There’s been a seemingly endless stream of bird parents bringing their fledglings to our garden this summer, teaching them how to feed themselves. Northern Flickers are in the tree climber/woodpecker family. They are shy birds and easily spooked by people. They also always announce their […]
All posts filed under: Musings
California Road Trip 2019 … The Laguna de Santa Rosa Revisited!
Looking north towards the Mayacamas Mountains! I last came here four years ago with my friend Christine. This time, it was hot, dry and slightly breezy. Last winter the area received record rains which created a lot of serious flooding. The Meadow Lark Field Pink grass!!! […]
Up Close & Personal … The Pileated Woodpecker
It’s been a while since I saw a pileated woodpecker in the garden! Well technically he landed high up on one of the Doug firs just behind the fence. I look at the forest as an extension, a space that attracts an enormous number of […]
Hummingbird Magic!
Years ago I planted a “Cotton Candy” white butterfly bush right outside our bedroom window. During the summer months we leave the windows open and many mornings I wake up to the sound of hummingbird wings whirring by. I open my eyes and am treated […]
Exploring the Oregon Coast … Siletz Bay Part 3
A large group of harbor seals hanging out … … along with this Great Blue Heron, who was keeping an eye on everything! Here the heron reminds me a bit of the Road Runner from the old cartoons. Coming in for a landing! After watching […]
Exploring the Oregon Coast … Siletz Bay Part 2
This was new to me! The fishing for crabs this way! This little guy was the lucky one to escape the dinner plate! He, or she, measured half an inch too small to be taken. The crab scampered sideways towards the water’s edge and then […]
Exploring the Oregon Coast … Siletz Bay Part 1
Spending a couple of days at the coast always recharges my batteries! The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing onto the shore is calming. And calm is what I’ve been needing lately. It seems like there is never break from all the bad stuff happening […]
Up Close & Personal … The Cooper’s Hawk returns
Imagine my surprise when I got another visit from the Cooper’s hawk Saturday afternoon! He came swooshing through the shrubs and landed right in front of me on the birdbath. There he sat still for a few moments, then hopped onto the ground behind the […]
Zunday Zen … Ensō
Open hearts and minds trump ignorance, hatred, fear. One’s character matters! When I discovered these incredible pieces of art on display in an office I’ve been to a number of times, it surprised even me that I had never noticed them before. I came […]
Happy Friday from Downtown Portland!
Check out this view! Gorgeous, isn’t it? Happy Friday from the 30th floor terrace in Downtown Portland! A view of Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Pioneer Courthouse with the Willamette River, SE Portland and the Cascade Range in the background. Mount Hood was hidden behind the clouds. Have […]
Tasty Tuesday … Spicy Rhubarb Soup with Red Lentils
Last week, Missy from thyme, and everything else posted a very scrumptious sounding rhubarb pie with cardamom recipe. It got me thinking about rhubarb and how I rarely use it in cooking or baking. My grandmother used to bake a yummy rhubarb cake when I […]
Hummingbird Magic
Summer is here and so are the hummingbirds! Hummers rarely sit still. This one however just sat and sipped nectar for a few moments. Crocosmia is a favorite hummingbird flower! “Lecker!” Delicious! Check out the tongue down below! I never get tired of watching hummingbirds! And […]
Up Close & Personal … The Western Tanager
While sitting outside one morning last week, the Zendog and I suddenly felt a swoosh of air moving past our heads. For a moment all I could see was a bright blur heading straight for the lilac bush. Once this brightly colored bird landed, I […]
Happy Friday from Christine’s Flower Garden!
Another one of my favorite things “to do” when I visit friends in Northern California is getting a tour of Christine’s flower garden by Christine herself. We’ve been friends for nearly three decades, and despite not getting to see her very often, our friendship has […]
California Road Trip 2019 … Hiking Howarth Park … Again!
Santa Rosa’s Howarth Park is popular with many of the locals. The hiking trails around Lake Ralphine connect to Spring Lake, another favorite local spot to enjoy the outdoors. When we lived here, we spent lots of time at both of these parks. Every […]
Tasty Tuesday … Fresh Farm Market Summer Tacos
When summer temperatures soar, I don’t like turning on the stove in the kitchen for any longer than necessary. This is where a quick sauté comes in handy. And since fresh corn has been really tasty this year, I’ve been buying some almost every time I […]
Zunday Zen … The Magical Redwood Forest
Sequoia sempervirens the world’s tallest, living trees. There’s not much one can say about these incredibly beautiful, long-lived, resilient, fire-resistant and evergreen sky scraping giants! Even on a warm day the air within the forest stays reasonably cool. There’s really nothing else quite like it! […]
Happy Friday from the Sara Hite Memorial Rose Garden!
While running a bunch of errands on Wednesday I decided to take a break and visit this rose garden nearby. The Sara Hite Rose Garden sits on about an acre of land. There are so many spectacular roses in bloom right now and most of them are delightfully fragrant! […]
