She that dare not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose.

 Paraphrasing Anne Bronte before morning tea, leads me to Thoreau —

My morning window faces east like a holy place. The bath in back faces the western light filling it with a golden glow. Both reflect the long shadows of the pines and the morning smell of fresh rain gives way to the afternoon sun scent of baked pine needles. Ambrosia.

The road winds ever on and on…

Where will the trail lead me today?

Wildflowers that weren’t there yesterday pop up in profusion today.

Lilacs gone wild are everywhere throughout the woods.

Everywhere you’ll find natural perfection beyond any gardener’s handiwork.

Columnar basalt formations.

                                                                   

 Marmots love these.

Just back from morning stroll where I found what appear to be Shaggy Manes. I hear also that Chanterelles are found around Liberty Lake.

                                               Wetlands are protected and abundant. This pond is behind my place.

                                                No lack of birds or wildlife here.

                                                                         

                                                  Quail are plentiful, I see them daily.

Killdeer  are always on the alert.

Deer, however are nearly tame.

Two little goldfinch - our state bird - just outside my window.

So much has happened since I arrived here that has made me feel that I have come home at long last. High temps in 70s today, mix of sun and clouds. Another perfect day for more photos and vids. It’s always some new surprise whenever I wander the woodlands.

A riot of wild roses! Just behind my cottage. This bodes well for rose hips later this fall/winter. And guaranteed organic in protected wetlands. I can remember picking rose hips at a wee marsh in Lacey; no longer there now. All built up…you can’t go home anymore because it’s all strip malls now. Not so here in the Inland Empire. 

Trying out a new strolling path, past farms and fields. All this, and just 15 minutes from town.

Happy Summer Solstice! On one of my favorite strolls, Summer Wind blows cool wind through my hair.😎

On same pine lined and shaded country road…it has been some time since I have looked forward to summer days like these. High in 80s, feels fine.

Have I mentioned our Eastern Washington University’s cool jazz station KEWU https://www.ewu.edu/kewu/ Summer Wind is a favorite of theirs and mine…

Find the butterfly in the pine…

Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel. - Jean Racine

Every time I see that train I just want to jump aboard and ride…

                            

SP benches with heat vents. Not needed in Sac. Sacramento to Spokane & taking that midnight train.

Walter Trout: RIDE

But let’s go back long long ago in a crab shack far far away…

Tom T and me having some good time @ Joes Crabshack Old Sac, before that lonesome whistle blows…

            Joe Bonamassa and Sloe Gin tell it like it is to be far far away from those old friends and good times and feeling like I been shot down over stormy seas…

                     

            Miguel Connor weighs in with timely discussion on rampant Wickedness in High Places. The intro alone is worthwhile; illustrating why “rich” and “compassionate” are never uttered in the same last breath…   

………….

“Luck don’t live out here. Out here you survive or you surrender. That’s determined by your strength and your spirit. Wolves don’t kill unlucky deer. They kill the weak ones.”

WIND RIVER

Waking up with Mt. Shasta. Not a bad way to start the day. If only I had slept…sleep is hard to come by when you have nowhere to lay your head.

Shasta 🔥 Sincerely hope this won’t be a bad year for wildfires.

…Approaching Mt. Hood

        Hood,  heading  along the Columbia River.

        Paddle wheeler along the mighty Columbia.

At last!

Arrived about 2a.m. on the night of the full blood moon…out of the train window I saw what I thought was a fire burning on the horizon…no, only moonrise. Got a cab with Fred driving, real nice guy from Mississippi originally. We agreed that we like it better here in Washington except for missing that southern cooking…

  Sign above is just down the road from where I finally landed, here at Cedar Village.

This reminds me of those old motor courts one used to see in the mountains. Cute little cut out heart and tree insets on sides of cottages. And very nice people run the place, Olsen is the last name and we share a Swedish heritage. Inside is all newly remodeled. I am surrounded by woodland yet city bus stop is directly in front and downtown is 15 minutes away. Got my senior discount bus pass. 

So I am greatly relieved to have found an extended stay motel but I am going to have to go back to work to afford it. This isn’t going to be easy for someone who will be 70 years old next year who is PPD. Permanently Partially Disabled. But with even share rentals at exorbitant prices, it will have to do in the meantime. I found that prices here are comparable to Sacramento, and I do so prefer it here.

  Weather thus far in the 70s, some sun, some showers. I have met the nicest people everywhere I have been. And I have fallen in love with the gorgeous scenery and the beauty of Spokane.

Meanwhile, just around the corner…

…it’s Wild!

Wild Rose bushes

Wild Iris * Fleur de Lis

Redwing

 Blackbird amongst the iris

             Yellow Headed Blackbird 

Going Out In Style ~ Dropkick Murphys

I've seen a lot of sights and traveled many miles 
Shook a thousand hands and seen my share of smiles 
I've caused some great concern and told one too many lies 
And now I see the world through these sad, old, jaded eyes 

So what if I threw a party and all my friends were there? 
Acquaintances, relatives, the girls who never cared 
You'll have a host of rowdy hooligans in a big line out the door 
Side by side with Sister Barbara, Chief Wells and Bobby 'Orr 
I'd invite the Flannigans 
Replace the window you smashed out 
I'd apologize the Sluggo for pissing on his couch 
I'll see Mrs. McAuliffe and so many others soon 
Then I'll say I'm sorry for what I did sleepwalking in her room 

So what if I threw a party and invited Mayor Menino? 
He'd tell you to get a permit 
Well this time Tom I don't think so 
It's a neighborhood reunion 
But now we'd get along 
Van Morrison would be there and he'd sing me one last song 
With a backup band of bass players to keep us up all night 
Three handsome four string troubadours 
And Newton's own Fat Mike 
I'll be in the can having a smoke with Garv and Johnny Fitz 
But there's a back up in the bathroom 
Cause the Badger's got the shits 

You may bury me with an enemy in Mount Calvary 
You can stack me on a pyre and soak me down with whiskey 
Roast me to a blackened crisp and throw me in a pile 
I could really give a shit - I'm going out in style

You can take my urn to Fenway spread my ashes all about 
Or you can bring me down to Wolly Beach 
And dump the sucker out 
Burn me to a rotten crisp and toast me for a while 
I could really give a shit, I'm going out in style

Make me up dress me up 
Feed me a big old shot 
Of embalming fluid highballs 
So I don't start to rot 
Now take me to McGreevy's 
I wanna buy one final round 
That cheap prick would peel an orange in his pocket 
Then hurry up and suck 'em down 

If there's a god the girls you loved 
Will all come walking through the door 
Maybe they'll feeld bad for me and this stiff will finally score 
You've got the bed already 
And the nerve and courage too 
Cause I've be slugging from 
A stash of Desi Queally's 1980s 
Bathtub brew 

You may bury me with an enemy in Mount Calvary 
You can stack me on a pyre and soak me down with whiskey 
Roast me to a blackened crisp and throw me in a pile 
I could really give a shit, I'm going out in style

Spread my ashes all about 
Dump the sucker out 
Toast me for a while 
I'm going out in style

March Forth

         High spirited hijinks with Anna at Grass Valley Ranch:

                                         

 

                                   Lily kicks it out with Rocky and Molly following                                                                                                                                                    

On A Roll: Pedro does the Donkey Roll; Lily keeps it rolling                           

                                    Meanwhile, Lola does the sausage roll.

 Wake and Walk! Keep those doggies rollin'...out on a stroll with Jasper and Lola 

 

 

Lola among the Blue Dicks

            Jasper's oldie but goodie sniffer hasn't failed him yet.         

 .....................................    

                              Rocky gets a new Fjordy shave and groom          

                                                                New Spring green ~

                                                     Blue Dicks dot the hillsides                              

        
                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Century Plant catches late light                 

                                                      Deck sunset at day's end ~

I caught this poster en route back, at Loma Rica market --Cutest little Indian girl, happy with her Spotted Appaloosa Foal Friend

     Meanwhile back at Lark Hill Ranch:                                            

Medicine Wheel to 4 Winds and directions ~ red rocks to the west. 

                                                   Swallowtail and Prickly Pear

Enjoying Bigfoot Patio hummers  & poppies             

                                                                                

 

                                                                      

              ~Wildflower Buttes~

                                                                                Wild Cats

 

         

Wild Irish Jewish Cabbage Rolls ~ for Purim/St. Paddys