A Full-time Life

IN LIKE A LAMB

If it is possible to OD on daffodils I plead guilty.   I stop to admire them and take pictures on every walk.  And on every country drive, in every park and almost in every yard.  

 

 

It's a harmless addiction, unless you count the sudden stops made on those country roads.   And anyway, there's a good excuse because this is the first time in years that we've been in daffodil country in March.   

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't trade the decades of  winters and springs we've spent  in sunny climes  for anything.  But the  beautiful early Spring flowers have been a gift in this year when staying home was our safer and happier option.  

 

 

And the winter weather here in our part of Oregon  has really not been all that hard to take.   Not nearly as rainy and gray as we remember.    March definitely came in like a lamb with a beautiful sunny day  and only a couple of partly rainy days last week.      I've read a lot about places where it came in like a lion and  therefore (hopefully) will go out like a lamb.   But here in the Pacific Northwest, we've always heard the opposite version of that old proverb.   There's actually  a fact-based reason for that.

 

 

Not my picture (I wish it were).    Google  public domain

 

Here is information from CNN Weather:

Some may be familiar with a reverse version of the proverb: "March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion."

This "reverse" of the proverb is hard to trace in its origin, but definitely makes sense if you consider those who traveled westward with the American expansion to Western states.

These western states can have incredible temperature swings this month as the polar jet stream moves from it's preferred position near Canada over the winter to a more southerly route during the spring. This tends to cause many states in the Western US to experience some of their heavier snowfalls from the end of March and into April -- thus the lion (and the harsh weather it represents) coming at the end of the month.

 

 

 

 

I hope the proverb comes true for those who got the lion last week -- and that it doesn't for those of us who got the lamb.  

 

 

 

 

 

Just the usual suspects when it came to birds last week.   I heard and saw a lot more species.  Spring activity is picking up even here in the city, but pictures are hard to get.  I've been trying to remember that just observing birds used to be enough to make me happy.   Now I'm a little disappointed if I don't get a picture.    

 

 

 

 

 

Thankful to  be safe and well and enjoying this seasonal transition.  It is almost a brand-new experience for us after all these years.  

 

 

 

 

And thank you to the hosts of the following sharing opportunities, where I'm linking this week:

 

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

 

THE GIFT OF FEBRUARY SUNSHINE

The weather forecast for last week called for rain and flooding, but here in our corner of the Willamette Valley we were instead  blessed  with sunshine and blue skies most days  and very little rain.

 

 

 One morning, we went for a ride through the pretty farm country west of town to the small town of Junction City and then on BLM roads through  the surrounding hills down into a coastal valley.

 

 

Bill likes to drive these curvy mountain roads.    We probably drove about 40 miles in this backcountry and in 4 hours did not see a single other car or person.    There are a lot of places like this around our area.  I do think about how easy it would be to be lost and have to admit that I checked  to see if there was cell service.  (There was.  I guess nowadays it wouldn't be as easy.)  

 

 

The drive was really a long-way round to the farm  (otherwise known as our daughter and son-in-law's home.)  We stopped to look at the migrating pelicans on Kirk Pond -- the wild area that is within walkable distance of their house.    Most of them were on the other side of the water, but these three were nice enough to swim closer to the shore.  

 

 

A quick tour around their backyard on this blue-sky late February day.   Spring is on the way (although the groundhog did see his shadow here, so we hedge our bets).  

 

Tree watch, late February

 

 

   Stellar Jay, Scrub Jay, and Common crow.     

 

Three different (noisy) birds all enjoyed the same blue sky in the same winter tree.   

 

 

We brought a few branches of these harbingers of Spring home.   (There are pictures of the pussy willow tree in last week's post -- the tree has branches to spare.)  

 

Sunny February days are a gift here in Oregon.   Thankful for blue sky days and the time to enjoy them.  

 

Linking this week to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts.

 

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

BEAUTIFULLY BLUE

Blue skies are always welcome -- especially in late February.   And  especially when much of the rest of the country and even much of our State is under severe weather watch.  But in truth blue skies don't always make the most interesting pictures. 

 

 

On one day last week though, the blue skies were as intriguing as they were welcome.   It's rare that I can't stop taking pictures of a blue sky.  It's usually just "there" and unchanging.  On this day though these clouds just scudded across the sky painting pretty patterns as they traveled.   

 

 

All these sky pictures were taken from one small area in the "way-back" of our daughter and son-in-laws  home.    It was kind of a chilly day (for here).   The scrub jay didn't mind the cold.   His blue color doesn't show up against the sky as much as it would  on a gray day.

 

 

 

And I got this wonderful surprise that I almost didn't notice while sky-watching.  These are the first pussy willows I've seen in years.  We've  spent February in warmer climates since the turn of the century* when we sold our Oregon home to travel.   *(I've always wanted to use that phrase!)  And very early spring flowers don't bloom in sub-tropical climates.

 

 

It hasn't even rained hard enough to knock down the daffodils .  These first-of- the-year flowers are always kind of a gamble.  Way back (yup, back in the last century) when we gardened, they were my favorite flowers of all just because they are so welcome.   But hard rains  can decimate them quickly.  We have been very very lucky in our weather this year.    So far, at least.    Family and friends remind me that in the past year or two (while we were away) our valley had a snowfall on the first day of Spring.   We're grateful for every blue sky day!   

 

 

Here in our present Oregon backyard, there are no flowers blooming yet, but the red-bellied sapsucker keeps us entertained most mornings when we're at home.  (Of course I pretend to be sure it is always  the same one -- really, we never do see more than one.)  

 

 

My bird book says that in addition to enjoying sap from the trees, these birds  feed on insects extracted from the bark.   And that helps to keep down the number of  boring-type insects that destroy healthy trees.    I hope that is true because Eugene needs trees!  And this tree  is right next to the one that gave up completely and fell down last year   (this post from last September).   

 

 

Linking this week to these sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS;    and RATHER B' BIRDING

A MIXED BAG OF FEBRUARY

 

Happy Early Spring ???

 

Eugene Oregon February 6 2021

Our weather here in Eugene continues to be a mix of Autumn and Spring.   We count our blessings.   The early spring flowers above were seen in someone's yard last weekend when we took the long way home from an errand.  (Someone who has a green thumb for sure!)

 

February 13 -- the Black Walnut Tree

 

There was blue sky yesterday when we went to our daughter and son-in-laws.  But the tree I've been watching is still definitely in Winter mode.  And a good thing too, because there was a definite chill in the air.   (For us anyway.  Our grandson, who has been in Finland and is back in Oregon for now, was outside in a light sweater.  It's all about what you're used to.)

 

 

I took these pictures of the  Black Walnut Tree from outside, but there is almost the same view from their  living room picture window.      Parker was the only family member to pose for a picture yesterday.  (Because I never remember to ask anybody to do so.)

 

 

Costa Rica 2017

 Last week marked the Lunar New Year  and it is the Year of the Ox.   These two were operating historical presses as part of a sugar plantation tour.  Happy (belated) New Year to all who celebrate.  

 

February 14, 2021

We ordered a to-go breakfast this morning.  The restaurant's only about a mile and a half away from home and  just across one street and a parking lot to this view of the Willamette River where we parked and ate.     A lovely way to enjoy a Valentine's Day treat and we didn't even have to wear masks.  

 

Owens Rose Garden, Summer 2020

 

Here are a dozen roses for Valentine's Week.    (Well, a dozen pictures -- there seem to be a few extra blossoms in there somehow).  

 

Whether you celebrate Winter or Spring, Lunar New Year or Valentine's Day, or just celebrate being alive --enjoy this coming week and all it brings.  Thank you for visiting and special thanks to the hosts of these sharing opportunities:

 

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;    TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS; and  SATURDAY CRITTERS

 

 

A LITTLE BIT (of) BLUE

There was at least some blue sky and mid-day temperatures in the 50s all last week, so we remain pretty darn lucky here in Oregon during our  Covid Winter.

 

A little blue sky on a River Walk, early February 2021

There's really no good reason to feel even a little bit blue -- but I can't help wishing for some new things to blog about.  Not being able to travel is a small price to pay for good health though.  I know that many bloggers are doing  memory posts  these days and below are some of ours from past Februarys. 

 

Mardi Gras Parade, Mobile Alabama February 2005

 

I got a kick out of this picture I found in the archives.  It's practically ancient, all the way back to 2005, but it looks like the two  guys in the back are wearing their masks correctly for 2020.   Here is what I said in a blog post in 2010 about something that was already a memory by then:  

Mobile Alabama Mardi Gras celebration in 2005.  In the Pacific Northwest, we had Lent but we never got to celebrate for weeks leading up to it!  We loved the parades.   It really is a wonderful community-wide party and more family-friendly than the better-known Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans.  Mobile says that they celebrated it first and New Orleans stole the idea.  

 

Next, a couple  from Florida, where, until this year, we've spent February since 2011.  

 

 

Penta Plant

 

From the Gardens at the Butterfly Park near our Canal Cottage.  Perfect that this plant with all its little hearts blooms during Valentine's Month.

 

 

Lakeland is a birder's Paradise of a town.  There are dozens of swans in the City's central Lake and this regal one was lovely to see on one of our explore-Florida trips in  February 2014.

Below, it's back to Lane County Oregon (where we are again now) for this memory from Fern Ridge Lake.   We used to stay at the Lake when we visited Oregon during the years we were  living full time and traveling in our RV.

 

 

 Most of the time, we were there only  during parts of the summer and fall, but in 2010 we were at the lake in February.  That year, we got to experience living along the almost dry Lake, which   had been drained for the season (it is a flood control reservoir).  

And now -- back to the present day:  

 

 River Walks, early February 2021

It isn't just the sky that can't make up its mind around here -- early spring plants are popping up, but the remains of Fall are evident at the same time.   Some days it feels like Spring, some days like Fall.  Not a lot of what most people would call Winter.   And for that we are grateful.  Cold weather takes a lot of getting used to when you've spent Winters in sub-tropical temperatures for over a decade.   

 

LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts:

 

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;  TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS; and  SATURDAY CRITTERS; 

 

A GLORIOUS WINTER DAY

It is rainy and gray today and supposed to get cold toward the end of the week 

but yesterday ....

 

 

 Yesterday  was  glorious.

The beautiful weather caused us to reconsider our informal "we stay home on weekends"  mantra.  This time of year, it would be a shame to waste a blue sky day cooking and cleaning (or to be completely honest, doing nothing useful whatsoever.)  And  we knew it would rain again soon.  So with no particular destination in mind, we drove out into the country northwest of Eugene.  Through open farm country bordered in the distance by  green hills and then over some woodsy back roads,  and we found ourselves heading  toward one of our favorite places,  Alsea Falls.  

 

Just a little unnamed waterfall.

We didn't stop  because there were lots of cars in the parking lot (the reason we don't usually go out on weekends ever and especially nowadays). But we found a little waterfall not too far away - - and no people.    A little waterfall and a little tiny bit of a walk.   

A little further on, we passed several miles of a not-so-lovely scene:

 

 

Pictures taken January 23. 2021

I think they must mean they planted the sign!    There was no sign of anything else at all having being planted on this clearcut.     Or maybe they're coming back  and the sign was put up in advance.  It's certainly very early in the year to have had time to plant acres and acres of trees.     (Not a fan of clear-cutting.)

We'll find out when the weather gets warmer, because we plan to spend more time in this area then.  There were lots of interesting backroads to explore and if we come mid-week,  we should even be able to walk into  the big Falls.

Below is Alsea Falls taken in August a couple of years ago.    It will be interesting to see  how much water there is earlier in the season.

Alsea Falls, August 2019

 

I'm thankful that we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and know how lucky we are to be able to do that at the end of January.   And I'm grateful that we live where we can enjoy such beautiful scenery on a day trip.  

 

Thankful also to the hosts of the following sharing opportunities where I'm linking this week.  And for everyone who visits.  

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;    MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;   SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and  FRIDAY  BLISS; 

HOPE

 

 Still in that holding pattern here and this may remain true for the foreseeable future.  But there is always hope.  

 

River Walk, January 2021

At the very least there is certainly hope that Spring is somewhere on the horizon.   (And I know we are fortunate to have this kind of weather this time of year.)

This is the first time in years  we've spent a Winter season here in Oregon so we may have forgotten -- but it seems like the second week in January is kind of early for this flowering tree to be blossoming.   I hope there isn't a February surprise to freeze its little buds.   

 

This pair of crows  was having a noisy argument.   They ended up ignoring each other, but still occupying the same branch.  Too much togetherness lately?

We are doing OK with our togetherness (so far) but do have hope that the Covid 19 vaccine will be available within the next month or two.  Oregon seems to be lagging behind in receiving the allotment from the Federal Government, but perhaps that will improve soon.  Right now our tier (old folks) is not slated  to receive  the first dose until  February.  

 

 

 Skies are changeable here this time of year.   We  remember  that from all those years we lived in Oregon (in our former life, pre-retirement).   The above pictures are all from last week.  If you don't like the weather, just hope for change and wait a little while -- it will happen soon.   

 

 

We also remember that camellias were very early bloomers.   (I would have thought early February, but here they are at their prettiest  last week.)   One reason why we remember  them  is that the second winter year we lived in Oregon (in 1972 I think) we lost two  beautiful bushes to a February freeze.    Let us hope that this one does not meet that fate.   At least it isn't our responsibility this time  though -- this is another beautiful flower I "stole" from the neighborhood.  (via photography only of course .)

 

A walk to the river, January 12. 2021

 It felt like Spring, it looked like Autumn, but it was a Winter Day.   Since we're home a lot more with very few appointments on the calendar, it's hard sometimes  to remember what day it is.  And with weather like this, I'm not even sure about the season.  But  it's OK to be confused because I'm so grateful   for every winter day that isn't freezing cold.  

 

Peace Rose (from June 2o20, Owen Rose Garden)

 

We continue to hope for peace and calm for our country.  

 

Linking this week to the following:  Thank you to all of the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS; and  SATURDAY CRITTERS; 

Holding Pattern

 

Last week was a terrible one here in this country.   And it really does feel as if we're in a holding pattern  -- at least until after January 20, when, I hope, the USA will begin the return to some semblance of normality.  We have a long way  to go. 

 

It's actually hard to think about anything else, but life goes on and above is a pattern of a different sort.   This sapsucker (?) has been at work drilling it right here in our own backyard.    

Tree watch, January 2021

And here is the black walnut tree in our son-in-law's and daughter's yard on the 9th of January. Under a cold but blue sky.  I'm grateful this past week for mostly dry days in this part of Oregon.    It really does help to go outside and play.

 

LINKING to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts.  

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  and  SATURDAY CRITTERS  

WINTER COLOR

It was almost the end of December but there was still Autumn-like weather on our last  "Covid-country-drive" of the infamous year just  over.  Sunshine turned the willows to amber and the blue sky made a beautiful backdrop for hundreds and hundreds of Canada Geese.

 

And we spotted the handsome raptor below while we were admiring the fields.  

 

 

 My extensive research  comparison with pictures on the Internet leads me to think this may be an immature Cooper's Hawk.  ( It has a yellow eye.)   But as always I am open to  help. 

I have learned so much  from fellow bloggers who are real birders and I am so grateful.  Back in September I posted the pictures below without any idea of what these little acrobats were.  Thank you so much to all of the bloggers who told me in their comments that they were Bushtits.  

 

Bushtits 2020, our daughters and son-in-laws' backyard.

 So this was new bird for me -- and one I hope to see again so that maybe I can identify it "all by myself."   I'm pretty sure they were just migrating through the area when we spotted them.

Coming back now to the present day (or at least closer to it), the gray backdrop on the  collage below is more typical of what our skies have been like since that day in the country at the start of this post.

 

 

All of these birds (and more) were spotted along what I call the path to the path -- it's a neighborhood walkway behind our apartment complex that meets the river-bank path I show quite often.     Since the trees and bushes are bare now, I  see more small birds along this section -- house finches, chickadees, juncos, and towhees (not pictured).   And the neighborhood pair of mallards is hanging out in the back channel almost every time.  

 

 

It's a different Winter season for us, but there is still a little color in our world and still some closer-to-home explorations waiting to happen.   We are grateful.

 

LINKING to the following sharing opportunities with thanks to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD Wednesday; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS;    and RATHER B' BIRDING

CHRISTMAS (and a New Year)

 It is going to be a different Christmas this year and not only because it will be wet and gray here in Oregon.   But there will be rainbows.

 

Cyndi's photo

Christmas Health Love and Cheer be in your hearts throughout the year  

(Picture and Message from our daughter -- taken and sent to us last week)

 

And there will be birds to watch -- and maybe photograph if I'm lucky.

 

 

Seen on a walk to the river last Friday.

 

And there will be Christmas memories.  Below are some of the most recent.  

 

St Augustine, December 2019

 

Thank you to all who visit this blog and especially to those who leave comments.    And thank you all for writing your own blogs.  They are a year-long gift.   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   

 

LINKING TO the following with extra gratitude to the hosts of all of these sharing opportunities:

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  TUESDAY TREASURES;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD ;   WILD BIRD Wednesday;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING