How does your garden grow?

In just two weeks this is how my garden has grown... mmmm I can taste the fresh already! With the attractive deer fencing up and working so far, things are well on their way. Every morning I get up and peek through the blinds to see if I've accidently caught a deer- I don't want to think about that scenario. And so far the slugs haven't visited- but just in case I have beer ready and waiting for the occasion.

The nasturtiums are just coming up about an inch or so. I'm curious to try them on a salad- I've heard they are kind of spicy and they are so pretty sitting on your plate. Who would have thought to eat flowers! What a great thing energetically... to eat beauty.
Wishing you all well with your gardens!

One Tired Man

The 24 Hour Round the Clock race over Memorial weekend takes place in Riverside State Park, and it was HOT this year. Unlike most of Spokane's Memorial Day weather- which are drizzly and cool- this one was dusty hot, upping the difficulty for riders to stay hydrated. A short run up the mountain starts off the first lap of the 24 hour race to space out the riders, then hopping on their bikes they are off on a 15 mile loop of crazy terrain riding as fast as they can. Mike was on a five man team, the Columbia-High Mountain Road Marmots. They rode a total of twenty laps- each rode four laps, one lap about every four and a half hours; not much time to hydrate, eat, clean your bike and your body, and rest somewhere in the middle of it all. It was grueling- but they did finished proudly and with minimal injury. They were consistent with their times- in fact one team member kept his same time of 1 hour 7 minutes for each lap including the night laps- impressive. Thanks to Columbia Sports Wear they had a great wardrobe of riding gear and looked fantastic as a team. Thanks Columbia!





Mike was too tired to reach up all the way and hit the bell at the finish line. The question now is will he do this again next year? I think we'll wait a few days for that question.


Cheers to the team! Such great effort and team support on all counts- good job Marmots!

What does one say to 45?

I don't really know. I've thought it through, and well, it feels kind of odd to think that I'm half way through this journey- and, it feels great too. There was however no confetti cake for this girl- staying true to my roots German Chocolate was the flavor of this birthday. 

 At 45 I am comfortable in my body now, and life doesn't throw me around as much as it seems it used to, or maybe it does but I just go with it instead of fighting it. Should I be doing something wild and unexpected or do I reserve that for the big 50? I'm sure everyone goes through some passage right about now. I've lived half my life, now what? What contribution have I made, what contribution do I want to make... should I make...I have no offspring to leave behind... I am the end... do I need to leave something behind? Maybe I should just eat another piece of cake, go shopping with my birthday money and think about it later. 

 The one strange thought that crossed over me with this birthday is with the state of the world, and feeling like it is all shifting- getting ready to crumble and rebuild, I felt an odd recognition that I wont be here to see how the story ends- so to speak. I know the story will never end here on earth, but I was feeling sad to know that I won't get to (physically present) see how it all turns out, and I do really want to see what happens with humanity.  Will we get it? Maybe I'll just have to negotiate coming back again. Or maybe another forty years will see a glimpse.

 Hmmm... on to cake.

 

In my yard today...

yes, more birds- never tire of them in my presence.They refill my joy tank and sustain my hope in the world. Mr Robin here was quite a beautiful sight sitting in the blooming cherry tree. I must get to painting some of these birds soon. Perhaps after my garden gets planted this weekend. 
I've not see these in my yard before- they are White Crowned Sparrows and so cute with their little striped caps. They've been twittering about in one particular bush by the bird bath every day and they don't seem to mind posing for the camera- I hope they stay for the season.A broken tile that I placed in the moss still peaks out... time to trim the moss a bit. I like seeing the dragonfly when I walk by- it's starting to get crusty and old looking- my favorite look for little spots of treasure.

Another Confetti Cake...

and a soon to be new driver on the road. Do you remember the feeling of getting your first car? Maybe it looked something like this- the excitement on Alix's face was priceless... ahh freedom! 

Seventeen years old sweet girl... you are growing up so fast, and such a great little, well... tall, chicklet you are. It's been fun watching you grow up... enjoy every moment Miss, and Happiest of Birthday's to you!

A Creative Breeze...

blew about me last week and this is what transpired. I'd wanted to do something for above our bed and I mulled it over along time... months in fact. Last week inspiration hit and I painted like crazy for three days. 

I love watching the birds in my yard, and look- one found it's way into my bedroom. It was just the right feeling to put me to sleep and greet me in the morning. I don't know why I haven't thought of painting birds before, I guess because they have just become a fascination in the last couple of years. Seems natural to follow up photographing them with painting them huh? Some drawing practice is in my immediate future I think.

So this is the first image- and I think I will try some more. Smaller scale. Using cheese cloth over the masonite was an interesting texture to work with and I liked it very much along with the seams it created in connecting the pieces to cover the whole board. It feels blissful to paint again.