Natural Remedies

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." John Burroughs


After 3 1/2 weeks of being down flat, I am finally feeling better. Still no concrete diagnosis; lots of "Well, it isn't this..." but no defiinite What-It-Is. I think the not knowing is the most difficult--that, and not being able to get up and go and do. This enforced inactivity is driving me nuts. But, at least I can get up and walk now, and sit and lay down without being in such pain that I have to move. (Cheers for Prednisone!) I look forward to being able to hike again, or at least walk farther than 100yds without being exhausted. Being able to be outside will do wonders for that!

So, R and I went out to Rattlesnake earlier this week to take advantage of the beautiful weather we've been blessed with lately. Clear skies, sunshine, warm weather, osprey overhead, the sound of the water on the rocky shore--all of this is bliss to me and better than any medication. It heals and soothes my soul, and helps me get centered.

Acrobatics

One of the squirrels discovered the bird feeders, and decided to help himself. Who needs TV when you get to be entertained by stuff like this? Almost as funny as when R used WD40 on the pole and the squirrel slid down it like a fireman!!

"Hmmmm--look at all those sunflower seeds! All I have to do is scoot down this pole...

...and stretch across to the feeder like this. But I know I can get more if I can just get ON the feeder."

"Oh! Wait!! How did that happen? That's not what I planned!"

"Hey! This thing won't hold still. All I have to do is get my feet up there on that edge..."

"Hmmm, that didn't work quite the way I thought it would..."

"No better from this angle either..."

"Aw, nuts! I've spilled all the good stuff--I'm off of this merry-g-round!"

Humming

We hung a hummingbird feeder off the deck, and have been getting quite a bit of traffic! All these were taken with my P&S--I need to set the Big Gun up on the tripod and leave it aimed at the feeder for when business picks up.

This is a Rufous hummingbird. They are one of the smallest birds in Washington, and it takes 5 of them to equal the weight of 1 chickadee.

This irridescent little dazzler is a female Anna's hummingbird. I am hoping to see a male at the feeder since they have amazing red heads and throats.

He's up and out!!

Yesterday it was nice enough to be outside--and without a jacket! It was beyond wonderful to see Rick dressed in his jeans, and a shirt, and that they are fitting so much better. I am so grateful that he is recuperating, getting stronger, and doing so much better!! Now that spring is getting here, we will be able to start walking and working on his endurance. David's dog Roma is a great companion...

This Tuesday was the craziest day weather-wise! I woke up to this:

and this....and this...

Then it started to clear up and warm up. Had a great view of the snow-covered "wart" on Mt. Si.

By early evening it had warmed enough, and melted enough, that we had a great layer of fog. I love how the woods look when they are enveloped by the fog.

To cap it off, we had the most glorious sunset!! The fog caught the color and intensified it; it was almost a pearlescent glow. It was stunning.

Spring at the Depot

The warm weather we had a couple of days this week was enough to pop the blossoms at the depot. I really like the contrast against the newly painted depot; so much better than the old white paint.
I used the Orton technique on it; I like the way it intensifies the color and gives the image a painterly, impressionistic look.

Macro catch-up

We've had unsettled weather still--frosty mornings, snow that melts by night, lots of rain, but very little sun. Sunbreaks are about all we have had, and not nearly enough of those. But, here are a few from the last couple of weeks, taken in a variety of weather. Thanks goodness for nurseries that have blooming flowers!

But this is a bouquet on the kitchen table--something to brighten up the gloominess of a grey day.

True Love

D is home for a while, trying to find a job. While he is gone, we get to take care of Roma. When she misses him too much, she finds the nearest pair of stinky shoes and curls up for a nap, preferably with her head ON the shoes. THAT is love. I've smelled those noxious things!

Falls-ing in slow motion

R and I went up to my favorite off-the-side-of-the-road set of waterfalls today, and I was able to get some of the spring melt. I just love using a slow shutter speed to turn the water into silk and impressionistic paintings.

Frost and Ice Patterns

Our recent cold weather has brought out Mother Nature's artistic side...

Frost on the windshield looks like fern or pine fronds

Amazing--the pond freezes with a combination of straight linear lines and these incredibly organic shapes. Just look at the base of these "ferns".

And this!! A butterfly on ice! How cool is this?!

A Snowy March

Well, who would've guessed that March would bring us this much snow, instead of rain? Wierd day today--it warms up just enough for the snow to slide off the branches, then starts snowing heavily again. On and off, with big huge flakes, almost chunks.