THE MIGHTY COLUMBIA

                   Our Amazing River

I guess I am what could be called a river rat.  I love spending time on the river.  One of the things I love the most is all the birds that also love the river.  I was going to say animals, but I didn't get the picture of the otter, I tried but he was to fast.
                    The Osprey are amazing.

I will do another post and tell you more about the Osprey. They are a protected bird and return year after year to the same nest.  Our PUD, has built places for them to nest, to keep them off of the power poles.  Along the river you will find these huge poles with Osprey nests on top.

By evening, they all seem to be home and ready to call it a day.












Another bird that we spot along the river is the Heron.

They really don't look like they should be able to fly, but they are amazing.  When they dive for fish it is really something to see.

It is time to call it a day, but we will be back soon. Nothing compares to the time we get to spend on the river.

 

BEES AND BUTTERFLYS

                                                103 is still to hot!

So I will keep planning my garden.  The good point now over the planning I will do this winter is-- in about two weeks the temps should drop and I will be able to do a lot of fall planting.

Big on my list is the white bombshell hydrangea.

 It will work perfectly in the spot I have chosen.  I will plant about 5 of them and make a hedge that will separate us from the neighbor.  It blooms in summer right when we need something new to bloom.
For my tiny patio area, I will concentrate on butterfly's and bees. 

 When I was at Lowe's this morning the bee balm plants were just humming away with bees, making the local honey I love so much.

 The colors were so pretty, but at 103 temps, now is not a good time to plant.

I will also be planting milkweed, and try to attract butterfly's.

 Also will plant a butterfly bush.  I had one in my old garden and it was planted by the patio, the smell was heavenly.  So one of those is also on my list.
Maybe staying in away from the heat and smoke is not such a bad thing.

MY NEW GARDEN

                                            Way to hot!

No gardening today but I will dream and plan of what I want to do. One thing about moving is you get to make things new and to your liking.   The previous owner was not much of a garden person so I get a clean slate.  Although tiny, very, very tiny.  
I didn't know what this bush was, it is so different from anything I have seen.  So, I took a picture, posted on FaceBook and am told it is a sweet bush and they grow in the south.  why it does so good here is a mystery.

This is the sweet bush.  The pods smell like nutmeg to me. some of you being from the south probably recognize this bush

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I TOOK THE CHALLENGE

                                    31 days to Joyful living

Rattlebridge Farm blog, just finished a 31 day challenge to joyful living.    I found myself watching the clock waiting for her next blog post.  I was captivated by her writing, and a bit of envy.  How could this person who it looked on the surface have everything and not be joyful.  Boy!  did I learn a lesson.
I learned so much about the person but also about life.  
I don't think there is an age where we can stand up and shout "I got it!  I know the meaning of life".  Just not going to happen.
We can learn, to be joyful where ever we are planted, what ever difficulties we face because everyday there is something to be thankful for.
I have had a rough time with our last down size move.  This was not the house I wanted, the not you buyers got to it first. So I thought I would 'settle' for this one.  How pathetic could I be?   We had the kitchen remodeled and it is beautiful, but I just found something else to be unhappy about.
Then!  I took the challenge and now I have so much to be thankful for, so many ways each day to find joy.  I will share those, joyful day's with you.

 My lilies bring me much joy.  They were an Easter gift many years ago and yet the continue to grow and flower.

HOME

The Angels came to usher Mr. Sweet home, early Tuesday morning.
I know this will leave a big hole in BJ"S heart.  A heart as big as Texas it's self.  I ask that you all pray for BJ, pray for her peace and understanding.

BJ and Mr. Sweet have become a big part of our lives as we follow them through her blog.  I feel as if I am a neighbor of hers and we visit over the fence.  Actually, I am many states away but still get the blessing of knowing them.
I do know BJ is a lady that when served lemons turns around and makes knock your socks off lemonade.  I know she will use this as a blessing.
Another thing she does is make biscuits, I wish I could make biscuits but it's a southern thing.
You will want to visit BJ at   
 http://bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com/

 Leave some prayers for her and keep her in your daily prayers.

















 
 

PAPER PLATE DAY

                            I am a paper plate person

Hi, I hope you all had a wonderful fourth of July and celebrated our Independence.   
We celebrated with a picnic on the lake, lots of fun and of coarse boating was involved.

Another thing that was involved was paper plates, lots and lots of paper plates.

 See, I even finished my water melon, using this plate.

Now, I have seen table scape  after table scape on blogs and wonder is it me?  or are there others that think a paper plate is just fine.

 Now, this is cute, I like it.  It isn't me!!  I think some times with social media it is easy to lose who you are.  
I am trying to find my way back to what really makes me happy.   
I am trying to find the courage to be honest about who I am. Like my daughter has said "Mom, if you want new plates, you have to get rid of the old ones"  You can tell she is not a collector of 'stuff'.   
So I will say that even though I am olden, I am a work in progress.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Celebrate our Independence.  I love this version.