Apr 29, 2013 Wind & The Lone Ranger



Windblown compost frame & swing



Panels before tilting. . .














. . . and after.





Friday, 4/26.  Right after posting my blog, JB and I loaded the trailer with the garbage (all but an old suitcase fit).  Not a pleasant way to start the day, but at least it's done now.  

Correction to 4/25 "Thought for the day": should have read "Guns only have two enemies: rust and politicians."

It was already 60 outside by 11:00 am.  Seemed like 70 or more.  Just when I've gotten used to the cold weather, now I have to get used to the warm.  But I got going early and while JB was gone I washed the dishes.  I cleaned up the porch.  Put all the needles I had raked up yesterday into four bags.  Refilled the coffee cans with sawdust for the outhouse.  And generally worked up a sweat without giving my muscles a workout.

After JB got home about 1:00 pm, I stacked that last trailer load of wood that he had tossed inside the wood shed fence.  I also made hummingbird nectar and got the feeder hung out in the late afternoon.  I forgot that I had to cook it . . , along with how to stack wood, and, possibly, what a wren sounds like.  Take the winter off and look what happens. . .

Saw a chipmunk on the side of the wood shed again this afternoon - same time (on our walk), same place.  We'll keep the gate closed from now on or else Dinga will get in there and tear the place apart.

Our high for the day was 63.  Hot in the sun, but pleasant in the shade.  We enjoyed the shade on the porch after dinner in our chairs.  I couldn't sit still though and re-did the steps in the rock wall.  Much better now.

We watched "Armageddon", or at least JB did.  I really don't like these doomsday movies, so half-way through I went back out on the porch for a while.  I have seen "Independence Day", but this was much more intense.

Saturday, 4/27.  This morning began partly overcast and 41.  I let the dogs out at 5:30 and lit a fire.  With dawn came a big gust of wind, as if upon rising, the sun let out a big sigh.

Was a little breezy when I got up again at 7:30, but by 8:00 the predicted wind had blown in.  NOAA said to expect 20-30 mph sustained winds and it sure seemed like it was on the high end, and I know some of the gusts were up to 40 and 50 mph.  A good day to stay inside.  The dogs certainly don't like to go out in it.  I had to get wood from the shed now that there isn't any more on the porch, and that was an effort.  Oh, yeah - the wind is supposed to be worse on Monday.  I can hardly wait.

On our walk we discovered that the wind had blown over my swing, blown the frame of the compost pile about 15 feet closer to the house (see photo above), and knocked over the southwest pole on the garden fence!

Great May/June issue of Cowboys & Indians!  The cover story is the movie "The Lone Ranger."  When I first heard that Johnny Depp was playing Tonto, I was a little skeptical, but now having read about the format, it is definitely a must see!  Depp was actually made an honorary Comanche by the tribe.  I still remember listening to The Lone Ranger on the radio with my Dad when I was in grade school.  Then, of course, watching the series on TV.  The Lone Ranger is as much a part of me as is Roy Rogers (although I always thought The Lone Ranger was a lot more exciting.)  When playing cowboys and Indians as a kid, I usually wanted to be the Indian.

Am learning to use my Nook.  Not a real fan of things electronic as we always seem to have our issues.  Fortunately JB purchased an extended 3-year warranty for it which covers everything, even if I drop it, which isn't at all unlikely.

Sandy told me she heard on the news that the Governor of Washington  wants a ban on "man" words in describing civil servants like fireman, policeman, etc.  Instead one must use the words firefighter, law enforcement officer, etc.  It would carry a $500 fine!  OMG!  Talk about political correctness gone feral!  (Please note that the capital of Washington, Olympia, is on the WEST side of the mountains - the extremely liberal side.)

The sustained wind had died out by about 2:30, but it was still pretty gusty well into the evening.  By bedtime it had all stopped and was eerily quiet.

Sunday, 4/28.  It was clear and 35 with a breeze early this morning.  JB let me sleep in til 8:30 and then made German pancakes for breakfast.  We went outside soon after to "batten down the hatches" before the next wind storm arrived.  The high wind watch is for midnight tonight through 5:00 pm tomorrow.  Just wanted to get it done as early as possible and not be rushed.

We tilted the panels all the way up, a week early but we figured there would be less wind resistance tilted up.  Then we put the small chairs and empty rain barrel from the porch into the wood shed.  Replaced the last few wooden stakes on the tipi with metal ones.  Put the swing frame upright and took the swing off the frame.  Put stakes over the bottom of the compost pile frame.  Also attached a second plastic tie on the lid of the cistern riser.

While resting in our chairs on the porch afterwards, I actually saw a wren and recognized its song.  (I guess those synapses haven't stopped firing after all.)  Then a brilliant green hummingbird came to the feeder.  I love Spring!

I picked up the larger of the downed branches and put them on the cutting pile.  Then picked up several armloads of kindling.  Wind - nature's pruner.  It was pleasant while working outside in the morning, but later in the day the wind turned icy and we had to wear our big coats to go on our walk.

The two Pacific Ninebark seedlings are budding, but it doesn't look like the Blooming Red Current seedlings are going to survive.  There is lots of grass coming up in the yard now that I have raked off the needles.  Looks like we may have twice as much as last year.

Monday 4/29.  Happy Birthday to my Mom (she would be 90) & Dinga (she is 5)!  It's partly cloudy and 29 out there with a few snow flakes blowing in the breeze.  We are on the edge of the storm that is blasting the mountains.  The high wind watch is still in effect til 5:00 pm but it sound like the worst of it is north and east of us.  It was windy all night but nothing more than 20 mph gusts. 

Thought for the day:  An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.  Dan Rather

Apr 26, 2013 Gun Thoughts



Chipmunk on the woodshed


Wednesday, 4/24.  Still reading magazines JB brought up on Monday.  Got to LOVE Backwoods Home magazine!  Always good, but this issue is absolutely excellent!  Three articles especially:  "My View" regarding BHM's local school band vs. the teacher's union; "Gun Control for Dummies" in "Ayoob on Firearms"; "The Last Word" by John Silveira.  Here's a quote from Ayoob: "When you tell the public "You can no longer have something you've always been allowed to have", it's not "control", it's prohibition."  So many good points in that article.  "The Last Word" brought up a very thought provoking fact: The police are not here to protect you.  They are here to uphold the law.  A big difference.  Also, I have had reservations regarding semi-automatic guns with large magazines, but this article convinced me that they should remain legal.  This is a "must read" issue.

The day stayed clear with a high of 53.  I hung the wash outside & loved it.  Ahhh, the little things.

We took two trailer loads of firewood from the north end of the porch and several wagon loads from the south end.  Got it all stacked in the shed.  Should be able to finish up tomorrow.  Not as sore as I thought I would be, as this is the second day of hard labor.

Thursday, 4/25.  Another clear day that began as 38 but quickly warmed up.  I did another load of wash and it was alreay 54 when I hung it up.  Then I raked the pine needles off of the "lawn" part of the yard.  Always a good workout and it got the kinks out from yesterday.

Two more trailer loads of wood from the porch to the shed and several more wagon loads and all the firewood was off the porch.  Woo hoo!  Now we just have to figure out what to do with the washing machine and dryer, then we'll have our porch back.   Still plenty of room for the chairs and we did sit in them after dinner.  So nice.

Saw our first hummingbird, who was zipping around the hook where I hang their feeder.  Will have to get that out soon.  JB thought he heard the wren, but I didn't see it.

I really need to be more physically active next winter.  Crossword puzzles and sudoku are great for working the brain muscles, but they don't do much for the rest of my body.

I napped while JB fixed dinner.  Felt sooo good!

We watched the first of the Jesse Stone movies with Tom Selleck and will probably watch the rest at one or two a week.

Friday, 4/25.  Another beautiful day but two nasty storms are supposed to be moving in on Saturday and Monday with lots of strong winds.  No hard labor today.  Giving our muscles a rest.

JB is making our Spring run to the garbage dump and buying a few pieces of lumber to braced the wood in the wood shed.  I am just going to do light weight chores.

Thought for the day: Guns have only two enemies: rust and politicians.

Apr 24, 2013 Oops!



Oops!





Restacked, along with some wood from the porch.

















Monday, 4/22.  Dinga and Jesse's four-legged friend from two miles down the canyon, Buster, came to visit early this morning.  He always comes up when he and his master arrive at their cabin.

Got going early again today.  Thoroughly vacuumed, then went outside to collect wildflowers for pressing.  Gathered a small container of Western Spring Beauties and especially Yellow bells, as they won't last much longer.  Put them all it the press and now I just wait.  I didn't do any flower pressing last year, but I still have a lot of pressed flowers that I haven't used.

It was a beautiful day and I could see all the mountain peaks, so brilliant against the deep blue sky.  But it was cold, even in the sun.  Our high was 40.

JB arrived home a little after 2:00 pm with lots of goodies from the coast.  Wine from his brother.  Books, candy and doggie treats from his Mom, along with my birthday present that I will have to resist opening for another 3-1/2 weeks.  He had a good visit and the winery had a great weekend.

Lots of mail and newspapers to read.  Both tired, but we managed to make  some nachos and watch a couple episodes of "Rizzoli & Isles."

Tuesday, 4/23.  The day began cloudy and 30, but we had blue sky by noon and the sun was nice and warm.  Our high at the house was only 45, but it was much warmer on the south ridge.

Wasn't too sure about the weather when the laundry was done, but hung one sheet and towel outside.  Turned out just fine.

After lunch I began taking wood from the porch to the wood shed in the garden wagon, but not only did I stack - I had to restack (see photo above).  Obviously I need more practice.  It made a very loud noise falling down, almost as loud as my wrath afterwards which only poor JB was there to be in the way of.  I worked for 2-1/2 hours and got 1/2 of one row from the porch into the wood shed, in additon to the restacking. . .

JB used the trailer to bring down the rest of the branches we had cut on the south ridge.  Then he used his Jeep to pull out five large scrub brush.  Their roots often go down two feet or more.  By 3:00 pm we were both tired and aching.  Definitely an ibuprofen night.

On our walk we could really feel the difference in temperature as we came down our north slope from the warm south ridge.  It really got chilly.

Dinga has really been grazing on the new Spring grasses more than usual this year.  Probably because of the meds she is on.  I swear she eats as much as a cow would!

Regarding the comment about knitting, that is probably the best choice and I even have some really pretty yarn left from a craft project years ago.  Will just have to practice a bit.

Wednesday, 4/24.  Another beautiful, cloudless morning and 34.  Lots to do outside as usual.  I love it!

Thought for the day:  The United States Constitution (c) 1791.  All rights reserved.

Apr 22, 2013 Ranting Rose



Yellow hillside by Elsie's




Turkey in the tree















Friday, 4/19.  JB got on the road about 8:15 am for Seattle.  A good time to call Sandy.  So I did, and we talked for an hour. We both agree that "political correctness" is one of the worst phrases to ever enter the American language. It speaks to how thin skinned many people are. It has morphed into "if you don’t believe in the same things I do, then you are wrong." Sandy and I have been friends for more than 40 years. We have quite different tastes and opinions, but we often discuss those differences and accept them as part of who we are. America was built on the freedom to be diverse. A place to speak your views and be accepted regardless of them.  And, yes, I know there has always been friction between factions and races, but it just seems like there is less acceptance now than there used to be in the last half of the 20th century. These days people are vilified in print and on the air if they disagree with a popular trend. A very sad commentary on where our society is headed. Political correctness was an innocuous beginning of telling others how they should talk; what they should believe; how they should live their lives. Socialism. Gun control.  Get out of my face!  If you don't like what someone is saying - and it's not hurting anyone (I mean suggesting physical harm) - just ignore them.  I don't feel like I really got my meaning across in this paragraph, but I'm not sure just how to do it.

And that is one reason why we live Up Here, so we don't have to face it on a daily basis.  After Sandy and I solved the world's problems, I did some housework, some sudoku, and read my book, Wages of Sin, by Stephen Coonts.  After lunch I worked outside for a couple of hours trimming and cutting up the branch pile.  Took several armloads to the woodshed.  Gathered three bags of pine needles for fire starter.  I have yet to find a better one.

It was kind of a dreary, cloudy day.  The dogs and I went on our walks.  Lots of leftovers in the freezer so for dinner I thawed some chili; put lots of sour cream and cheese on it; and toasted a piece of JB's "rye" bread.  Very little work, lots of yummm.

Saturday, 4/20.  Started out 32 and partly cloudy, with only wind in the forecast.  Guess the storm never got past the mountains.

Got an early start and defrosted both the fridge and freezer before lunch.  The sun played peek-a-boo among the clouds floating over for most of the day.  I finished trimming and cutting up the branches.  Put several large pieces in the wood cradle and took a few loads to the wood shed in the firewood bag.  Can't use the wheelbarrow as it needs a new tire.  Then I puttered around the yard picking up small branches and trying to fix the "creek".  It had been stepped on while the snow was melting (by larger boots than mine), so many of the small stones needed to be put flat again.

Greek yogurt may be a good source of protein and other nutrients, but for me it's a source of flatulence.  From now on I'll only be using Activia in my smoothies.  Glad I got that figured out. . .

By the time we went on our afternoon walk, the sky was mostly blue but the wind had kicked up.  The weather is supposed to be cool for a few days, then warmer than average by the end of the week.

After dinner Dinga was putting up quite a fuss on the north side of the house.  I looked out and there was a turkey up in one of the trees down the west ridge.  It was way up in the tree but that just made it eye-level with Dinga sitting on the ridge.  So close, yet so far away.

Sunday, 4/21.  It was 28 and clear when the dogs got me up at 5:30 am and still the same when I got back up at 7:00 am, but clouds moved in quickly after that.  I find it interesting that in the Summer and Fall I can easily imagine the winter snow, but in the Winter I cannot picture the Spring green.  The lushness of it always amazes me anew each year.

I drove down to Larry and Elsie's before lunch to get some chicken poop (dry) for our garden.  Larry was tilling their garden, much to the delight of the chickens.  Didn't even need 4-wheel drive to get up and down our road, except at the hair-pin turn just below our driveway.  I saw a couple of turkeys and our resident blue grouse on the drive.  The hillside across the road from Larry and Elsie's is almost solid yellow with balsam root!  I spread the manure on the garden as soon as I got home.  Will get out the shovel and do the same with the compost pile tomorrow.

I brought down a couple loads of branch wood in our garden wagon from the burn pile on the south ridge.  Then cut them up with my clippers and stacked it all in the wood shed.  There were several hail showers while I was working.  We were accompanied by another one on our afternoon walk, and barely made it inside before it really started coming down and turned the ground white.  It turned to snow shortly thereafter, but soon stopped and quickly melted.  I guess a little bit of that storm finally did make it over the mountains after all.  Our high for the day barely made it up to 40.

Nene suggested that since I got a new shampoo for my hair, that I might need a new detergent for my pants.  Actually what is need is less chocolate and a smaller Easter basket.  Yeah, like that's going to happen. . .

Between novels I have started reading the non-fiction In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.  It is about the U.S. Ambassador to Germany who was appointed in 1940 just as Hitler was taking over Germany.  I love the way the people of that era (1900- 1940's) kept such detailed journals.  Both my Mother and her Mother did too, but my Mother's pretty much ended when she married my Dad.

I really enjoy sitting out on our deck or porch during the day for respits while working.  I can sit there for a little while, but not for hours.  I think relaxing is an art that usually has to be learned, something my Mother never did.  Even when watching TV (which wasn't very often), she would usually say, "I really shouldn't be sitting here.  I have so much to do."  I have a hard time sitting still, too.  Even while watching a movie, I'll be getting up and down doing things.  Maybe I should take up knitting, crocheting or embroidery again.  Just something to do with my hands while I'm sitting there.

Monday, 4/22.  It is a beautiful, crisp morning - clear and 23.  JB should be home by mid afternoon as he has some errands to run when he gets into town.  Am looking forward to getting my Nook!  Oh, and of course, seeing him.

Thought for the day:  The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.



 

Apr 19, 2013 Tea & Hair



Jesse's nest on our bed. 


Wednesday, 4/16.  We treated this morning like it was Sunday, reading the papers and magazines.  A nice, lazy morning.  The Wenatchee paper had another very interesting article on wolves and how people in Minnesota have learned to live with them.  They have about 3000, compared to Washington's 100.  I think we will be able to manage also.

More great articles in the new issues of BackHome and Countryside, as usual.  They are always interesting, but this month there seem to be more that apply to us.  BackHome did publish my letter to the editor.  Guess I was on a bit of a rant when I wrote it. . .

I always have several types of tea on hand because I really enjoy mixing them together.  This morning I had my 12 oz. cup with one bag of English Breakfast and one bag of Lemon Ginger.  Delicious!

It was already 40 and still sunny by the time the laundry was done, so I hung the socks outside.  Soon discovered there was an icy breeze, and my fingertips were numb by the time I got back in!

I gave up on trying to deal with my thinning and limp hair without using a shampoo with chemicals.  On Tuesday when I went Down There, I bought some Nioxin shampoo and conditioner.  I can feel the difference with just one shampooing.

While I was Down There on Tuesday, JB made a recipe for "rye" bread.  Well, obviously it has no rye flour in it, and is gluten free, but it uses a combination of four different flours and several unusual ingredients.  It makes three loaves and it really does taste like rye!  The recipe was in a midwest cookbook that one of his cousins gave to us.

The sky clouded over in the afternoon, but the socks were dry by the regular time.  We both took naps.  It was a slow day all around.

JB called his doctor about the side effects he was experiencing and was told to go off the medication (for cholesterol) for a week.

I made a potato, bacon and cheese fritata for dinner, and then we watched more of the second year of "Warehouse 13."

Thursday, 4/18.  It was overcast and 29 this morning.  Much warmer than it has been, but it stayed overcast all day with the sun peaking through a few times.  Our high was 48.

After lunch, JB took the chains off of his Jeep and got all ready for his trip to Seattle tomorrow.  I trimmed more of the large pile of branches, putting some of the larger pieces in the wood cradle for JB to cut with the chain saw.  I also took two loads of smaller pieces to the wood shed.

The most irritating thing about Spring is that those pants that have hung in my closet all winter have shrunk. . .

Monday's snow is just about all gone, and a new storm is supposed to move in on Saturday.  Not sure if it will bring rain or snow.

Friday, 4/19.  It is partly cloudy and 32 outside.  All the little patches of snow have now disappeared.  Maybe Winter is finally ceding to Spring. . .

JB is planning to leave at 8:00 am, so I am up earlier than usual.  A nap sounds good for this afternoon. . .

Thought for the day:  Know guns.  Know peace.  Know safety.  No guns.  No peace.  No safety.

Apr 17, 2013 Spring Weather!



Another 4+ inches of snow on Monday!


Monday, 4/15.  Spring certainly offers the most diverse weather of any other season!  The war between it and Winter continues Up Here.  Today remained cloudy until about 2:30 when the sun broke through and by then we had another 2+ inches of snow, in additon to the 2" we woke up to.  The big difference this year is that couple warm weeks we had that melted all the snow, so now anything we get quickly melts.

I certainly am enjoying the Himalayan salt lamp that Nene bought for me.  I have been wanting one for years and found one in a fantastic little store near her home.  I was going to buy it with some of my Christmas money, but she said, "No, let me get it for you.  I was going to give you money for gas, but I'll get this for you instead."  Who could refuse?  The lamp gives off negative ions (a scientific fact) that cleanse the air (another fact) and calm the soul (also proven).  It works the same way a waterfall does, which also produces negative ions.

We gave the dogs the bones that Larry and Elsie brought up for them, and they were thrilled.  I have never seen a dog go through bones the way that Dinga does.  There is usually very little left when she is done, but this time there was nothing left!  Jesse just chews off any meat and marrow, then leaves the rest for Dinga.

Tuesday, 4/16.  It was overcast and 22 with almost another 1/2" of snow when I left for Down There a little after 8:30 am.  The drive down wasn't bad at all.  That's the good thing about new snow on bare ground, it's fairly easy to drive through.  Got everything done and was home by 2:30 pm.  Whew!  The drive back up was a little more sloppy as the sun was shining and melting everything again.  Our high for the day was 36.

I think I have been convinced to spend my Christmas money on a Nook like JB's, but I will get the one with back lighting.  It is just a simple e-reader and the battery lasts 30 hours.  Barnes & Noble has more than three million free books available for downloadiing, and every Friday they offer a new one, available for just that one day.

Wednesday, 4/17.  It is clear and 22 this morning.  I turned the alarm clock off so it wouldn't wake up JB, then I slept in too.  He wasn't feeling to well, which we think is due to side effects of a new medication the doctor put him on in place of a more expensive one.  He may have to go back to the other one. . .

Thought for the day:  Gun control isn't about guns.  It's about control.

Apr 15, 2013 Rose's Jeep & The U.N.



Firewood restacked in the wood shed.


Friday, 4/12.  Before lunch, while JB was out cleaning grease off all the tools we had used to fix MAX, I used my computer to start a typing a "How to Live at Rose Camp" manual just in case anything happens to us.  I am trying to list all facets of living Up Here.  So far it is three typed pages, and I have already written notes to add to it.

After lunch we decided to ride MAX down to my Jeep and if the road was dry enough, I would drive my Jeep back home.  We had stopped to move some rocks off the road when I noticed that the locking collar on the axle we replaced had slipped out a little.  Just to be safe, JB parked MAX and we walked the rest (most) of the way, about 1-1/2 miles, moving rocks as we went.  The road was actually better that we thought it would be, except for one sheltered area that still had a lot of snow.  I drove us all back to MAX, where JB and Jesse got out.  Dinga and I made it all the way back up just fine.  The whole operation only took about 1-1/2 hours, but I took a nap before dinner.  I have taken one for the past three days, and it feels so good.

A light rain began falling about 4:30 pm.  We had watched it march in from the west and there were occasional flakes of white mixed in with the droplets.  Our high for the day was 36, but as the evening cooled, the rain mixture became fully snow, but did not stick.

There is a rumor that the U.N. Small Arms Treaty includes a clause which mandates that guns be taken from all people over 55 because that is the age group that is most likely to commit suicide with a gun.  I suppose that is as good a reason as any to try to disarm the citizens of any country, but I can tell you that if they try to take mine, it won't be suicide I'll be committing.  JB keeps checking the U.N. web site, but has yet to see the text of the treaty.  What is it about people who want to tell others how to live their lives?  To have so much power over others?!  Just get out of my face!

Larry and Elsie arrived this evening for a visit, bearing eggs, bones for the dogs and current canyon news.

Saturday, 4/13.  The wind howled all night and at some point it was battering the house with rain.  Not a good night for sleeping, so when sleep finally came, I was in no hurry to get up.  It was 20 and still blowing when I arose at 8:30, with no clouds in sight.

Using the outhouse is a very interesting experience when the wind is blowing so hard.  It blows down the vent pipes and back up the seat hole. . .

We kept a fire going all day.  It felt like the wind was literally blowing the cold through the walls, although I'm sure just the sound of it made me feel cold.  Not at all a good day to be outside, but a perfect day to make a big pot of chicken stew.  A few clouds went scooting past during the day, torn from the vast white wall over the mountains to the west.

JB braved the wind to take the dogs on their morning hike, but it was a nasty, icy wind and the dogs didn't want to be out in it unless we were.  So we all ended up spending most of the day inside, together.

I worked most of the time on my "How to Live at Rose Camp" manual, my new will and other legal documents.  The manual is now six pages long.

The wind blew in a short snow flurry about 7:30 pm and then finally died out, leaving only a trace of white covering lots of small, downed branches.

Sunday, 4/14.  Began partly cloudy and 21, staying like that most of the day, with a high of 34.

I started a new book that JB downloaded for free on his Nook on Friday from Barnes & Noble.  It is Angel Ink by Jocelyyn Drake and is on the order of Jim Butcher's novels.  It is not quite as well written, but has a very intriguing premise.  Elsie had told us about Agenda 21 several months ago and on  Saturday JB bought, and downloaded onto his Nook, the book Behind The Green Mask: U.N. Agenda 21 which is written by Rosa Koire.  This is no novel, but scary fact that everyone in the U.S, no, everyone in the world should read!  It is well researched and documented, and should be mandatory reading in all high schools and universities.  It is about a "new world order" that is attempting to take over.  I hesitated to write that last sentence because it sounds so absurd, but believe me, it is the truth.  I am glad that I am 65, because I would not want to live through this conflict as a young person. 

My manual on how to live Up Here is now seven pages long and that's where I'm stopping.  Will mail copies to our son, my brother and a couple other family members.  Will also give one to Larry and Elsie.

There were no photos on the game cam except of branches blowing in the wind, so when we walked down in the afternoon to put the card back in, we lowered it a few feet.  Hopefully we'll get something this week.

I am planning to go on my first lone shopping trip Down There on Tuesday before JB leaves for Seattle on Friday.  I know we have several packages waiting at our mail box in town, plus there are a few things I need to get.  Am also going to have my will and other documents notarized.

Let the dogs out after watching "Warehouse 13" and walked out into a white world and at good 1/2" of snow!

Monday, 4/15.  Woke up to 2" of snow with 23 degrees, and it is still coming down.  JB hiked up to clean off the solar panels as soon as he got up at 7:15 am.  Better him than me. . .

Thought for the day:  Those who trade liberty for security have neither.  John Adams

Apr 12, 2013 More Flowers



Dwarf Waterleaf blooming on the south slope.
Blooms are about 1" across.


Wednesday, 4/10.  We ended up with rain showers throughout the morning until the wind raced in about 11:00 am.  It raced back out again around 5:00 pm leaving us with clear skies and a high of 44.  Ten-degree-below-normal temperatures are forecast for the weekend.  Don't know yet if my seedlings are going to survive.

I really enjoy working the sudoku puzzles, but some days I can only figure out the easy ones while other days I sail right through the medium ones.  Very frustrating.

I finally found the comb for the dogs.  Jesse loves being combed, but Dinga will have none of it right now.  She broke loose and started racing around in circles when I tried to groom her.  Guess I will have to use the knobby glove on her.

After lunch I worked on a new craft idea I have and JB went out to work on MAX.  I went out a little later and we were able to put on all six of the larger tires.  JB backed MAX into his parking place, but that was it for JB for the day as his hamstring was bothering him again.  I stayed out a bit longer just puttering around.

The robins have arrived Up Here, so it really must be Spring.

I started a new Jack Reacher novel, A Wanted Man, by Lee Child.  JB's choice for reading material right now is America's Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Reed Amar who is a Yale Law School professor.  Rather dry for me, but it makes for good discussions.  It is unbelievable how New York State has completely ignored the fourth amendment with their law to confiscate hand guns from citizens who have been prescribed certain medications.  Just how did they get that information?!

After a dinner of pork chops cooked in sherry and peaches, we started watching season four of "Castle" again.

Thursday, 4/11.  Started out overcast and 28, but soon gave way to lots of blue sky.  The wind had kicked up again during the night but all is quiet now at 6:45 am.  I woke up early and am letting JB sleep in.  There was a fire in the stove, so he must have been up earlier with the dogs, but I sure didn't hear him.  Jesse is sitting here wagging his tale and giving me the "Jesse Mind Meld".  Since I am up, he wants breakfast, but it would be more than an hour early.  I finally gave in at 7:45. . .

I am sure now that a combination of a very low gluten diet and daily pro-biotics is the key to my intestinal health, so pro-biotics are on the shopping list for the next time one of us goes grocery shopping.  It may be a while as JB is going to go help his brother at the winery the weekend of 4/20 and we really do not need anything before that.

I spent more than an hour this morning shredding papers that have been stacking up for about a year.  Got about half of it done.

After lunch we put MAX's tracks back in the shop and cleaned up a bit, then JB went in to rest his leg and I started clipping the large branches we had brought down from the south ridge.  Got a little more than 1/3 of them done, putting the larger pieces in the wood cradle to be cut and took two large armfulls of smaller pieces that I had been able to cut with my clippers to the wood shed.

After that the dogs and I walked up to the south ridge.  Something caught their attention and they both went way down almost into the canyon, further than I have ever seen them go before.  They have been going much further down since we have cut gaps in the fence, as if that gave them the permission to do so.  I made my way down a bit and noticed that the dwarf waterleaf is suddenly blooming all over the south slope.  And each day there is more yellow from the blooming balsam root.

There was an icy breeze coming in from the north today, compared to the comfortable and sometimes warm wind yesterday, though most of that was in the tree tops.  Our high for today was only 39.

Friday, 4/12.  The dogs woke me up at 5:30 am.  I let them out and put a fire in the stove, planning to go right back to bed when they came in but now I am wide awake.  It is 28 outside with a light overcast and I am watching daybreak arrive, and listening to the birds awaken.  The perfect start to my day.

Thought for the day:  We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.  Charles Kingsley

Apr 10, 2013 Life on the Mountain



Western Spring Beauty



Clouds over the mountains

















Monday, 4/8.  JB's morning hike was down to the game cam to put the card back in from yesterday.  He also moved the camera down to our hairpin corner to see if we can get more photos of wildlife other than Jesse.

The clouds parted a bit around 11:00 am and the sun was in and out for the rest of the day.  Our high for the day was 40.  The snow is gone again except for a few areas in the trees on the east slope, but I doubt even that will last much longer.  We are due for some more wet weather but no one is sure in what form it will be.  There is also some strong wind in the forecast for Wednesday.

I finished stacking all the wood that was outside the shed into the inside.  Still too muddy to use the wheel barrow to bring wood from the porch.  Then I spent some time on both the south and north ridges vegging and taking some photos.

JB baked a big loaf of onion bread.  Yum!  I don't know why all the gluten free bread that is for sale in the stores comes in such small loaves.  JB's are as large as a regular loaf, and usually better tasting.

We watched the last two episodes of the first season of True Blood and are now officially hooked. . .

Tuesday, 4/9.  Was clear and 28 when we got up, but became overcast by 11:00 am.  Then sunny by 1:00 pm and overcast again by 4:00 with a high of 43.  A good day to work on MAX.

The dogs haven't been barking much in the past week, but they sure made up for it this morning.  I think it was turkeys as we heard a lot of them during the day.

This is one of those days when I get a little overwhelmed with what we have taken on to live Up Here at our age and with no financial resources.  (Thanks again, Wall Street!)  It happens occasionally.  Just something I need to work through.  Usually takes a day or two to reunite with the knowledge that all is well and will work out for the best as it always has.  The Universe with its divine timing will provide all our needs. 

I am sitting here typing this with grease still under what is left of my fingernails from fixing MAX.  I got the triple sprocket in and the chains on it, then JB pushed the axle through and secured it.  If the weather allows tomorrow, JB will put grease all the grease fittings (one for each wheel) and we can get the tires on.

The snow is all gone now and the Western Spring Beauties that I first spotted last Friday are beginning to carpet the ground.  And the Balsam Root is blooming sporadically on the south slope.  The grove is green with dwarf waterleaf that hasn't yet bloomed.

JB made a big pot of ham and split pea soup for dinner, which we enjoyed with some of his onion bread.  Then we watched the last episodes of season two of "The Vampire Diaries".  I think I have had enough vampires for a while.

Wednesday, 4/10.  It is 36 and a light rain shower just moved through, but I can already see patches of blue sky.  The turkeys are out and gobbling about.  Another good day on the mountain.

Thought for the day:  A friend is discreet.  No matter what your mirror tells you, your friend tells you that you have the bone structure of Garbo and the skin tone of a baby's elbow.  A Friend is Friendly by George Booth

Apr 8, 2013 And Back to White!



Flowers on Saturday. . .



. . . and snow on Sunday!  It must be April.

Friday, 4/5.  The rain stopped about the time I posted my blog at 8:00 am this morning, then we had blue sky and wind for most of the day.  But it was overcast by the time for our 3:30 pm walk, and our high was 45.

Ran the well pump after doing the laundry but only got about 10 minutes of water.  When I ran the pump on Wednesday, the water level came up to the middle of the float, which is the most we have had since last August.  After lunch I finished re-stacking the wood that is in the shed and can now start bringing it in from the porch, as the weather allows.

We made pepperoni and onion pizza for dinner.  I certainly hope that meets with the approval of all you Illinoians. . . and Sandy.

Saturday, 4/6.  We woke to clear sky and 28 with an icy wind, so decided we could probably make it to town.  We left for Down There at 9:00, and picked up two seedlings each of Blooming Red Currant and Nine-bark bushes, along with some good advice from a Master Gardener.  Bought a few groceries and filled our gas cans.  The road was pretty muddy, but we made it down and back up just fine, enjoying the butterflies and stellar jays.  The balsam root is blooming on the lower hillsides, and, of course, just about all the trees in town are competing for attention with their yellow, pink and purple blooms.

The seedlings had to be planted today, so we did that after eating a late lunch.  The wind was nasty and it started snowing while we were planting!  I hope they survive.  After that we all took a nap.  Lucky for me, I was fixing leftovers for dinner.

Sunday, 4/7.  When we got up at 7:30 am, we already had 3-1/4" of snow on the ground and it was still coming down.  We had a total of 5" by 10:30 am when it finally stopped, and a high for the day of 34.  As usual, winter is not about to let go.  And now those poor seedlings are sitting in snow.

Since we had to use the generator to do the dishes, I did a load of laundry.  The sun was on the panels by the time the wash was done.  The wind was already blowing snow off the trees and the temperature had risen from 28 to 32.  The wind continued blowing til late afternoon, so I thought it was a good day to stay inside.  JB, on the other hand, was out cleaning off the solar panels by 7:45, and went on two walks with the dogs during the day.  Dinga was purely jubilant with all the new snow and even Jesse was playing with her in it.

JB made scones after lunch.  I did some housework and read some books.  We watched Rizzoli & Isles after dinner.  Our second go-around for that series.

Monday, 4/8.  It is overcast and 24 out there this morning and it snowed again last night, but just enough to cover most of the bare ground that re-appeared again yesterday afternoon.

A few friends and family members have expressed concern for the dogs with the cougars, bears, and now wolves in our area, but the fact is that they are probably safer Up Here than riding in a car Down There.

Thought for the day:  To get it right be born with luck or else make it.  Never give up.  A little money helps, but what really gets it right is to never face the facts.  Ruth Gordon  

Apr 5, 2013 White to Green!



Green road to the peak


Wednesday, 4/3.  JB left for Down There at 8:45 am in his Jeep.  I did laundry and dishes, then took the dogs for their morning walk.  Heard the turkeys again down the north ridge.  Doesn't phase the dogs to just hear them.  I guess they have to actually see them before giving chase.

The day started out clear but we soon had a light overcast with a high for the day of 51.  I was going to say "just" 51, but it was only a few days ago that we actually broke 50!

After lunch I worked in the wood shed, re-stacking the wood that is left in there.  When I am done with that, I'll start hauling the wood up from the porch.  I have been taking fire wood from the porch for the past few days now since there is plenty of room to re-stack in the shed.

JB's trip was shorter today because he drove down in the Jeep instead of MAX, so he was home a little after 2:30 pm.  Still not as fast as using just one vehicle, as he has to transfer everything from my Jeep to his on the way back up.

Every year I am amazed at how quickly Rose Camp greens up when the snow  starts disappearing.  The top of the south ridge is already green, and grass is sprouting on the north slope now too.

Thursday, 4/4.  It was overcast and 38 with sprinkles when we got up.  Started actually raining about 9:00 am and continued till about 5:00 pm.  The fog rolled in early afternoon and it was definitely an inside day.  I got wood off the porch and JB went out for fresh air, but that was about it.  The dogs only went out into the wet if they really had to.  The temperature only got up to 39.

We both read books, spent time on our computers and just puttered around.  Am checking the dogs for ticks every day now that we found the first one on Dinga on Monday.  This may be a bad year for them with all this mild weather.

Watched three episodes of "True Blood".  Am finally getting hooked as it seems to be settling down to a real story.  

Friday, 4/5.  It started raining again at 5:30 this morning, just after the dogs had been out.  We had a light wind during the night that must have done a good job drying out the ground because their feet were barely wet when they came back in.  It's 34 out there right now, but the cloud layer has thinned out and I can actually see some blue sky, so not sure what today will bring.

Thought for the day:  Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.  Thomas Jefferson 

April 3, 2013 Wildflowers!



First yellow bell - 4-6 weeks early!





Balsam root on the south slope















Monday, 4/1.  A relaxing morning spent reading mail and magazines.  It was already 50 by 11:00 am and our high for the day was 58.  This warm, dry weather is enjoyable, but I am quite concerned about the lack of precipitation this year.  I would gladly put up with an extended mud season and a more normal snow pack.  Certainly do not want a replay of last Fall.

I called Nene to thank her for all the Easter goodies.  She sent enough candy to last until next Easter. . . or at least May.

Today was going to be a complete day off, but once we got outside we discovered things we wanted to do.  JB shaved the top of the stump with his chain saw in order to level it off a bit, and that was his work for the day.  I gathered a bag of pine needles for the fire; emptied the garbage and recycle; hung out the laundry.  The dogs slept most of the day, recouperating from Sunday.

Tuesday, 4/2.  Clear and a little cooler this morning, 34.  With all the recent sunshine and last night's wind, all the snow is gone from the yard now and most of the mud has dried out.  The driveway across from the house is still sloppy though.

The April issue of "The Smithsonian" magazine has some fascinating articles, as usual, including an especially poignant one about the brilliant Chinese artist, Cai Guo-Qiang.  There is also an interesting one about dirt, and why children who don't play in it do not have well developed immune systems.  I still play in the dirt and mud. . .

I vacuumed today instead of just using the carpet sweeper.  We took the other track and all the tires off MAX.  Then JB drove his Jeep up to the south ridge and we pulled two loads of large branches down that we had cut a few weeks ago.  I gathered up another bag of needles.  54 was our high today, although I am sure it was 60 in the sun.  Clouds covered the sky by dinnertime, but rain is not due until Wednesday night.

Wild flowers have popped up in the past two days, four to six weeks early Up Here!  The balsam root had not even broken ground on Saturday, and now it is everywhere on the south slope.

Wednesday, 4/3.  This morning is clear and 32 with a breeze.  JB is going Down There to pick up the parts for MAX and do a little grocery shopping.

Thought for the day:  Just living is not enouogh.  One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.  Hans Christian Andersen

Apr 1, 2013 Spring Firsts



Dinga, our little fox.




JB cutting out the last piece of the stump.

















Friday, 3/29.  Another 30% of our snow has melted in the past 24 hours.  We are into full-blown mud season.

I hung the wash outside today for the first time this year.  It was already 40 when I hung it and 48 (our high) when I brought it in.  Lots of clouds drifted over during the day, but there was enough sun to dry it by the time for our afternoon walk.  Oh, that heavenly scent!

I made two more paths over the mud with the pieces of bark.  Both beginning at the porch steps.  One heading towards the grove and one towards where MAX is parked.  Then with my small hands, I was able to get the sprocket out of MAX.  We then took off the last tire and the extenders.  We brought out the other, larger set of tires which we will put on MAX when we are done with the axle.

JB got out his chain saw, another first for the year, and started cutting on the large stump on the north side of the house.  He also cut out a BIG chunk of the root that was in the way of our drainage "ditch".  I got to play in the mud in order to get the water draining.  Maybe I should have majored in hydro engineering instead of elementary ed.  Although understanding how to deal with gradeschool children would be a great foundation for dealing with bureaurocrats.

After a 3-cheese and onion pizza, we watched "American Gangster" which we had never seen before.  But before the movie, I went outside and hiked down the west ridge a little ways below the garden.  There are several bunches of small trees that need to be thinned, and lots of larger ones that need to be trimmed.  It is finally that time of year and I am really getting energized about it.

Saturday, 3/30.  Birdsong in the morning - how wonderfully Spring!  It was clear and 32 with predictions of highs reaching 70 Down There this weekend.  Yesterday we were working outside with no coats, just flannel shirts.  Woo Hoo!  That warm sun felt so good.  And since the weather is so very nice, we decided to attend JB's family Easter dinner tomorrow.  His neice in Snohomish is hosting this year, so it would only be a little over a two hour drive from Wenatchee.  With that decision made, we spent the morning getting ready for the trip.  JB cleaned out his Jeep and I packed.  I also had to make a card to mail for our Granddaughter whose sixth birthday is on Friday, April 5.

After all that, JB went to work again on the big stump.  He managed to make a cut through most of it, then cut the top into three sections.  Three very large, heavy sections.  I scraped up enough shaving to fill five coffee cans and a small plastic bag for the outhouse.  That is going to be some great firewood, although it almost seems a shame to burn it.  I am just sure that with the right tools, we could make a small table or seat with one of the pieces.

Today's high temperature was 49, and being outside in it was wonderful.  After dinner we watched "The Vampire Diaries".  Then set the alarm for 7:00 am and dropped into bed.

Easter Sunday, 3/31.  We left Rose Camp at 9:00 am with two very excited dogs.  Driving down our road was a little dicey, but we made it just fine, and saw the first butterflies of the season.  Don't know if we will be able to make it all the way back up again, though.  Lots of slush, mud and ice.  It took a while to get my Jeep ready for the trip, but we were on the road at 10:00.  Had to stop by the post office to mail our Granddaughter's card, then Starbucks for a latte.  We left Wenatchee at 10:40.  

It was an incredible day with no clouds and snow-covered mountains stretching into the blue sky.  We drove over Steven's Pass, highway 2, which I hadn't been on for almost eleven years.  I love it because it is much more rugged and about 1000 feet higher than Snoqualamie Pass.  One thing that really caught my eye on the east side was the number of trees that were down.  There must have been a horrendous wind storm this past winter, as it was obviously a recent event.

We were both so glad that we had decided to make the trip as we had a great time.  Many of our neice's husband's family were there also which made for a total of 26 of us.  I am sure the temperature was at least 70.  I don't remember such a warm and beautiful Easter Sunday that side of the mountains.  We left at 5:30 and were actually home by 9:00.  I drove my Jeep up to the beginning of our road, then because of all the melting during the day, JB was able to drive his Jeep all the way up.  No walking required.  It was still 46 and I am sure the temperature Up Here must have been in the high 50's at least.  The house was still so warm that we didn't need to put in a fire.  Another first for the year.

Monday, 4/1.  Another clear day and already 41.  Lots of new bare ground.  We are just going to relax today.

Thought for the day:  No man can taste the fruits of Autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of Spring.  Samuel Johnson