August 2013

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Soda Lake

Alkali Lake

We’re our way to the Methow (Met-how) Valley now, cruising along near-deserted highway no. 17, with scores of miles between automobile sightings. It was that dreamy hour, early in the day, the heat not yet ripened, the wind scarcely a breath upon us.

Wheat and sagebrush under high clouds and faded blue sky:

East, West, North, and South.

Alone, but not lonely.

Full of love and awe.

The Rolling Huts, our modern home in the Methow, though I think they might need a bit of coaxing to actually roll. Perfectly situated for star gazing, and fortuitous timing for the beginning of the Perseid Meteor Shower, we laid in quiet witness of countless shooting stars, the slow descent of giant fire balls, zooming bright satellites, and our thick with dreamy stars Milky Way.

The wesola polana (happy meadow) and a couple of her visitors.

The Methow River and my favorite rock skipper.

More love.

Liberty Bell Mountain

Silver Star Mountain

The old-timey town of Winthrop. We saw no gun slingers or rabble-rousers, only like-minded tourists wilting in August heat.

A fellow looking much like a prospector made certain we did not miss this bridge and accompanying riparian entertainments (said with a hearty laugh and nod to Keeping Up Appearances). We were mighty grateful.

Deer Ears

Choke Cherry

A River Runs through it.

That smile!

Just down the road in Twisp, I met Jillian of The Noisy Plume! We had a tasty breakfast at the Glover Street Market (stop in for a smoothie or breakfast sandwich or waffle, then grab a bar or two of Molly’s Soap – you won’t regret it). As for the meeting, after the twitchy nervous-making beginning was melted and spent, there was much laughter and discovery and the baring of sweet souls. Happiness!

 Up Next – Tieton!

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One of the reasons I haven’t posted much, as of late, is this road trip we took last week, full-on sky and heat.

I have a thing for power lines, humble totems of our modern age, despite conducting work that borders on epic. Oh, how I love a pun, too!

This photo makes me think of a passage from the Upanishads:

Bright but hidden, the Self dwells in the heart.

Everything that moves, breathes, opens, and closes, lives in the Self — the source of love.

Realize the Self hidden in the heart and cut asunder the knot of ignorance here and now.

We stayed at the Loma Loft in a historic neighborhood near downtown Walla Walla and were able to walk most of the time.

Like most places, I found scores of exquisite details everywhere I looked. The hubster is a big fan of the tin ceiling, and I am always a sucker for glorious light.

The Peach Basket Classic was in full swing. Three on three hoops, with young men and women dribbling for bragging rights. It is fun to stay at the YMCA!

Sweets and treats to be had everywhere, too, oh, and wine, lots and lots. We tasted our fair share and bought more than a few bottles.

We did not partake of any Hot Poop. Knowing it was available was adequate.

 

The sculptures and this building are part of Whitman College. It is a lovely campus, a fine mix of new and old.

The hubster makes himself at home.

Frosted

I think this is the best cupcake I’ve ever tasted. It’s definitely the most adorable, a perfect match to it’s name, too, the Shirley Temple. The hubster had a chocolate with coconut frosting, but there was only a bite left by the time I took my picture, so use your imagination for that one, or head to the shop yourself.

These last two were actually taken in Milton-Freewater, just across the border in Oregon. Where we filled up on wine in Walla Walla, we tasted fantastic hard ciders here, Blue Mountain to be precise, the last photo their namesake. I’ll bet I have a friend or two in Colorado chuckling about the “mountain” part.

Next up – The Methow Valley!

Bathing

Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.

Zig Zigler

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Sleeping

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

Dalai Lama XIV

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ice cream

bright

numbers

splash

One Community is a monthly photo project in which participants photograph their homes and community with a theme in mind. The theme varies by month. The goal is to both showcase similarities and differences in our communities worldwide – and bring us all closer together in understanding through art.

Kelli lives in New Jersey with her dog, Willie Nelson Mandela, and her boyfriend, Dutch. A native Arizonan, she is enamored by the lush landscape, and looking to build community. She is a novelist, public health advocate and United Methodist. She blogs at African Kelli.

Sarah is a life-long Missourian who shares her home with her husband, two sons, and an old, grumpy dachsund. Like every good Midwesterner, she can (and will) talk to you at length about the weather. Sarah blogs at Beauty School Dropout.

Rebekah lives in Kilkenny, Ireland with her husband. An American by birth, she’s discovering what it means to be an expat on the Emerald Isle. Her blog is Honeysuckle Life.

Kara is a cheerful nerd living in downtown Phoenix, AZ with her law-studying husband and an anxious pound puppy. She works full time in the mental health field but in her off time enjoys sunshine, great food and the occasional craft beer. She blogs at Sunshine Cupcakes.

Eduarda Schroeder is a curious, visual creature who believes all pictures tell a story. She hails from Mozambique, via Portugal and New Jersey, and is now a desert rat living with her husband and two teenage daughters in Chandler, Arizona. Her blog is Midnight Train.

Wife and Mom to a houseful of boys in sunny San Diego; word geek and all-kinds-of writer; maker of things both creative and useful. Sue is now blogging again at no-bad-days.

Teresa lives in Massachusetts with her husband, college aged daughter and two crazy cats.  She is a creative spirit who tries to find the lesson, blessing and humor in everything and she blogs at Laughter Among Tears.

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