie, whose house front is two stories of glass, have no curtains at all.  So having finally realized that I am really not concerned with the deer and bears watching us, I took down the drapes and put up some lacy valences that Elsie gave to me.  I do have curtains in the bathroom, although they are still towels, but color coordinated.  When we finish the walls in the bathroom, I have a nice, wildlife printed valence I will put up, and then probably get some top-down, bottom-up shades.  The drapes are now our inside doors to the bedroom, the bathroom and the linen closet.  There are blinds inside the glass on our front doors and we close them at night so the dogs can't see out.  They are also great to keep out the hot summer sun in the morning.

Because we knew the temperature would be down into the single digits last night, I set the alarm for 1:30 a.m. just to be sure one of us got up to re-stock the fire.  That was painful.

Thought for the day: I believe I shall, in some shape or other, always exist; and, with all the inconveniences human life is liable to, I shall not object to a new edition of mine, hoping, however, that the errata of the last may be corrected.   Benjamin Franklin

December 12, 2011

Rime ring!

What an incredible photograph!  You can actually see the ring of rime that the frozen fog left on the canyon walls.  The trees and the sides of canyon are all white with hoar frost, not snow.  This was taken Sunday afternoon from our north ridge, looking north west.

The sky was cloudy on Sunday for the first time in a couple weeks.  Occasionally a few snow flakes would drift down, but it was just a tease for the weather that is predicted for Wednesday.  Possible snow flurries then.

I am compiling an index for my blog which I hope to post soon on a new page.  It is taking much longer and is much more tedious than I had anticipated, but it will make it much easier to find specific subjects and photographs without having to read through everything I have written.  Of course to make the index, I have to go back and re-read the whole blog and I am reminded of everthing we have done in the past 3-1/2 years.  Makes me want to take a nap!

JB baked bread on Friday and with that delicious scent wafting up into the loft, it was difficult not to drool on the cards I was making.  He really gets into cooking and baking when the weather turns cold.  I plan to get started on baking Christmas cookies today, and begin decorating.  I normally start putting up decorations on Thanksgiving weekend, but this year I was still decorating Christmas cards instead.

JB spent all day Sunday researching glass trade beads.  For years he has wanted to be able to have the time to it, and now that he does have the time he is practically giddy, he is so pleased.  It's a fascinating subject, and I love our collection of beads.  It is amazing to think how we are both communicating with people all over the country, actually all over the world.  I never would have been able to conceive of such a thing 30 years ago.

And speaking of such inconceivable things, the last Time magazine was all about recent inventions.  I was in absolute awe as I read about them.  Such incredible ideas that are becoming real.  If mankind can bring such amazing ideas into reality, why can we not find politicians who are devoted to an actual government of the people, by the people and for the people? Is it too much to hope for?  Where are the statesmen of yesteryear?

Thought for the day:  Let the Constitution be taught in schools, seminaries and in colleges; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, enforced in courts of justice, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation.   Abraham Lincoln

December 11, 2011

Island in the valley fog

A heartfelt "Thank You" to those who commented on my 12/9 blog.  I really do appreciate the feedback.  Thanks for reading my diary.  Hmmm.  Now there's a sentence I never thought I would write. . .

Forgot about the eclipse Saturday morning, but Sandy called me at 6:30 a.m. to be sure I didn't miss it!  It was beautiful.  Just wish I had the right camera to photograph it.

Have finally finished making my Christmas cards, wrapping the last few gifts and packaging them for mailing.  JB is going Down There on Tuesday to do his Christmas shopping and mail everything.  This will probably be the earliest he has every shopped.  When we lived Down There, he would do his shopping on December 24!  Guess that's typically a guy thing.  Personally, I used to start shopping for Christmas gifts at the December 26 sales, as there are some people on my list for whom I am at a loss at what to make (like my brother).  I think my Aunt Nene has all her gifts purchased or made by July 4th!  Since we have lived at Rose Camp, I buy any gifts I haven't made and I still need on line on Black Friday. 

I have started reading a book on which I was able to get a great deal at Hastings.com on their Black Friday sale.  It's entitled Throne Games by George R.R. Martin and is the basis for the HBO series.  After having read only a few chapters, I really want to see that now.  Except for Jim Butcher's books and, of course, J.R. Tolkien, I usually don't go for that genre, but this book is fascinating.  I am always amazed at how authors can create entirely new worlds in which to set their tales.

It was only 14 degrees outside yesterday morning, with a high of 22.  The canyons and valleys have been full of fog for most of the week, with it sometimes dissipating in the evenings.  Lots of deer around, too.  I think they've all come up out of the fog.  One of the most fascinating aspects of the fog is the islands of trees peaking through it.  I love it when I can capture that in a photo, as in the one above.

And speaking of Aunt Nene, they have had a tradition for many years of smoking cheese and sending it to everyone at Christmas.  It is a special part of the holidays that we all look forward to.  She sent some extra this year so we might even share it with Larry & Elsie.  They smoked some last year and it was delicious, too.  We would love to build a smokehouse.  Doesn't have to be very big and we could probably just use logs from Up Here.  Good Lord!  You'd think that after the shop and deck, we'd never want to build anything again, but here I already have a list of three more buildings - guest cabin, root cellar and smokehouse.  It's a good thing we're getting younger, and not older. . .

Thought for the day:  I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.  So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.   Nathaniel Hawthorne

December 9, 2011

Mountain sun & valley fog on
Thursday, 12/8

The high pressure system that is parked over eastern Washington is giving us phenomenal blue skies and sunshine, but it is also causing an inversion layer Down There with air stagnation warnings through this Sunday.  That means lots of mountain sun and valley fog, as you can see in the photo above.  Our air Up Here is still crisp and clear.  Perfect for getting out, going on hikes and taking lots of pictures.

Thursday's high temperature was only 23.  I think I expend as much energy getting in and out of my outside gear as I do going on our hikes.  But that's okay as I need to work off all that eggnog and future Christmas goodies.  I plan to bake lots of cookies this year, as soon as my Christmas cards are all made.  And that should be by this evening.

JB went Down There on Wednesday for a blood test, mail & a little shopping.  The first two miles of our road are still icy, but the main canyon road is almost clear now.  More traffic on that road, plus it is gravelled.

Except for Wednesday, JB has been working in his shop each day.  He finished the pine guard for my desk, and it looks great!  Now he's working on flat dollies for the dog food under the stairs.  They will make getting those 40 lb. bags in and out so very much easier.

Less than two weeks to go til the Winter Solstice when the days start to get longer again.  And not a day too soon.  When we get down to less than nine hours of daylight, I really want to hibernate.  Well, actually that urge hasn't been as strong lately with all the sunny days we are having, but I still have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.

Thought for the day:  The short memories of the American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.  Will Rogers

December 7, 2011



Our peak at Rose Camp on the left with fog over the
Columbia River in the background



A different perspective of the canyon
to the south of Rose Camp



Another view of the Cascades to the west

The dogs and I went for a hike Tuesday morning along the south ridge to our neighbors, two lots over to the southwest.  One of several owners who only come Up Here once or twice a year.  They have the highest point near us, with a 360 degree view, on which they have built a bench.  I shot 50 photos while we were gone.  Just couldn't stop snapping them.  Again, I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.

It is amazing how simply stepping to one side or another affords one a whole new perspective.  Very obvious when you are in the mountains; not so much in day to day life.  From the top of a ridge the view can change considerably by just turning or taking one or two steps to either side.  A lot of people could learn from that metaphor.

It is also amazing what a good night's sleep can do for one's attitude and energy level.  The fire in our wood stove is like a new born baby and demands attention during the night.  I have decided not to attend to it until at least 4:00 a.m.  My sleep is more important than keeping the house cozy 24/7.  I will just be very diligent about the fire I put in before we go to bed.  With our soapstone stove, a good fire can still put out the heat after 6 hours.

When we first moved Up Here there were many wildlife trails, but two main "freeways."  One wound across our east slope from north to south, and the other was along the south ridge.  With the introduction of our dogs, the deer have made a new path just the other side of the ridge.  When they are walking you cannot see them, but if they are in a hurry and are running (sproinging) or bounding (boinging), and you are looking (as Dinga usually is) you can see just their heads above the ridge line with each bound.  It's really hilarious and the dogs go nuts.

And speaking of "going nuts", both Dinga and Jesse get very excited when we start putting on our coats and boots.  But when I reach for my trekking pole, they go ballistic!  We're going on a hike!  We're going on a hike!

Thought for the day:  The mountains are calling and I must go.  John Muir
(Words on a clock given to us by Sandy while we were living in Illinois and planning our mountain home in Washington.)

December 5, 2011

Walking up driveway to our home

Not much to write about Sunday itself.  Our day off.  A long, leisurely morning and didn't get to the dishes til almost 11:00 a.m.  JB spent most of his day on the computer doing research on his hobby - glass beads traded in North America.  We became interested in collecting and researching them when we were rendezvousing with the Black Powder clubs.  I went for a hike with the dogs into the woods. I love tromping about in the trees with no worries of snakes or bears.  I can usually do that from November through April, depending upon the snow.  Saw lots of deer, rabbit, squirrel and Jesse tracks, but no actual wildlife.  At least there were no cat tracks. . .  A friend in northern Idaho e-mailed a photo that her neighbor's game cam caught of a very large cougar.  Glad northern Idaho is quite is almost 200 miles away.

Suddenly Christmas is almost here.  With Thanksgiving being so early this year, I feel like it is sneaking up on us.  I have the Christmas wreath and table cloth out, but nothing else yet.  I feel like getting all my decorations out, especially those with the word Christmas on them, to help make up for the lack of Christmas spirit at the White House.  A Holiday Tree as opposed to a Christmas tree?  Unbelievable!  If that doesn't cinch him being kicked out next year, I don't know what will. 

Enough of my political tirade and on to happier thoughts.  Our solar power has been working better than ever since JB tightened up all the bolts and wires.  Just glad that we put that extra cement around the panel post.  Next year we should really put some guy wires up also, as the cement won't do much good if the ground gets soaked again and the wind starts really blowing. 

Thought for the day:  I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand.   Leonardo Da Vinci

December 4, 2011

Jesse on north ridge

As you can see in the photo, there is no snow left on the lower elevations,  however there is still a lot of ice on our road.  It was a much slower, slicker trip down on Friday due to the cycles of melting and freezing we have had.  But JB becomes one with his Jeep, and we made it down and back up quite safely. 

I learned at Costco that I had waited too long to use the cartridge they had refilled, but they gave me my money back anyway.  Talk about customer service!  So I had to buy a new color cartridge, which they don't carry.  We did some other shopping, picked up the mail, got gas and headed back home. 

This was the first we had left the dogs at home for any length of time since Jesse learned how to climb the stairs into the loft.  Really didn't think about that when we left.  When we were not home in time for their morning treat (11:00 a.m.), Jesse went upstairs and brought down two antlers that were under my crafting table.  It was so nice of him to bring one for Dinga to chew on too.  Such a gentleman!  But that was all that was amiss when we returned home and they were thrilled to see us, so I could hardly be mad at him.  Although if we leave them again, I may block the stairs. . .

And speaking of gas, JB learned that the reason he is having a problem with the spark plug getting gummed up in the snow thrower, is because small engines tend to have a problem with gas with ethanol in it.  We discovered that several places in Wenatchee sell gas without ethanol, so that is what we are buying from now on for the small engines that we have.

We spent Friday evening reading magazines and newspapers, and finished during a leisurely Saturday morning.  Then JB went out to work in his shop and I made Christmas cards.  Having finally achieved the look I wanted, I got busy printing everything and then started cutting, stamping, embossing, gluing, etc., etc.  Lots of work to do in the next couple days as I would like to have them all done by the time JB goes back Down There on Tuesday.

I am so pleased at how long potatoes and squash are keeping in our "root cellar."  I mentioned previously that we are using the crawl space for such storage and I had covered a wood crate with screen to keep out any bugs or mice that might be down there.  When I was outside the other day, I looked at the west side of the shop which is about two to three feet from a four foot dirt wall.  If we dig that out to about three to four feet wide and build up the dirt side by a foot or two, we could then build a slanted roof from the shop to the dirt and cover it with sod, like RJ did for his roof.  Then we could build a dirt filled wall against the side of the shop; close the two ends; and, viola!  A real root cellar.  For wanting to take it easy next summer, I've already got quite a list of projects.  But they are all small ones.  Not even this root cellar would be as time consuming as the shop and deck.  (Although I may end up having to add that to my list of Famous Last Words.)

Note to Chris: If you would like to e-mail any questions you have to camp.rose08@gmail.com, I can answer them for you.  Thanks for becoming a follower!

Thought for the day:  I may not be totally perfect, but parts of me are excellent.    Ashleigh Brilliant

December 2, 2011

On a clear day you can see. . .  Mt Baker

I have seen deer bounding and I am sure I have seen deer running, but I have never seen the bouncy mule deer we have Up Here (or perhaps my memory has failed me once again).  Our deer sproing or boing.  They do not run or bound.  More on the order of a kangaroo, only higher.  Perhaps it's simply a matter of semantics, but I think not.  Whatever the case, it makes me laugh.

And, boy do I need some laughs right now.  I spent most of Wednesday redesigning our Christmas card.  Finally was pleased with the results and then Thursday the "new" cartridge I had filled at Costco was giving my photos a reddish glow.  Last year I ran out of color toner with no time to go Down There for more.  Now this.  At least I have time to deal with it and will go to Costco today.  Fortunately we are in a four-to-five-day dry spell.  Cold but dry.  And clear, as you can see in the photo above. 

I still get frustrated with us being so remote, especially when things like this happen.  I have learned to look at each and every item I pick off the shelf at the grocery store to be sure it is what I want.  Often when I reach for the intended item, something else has become mixed in which is not what I want.  Waiting until I get home to discover that can really add to the frustration level.  I have also learned to describe in detail everything that I put on a list for JB to buy.  It has become apparent that what I mean when I write and what he interprets when he reads can be completely different. . .

There has been a lot of wildlife movement up here the past few weeks.  Lots of deer tracks on the south ridge and driveway.  Despite the cold, the dogs are outside for most of the day and have several forays after dark.  Dinga has earned the new nickname of Princess Barks-a-lot.  We could hear coyotes close last night so we didn't let them out so much then.  Yesterday morning when they went for their normal 5:00 a.m. run, they were gone for 40 minutes, as opposed to their normal 10 or 15.  This morning I took them out on leashes so they could do their business and go right back inside, so I could get back to bed.

I love the late Fall and early Winter mornings.  There are no pressing projects so we can just leisurely enjoy the beginning of our day.  Another great aspect of being retired.  But, surprisingly, it didn't come easily.  After so many years of rising early and jumping into our day, it was actually difficult to give ourselves permission to relax and enjoy.  Even now I often think, "I know there's something I should be doing."  Yeah - Sudoku or crossword puzzles.  By late Winter and early Spring, I am more eager to get an early start as the weather allows, so I can get back outside to clean up fallen branches and extend the area in which I prune the trees.

We are busy in the afternoons, each with our own projects.  JB has been working to organize his shop and has started on his list of winter projects.  Like a tongue-in-grove pine protector for the side of my desk that is next to the firewood.  He is also working on back of the kitchen counter extension we added this summer.  Always lots to do Up Here, only now we are the ones deciding just what that is.
 
Thought for the day:  Faith is not about everything turning out ok.  Faith is about being ok no matter how things turn out.