May 7, 2014 Tall People & More Wild Flowers

Shooting stars on the forest floor.

A wild turkey in Elsie's blueberry bushes.

Tuesday 5/6. In just the few days I was gone, the arrowleaf arnica plants have sprouted up, almost covering the north ridge.  They seem to like the shady areas and already some of their yellow blossoms can be seen.  In other places, one cannot walk without stepping on spring beauties or shooting stars.  I love Spring!

Hung the laundry out and after lunch we filled the trailer with our first load of garbage.  Everything but the kitchen garbage.  Will take it down tomorrow morning.  When we were done, JB went inside to bake a loaf of dilly bread from Aunt Nene's recipe.  Yeast breads don't always rise as much for us with our gluten-free flour like they do with wheat flour, but it sure tasted good.

Our high for the day was 60, but with a cool breeze and lots of clouds moving across the sky.  We had a short sprinkle at about 3:30 pm, but not even enough to register in the rain gauge.  So JB had to water the garden this evening.  The yellow onions are already popping their green shoots up out of the dirt.

Elsie has an incredible green thumb, as evidenced by all the huge plants in her house, potted flowers outside, and her large vegetable garden.  They have lots of water and she puts it to good use.  This Spring they planted two pear trees, which are in addition to their apple and cherry trees, grape vine and a few others whose names I don't remember.

When I arrived at their house last Friday, I found that they had left two bags of chocolate (Lindt & Ghirardelli) for me, along with a small bottle of my favorite alcoholic drink, Buttershots.  I'd do the whole weekend just for those!  Let alone the pleasure of long, hot showers; blow-drying my hair; watching TV; the company of furry and feathered friends; etc., etc.

I soon discovered that the house that Larry and Elsie built is definitely made for tall people.  Elsie is about 5'10" and Larry is at least 6'.  I am 5'2".  Getting pots and pans down from her hanging rack was a challenge.  And in order to reach the lids sitting over them, I had to use a step ladder.  Then there are the towel racks in the corner by the kitchen sink.  And, of course, the couches and chairs in which I feel like a very tiny person.  It was an interesting situation.

The "60 Minutes" program on Sunday night had a fascinating segment about a study on people over 90 years old and what helps them live so long.  One fact seemed to be that 45 minutes a day of exercise is all that is needed.  Any longer doesn't seem to do any better.  And, of course, there is the daily glass or two of wine or any alcoholic beverage.

On my drive to town on Monday, I noticed that the lupine and sweet peas have begun blooming along the canyon road, but not yet quite as far up as Larry and Elsie's house.  The balsam root has lit up the hillsides with its yellow blooms and soon the lupine's purple will be there too.

Wednesday 5/7. The sky is clear this morning with a temperature of 40.  We hope to leave for Down There at 9:00 am.  Will stop by Larry and Elsie's on the way back to pick up the couple items I forgot and let the dogs out.

Thought for the day: I suppose the best kind of Spring morning is the best weather God has to offer. Dodie Smith