Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Faces of Fletcher

Two years ago, this guy
came to live with us (yes, he grew into those ears).  He was only supposed to be a 45lb wiggle butt.  Today he weighs in at closer to 80lbs.  Still a wiggle butt, only he is not so little.
 
 As a little guy, he loved to snuggle on the couch with me.  Until he would stretch out, kicking me off the couch.  Yes, I would cover him with a blanket.

 Again, snuggles on the couch.  This time with his rope.  It is hard to remember that his head was ever this small.

He still feels really bad for the unfortunate incident involving his stick impaling Scout.  Even more, he misses the pillow she had to wear around her neck.  It was perfect for napping in the car.
 
 

His sense of terrier ownership is still strong.  "All your things r be mine," remains his motto.
 

Stick wrestling and mulching continues to be his favorite pastime.


 Hunting mice with his sister is a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening.  Hours and hours of entertainment.

He loves to laugh at his own jokes.

 And give Scout kisses.  Scout loves to bite his face in return.

At the end of the day, he likes to retire to "his"chair.  The rotation in "his" chair each night looks something like this:

The last two years have certainly been an adventure with Fletcher.  He is continuing to grow into a great dog and I look forward to many more years and adventures with him.

My Week in Photos :: Random

 Winter is no longer coming.  It is here.  And with that, the extra blankets on the bed are a must.  The patchwork quilt is Stephens.  Years ago, a kid came into the shop and traded this wonderful quilt (made by his mother (it is embroidered Love Mom)) for a pipe.  Sad but true.  The knitted patchwork blanket was made for me by my Friday Night Knit Group back in Indiana.  I love it!  (Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash)

 We have added a new road to our morning walks to change things up a bit.  This section of the Weyerhaeuser Road runs along the river.  The dogs love going down to the rivers edge.  The sound of running water is one of my favorites.

Christmas Eve found us gathered at the home of friends.  Their 20th gala.  It was a blast.  The best part for me was Crow's Old Fashioned (his coffee drinks are also awesome).  It took me back to my childhood.  My grandfather drank Old Fashioneds and Manhattans.  I often think of my Grandfather (usually while I am doing dishes (he had strong opinions on the proper way to wash a dish)) and this drink really made me miss him all the more.

The Christmas Newt.
Why did the Newt cross the road?
He didn't, the car got him first.
Sad but true.

Scout walks the line.  And yes, she keeps a close watch on that heart of hers.

Fletcher has started playing the didgeridoo.  He is currently hosting auditions in the garage for his own band.  Fletcher and The Hives is his current "working" band name.  Contact me for more information.

The holly berries are huge!  We have five large holly trees that brighten the landscape with their bursts of red.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Return of the Light


The shortest day.  The longest night.  The winter solstice.
Tonight as we start our fire and light our candles we will give thanks, rejoice and revel.
Our flames radiating love, peace and hope outward into the darkness.  Beckoning the return of the light.  Reminding ourselves to be here now.  This day and everyday.
Welcome Yule!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

My Week in Photos:: Reflections

This post is a few days late.  Because, well, I have been reflecting.

In light of the recent events, reflections seem poignant now.  Since I do not watch T.V., I first heard about what happened in Portland and in Connecticut from the Facebook and then NPR.  I have read a few news articles but have not closely followed the events and the aftermath of what happened.  I do not need to.  This does not mean that I do not have a deep physical ache over what happened, because I do.  I also ache for all the children that are suffering in Fukushima in the aftermath of their nuclear disaster.  I ache for the women and children on the continent of Africa who are continuing to die day after day.  I ache for the citizens and aquatic lifeforms living in and on the Gulf of Mexico who are still reeling from the BP oil spill.  I ache for the continued infanticide and feticide of girls in China and India.  It seems to me that these things and all of the other devastating acts of violence that occur on a regular basis around the world are a reflection of a much bigger and deeply rooted problem.  We are a living in a world of violence and greed.  It is everywhere.  Pouring from the pages of our collective HIStory books.  From the Gaza Strip to small town America.  No one and no country is immune to it.  How do we end the cycle of violence?  I do not know.  I can, however, offer a humble suggestion.  I suggest that everyone smoke pot and take up knitting.  But then who am I?  Just a pot smoking knitter who wishes there was less violence and more kindness in the world.  I am, however, a reflection of what I want the world to be.  Do no harm is my mantra.

I choose the theme of reflections a couple of weeks ago.  Thinking back to the few photography courses I have taken and the different assignments we had.  Reflections were always one of my favorites.  In addition to this, the song Reflections by The Supremes has been stuck in my head.  A couple weeks back, I watched some episodes of MASH at a friends house and it got me thinking about the show China Beach and voila, Reflections lyrics have been running through my brain ever since.

 This photo is actually from earlier this summer.  Before the reservoir was drained.  Flood control, it is important.

 And here is the empty reservoir.  Pretty incredible.  All summer long the Coastal Fork of the Willamette is flowing under the reservoir.  Only visible in this section during the fall and winter.  One hundred years ago, this valley was an apple orchard with the river flowing through it.

 So, this probably does not really count as a reflection but I like it anyways.  The nail reflected in the drop of rain.

  Me.  I typically do not like my picture being taken.  Probably because I am not comfortable in my own skin most days.  In my efforts to take more pictures, I am also making a effort to take more "self portraits" and be comfortable with the images.

 I was hoping for more clarity with this shot.  I could see the reflection of the maple tree outside in the needles as I was knitting away on this blanket.  The reflection of light is nice.  The blanket continues to grow (and grow) but continues to feel like it will never be finished.  Miles and miles of garter ridges.

 The highlight of the week was a trip to Portland to visit a dollhouse.  An amazing dollhouse.  For years, I have gotten an invitation to the Dollhouse Open House from my friend Patty, but we were in Indiana.  This year, I was finally able to see it in all its glory.  Absolutely fabulous.  Patty, along with her twin and her father built and decorated this house.  Did I mention it is fabulous?

Two of my favorite things.  Knitting and whiskey.  I am practicing turning heels on mini socks.  Baby steps.  Each attempt is better than the last.  Oh, the learning curve...whiskey helps.  I swear.

How was your week?

Saturday, December 8, 2012

My Week in Photos :: Random

Today, when I transferred the pictures from my camera to my computer I realized that I really did not take that many pictures this week.  I spent the majority of the week finishing holiday gifts.  This time tomorrow I will be done!  Ready to ship in the next couple of days.  That feels good.  So, my week in photos:
 
 The first of December was the kick-off of the holiday party season.  Starting with a baby shower.  At a bar.  My kind of shower.  Followed by two more parties:  a fabulous birthday/holiday party (my baked mac n cheese was a hit  - with all the vegan and gluten free food on the table there were folks that were craving the pasta, butter and cheesy goodness) and Hamageddagain, an annual party of epic meat proportions.  Great times all around.  Connecting with old friends and meeting new friends.

We found this beauty on our Sunday morning walk.  Perhaps a Amanita muscaria?  We still need to invest in an identification book.  I looked about for a hookah smoking caterpillar but there was not one to be found.  Maybe another day.

 In the evenings, if the fire is going, this is where you will find Fletcher.  I am not sure that I would use the brick pad as a pillow but he seems to enjoy it. 

We are continuing to see rainbows.  One or two a week for the last five weeks.  I love it.  I like to think that where we are is a manifestation of the "pot of gold".  Creating our own brand of luck, one day at a time.

 To my delight, there is a new yarn shop on Main Street.  I stopped in briefly to check it out.  Honest to goodness real yarn and friendly proprietors.  

 Something new for me to geek out on.  Doctor Who.  How did I wait this long?  Started and finished Season One this week.  Starting Season Two immanently thanks to a wonderful friend who is lending me her set.

I am becoming more and more comfortable up in the woods by myself.  I am still the only one that has not seen the bear, just his scat.  On a regular basis.  Ha!  I took a quick spin in the backyard yesterday and found a few more chanterelles.  Just enough for an egg dish in the morning.

How was your week?

Sunday, December 2, 2012

A photo essay:: What the locals drink

What the locals drink while they are driving. 

Okay, so I do not really know if the driver's were actually drinking while driving or if their passengers were doing all the drinking.  I thought that throwing ones trash out the car window was an urban thing.  Many times having been an eye witness to the car in front of me disposing of their fast food bag while driving the streets of Indianapolis.  I was disappointed to learn that the locals leave their trash behind out here as well. Presumably, throwing empties out their windows as they cruise the lake.  So, what do the locals drink?


























After compiling the data;
the top three beverages of choice are::
Coors Light
Keystone (a nice mix of Ice & Light)
Pabst Blue Ribbon
The oddest empty found, in my opinion, Four LOKO the alcoholic energy drink. Gross. Now, once or twice a week, we grab plastic bags and pick up the empties while we are out with the hounds. Scout and Fletcher think it is great fun. Back and forth across the road and down to the waters edge. In Oregon, we pay deposits on our cans, glass bottles and some plastics. So, we are picking up money. Granted, it is not much but the local homeless guy appreciates the bags of cans he can return for the deposit. Everyone wins.