Feeding Time

There is something warm and fuzzy about Ashley feeding her two one year old twins their breakfast. There definitely has to be a sequence one to the other and back again. I don't know what would happen if one got two spoonsful in a row. Anyway I got the feeling about a momma bird feeding her little fledglings and not leaving any one of them out. I almost titled this blog, "Mama Bird and Her Two Little Birdies." When it's the others turn for a spoonful, the one watches the other very closely. It is just a sweet warm experience for me to see the interaction among the three. I hope the transmission of this blog carries the same spirit to you. gwh

Flora ...

My last post had a rather ethereal appearance about the photos. I wondered if something was strange in my camera, so I took two more images this morning as a test. It appears the camera is working fine now. I cant' explain why the pictures taken in Woodinville of the Russell girls were so misty. (I guess it was just that heavenly aura that they have about them. ) I really have no explanation, but I am happy to have my camera behaving as expected. I used as subject matter for my photos some of the flora blooming around the house. No fauna was available at the time of filming. However, earlier this morning I saw seven huge, white pelicans cruising on the lake. Two of them came close enough that if I had been ready with my camera, I could have caught them gliding right up to my back yard. We have several hatches of Canadian goslings on the lake. Yesterday as I was edging the lawn I found a goose nest in a large piece of expired rabbit brush that is right by the edge of the lawn and the inlet on the other side. The hatching had already taken place as there were several shells scattered outside of the nest. There are still three eggs intact sitting in the nest. I don't have any idea how many times I walked past the nest as the geese were sitting on them hatching them. Now that I have found the nest I expect that I will never see them there again either.

Sunday was a good day as Kim explained in her post about Quinn's blessing. She made a tabulation of the many things that she thought were good. I thought so too. I enjoyed the good lunch in the park afterward and visiting with so many of the fine people that came on Quinn's blessing day.

Our new tenants, Ashley, Justin, Taylor and Braxton seem to have settled in well. They don't complain. Everything certainly isn't the most commodious. I hope they are happy enough to endure the situation.

At the luncheon in the park we agreed that on 26 May we will meet at the Oxford Cemetery at 10:30 and honor the people whose graves are there. "We" includes all of Callie's and Dan's family, Lisa, Phil and family and Clarine and I. After the Oxford visit we will all go to Downata Hot Springs for eating, swimming and whatever. The picnic will be super as people volunteered to bring specific things, so it won't be pot luck - pot luck is fun and good too, but this way we sort of know what we are getting. Clarine and I are bringing the chicken. Others are doing the rest. I hope it turns out to be warm enough for the swimmers. A good time will be had by all in honoring those dear ones who have gone to other circumstances. gwh

Carol Russell

There is a misty film over my pics this time. I don't know what was the cause. Anyway I took pictures of Carol and her sisters, Beth and Hannah. Perhaps the flash didn't trigger. Actually Carol has another sister, Sarah, who had disappeared as I was taking photos. Carol's talk in Sacrament meeting was excellent. Hannah also spoke and really gave a talk worthy of someone far past her years. Actually, Sarah also gave a talk about the ten commandments in Primary. Clarine went in to listen, and she reports that Sarah spoke in a manner that seems to be a trademark of all of the Russell children - good minds, good speakers. I believe Carol was an outstanding missionary and was exceptional in doing what missionaries are called to do.

We spent Saturday and Sunday with the Russells. Everything is green and lush in Seattle. There are many wonderful blooms appearing. We drove two days getting there and two days returning. We stayed over night in Pendleton, Oregon going in both directions. We really sort of pampered our selves in the travel process - not pressing too hard at any time.

Now that we are home, we have nearly gotten caught up. Justin, Ashley and the boys arrived the day after we returned to spend their summer at Justin's law internship while they live with us. Five minutes after their arrival, Callie and Dan appeared with a van load of their belongings to help them as they camp out in our basement. After unloading the van, we all went to Kravers for lunch. Callie and Dan then started back, and towards evening Justin, Ashley and family went to be with some of Ashley's kin and watch the Jazz basketball game. Clarine and I went to the opera, Don Giovanni. We were scheduled to go on Monday, but we were in Pendleton, so we traded our tickets before we left. That is a privilege they allow season ticket holders, even though we don't get the same seats as originally purchased.

Justin, Ashley and the boys went to the zoo today. Clarine had three teeth pulled. She is not feeling too chipper this evening. I fertilized the lawn. Now the mowing will have to be on time so that the lawn does not grow out of control. Yesterday I planted tomatoes. I hope all frost is past. gwh.

To the Lilacs

Lo yonder lilac so lovely and petite.
With an aroma for angels,
And nectar so sweet.
I revel in your beauty so easy for the gardener to claim that he produced,
but in the final analysis all the credit goes to you and God.

When I first started I was going to write an ode to the lilacs, but time pressed and my search for words and meter, and rhyme was more than I was really willing to expend, so that first paragraph is really all you got. But it is extremely sincere.

Two days ago Clarine and I were out in the back yard and what to our surprise should appear, but nine miniature ducklings with their mother so dear. She was so attentive, and the little ones swam in a cluster so close behind her that it was extremely difficult to count them. The tiny ones could swim so fast for having just hatched. They were gone so soon that I couldn't get my camera to take a picture. (And for a bonus a snowy egret has been frequenting our shorelines for the last several days - no pictures of him either. He is just a bit skittish. I like his beard on his chest and the feathers that stick out on the back of his head, and he is so white with yellow feet. I have read that that helps to attract little fish as he wades along the shoreline. He wades so stealthily and slow, but when his prey is in the right position, he is lightning fast as that long pointed beak and coiled up neck spring into the water - alas poor little fish!) I love this place anyway. gwh