August 17, 2015 Busy, Smokey Weekend

Doe and fawn I saw on Saturday.

Friday 8/14. I baked brownies this morning to have for desert when Mike came to lunch.  It was so nice to have him all to myself.  After we ate, I showed him why we all are so amazed that he is going to be 17 next month - we looked at the photo albums I had put together in his first couple years.  His folks were living with us when he was born and for almost a year afterwards, so I have lots of pictures that he had never seen.  We also talked about family history a bit and I showed him the family tree and some old photos.

RJ had driven him up so I drove him back down in Miss Kitty.  We saw three deer on the short cut, but they stood still just long enough for me to get my camera out.  As soon as I pressed my finger on the button, they bounded out of sight.  By then the wind was really blowing at a steady 20 mph and we were surrounded by dust devils.

When I got back to Rose Camp, I noticed that the tarp over the hen house was really flapping.  All the ties had broken except for one.  So I grabbed some more plastic zip-ties and a ladder; climbed up on the roof and re-attached it while trying very hard not to be blown off.  Several months ago I had placed two 50-gallon plastic drums on the deck and used bungies to tie them together, but when I got back from taking Mike to the cabin, they were lying in the yard.  I put them safely out of the reach of the wind, moved the chairs on the porch back from the edge, and just double checked everything that might be a problem.  By the time I got inside, the wind was at a steady 25 mph that kept up most of the night.

Our high for the day was 84, but by 5:00 pm the temperature had dropped to 64 with the cold front that was blowing in.  It was a very noisy night.

Saturday 8/15.  It was 50 and clear this morning, the wind having blown all the clouds and smoke away.  I noticed that it had also blown down most of my tall fireweed bushes.  I left for Down There at 9:00 am as planned and found that the wind had scoured our mountain roads of most of the loose dust that had accumulated over the past few months.  As I drove, there were no billowing, brown clouds following me.  I did see a doe and a fawn in the aspen, and they stood still long enough for me to get a great picture.

The wind died down by mid day and the smoke began to drift back in.  By the time I arrived back home at about 1:00 pm, the mountains to the northwest were almost obscured again.  I read in the papers that I bought that there are three new fires near Lake Chelan that have joined into a complex that is moving northeast.  Our Evergreen State is going to become the Everblack State.  So sad.

RJ and Mike were coming for dinner, so after putting away all the groceries, I started a big pot of chili and then made some cornbread.  Sandy called and we had a nice long talk that turned into hilarity.  I was laughing so hard that my stomach hurt.  We were just saying goodbye when RJ and Mike drove up.

We all enjoyed dinner and each other's company.  It was hard to say goodbye, as I made not see Mike again til next summer if he doesn't make it up for the Rose Camp BBQ over Labor Day weekend.  But, all in all, it was a very good day.

Sunday 8/16.  It was 58 with a light overcast that was difficult to see with all the smoke that had moved back in.  It was so thick that I could barely even see across our canyon.  A good day to stay inside.

I did get out for our two walks, although we just took half-walks because of the air quality, or rather lack thereof.

I pulled the remaining few fireweed stalks and took them all over to the small swale that needs some more building up.  Hopefully JB can use the tractor to move more dirt on it the first week he is back.

Blondie looks like the sorriest excuse for a chicken that I have ever seen, but she is our egg layer.  I am beginning to think the other two are getting too old.

Larry and Elsie drove up for a visit, which was so nice.  They practically had to use their GPS to find their way up through the smoke.  She brought me some freshly made pesto and garden fresh garlic!

Monday 8/17. It is 60 this morning and I can barely see some blue sky through the smoke.  Will be so glad when they get those fires out.

Thank you to a reader for the comment about mullien.  I had no idea it had any medicinal uses.

Thought for the day: Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof. John Kenneth Galbraith

August 14, 2015 Critters & Cleaning

A mullein plant I let grow in the yard.
They can get more than 5' tall.

Wednesday 8/12. Blondie had already given us an egg by the time I went to feed them this morning.  I think it was Betty who finally gave us one yesterday.  I told Belinda that she better get with it.

JB calls every morning at 9:00.  He checks the fires on the internet every day and the Wolverine one by Lake Chelan is really spreading and only 20% contained.  That one has been burning for about a month now, I think.  There is supposed to be a special meeting tonight about how to deal with it.

While hanging out the laundry this morning, I was pretty sure that it would all smell like a campfire by the time it was dry.  Thought that if this smoke lasts more than a couple days, we may have smoked tomatoes too.  However the clothes smelled just as fresh as ever when I took them down.

And speaking of people being removed from nature (I think I was a day or so ago), I notice that brown eggs cost so much more than white ones when, in fact, the color of the shell has nothing to do with the quality of the egg inside.  Just another way to rip off those city folk, I guess.

A light breeze picked up and by 1:00 pm I could actually see blue sky and some clouds moving in.  The overwhelming smell of smoke had dissipated a bit too, thank goodness.

My friend, Jane, from North Carolina called and we had a nice, long chat.  It's hot at her place too, but at least we don't have the humidity that they do.

I sometimes get so frustrated with the state of the world these days that I just want to be like one of the reclusive characters in P.D. James' Unnatural Causes, who "was completely unconcerned with world affairs.  'Men will either have to learn to love each other, my dear Dalgliesh, in the entirely practical and unsentimental use of the word or they will destroy themselves.  I have no influence either way.' "  And it would be very easy to feel that way living Up Here.

On a happier note, I picked the first tomato off our Hillbilly plant today and it was a big one.  Can't wait to eat it.

There has been some critter around for the past week or so.  I can tell by the way the dogs are acting.  Pretty sure it is "our" bear.  RJ has seen signs of one in a wide circle around his cabin.  Last time he was up, some critter was trying to get into his garbage at night, but by the look of the tracks, he thinks it was a skunk.

The dogs and I sat out on the porch as the sun was setting.  A cool breeze had picked up again, but I still could not see the hills or river to the north because of the smoke.  Our high for the day was a very uncomfortable 91.

Thursday 8/13. It was 74 and the sky was clear of clouds but still smokey this morning.  Buster came to visit at 8:00 am and got me out of bed.  He barks to get the dogs to come out and play, and today he even barked to get me out!  Jesse will actually let me pet Buster now, and I always give him a bowl of water.

Heat or no heat, I absolutely had to vacuum this today.  And that got me in such a cleaning mood, that I washed the windows - inside and out.  Of course that is never just a matter of washing once inside and once outside, but rather running back and forth trying to erase the missed smudges seen only from the other side.  I think I would have rather painted the bedroom. . .

Well, it's not so much the painting that I don't like, but the prepping: clearing out or covering everything; sanding and cleaning up the dust; priming.  And only then can I actually paint.  Arrghhh!

My nephew, Mike, is going to come up for lunch and a visit tomorrow.  We may go through some the family albums I have out.

Today's high was 89, but it certainly didn't feel any cooler than yesterday's 91.  Thunderstorms are due in around 11:00 pm tonight and are predicted to last about 24 hours.  Would be nice to get some rain without the thunder and lightening.

Friday 8/14. It is 70 and partly cloudy this morning.  I can just make out the lines of the hills to the north and can see the river.  The thunder storm never arrived, but there are ominous clouds to the west, and the mountains are still hidden.

Thought for the day: We want to to a lot of stuff; we're not in great shape. We didn't get a good night's sleep.  We're a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful cup. Jerry Seinfeld

August 12, 2015 More Heat & Smoke

More work done on the cabin.

Monday 8/10. The drive down the mountain first thing in the morning is always so pleasant with the fresh scent of dew.  Lots of grouse and rabbits about.  As soon as Larry and Elsie's hens hear me drive up, they start clucking for their breakfast, and their cats meet me at the door.

As soon as I arrived back home, I made my breakfast of fresh eggs and tomatoes.  It just doesn't get any better than that.  Then I spent the morning busy with dishes, laundry and other chores.

I love being able to say, "Oh, I think I'll take a nap," and then following through.  One of the perks of being retired.  When I awoke a couple hours later, the sky was overcast and the air quite muggy.  It looked and felt like an approaching thunder storm, but it never arrived.  Our high for the day was 82.

After dinner I thought I might move the pile of wood I split yesterday to the shed and stack it.  I used my fire-wood bag, but after three loads it was obviously still to hot to be exerting myself while having to wear shoes and gloves.

I thought for sure we were going to get some much-needed rain this evening, and it looked like it came as far as Larry and Elsie's, but we didn't get even one drop.

Since it was too warm to be moving the wood, I re-arranged the three barrels behind the wood shed.  The way they were, water would never be able to flow into the third one.  I was about done with that when my Aunt Nene called to relay her excitement for the day.  While on her way to meet a friend for breakfast, she was rear-ended.  No one was hurt, but the trunk of her large Chevy was crumpled.

Talked to Elsie this evening.  They had a great time at the lake; Elsie caught the most fish and their grandson caught the biggest - a 4 lb. bass!  The birthday boy spent a lot of his time putting worms on hooks. . .

Tuesday 8/11. It was 66 with a thin overcast and haze to the north this morning.  I could just barely smell smoke, so there must be a new fire.  Temps into the 100's are in the forecast for Down There mid week.  And I have discovered that the best way to attract a cloud cover is to say, "I'll vacuum for sure tomorrow."

I baked a banana coffee cake knowing that RJ and Mike with probably be up to the cabin today.  Then I finally managed to lug all the wood I had split to the wood shed and stack it.  It took six trips with my fire-wood bag with a long rest after the first three.

I finished the third P.D. James book, and now it's on to another one by Kyle Mills.  And still my list of things to do has only one, short job crossed off . . .

R.J. and Mike did indeed arrive at their cabin this afternoon, so after dinner I drove down to visit and take some coffee cake to them.  They will be here for a week, so I will see them a few more times.

Wednesday 8/12. It is 75 and so hazy this morning with smoke that I can't see the mountains or even the hills to the north of town or the Columbia River.  The smell of smoke is strong, so there is obviously a nearby fire and no breeze to clear the air.  Going to be a hot one today.

Thought for the day: If I can't speak my mind, then this isn't America.

August 10, 2015 Happy Birthday, Larry!

Elsie's forest of tomato plants!

The T-shirt we gave to Larry for
his birthday.

Friday 8/7. I always feel a bit discomboobilated when JB leaves for more than a couple days, and it will take a few nights before I can get a good night's sleep.

I hiked all the way up to the peak on our morning walk as I saw and smelled smoke to the southeast.  It looks like it is drifting in from the fires that are to  the north and northeast of Rose Camp.

It was such a beautiful morning that I pulled weeds for a while before going in to do the laundry and dishes.  I do so enjoy hanging out the laundry.  It somehow always helps me feel grounded, as do so many of the chores we have Up Here that we never had Down There.  Doing basic things for ourselves.

I discovered dark blue berries on the bush that we enclosed in the expanded chicken run.  This is the first year it has bloomed and I think they are service berries.  I went inside the run and picked them for the girls.  They were thrilled with the treat!

On our afternoon walk I could see that the smoke had cleared, probably with the breeze that had popped up.  There is still a brown haze on the northern horizon, but nowhere else and I couldn't smell anything either.  It was a lovely day with a high of 74 and clouds moving across the sky.

JB visited his youngest brother at their winery on his drive over and finally arrived at his other brother's and Mom's place about 4:00 pm.  The traffic between the two was horrific.  He says he will never again complain about traffic on this side of the mountains.

I broke out a bottle of my favorite wine - Orange Muscat - to have with a dinner of pasta and marinara sauce.  We have discovered that the gluten-free pasta that is made in Italy is the best.  

Saturday 8/8. It was 65 and clear this morning, but clouds soon started appearing from over the mountains.  This was the first day that I detected Fall in the air.  A bit early, but then everything has been early this year.  In fact Fall colors began to appear the last week of July.  Yellow and orange leaves of bushes and ground cover now dot the forest green.

After an early breakfast, I used the weed eater to get rid of the tall grass south and east of the chicken coup, and some that had grown up in the grove.  One tank of gas lasts about 45 minutes, and so do I.

Last time I was at the thrift shop I found a 3-in-1 volume of P.D. James' books.  I finished one and started another today.  Love that Inspector Dalgliesh.

Mrs. Westie drove up with her daughter this afternoon, whom she wanted to show our place and introduce us.  Her daughter will be living in their small cabin while she looks for a job and apartment in Wenatchee.  A pleasant surprise and nice visit.

Buster also came up for a visit, giving Jesse a good workout.  They both went on our afternoon walk with Dinga and me.  

After dinner I drove Miss Kitty down to pick up the mail and stop at Larry and Elsie's so Larry could show me his new set-up for watering.  I also gave him his birthday present (see photo above).  Elsie gave me a dozen eggs from their girls in hopes that I would not get out my BBQ chicken recipes.

All in all it was a very pleasant day, with a high of 78.

Sunday 8/9. It was 60 and partly cloudy today with possible thunder storms in the forecast beginning tonight and on into the week.  I didn't see any smoke on the northern horizon so the rain that looked to be falling over there yesterday must have helped with the fires.

Randy called this morning.  At a little after 9:00 he was already on his way back from the dump, having taken many of the 15 trees that he and a neighbor had cut down from the slope at the back of his house.  He planned on cutting up the rest and making another trip today.  He suggested that I mention in my blog about being careful what you wish for.  He wished for living in the mountains, but he just didn't realize how much work it would be!  As we were talking, he saw what looked to be a tiny, newborn fawn trying to stand up by the road.  Fortunately it is a gravel and little-traveled road.

The talk with Randy seemed to pull me out of the slump I had been in for the past month or so, what with the heat, lack of exercise and everything going on with JB.  After breakfast I started up the splitter and began working on getting the last of the rounds split.  As I was taking the first large load to the wood shed, our wheel barrow met its demise.  I knew the barrel was loose, but it came completely off, dumping its load near the gate.  I stacked the very pitchy wood and then had to wash my sticky arms.  By then the splitter was in the sun, so it was time for a rest.

After lunch it was back in the shade, so I split several more rounds and just left the pieces in a pile right there.

After an early supper, I drove down to Larry and Elsie's to feed the cats, collect the eggs and water all the plants and garden.  At Larry's suggestion, I also picked a few bright red tomatoes.

It was a very pleasant day with a high of 77.  I could see thunder clouds to the north, but none came near us.

I have continued watching the second season of Elementary and so enjoy the character of Sherlock Holmes that they have created.  "The world is continually balanced on the knife's edge of destruction.  You just accept that and get on with things."  One of my favorite lines from the series.  Such exceptional writing and acting.

Monday 8/10.  Happy 60th Birthday, Larry!  As I told him, he doesn't look a day over 59.  It is 65 with some thin, high clouds and I will be on my way down to their place as soon as I post this morning.

Thought for the day: A moment of patience in a moment of anger saves a hundred moments of regret.

August 7, 2015 Being Prepared vs. Taking For Granted

Interesting cloud formation Tuesday evening.

Wednesday 8/5. A perfect day to work outside.  We put gas and oil in Miss Kitty.  Refilled the yellow jacket traps.  I worked on the pile of branches for kindling,   breaking/cutting them into 16-18" lengths and stacking them in the wood shed.  Yesterday we had tilted the solar panels half-way down.  

My main project for when JB is gone is to paint our bedroom.  That means sanding and priming first.  We'll see just how much of that actually gets done.

Our son and his family took their vacation to DisneyWorld this year.  What they really wanted to do was drive to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Black Hills, but that turned out to be way too expensive.  With his military discount, DisneyWorld was much more affordable.  That was the complete opposite of when I was growing up.  

And it is really too bad, because people are so far removed from nature these days.  They tend to take everything for granted that "civilization" has to offer them.  Turn on the faucet and water comes out.  Flip the switch and the lights come on.  Go to the store and there are plenty of groceries available.  Taking things for granted is something we have learned not to do Up Here.  You just never know, and you need to be prepared.  I see that because of 9/11 the government has made September something of a Preparedness Education month, which is a very good thing.  They finally got something right.

It was a lovely day with a high of 72.  Huge clouds drifted over most of the time, but there was always plenty of blue sky.

Jesse still refuses to go on the first half of our daily walks, which is up to the south ridge.  He stays in the yard and joins us as we pass going down to the north ridge.  Am pretty sure the reason is the possibility of snakes.

We are rewatching season one of Elementary in the evenings, and enjoying it immensely.

Thursday 8/6. It was 54 and clear this morning.  Downright chilly when I went out to feed the girls and water the plants.

I finished cutting up the branches for kindling and it turned out to be one large wheel barrow load that I stacked.  Then we got JB's Jeep packed, as he is leaving in the morning for the other side of the mountains for two weeks.  I gave him a hair cut so he will fit in better over there, but my fingers just don't seem to be as nimble as they once were.

I took a lovely nap while JB baked blueberry scones for me to have while he is gone.  I got up just in time to see them come out of the oven and go for our afternoon walk.  Jesse never even got off the bed. . .

Another perfect day with a high of just 70.  Clouds drifted over from the mountains but never made it to us.  They split and went either north or south of us.

The great debate is tonight.  So glad we can't watch it, although I am sure that Donald Trump will keep it more interesting than usual.

Friday 8/7. It is 52 and clear this morning.  Looks like JB will have a very pleasant drive.

Thought for the day: No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation. General Douglas MacArthur

August 5, 2015 Last Trips Down There for a While

Birds drinking from the dogs' water when their
bird bath was empty.

Monday 8/3. We were back home just before noon after dropping off JB's Wrangler and running some errands, including picking up some ice for RJ.  The sky was overcast and it was a lovely day with a breeze and a high of 82 Up Here.  RJ came up to get his ice and water a little after we arrived home.  He is working on six different projects at his place.  Wants to be sure he has everything done and ready to move in on a permanent basis in less than two years when Mike graduates from high school.

The clouds actually dropped a few sprinkles, but they were so light that you had to be outside to realize that anything was coming down.  Sure cleared the air nicely though.

We just took it easy for the rest of the day.  I finished my book, Storming Heaven by Kyle Mills.  A new author for me and I really enjoy his writing.  I also baked some blueberry muffins.

Tuesday 8/4. It was 58 and partly cloudy with a breeze this morning.  We were on our way Down There before 9:00 to pick up JB's Wrangler.  He drove back to Rose Camp while I went to get some groceries.  Just got a few things that will keep me going while JB is gone for two weeks: fruit, milk, chocolate, etc.  Do NOT want to have to drive Down There again for a long while.  I will just take Miss Kitty down a couple times to pick up the mail.  Plus I will be watering for Larry and Elsie this weekend while they go boat camping overnight at their favorite lake with their oldest Grandson to celebrate Larry's 60th birthday.  Boy, did I get the perfect gift for him. . .

And, speaking of Larry and Elsie, I stopped in to see them while I was in town and it seems that I completely misunderstood their water situation.  They are not low on water.  The static level in their main well has dropped, but they are still pumping all they need.  They are actually using less water this year as they are not watering their lawn, knowing that they need to conserve because of the low snowfall we had this past winter.  The water for the blueberries and extended garden comes from a spring up the small canyon to their northeast.

JB started packing for his trip, as he leaves Friday morning.  In the summer, whenever we go anywhere for more than a day, we take our go-bags with us.  So that is what he is getting organized, adding what he needs for his two-week stay.

Our high for the day was a comfortable 80 with a light wind, which just goes to show how hot it has been this summer when I can think that 80 is comfortable.

Wednesday 8/5. It is a lovely 54 outside this morning with clear skies.  And we don't have to go anywhere!

Thought for the day: Forget all the reasons it won't work and believe the one reason that it will.

August 3, 2015 Healing & Heat

Signs of an attempted break in.

Smoke to the north from the fire
near Lake Chelan.

Friday 7/31. A very slow morning.  I really dislike afternoon appointments.  Especially in the summer heat.  Whine, whine, whine.  And too early for wine, wine, wine.  But JB got a clean bill of health and is healing as he should.  Still cannot lift his left arm above his shoulder or lift more than eight pounds for another two weeks, but that is all normal.  He is good to go for his trip to the other side of the mountains next Friday.

The temperature had soared above 100 Down There and was still 90 when we arrived back Up Here around 4:00 pm.  Not at all comfortable, especially when the air conditioning in my car consists of opening the windows.  I finally took Sandy's advice and put my feet in a pan of icy water. . . slowly.  It cooled me right off and kept me that way for the rest of the evening.  JB doesn't seem to be affected by the heat as much as I am.

Saturday 8/1. And we are done with July.  This morning's temp was 71 with clear skies.

The girls' tail feathers are starting to grow back now.  I told them that they had better start earning their keep again or I will get out my recipes for BBQ chicken.  They only gave us 19 eggs in July.

Another hot day with a high of 90, but we didn't do much at all except chores and reading our books and some magazines we got in the mail yesterday.  Nice to have a slow day for a change.

The fire to the north of us near Lake Chelan started up again and we can see the smoke from it.  I really feel for the fire fighters in this hot, dry weather. 

Still trying to get all my family history documents and photos organized and scanned in.  I found some of my Grandmother's books she used for teaching dating back to 1917 that I will take to the museum in Spokane Valley.  Nene and I want to stop in for a visit on our way back from Idaho.

Larry and Elsie's well is getting low on water.  They have been using a lot this summer with their extended garden and blueberries.

We watched TransAmerica this evening.  What a great movie!

Sunday 8/2. It was 74 with a light haze this morning.  When I went out to feed the girls, I saw that some critter had tried to get into the hen house during the night.  The dogs were very interested and sniffing all around.  May have been a skunk or a weasel.

We have a frog under the house again, serenading us in its croaky way.

The hoards of birds are gone, with just a small flock left.  Larry said it is the same way at their place, which is great for the blueberries that are still ripening.  While the number of small birds may have dwindled, we have had grouse wandering through our yard for the last several days.  It got to the point yesterday that Dinga just watched a couple from inside the house and didn't even want to go chase them!

We watched the movie Always, which is one of our favorites.

Monday 8/3. It is 68 and partly cloudy this morning with a light breeze.  Going to be on our way as soon as possible to take JB's Jeep in for some work.

Thought for the day: Adversity is often the buffer that puts a shine on your faith. Ruth F. Weaver, Guideposts reader