Sunday at Home...43º

Early morning found Herb and I splitting and stacking wood, while it was still cool..We had a cord of larch delivered to supplement the lodgepole already in the stack.

A garter snake by the garage.

I spent most of the day outside digging and deadheading it was a perfect day...Below are some of my favorite irises...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

A bouquet of peonies.

Sunny Sunday...50º

More catching up as it seems I have been too busy to write my blog...Monday June 23rd was a laid back, relaxing day...We cleaned up from Rusty's birthday party, ate the last of the lemon pie and made plans for our annual picnic at the lake...The "guys" fixed a box of wood for the campfire and the "girls" packed up the picnic basket with marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers...We opted to get take out sandwiches for the main course...After a rousing game of miniture golf where Papa was the only person to get a hole in one we ordered take-out and made our way to the picnic area...We relaxed and reminisced waiting for the coals to get just right before roasting marshmallows, an art we have perfected over the last 50 years...Oh those gooey, chocoloty, messy sandwiches called "S'mores."

Tuesday morning Rusty left for Yakima, Bobi went to LaGrande to lunch with a friend...Papa kept the irrigation water going on lawns and flowerbeds and Ci and I met Write People for lunch and conversation...Cienna shared her news with these ladies who have watched her grow from a "wee girl" to a teenager...(Follow the link and find out where her home will be for the next year.)

Wednesday we relaxed at the Adelhardt cabin, Ci did the go-cart rides and we visited Cecilia the mule.

Thursday morning Bobi and Ci were on their way home to Portland...Herb was happy to relax in his chair with his reprogramed ipad and I headed out the door to check out the yardsales, go to the grocery store and catch up with Pat and visit a friend recouping from knee surgery...Friday Pat and I did more yardsales before we got down to the business of making appetizers for the "Classical Music Concert" at the Josephy Center...The concert and the food was exceptional!..Hugs To All...OWAV:) PS...For more photos follow this link... Bobi

The Big 49...45º

Our ten days have flown by...The weekend went by in a blur so I will do a catch-up blog today...I think most of the "Honey Do's" got done and if not they will wait for another time...We always cram as much family time in as possible.

Rusty 1 year old

Sunday was the day to celebrate Rusty's 49th birthday and reminisce about days gone by...He was born in McCall, Idaho, 5am Monday, June 22, 1965...A year later we moved 500 miles SE to Duchesne, Utah where he learned to walk, talk and started school...1973 found us in a new home 600 miles NW to Joseph, Oregon where we all settled in on Barton Heights...Here he found unlimited freedom to explore, fish, hunt, raise sheep, water ski, drive a car, get a job and graduate from highschool...Three months after graduation he moved to Bend, OR, to work at Mt. Bachelor...He calls that home now but  is a world wide traveler working for LTW an Austrian company and he comes "home" to Joseph for R & R, to work on the list and eat lemon pie.

Freshman in highschool

He had hair back then!

So on Sunday we invited friends to share in a potluck BBQ with his favorite lemon pie for dessert instead of the traditional birthday cake...It was a memorable celebration...Hugs to All...OWAV:)

Becky and John

Pat

Pam

Brian

Rusty contemplates birthdays to come.

Honey Do's...45º

Yesterday morning on Barton Heights resembled a hive of bees...Herb was working on a new set of steps leading to the deck, then he had lawns to mow, and garbage to haul...I pointed out a few limbs that needed to be removed from trees and Rusty with the extension pruning saw had limbs scattered on the deck, lawn and driveway...Bobi and Ci were madly hauling the limbs out to the sheep and lama where the leaves were quickly striped and eaten...I called a halt to the pruning while we still had some shade left and everyone took a break, helped themselves to toast, ham, cherries or whatever they could find for breakfast.

Bob got a lamb roast in the oven preparing for our dinner of Gyros...Rusty helped Herb finish the steps before he made the dump run...Then it was time for Bob to reconfigure Herb's iPad so it was truly his instead of mine that he inherited...I'm not sure what I was doing all this time, other than wandering around in a daze, watering, deadheading and feeling incredibly lucky to be blessed with such a wonderful family...We finished up the evening playing "Hand and Foot" and viewing the summer solstice sunset from our kitchen window...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

What Was I Thinking?...41º

In my mind I will always be young..."The Kids are coming, the kids are coming, races through my mind and along with the "Honey Do" list I'm always looking for something new that our family can do together, while they are visiting us in Wallowa County...This years possibilities were; family rafting on the Grande Ronde River, (a day long adventure including travel to get there, climbing in and out of a raft several times...Was I really that young?), The new Railriders (a two hour adventure, down hill one way and pushed back for the return trip...This sounded more doable.), Of course there is alway the Mt Howard Gondola, (easy in the spring because snow still blocks most of the trails and I always enjoy the gondola ride.)We could do a road trip to the Zumwalt Prairie or Hells Canyon Overlook but the kids have already traveled 5 hours to get here with another 5 hours to return home.

The decision was made and Friday 8:30am found us signing up for the Railriders...It was sunny and starting to warm up, another gorgeous day in Wallowa County...Helmets in place we maneuvered our bodies into small recumbent seats, Kim adjusted them for easy pedaling, we fastened our seat belts and were ready to roll...Kim gave more directions such as, how to use the brake and slow the car to a stop when crossing a road or coming upon a gate that needed to be opened, before continuing the journey...Intentional bumping of the car ahead of you would be frowned upon...Sit back relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, don't be in a hurry.

My first attempt to pedal reminded me that I wasn't as young as my mind thought and my left knee was not happy being asked to make this motion...I gritted my teeth and told myself, "You can do this, it is too late to back out now and its all downhill to Enterprise." The scenery was stupendous, lush pasture lands, towering snow covered peaks, white tail deer racing through fields, tails flagging...An osprey nest high on a telephone pole...Sun in our faces, wind at our backs we saw a piece of Wallowa County, never viewed from the main highway...Our laughter echoed through the valley as we pedal the six miles...For the return trip, we pedaled some but were happy that Kim had a motor on his car and pushed us back to Joseph.

We spent the afternoon on the deck, soaking up the sun, downloading photos of the trip, to our computers so we can share them with the world...If you get a chance, take the Railrider trip, we had a great time...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Mile High Biscuits...40º

After a morning of non stop rain I took advantage of a sun break to wander around the flowerbeds checking for deer and storm damage...The deer, now with fawns by their sides, love to meander through our yard sampling tender blooms as they go...I think our flowerbeds are a teaching tool for the Mama deer as she encourages her babies to taste the smorgasbord we make available to them...Deer definitely have their favorites and love the succulent new blooms that spring forth, following a rainstorm.

The tall stately irises have been bent to the ground by the wind and rain...I gently lift and cut these, shake away the rain water and now have a lovey bouquet in the living room.

The "Girls" spent the morning working on a jigsaw puzzle and prepping food for dinner...2pm found us eating enchiladas before I left to volunteer at the local blood drive. 

Mile high biscuit

I arrived back home to find dessert ready and waiting, the smell of baking powder biscuits wafting in the air.

Fresh strawberries and cream soon topped the biscuits and was devoured in record time...A few hands of cards were played as the sun slowly made its decent behind the mountain...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Bobi's the score keeper

Ci thinking what her next play will be.

Flying Trip...39º

Leaving Portland later than expected Bobi and Ci had one thought in mind...Getting to Joseph in record time...Thinking ahead they had "healthy snacks" packed for the trip...Normally they will stop in Boardman to split a Bozo Burger, fries and milkshake, but as they zoomed past the Boardman exit and Bobi said, "Anyone need a potty stop?" Luckily, the answer was, "NO." Cienna kept us informed via test messages; "Just about to Pendleton, just leaving Elgin, we are in Lostine and yes we want clam chowder when we get to Joseph." They pulled in our driveway just after 9pm, only 5 hours since they left Portland...They partially unloaded the car as it was pouring rain and were soon chowing down on the clam chowder...Ci mentioned playing cards, Papa opted for bed and I stayed up to visit and the card playing will begin today, as the forecast is rain, lots of rain!

We don't have any activities set in stone for the next 10 days, but possible entertainment could be, a raft trip on the Grande Ronde, bicycle ride to Enterprise on the railroad track, just to mention a couple...Always lots of card games, the girls brought puzzles and Rusty will arrive on Thursday to join us for four days...Weather looks like it will start clearing on Thursday so there might be a chance of a wiener roast at the park or in the back yard!...I'll keep you posted...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Transplanting weather...39º

Yesterday morning with its coast-like weather was perfect to dig and transplant...So Pat and I spent over an hour on this task, marking off some of my to-do list, before our girls arrive...The afternoon found me at the Josephy Center doing a volunteer stint, also on my list...Guests, two to four at a time, found refuge out of the drizzling rain, looking at the World War 11 exhibit now on display...This exhitit has been well received by the community and tourists alike...Looking at the guest book, I counted over 100 people signing in since this exhibited opened.

Today is my weekly write group and Herb has been called to jury duty and will go this morning to see if he is selected to serve for the next few months...Before and after write group I will do more vacuuming and dusting and start a pot of clam chowder for dinner...Bobi and Ci will arrive late evening and will be ready for a hot home cooked meal...I think soup is a good choice...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Iris are in full bloom

Soggy Weather...44º

Scattered showers is todays forecast...It looks more like the coast has moved to the eastside as a steady mist is coming down with low hanging clouds hiding our mountains...Time to build another fire to ward off the chill.

Our Fathers Day dining experience at the newly renovated Lostine Tavern was an enjoyable afternoon...Their "soft opening" was in day 5 and diners were ask to bear with them as they worked out the kinks...They have totally transformed the inside, swapping sides with the kitchen and bar area, uncovering the old stone wall to use as the bar back drop...It is spacious and inviting with a new wood floor (using old wood) and the uncovered ceiling also of wood...The menu features locally grown beef and veggies and homemade buns for all of the sandwiches...Our plates were attractively presented and we ate with gusto...A good selection of local beers on tap and a choice of red or white wine to complement our meal.

This Fathers Day differed from the last two as before we spent hours in the car coming and going first to Sumpter and the train ride and last year to dinner at the Union Hotel...We all agreed that the short drive to Lostine was more to our liking...We stopped in Enterprise on our way home and ordered ice cream for dessert...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Dining area alongside bar (Pats photo)

Stone wall and bar (Pats photo)

Tenderloin sandwich and kale/couscous salad

LT Burgers for the guys

Spinach salad for Pat (we both forgot to snap a before photo.)

Counting the days...44º

I find it hard to get in a major cleaning mode when the kids are coming, after all they grew up in this house with all its dirt, dust, cobwebs and clutter of home...Why should I try to change that?

Herb has clean sheets for their beds and I'm thinking about what meat to thaw for meals, might even have to make a trip to the grocery store or not...We have enough in the cellar and freezer to feed an army, just takes a little ingenuity (Bobi's department) to put it all together...I know we will be making lemon pie and dinner rolls...Cienna will probably have some suggestions (enchiladas, donuts, waffles) and maybe she will make her baking powder biscuits for us...Rusty will fire up the BBQ...As usual it will be a whirl of activity and over in the blink of an eye...I doubt that the cleanliness of the house is a topic of conversation when they get back home...I'm more inclined to believe that it would be about eating homemade food, who got lucky at the card games and maybe plans for a return trip.

Just to pass the time this morning I will clean the bathroom and kitchen before vacuuming upstairs and maybe jot down a few possible meals for the coming week.

Dinner today will be at the newly renovated Lostine Tavern as we get together with Pat and Brian for our 3rd annual Fathers' Day celebration...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

PS...How could I forget?..Today is Fathers day and since I just recently scanned photos of Herb's parents into my computer I planned to post them today in menory of two fine people...They were loving, kind, generous people who came into my life right after I lost my own father...They treated me and loved me like a daughter...Gone now for many years they are still loved and missed...The following photo's were taken in Moscow, Idaho, June of 1961 at Herbs college graduation.

Elmer and Frances (Babe to her family)

Dad, Mom and Herb

                                  

                   

Cold/Stormy...45º

Yesterday morning was stormy looking, a perfect day for inside work and also a perfect day to water flowerbeds...Enough water in the irrigation ditch to run a pump in the pasture and also in the yard...Outside I set the sprinkler as the sun peaked through the clouds...I couldn't resist doing a litte deadheading and marking irises to be moved later, then a few columbines were looking for a new home and before I realized it two hours had passed, the sprinkler needed to be moved and a storm was inching down the mountain...Not knowing how long the storm would last I left the sprinkler on and went inside...We had a nice soaking rain and about 1pm turned off the sprinklers...Rain off and on will continue through Wednesday, then hopefully it will dry off and warm up so the farmers can start the hay harvest.

Warmer, drier weather would also be nice for us because Bobi and Cienna arrive here on Tuesday night for ten day visit and Rusty will come from Yakima, Washington for a long weekend...We have catching up to do since their last visit and we will also spend much time "hugging Cienna" :), before she leaves in August for a year in Thailand...Also Rusty's 49th birthday will call for a celebration and everyone thinks that "lemon meringue pie" will taste better than birthday cake!..Should be easy with all the extra help in the kitchen!

Herb started a fire this morning...I will spend this day inside, maybe cleaning upstairs, a pile of mending is waiting at the sewing machine but I also have a stack of books sitting beside my chair and Angry Birds has a new update...Dinner is an easy corn fritters and ham and maybe the sun will peak through long enough to gather a bouquet and snap a photo or two...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Grapes just starting to form

Cucumbers are sprouted and growing.

Reflections...46º

I've spent the last two mornings meandering through the flower beds deadheading spent blooms, pulling weeds and in my mind rearranging plants, filling in bare spots...But in reality, I leave things the way they are knowing that eventually mother nature will do those jobs for me...I spent yesterday morning deep in my own thoughts trying to sort through this enigma of life and death.

My sister Barbara approaches her 86th birthday and is not well...She lives far away so we only connect on the phone...Her voice still sounds strong, but after losing her husband over a year ago and her own failing health, she no longer has the will to live...In my mind she is still vibrant, working in the gardens she loves, planting, watering and weeding...Her sense of humor, bubbling laughter, sparking eyes and love of life and people is how I will always remember her...Yesterday on the phone she told me that her arrangements have been made...A simple graveside service to inter her ashes alongside husband Jim...She doesn't want money spent on flowers, caskets or plane tickets...Just memories of the good times, the happy times when we walked her gardens together, sat near the pond watching birds build their nest and reminiced about days gone by...I will remember her in this spot where she lived for many happy years doing what she loved.

This was also a time to reflect on another life...Jane, my friend and neighbor of 40 years died at Alpine House...Her ninetieth birthday was to be celebrated in July...Jane and I first as neighbors, slowly became friends...She became a dear friend and mentor...I will write more about her at a later date...Now the out-of-doors is calling me...Time for me to rearrange the thoughts in my head so I can put them on paper....Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Another Milestone...40º

I had two things on my schedule yesterday...First the lemon meringue pie that I had promised Herb for his birthday and also I needed to make another batch of sourdough bread for the freezer...Both of these things can make big messes...I started out making a double batch of pie crust, use one crust, and freeze three for later use...Then since I had flour scattered everywhere, I measured ingredients into the bosch mixer, set the timer and let it knead for 10 minutes, while I rolled out the pie crust and set it in the oven to bake...The kitchen sink was soon filled with sudsy water where cuisinart parts, mixer parts and mixing bowls were soaking before going into the dishwasher...Magically Herb appeared from his morning of AGAIN "chasing water" because first we don't have enough water and then we have way too much water...Anyway he soon had all of the parts out of the kitchen sink and into the dishwasher while I cleaned up the back room (where I do all my mixing) and we took a breakfast break.

After 53 years of wedded bliss arguments, making up, we usually manage to irritate the hell out of each other work together as a team and get the job done....OH MY.

53 years ago today we were a couple of starry eyed kids ready to take on this thing called marriage, having not the foggiest notion of what we were getting into...We have weathered the storm, managed to raise two perfect children responsible adults, who come home on a regular basis, still bringing love, joy and laughter to the life of their aging parents...We are totally blessed!..Today will be a quiet day (I think), not sure what we are having for dinner, I'm skipping Write People, but going to Garden Club...Will spend time outside watering and weeding and sitting on the deck reminiscing about that day, so many years ago...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

You've seen our wedding photo many times so below is a picture of Herb and I at the University of Idaho at the annual fall dance, in 1959...I was 17 and he 23...Then 50 years later on an Alaskan Cruise.

Milestone....45º

Birthday wishes are in store for Herb today as he celebrates another year...According to him he quit having birthdays many years ago but on the other hand says he will celebrate every year that he is still upright...We toasted his many years on Saturday, dining out at Vali's...Daily we both give thanks for the relative good health that we are lucky to have...Today will be a quiet day as we go about our life, tending to everyday chores...Gone are the days of agonizing over what gift I will give him as he will be happy with a fresh lemon Meringue Pie...Another warm, sunny day awaits us today...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

PS...Below I have included an "Anaphora" of Herbs life from birth to college, it is a fun way to write spanning many years in a short essay.

Then

Now

Sunshine Boy  

Sun shines now as it did June, 9, 1937. A baby boy cries as his father walks into the bedroom, joining his mother as she places their son in the crib, then covers him with a scratchy wool blanket, brushes his soft cheek with her moist lips, sunshine fills the room. Pleased looks and a lingering embrace are exchanged as the new mother and father look in awe at their long awaited little boy. The sunshine warms the child growing up on a small farm, his constant companion a dog name Amos.

Sun shines as boy starts school, loses front teeth, tooth fairy arrives. Sun shines when the jolly fat man brings a banana and nuts for stockings that hang by the chimney. Packages wrapped in red, under a tinsel laden tree. Sun fades when boy finds out that Santa and parents are one and the same.

Sunshine grows dim and the farm is unable to sustain their life, as the small herd of sheep dies one by one from anthrax. Sun is hidden as the farm is sold and they move, father looking for any kind of work that will put food on the table. They remain a small unit, 3 of them, content, living near relatives, making new friends. The family joins the Grange and the local church as the sunshine comes back into their lives.

Boy is growing up, zits erupt on that same smooth cheek and whiskers soon follow. School keeps him busy, soon a part time job bagging groceries, supplies school clothes, gasoline, the first package of cigarettes, he briefly plays the trumpet and as coxswain keeps his team on cadence. He graduates from high school, leaves home to attend Ranger School, as the sun shines higher in the sky.

Sunshine hides behind a cloud as mother coughs, gasping for breath when her childhood asthma rears its ugly head and angrily demands that they move to a less humid climate. Sunshine hides behind a black cloud as their meager possessions are sold or given away and a small cedar chest is packed with the mementoes of the past 20 years, along with only the necessities that will fit in a pickup bed covered with a homemade camper as the sunshine peeks out from behind the dark cloud. The sun shines on the cross country trip, three of them share in the driving of a 57 ford pickup. Five days and 3500 miles register on the odometer, the sun shines in a welcoming way as they reach McCall, Idaho, settle into a cramped apartment and begin life in their new home. The sun shines as father finds seasonal work on a bridge crew and mother takes in ironing to supplement the family income.

Sun shines high in the sky as son starts a summer job awaiting him with the Forest Service and enrolls at the University of Idaho the coming fall. The sun shines as his paychecks afford new wheels in the form of a 2 door, 1953 mercury, shiny and black, polished to a high gloss. The sun shines as parents stand waving, tears streaming down his mother face as their only child climbs into the shiny car, revs the motor, smiles at the rumble it makes and leaves the family nest for college.