Spring Rains...38º

Rain off and on all day yesterday and into the night, sometimes pounding but mostly gentle...It is nice to wake up to a newly washed world...All the shades of green are brighter, fresher, more alive...Only the daffodils are a bit battered and waterlogged.

It looked cold and wet outside yesterday, but with encouragement from Herb, I joined him to throw/spread chips on flowerbeds across the road from our house...These flowerbeds are a catch-all for more invasive plants such as Dames Rocket, Globe Thistle, Centaurea and forget-me-nots...We carefully piled/spread chips in and around the emerging plants...The chips are a good way of cleaning up the beds and discouraging some of the nasty weeds...Quite often when this side of the road blooms, it is prettier than the well tended beds around our house.

Chip pile.

Weeds covered up.

Late last evening I took more daffodil photos because I thought they might be covered with snow this morning, but we lucked out and still have gentle rain falling...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Orange and White

Orange and Cream

Heritage Daffodils

Forsythia Bush

Homeward Bound...Warm 40º

Sitting at the table, our last day at the cabin, I had good intentions of keeping up on my blog...I was about half way done when an email came in from "Bank of America," our visa card company...They wanted me to update something on my personal information...We had Wifi so I looked to see what they wanted, my cell phone number for alerts wasn't listed, I put it in but couldn't tell if it was accepted...It said I needed to do this as soon as possible...I immediately "freaked out just a little" because I figured their next step was to cancel the card and I had a shopping trip planned to Costco!..When something like this happens I reach for the phone but we didn't have cell service at the cabin...Long story short, we packed up, headed to Lewiston when we would have cell service...I called the number on the back of my card and got their famous recorded message...Blah, blah, blah...I did my usual and just kept repeating "customer service." Finally I was connected to the right department with a 2 hour wait and if I would like they would take my phone no. and call me back, when my turn came up.

We shopped for fresh produce at Winco, then on to Walmart to kill time until Costco opened..Somewhere in Costco I got the call...I explained, the lady said the email was probably spam and hoped I didn't put in any personal info...That really "freaked" me out, but what could I do, cancel the card? so I hung up, wandered the aisles of Costco, thinking?..I called Bank of America again and this time when they asked what I wanted I said, Cancel my card!..That got their attention but again I was put on hold, now with a 4 hour wait...We checked out of Costco using the "card" with no problem...Herb didn't waste any time getting on the road, we just wanted to get home...We stopped for lunch/dinner at the Range Rider in Enterprise, relaxed a little...I answered the call, as we were unloading the car, and this lady said that the email was not spam but a legitimate inquiry from Bank of America.

We were both ready for bed by 7pm, slept like the dead and woke up ready to tackle our familiar world...No traffic, No hoards of people, No air pollution and a yard full of blooming daffodils, and the sun shining in our windows...The best part of any trip that I have ever taken is arriving home!..Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Getaway Cabin

Home to our blooms

More blooms

Leisurely Drive...45º

The sun wouldn't hit the cabin until late morning, so a drive was the next best thing to do.. Herb drove North past Orofino to the turn off to Weippe...Following a winding road we climbed steadily uphill, topped out on what I would call a plateau, with gently rolling hills on the edge of the Palouse...We made about a 100 mile loop, driving through Weippe and Pierce ending up in Orofino...The following signs were along the road going first up hill and then back down...Beautiful country, marred only by old "clear cuts," abandoned mill sites and logging machinery, from the booming timber industry of years ago.

Many of these.

Also many of these.

Arriving in Orofino we thought about having lunch out, then remembered the key lime pie back at the cabin, it really needed to be eaten...An afternoon in the sun, watching the river go by was the perfect way to spend the afternoon...For dinner we had steak smothered in mushrooms along with green salad, the half bottle of wine was soon empty...I decide to get one last photo of the cabin and our view of the river, I walked right through the sliding screen door, kept my balance but totally knocked the screen off its "gliders." Really!, I shared the wine with Herb...It has been an okay getaway but think my expectations were set a little bit high...Sure will be good to sleep in our own bed...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Colors of spring. (Orofino)

View from the cabin.

Clearwater River after sundown.

Getaway Reality...40º

We enjoyed our early morning drive from Joseph OR to Lewiston ID...Many people fear the winding, steep road but we always enjoy the greening of the canyons, blooming bushes and yellow balsam root dotting the hillsides, in April...The sky was bluer than blue as we dropped into Asotin and not a hint of the stinky odor that so often comes from the pulp mill.

Headed North

River at Boggans

View across the river

River between Asotin and Clarkston

We arrived at the subaru garage almost an hour early for our appointment, evidently not a problem...I signed the work order, handed over my key and the car disappeared into the garage...Brian (salesman) immediately offered us coffee, for our 2 hour wait...I said, "No thank you, we plan to walk to Winco (a few blocks away) and do some shopping." He said, "Why don't you let me drive you there and I will pick you up when you are done." We gladly took him up on his offer...We were back to the garage in little more than an hour, car was soon done and we were on our way...Brian was the kind of salesman that I like, offered once to show us a new car, "Wouldn't you like to pull into your driveway at home in a new car?" he said...I replied, "No we don't have 100,000 miles on this one yet." As we left he gave me his card and said, "Let me know when you are ready for your new subaru."

Tree in Winco Parking lot.

Having eaten a piece of toast for breakfast, I suggested we split a burger at Zany Graze...It hit the spot and then to kill time we decided to peruse the aisles of "North 40," in Lewiston...Bought a few garden essentials before leaving Lewiston headed for Hana Pa Cabin.

Our first selfie

Lunch

From there we took one of my famous scenic tours, going 20 miles out of our way before I finally said, "Herb I think we have to turn around and go back.".. The little cabin is well hidden, the directions we were given, leave something to be desired but finally we arrived...It is touted as being quiet and secluded...For big city people maybe so...For us the main highway across the river drowns out any sounds of the river and is much more noise than we are used to...Oh well, I think a getaway for me is only to remind me how much I love HOME!

So late afternoon, bottle of wine half empty, salmon and steak cooking on the grill, I suggested to Herb that we take our second selfie (he just loves this part of our trips) and maybe I could take the selfie while he was giving me a kiss!..This is how that bright idea went.

I suggest

He takes a moment to think it over

That was good for a laugh!

On that note, Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Onions Planted...30º

Herb and I both worked outside yesterday morning, we don't accomplish a great deal in a few hours, but we keep plugging away...I left him to finish up and fix his own dinner, while I met "old" friends at the Alpine House for lunch...Margaret is a resident of Alpine House (assisted living) and 4 of us co-workers from Joseph School District years ago, joined her for lunch...Two hours flew by as we talked, laughed and reminisced about old times.

Sun is shining today, have a play to watch in Lostine this afternoon...Must pack a few clothes and food for our getaway tomorrow...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Forecast Right On...39º

We are celebrating spring days in Joseph this weekend and into next week...I don't think beyond that, it is best to revel in each precious day...Yesterday found both Herb and I in the garden rearranging straw, now that doesn't sound very exciting, but the sun was shining, we were both up and moving, that makes for a good day...Straw is important to our garden because it smothers the weeds, mulches new growth and aerates the soil...What more could one ask for.

The garlic is about 8" tall and needs to be side dressed with manure, the grape vine needs to be pruned, the bed for potatoes needs more layers of rotting leaves, straw, alfalfa pellets and manure...It is not too early to plant onion sets (waiting patiently in a paper bag) maybe today.

Yesterday I left Herb, still working, while I joined Virginia for my last volunteer day at the "food alliance." It has been fun working with her and facilitating this program, that gives food to people of all incomes and walks of life...Food that otherwise would be sent to the dumpster...The people that come, wait patiently in line, thank us profusely for the food and we try to explain that we only give a little of our time to make it possible and invite them back every Monday and Friday.

Back home we had dinner, then feeling rejuvenated and wanting to feel the sun on my face, the dirt in my hands, I headed outside...Two years ago I ordered hybrid poppies, (plum, deep red, maroon, rosy pink and orange/white)...They grew and bloomed (all orange), I complained to the company and this spring they send replacements...It will be another year before I know if I have colored poppies or orange poppies but whatever color, so far the deer don't seem to like them!..Hugs To All...OWAV:)

PS, Daffies are blooming everywhere.

Sunny Days...31º

It looks like we may get a few days of spring weather...Is it another teaser or is it for real this time?..Looking around the flower beds, garden and yard yesterday, signs of spring are everywhere...Buds swelling on the lilacs and fruit trees...A lone spear of asparagus pushing through the still half frozen ground in the garden...The grass gets greener day by day and grows, not by leaps and bounds, but soon will need to be cut...The next few days of warmer, sunny weather, will be a nice change but there is a fine line every spring, if trees and bushes bud and bloom too early, then they are likely to get frozen in May when frosty nights reappear...Spring in Wallowa County is fleeting...Some places they actually have a "Spring Season," here it comes one day at a time but usually not in succession...Random days in January through May count as spring and we treasure each and every one.

For many years we made an annual trip to Lewiston (bowling tournament) and there we got our "spring fix."..April/May in Lewiston (a few feet above sea level) blooms were everywhere; bulbs, bushes, trees and more, to me it was a wonderland of blooms and fragrances...I didn't mind coming back to Wallowa County because I knew that soon our blooms would appear...After many years of not making that spring trip, next week Herb and I will take a getaway to a little cabin on the Clearwater River, just 30 minutes out of Lewiston...The forecast is looking sunny and it promises to be 3 days of blooms and awesome smells!...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

One more photo of the Windflowers

Gentle Rain...48º

The sounds of spring, gentle rain and bird songs, wake me from a sound sleep...Looking out now, it is gray and hazy, sort of dreary...I have to work at being upbeat...Another look tells me the grass has greened up overnight, daffodils are coming into full bloom and with the temperature at 48º, it shouldn't snow today, this morning anyway!

My mind goes to a perfect dinner for today...Leftover ham bone in the fridge, tiny white beans in the pantry, add onion, celery and water, cook in a 200º oven for many hours...Serve alongside a thick slice of homemade bread and a green salad...Simple, satisfying food...Looking through photos from last year, below is a photo of our front yard 2017, much like it looks today.

April 2017

My follow up doctors appointment went well yesterday, lungs and heart both sound good, no negative effects from the blood thinner (so far)...Now we wait up to six months and check again to see if all the clots have dissolved in my lungs and then test my blood to see if it has clotting tendencies or if for some unknown reason, it went into overdrive making blood clots and landed me in the ER.

Pam and I watched two more episodes of the Wild Wild Country yesterday afternoon, leaving two more for today...I was still watching TV back in the 80's when all of this happened, so I remember it but it was 300 miles away and kind of surreal...The enormity of this is brought out in the documentary, but they are leaving many things up in the air, unfinished...I assume and hope they will fill in the gaps, answers the questions and wrap it all up in the final episode...Interesting watching to say the least...Hugs to All...OWAV:)

Family visit/Spring Rains...38º

Family (Kim and Diane) arrived Wednesday afternoon, after spending two nights at the Imnaha Motel and the days exploring the Zumwalt Prairie...Diane said, "We are on an adventure."...We spent the evening visiting and eating, then the guys turned in early and D & I stayed up laughing and talking until 10:30, catching up on family news.

Pam and I had an enjoyable Thursday evening at the annual Spring Concert, by the Wallowa Valley Choral...The songs were lively and upbeat, the crowd just right for visiting afterwards and I talked with several people that I haven't seen in some time...As the evening was stormy, P picked me up and delivered me home, so I didn't have to drive after dark.

Yesterday I did my regular stint at the Food Alliance and will continue that through next week, until the regular volunteer returns from Hawaii...Last night P and I watched 2 parts of a 6 part series "Wild Wild Country" on netflix...A documentary from the early 80's when the rajneeshpuram (from India) bought the "Big Muddy" ranch near Antelope, OR to set up a utopia (commune) in the US...Just click on the link,"documentary" or google Rajneeshpuram to get the story...It was a tumultous time in Oregon's history...I seem to feel a little better each day, have a follow up appointment today, so will see what the doctor has to say....Hugs to All...OWAV:)

Buds last night

Blooms today

Garlic Patch

Fun Weekend...39º

I had been looking forward to the musical "Hair Spray," had the tickets all printed for the seven of us that were going to meet at the Saturday matinee...Thursday night I had given up all hope of going and told Pam where the tickets were at my house, so she could take them for Saturdays performance...As things turned out I did get to go, it was a wonderful performance and I encourage all to get on line, order tickets and enjoy the play...Also on my agenda was our usual 1st Sunday of the month, (delayed a week) playing cards with friends...It was a rainy afternoon as Pam and I drove up the Lostine Canyon to Jan's house, Sue joined us and we had a delicious lunch, played cards and laughed a lot...So relaxing, just what I needed.

We have company coming today, niece Diane and husband Kim...I'm so looking forward to that...Thanks to all who chimed in with encouraging thoughts, hugs and smiles...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

The Wallowa river Saturday afternoon

Almost our of the canyon, headed home.

Great show, funny, sad...From the 60's 

and we still struggle with the same

issues today!

Life Surprise...36º

I posted a blog on Thursday last week, it was a busy day, mostly relaxing things, and I only dreaded grocery shopping..."At my age," I wake up on any given day with assorted aches and pains that go away once I get moving...Looking back I had a heaviness in my chest, and when I arrived for my massage and climbed some stairs, I was very short breath...Passed it off as not enough exercise this winter...The massage was good and I went on to water therapy where I floated around on a noodle, exercising arms and legs, hit the hot tub and was soon at safeway...Halfway through safeway, I got really warm, almost sweaty but it quickly passed...When I arrived home, packed groceries from car to house the shortness of breath was back and my chest seemed more heavy.

Not wanting to alarm Herb, I said, "I'll put the groceries away in a few minutes, I just need a little rest."..As I sat resting, thinking 'elephant sitting on my chest,(heart attack) no not that bad, maybe a cow sitting on my chest...I could also feel my heart pounding and when I took a deep breath it hurt deep in my right lung, pleurisy maybe, I thought.'

I picked up the phone, called my Doctor and she said "Idella go to the emergency room."..."But can't I just come to see you?"..."NO, go to the emergency room, they have everything there to take care of you."

I could blather on for several more paragraphs, giving you a picture of the drama in the ER, but I will give you a brief glimpse  of what transpired over the next 24 hours...It was about 3pm when we arrived at the ER...My blood pressure and heart was  monitored, EKG, blood tests, X-rays, endless questions...I could also hear conversations outside my cubical..."We can't get a flight out tonight, but I'm ready to do a ground transport." 'Hmm must be someone in worse shape then me.'  Then Dr Allen (ER doctor for the night) got my attention when she said, "I want to send you out of here, but I have to find a bed (Walla Walla, Tri Cities, Spokane, Boise) and I want to talk to more cardiologist because you could be having a heart attack, but all of the signs aren't there..."I'm feeling better Dr. can't I just stay here for the night or even better go home."

Okay to cut the drama and make a long story short, about 6pm, Dr Allen sent me down the hall for a cat scan of my lungs and the diagnosis pulmonary embolism was assigned to me...It is a serious condition but I did not have to leave Wallowa County...I was admitted to the hospital, started immediately on blood thinners, so I would stop making blood clots...The clots I have are small, but there are many and it will take weeks for them to dissolve, hence weeks of being on a blood thinner, and down the road, more tests to try to determine why my body did this, we may never know WHY...
'Right now I'm thinking about how thankful I am that Herb stuck with his Forest Service job for all of those years so we have good medical and prescription insurance to supplement Medicare...We are very lucky.'

This is not a tale of woe, I'm not looking for sympathy, I know that my friends and family love and care about me and need to know when something crazy like this happens...I'm going to stop here and come back tomorrow and tell you the fun things I did over the weekend...Dr's orders, keep on with the things you always do, just be mindful of any abnormal bleeding (blood thinner) bruising and DON'T overdo...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Looking Back...38º

Memories come up on my face book page everyday and yesterday they featured my blog from April 4th 2012...On that date 6 years ago 4 inches of snow covered the ground.

Yesterday morning, April 4, 2018 was cold and breezy, it later warmed up enough for me to again wander the yard looking for new growth...The Oriental Poppies and Peonies are pushing their way through the mulch, bloom time for them is May/June...The daffodils are budded, just waiting for more sun...Nearly every year we get snow that flattens the blooming daffodils but they are hardy souls and bounce back up as soon as the snow melts...To me they are the sunshine of spring, happy, cheerful and smiling.

A busy day today as I cut Herbs hair, go for a massage, relax at water therapy and then the dreaded shopping at Safeway...Arriving home to fix dinner of leftovers as I clean out the fridge again in the endless circle of daily meals...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Crocus

Starry Twinkles

Budded Daffodils

Windflowers

Hmmmm?...24ª

A directional sign in Enterprise, Oregon...click on the photo to enlarge...Hugs to All...OWAV:)

Happy Easter...30º

A warm 50 degrees yesterday saw me outside, picking up debris, moving mulch around as crocus and daffodils push their way toward the sunlight...Also some of the garlic plants are having a hard time working through the straw mulch in the vegetable garden...I even got my hands in the dirt, filling trays with potting soil to start a few early seeds of lettuce, arugula and spinach...Seeds of cone flower and bee balm are also in a tray, can't have too many of these, because the deer shy away from them...Five new replacement poppies arrived in the mail yesterday, they sit waiting to be planted.

Pam and I attended the closing program of Women in Art, at the Josephy Center last night...We listened to many local women, accompanying themselves with guitars, mandolins etc. sing songs of courage and strength as they support the fight for women's rights...We sipped wine and shared conversation with friends from all walks of life.

Cienna embarks on a new adventure today...Her parents will take her to Oregon State, where she will continue her educations after graduating a year ago from Portland Community College...New experiences of dorm living, large class sizes, a much different atmosphere...We wish her luck, send our love and encouragement, as she continues this educational journey...Love to All...OWAV:)

The giant bean bag chair

experimenting with new containers

Make shift mini green houses