29-Dec-2022
Ellie (Baby), A Face That Will Melt Your Heart!
You might remember that we recently lost our beloved Miko, a Pekinese/Chihuahua mix who was with us for 11 years. Carol had a hard time with the loss. I couldn't stand to see her sad. I made the mistake of showing her a picture online of a rescue dog available and that face grabbed her. This is Ellie, who we call Baby most of the time. She will be four months old the first of January. So there is some training going on. I hope we didn't take on more that we can handle. 😟 But Carol sure is happy!
26-Dec-2022
Not Growing Now, Just Remembering!
I should add, looking forward!! (To Spring, when flowers bloom again). This year, as soon as Fall began, it turned cold and its been much worse in the rest of the country. The freezing rainstorm on Thursday made staying home the best course of action. It is a lot warmer today, getting into the mid-fifties, and it is raining cats and dogs out there now. It won't be too long before we see the Foxgloves again in the yard.
05-Dec-2022
At The Gate!
This was taken toward the end of September when the weather was still warm and sunny. Since then, Carol has been laid up most of October and all of November because of an injury to her foot. She is improving and is getting around on it, putting it to the test. She has a couple sessions with a foot therapist coming up. So it's on the mend. The podiatrist told her than sometimes it takes up to six month to heal.
Thank heavens it isn't going on that long!
03-Dec-2022
Dusty Road
I can use this road to get home and bypass the busy highway. It is quiet, with little traffic, but can be quite dusty. The dust is often a lot thicker than this. And did you notice that some travel down the middle of the road?
22-Nov-2022
A Taste of Winter
We did get a small taste of winter earlier in this month of November. It melted before the day was over. That was fine with me, I am not ready for winter. We need some good rain first! It did rain a bit today, only because I tried to get home from grocery shopping before it started. I got home just as the drops started to fall. Not good to try getting groceries in paper bags in without getting wet. The rain didn't last but a few minutes. We need a whole lot more.
18-Nov-2022
Molly Misses Miko
Molly, our poodle, has been out of sorts since Miko died. I thought I would try to capture her mood as she lay in her bed today. Molly is also getting old and has some trouble hearing and seeing, but she manages well just the same. But when we see her looking around and wanting attention from us we know she is looking for Miko. We miss him too!
03-Nov-2022
COLORFUL BLACKBERRY LEAVES
When I saw these leaves on a blackberry vine I admired how colorful they had become. It was the most colorful thing I saw on my short walk along the road. I don't really like to walk there as the traffic goes by so fast! But it was the only place to get some walking in without driving several miles to get to a better location. The blackberry leaves brightened my day. 🤠
07-Nov-2022
Sun and Moon
The sun was shot on a day when the smoke was so thick it was like heavy fog. The full moon was shot on a perfectly clear night. I tried creating a collage in Photoshop Elements but never got what I really wanted. I wanted them side by side in a wide image and wanted them the same size. Both were shot handheld, so could be a bit sharper. Guess this will do. Or I may try again. 🤠
03-Nov-2022
Sorry, I don't think it is for sale!
A neighbor about a half mile down the road has a variety of old farm equipment on display along the front of his place. I thought maybe you and I could buy it and go into farming. But alas, I don't think he will sell. Do you want to make an offer?
01-Nov-2022
A Bit of Fall Color
On my walk yesterday, I did see some fall colors, but in order to get a colorful scene I would have to travel a little ways to find better displays. If I could get up into the Cascades I would be able to record some really beautiful scenes. Better that I stay closer to home now.
31-NOV-2022
Airborne!
I took a walk before it rained today and this cute little deer was among the things I saw. It was near our place all by itself. It could be on its own now, since October was hunting season. It was comfortable with me staying a short distance away. Then something caused it to take off to jump the nearest fence. I was pleased to get it airborne before the jump.
03-Sep-2011
We Lost Our Little Miko
Picture taken on September 3rd, 2011, the day after we got him and five days after my last surgery for Choroidal melanoma. By the way, Miko means 'lion' in Chinese.
Miko died Tuesday, Oct. 25th, of cancer. He was a wonderful pal for Carol and was devoted to her. I always said that she was his queen and I was his slave. In the photo he is sitting on the back of Carol's recliner, a favorite spot for him right behind her head. We will miss his big personality.
05-Sep-2022
Flower in the Front Yard
This flower was gorgeous in full bloom. I was impressed with the inner part of it, so I took a real close up with an inexpensive manual macro lens I bought for the Nikon Zfc. The colors were awesome and I enjoyed the view.
23-SEP-2022
Carol Is Now 80
So I decided to take a portrait of her. We are both in our 8th decade. That way it sounds younger! If it hadn't been for operations and medical treatment neither of us would be here now. We value life and hope to live much longer. We count our blessings each day feeling joyful.
04-SEP-2022
Inner Beauty
This rose reminds me of all of my wonderful friends. It has inner beauty. Such beauty is what really counts, it has gained maturity. Those with that inner beauty radiate it to others no matter what age does to them. But this doesn't mean all of my friends are 'old'. Just look at you!😎
05-Jul-2022
MY DREAM GIRL!
Yep, I am hooked on her. Carol came out on front porch to see fountain decoration our daughter put in for her. It looks nice. She did it before our recent hot spell turned the grass in the field behind yellow. I prefer green. Carol's heart is doing better now with a new heart rhythm med.
15-Aug-2022
Two Become One!
I was reminded of a wedding by these two strawberries that formed into one. Husband and wife are spoken of as two becoming one, and a shared life together is one to be desired. I thought the strawberry (ies) were desirable to look at too. They also tasted good! Sorry about the background. I should have changed that! Not bad for ISO 11400 though! I am finding that at 86 I am not able to hold as steady as I used to.
16-Jul-2022
Dandelion Seed Head
According to what I read, the common dandelion is not native to our country, which I suppose is not surprising. They seem to grow anywhere under most conditions. Dandelions can spread rapidly. The seeds can germinate in less than an inch of earth and each seed head can produce as many as 200 seeds. Pollinators, such as bees and beetles, are attracted to them and birds' diets include these insects. How do I know this? I read it on the Internet. 😉
06-Jul-2022
TOOLS?
No, I didn't open the mail box to see what was inside! 🧐🧐🧐 But I was tempted. I liked how the mailbox stood out in the light and the dark area crossing the scene. I know, I am a bit odd! LOL
13-Jul-2022
Purple Calla Lily
The Purple Calla Lily Carol planted in our yard is doing great this year. I haven't seen so many flowers on the bush before. And I think they are gorgeous! How about you? 😉
08-Jul-2022
Beauty, Loyalty, Experience and Perfection
This photo is a combination of a photo, a figurine and Felix. I had them sitting on top of my desk hutch and on looking at them I see the beauty of my wife, a faithful Dalmation we had, me showing my age, and Garfield, perfect in his own mind. I am afraid to ask what you see.
06-Jun-2022
Mealtime for an Osprey
The osprey is an excellent fisher. Almost all of their diet is fish and they can spot fish as they fly overhead. Because they were created with the ability to close their nose, they can dive more than 3 feet into the water for their fish. Here you see one perched in a tree eating its catch.
21-Feb-2022
Miko the Magnificent Is Getting Old!
In 2011, Miko was given to Carol by an individual who had rescued him from a home where he was being abused. Since then he has filled our lives with smiles with his winning, quirky personality. But the years have passed, 11 of them and that is a lot for a Pekinese/Chihuahua mix. So, like us, he is getting old. His coat has turned lighter and the reddish brown has faded. But his personality still gives us lots of laughs.
09-Jun-2022
Empty Bird Feeder in a Walnut Tree
There is this empty bird feeder in a walnut tree that birds have neglected. It has ben vacant for some time. Instead of birds crowding there to feed, they are at other feeders or on the ground. The birds I am seeing here locally right now are ground feeders who you will find beneath bushes or at lower feeders in our yard.
As I look at the feeder, from a human perspective, it looks too cramped for the bigger birds around, like Steller Jays, and in a tree where I don't see the small birds that feed on the ground, etc. There may birds that this feeder would appeal to. I guess I need to do some research, or maybe the design isn't attractive to a bird. If there are any bird brains out there, maybe they can tell us. 🤡
03-Jun-2022
Contrail Overhead
I looked straight overhead to get this shot and I was impressed with the shape of it. Of course, this old guy had to lean against the car in order to not lose his balance. But where there is a will, there is a way. 🙃
13-May-2022
Visitor From Outer Space (Nevada)
Recently, our youngest daughter and family visited from out of state. Our grandson, Jayden, bought a new motorcycle helmet. So I put it to good use and had him pose in front of my computer. Well anyway, I liked the effect. 🥸😏😜
27-May-2022
Ready To Go Home!
Carol is ready to go home after having a Cardioversion Procedure done at McKenzie/Willamette Hospital this morning. The procedure went well and her heart is once again in rhythm. She has been in atrial fibrillation since early in April after having Cardioversion on March 18th. They are trying a new medication for controlling heart rhythm and all are anxious to see if it will help ward of the frequent occurance of Afib. She is feeling so much better and is able to breathe better, and the heart racing for so long has worn her out. We are being positive about the new med.
21-May-2022
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon subspecies)
Dark-eyed Juncos are beautiful little sparrows. They are found in the forests of western mountains and Canada. They can also be seen in many parts of North America in winter. You can often find them on walks in parks and at feeders or the ground below them. This one is often called the Oregon Junco.
13-Apr-2022
Cups Through Corrugated Glass
Sometimes something out of the ordinary catches my attention. In my mind's eye, I see an image perhaps more contrasty and colorful than reality. But that is part of the fun of photography. It is not reality, but only a copy or sometimes distorted view of reality. No photograph is in truth reality but only a representation through the eyes of the photographer. Since no two people see exactly alike, what we see is the personal, subjective view seen through one person's eyes. It is their personal presentation, no matter how realistic they try to make it. I wouldn't have it any other way!
19-Apr-2022
The Delightful Daffodil
Some things that impress me about the Daffodil are that they grow from bulbs, have trumpet-like flowers, are native to the meadows of northern Europe, but also grown in North America and other regions with temperate climates, and that they are most often seen in yellow color, but are also seen in white, orange or pink. Despite that, I am often drawn to B&W photos as with this shot I took the other day.
08-Apr-2022
Fern Ridge Lake in April
During the winter, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) lowers the level of water behind Fern Ridge Dam for flood control of the Long Tom River. Then in spring the water level is again gradually raised to summer level. This year we have had a wet month of April, more like what was normal in past years.
29-Mar-2022
Crocuses In The Spring
"I have found a patch of land
Golden in the sun
Crocuses are calling out
Spring has just begun"
These words by Christiana Quick-Cleveland in the song, 'Wecome to Spring', express one's feelings on seeing the crocuses come out to greet the spring. They often peek through snow covered ground in February and soon bloom in full glory.
How is it that crocuses can grow even in frost or snow? I learned that it is due to their natural insulation. They can weather the occasional frost and even a light dusting of snow because their leaves and petals are covered by a waxy cuticle, providing a natural insulation. Once again, evidence of wisdom in the design and beauty of our natural world.
23-Mar-2022
Blast From the Past!
Our family at a friend's house in 1973, Carol and me with our two daughters, Angela next to me and Cynthia next to Carol. We still had one other daughter, who came along in 1976. Please note that I had hair at age 37. 😜
23-Feb-2022
Pitchford Ranch Barn
Years ago, in the days of my youth, I drove a school bus past this barn, which was then on a ranch owned by my father's employer. My brother-in-law also worked for him, sometimes on his ranch. Since then, the property has been subdivided and even a huge computer chip factory was built on the property, Now the barn, which housed some horses, sits empty and forelorn.
27-Feb-2022
Shore Acres State Park
If you want to see the whole park and enjoy the ocean, park happenings and especially the fantastic gardens, then spring, summer or fall have much to offer. Each of the seasons bring forth wonderful floral display, so there are colors to enjoy year-round. This scene of a pond display in the gardens was made in the fall.
16-Feb-2022
Stormy Day at the Beach
This is a photograph I made back in 2008. I don't remember ever posting it, and since then completely forgot about it. To get my mind off my tooth, I have been looking through my photo collection and came across it this morning. I love it. I can feel the spray!
12-Feb-2022
Red-shouldered Hawk
The type of hawk I most frequently see in our area is the Red-shouldered Hawk. They are often seen sitting on wires along the roads. This one was just north of our driveway. It was posed so nicely against a blue sky that I just had to get a photo. I am trying to keep my mind off of an abscessed tooth, posting a photo helps get my mind off the pain. Will finally get in to dentist tomorrow.
05-Feb-2022
Our Lovely Granddaughter, Kendahl
I shot this photo of our oldest granddaughter, Kendahl, a few years ago. I don't think I ever posted it. I want to correct that now and present this beautiful young lady in red! She's just as sweet and gentle as she looks.
03-Feb-2022
Carol's Hairdo
I have always loved Carol's hairdo. Guess that is why she does it that way so much. 😍 I shot this on one visit to the doctor's office recently. Had to drop back behind her to get it before she knew what I was doing. Such fun! Hey, every trip is an adventure!
Carol's hairdo-at OMGweb
25-Jan-2022
Joining In!
Carol has this beautiful dance scene on a living room wall with the figurine in front. With the light on I was able to highlight the figurine in such a way that in my fantasy I can see her dancing right along with them. Oh yes, I do have an imagination! 🤓
17-Jan-2022
Like Icing on the Trees
Couldn't help but feel that the snow looked like icing on the trees. But I don't think they would taste any better. 😜
10-Jan-2022
Still Blooming!
Carol loves Geraniums. They seem very hardy and will bloom into fall and even winter. These geraniums are in a pot on our porch and still look very nice.
09-Jan-2022
Couldn't Resist Posting Another Snow Scene
I just had to post this photo of Carol's little fountain and bridge after the snowstorm! It is unique. 😁 Well. I can't guarantee it will be the last either. Sorry about that!
06-Jan-2022
Donut of Snow on Patio Table
We got the first snow of the winter a few days ago. It was pretty while it lasted, about 8 inches of snow here. We ended up with a nice donut of snow on our patio table. But it is also nice that it is gone now. We had a temperature in the 50's today.