Growing Gills

Mid Winter Love

2012-01-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

fragile fingers

filigreed

hold maple seedling trees

outside the house.

mid winter love

encloses old trees.

love in the time of cold

grey skies,
skeins of fog,

sometimes snow and

often rain.

mid winter love

holder of

greeness in the

dark.

mid winter love.

best, e.

Leftovers...Too Bad....

2012-01-24T18:13:00.000-08:00

Made a yummy creamy cauliflower cheese soup. It's all gone. Sigh.

Doubled up the cheese with this.

No recipe.

No particular recipe, but here is what I did.

Grated threeish potatoes..peeled, with some grated white onion.

Mixed with some olive oil and a wee bit of salt.

Smushed them in a pie plate.

Put that in the oven at 420 for about 15 minutes.

In the meantime, lightly cooked some spinach

and kale (oh, how I love thee, Kale)

Squeezed out the excess water from said greens.

Frothed three eggs with about a half cup of milk.

Threw the eggs, milk, cut up artichoke hearts,

some sun dried tomatoes..and goat cheese.

Dumped it all in the crunchy potato crust

@350 for 25-30ish minutes.

Yums.

Aren't you glad that I do not

write cookbooks or recipes?

Whew!

ooo, and some lovely organic shelled hemp seeds.
they give such a wonderful crunch on top.

I Have No Photos

2012-01-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

to go with my loss.

I just heard from a dearest soul

that her friend and mine is gone.

I cannot stop crying.

I am grateful that I called the other day.
I am so grateful that she was in my life,
however short it was.
She was a woman filled with courage and strength,
and all goodness.
Her going leaves a huge hole for many people.
Thank you, S. for being a part of my life.
Thank you for showing me courage
and such gentle intention.

Separate Tables..

2012-01-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

Believe me,

it's not this way.

I just think of the title of this movie,

which I do love, (the movie, that is)

as what happens when my husband

is gone to a trade show for the nursery.

Of course, it doesn't happen. Wouldn't that be interesting?

But we do have "separate tables".

He has been in Baltimore, eating crab cakes

and delicious Italian food..

I am at home eating tofu and kale,

poached chicken and bulgar with spinach, which I do love..

also left over corned beef which I somehow ruined.

I get the hens in early,

feed the dogs, get coffee ready for the morning brew,

throw dog poo over the fence because I can

and we live in the country, and it is

my right.

I look out of the windows and still marvel at the sky.

Soon they will be screaming about

drought in Oregon.

No rain, below freezing for the last few nights.

The moon and sun said goodbye today.

The origami moon, still beautiful was there at 5ish.

I spend my day watching a movie on my computer.

Today it was Our Mutual Friend.

My monitor is about as big as our

out dated t.v. screen.

I purl away with some lovely wool

and in some breaks, do laundry.

I crack the ice outside on the dog's water bowls

and make sure the stray cats are fed.

I get my hot water bottle ready to fill

and then, make some of this right before bed.

Yum.

And in between this and that,

I read some pages.

I keep my twinkle lights from Christmas up.

Twinkle, fairy lights are good.

I reflect on the fact that I haven't done much

except indulge me.

I have exercised my biceps bringing in wood

to keep the house warm.

Tomorrow he will be home.

I am glad and will be happy to see him.

It is all good.

And, guess what?

I have indulged my inner child at 3 a.m.

I can make my warm and cozy p.j.'s

spark with electricity with this dry cold,

cold air.

Sparking my jammies makes me laugh,

even at 3:00 in the morning.

Whew!

She Takes Too Many Pictures

2012-01-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

of the sky.

And, she is presently very
irritated with the order of her pictures.
Nonetheless, here's to a good week,
one and all.
e.

It Was Good...

2011-12-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

Filled with light,

Filled with warmth,

Filled with family and loved ones.

Wonderful food,

good company,

a pathetic tree cut down from the mountain top,

and lights that died two days after I set it up.

It was still loved for all of the imperfections.

Beloved grand children here,

some very icky throw up moments..

thankful for it all.

Wishing all who stop by here

a blessed New Year.

May the coming months bring you

joy, health, hope and happiness,

and I thank all who visit

this small space.

Your presence makes me smile

and gives me much happiness.

Every Christmas Season...

2011-12-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

I read this lovely story.

Oh...Henry....

How I love this.

Been gone. Catching up.

This Week...

2011-12-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Tuesday...

Last night...the moon.

Not a very good photo for such a huge

and beautiful spectacle.

I went out to dump the garbage.

Who knew that taking the garbage out

could give such beauty.

Words fail. She was full.

She was without an equal.

She filled me with awe and joy.

best to all, e.
don't know what all of this miss-spacing is, but if
i try to fix it, guarantee a photo or two will vaporize.

Dear Mother Nature...

2011-12-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

Look what you sent to me.

I am ever grateful for such beauty.

I am ever grateful for

such a surprise.

I am ever grateful for

a Fairy House.

As Dick and Jane said,

"Look, look."

Look at what beauty I saw.

Sometimes, I do think it

is a gift to be so surprised

by the loveliness of Nature.

To turn one's head and say,

as I did at lunch,

"Look, look!"

I do believe that I am channeling

my inner Dick and Jane.

Who could do it better for me?

The old one who learned to read

watching all of them; Mother,Father,Puff

et. all.

Being surprised in the tiny moment.

That's me.

See what I saw; see what made

my simple heart happy,

and my imagination of "See, See",

and, "Look, Look!"

It is a good Fairy House to let.

Low rent, quiet neighborhood.

All of the amenities a

small one would wish.

Lovely surroundings,

natural landscaping,

magical mushrooms,

and glorious moss.

What could be better than that

for wee people?

Truly, we were eating lunch

the other day and I nearly

jumped out of my chair

as my eye caught these adorable mushrooms.

Some are smaller than the head

of an eraser.

It is such a gift

to be startled out of one's space

by the beauty of Mother Nature.

Who better to live in such

a paradise, than the Forest Fairies?

best to all, e.
p.s. can you see how the tiny ones
underneath have turned upward so that you
see their gills? oh, my...magic...it is alive and real.
we just have to believe...believe in magic. it's good.

Goodbye, Dear November

2011-12-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

You've been grand.

best to all, e.

Happy Birthday

2011-11-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

I love you to the moon and back.

Hard working..

Funny..

Focused..

A wonderful father..

My first born..

You have filled my life with such joy.

Thank you for being you.

best to all, e.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

May you be surrounded by all of

those whom you love.

May your blessings be many.

best to all, e.

Gloomish Soup of Rain, Cold and Pewter Skies

2011-11-18T10:37:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for yellows,

Crayola leaves,

and wild turkeys.


Happy weekend...and best to all, e.

Mmmmmm....Baked Doughnuts...

2011-11-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

Boiled my own cider.

Went crazy for the wonderful aroma in the house.

Boiling cider takes hours.

The cider was delish..the baked doughnuts

so, so......but worth the drifts of warmth and

delicious scents on the late fall day.
What could be better than the wood stove, the scent of cider,
Jane Austen and furry big dogs?
(Well, maybe fried doughnuts.)
Or donuts as some prefer...

Best to all, e.

Oh, Precious Wee Wonder....

2011-11-08T13:20:00.000-08:00

Thank you for the visit.

Best to all, e.

Clouds

2011-11-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

I took these pictures on the 4th. The clouds moved in seconds after I took the shot of the moon. Actually, I think that's God's toenail peeking out of that blue sky.
Blogger is giving me hissy fits. I can't seem to make anything work, so I'll leave off here.
Best to all, e.

Yesterday

2011-11-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

What a gift.

Best to all, e.

The Wonder That Is November

2011-11-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

It's almost as if Someone were

wrapping up all of the splendor

that belongs to Autumn

in preparation for the coming of Winter.

Who would do it with more

beauty and artistry than that Someone?

It is an absolutely perfect day here.

I hope to get out and about again

to capture more Wonders of November.

May this month bring you beauty

and blessings.

Best to all, e.

Color, Glorious Color

2011-10-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

These were taken yesterday inside some of our

greenhouses. It was such a windy day

and the leaves wanted to dance

in reckless abandon.

Probably way too many

photos, but it is so hard to cut some out.

I hope that you enjoy.

Is it not pure Magic?
Our huge sweet gums are bursting forth
and all of the oaks are looking quite "Tweedish"
with the green, brown and yellow they are wearing.
Wooly Bears have been traversing everywhere,
and I suspect that they have selected
their winter homes as of today.
Yesterday and today brought frost.
It's all a glory.
best to all, e.

Yarntlers and the Gifts of Yesterday...

2011-10-09T17:00:00.000-07:00


Yesterday afternoon was just lovely and so I went for a stroll in the woods. (Thank you, Mother Nature)

It's a little known fact that these woods have been inhabited for hundreds of years by the shy and humble Yarntelope. Being timid and wary, Yarntelopes are never sighted, but if one is truly lucky, and in the right place and at the right time, one may find lying amongst the forest undergrowth, a yarntler. Yarntelopes, like deer, shed their yarntlers once a year. We have lived here for 33 years and each time I have walked in our woods, I have searched for a yarntler. I did some research on Yarntelopes and yarntlers through our county's Historical Society and the last known find of a yarntler was January of 1906. You can well imagine my excitement and joy at finding this yarntler underneath the canopy of our forest.

(The antler we have had for years. The yarn was attacked and mauled by my brother's cat when I was visiting him in Hawaii.

I have yet to decide if I can untangle and reclaim this lovely yarn.

Gordian Knot?

The tale of the Yarntelopes feeds my inner "brain gerbils" who

constantly tell me to be silly.)
So, let us be serious and enjoy the true beauty that Mother Nature
gave to me.

Look at that beautiful sky.
It came out, finally, about 2:48 p.m.
Is this proof that my Temper Tantrum Text
to Mother Nature worked?
Who knows, but I am eternally grateful for one
afternoon of blue skies and shadows.
Check out what comes next.
While making the bed (points for me)
I spied this handsome boulder outside the bedroom window.
He obviously has a bespoke tailor.
Just look at that handsome coat
and can you see that fantastic boutonniere in his lapel?

What magic.
(I think that I will hold onto to my fantasy
of Yarntelopes. I do find them to be
cozy and lovable creatures..
and who other than
a small herd of Yartelopes
would have erased 3/4 of my original post?
They may be shy, quiet and unassuming,
but I know in my heart
that they have a good sense of humor.)
best to all, e.

Letter to Mother Nature....

2011-10-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

I know, this is not New England, but it is beautiful to me.

Dear Madam,
It has come to my attention that you have been somewhere else and have not been attending to my wishes.
I hope that you realize that I normally bless you, hold you in high regard, and revere your wisdom.
I do, however, have a bone to pick.
You are raining on my parade. Where, in Heaven's name is your lovely sunshine, your glory of this season?
Do you not know that I have not complained once about the gnats that flew around my computer all summer? Or the flies (vilest of the vile) who now inhabit my kitchen every damned day?
Do you not understand that you are erasing my most beloved season? Color, color is what I want. The beauty that you can and do create every Autumn. Oh, how I love you. Please quit the raining.
Please let us have some sunshine. I don't mind the cold, the brisk wind and the fact that the wood stove is now going. I just want some sunshine.
If you have lost your Crayola Custom Pack of 64 Colors, your Glow Explosion Pop and Glow, or your No-Drip Gel Paints, or your Zest For Everything Paints, please let me know. I will be more than happy to jump onto the Internet and get you more supplies.
I love you, however, I remain the recalcitrant, obstreperous old lady who is channeling her 2yr. old self.
Sometimes it is fun to have a hissy fit.
Sometimes I just refuse to get with my best side, my inner goodness, my "go gently and accept person".
I remain (for one day) a naughty and unrepentant person. I reserve the right to stamp my two year old feet for a twinkling of an eye.

Love, e.

and p.s. where are the blooming acorns this year? really, this is just too much!

and p.p.s. don't you already know that it rains

for months and months and months here?
and yes, please know that this is done with the full knowledge
that some people, some countries do not have enough water, rain,
or the goodness of food, comfort and blessings. It is all done
in fun, and with the hope that it is received in fun....
I fully know how blessed I am.
best, e.

Back Home

2011-10-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have been back home for a few days,

catching up and feeling so thankful

that I could make the trip,

and that I am here safe and sound.

I took very few pictures with my camera,

but I've stored away lots of good

memories and times with loved ones

so far away.

Above and the ones to follow,

are taken not far from where my brother lives.

Beautiful banyan trees...
how I loved climbing them as a small girl..

...sweetest Episcopal church with its

red doors, built in 1884..

...and beautiful sparkly sun
shining through the forest.

best to all, e.

Leaving Home to Go Home...

2011-09-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

...to the Big Island in Hawaii.

Going up tomorrow

to Portland.
Flying out early on 9/11.
Yikes.

My husband will drop me off

at a hotel/motel near the airport.

I will see my beloved brother,

nieces, grand nieces and nephews.

Do I want to leave this beloved place?

No.

Do I want to see that other beloved place?

Yes.

Will I cry when I see the greeness,

the water, the glory of the mountains,
the rain forests,
the waterfalls, the ginger and

the old familiar?

Yes.
Am I conflicted?
Yes.
Is it important?
Yes.
Is it the home of my little girl heart,
my almost big girl heart,
when I left to go to college at eighteen?
Yes.
Is everything the same?
No.
Will it be special?
Yes.
Is it the home of my grandparents and
father and mother?
Yes.
Does my brother have
a washing machine?
No.
Do I have enough clean underwear?
???
Will I forget to take something?
Yes.
Have I found my camera bag?
No.
Do I have my camera?
Yes.
Will I miss my computer and lovely readers?
Yes.
Do I have a laptop?
No.
Will I be excited to get back to see
what all of you are doing?
Yes.
Will I love the beauty that I see,
and miss the beauty that is here?
Yes.
Do I send all of you love?
Yes!

best to all, e/.

A Birthday

2011-09-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Today is my father's birthday.

He was a good and loving man.

I was 30 when he died.

I missed him fiercely for years.

Daddy taught me many things...

look people in the eye,

have a firm grip when you shake hands,

love your family and friends,

and show them with actions

and words...everyday.

I cannot recall a day in my life

when I didn't hear Daddy say

to us all,

"I love you."
He certainly wasn't perfect.
Neither am I.
I like to think that I have all of the good
that was in him,
and recognize some of the not so good.
He is in my veins,
he flows through me everyday,
not in a conscious way,
but I know he is here in me
and in my children.
I treasure his sense of humor,
his delight in the small things,
and the child like wonder of this world
he never lost.
Thank you, Daddy, for all you
gave to us.
best to all, e.

Otherwise...Another Poem...

2011-09-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

This photo may not have much to do

with this poem,

except that is exemplifies

the exuberant colors of living,

and the starker images of loss.

I hold these words dear

because they help to remind me

that everyday I have something,

many things,

to be grateful for.

Otherwise

I got out of bed

on two strong legs.

It might have been

otherwise. I ate

cereal, sweet

milk, ripe flawless

peach. It might

have been otherwise.

I took the dog uphill

to the birch wood.

All morning I did

the work I love.

At noon I lay down

with my mate. It might

have been otherwise.

We ate dinner together

at a table with silver

candlesticks. It might

have been otherwise.

I slept in a bed

in a room with paintings

on the walls, and

planned another day

just like this day.

But one day, I know,

it will be otherwise.

The incredible Jane Kenyon again.
It is for me, everyone who visits,
and a dear new friend who knows
about Otherwise.
best to all, e.

Which Door Should I Choose?

2011-09-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have a day all to myself.

Can you hear my squeal of joy?

Freedom comes with making hard choices.

Which door should I choose?

Door #1

Doesn't every well-appointed home

have an artful display of riding helmets

and gloves perched on an unfinished window seat?

And one which is framed by dirty glass?

How about Door #2?

The infamous laundry room.

Perhaps. It's doable, but I could just close the door.

Then there is Door #3, my sanctum,

which is far from peaceful.

One must accept the fact

that when one cleans and purges,

one creates a Hell of a mess in the process.

Nah. Why not put off today

what I can do tomorrow?

Door #4, however, looks promising

and easily done while alone.

Definitely. A Done Deal.

It's Door #4.

I can spice it up

with a little bit of this...

Sometimes you just have to get tough

and bite the bullet.

best to all, ellen

Sweet Clementine Comes to Dinner...

2011-08-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

...I began to set the table.

The light, the lovely loved light

of high summer is leaving.

I watched.
I know that Mother Nature is slowly packing
her Light, her Flowers and her Bounty.
She is nothing if not proper.
No light colors and
no white after Labor Day.
Slowly, minute by minute,
breath by breath,
she is zippering summer to a close.

So, we set the table, Mother Nature and I.
She whispered in my ear.
Invite Clementine, sweet Clementine
to share the table with you.
After all,
she is one of my spring/summer creations.
So I did and it was grand.

With each passing shadow,
with the dimming of the light,
Miss Clementine's beauty blossomed.

Miss C. was good company
and offered comfort when saying goodbye
is hard.
Her warm glow and spicy scent
let me know that good things
are to come.

Mother Nature will unzip another bag.

I believe that she never takes away

without another offering of goodness.

It will be filled with a different beauty:
rich, warm colors, chilly mornings and nights,
sparkly heavens, harvest moons, and the scent of woodsmoke.
It will come slowly, but it
will come.
best to all, e.

I saw the clementine candle on the Internet, but I can't remember where! You can Google it and there are directions. It's easy, it's fun and it's genius in it's simplicity.

Preserving, Putting By...

2011-08-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

...Natures bounty.

I am blessed each year

with the beauty that Mother Nature provides.

Because we have thousands

of beautiful Japanese Maples in our nursery,

I am gifted with abandoned nests.

These are brought in to me

posthaste, when the weeks, even months

of pruning ensue.

Here is my recipe for preserving such beauty.

Start with a clean jar.

Lay out your materials...

Some other nests may need a little pruning.

Add some weeds, moss and dried leaves.

Place them in your jar.

Fingers crossed that you like the arrangement

because, once you get them in,

you probably won't be able

to get them out.

Such is the case here.

I would have liked to have one nest

higher than the other.

Alas and alack. No such luck.

Here is the final picture.

It went to a dear friend today.

We have many loves in common.

Nests, oak leaves, acorns..

acorns forever.

Wishing I knew how to photograph glass.

This is a dark house and no matter

where I took the jar,

there was light reflecting on that glass.

Hoping all of you are safe from this frightening weather.

best to all, e.

Let Evening Come...

2011-08-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

Let the light of late afternoon
shine through chinks in the barn, moving
up the bales as the sun moves down.
Let the cricket take up chafing
as a woman takes up her needles
and her yarn. Let evening come.
Let dew collect on the hoe abandoned
in the long grass. Let the stars appear
and the moon disclose her silver horn.
Let the fox go back to its sandy den.
Let the wind die down. Let the shed
go black inside. Let evening come.
To the bottle in the ditch, to the scoop
in the oats, to air in the lung
let evening come.
Let it come, as it will, and don't
be afraid. God does not leave us
comfortless, so let evening come.
Thank you, Jane Kenyon.
Best to all, e.

All Over the Map

2011-08-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I wrote a post.

I hit the button to publish.

Swoosh, down the plug hole it went.

I can't even remember what I wrote.

I'm sure it must have been fascinating.

I am feeling very unfocused today.

I am missing this person.

My grand daughter, AKA

The Vet,

spent the last week with us.

Fortunately for me,

she abandoned her animal hospital

and spent the days outside

in her cardboard fort in the woods.

I say fortunately for me,

because I had run out of medical emergencies,

names for dreaded diseases,

and illnesses.

Her stuffed puppies had the week off too.
Right now, I can hear one of the hens...
This afternoon I will look out of the window
and watch with pleasure as all of my feathered
ladies take their ritual dust bath...
I can smell the cantaloupe ripening on
the kitchen counter...
I wonder if there is such a thing as
Eau de Cantaloupe...
I would certainly splash some on...
It is going to be very warm today,
close to 90,
and I am grateful that it always cools off at night...
I want to go out and pick more of these...

but I need to unearth

the laundry room floor.

Happy weekend.

Best to all, e.

As Some Say...

2011-08-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

...down the rabbit hole,

...abducted by aliens,

...she came undone,

...ran off to find herself,

or, just plain vanished into thin air..

Really, I just have been buried in a summer

that I didn't plan.

All is good even if the garden didn't happen.

Other important matters have

been attended to.

Matters such as purging the closets,

attempts to bring order to the pantry,

laundry room..on and on.

We do have enough fire wood

to keep us warm should there be

An Epic Blizzard of

monumental proportions.
Speaking of monumental proportions,
I just had a peek at my new
header/banner/whatchamacallit.
I think "she went a little overboard".
I'll not post any more pictures today.
I shall practice restraint
and attempt to be a bit less
ostentatious.
Moderation, Ellen,
is the key word here.
For now, farewell.
It is good to be back in this spot.

best to all, e.

After All These Years....

2011-06-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

...I am still working on it.

I think it may be a good endeavor.

It keeps me from being

too complacent.

The long road,

the journey that never ends...

best to all, e.

Letting Go.....

2011-06-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

....and saying goodbye.

She is the one on the left in the picture.

Her name was Cleo.

We have had many dogs over the years here...

thirty one years this summer.

We have had a beloved Boxer,

hard working Border Collies,
when we had sheep,

my youngest son's adored dog,

a treasured cat,

and even a sweet wee mouse.

They share common ground.

It is just across the fence

under cedar and fir.

Yesterday we said goodbye

at the vet clinic,

in the car.

It is a testimony to Cleo's sweetness,

her patience and goodness,

that both vets, all office workers,

lab technicians and vet assistants

were in tears.

It was oddly comforting.

I have come to understand

that they all knew what a wonderful soul she was.

She was too young in years to go,

but renal failure can quickly

shut the doors,

close up the windows on a short life.

She knew my moods.

Was always there to take care of me.
When I broke my leg, when I cried,
she was there in my lap, kissing my face,
guarding me, always beside me.

She guarded the grandchildren

swimming in the creek,

even as a puppy.

No going out deeper than your knees the first summer!

Summers later, "Swim boys!"

"But remember I am here to take care of you."

Walking back through our pastures

she would rush back down
to count people.
Was anyone left?
"Let me be sure."
"I won't come home until all people are safe,
tucked up and accounted for."
"Look at me."
"I can sweep the cloth napkins
off of the dining room table."
And yes, guard the kindling
for the wood stove,
put up your bamboo knitting needles...
"I just might, just might,
make the whole mess disappear."

We were and are
blessed to have her.
I am eternally grateful.
And I am bereft.

Would that I was as poetic as Lord Byron
on the death of his Newfoundland.
best to all, e.

In The Wake of What Has Happened.....

2011-05-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

....and may happen,

I feel as if I should delete my last post.

It is frivolous.

It was fun to write,

but somewhat, well very much

frivolous with what is now going on.

Granted, I cannot predict what will happen...

No one can.

My heart aches for so many people.

Picture from The Vet...Grand daughter.

best to all, e.

Stay Safe

The Unappreciated Pea..

2011-05-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows this story.

Edmund Dulac

The Princess and the Pea,

the famous fairy tale of the vaporous, whiny Princess who

reportedly was bruised and battered by

a very small pea,

and the Prince, poor lad,

who had searched the world over

for the perfect Princess.

Poor dejected and moody Prince.

His Princess Glass was always half empty.

What the King and Queen did on an average day,

I do not know.

I suspect the King morosely

muddled in his mead while worrying about

his lackluster son.

The Queen, I am certain, spent hours

honing her control freak tendencies,

and fanned her imperious ways.

Be that as it may,

we do know a humble pea

was ruthlessly unzipped from her pod

to be smothered under uncountable

numbers of mattresses and feather beds.
The story theoretically ends well.
It is intimated that the Prince and Princess
lived happily ever after.
What a match!
He married a hypochondriacal girl
of no substance, wit or charm.
She married a gloomy ineffectual dimwit.
Well, to get down to business here,
I wrote a little poem in praise of the pea.
She did, after all, turn the tide.
With apologies to Jack and the house he built,
and to you for staying the course, let's get on with it.

This is the pea that grew green and bright
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.
This is the Princess all wet with spite
Who tossed all night on top of the pea
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.
This is the storm that blew such a fright
That soaked the Princess all wet with spite
Who tossed all night on top of the pea
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.
This is the morning all sunny and light
That followed the storm that blew such a fright
That soaked the Princess all wet with spite
Who tossed all night on top of the pea
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.
This is the maid who put things right
On that morning all sunny and light
That followed the storm that blew such a fright
That soaked the Princess all wet with spite
Who tossed all night on top of the pea
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.
This is the pea who bounced in delight
After the maid had put things right
On that morning all sunny and light
That followed the storm that blew such a fright
That soaked the Princess all wet with spite
Who tossed all night on top of the pea
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.
I'll stop these words so silly and trite
Having watched the pea who bounced in delight
After the maid had put things right
On that morning all sunny and light
That followed the storm that blew such a fright
That soaked the Princess all wet with spite
Who tossed all night on top of the pea
That was put in the bed that the Queen made.

Here's our little pea where the maid,

in her haste, put her.

You can't see it

because she is lying face down,

but I know that there is a wide

and cheerful smile on her face.

The sun is streaming through the leaded windows.

It warms her back.

She believes her karma will be good.

When the room is thoroughly cleaned,

she'll be given to the gardener

who will keep her safe until next spring.

Come the warming light mixed with gentle rain,

she knows she will be returned to the earth.

She knows she will mingle with some of her family,

and that she will be surrounded in the garden

with the ruffly, tender lettuces,

the upright leeks and cloven garlic.

Her smile relaxes.

If you listen very carefully,

you may hear a short prayer of thanks,

offered up in gratitude.

best to all, e.

Two Gifts in One Day!

2011-05-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

First, the gift of a stunningly

beautiful morning.

A morning that became

filled with blue promise

and warmth.

Hooray!

Second, at 6:00 a.m. ish,

a gorgeous Fence Doily.

What a good start
to such a lovely day.
Happy weekend to you.
best to all, e.

And You Thought She Was Only On the East Coast...

2011-05-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

...well, she's been here.

Spreading her magic.

And she has made the world more beautiful.

Thank you Miss Rumphius.

Here is the beauty that I saw.

And, I would have picked some

and brought them into the house.

However, they were on the approach.

to our bridge.

Cutting them would have caused me

to be flung into the briar patch.

Not good.

Perhaps, somethings

are best left alone

in their beauty.

Best to all, e.

Sometimes We Are As Fragile As This...

2011-05-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

...my husband stapled his finger

weeks ago.

The staple was not an office sized one.

It was the Hummer of staple size,

the rhino of industrial size.

His finger swelled up.

He thought it was better.

Days went by.

His palm and wrist turned red.

He eventually had it looked at.

(Thank goodness.)

They diagnosed Cellulitis.

I had never heard about it.

It is not a good thing to have.

Hospital, lots of antibiotics intravenously.

He's been home with many more medications.

A huge stapler made such a tiny

hole.

You could not even see it.

Mighty things happen

from such infinitesimal wounds.

So frightening,

but all is well.

Best to all, e.

A Thoughtful Gift....

2011-05-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Look what Babs sent..from Then&Now.

And then, a lovely painting

of Alice the Phallus.

My rooster who

was given a name

before I knew his sex.

Babs and her husband

paint the loveliest of works.

I am honored that Alice

is among their paintings.

I am also happy to be

connected with such lovely people

so far away.

Thank you both.

These paintings will be treasured

and will be where I can see them

every day.

What a wonderful gift they are.

What a wonderful gift to meet people.

Thank you.

best, e.
p.s. damn, i wish i could paint as well.

How Do I know It's Spring?

2011-05-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

...Mother Nature

has invited the sun.

Look, they are stirring up a soup

on top of the woodshed.

See how it furls

and boils?

Stone soup is what I have,
from all that she can gather.

It's the tastiest and best.

It's the most delicious scent:

Cold, wet roof;

Sun and a celestial spoon.

Essential ingredients

for the winter worn soul.
I heard the gentle whisper,
"Take one and call me in the morning."

It's the best advice.
Better than cod liver oil,
dandelion greens
or a fervent wish.
It's real and it works.
Best to all, e.

Inch by inch..

2011-05-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

...row by row by row

Gonna make this garden grow

Inch by inch, row by row

Please bless these seeds I grow

Plant your rows straight and long

Season with a prayer and song

Mother Earth will make you strong

If you give her loving care

Inch by inch...

row by row

soon I'll see these lovelies grow..

Grain for grain, sun and rain

Find my way in nature's chain

Till my body and my brain

Tell the music of the land

Inch by inch...

row by row

let us make our gardens grow.

It is a difficult and confusing time.

At least for me.

Growing a garden, planting seeds and knowing

that there is safe ground here

is a luxury. I do know that.

For certain.

I am a spoiled brat compared to most people

in this world.

For sure and for certain.

It is embarrassing to be so blessed.

But it is good to recognize

and give thanks for what I have,

and to reach out to others,

but how to do that best?

The difficult part,

does it even matter?

I sincerely hope so.

Oh, yes it does,

I know that for certain and for true.

How do you do it?

best to all, e.

The Eagles....

2011-04-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

....incredible to watch.
And being the little yellow bus
that I am,
the link is not where I want it to be.
But, what the heck, it's there.
I found this space, this wonderful
place from another blog.
I am sorry that I cannot remember where.
I do give thanks to that person.
It has been such a joy to watch at times.
Here is something else.
Reading through the chat room rules,
I have thought again and again
that these are such special
guidelines,
paths and intentions that we should all follow
in our lives.
I have left out a few references to the eagles,
as I truly believe these apply to all of us.

Be respectful, polite, and focused
No profanity, personal invective, or other inappropriate comments
Disagreements might be unavoidable, but should remain polite, and they should never become arguments
Chatting is a privilege, not a right

We have so many rights in this country,

but how often we forget or ignore

the many privileges we have.

We have so many moments to stay

focused on what is important,

to be respectful and polite.

If you haven't had the opportunity

to check in on the eagles,

I encourage you to do so.

best to all, e.
photo courtesy of Google

Please Think About This...

2011-04-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

Patricia sent an email today.

You can read about her blog entry here:

http://zencrafting.blogspot.com

No matter what you do, what you create,

the beauty that you send out

to the world

belongs to you and no one else.

Many people create such beauty

with positive intention.

Their hands and heart and mind

come together

and they are so generous in their sharing.

Patterns, ideas, photos, tutorials,

and support.

Many of us, me included, may not

create a book, we may not have a large following,

but our words, thoughts and efforts

are our own.

We all choose to do this

and it is always with hope

that others will respect our efforts.

This place, this space,

has granted me so much inspiration

and good will.

It has allowed me a spot to throw

out my words.

It has allowed me the privilege

of meeting so many wonderful

and exceptional women and men.

Taking someone's words,

photos, ideas and creations,

is akin to violating their home,

their heart...and yes...

their being.
We can all speak out.
Not to mention that it is
illegal.
best, e.

Over Heard....

2011-04-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

...in the chicken yard.

Some things are best kept silent,

best kept within a closed circle.

Some things need to be

wrapped up, squeegeed together,

and then thrown away.

Some words are kind;

a cooling wind when one is hot.

Some words are garnered

from fields of kindness,

sieved and cleansed.

Some words are as follows:

Mrs. Dickens...have you noticed how Carmen

has totally milked her attack with the raccoon?

Betty...what attack?

Mrs. Dickens...Jeeze, you are dumb.

Don't you remember THE NIGHT?

Betty...what night?

Carmen, with gentleness...

The night of the attack.

Betty...What attack?

Mrs. Dickens... Good God,

you were there, Betty.

Betty...I was?

Edith...Yes, Betty, you were.

We were all there and it was awful.

Mrs. Dickens...

For God's Sake!

SHE ran out with her broken leg,

with that huge solid something,

a cast, I think they call it.

HE ran out in his boxer shorts.

It was three in the morning.

SHE grabbed a 2x4.

HE flashed the light.

The damned raccoon ran for it.

It was quite a sight and hysterical,

if I do say so myself.

Hester...But Carmen was all right.
She survived.
Iris...Yes, she did and that bad
karma will come back
and twist that raccoon into
a small piece of nothingness.
Betty..What is karma?
Jasmine...Don't worry, dear.
It's all over.

Betty...What's over?
Hester...Don't fret, Betty.
Life turns on a dime,
and we have some quarters left.
best to all,e.

No Camera.....

2011-04-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

...all week. I forgot it at my son's house this weekend.

BOO-HOO!

Every time I look out the window,

I see something I want to photograph.

Then, I remember that I left it way up north.

I'll get it back this weekend.

How is it that the weekend

seems so far away?

In its absence,

I offer up some collages made from old photos.

Wishing all a wonderful and sunny week.

best to all, e.

It Must Be Spring..

2011-04-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

Families of birds

are packing up and leaving.

A new community

is moving in

and will set up housekeeping

in the woods and fields.

I wonder if they chat

with each other in passing.

How was your trip

and did it take long?

Are you going

to miss your old stomping grounds?

There's some prime real estate

around here.

Keep in mind, we'll be back.

Take care of the neighborhood

and don't bring it down.

Petals unfold in commas
like the pages of my new book,
delicious with hidden messages
and round words.
Anticipation is high,
and there is surprise
with every turn.

I swear
that the picture of my Grandmother
hanging in the hall,
shines a little brighter.
I think I see the blush
of rose in her cheeks.
Spring was always
her favorite chapter.

best to all, e.

The Vet...

2011-04-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

"Gammie, I'm a vet and I want you to call me."

"O.K. I'll call your office."

"What is the number?"

"Um, it's..just a minute. It's

63347928002."

Brrrr-ing. Burrr-ring.

"Hello, may I please speak to Dr. Kelley?"

"This is Dr. Kelley. Do you have a sick animal?"

"Yes, I do. In fact I have two."
"O.K. You can bring them in."

"Dr. Kelley, this is Puppy and this is Little Brown Dog,

or LBD."

"Can you describe what you have been

seeing about them? I mean, how have

they been acting?"

"Well, LBD seems to have some

pain in his stomach, and Puppy is always

scratching his ear and I think he has a fever."

"Well, let me just take a look. I'll take their

temperature and I may have to x-ray them."

"Please have a seat."

"Yes, I can see that Little Brown Dog

is having some problems. His x-rays

show that there are germs in his stomach.

He is running a little fever. I have some

medicine that will help."

"Puppy's ear has some yellow and red stuff in it."

"I am not sure what is causing this, but I'll

bandage it and give him some medicine too."

"I'd like to keep them overnight. Would that be o.k. with you?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you Dr.Kelley."

"You're welcome and I will call you tomorrow."

(Then she whispers in my ear, "Gams, do you pay me,

or do I pay you?")

You gotta love a six year old.

best to all, e.

Sunday Stroll...

2011-04-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

....I hope that you will come along.

I want to show you the big tree,

the Douglas Fir that blew down in the frightening

wind storm we had a few weeks ago.

This was the storm of menacing winds,

the storm of "Where do I stand,

where do I hide in the house?"

The storm when the wind roared,

"I am coming to get you!"

Here is the root ball. It must be ten feet tall.

If you will sit with me near the root ball,

we can look straight ahead.

It looks as if we are gazing upwards towards the sky.

We are, in fact, looking at the trunk.

It lies on the ground.

A behemoth of wood and moss.

We cannot see the end,

and this beauty has taken others with her,

as if to say,

"If I go, I want my sisters to come with me."

She will, in time with her sisters,

provide us with fuel for the wood stove.

Let's move on and see some of the beauty

that Spring is sending us.

Daffodils and trilliums,

daffodowndillies near the Forest Fairy Tree.

Trilliums in the forest, popping up

to say, "Hello."

Heading on home.

Look through the shade cloth with me.

I love the nuances of the world beyond.

It is a beauty.

Thanks for coming along.

I like company.

Best to all, e.

Sometimes the Obvious....

2011-04-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

...is right under my nose.

It just occurred to me

that I must really enjoy

dissecting works of art, and then

mixing them back together in my own crazy fashion.

I made this collage years ago.

I had just gotten a printer

and I was wild with excitement.

I spent hours on the Internet

searching for images.

I printed them out. It took forever with a dial up connection.

This is/was my humble homage to some

of the artists I have always loved.

I hope you enjoy it.

It is settled in a frame
and lives in our entry way
where I took out the folding doors of a small closet.
My grandmother's desk nestles in there.
I love this space, even if it leads
to the laundry room.
Best to all, e.

You Are Invited....

2011-03-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

....to attend a little party hosted

by my dear friend,

Miss Mermaid.

I hope that you will come along with me.

We'll knock gently.

Don't you love that door knocker?

Miss M. has a lovely collection

of 18th century caps

and brooches.

While we are here you may choose

to wear one if you wish.

Before the other guests arrive,

I want you to see how Miss M.

hangs her fairy lights from the ceiling,

and how gorgeous her collection

of hand blown glass is.

Oh, I think I see the flash

of tail,

and hear the gentle swish of fin.

Do meet her other guests.

Don't be shy. They are truly gentle

and engaging souls.

If one should whisper

a gentle bubble in your ear,

or brush you in passing,

count it as a blessing.

Miss Mermaid's delectable salad is on the table.

Do help yourself.

It is delicious.

I know it has been a long trip,

and it is getting late,

but I hope that you stayed

and enjoyed it.

All photos were taken several years ago at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Best to you, ellen.

Run With Your Scissors Part Two...

2011-03-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

Quite a while ago I created some "Half Hearted Art".

I cut up an old, but small calendar

from the National Gallery of Art.

I dissected some of my favorite artists, may they forgive me.

I limited myself to only using half of a heart shape.

The hearts could be perfect or curvy and twisted.

For some odd reason, they just had to be

half hearted.

So, I ran with my scissors, glue,
and a full hearted sense of fun.

And it was fun, lots of it.

....and then this weekend

when I had some alone time,

oh, blessed alone time,

I attempted to Run Again.

I ran and ran without restrictions.

Do you know that it was so much harder?

It was.

Here is what came out of my freedom.

A beetle. I am not too fond of him.

He is a bit off center, and he was very difficult

to pin down. Pinned he is, and loved he is not.

Now, here is the the Chicken

and the Egg

from Art Hell.

She is more of a "Where Is Waldo?"

Can you see her? If so, you win the prize.

Grant wood is in there.

Goya, et all.

She and the egg evolved

from a photo I took of one of my hens.

I had to put a few dots here and there

just to see her.

But, she is still

Where Is Waldo?

Now, here is my favorite one.

The one who makes me jump for joy.
And for some reason, I cannot make him any bigger.
He keeps hopping down the "page".
I think that he is just shy
and a wee bit embarrassed
because he knows that I am proud of him.
He knows, I am sure,
that good things come in small packages.
He is the little Peeper
that we can hear singing at night.
He is the harbinger,
the messenger in the mud,
the post card
from Spring,
the one that sings hope.
Life and warmth is on the way.
Sleep well and easy.
I will sing you
a lullaby.

Best to all, have a lovely week, e.

Mother Nature...

2011-03-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

....has been practicing her moves today. She is more adept than any teen.
She has moves and tricks
and has honed her skills to perfection.
The sun is her yoyo, and mercifully for the last
45 minutes she has been Walking the Dog.
Walking the Dog is my favorite move she makes.
The sun blesses us with his brightness and warmth.
Turn your back, however, and she will
execute The Breakaway.
Blink an eye,
it's the Four Leaf Clover and the shadows
disappear, rain pounds the already saturated earth.
Watch the Gravity Pull and get both sun
and rain at the same time.
I can't wait until she gets bored
and does the Sleeper all summer long.
Spring in Western Oregon
overflows with her capricious nature.
Wishing all a calm and beautiful weekend.
Best to all, ellen.

It's Spring Break Here....

2011-03-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

...and Spring is here.

She is here with color and rain

and wind.

She is here with wet and cold.

The woodstove chugs on and on.

The grayness, fog, and did I mention rain,

soaks us all up and lands us

in a puddle of coldness.

But, it is Spring and there is

COLOR.

And there has been wind,

wind to scare me to death!

Where to stand in the house.

Where to hide, lest a tree

fall on me.

Whew!

Wishing all a beautiful spring.

There will be lots of people here this week.

Enjoy the beauty that is unfolding.

Best to all, e.

Today I Feel Like This....

2011-03-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

...all prickly, grumpy, peevish, and sad.
As well as everyone else, feeling helpless.

I know exactly why.

I am thinking that I am

not good enough.

I don't do "stuff" well.

I don't accomplish much of anything.

So, I am sending myself

some flowers and attempting

to be kind to myself.

I am thinking about these lovely blossoms.

If you are feeling the same,

these are for you too.

And here is one more

that symbolizes hope.

Truly, I did not arrange this one.

As I have been waiting

for my photos to upload,

I looked out the window.

Too far away to take a picture,

but I can see two happy woodpeckers,

huge woodpeckers together

on the same fir tree.

I find myself smiling and

laughing and being happy.

I think there is a message here.

Best to all, ellen.

p.s. I did not mean to say that you were feeling cranky, just perhaps helpless.

There Is A Big Hole...

2011-03-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

....in our world.

It is so devastating and so

unfathomable.

We weep for those

who are suffering

and wonder what we can do.

It is an impossible question

to answer.

We all do the best we can.

We can donate to trusted

places.

We can call a loved one.

We can take care of things at home.

Aren't we blessed to have a home?

We can reach out to people

beyond our family

and say,

"You matter, you fill a space

in my life."

"You are important to me."
And we can reach out
because we have working phones,
the Internet, or letters that we know will be delivered.
We have familiar paths, loved paths to walk.
They are still here, known and worn.

We can be thankful

for so many things...

things we take for granted.

A house, a home

and knowing where our loved ones are.
They may not be here right now,
but we are assured that they
are in a safe place.

We have food, clean water,

books to read,

warmth and hope.

We can go to bed at night...

(we have a bed to go to)

We have that bed with sheets

and warming blankets.

We have someone to say goodnight to.

We have doors to lock

or windows to open

in order to hear the tender sounds of the night.

If we have pets

they will be there to greet us in the morning,

and that morning will come,

it will be like all other mornings.

It will be a normal morning.

Let us all give thanks

for a normal, simple morning.

A morning with all of its ordinariness.

May we all appreciate the

big and the very small.

May we give thanks

and reach out however we are able.

Best to all, ellen.

Sunday Stroll...

2011-03-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

You come too. We'll walk down the drive

and cross the bridge.

While we are on the bridge we can see the muddy water that is Elk Creek. Don't lean over too far. It's a long ways down and that water is cold and swift.

I want you to see another of my very favorite trees. Words cannot describe it. I think that it is a Sequoia and it is so large that I absolutely cannot capture it in its fullness, so we will stand underneath it and admire only a tiny part of it.

We head back across the bridge and can see the Not So Inviting Sign. It does have a genuine purpose as we have suffered some fools who have driven too fast and hurled themselves through the bridge railings. Not a pretty sight, but they were all safe, thankfully.

Let's stop in at the old hog barn. I think there is something quite magical that rises and floats according to the wind's sweet breath.

See how it moves.

Here we go into the woods to see some mossy richness,

and again, my favorite Forrest Fairy tree.

Hang in there (if you are still here). We are homeward bound.

One little creek to pass over, no warning signs, just gentle burbling.

Here we are greeted with color although the hope of Spring is still a prayer.

And finally, the ones who can make you laugh,

who provide food and who are equally as colorful no matter what the season. Thank you for being here. It means so much.

I wish you the joys of the season, no matter where you are.

I thank you if you have lasted this long. Truly, Sunday Strolls are my favorite. Your continued support brings me joy and I hope that you have enjoyed it.

Best to all, ellen.

Craving Color....

2011-03-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

It's ridiculous to even wish/think that these will be good.

It is way too soon to hope for flavor, even if they are from California.

I couldn't resist, so here they are as I attempt to photograph them with a 110lb dog leaning on my leg.

Eating color is good even if it's not at it's best.

Call it visual therapy.
Now, this was tasty and good for you. Home made veggie stock;
wintered over leeks, onions, carrots. Add some garlic, kombu, bay leaves, red pepper flakes and celery, simmer for the time it takes to knit half a sleeve, strain the next day, give the chickens the over cooked veggies and throw it all into the pressure cooker with one and a half bags of black beans.

Simmer again the next morning with cumin, a little chipotle chili powder (finish the other half of the sleeve, start on the next one) and finally, slurp up with whole wheat olive bread with egg salad from home grown eggs.
Finish off with Save the Ta Ta Cookies
which were named after a breast cancer awareness
shirt my daughter-in-law gave me. Honestly, these are just sugar cookies with a large chocolate drop in the middle.
The first time I made them and took them out of the oven, I burst into laughter and screamed, "Ta Tas"! They have ever since been called that and beloved by all.

Best to all, ellen.

Tiny Text Tuesday....

2011-03-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

Last week STOP

Hooray March STOP

Warm today

Let the woodstove go out STOP

Can see daffodil green

No yellow yet

She is coming STOP

Hang in STOP

Wishing all well STOP

Happy March

Best to all, ellen (she stops)

Sunday Stroll....

2011-02-27T17:21:00.000-08:00

.... Fern Beauty...

....love the furriness of the spores... they look like little caterpillars to me...

.... moss "blossoms" how fragile and fleeting...I really don't know what to call them, they just look like blossoms to me...

.....I love the barest of trees almost as much as I love the trees filled with leaves and promise. The bare bones show their strength and character....

The beauty of the evening sky, so special and so magnificent....

....orange blue sky...

....sherbet fluff....

.....lovely contrast....

Best to all, ellen.

Gone For A Bit...

2011-02-21T17:21:00.000-08:00

Cold here Blue and Beautiful

Many people for lunch yesterday

No walk

Hope all is well

Hope to be back soon

Chickens Arguing

Finished scarf, shawl

Need to block

New scarf started

Probably messed up pattern

Made good broccoli salad

Raisins

Roasted pepitos

Dressing; onions, garlic, mustard

Grapeseed oil

Maple syrup

Actual Radio Gram above

Scan from man to be father

To woman to be mother

1920 something

Love they kept in touch

So far away

From eachother

Wishing good week to all

Snow predicted here

Hope not

Don't drive well in snow.

Best to all, ellen

p.s.want to know what he had to tell her.

I love you?

Lovely Winter Sky

2011-02-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

Such a rare treat to have such blueness this time of year and oh, the lovely moon last night.

Best to all, ellen.

Back to Sunday Strolls

2011-02-13T15:02:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite trees.

It's home to many of the forest fairies.

Lovely shadows marching down the path.

Our cautious, but ever curious cows.

Crown of thorns. Careful here.

Beautiful bark from the Japanese maples. Color amongst the gray and black of winter.

Sweet, furry magnolia bud, poised in anticipation of spring.

The hellebores or Lenten roses are beginning to bloom. They refused to raise their heads and smile at me. Stubborn ladies.

It's Sunday. Pretend you are in church. I can almost hear the choir, but maybe it's the cows.

I love these naked arches.

Best to all, ellen.

Valentine's Day...

2011-02-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

.....thinking about love and happiness. I believe that we all equate happiness with love and love with happiness. I am not a huge fan of V.D. We are a family of small celebrations. Usually no birthday presents except for children. We consider ourselves brilliant if we remember an anniversary or a spouse's birthday. Our material gifts are given at Christmas, but each day there are the gifts of calling each other to say goodbye, good morning or hello. "I'm heading to the post office. I love you."
"Drive safely, I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll call you when I get there." "I'm going for a walk now, see you soon."
"Come quick, look at the sun Ma."...or the moon or the dogs or the stars. Someone knows what you love to see. Someone knows what brings you joy. Someone knows you love to see the trees bending in the wind or the first and tiniest buds of a promising spring.
Each day provides us with opportunities to say I love you and you make me happy. Each day provides us with the opportunity to say I am happy because you love me.
It is a gift to give one another...this recognition of who we are and how we relate as family. There is family in the smallness of our home and the family in the big wide world.We are more alike than unlike and we all hope and dream of the same things.
It is also a gift in the giving and receiving.
I think about some of the children I had in my classroom when I read these words. I think about the words when I see some people on the streets. They are written by the wonderful author Hilary Mantel.

He turned away; he didn't feel he could bear it. He was terribly afraid that happiness might be a habit, or a quality knitted into the temperament; or it might be something you learn when you're a child, a kind of language, harder than Latin or Greek, that you should have a good grasp on by the time you're seven. What if you haven't got that grasp? What if you're in some way happiness-stupid, happiness-blind? It occurred to him that there are some people, ashamed of being illiterate, who always pretend to others that they can read. Sooner or later they get found out, of course. But it is always possible that while you are valiantly pretending, the principles of reading strike you for the first time, and you are saved. By analogy, it is possible that while you, the unhappy person, are trying out some basic expressions-the kind of thing you get in phrase books for travelers-the grammar and syntax of this neglected language are revealing themselves, somewhere at the back of your mind. That's all very well, he thought, but the process could take years. He understood Lucile's problem: how do you know you will live long enough to be fluent?

May we all live long enough to be fluent.

Best to all, e.
p.s. does any of this connection make sense? it does to me, so maybe that's all that matters. in the scheme of things, i will not be so serious next time..i am off to wipe chicken poop off of the eggs. love to all who read this small spot.
p.p.s. i am an abysmal typist, typer whatever. may h. m. forgive me for errors.

Perhaps As the Oldest Star....

2011-01-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

...as fragile as hope,

..as impermanent as a breath in the wind,

as fleeting as a split second:

She captures the fog and the morning air. She weaves the stars and light. She is Penelope, Ariadne and Athena. She is Elaine of Astolat, and we are her daughters when the wind rocks our world, taking away our life lines. We pick up like her, weave our hopes and dreams back together, and in the process, create beauty. At our best we are filled with patience and determination. We are able to hold the beauty of the world. We know that all in life passes too quickly, but we hold fast to that which matters when we are able.

We know that there is strength in fragility. The warp and the weft of our lives forms our purpose and intent.

Best to all, e.

Chicken Tails....

2011-01-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

.....Well, as usual here at the Bumbling Blogger, I do get my photos mixed up, but I will ignore this and soldier on.

Sometime after I put this little space to bed I got some chickens. They were almost adolescents by the time my pen was ready. Hence, the inability to tame them and still the problem of sexing them. I started with an "A" and went through the alphabet. That rooster that you see was named Alice. He has subsequently been called Alice the Phallus. He is a good rooster;not a mean bone in his body.

There is Betty the little Leghorn, so dependable. She is the postal person of the chicken world. Neither snow nor sleet nor darkness of the night gets in the way of her appointed rounds. She damned well lays. Hooray for tiny Betty.

There is Carmen, the Sex Link (I think) who delivers the most huge eggs. It's a wonder that she can still walk. Oh, the pain!

And, then there is Mrs. Dickens, as in Mrs. Charles Dickens who lost her counterpoint because Charles Dickens was meaner than a snake, untrustworthy and a general degenerate of the highest order. He was capable of striking fear into the heart of the most brave of chickens, not to mention the hearts of the humans who live here. Mrs. Dickens was never one to overwhelm you with eggs: One here, mark four or five days or maybe six... sometimes twelve days later; and then Mrs. D. disappeared. She disappeared into nowhere. I was convinced that she was dead as a doornail. A week went by and she finally appeared and all of the little chicken brains from the rest of the flock did not recognize her. They pecked at her (oh, the loser of The Dances with the Chickens). She ran off again, came back, disappeared again, was lost forever, or so I thought.

And then, that little Dickens won Survivor. She came back with FOURTEEN, mark it 14 babies.

She did it all herself. I don't know where she put those beautiful cerulean eggs, but she did it! Everyone left them alone.She was in charge. Go, Mrs. Dickens. They grew and grew and grew.

Mrs. Dickens is a hero. The Little Dickens flourished.

I am sorry to end the story with a bit of ghoulishness.

Our hen house could not support the addition of those fourteen.

They grew and grew, and eventually they fed a family that needed some food and nourishment.

Mrs. D. has gone on to lay more and more eggs. She's a good girl as is my beloved Betty, Carmen, Delilah, Edith, Francine, Georgianna, Hester, Iris and Jasmine. There was one of Mrs. D's children to escape the Grim Reaper. I am sorry to note that he is an absolute carbon copy of Charles. I regret to say that his days are numbered, his candle burns at both ends and that he will soon grace another simmering pot for a deserving family.

I would recommend chickens to anyone who is able to have them. They perk you up, they make you laugh, they bring joy to your world as you watch the spraddled walk and run they do. It's all good, though I do not wish you a Charles. Oh, and of course, there are the yummy eggs.

Best to all, e.

It Was My Birthday A Few Days Ago.....

2011-01-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I am here.

If I were a house, I would need a new roof, new windows and plumbing.

If I were a cheese, the bloom would be a mold.

If I were a bottle of wine, no one would be able to afford me.

If I were a book, I would be collectible or out of print.

If I were a movie, I would be in black and white.

If I were a candle, I would have burned and burned and burned, out and out and out and out and out.

If I were a radio, I would be big and huge and I would be blasting out The Lone Ranger, Boston Blackie, The Shadow, Stella Dallas, and Bull Dog Drummond, Hopalong Cassidy (sp? for all of these).

I would be able to go to the movies for eleven cents.

I would be forbidden to swim or go to the movies when during Polio Season.

If I were a dresser, a table, or a desk, there would be scratches, nicks, ink stains and a hundred memories etched in to my beautiful patina.

If I were a tree in a small village, I might be surrounded by a beautiful fence and be declared a treasure.

I am all of these things, and none of these things.

I am so amazed that I was once that little tiny girl with the small kitten:Barefoot, unaware, open to so much that was to come. Joys, sadness, flight and always coming back home.

I didn't have a smile there..too much concentration on the kitten,

but my smile is wide now and one can take a ride on it. That wee person is still me, though like a book, my binding is cracked and the words on my spine disappear.

I am at once amazed, afraid and so very, very grateful for all that has been given to me.

best to all, e.

Mother Nature's Gifts.....

2011-01-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

We have a fairly good sized wholesale nursery.

Each winter my husband and oldest son spend weeks pruning our Japanese Maples.

Sometimes they find beautiful treasures in those maples. The birds have moved on. The nests have been empty for several months.

I am so happy to have them. All year long I gather moss, leaves, acorns and oak galls. I dry some of my sunflowers and then put them in these gorgeous jars. My pictures do not do justice to the nests...such intricate beauty;so fragile in appearance. Birds and spiders, Mother Nature's finest engineers.

Best to all, e.

Visitors...

2011-01-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

.....some are unexpected gifts,

....some are fleeting and so welcome. They bless my life for a moment.

Some will stay on my book shelf, staring at me with affection and beauty.

Best to all, e. (Can you all tell that I am still unable to separate photos and words the way I want to? Oh, for a mentor.)

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T13:44:00.000-08:00

2010 wasn't the easiest year for me. It dropped an emergency surgery my way and then when I was finally getting up to speed, a broken leg. All in all, it kept me housebound for about six months. It's a good thing that I love being home.

It also brought lots of joy, kindness from many people and hysterically funny and warm moments with my dear family.

It was a good year and I am hoping for another gift of a good year, though I'd like to skip the medical traumas.

May the new year be filled with many blessings for all and for those you hold dear.

Best to all, e.

Happy After Holiday....

2010-12-26T20:54:00.000-08:00

...from me to all. Cozy in the little house. Christmas was lovely. Hope your days have been filled with goodness and joy. I made this little house a few months ago, stuck it in a jar with moss and traded it for chicken food, scratch and dog food at my favorite feed store.

Best to all, e.

I Need the Christmas Fairy....

2010-12-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

My beloved little snowy guys are out..the tree is up, but the house looks like a bomb has gone off. Wishing all of you a blessed holiday season.

Best to all, e.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

2010-12-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Macaroons, soon to be baptized with a little chocolate. Three full trays of them. My goodness!

Best to all, e.

It's a Busy Time...

2010-12-11T18:53:00.000-08:00

Could be, as always...feeling unprepared and swearing,don't listen to my words. Always saying next year will be a bit different, more relaxed. It will be, as this year I have let go of tons.

I know what matters. I do not always follow my heart, but I am trying. My heart says embrace the season, let go of the overwhelming expectations. Just be. Let it be.

Best to all, e.

There Is Beauty In Unexpected Places....

2010-12-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

...Underneath the pole that supports the bird feeder..such loveliness and color. I think that the patterns and colors are wonderful and such a gift to the eyes. Nature's tracing, messages and filigreed letters to savor and read. So many things that bring joy when we can uncover the normally unseen. Oh, what a gift this has been to me.

Best to all, e.

Looking Through A Glass Darkly...

2010-12-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

Looking at the sun going down behind the hills...reflected on old glass.

Best to all, e.

This Is A Thank You...

2010-12-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

For Two Anonymous People..thank you so much. It makes me happy to hear from you, and although I do not know your names, please accept my thanks. Please know that I think about you, even when I do not know who you are. I would love to know that you will read this. I send you thanks and wishes that you are doing well and that your life is filled with goodness and love. I will just find a picture if I can...and put it up in thanks. Truly, it is thanks..e.
Explanation for this silly photo..I made this little sun/moon thing. It did not work out for what I was planning. So it hangs in my kitchen and I spin it at times. Let's see if I can bring these up and if they bring a smile to your face.

Best to all, e.

In between rain...

2010-12-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

I ran outside and took a few shots of a raindrop hanging off of the end of a Japanese Maple leaf. Can you see the glory of its inner world?

Velvety moss and yellow leaves from the tree above are cradled in this tiny drop. A miracle indeed and it reminds me of a former post:Ted Kooser's words.

Best to all, e. you can click on the pictures for a closer look

Happy Birthday...

2010-11-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

Now and then...

As you once told me when you were very small, "I love you gladly." You are a joy to be around and you make me laugh every day.

Best to all, e.

It Has Been Forever....

2010-11-29T20:47:00.000-08:00

.....it has been a very long time since I put this little space to bed. I have missed it and lots of things have happened; many good things and some not so good. I wanted to come back with a Sunday Stroll, but surprise, it has been raining. Here are a few out of season photos to get me started.

....

We grew some beautiful echinacea in the nursery...

...some beautiful Oregon sky...

...lovely Queen Anne in all of her glory..

....what beauty unfolds like linen when you unconsciously let a hosta die..

....these dried weeds are so lovely to me, I love the richness of the muted colors...

....wooly bear's bottom disappearing...

...lovely squash blossom. Our garden was poor this year. I think it was because we had no bees.

..thistles are not welcomed, except by me for their beautiful texture and color...

.......more beauty from the flowers.

It is good to be back.
Best to all, ellen.

Spring.....

2009-03-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

Spring is here even though the nights are still cold, the wood stove is still chugging along. Today felt like snow. I know we will have more rain..hence the "Growing Gills" time of year when I always feel as if I live in an aquarium. Beauty is all around us in the budding trees and the emerging flowers. It is time to start the vegetable garden and this coming year will be the first in a very long time for me to have chickens. I am so excited to get back to that. I also have some blueberries in the ground and they are big enough that we will have some wonderful harvests this year. Hooray for all of the home goodness.
I am also going to say goodbye to this little spot. Growing Gills is going to go gentle into that good night. There is so much to do now and I have not been a good shepherd of this spot lately. I will always be checking in to see how others are doing and keeping in touch. It has been such an adventure for me and I may in the future morph into something else. Who knows?
I do want to thank all who have stopped by and given encouragement and companionship. I appreciate it more that I can say. If you have been a reader who has never commented, I appreciate your readership too.I have been so fortunate to have met such wonderful people through this wee spot. It is a blessing that I do not take for granted or take lightly.
Happy Spring to all and may goodness, peace, comfort and love be yours.

Best