Jan 16, 2013 Dust, Snow & Sun



Paths through the snow in
our yard




Our Arctic blast disappeared abruptly, leaving us with thinly overcast skies and a high of 23 on Monday.  A cold breeze made it seem colder though.

On our afternoon walk, two large golden eagles soared over us on the south ridge.  One of them swooped down into the trees and over the house.  Absolutely stunning!

When I took items off the shelves to photograph them for my family heirloom booklet, I had to dust them off.  Had to dust off the shelf before putting them back, then the other shelves were in obvious need of cleaning.  So I ended up dusting the whole great room, and it isn't even Spring yet!

We ate dinner a little early on Monday so we could get ready for our visit to Larry and Elsie.  Took our emergency backpack, as usual, along with three flashlights and a blanket.  MAX's lights don't work because the battery is dead (the motor has a pull start), so I held a flashlight to be our headlight.  We made it down the mountain in about 35 minutes.  A much easier drive than JB had expected.  Had a great visit and an interesting game of "marbles" (it was definitely NOT Elsie's night for dice).  Going back up the road seemed a lot bumpier, but we were home by 9:30 and were greeted by the dogs as if we had been gone all day.  An exhilerating winter ride that we must take more often.

Their chickens have begun laying eggs again now that the sun has been shining more often.  Only about two eggs per day, but the problem is that by the time Larry and Elsie get home from work, the eggs are frozen!  Elsie has to put them in the refrigerator to defrost.

Tuesday was proof that our cold snap had ended.  It began with 23 degrees and we had a high of 36.  Turned out to be a glorious, bright, blue-sky-and-sunshine day.  Melting snow dripped off all the eaves.  It was the day I had been hoping for in order to clean out the wood stove, which was about two weeks overdue.  No fire was needed after lunch, so we could let it cool off enough to get in and clean it just before dinner.

After lunch JB dug out the path to the door of the shop where snow and ice sliding off the roof had blocked it.  I brought in the fire wood, then tried some sledding on the paths and driveway.  Got going way too fast for a sled that is tricky to steer and ended up in deep snow on the side of the drive.  Better than a tree. . .  But what fun it was!

I never realized it until we moved Up Here, but the snow seems to melt more from the bottom than the top.  It just deflates like a leaky balloon.  Didn't melt too much yesterday, but at least I can see the top of our moose welcome sign now.

Over the weekend JB found a great recipe for gluten-free French bread, and made two 9" loaves.  Very good, and toasts up nicely.  The recipe is in Carol Fenster's cookbook, Gluten Free Quick & Easy.

Have finished book #21 of The Cat Who . . . series, and started re-reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.  It's been a while, but I have read all of his books at least twice and thoroughly enjoyed them. 

Thought for the day:  To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books.  The Secret Teachings of All Ages  From The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Jan 14, 2013 Fighting Cold. . . & Old



Saturday's view of the mountains to the west


As I finished blogging Friday morning, snow flakes began gently floating down from the clouds.  They were in no hurry to reach the ground, and reminded me of pieces of cottonwood fluff that all but ignore the earth's gravity.  They stopped by noon with no noticeable impact on our landscape.  It was another very cold day, and the temperatures have continued to fall since then.

Even with my arthritis, that I mentioned on Friday, and all the years under my belt, I still do not feel old.  Not mentally, emotionally or physically.  I don't dress old, and I'm pretty sure I don't act old (sometimes to the chagrin of our son).  My Mother, on the other hand, was always very proper about things like that.  Always acting and dressing the way the current culture considered she should for her age.  She was raised in London, so being proper was quite important to her.  I think her Mother would not have seemed so old had she not been ill for so many years.  My Grandmother had a wicked sense of humor, even with the pain she was in.  Both she and my paternal Grandmother died in their mid-sixties.  My Mother passed at age 72, and was more than ready to leave this earthly plain.  It may be that my generation of women, with Women's Lib and all, are the first generation in general to beat back the ideas of how to act at what age.  Works for me!

JB's Mom, at 91, says she's old, and her body may be acting like it, but mentally she is still very sharp and has maintained her sense of humor.  My Aunt Nene, of course, I don't think ever got out of her thirties!  She has never seemed "old", and I'm quite sure never will.  Her prefered wardrobe is slacks and a nice sweatshirt.  As comfortable as her great sense of humor!

Our son, on the other hand, complains that he is old, especially since he turns 38 next month and it will be time for his 20-year High School Reunion.  Not that he has ever gone to one or ever plans to.  I made him a birthday card that says, "Youth is not a time of life, but rather a state of mind."  Ain't that the truth!

Well, for us youthful folks, Friday night was time for pizza and a movie.  We watched "Promethius" which we enjoyed, being "Alien" fans.

Saturday morning was 7 and clear.  We are experiencing an arctic blast which is supposed to last for several more days.  Didn't do much outside.

It's a little disconcerting the way the days slip by so easily Up Here. . .

Sunday also dawned 7 and clear, but became mostly overcast before clearing up again just before sunset.  The sun, however, did manage to peek through the clouds most of the day.  Our high was 15!  JB got a ladder and cleared the snow and ice off the roof of the garbage/recycle shed, which was quite a chore.  He took a nap after that.  I, on the other hand, stayed inside to do a project I have been putting off for years.  I took photographs of most of our family heirlooms and antiques in order to make a booklet for our son and grandchildren.  I will identify each item by who it belonged to and approximately how old it is.  I felt very good at having finally started it.

Larry drove up about 3:30 pm to visit.  Elsie wasn't feeling too well and they weren't sure how good the road was, so she stayed home.  Was good to see him again as it has been several weeks.  We decided to drive MAX down to visit them today after dinner.  Will call to be sure Elsie is feeling better.

I read an interesting e-mail regarding a theory (which certainly makes sense to me) of why Romney lost the Presidential race.  It said basically: You can't beat freebies. . .

Thought for the day:  The ultimate result of protecting fools from their folly is to fill the planet full of fools.  James Russell Lowell

Jan 11, 2013 Enjoying the Tipi



JB & Jesse in the tipi




View of the Columbia River from
my bench our north ridge























We had been in bed for about half an hour Tuesday night when the dogs suddenly burst into a barking frenzy.  We grabbed our flashlights and went to the front door expecting to see a pack of wolves!  But it was only Buster.  I guess his owner must have come up to his cabin, but it is odd that the dog was visiting so late. 

The wind picked up again during the night, but nothing nearly has wild or warm as on Monday.  By the time the sun came up Wednesday, we had patches of blue sky and 30 degrees.

And Wednesday was one of those days when I get so very frustrated with my arthritic hands.  My fingers are weak and simply do not work as well as they once did.  If I'm not careful, I often drop things.  Like when I was doing the dishes that morning.  The floor and I ended up getting soaked.  Had to change my shirt when I was done.  Nothing broken though, just wet.  And I have to be a bit more diligent when crafting.  Oh well, it could be a lot worse.

We had received more than 5" of snow since our last foray down the road in MAX, so JB took a ride down after lunch to groom the road again and give the dogs a run.  Buster's owner is indeed at his cabin and he was out plowing the main canyon road, so Jesse finally got to play with Buster.  It seems that his owner was out plowing late Tuesday night and into the early morning, trying to get his car up the road to his cabin, so Buster took the opportunity of being out to come visit.  When JB got home, we brought the dogs inside and he drove down for another pass.  I puttered and cleaned and sorted.  Then started book #19 of The Cat Who . . . series.

By bedtime, the temperature had dropped to 20 as the predicted cold front moved in.

Thursday morning the cold had settled in and we awoke to clear skies and 14 degrees.  After morning chores, walk and lunch, JB went out to clear more snow away from the tipi and start a fire.  The dogs and I went for a hike up to the peak on the south ridge and down to the north ridge.  We then joined JB by the fire in the tipi. 

This morning is 10 and overcast, but the sun has found a few holes in the clouds and I can see it slowly stretching across the mountains.

Writing about our granddaughter and the no-talk edict for the car brought back memories of when our son was a little older than she is.  We used to have some of our best talks while driving, even through his high school years, whether it was when taking him to school, going to the mall, or any fairly short drive near home.  When going on longer drives, he always fell asleep.  Now we have our best conversations over the phone.

Thought for the day:  I should be glad if all the meadows on earth were left in a wild state, if that were the consequence of men's beginning to redeem themselves.  Henry David Thoreau

Jan 9, 2013 January Chinook



Later-setting sun last Friday at 4:00 pm





Front door to the winter
critter condos














When we awoke Monday morning, it was 19, snowing and very windy.  Often hard to tell if it was still snowing or just blowing off the trees.  Must have been snowing most of the night as we had received 3" when JB measured at 11:00 am.  The wind turned out to be our annual Chinook which usually blows in sometime during the first or second week of January.  The snow was really too solid for any drifting, but by the end of the day there was definitely some melting and the trees were finally green again.

JB baked cinnamon-raisin scones and it was actually painful to have to wait until they were cool enough to eat!  I much prefer scones to cake, as they have more body and crunchy crusts.  Then he went outside to shovel the pathways, but I do NOT like to go out in the wind so it was a good excuse to stay in and make cards.  The sun was shining so it was no problem to do embossing.

As much as I enjoyed watching "Mama Mia" more than a week ago, I still have that song ringing in my head.  And as much as I like Abba, this is getting a little irritating. . .

Sandy sent me some great articles on sleep aids that I will certainly look into.  Nothing to ingest, more likes scents, which sounds delightful.  I'm very sensitive to a nice aroma, despite the fact that neither of us bathe as frequently as we did living Down There.  But JB's observation that I tend to have sleepless nights after days with little exercise seems to be right on.  If I don't get outside and do some serious work or hiking, I usually have a hard time sleeping.  OK, I can take a hint. . . maybe.

Our son calls at least once or twice a week and keeps us up-to-date on his family and the antics of our grandchildren.  I usually don't keep a history of them in my blog, but since this is a diary, I may start.  Right now: Last week he was telling me about our five-year-old granddaughter.  She's a pistol!  Always has been.  Seems now she talks incessantly.  Our son said, "She must breath through her skin because I never hear or see her take a breath between words!"  They have had to institute a no-talk time in the car when she is picked up from school or dance class until they arrive home.  Neither he nor our daughter-in-law can concentrate on driving while she is chattering.  Fortunately her eight-year-old brother is quite the opposite.  He's actually the perfect big brother any girl could want.

All the snow and ice on the east end of the north side of the roof finally crashed down.  Not as noisily as when the middle did, but enough to make Dinga run for the bedroom.  The west end is still hanging on, but the south side was slowly melting in the 33 degree temperature.

Tuesday morning was grey and overcast with a temperature of 25.  Amazing the difference it makes with all the snow gone from the trees.  The wind had died sometime before my bladder got me up at 3:30 am, but more snow began falling a little before 8:00 am and we had two more inches by 11:00 am.

We both enjoyed JB's scones for breakfast with puddles of melted butter on them.  Mmmmm. . .

I forced myself to go outside.  No excuse, since it wasn't windy.  JB shoveled the main paths and I cleared the one to the garbage shed.  Also cleaned the snow off his Jeep and brought in the firewood.  Later I took the dogs for our afternoon walk while JB cooked marinara sauce with Italian sausage for dinner.  Was delicious on rigatoni and with a glass of wine.

As far as books go, I am back to The Cat Who . . . .  Yesterday I finished #18 of 28.  Ten more to go.

Thought for the day:  Life is like riding a bicycle.  You don't fall off unless you stop peddaling.  Claude Pepper

Jan 7, 2012 Longer Days!




Jesse, in his coat, and Dinga
 on the north ridge

 


Our road on our monday morning ride


















Friday morning was 7 and overcast, but the clouds parted mid morning, at least Up Here.  Valley fog Down There.  A good day to finally dig out and clean off the tipi, a chore that was long overdue.  There was 8" to 10" of snow covering it all the way to the top!  Much more than we thought, and almost 2' of snow around the bottom.  The dogs were having great fun and Dinga found a mouse-cicle.  But from the way Jesse was acting, I think she took it from him.

On our way up to the south ridge on our afternoon walk, we discovered that the sun was just above the west end of the ridge, and not already below as it has been that time of day for the past month or so.  Got some great shots of it.  Seems odd that after the winter solstice the days get longer in the afternoon first.  Sunset comes later before sunrise comes earlier.  However it happens, it is most welcome.

We had 12 degrees and fog Saturday morning.  It started snowing about noon and warmed up to 20.  Got another inch.  Had to cut back on the fire in the wood stove.

Enjoyed the last of the eggnog in my morning coffee and took down the last of the Christmas decorations.  Twelfth night, which is when we always took everything down when I was growing up.

Layers of snow and rime have been building up on the tree branches since before Christmas.  I was thinking that if we get any sort of wind, I'm sure a lot of them will break.  And, sure enough, a strong breeze sprang up a little after 3:00 am Sunday morning.  I could hear the snow falling off the trees near the house, but no branches breaking.

Sunday was much warmer, 19 with mountain sun and valley fog.  The clouds moved in by mid afternoon and left only patches of blue sky.

After breakfast, we bundled up and took a ride in MAX to the main canyon road and down aways to the big S-curve.  A beautiful and envigorating drive.  Jesse decided enough was enough and rode all the way back home.  Something Dinga would never even consider.

Back home, we ate lunch and washed the dishes.  Then JB took a nap and I read more of the Dresden Files book that he gave me for Christmas, Ghost Story.  I finished it just before dinner and absolutely loved it!  JB is on the second book in the series and is definitely hooked.

The breeze continued off and on most of the day.  With sporadic sun and a high of 25, the snow also started to melt off the trees and drip off the south side of the roof.  A few weeks ago about 1/3 of the snow and ice on the north side of the roof plunged off with a horrendous roar.  But it has been so cold since then that it is just continuing to build up.  Good thing the county requires roofs Up Here to have a 100 lb.-per-square-foot snow load.

We're not getting many wasps inside this winter so far.  Maybe one every two or three days.  Certainly not five or six every day like the first couple years.

I so enjoy receiving Christmas cards, many from friends and family that I should be communicating with more than once a year.  I write my blog and tend to think that I am reaching everyone, but I'm not and it is not exactly personal.  OK, fine.  A belated resolution: write more letters.  E-mail is great, but, believe it or not, not everyone I know is on the internet.  And I really enjoy receiving snail-mail, so I am sure others do too.

Thought for the day:  Time magazine made Obama their Person of the Year, but keep in mind that Stalin made Person of the Year TWICE.  As Time itself states, "It is not a prize, per se."

Jan 4, 2013 Brrrr!

(The blogger is not letting me upload photos this morning.)

Wednesday morning, 7 degrees and fog.  Another good day to be inside.  Did dishes and laundry.  I worked on my rubber stamp inventory and JB worked on his Magic card inventory.  The only time we were outside was to bring in wood and go for our afternoon walk, at which time I put Jesse's coat on him.  Our high for the day was 8.  Dinga would be warm and happy at -20, but Jesse seemed very pleased to be wearing his coat.  He pranced for the whole walk.

Thursday was 8 and overcast, no fog.  JB left for Down There about 9:30.  Didn't particularly want him to go in such frigid weather, but freezing rain and/or snow are in the forecast for the next few days so yesterday was the day.  This time though, he took a walkie-talkie so we would be able to communicate at any point in the canyon.  It was a good trip and he was home by 3:30 pm.

I have decided to take down the Christmas decorations slowly, a few each day.  That way they won't be suddenly gone, but rather our home will just gradually transform from Christmas into the New Year.  And, speaking of the New Year, with its entrance I always get a rush of energy.  The holidays are over.  No more excuses to just relax and enjoy the aura.  (I get very lazy in December.)  It's a new year, with new plans and promises.  Regardless of the news media, I am always upbeat and positive about the months ahead.  Hopefully that won't fall under the heading: famous last words. . .

Thought for the day:  It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important.  You have to do the right thing.  It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit.  But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing.  You may never know what results come from your action.  But if you do nothing, there will be no result.  Gandhi

Jan 2, 2013 Plans



Snow rope on our fence




JB on MAX clearing road to
south ridge






















We spent Monday engulfed in low clouds.  Different from fog which ebbs and flows from thick to misty.  Appropriate weather for the last day of 2012.  Murky like the year's politics.  Personally, 2012 was our rock'n roll year - a year of Earth, Wind and Fire.  Don't want to do that dance again. . .

We saw the old year out with the rest of our cheese and sausage, and  JB had baked a chocolate chiffon pie with a crust made from almond flour.  Yum!!  We watched "Mama Mia" - what a fun movie!  (When I was young, I wanted very much to sing and dance, but I was just too much of a shy little mouse.)  And actually stayed awake til 11:00 pm.  Before falling asleep, we could hear fireworks going off in nearby canyons.

The New Year dawned crisp and clear with lots of sunshine, which I hope is a good omen.  The valley fog tried for most of the day to sneek up, but the sun kept burning it off.  By the time we took our afternoon walk, the sun was too low and weak, so the fog made it all the way up and over our mountain.  Which I hope is not a bad omen. . . 

Politically, the good news is that he can't run again. . . legally.  Won't think about the possible bad news.  We'll survive.

JB keeps a record of daily temperatures and snowfall.  In December we received a total of 31" of snow!  So far the temperatures are lower than they have been the past three winters, averaging as low as our first winter Up Here, 2008-09.  Wow!  This is our fifth winter.  My how time flies when you're living an adventure.  The total snowfall for 2012 was 134", which is the most we have had in one year.

I realize that if you want to make God laugh, make plans.  But in spite of that, we do have plans for this new year and will improvise, as usual, if they go awry.  There is the promise of seeing our son and grandchildren in June.  Of course that means flying and dealing with airport security, but I will deal with that.  The only major project we have for Up Here is a small addition to the shop in which to park and work on MAX.  I also want to paint the bedroom, and we may work on a smoke house. . . and a root cellar.  Lots of options, but a very small budget.

As far as resolutions go, mine usually don't go very far.  I often resolve to cut down on sugar, which is really my only vice.  I may have a drink once or twice a week, but as far as I am concerned, that hardly counts.  So here we go, "once more into the fray."

Thought for the day:  Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person is its ultimate reward.  Patrical Simpson