Blowin' off Steam~

Well... Here we are, the end of January & no trails for us again this month.  The surface of the ground looks fine & dry.  But less than 1/4 inch down its frozen solid & Very slippery.  I went out to the barn, with more cold weather coming in, I wanted to give Farah a good going over.

Checking out the pasture horses~

As I was grooming her, a few lose hairs were coming off!  The start of the shedding season already?  Ryan had been out last week for Farah's trim & her feet look the best they have in months.

Heel support~

Since the round pen was dry, I turned her out for some exercise. She took off at a trot, moving like only Farah can.

Trot~

In just a few strides she exploded into a gallop & made short work of the large round pen.

She loves to do her snorting & blowing.  She does it under saddle too & it's the funniest feeling when her lungs expand.  I can hardly believe that she'll be coming twelve this spring.

Digging in~

I love to see her at liberty.  The athleticism of the equine species is always something to behold.  She didn't break a sweat, I really didn't want her to.  I took my new stick with it's flag & rubbed her all over.  I just got the Look...  no kicking out - I know she remembered that game.

After all our years together, we can read each other pretty well.  I hope this spring finds her a little calmer than in previous years.  As soon as weather permits, I want to get her working at something.  I keep saying we'll use the arena - maybe it's time to just Do it!  

Creekside Cabin~

We've sure missed our little Cottage...  Butch started the build in 1998. It served as our weekend morning retreat, cold evenings get-a-way & once the grand-kids started arriving - a place for them to find the ever full jar of creamy mint candies.

Under Construction

It was small, only 8x10, but still enough room for a couple chairs, a table & place to put my totes of seasonal decoration.  I was in Greenfield with Mom in 2000, visiting my Grandmother.  While looking around in the local antique shop - I found a little swan planter that became the start of a collection for the cottage.

12-1-2013 Cottage interior~

 When we were in the midst of packing, Mason & Cassidy came for a weekend.  They wanted to help with something - so working out in the Cottage seemed like the perfect place.  Mason tore the bubble wrap into singles, I was on the ladder handing each one down to Cassidy - who did the wrapping.  We filled five apple boxes - that are stacked in the craft room.

Now that we have more space, I'm so happy to be back to walking in the woods.  Once home from the flower show, it was such a nice afternoon, I found my pruners & went to work on the new area along the creek & into the timber.  It's been fun to get a feel for the land.

The Spot~

I'm working out where I want a trail to go. There's a spot or two that might work for a little cabin. Our Cottage was built with the odds's & end's left over from several of Butch's projects. Neither of us is sure just what we might do. It won't happen tomorrow - but the idea for another get-a-way has found it's way on, to our list of future projects. Those swans may have a new home yet!

33rd Annual Cathedral Flower Festival

 We shape our buildings;  Thereafter they shape us.

- Winston Churchill

A sunny brisk morning, the Glenwood Garden Club met at the bank parking lot to car pool to Omaha.  We were more than ready to see some color in the middle of the drab days of mid-winter in Iowa.

Saint Cecilia's Cathedral~

Saint Cecilia Cathedral was again decked out in the enhanced finery that only fresh flowers can provide! This beautiful building was one of the ten largest cathedrals in the United States when it was completed in 1959.  We arrived before 10 a.m. & again missed out on the long lines that form later in the day.

Beautiful American Flag~

After my first visit last year, I was looking forward to seeing what all the different floral designers would do with this years theme;  Thomas Rogers Kimball and the Cathedral.  Considered Nebraska's greatest architect, the show was dedicated to his memory & the American Institute of Architects.

White roses~

White flowers are not my favorite, I love color.  But these in the photo above drew your attention by the amazing smell that preceeded them.

Tendrils of red~

The display above was totally stunning...

All in the lighting~

The lighting on some of the displays made such a difference in how the colors appeared.

Diorama~

A beautiful rendition of Hotel Fontenelle.

Stunning hanging arrangement~

The huge hanging arrangements above the nave - drew attention!

Pots full of colorful flowers were everywhere~

Brilliant Oranges~

Since orange is one of my favorite colors, I loved seeing so many arrangements dominated by that color.

A almost tropical favorite~

Several times during the morning we were all asking about some of the varieties we were admiring?  The Bird of Paradise in this bouquet was so striking.

Antiques & Yellow Roses~

The antique cabinet made a perfect home for the yellow roses & trailing ivy~

Chandelier~

An amazing structure, so huge & impressive inside, with an aura of warmth & welcome.  We were looking forward to lunch at the Cultural Center next door.  Wheatfields provided the luncheon buffet.  Tables were covered with sweet treats, cakes, rolls, fresh baked breads...  Hot soups, sandwiches, more than enough choices for everyone. 

The drive back to Glenwood was as easy as the drive to Omaha had been.  Again, a great way to enjoy a January day!

Sub-zero Cold!

 To say that it's a bone-chilling cold would be a terrific understatement!  The sunshine is so deceptive.  I wake to it, open the back door to let Nika out & get hit with an artic like blast of freezing wind!

No lie!

As is mentioned around town, it's not even the cold, it's the wind that makes it brutal for man & beast, dropping the feels like temperatures down into the double digits. 

There was a knock on the door this morning.  A tall young man told me he'd just slid into our mailbox!  I went out to look.  There was just a slight dent at the bottom of the mailbox door & his car had a light scrap down the upper portion of the window & frame.  I shook his hand & thanked him for being so conscientious!  I came in & called the city road crew.  They were out in about 15-min. to plow it again & put down more deicer.  There's nothing like living in small town Iowa!

This morning~

When we heard the weather report last night, we bundled up & headed out to Farah's barn.  No one around, we tried to turn on the isle lights.  Butch said fluorescence blubs won't light in that kind of cold!  The old mare at the end of the barn had a light on in her stall, that helped.  We'd brought a flash light too.

Everything frozen~

Farah was in her stall, it wasn't until we opened the big door, the wind whistled through.  When it's closed she has protection.  Not to say she didn't seem happy to get her blanket!  I told her to go roll in the snow to knock off the mud from last time she wore it!  :-)  Plenty of cookies later, we left for home & dinner.

Light powder~

The powder snow just blows around in the wind, sending shining crystals of light through the air & covering everything.

Front porch~

I go out a couple times a day to sweep the porch & deck, but usually before I'm done, the sifting snow returns.

My potted grass~

This is the most successful plant, I left in a pot this winter!  I bought it passing by Walmart & wish I'm bought more.  It was beautiful all year & is now a pretty golden color.  I'm concerned about my trees...  The two Jantar's out front are close to the low end their hardiness zone.  I'm glad we kept them watered during the dry fall.

Nika & wind blows waves of snow~

I let Nika out a couple times a day & she loves it!  You can tell how deep some of the snow has drifted at the bottom of the hill.  As we walked out to the camper for our evening hot drink last night, Butch decided to see if she'd follow us off leash?  NO!  Away she went!  By the time we were heading back to the house, she'd had her fun & was waiting to follow us inside!  

Whiteout~

Our View today~

 The light rains came later than forecast - then the winds started picking up a little after 2 a.m., when a gust woke me.  The much anticipated snow was falling soon after!  We woke to a world of white, swirling, dry flakes of snow...  So beautiful & so white!

Looks like winter~

As I write this we're at 13 degrees with 8-14 mph. winds.  

Back deck~

With the winds coming from about every direction, it makes no difference which way your house faces, everything is covered.

The Cottonwood~

When the gusts really pick up & the wind howls around the walnut outside our office window, it really sounds like we're in the middle of a blizzard.

Backyard, looking SW

I heard a story yesterday of a storm where there wasn't all that much snow accumulation, but the winds were so high, for so long, drifts covered the cars!  I guess that's why it was so busy at our little town grocery last evening.

Snow plow~

Now, the plows are coming by~

Truck 2 & 3~

They came in a row of three, sliding sideways - with the weight of the plow, as they came around the top corner.  The city truck is out too, they went by up on Sharp Street.  With the rain coming first, the city was unable to put down ice melt, so the streets are like skating rinks.  (Years ago, I used to plow condominium properties outside Denver, with my Dodge Ramcharger.  It was so much fun!)

School is closed, Butch went to the bus barn & did the mail route.  He's out now at the apt. building.  I could tell he was almost looking forward to using the snow blower :-)

Back Home in Iowa~

 It's Good to be Home!  It's a great feeling to be able to say home & feel like Iowa - now - really is Home!  We both found ourselves yearning for the wide-open spaces by our last days in the Pacific Northwest.  I really had to laugh when Butch said he missed seeing out!  The exact feelings I'd expressed to him all those years ago, when I'd first arrived in his native state.  

Farah & me~   What 13 degrees Looks like :-)

 Our friends Linus & Kay were waiting for us at Eppley.  It was wonderful to see their smiling faces!  We'd returned to a mid-west of snow & cold.  Burr!  Did it ever feel cold!  To go from a couple weeks mostly in the 40's - to the low teens was a switch! 

Once in Glenwood, there was more snow on the ground, than we'd seen so far.  Butch had to plug in his truck - so we could go pick up Nika.  The big diesel engine was cold!  Nika had given up on us...
Her expression was one of total disbelief, almost shock, when we walked in Chelsea's door.  Chelsea said it took Nika four-days to warm up to her, but after that she settled in.  (Chelsea works for Rover.com & what a great service they provide.)  After a good run in the yard - she was back doing her little happy prance & all was forgiven.

Farah~

Today, I couldn't wait to get out to see Farah.  Margie had been a super friend, checking on her twice.  The second time, making the trip out to our storage to find Farah's winter blanket!  The drive to the farm was dicey - with the snow & ice on the roads.  Since the forecast temperature was to drop to -35 for a while - I'd been worried.  Thankfully, it didn't go that low, but negative teens was still way colder than anything Farah had ever experienced.  After all, it's only her second winter here.

World of white~

My brush pile really shows up - with all the snow.  I look back at photos of my grandparent's house in Creston, about 1952 & wonder if we'll get to see that kind of winter?

It's beautiful, crunchy & Cold!  At least all the white highlights the work I've done along the creek.  The thermals I bought on sale in Seaside are really coming in handy now!

Merlin's Ball~

I still have a couple posts I want to write about our trip, we enjoyed it so much!  But it's nice to be back!  Happy New Year!

Astoria Column ~

The first day of a brand new year & it was Totally Stellar!  As gorgeous a day - as last nights sunset had been.  Jentry, Ben, Skyla & Josie met us at the hotel, to take the lead for the uphill journey through the older residential area's of town.  At the crest of the highest hill, sits the Column.

Astoria Column~

Dedicated July 22, 1926, the Column sits atop 600 ft. Coxcomb Hill.  125 ft. tall, with a circular stairway of 164 steps.  The view from the top is panoramic to say the least.   Skyla led the way with Ben spotting her from behind.

Ben & Skyla~

It had been since May of 1987 - when we'd shown my parents the Oregon Coast for the first time - that we'd visited the column & climbed the steps.

Dad & Mom on the right~

As you can tell from the photos, thirty plus years apart, the Column needed the restoration that the Friends of Astoria Column made happen in 2015.

Dad & Mom on the staircase~

Mom was ten years younger than I am now...  There's not a day that goes by, I don't miss them...  It was quite a moment for me, to think of our last visit. Mom & Dad with their Grandchildren, our daughters - Jentry was just ten.  Now, we were enjoying the same historic landmark with Jentry's children, our Grandchildren.

View of the dome~

It gets lighter on the steps & suddenly you look up to see sky, rather than another round of stairs!

View NW- of the mouth of the Columbia.  Bridge to the Washington side~

Once out on the observation deck at the top, the views take your breath away.  It's hard to absorb the scale of the Columbia until you see it from this vantage point, with the blue of the Pacific on the horizon.

SW, across the tidal flats~

The bridge above is 101, the Oregon Coast Highway, that heads south past Ft. Stevens & on to the beaches.  Every direction you look, are more of the fantastic views of the Pacific Northwest.  There's just nowhere like it on a sunshine day!  As we used to say; one good day would make up for a week of gray clouds & rain.

NW along the south side of the river~

The only distraction was the cell phone tower above, cluttering the views to the NW.

Mt. Saint Helens

Josie did not want to make the climb, so Jentry stayed below with her.  I could just pick out her blue dress on the lawn below!

The little blue spot to the left :-)

With the zoom though - I could see Ms. Josie!  Looking like a little flower in the middle of all that green grass!

Josie, our youngest Grandkid!

A few more photos & we were headed back down.  Even with the sunshine, the wind made it very brisk on that platform!  It was way easier than going up!

Ben, Skyla, Grammy & Papa

Yes, it was bright up there!

Bronze relief map~

The bronze relief map is really an incredible piece of art in & of itself!  But it was the Column's art that really drew my attention!  For the first time I was able to actually see the fantastic mural that winds it way around.

"The White Man Came."

That last sentence really says it all.  The end of a way of life for the native tribes & the start of a new era of development.  With that development came the timber industry - stripping the ancient old growth forests that had stood thousands of years.   Only a few tiny remnants remain.

The way West!

Butch & Ben making a statement :-)

Skyla flying her airplane~

The little gift shop building was full of souvenirs & trinkets.  The balsa wood airplanes were great!  People were sending them off the top of the Column, Josie was catching all she could!  With the nice breeze, they were making huge, looping flights around the park!

Astoria - Megler Bridge

What a super place to visit.  Put it on your itinerary for your next trip to OR.

Josie getting ready to fly her plane!

Time to head for town, even on a cold day - there's always a place that sells ice cream!

This was the last day with our Wright Grandkids :-(  It just didn't seem possible, the days had gone by so fast...  Ben, eighteen in a few days... Skyla & Josie growing by leaps & bounds...  It was so hard to say our goodbye's...