Winding Down...45º

Friday morning was a time to check the lists; pack suitcases, gather books, dvd's, computer, iPad, dog bed etc. load into the car and our girls were ready to start their trip back home...Bobi gave me one last lesson on my computer, since we had downloaded new programs, rearranged, updated and now hope everything works after she leaves...It has been another of those weeks that we look forward to every year. Speeding by way to fast in our frenzy of cooking, eating, playing games and just plain reconnecting was about to end.

Rusty had abandoned ship on Thursday morning, heading out North to help Travis. Cienna was invited to go snowmobiling with friends, the Hollenbeaks and Frolanders...I had a meeting of "Write People", Bobi and Herb spent the morning at home organizing "stuff" for her return trip to Portland...We watched the movie "Hugo" on Thursday night, Cienna managed to stay awake after her day of snowmobiling.

Idella, Herb, Cienna and Bobi, March 2012

We gathered on the deck for the final photo, tried to leave a space where maybe I can add Rusty to the picture at a later date and away the girls went arriving in Portland late afternoon...Rusty is back from our North, the house is quiet, sun shining and it is a balmy, windy day outside...I have an essay to finish, Herb has wood to move inside and Rusty will finish up "honey do's" before he heads home...Hope you all enjoyed our week as much as we did...Hugs, OWAV:)

Spring Break, Day 6...38º

Rainbow

Looking out of our west window toward Chief Joseph Mountain a storm brewed...We knew that in just minutes we were in for a dandy storm...What we hadn't anticipated was the rainbow that preceded it...It lasted only a few short minutes and I quickly snapped a photo...It doesn't do the rainbow justice but you get the idea...It was an eerie scene.

After a breakfast of sourdough pancakes topped with huckleberry compote we cleared the table for another computer session...Then we were off to walk the track and back home to help Rusty make hors d' oeuvres for dinner...He was chopping "stuff" to make stuffed mushrooms, wrapping scallops in bacon and Bobi started wrapping water chestnuts in bacon to simmer in a plum sauce...This recipe was compliments of Pat, but Bobi just couldn't help making her own changes...Late afternoon, the tri tip was done, salad made and another meal was soon over.

Hors d' oeuvres

Pam came for a visit and then Becky, John, Josh and Megan arrived after their LaGrande trip...A rousing time ensued as stories were shared along with beverages of choice... Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Spring Break, Day 4..32º

Yesterday we woke up to wet heavy flakes falling from the sky...By night fall snow was all gone and this morning the sun is shining on the west mountains.

Yesterday was a full day, Pat arrived at 9am to begin her tech session with Bobi on her new Mac...3 hours later eyes glazed over on all of us we headed to Arrowhead Chocolates to recharge our batteries...Back home we unwound some more and started the prep work for ravioli, while waiting for Rusty and Papa to return from squirrel hunting.

Then Bobi and Rusty mixed pasta dough, made fillings, then set up the pasta machine... Papa, Ci and I relaxed in the living room staying out of their way until they yelled for help....It ended up with all of us in the kitchen shaping the dough, filling and then cooking the pasta and most important doing cleanup...For the grand finale we gathered at the kitchen table and enjoyed the fruits of our labors...Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Cienna's second helping

Mushroom, cheese filling

Rolling the dough

Herb and Bobi pleased with their efforts.

Yummy

Rusty making raviolis

Cleaning up

Spring Break Day 3...34º Light snow

Lemon Meringue Pie

Sunday dawned clear and sunny...By noon the temperature had climbed to 60º and we were sitting on the deck taking advantage of the full sun...Pie was made and bread was rising...Major rearrangement of the living room had been accomplished, thanks to everyone pitching in vacuuming, dusting and sorting my endless supply of books...As we sat on the deck I mentioned that the apple tree needed to be pruned...No sooner said than Rusty had the ladder and pruning equipment assembled...About 2 hours later our old apple tree was looking pretty naked and ready for spring and new growth.

Now it was time to change clothes, take the pie and rolls and head for Pat and Brian's cabin near Wallowa Lake where we joined them for Pat's Manhattan Clam Chowder...Several hours later after dinner and a delightful evening visiting we arrive back at Barton Heights.

I'm delighted to find my computer has after 10 hours completed the new systems download "Lion"...Now I have a new challenge trying to learn a new system...Wish me luck...Hugs  OWAV:)

Laughter....30º

Up at 4am, peeking outside where the star filled sky illuminates our valley...Temperature supposed to reach the 50º mark today..Ci, Bobi and I walked with Pat at the track yesterday, sunny, invigorating, fun...Ci and I made pie crusts for todays lemon pie.

Bobi helps as our "computer tech" when she comes home and was able to get Herbs email coming into the ipad...More tech stuff needs to be done as we change from using a desktop computer to just the laptop and the ipad...We will also take the leap and change our operating system from Leopard to Lion.

Our dinner was a late St Patricks day meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, onions and celery...I used the last of our home grown potatoes and carrots for this delicious dinner...Quickly cleaning up the table we moved on to play Cienna's new game of "Apples to Apples"...A fun, fast paced game we matched nouns to adverbs for funny, apt or sometimes ridiculous descriptions...Bobi coming out the winner with 16 points, only one point ahead of me and two more than Rusty...Scores are secondary compared to the fun and laughter our family shares as we gather around the old oak table...Hugs to All... OWAV:)

30º...Freezing Rain Overnight

Snow Outside

Up at 4am, now 6am, everyone up and sort of moving except for Cienna...Coffee cups in hand checking out email, facebook and craigs list.

Bobi and Cienna arrived about 3pm from Portland, Rusty got back from Jim Creek about 6pm...Soup and hot rolls for dinner...No definite plans for the day, just visiting, cooking, eating, games (computer, board or card)...Weather permitting we will go for a walk.

Since it is spring break, I added a bouquet of daffodils since I don't think we are going to get a lot of sun...They add a cheery atmosphere to our house...Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Spring Inside

Big Day...30º..1/2 inch of snow overnight

Bread to make, turkey to roast, a quick trip to the grocery store to buy greens...Girls will be here around 3pm and Rusty before 6pm we hope...Looks like the sun might shine!
Hugs to all... OWAV:)

Warm...49º...Windy

Wet weather through the night, changing to windy and warm this morning...Pat and I walked in a mist of rain yesterday, interesting to see what today brings.

Angry Birds Space is being released today, Cienna is excited for that to happen and I probably shouldn't download it or I really won't get anything done.

Thoughts running through my head this morning about food for the next week...Both kids like to cook so will leave some of it up to them...I'm thinking roast pork, corned beef (a little late but that's okay) maybe turkey for sandwiches, snacking and soup, lemon pie is a must, sourdough bread, waffles and pancakes.

Now I must do some writing, then get on with my day, sorority meeting tonight...Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Spring Trip...31º

Pat has a dental appointment in Walla Walla this morning...We had planned a spring outing as we know the daffodils, forsythia, apricot trees and maybe a few tulip are in bloom...It would be a good way for us to catch up on our visiting since she has been gone so much in the past two months....The weatherman for some reason doesn't think this is such a good idea...Sooooo he is saying that a lingering cold front is stuck over the "Blue Mountains" and could drop 12 to 14 inches of snow on Tollgate this morning...Now "could" is the keyword here, as we know in Wallowa County and surrounding areas, what they predict and what we get are often very different...But we (2 little old ladies) don't hanker to get caught in a raging blizzard...Brian has offered to drive us, I really don't have to go, appointments can be changed...Soooooo we are all in a quandary, what to do or not to do?

Monday was interesting with our book group meeting and discussing "Crows in the Autumn Sky" by Ted Sebine...The author and his wife joined us so we were treated to many inside stories not in the book...The story is a creative non fiction about his childhood in the 50's growing up with a pet crow...It should appeal to all ages, is beautifully written and very entertaining.

Yesterdays Write Group, with only 4 of us there was interesting...Also we (Write Group) were given the assignment of choosing 4 lucky recipients of scholarships for the summer fishtrap...Now with 11 applications we have a week to read and come to a decision...

Update, trip to WW has been canceled, will go at a later date...Hugs to all.. OWAV:)

Spring Break....34º

Thought comes to my mind..."The British are coming, the British are coming!" Translated into "The Kids are Coming, The Kids are Coming!

The end of March in Oregon is spring break time for all schools including colleges...First our kids got a spring break in the 70's and we either went to Idaho to visit Grampa Allen or to Utah to visit Gramma Blanche...This week could be spent doing "Honey Do's" or maybe a ski trip with family...Then Bobi came home from college, some times with new found friends and again we were skiing or shopping or at that time the drinking age in Idaho was 19 and "We Girls"  left the "Guys" in Boise to ski and we drove to Lewiston, rented a motel room and checked out the "Happy Hours" in the big city...WHAT was I thinking?..Time moved on, Rusty in Bend, Bobi in Portland and spring break could be spent in either place...Moving even faster, Spring break became just another week...Kids were both working...Then Cienna came along and before we knew what happened she was in school and spring break became a week for her to leave the big city and her parents behind for a trip to Oma and Papa's house...Bobi and Rusty coming to spend the weekend...Now it has evolved into a week, when some years Oma and Papa arrive home from a month in Arizona to prepare for a visit from the "The Kids"...But this year we are just at home waiting for the onslaught to happen...I keep thinking I must get ready...Rusty arrived on Sunday and will go to the River with John and crew until Friday...Bobi, Ci and Ginger (the dog) will arrive on Friday...Am I ready yet, what do I have to do?...Actually nothing, the kids always bring food and wine...Herb has the beds made with clean sheets, I will clean the bathroom...Then the whirlwind, tornado, hurricane will begin, we will visit, laugh, cry, cook, eat, drink, play games, invite friends to join us.

And as quickly as it started it will end and Papa and I recover from shell shock, slide back into our routine, look at each other and say...Damn, how lucky we are to have those two kids who continue to come home and even seem to enjoy it!  Hugs to all...OWAV:)

Old Friends....21º

Herb and I had a lunch date on Thursday...We met Carol and Gail, Bud and Cass, long time friends from my work at the Joseph Schools...Carol was the Deputy Clerk (she wrote our paychecks and tried to keep the Superintendent, Teachers and School Board in line as far as the finances went). Bud was Custodial Surpervisor (in charge of buses, janitorial duties in and outside of the building). I was the Cafeteria Supervisor (in charge of the school kitchen and making sure students and staff were well fed).

Many years that we worked there were what I call the "Glory Days"...Money, not plentiful, but adequate, long time administrators, who really cared about the people that worked for them and had the students best interests at heart...We worked as a unit for the benefit of the students and the community...Things began to change when our Superintendent of 30+ years retired and now the new Superintendent was intent on furthering his career and building his résumé...No longer were the "students" of prime importance and "staff" had to learn to take care of themselves...Guess it was time we grew up...And grow up we did and we, the classified staff, learned to stick together...Incompetent Administrative Staff came and went, State funding dwindled, cuts were made...A one time cohesive unit was now fractured...Certified staff pitted against the classified staff...We Bud, Carol and I became better friends, watched out for each other and our programs as we struggled on, hoping the next administrator would be the one to put it all back together again...But, the "Glory Days" were over and couldn't be fixed...I lucky or unlucky I ended up taking a medical retirement because of vertigo, Bud and Carol still a few years away from retirement stuck it out going from bad to okay and back to worse before they were able to throw in the towel.

Now we get together over lunch about twice a year usually to reminisce about the "good ole days" or the "not so good ole days"...But this year our topics seemed to be more about the weather, grandkids, health issues and how did we get so old?..They say time heals all wounds and it seemed to have worked, at least for now...Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Longevity....31º

Never thought much about my own "Longevity"...As the youngest child in our family, I would never catch up with my siblings so therefore never be as old...So no matter how old they got I always felt young in comparison...But that didn't stop me from reaching the "Golden Years"...About 2 years ago it slammed me...At first I felt the effects of a long car ride, previously I had, without thinking, hopped out of the car and kept moving...Now slowly I put one leg at a time out of the car and inch my way out of the seat, then stand, hang onto the car door, stretch, make sure all my parts will work before I start moving...I have slowed down when I walk, running is not a possibility and after a good nights sleep, it hurts to get out of bed...BUT it hurts worse to stay in bed...OH I forgot to mention it hurts when I turn over in bed...Now bed used to be a favorite of mine, as a child I went to bed early and wished I could sleep until noon(not possible on the farm)...Daddy would shake his head and I still hear his voice as he said, "Child you are going to die in bed, get up and get moving while you still can."

I took his advise for many years, raising a family, working and I tried to stay in shape, did all those things the magazines and the doctors tout as being good for you...Walked, rode a bike, gardened, split wood, did water aerobics, watched my diet, drank gallons of water...Did it help with the aging process?..One never knows.

Now my brain keeps thinking those thoughts but my body is not a willing partner, so it is an ongoing battle...What does this all mean...I have longevity genes but that didn't  guarantee that I will sail through life unencumbered...My joins are stiff, my muscles ache but I can still under my own power get out of bed, fix meals, garden, talk myself into walking and with the promise of spring, WILL my body to move!..I see the pussy willows are blooming just outside our front window, even though it is snowing big flakes...So I will take a lesson from them and my Dad and get this body moving...Hugs to all....OWAV:)

Pussy Willows Blooming in Spite of a Snow Storm

"OLD" Continued...34º

Not sure how this is going to go but will give it a try...But first...I got a call last night from my sister Bobbie...She is back home with Jim in their little paradise, lake front property near the City of McAlister, Oklahoma...Her surgery (yesterdays blog) went well, she sounded good and is so happy to be back home.

Disclaimer--Dates and ages are approximate, but close...Opinions my own.

"Old" -- For those of you reading my blog that are not familiar with my family I will give a little background...I have longevity in my genes, at least on the maternal side...Jessie Parkin, my grandmother, lived to be 93 and stayed in her own home alone up until about the last year of her life...Aunt Lavinia died in her late 70's...My mother Blanche lived to see her 96th birthday and lived alone up until the last two months of her life...Aunt Jessie lived to her 97th birthday but suffered from dementia and required care for her later years...Aunt Peggy still living at 95...There were 6 boys in this family and several of them lived into their 70's-80's with one reaching I believe 99.

The middle child in my immediate family our brother George died in 2007 at age 73...He the father of 6 girls was married to Marlene, a tumultuous relationship that lasted about 30 years...Their love for each other was deep but emulated "water and oil"...Their older girls grew up learning how to ride snowmobiles and 4-wheelers and the younger girls took up swimming...Winters were spent playing in the snow and summer days at pool side as George and Marlene timed races and cheered...In his lifetime, George worked in the logging industry, as a sawer, then owned a saw shop and later worked as a scaler and retired from Boise Cascade (timber industry)...Near retirement he married Clare...They had a large garden and George learned to make pickles and canned almost everything he grew...They snowmobiled and rafted the Snake and Grande Ronde rivers with family and friends...Clare died in 1998...Georges last years were difficult as his physical condition deteriorated and he stubbornly remained in his home with his ever faithful dog, Goldie...His girls helped when he allowed it and tried to make his life easier, cooking and freezing meals for him, scheduling and taking him to doctors appointments, cleaning and painting his home...It was sad losing a brother and father at this relatively young age but as alcohol ravaged his body and mind, the scene was set...Friends and family attended a memorial, celebrated his life and his girls once again gathered around him, scattering his ashes in the forests he loved.

Another day dawns, life moves on, will my longevity genes propel me past the golden years and into really old age?...Its a good thing we don't know what life holds for us but I do know that right now I have been sitting in this chair too long and can feel rigger-mortis setting in so I better move before it is too late...Hugs to all....OWAV:)

Getting Old...39º---Rainy

This could be sad, funny, rueful, or just facing the facts...I Have heard from or about my three sisters in the past week so the following thoughts are ever in my mind.

My oldest sister Loraine age 85, is the mother of 9 children, lost her husband, Steve, after 66 years of marriage, just last year...Many blessings have come her way through this life and she is surrounded by her extended family...She has also had tragic events to deal with along the way... Losing a 10 year old daughter, A fire that destroyed the family home, loosing a leg to frost bite at age 80 and in recent weeks moved into an assisted living facility as dementia erodes her memory and makes it unsafe for her to live alone.

My second oldest sister Barbara age 83, mother of one son lives with her husband Jim of 63 years..She just recently lost the sight in one eye and yesterday had surgery to clean out one of her carotid arteries to hopefully avoid a stroke...Up until now other than knee surgeries, she has led an active life and still works tirelessly gardening on their 3 acres...About 5 years ago she decided to add a water feature to the landscape...So wielding a pick and shovel she dug a hole through an old gravel driveway, lined it with plastic, surrounded it with rocks, made her own filter system and planted in and around and now has a cozy sitting area to watch the birds and enjoy the flower gardens...Her only son and his family live far away and keep in touch by phone...Friends and neighbors have become her second family and reach out to her at this time, driving her 100 miles for this recent surgery...She will return home today with Jim waiting to be her nurse and the friends and neighbors standing by...In my mind I see her back in her gardens soon.

My sister Mona age 75, mother of 5 children lives with her husband of 56 years and told me yesterday she has a contract out on the "Guy" that said retirement years are the "Golden Years"...She says he is full of BS and she would like to pound him into a grease spot!..Now Mona lives with husband Jerry in an apartment within a house that they share with family...With this arrangement they hope to live out their years tending fruit trees, growing their own vegetables and continue traveling as long as possible and have built in family to help care for them, when they get "Old" and beyond the golden years.

Of course there is much more to this family story and maybe tomorrow I can add to it but now I must get on with the present day...Hugs to all....  OWAV:)

Snow Storm...30º

Yesterdays snowstorm was intense but short lived...While the Write People, read and discussed, a raging blizzard was taking place outside...We finished up before noon and all had things to do so skipped lunch and stepped outside into a snow covered world...3 to 4 inches of snow, wind blowing a gale, our cars hiding under a white blanket.

I started the car cleaned it off and slowly made my way home on the unplowed road...All the time I'm thinking about the Garden Club meeting scheduled for 2pm...It is to be held several miles up Alder Slope, known for deeper snow and more wind...To cancel or not...I talk to Judy, the hostess, and we decide that the storm will soon be over and all will be well...Ahhh, we were right...10 women showed up, the sun came out and the roads were almost bare...We are hardy people here in Wallowa County and the thought of spring and planting seeds isn't to be missed...We munched on scones and biscotti while drinking coffee, talked about our successes and failures and what we are planning for this summer...We left Alder Slope with new seeds to plant...April we will visit a members greenhouse and May will find us at a small commercial nursery planting a container garden under the supervision of Pam Harshfield, a gardening specialist...We all look forward to those sunny days, digging in the dirt.

I heard from Pat this morning while she was at an Apple store in Baltimore, where they are hopefully fixing her computer...They tried a video chat with me but it never did connect...Haven't heard from her since and she is now off line...Waiting to hear what the verdict is...Technology! Great when it works but a pain when it doesn't...Hugs to all....  OWAV:)

Windy....39º

Slept late this morning after a restless night...Windy all night and supposed to continue today...So far it is a gusty wind but not nearly as strong as what we've had in the past...Maybe typical March weather, unsettled all week.

Yesterday I made another batch of bread...Herb and I took carrot snacks to Celia and Anna Belle...Worked on rewrite of my essay...Leftovers and hot rolls for dinner.

Today is a busy one with Write People this morning then moving on with an early spring Garden Club meeting in the afternoon...Herb will be dining on leftovers for lunch including the rest of the cherry crisp...That will make him happy...Hugs...OWAV:)

Cherry Crisp 

Potpourri...25º

Flag Amid Snowflakes 

Yesterday Herb and I enjoyed a quiet day in our warm home as we watched the weather change from rain to heavy wet snow and back again several times throughout the day...A big change from the warm dry weather of the past week...Late afternoon we, in one of the "big flake" storms treated the girls "mules" to carrots, conversation and company...They were very appreciative.

We arrived back home to the smells of a typical Sunday dinner of chicken, baked potatoes, salad and cherry crisp...Brings to mind Sunday dinners when I was a kid, growing up on a farm in Idaho.

Sunday dinners were often planned around chicken...Baby chicks that Mom had ordered in early spring arrived at the postoffice in cardboard boxes with holes all around...Normally we picked our mail up about once a week but when the chick order was slated to arrive we checked in everyday...We didn't have a phone...We hurried home with the "peeping, chirping" boxes of chicks, usually about 50 Chickens...In a few months we had roosters (fryers) to eat and hens for our supply of farm fresh eggs both for our family and to sell for added income.

I can hear my Dad's voice now as we sat at the breakfast table, on a warm summer morning..."Blanche, how many chickens do you want me to kill this morning?" "Joe, they aren't very big yet, so figure 1/2 chicken per person, that would be?" and the conversation went on from there...Soon the barnyard was filled with the sounds of squawking chickens, then the sound of the axe, whack, whack whack!..Then the sight of headless chickens flopping squirting blood everywhere as they died, kettles of water heated over a wood fire and Mona and I waiting and ready to start plucking feathers so Mom could begin the gutting and cleaning process...Mid afternoon on Sunday we sat down to a dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with milk gravy, fresh veggies from the garden and one of Mom's unforgettable pies.

This was the era when Americans had been promised prosperity.. dailyreckoning.com/a-chicken-in-every-pot-and-a-car-in-every-gara. Which was shortly followed by the Great Depression of 1932...Will our Country ever learn from passed history?.  Hugs...OWAV:)

Daylight Savings...35º

Chief Joseph Mountain

No big hurry at our house to set the clocks last night...So I was up about 4am my usual time...But now, that is 5am and Herb is up, has set the clocks all ahead and now it is almost 7am and I'm thinking where did the time go?..DAMN, I hate this crazy system...But no I won't do a RANT & RAVE about it again...Just mellow out, relax, make the most of the rest of the day.

Yesterday was another sunny wonderful day, spent a short time on the deck in the late afternoon then inside to read...I'm reading "MAID" novel about Joan of Ark, it is ok, might or might not finish it...I'm rereading "Riding the White Horse Home" by Teresa Jordan...She is teaching the memoir class at Summer Fishtrap that Pat and I are signing up for...We are both nervous about the class but everyone tells us that Teresa is a very down to earth person and we will love the class....So we plunge forward into this new world!

Pat and I spent time on her computer again yesterday, thinking she could get the ichat going before they leave for Maryland, but to no avail...Seems the only fix was to reload the operating system and that was taking forever...Now they are winging their way back east with many issues on their plate...Brian not feeling well, his fathers decline and the new computer giving Pat fits...It will all work out we know, but it is hard when things just don't want to go smooth!...Weather is changing here along with the time and I must get on with my day...Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Sunrise...34º

Joseph Sunrise 6:30 AM

As I sit here, my back to the east window answering emails, sorting and deleting I'm not thinking about what the sun is doing off to the east...Herb calls my attention to the morning sunrise so I grab the camera and in all my glory, (jammies, slippers) I tiptoe outside and get some photos...Above is the best one for all to enjoy.

Yesterday I mixed another batch of sourdough bread, using some hints Bobi sent...Doing a slower, cooler rising process...That meant I was baking bread at 6pm last night, must start earlier next time...I also added rye and buckwheat flour...The crust looks wonderful and it tasted yummy last night at 7pm warm from the oven.

Pat and I worked on Mac "stuff" still trying to get the ichat working for us...Went for a walk then met Amy at Arrowhead chocolates, where we sipped mocha's and talked writing...It is a busy place so not the best for our discussion, but since the chocolate is soooo good we made the sacrifice...Hugs to All...  OWAV:)

Mac Session...27º

It was almost 8pm when I left Pat's last night after our classroom session of her asking and me trying to answer her questions so she can become more familiar with her new Mac...Of course they "Mac" have upgraded their operating system to Lion and I'm still using Leopard...So I'm learning along with her and felt like we made some progress.

I had arrived at Pat's about 3pm yesterday and the next 5 hours flew by which is usual when we are together...After about 3 hours talking "Mac", Pat poured us a glass of wine, fixed a chicken salad and we delved into the death and dying issue they are now facing with Brian's father.

Both Pat and I have lost our parents and been through the Hospital, Care Center, Hospice, End of Life Directives, Etc...So we rehashed some of that and continued on to subjects such as; Why are we keeping people alive for so long in care centers? Are end of life directives really followed? Are lives being prolonged in care centers by the use of antibiotics?...Lot of questions and no real answers...We weren't being morbid or sad, simply realistic because when you reach our age these things are no longer about your parents but about "US".

So moving right along as I prepared to leave Pat's last night we stepped out onto her deck, stars shining overhead, a light, warm breeze blowing, a balmy 50º..It was a magical evening... Hugs to all... OWAV:)

Busy Days....22º

Sunny day again today, temperatures rising...Sorority luncheon today, Pat will join us to give the program on "handwriting analysis"...Should be interesting...Then I'm going to join her at her cabin for a "mac session" and her list of questions...Friday afternoon "We 3" will meet at Arrowhead Chocolates to discuss last months essays.

Yesterday Pat and I walked the track for two miles, had sooooo much to talk about that we didn't realize how far we were going...Makes exercise much easier...Hugs to all... OWAV:)

Essay...14º

Up at 3am this morning, did scrabble then went to my essay, that was returned from Katey a few days ago...I always read her letter and line corrections then leave it for a few days to ponder and think about the changes she has suggested...She says that it is close to being finished and I'm trying hard to believe that...Looking at it this morning I became bogged down and have emailed her for help.

Yesterday our "Write People" was crazy...The dynamics of this group is almost indescribable... We range in age from late 70's down to late 40's...So you have mother/daughter, grandmother/granddaughter personalities in the same room at the same round table with a common bond "writing"...Now you throw in education factors from master's in creative writing to high school graduates...Literary sense and common sense butting heads...Strong people, quiet people, inhibited to uninhibited people, poets and writers of prose...We come from all different walks of life, gather as a group to share and improve our writing skills...Respect for each other abounds and we take comfort in the fact that what we share stays with the group...We laugh so hard we cry or we laugh and cry over the written words...By the time we finish, we can be as high as a kite or emotionally drained, slowly loosing air like a helium balloon and descending into an inert puddle on the ground.

We order lunch move on to other subjects and with full tummy's leave knowing that we will be at this same table next week sharing our stories because that is who we are...Hugs to all... OWAV:)

Skiff of snow overnight...17º

Now the sun is hitting Ruby Peak as I finish Scrabble and have a brief chat with Rusty...He  is dealing with a cold that he picked up from either Herb or I.

Yesterday morning Pat, Janie and I joined Amy at Fishtrap where we attached labels to brochures for the "Summer Fishtrap" mailing and visited the morning away...Amy at home in her new job, trying to balance her acupuncture practice with the writing world...Wearing several hats at this time and also coming into her own as a writer, a busy, busy girl.

Pat and I shared a huge bowl of "War Won Ton" soup at the Chinese restaurant, with talk non-stop as we caught up after her month long absence.

Talked to Bobi and Cienna...Cienna with homework, and a scholarship application to Summer Fishtrap as she waits to see if she gets selected for a Science Summer Camp and also the Science School she has applied to...This is just a glimmer into her world for the next 4 years and beyond...A much more complicated world than when I was growing up.

I must move it, write group this morning...What will I read?..  Hugs....  OWAV:)

Incredible, Wonderful Day...33º

Yesterday was a day that we only dream about, here in Wallowa County...March is often when we get the bulk of our winter snow, with cold winds keeping us indoors, huddled around the wood stove...Yesterday it reach 54º by 1pm, sun high in the sky, glancing off the Wallowa Mountains in the west and causing the 7 Devils to shine like beacons to the East..I walked to the school track where I met Pat for a walk...I was wearing capri's and a t-shirt...Other people were doing the same, ladies walking, a family playing catch on the football field...We kept looking at the sky, in awe of this sunny day...Spring is a rarity in Wallowa County and yesterday might have been it for this year but at least we can say we did have spring on March 4, 2012--A day to remember!

Back home I had sourdough biscuits ready to go in the oven along with our dinner of beef roast and brussel sprouts...More dough ready to shape into loaves and bake...Late afternoon, I packaged a warm loaf of bread and we delivered it to friends on Alder Slope in thanks for the fine straw we use as mulch for our vegetable garden....Hugs to all....  OWAV:)

Sunday, Sunshine....30º

High is supposed to be 54º today, even warmer than yesterday...Wonderful weather for March...We'll take it any day!

Yesterday Herb and I did some cleaning...Pat and I walked and caught up on our visiting...Pam stopped by for a visit after her hike on the Moraine...Really not much to blather about, so I will post some photos of banana bread that I made on Friday and another photo of the computer sleeve that I made for Pat's new imac laptop...Hugs to all....OWAV:)

Banana bread mini loaves

Pat's computer sleeve (apple inside a heart)

More Bread...32º

You are going to get sooooo tired of hearing about my sourdough bread...To bad, I'm having so much fun...Started my second batch yesterday, working with the same amount of flour, starter, salt and water...I can't believe how fast it comes together and the kneading process of about 20 minutes goes quickly as you feel the change in the dough, until it is like a giant sponge, stretchy and elastic...I didn't try it but I think it would bounce if I dropped it on the floor.

I tried letting it rest for 1/2 hour then gave it a few quick "kneads" then rest and knead-- about 4 times...It got softer each time I did this...Then it shaped into 1# loaves easily...I put one loaf in its own pan and two loaves in a large loaf pan...(I like glass)...For the rising process I like a moist heat...So I boil water in the microwave, leave water and container in and place the "panned" bread next to boiled water and close the microwave, this creates a warm moist atmosphere and the bread rises nicely...Pictured below bread has risen, I covered it with sour cream (thinned) and cut slashes with a very sharp knife.

       

            Sour cream helps it to brown

Easily separates into two loaves

I baked these for 30 minutes on 350º...The loaves continued to rise in the oven and remember they have no added yeast just the sourdough started...The outside is crusty, with inside moist and dense...Add some butter, oh so good!!..Next time I will up the oven temperature to 375º for a thicker crust...Wish you were here, I would love to share....Hugs to all....  OWAV:)

Mundane Task....18º

Since there were no scrabble games awaiting me this morning I started on the "mundane job" of cleaning out my email inbox...Two hours later I had made great headway and will continue to work on it.

Looks like some sun today, snowstorms never did materialize in Joseph but it looked like it was snowing in the mountains...That is where we need it!

I'm thinking about playing with the sourdough and making another batch of bread, not sure I can duplicate Wednesdays batch...Also have bananas turning dark so maybe banana bread would be a good idea.

Enough blathering for today...Hugs to all...  OWAV:)

Essay sent...23º...skiff of snow

Essay finished for another month and on its way to Katey for critique. Whew...Rusty is back in Bend, slick roads from Joseph to Baker City, then better for the last half of his trip...Herb has gone for a dental appointment in Enterprise this morning...His cold is slowly getting better.

Single loaf crusty and warm

On with my day, but first, yesterday...Last week I saved potato water and decided to make it into a sourdough started...So I added flour, warm water and a few grains of yeast...Soon it was happily bubbling away...I made biscuits on Sunday using some of it, they were okay...But yesterday as I've done many times before (never with very much luck) I decided to make sourdough bread...Again I surfed the internet thinking I will get some sage advise on the art of sourdough...Of course utube pops up with all kinds of videos and I hone in on a lady making sourdough bread...She talks through her nose, I almost switch her off, but don't...She has only 4 ingredients, flour, starter, salt and water...Basic recipe: 2 1/2 cups starter, 3 1/2 cups of bread flour, scant tablespoon salt, 1 1 1/3 cups warm water (more or less)...I immediately think this lady might know something...I've made many, many loaves of bread and know that the amount of flour is never a given...Then she says your sourdough must be very active, you should feed it periodically for 3 days before using it...Just so happened that that is what I had been doing...Every morning as it sat on the counter it had used up all of its food the night before, so each day I added flour and water and now ended up with over 3 cups of starter...I measured 3 cups flour into a bowl, made a well, added 2 1/2 cups starter, salt and started to stir adding the warm water as I mixed...then started kneading and kneading and eventually I added the rest of the flour and a little more...The dough started to feel warm, stretchy and soft in my hands...It kneaded easily with a bare minimum of flour...It was as soft and smooth as a baby's bottom...I rolled it in a little olive oil and put it in a warm place to rise...The end results are in photo's above and below, 3- 1# loaves, extra crusty, wonderful texture...It needs more sourdough flavor, not sure how you get that but I'll keep practicing....Hug to all OWAV:)

Two Freeform loaves