life with a little pizzazz
Just in from cleaning gutters. The rain stopped as I went out to work and I have no ladder stories — a wonderful evening.
I was determined to go out due to the large amount of water pouring out of the clogged gutters. Based on the day we’ve had and the conditions as I went to change into rain gear, I expected to get very wet. Instead the world was kind to me and provided very nice weather for this task. Still not a fun way to spend an evening.
The Natural Cycles art installation (September 2008 – September 2009) featuring works from five artists offers yet another enticing reason to visit Tryon Creek State Park. Each artwork is unique and intriguing in this natural setting.
Fung-US is gorgeous, playful and thought provoking — are we the fungus? Nontrivial Pursuit amazes in scale and message. The Source Series offers a true perspective of where our material lives originate. Forevergreen Tuffet is, well, alien. Invader, just like its real-life counterpart, threatens.
Of course the natural beauty of the park surpasses each of these installations but the art does spark discussion regarding our impact on the natural cycles of our world.
As I’m sure you recall, I reported on a mass reproductive cycle of worms in my initial Night of the Worms posting in March 2007. Obviously I did not continue my studies of worm reproductive practices, but last night, as I was again out with the dog, I happened upon yet another night of the worms. I do have to admit that the scale was nothing compared to the previous encounter but my observation cycle may be off. Back to cycles, yesterday was another waning gibbous moon just like March 5, 2007.
Not only did I visually encounter this mass mating but would also swear that I could hear rustling in the soil. Could it be that thousands of worms are busily preparing or tidying up after their reproductive cycle? Or, perhaps it was late and I was hearing things.
Here are a few shots from last night. To view more images you can view the gallery from my previous posting.
Listening to a Screech Owl in the yard. Anything I may be doing, even sleep, comes to a halt when I hear the owl call.
It seems to come and go throughout the year. Always a pleasure to hear it visiting.
If you are curious, you can learn more about Screech Owls and listen to their call.
It continues to snow here in Portland. There is probably four to six inches of new snow this morning and it is continuing to fall. The latest forecasts look like it is cold throughout the week.
In-laws in Corbett are snowed in. The long drive to the house is always a snow drift drop-off point. In the front yard they have a large fountain that is probably 3-1/2 feet with only the top 5 inches is visible. Christmas in the country may have to be delayed.
We haven’t made it to the Christmas lights at Peacock Lane but we can all enjoy the bicycle of lights.
Our veil of white survived for yet another day. Yesterday afternoon and evening saw powder drifting everywhere in the wind. Last night all the powder was frosted with 1/4″ of ice.
(For the valley this is quite a scene, but it is still mild compared to the Christmas we spent iced up in Corbett. At that time 4-5 inches of ice covered everything. Explosions were heard as icy limbs plummeted to the frozen earth.)
A wintry week in Portland is capped off by a true winter storm. All week has seen snow off and on with school closures all week, although a couple of days probably should not have been called off. Today, though, we have really been hit.
We started the day off with a beautiful quiet snowfall in which we delivered food to the needy. This was followed by a trip to Sellwood to pick up the little girl from a sleep-over. The snow continued lightly the entire time while we visited. Upon leaving the snow continued but we found conditions worsening as we approached home. The winds picked up, snow deepened, we followed a snow plow, drifts in Portland accumulated. The thermometer in the car read 20 degrees and it was now quite windy.
We made it home to find drifts of powdery snow in the yard. I stayed out for a while letting the dog take care of business. Of course she loves the snow so it is hard to get her mind off playing in the snow. I shot a few photos to share with you.
A few more shots from the garden taken this past weekend.
A few shots posted to flickr of clouds gathering west of Portland before an evening of thunderstorms on May 24. We didn’t get much of the storm near our house but some rain after a walk to pizza and ice cream. Nice lightning show for the way home.
The Evidence of Spring gallery documents blooms and growth blasting our half-acre with color. The tour includes photos taken over the past two weeks. Unfortunately some early bloomers were missed: Damson Plum and other plum blooms. There are more blooms awaiting the camera, they’ll be added if time permits. Enjoy your spring tour of our yard.
