Claybritt Images

No words necessary.

2011-11-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Times Are Tough

A perspective of what many people have had to wrestle with daily. Do we consume only what we can afford or do we trick ourselves into believing that nothing has changed.

It's Another Road Trip!! This time it's to Bend Oregon!

2011-03-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

We decided to go out for lunch today....To Bend, Oregon. So we have been planning this road trip since last Thursday, for today, Monday, March 28th. We decided to play hooky, all 3 of us. Sarah and I were not going to jewelry class and Danny was going to ignore his school work for the day so that we could take this road trip and try out my new car. As the day approached we nervously watched the weather cams, as it was snowing every day and even harder every night. As recently as the night before we planned to leave, a heavy load was dumped on the Cascades. We had 4 route options, all four had extreme hazard snow reports. The snow plows were working overtime scraping it all as it was coming down. Accidents were happening and I think I spent most of Saturday night watching the snow cams and the storms progressing along.

Oh the woe, the time was growing short, and the snow kept coming down. We couldn't even chose a route to take. The shortest route was the most treacherous and had no cams at all to see what would be faced. The next shortest route, called Tombstone, was exactly that, a Tombstone (see above picture, Tombstone). The traffic through Tombstone Pass was very slim and that usually means something. The safest route appeared to be the longest route, but we'd have to drive all the way up to Salem, then cut back down and through the pass, and they were even having accidents. The lower route, the one with the truckers, that route took us south of Bend quite a distance, but it was the final choice, mainly because of those truckers. They always get through...well, most of the time they get through. The problem with that route is that whenever there is an accident, 9 out of 10 times, it's a very bad accident.

But at 8:00AM it became the chosen route.

So it was still raining when we left home, this morning. The weather called for the rain to end, or at least thin out. Today, the 28th of March was the one day with no storm.... but late today and tomorrow the storms would be back. As we drove away, we were all belted in. We had blankets, snow chains, a flashlight, a knee pad to keep the pantlegs dry if chains had to addressed; an emergency kit, complete with signs that say Help Needed, that are supposed to be stretched across the dash board, I guess... We had a box of Girl Scout Thin Mints and a Vitamin Water...just in case we got stranded. If that had happened at least we could say that Girl Scout Cookies and Vitamin Water had saved our lives! We headed out of town at a good pace, only 20 minutes behind schedule. As we passed through Pleasant Hill, we could see the weather we were heading into....This is the clear day, with the sunshine, mind you. As we passed through the farmlands the hills in the background looked ominous with clouds and mists, that warned of snow laden roads ahead. The skies darkened as we approached, and as the road curved, the first mountain peak appeared, with the treetops frosted with snow. Suddenly all the trees were frosted as the highway ascended into the passes. The snow started to appear along the ground at the sides of the highway.

Then the guard rails started to have a slight frosting of snow.

As the road went upward ears were popping and I looked to the side of the road and the guard rails were starting to get snow piled up around them.

Then the guard rails disappeared completely.

We came across a tunnel, and as the traffic was starting to collect, the snow was stuck to the road. Luckily the snowplows had been working all night long.

As we emerged from the tunnel, things were very white! Where were we theTwilight Zone? Had we gained 1,000 feet inside that tunnel?

Now there were no guardrails and the signs were starting to disappear too!

The road had narrowed down, all the 18 wheelers had their chains on, and there were white walls of snow on each side of the highway.

Finally, all I could do was look upward out the sunroof....white walls 'o snow!

There was hardly any other traffic around.... It was eeire....

I felt much better looking upward. It kind of helped my feelings of claustrophobia. But my Volvo? It never slipped once, except when it was supposed to (meaning Danny made it happen), by turning out on a road cut.

Then, all of a sudden the area opened up and widened.

And there was a lake. Odell Lake had appeared, we were at the Pass! Now we would be headed downhill.....

We changed counties, that would definitely mean the snow would be thinning out. Lane County is known for its high mountains.

. The trees thinned and turned to Jack Pine (Lodge Pole Pine), and the ground flattened out. Snow was still everywhere for as far as the eye could see, however, the ground on each side of the highway was vertical no longer.

After a while we realized we had missed the interchange completely, 10 miles back and were now headed toward Klamath Falls, so we decided that it might be prudent to turn around and go back the way we had come. Luckily, we came across a Rest Area, because we were needing one very badly, considering all the coffee we had been consuming. Danny had lost his ability to speak by then, so it was a good thing that we missed the turnoff, and found that Rest Area after all. So after we became normal once again, we turned back and then we changed highways from Hwy 58 to Hwy 97, and headed northbound, into Volcano land.

~The East Side~

This is Newberry caldera and it's crater lookout, with it's lava flow that comes all the way to the road. This red volcanic soil; the nasty stuff is ground up and dropped back on the road for traction in the snow and ice, and one can almost imagine the scratching of the car's paint, to say nothing of the windshields after the snow and ice are gone and the ground is dry. The only way to avoid it would be to drive faster than anyone else, so that they get the red particles and dust that get swept into the air when a car or truck drives past. But I wasn't driving today. And this is Oregon. A speeding ticket in this state almost forces one to refinance their mortgage loan to cover the fines.

As we entered the Bend Vicinity, we left the highway and veered off to the eastern vector of town, to our destination, and the real reason we came to Bend Oregon..........

The Humane Society of Central Oregon.

After we left, we went out for lunch, at McDonalds. We ate IN the car, because we wanted to get back on the road before it got too late and the roads froze over on the Pass. One never knows what they'll face when going over the Pass. So we didn't want to mince words, we ate our burgers, went to the bathroom and got more coffee, gassed up and left town. Our ride was quite uneventful, other than the fact that the snow had melted quite a bit, and it was amazing to see the road, where it hadn't been just several hours earlier.

All was well until we got into a pursuit.

We never knew that the good people of Bend Oregon wouldn't take too kindly to visitors coming into town, eating, and just leaving without taking the time to enjoy the pleasures of their fair city, the gorgeous mountains completely covered in white, and the great sporting that appears to go on there 24/7.

Needless to say, they ran us out of town......

OK, just kidding, this isn't my shot.A wonderful photographeer shot this along with a sequence of shots showing a bear chasing a bison. I just happened to have this on hand.

Sarah wasn't much amused by my mirth.

Coming back over the pass was surprisingly easy compared to the trip over to Bend, because so much had melted off, but still, as soon as the sun was to set, there would have been an ice rink on Hwy 58, so we were glad to cross back before it got any later.

Just like our trip to Bend, when the road turned and exposed the mountainside of snow, on our way home we experienced the turning of the road from a snow covered hillside, to the green covered hillsides, with only the mountain tops having a light dusting remaining.

We were passing Dexter Lake as the rains started when the next storm came in from the West.

Homeward Bound

Danny got us to Bend and back, on the only day that had no rain and snow, with no mishaps, and no snow stuck in the grill of the car from running into a snowbank.

And now, the real reason we went to Bend Oregon:

We are pleased to announce the newest member of our family

Introducing:

Banjo Cougar Mellenkamp

Pound Pics

Yes, that's right, we drove all the way to Bend, Oregon, to adopt a cat, a 3 yr old cat, from the pound.

And to this day.....

Danny still can't figure out, or even remember, how or when he ever agreed to getting a new kitty!

My Pictures of Banjo:

~Just a Reminder~

2011-02-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

Prepare your Potting Soils

Cayenne Pepper planting

Get the jump on

indoor pepper planting season

as it will be presenting itself

very soon

now.

.........

these upside down images come to you from cbritts.images
aka claybritt

Early season tip - eating a baby orange cayenne a day right off the bush, keeps the flu bugs away, and awakens your appetite and senses, too.
Of course once they start to get too hot and spicy, and start to burn your stomach, switch to another pepper for breakfast.

The Illustrated "How ~To" of Chili Verde, a Pictorial Journey Through The Kitchen

2010-10-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

I've been having food cravings, I will admit it. I have been craving Chili verde. I know the craving will not competely go away, until after I haved addressed the situation. And you know what that means: Prep with a goal in mind.

Peppers included in this dish: Anaheim, Yellow, Pasilla, homegrown Jalapeno and Cayenne (all green or yellow except for the cayenne (orange).

All peppers are fresh as opposed to dried pods which will yield a red or brown sauce. Dried pods are used the same way up until the cooking of the strained pulp, at which time a determination for usage will be made (enchilada sauce, chilaquilas, etc.), all which will veer your recipe away from the directions in this Pictorial Journey. In other words you'll be on your own journey in a different direction, but just as wonderful a direction as this one will become.

And here we go~

Chopped peppers and garlic cloves, saving the seeds only from the hottest of all: Jalapeno and Cayenne. Discarding all seeds and pith from all of the benign (not hot) peppers. Seeds, of course, add to the heat-of-the-matter, and are well worth every single one that you save for the dish.

Big hunk o' pork shoulder with chopped garlic, black pepper and fresh-from-the-garden chopped oregano sprinkled over it.

Handy huge pork roast feeds us dinner the night before, and when cold gets chopped up into 1"cubes and stored in the frig. Watch out for sneaking family members that like to snag chunks of meat from the gladware container in the middle of the night. Sprinkling the roasted garlic (from the top of the roast) over the top of the cubed meat in the container will teach those poachers a lesson when they open the lid, grab the meat and pop it in their mouth. They can be caught by their scent later. Nibbling the roasted garlic from the top of the roast will also keep others from pestering you all night long.

Peppers and garlic only:

Coarse chop, adding the hot seeds

water just covers

boil baby boil

after the boil, cooking on low

optional: cool or immerse in a sink of cool water.

Always knew there was a reason I kept this old thing around. My Osterizer.

**Disclaimer: Use small amounts, hold top on firmly unless you love hot green explosions, that can easily reach the ceiling, walls, and everything in between. I know. Also make sure that the base is securely tightened, otherwise it will unscrew while blending and a bottom-blast will also occur!

Blending on the liquify setting (far right setting or highest, fastest)

straining the green

Spooning to press the pulp

Chicken broth (stock) used to facilitate movement

of the pulp through the strainer, prior to

discarding the skins and remaining slag.

Stock pan with veggie oil

in stock pan goes the green with chicken broth

heat 'er up again.

simmering, reducing.

Tomatillo's....

Loosely chopped with fresh onions

secret spices;

some fresh,

some crushed,

some dried.

Chopped onions and tomatillos

Cooking and reduction

Cubed Pork shoulder roast during reduction.

That's Chili Verde! I love it, no matter how it is served. Open on a plate with steamed tortillas, beans, rice, hominy, salad, and don't forget the chili fresca (salsa), or wrapped it in a flour tortilla, or even create a soft taco with cheese and 2 corn tortillas. No matter which way it is served, it's all good, especially on a cold Winter's night, during the raging storm and served with a carafe of margueritas....

And here's the way I served it first:

garnish: homemade salsa (secret recipe that only a few know, including the one that taught me her secret family recipe)

Frijoles - hand smashed

Burrito innards and a side dish

in addition to rice and golden hominy.
Rolled into a large tortilla with grated asadero, pepperjack,

cheddar and/or mozarella layering on top~

take your Lipitor tonight....

After coming out from under the broiler,

the final garnish: fresh cut cilantro and crumbled Cotija cheese.

It was thoroughly enjoyed!

afterwards......

OK, now what's for dessert?

flan?

Thank you for accompanying me on my Pictorial Journey Through the Kitchen, with my Illustrated "How ~To" for chili verde

Oh, and did I mention that the above "How-to" should only be viewed as a backbone version of chili verde. What you do with it, how you interpret it, embellish it, link other things to it, and utilize it as a base, a starting; and what aspects of it you gather and move onward with, will be your decision that came from within you.

~*~

I would be greatly appreciative, to hear your rendition.,

as I will be here pushing on the limits and taking this version

as my starting point for next time.

Now I just have to ask:

Where shall we go next? hm?

Oh, I just had an idea, and the color of this text led me there

Next time

we're

going

to see

red!!!!!!

Now that was good....

The Big Move ~ a Cooperative Friendship in Eugene, Oregon

2010-08-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

Today, my astrology said that I should pay close attention to details, or I may miss things that could prove to be costly in the long run. That said, I usually blunder through my day, and I am lucky to catch on to what's going on around me at times.

It just so happens that I have been craving home cooked Jeera Papadam and today was the day I chose to drive across town to our local Asian Market to pick up some unfinished product, so that I might try my hand at the prepping of this wonderful Indian cuisine snack and appetizer.

I had fun purchasing my Papadam, particularly because I had virtually no idea what I was looking for, nor where I would find it in the Asian market, mainly because nothing is in English until one turns the package over to read the small (required) English insert that has been added in order to sell it in the USA., and that means I am putting my reading glasses on and off continually throughout my travels in the store. It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for, among other things, too. I did refrain from buying a bunch of my favorite things in order to attempt my hand at Indian Cuisine at home. I have no experience at this and to start today could end up being costly (keeping in mind, today's astro reading for myself), so I put all the other items back on their shelves, including the asian ginger crackers and various snacks I usually pick up when I am shopping in this particular store.

I thought this had pretty much taken care of my day, other than the stop I still needed to make at my local Safeway for the milk, eggs, and other staple items I was out of, at home.

I was passing back through Downtown (I live in the extreme northern end of town, the Asian market is in the southern end of town), and I was trying to avoid the county fairgrounds because it just so happens that the Lane County Fair is going on this weekend and traffic was already building when I passed nearby, on my way to the Asian Market earlier. By now, it would be mayhem on the surface streets in that same area.

So here I was, winding my way back northward, avoiding the vicinity of the Lane County Fair, and as I was stopped at a signal, I noticed a string of bicycles stopped across the street from me. My first thought was of disdain that a bike rally or protest had been scheduled today, the final day of the Lane County Fair, and that it was just about to happen, right in front of me......

.....until I took a closer look.

What did I see? A kitchen chair on a trailer, and then a bed's headboard, and another chair. Looking down the street at the bikes still arriving I noticed even more! A washing machine???? Were my eyes deceiving me?

There were crates and boxes, and an easy chair??? What is going on? As the light changed and cars came up behind me, I started off driving northward toward my freeway onramp. As I drove I thought to myself, "this is something you don't see every day, Carol. Get the Car Cam out, now; you still have time."

There was only one more block to go until I was commited to the freeway onramp, and I did it. I turned left, and as I drove down the street I reached into my glove box and took the Car Cam out, laying it on the seat beside me.

Driving back towards the group on bikes, I drove right into the now thriving County Fair traffic jam, which was quickly turning into a gridlock as cars searched city streets for off-site free parking. I was able to skirt the gridlock by zig-zagging city blocks back towards the bike group.

Luckily I came across one of the stragglers of the group and I asked her about them, and she guided me to their resting stop several blocks to my west, one block from the Lane County Fairgrounds (oh my).

I was brave and drove right into the middle of it all, and turned northward away from the Fair one block, to 10th & Monroe, and to find the whole bicycle group parked in the shade of the tree lined residential street. As a residential street, it was already parked with Fair-goer's cars end-to-end; one long line of metal fenders and bumpers, separated only by the driveways of houses that are resigned to put up with the ordeal of Lane County Fair parking once every year at this time.

As I passed the intersection, I was lucky to find an open corner, an illegal yellow curb to park at, (perhaps it was the Police car, interviewing the bicyclists and helping them to pull their trailers to the side of the road that scared off other illegal parkers). I took my chances since I know I'd only be there a little while.

As I got out of my car I asked if they minded whether I took pictures and found that they were very friendly and they said "Go right ahead!" And I did.

I talked to them as I went along. They were all friends, moving a family from the extreme southern section of town from the 39th/Amazon Pkwy area, all the way up to River Road in the extreme northen end of town; and every bit of the move was being made on the backs and trailer of bicycles!

They had everything there, washer/dryer, furniture, even an armoire, boxes, one trailer had wheels on top of wheels, I even saw a flower pot being transported.

The movers were families of all ages, too. There were school aged children, young adults, parents, and even babies too, all in helmetss, all on bikes, all in a cooperative effort to move a family. Their friends.

Wow, I was elated while taking their pictures. Every one of them were happy and exhuberant, not a frown to be seen anywhere. One of them informed me of their route, well chosen as their temporary sojourn would soon end and then they would be approaching the final part of their transport, along the Willamette River's bike path, which would allow them smooth access with no traffic or obstruction for the final leg of their journey.

Right now, however, they were deep within the midst of the surface street County Fair parking and it was getting more and more crowded by the second, the gridlock almost solid, now that lunchtime was here and the Fair open for admittance on its final day of operation.

I knew it was time for me to leave, lest I get boxed in or even worse getting a ticket for my illegal parking. So as I turned to go, I looked back as I got back in my car, still amazed that the happy people moving their friends, were still laughing and smiling and enjoying a "move of a lifetime."

Ironic as it was, the ever growing tension of the 'wanna park for free folks,' seemed to be escalating as they drove round and round the block searching for that one last piece of curb to park along, within close proximity and walking distance to the fair. The bicyclists going to the fair also seemed angstridden, with frowny faces, and I do hope they all got to the fair without too many family arguments.

Amazing that they all shared the same corner with their bikes, the fair goers and the movers, complete opposites in mood and disposition.

I never asked a name, and I have no idea who these happy bicyclists are, but I am completely blown away by their excitement and the exhuberance they all shared, just by moving their friends from one home to another. And they weren't even going to the Fair!

Talk about a co-op! I loved it, and I hope they are going to enjoy their first night at their new home!

And I must say that already two times today, my Astro reading has proven to be correct. After all, it did say that I needed to pay attention to details or I might miss things that could prove costly in the end.

Of course, there is no price that one can put on a smile.

And... when I went to Safeway, I found that my card hadn't scanned correctly, and I got an extra $3.49 back in cash, for the savings I should have received when my items were checked through.

Hmmm.... food for thought.

Cell Phone dinner at the Evergreen Restaurant

2010-07-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Off we go!

It's 5:30pm and it's Girls Night Out at Evergreen, our favorite Indian Cuisine Restaurant.

It's Friday night we're all ready to go, but we've been relaxing and chatting, the opening time of 5:00pm has come and gone and now we're wondering if there's still a good parking spot available. The Queen is hoping we haven't spent too much time chatting, because every minute spent not being enroute, is considered a wasted moment. After all, she has waited all week for tonight to arrive.

Now we're here and seated and the evening is about to unfold before us. The Queen is ready to eat and patiently awaiting the action to begin....

After Sarah, our server, arrives and receives the Queen's order directly, she is honored with a slight handshake of personalization, then Sarah turns to us and we quickly give our selections.

Tonights fare: Paneer Tikka and Shrimp Masalas, Veggie Koorma (Kurma), and of course, the Queen's Tandoori Shrimp. A couple of thali dinners and an entree... or two. Of course, we must each take home tomorrow morning's breakfast (or at least something for that infamous 2:00am hour of the "Food Triangle," where those edible items just seem to disappear from the refrigerator, as if consumed by some prowler that broke in, then broke back out, all before dawn, just because he knew there was Indian Food in our home).

*~*~*~*~*

Smugly, the Queen leans against the seat, extends her diet pepsi outward and toasts our friend's glass, then all in one swoop, she pulls her arm directly back, folding it inward while setting her 'chalice' back on the tabletop. Of course, we, having observed this moment, fully realize that most people would cringe with thoughts of impending doom had they actually seen it happen.

Before we know it, out comes the tripod chutneys, the 3 wonderfully colored taste bud awakeners, with essence of cilantro, mint, jalapeno, onion to coconut, gingers, tomatoes, with perhaps a hint of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, oh, who knows what secret spices they hide in these delectable chutneys of red, white and green?

Red White and Green (tripod chutneys)

What ever it is, it creates a perfect blend with the papadam that teems with cumin seeds, fresh from the burner. The oil, a slight sheen that exists only for a moment or two until it cools into the crispy wonderfully mouth watering meal and appetizer enhancer.

I'm almost embarrassed, because I must admit that when I order out, I always order a second side order of Papadam, otherwise the first order would never reach its destination, the delivery at my house; and my family would never know that Papadam even existed.

Papadam w/cumin

When we eat out like this there is always a flurry, a rush to get that first piece for ourselves. Like 7 puppies around a small dish of kibble, our hands all start to reach for the papadam, in such a way, that the plate actually starts to move across the table, as if on a Ouija board, the plate being its planchette.

I have my customary Sweet Lassi, a yogurt drink that many drink after their meal; as a soothing, relaxing, and digestive jumpstart, since yogurt is so calming and a great finish to any meal; and I would too, only in this family there is no "after the meal," since we always seem to be in a rush. Such as life is, when one lives with a Queen, like the worker honeybees humming around her, in the nest.

So I have my Sweet Lassi during my meal.

Luckily, I also love my Sweet Lassi, even more, since the Queen doesn't seem to like them. I can freely sip in peace without a pair of eyes hungrily planning out some diversion to spirit my libation from my hands to hers.

I am very blessed.

Shrimp MasalaThali dinner

Isn't it funny how things change when the food arrives? It gets real quiet.

Tandoori Shrimp

Vegetable Koorma

Fresh clay oven baked Nan

As our friend cuts the tails off the Queen's shrimp, the room seems devoid of sound, only the sizzling of the veggies and shrimp can be heard, still happily grilling away in their cast iron pan; along with an occasional suckling sound, almost an internal kiss, that can being heard as I look up through the steam, catching the Queen, as she swallows in anticipation.

'detailing' the Queen's Dinner

Once again, all is relatively quiet and we enjoy our dinners.

The Queen in her element

Paneer Tikka Masala - Thali dinner

Remains of a Tikka. By the time I went to capture an image of the Tikka, it was gone. I was a bit late on the take. Oh well, that's what happens when I eat. The cell phone gets cast to the edge of the table, where I find it later dangling off as if to drop any moment.

Wiping the masala off the cell phone's lens, I survey the wreckage....

Well, the plates are clean, boxes are here,
All the bags are packed, dessert is near.

Homemade Mango Ice Cream

I hate to say good bye, but we have to go.......
We're leaving, we're on our way home...
We don't know when we'll be back again...

Oh baby, we hate to go......

Actually I'll probably be back next week, during my lunch hour, for my Sweet Lassi and my Papadam fix.

Many thanks to Usha and her family, for being here, Our Sweet Evergreen!

Thief In My Garden & More

2010-07-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Thyme

My Peas

Birth

On The Grid

You Pansy

viola

Thief in my Garden!

She's stealing my fence!

She's eating my fence
Stealing it to take home with her.

Hard to say where home is.

It may be underground, or in a log, but I doubt that,

since she could eat the wood right there.

More likely it is some place where there is no wood.

But don't get in her way,

because she's on a mission,

and has a zero tolerance

for those

that bug her.

Pretty blue damsel fly

American Dream

Dream on

Ghost

Shady Maple

Shy

Luscious

Neeeeext...

Strawberry blossom

The Love Pea

Only your mother......

I always knew she was part feline

Kitty dare

Thank you for visiting

Claybritt Images

Houston, We Have A Problem!

2010-06-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

???

Where'd they go?

It wasn't this guy, he was just walking by

and happened to end up in the wrong place

at the wrong time...

Besides, if it were he, he could only eat part of one,

and no shell.

~d~

It could have been her, but then, she don' eat shells...

And the shells would still be here, but they're not.

Now, this guy was seen hanging around, but his back was turned,

to say nothing about the fact that
he had left the scene long
before the dirty deed happened.
In the end, I am left to ask:

Who ?
Who did this to you?

In loving memory

sigh
Maybe the dingos ate my babies......

Well, What's this?

2010-05-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

It looks like the stink bugs are back!

And once again

they did some partying.

Somebody left something behind when they went back

to where they had come from.

And now I am left

to tend the remains they left hanging around..

We'll be keeping track

of the developments

as they come along...

Join Us in our Reality~blog:

How the Stink Bugs grow.

rotation (flash)

What's next? Why....

Here come the spiderlings!

feel free to comment

Here comes the Sun! OK, 5 minutes of Sunshine

2010-04-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to change the top image in this blog, and to acknowledge the coming of Sol. The sun is awakening everything in our gardens, and right now, once again, we are commencing to search for those Euro SawFly larvae that should be appearing in a couple of weeks, now that our Mugos have put on their candles and needles are just about to grow. Our ornamental grass is happily attempting to cover everything in sight, soon to get a haircut. Everything is happy and growing well, except for the lavenders. They are still brown and look dead. Maybe they are.

Our Acer Japonica nishiki (above) is also coming alive and now starting to stretch her arms out, and will probably get a much needed beautification trimming in the coming weeks. I noticed yesterday, that her span has doubled since last year, though she hasn't grown too much in height, which is perfect for her tissue-y species. The image above, shows her with her pale leaf bracts still attached, a tinge of color to remind me of the red blood that courses through her veins, not to appear on the outside until Fall comes along. This image was taken 4/15/2010, and now 4/25/2010 she is in full leaf spread wearing bright lime green, and stretching about 5 feet from right to left, and only 20 or so inches in height, as she stands there proudly on her little hill.

~~0~~

Our red japanese maple has now set its leaves and is in full bloom. When one walks by, the sounds coming from the tree are amazing. It can sound as if there is an electrical line cut and flailing freely within the branches, ready to jolt anyone or any 'thing' that happens to get too close. Of course, this is all honeybee action while they busily grab their pollen from the red flowers that are almost invisible to see with the naked eye. Even the bees are hard to see unless one sits back to relax and contemplates things, because peace is what is needed for one to hear the action, and then to see it all come to life right in front of their eyes. This tree is so bright with the sun burning through it and the dark red contrasting impressions, it is hard to see anything else, including the bees that are having a ball here. At first I thought we were in the midst of a swarm, but that's not the case, it seems. These bees have places to go, they are employed. Literally.

~~~0~~~

Our Crape Myrtle is also in the midst of waking, soon to have lush green leaves, though it is currently still woody and chlorophyll doesn't seem to be as present in these first few baby leaf bract shoots.

~~~~0~~~~

Our lime green Porch bamboo (an unknown species) which at first glance appears to be a golden, but has long leaves that gracefully hang in downward arches, appears to be faking death here, but it is not dead...yet. It will be back very soon, as it is prolific in growth. When we used to live in the hills under the Douglas Fir canopy, this bamboo sat up on a handrail, its aerial roots (ok they're not really aerial roots, this plant tries to run a but, but we won't let it, so, to pay us back it sends out roots from every drainage hole. These roots one year wrapped around our deck handrails and started to grow leaves. However during the winter, being up on that handrail, the cold could reach places that normally would never be reached, and the complete bamboo would withdraw, receding into itself for preservation and protection from the cold, only to emerge the following spring. This is its state right now, new green shoots are starting to come out, so these brown leaves are going to have to go, very soon. Our goldens can be seen in the background, now about 12feet tall and still green from last year, weathering the winter's cold much better than this bamboo.

Ok, well that's it from our front yard, for now. I'll be shooting the Iris collection next. Our first 'one' is open now, bright sunny yellow in color. The remaining yellows which border the 2nd driveway, should be opening today or tomorrow if it stays sunny, the others are in various states of growth, and it will be fun to see which ones bloom, and what color combinations they show this year.

Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to be watering the potted plants on the deck....... ★★★★★

Then I saw the sky above, below my dampened feet.

Then lo and behold, a fountain appeared

And the wind blew

and suddenly it all came clear.

Summer is running its course

Soon the Fall will be upon us.

And now, from the NE Pacific Inland Valley Region

2009-06-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Summer On The Famous Oregon Beaches

Oregon has really crowded beaches, and it is very difficult to find a place to lay one's blanket or towel in a nice and quiet area, without having a kid run by (with their dog) kicking sand all over as they try to catch an errant frisbee that sails past.

And now, a walk through the garden:

One of the causes of much angst, sniffling noses, itchy eyes, lumpy throats and for some of us; the need to keep the inhalers in the jacket pocket.

We decided to trim back one of our 4 huge photinias in order to shed some light on our deck, and to clear some room for our greenhouse that will soon be constructed there! The photinias were in full bloom, but 3 were left; much to the bees happiness and their need for pollination. Well, by then the 3 remaining photinias decided to pass out when the cutting started. The next morning there were leaves dropped all over the deck under all the photinias, as though they were crying for their newly shorn partner (now all wood).It will all happily grow back to crowd us once again. Just wait until it is time for all of them to get their trims, now that the flowers are spent and the bees happily off to a new flavored pollen.

Separating the backyard from the front yard.

Our Banks rose, now 3 years old.

This was a Father's Day gift for Danny, all growing from an 18" 1 gallon plant that Sarahbushka gave him. He planted it in one of those desert-dry strips of clay soil that extends along the edge of the driveway, next to our fence and directly in line with the gate when it is open. Ha, it never gets opened all the way, as it is an RV drivewayand opens the backyard to the frontyard, and we don't have an RV, so this gate has become a perch and a catwalk in which one of our kitties uses to view her world.

Our Banks rose, perhaps a little too close up.

Under the Veil

We even have a hidden Rhododendron, the best one we have. Our others are not nearly as pretty as this one who stays hidden under her green chiador of sorts only allows herself to be seen once a year.

A Hebe and a weedOur Happy Hebe.

We love Hebes. They are such a uniques group of plants, and I believe that most people ignore them as though the were some itchy juniper or a nondescript arborvitae. But if one looks at them up close and personal, expecially some of the larger leaved varieties, they might see some really interesting plant growth, like say, perfectly aligned and alternating leaves that grow in a beautiful pattern. These hebes are golden green and have a pretty growth pattern, then once a year, we get surprised with gorgeous little white flowers. This only happens when they are very happy.

Our now well known red Japanese Maple freshly laden with seed pods.

There is always that "one" the crowd

Some of our Bearded Irises.

The "Stand Out" in our crowd It's always interesting to see which of our bearded Irises
will bloom. It seems that every year our Iris patch has a new and varied display.

We didn't see the white and gold violet mix this spring. Our red/violet/gold ones also were quite shy. Our bright yellows always flourish, but this gold one (above) was a nice surprise mingled in with our violets and white/violet mixes.

The Ripening

Korean Dogwood - done to Medium rare

My birthday present from Sarahbushka this year is a Korean Dogwood.
In May, when I received it, the flowers were just barely opened, and they were green with little stamens and pistals showing. Later, they became almost pure white, just before they started to tinge with a bit of pink.

blushing

Korean Dogwood- done to medium

ripe

Korean Dogwood, well-done

my favorite variety of Violas

Thanks for walking through my yard with me today.

They're Baaaack!

2009-04-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

The bad news first: Those that read this blog might remember about 1 year ago, we noticed our Mugo Pines being attacked by European Sawfly larvae, which we found to be voracious consumers needle by needle (actually many needles simultaneously) until more than 1/2 of our beautiful pines were scarred. We found them by accident one day.

Luckily I had been shooting images of these same mugos only one week or so before, and they were not noticed at that time (nor any evidence in my images), however, at one point we started noticing how measley our pines were beginning to appear.

Once we actually looked at them closely, we realized that they were looking back at us, and they were all snapping their bodies at the same time (perhaps in an attempt to drive away a predator). So after researching them (This is how I originally met Deb (Garden Author)), we decided we had to eradicated them, right then and there.

Afterward, we notified our local Extension Service about our infestation (in addition to furnishing them with images). It was then, that I became aware of the extent of their damage and later, it got to the point where I started to notice other mugos in town that had been happily chomped upon. It was a learning experience, for me.

Well now, this year I have been noticing that our mugos have been setting their candles (now about 1" high) and I figured we would have to start inspecting them again. This very afternoon my husband came in with a long face and said "they're baaaack..."

So I grabbed my camera and went outside to see them.

Notice their formation at the dinner table.

A classic attack, note the yellow tan spots on the needles.

This is where the eggs were laid last Fall,

and the larvae can be seen with shiny black heads.

On the image below, note the white circled area, and just remember it, for the time being.

The good news: We caught them early, very early, quite possibly their very first day.

I shot images for you to see.

They ate well for their first (and last) meal.

This image and the image below shows the larvae having eaten a needle all the way to the base. Note how they work together ringing the circumference while consuming the needles.

Comraderie gets the job done.

Now for the white circles. Get your mojo hat on for this one, if need be. I did, because I found it a bit creepy (literally).

In the first image with a circle (above, image 2), note the little black spot within the circle. This item is another angle of view from the bottom circle below.

I am so glad I am as old as I am and need my reading glasses for everything, because if I were able to focus on this, I would have had the creepy crawlies all night.

In the images below and right, the circle has become 3 circles. These circles are showing the processing of hatching and eating through the pine needle, and emerging from the the edge of the needle. (top circle shows the head just below the surface, the needle split open, middle circle showing a slit either just opened or the larva just emerged. In the bottom circle the larvae's head is poking up, perhaps getting its first view of dinner.)

Here's looking at you!

They're gone now...
But we'll be keeping a vigilant watch over the remaining tan spots on those needles.

Taking a Moment ~ To Cross Promote

2009-04-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

How can anyone say No to this?

Can you?

If this isn't the cutest thing I have ever seen. I almost want to go out and buy or even borrow a dog, just to have a chance for it to wear one of these "chic" cowls.

I found them at Tarja's shop at Etsy.com, named EmmaCharlesPhotoPlus and Tarja has a passion for art whether it be yarn art (as shown here) or digital art (which is also shown here) in her listing's picture. She has these cool, chic cowls in other colors, too.

So check out her shop, and I would like to take this moment to wish Tarja a big Happy Birthday on April 6th (coming up real soon now).

And Tarja, congrats for placement on the Etsy.com daily email:

"Etsy Finds: Fashionable in Fur"

That's "Fur," as in the fur of our fourlegged Pet's. It's a Pet Parade! Of all 9 items in this wonderful emailing, Tarja's cool neck cowl certainly was the schizzle!

Tarja and I have something in common, too. We both shoot with Nikon D60's. YaY!

The World Awakens

2009-03-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

Sneaking Out For The Newspaper

Yesterday morning we took a quick drive to get a newspaper. You know the type of drive, its the one that happens in the early morning when you think everyone else is still at home asleep. It's when the sweat pants that are too short for the uneven tube socks and slip on turquoise mocs, are actually worn in public for just a few moments, because more than likely the chance of running into anyone I might know is at the lowest point. It is also the time of day when I am wearing the holey sweat shirt that should now be in the hamper; and my hair resembles plumage as opposed to bed head. Both of us, my daughter and I, were a sight hopefully not seen.

And yet, I completely forgot about cowering behind the wheel, watching for anyone that might look vaguely familiar, the moment I became acutely aware that things were changing outside the safety zone of 'my own little world' inside my car.

It was as I was driving down the street that I started to notice that there was more growing on some of the trees than the regular winter moss and green algae-type stuff that collects on the wet damp branches when the leaves are absent.

I was beginning to see whitish pink! All over.

Now, the daffs have been out for some time, as have those regular early bloomers that can fool us into thinking that winter is past, sometimes to be fooled themselves. I have learned that daffodils, snow bells, and crocus, just mean the Spring arrival is imminent, not that it has officially arrived.

But right on schedule, the plum blossoms were opening after days of rain and followed by a bit of sunshine.

It was a beautiful trip, and I never even noticed whether or not I was seen by anyone.

Who would have known that all of this was just right there, at the local Car Wash, just waiting to be seen by me and my car cam.

Another Volvo mini tour brought directly to you from the 5 min of sunshine we experienced yesterday.

A Mini Trip! Trees~ A Spring Challenge of Creativity- and My Wanderings To Get Where I Need To Be.

2009-03-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

Trees

This article was copied and rewrittien on my other blog (House of Tor)

on 8/31/2010to be in its home location, even though I will be leaving it here

where it was originated.

Thanks for reading and visiting!

How I Work My Brain

For some time now I have had a project in the works at my other venue, Wires ’n Pliers ; a project that has one of my beloved elements included into its makings. And that is Abalone, AKA Paua (Maori) from its New Zealand native location.

Paua is a mollusk that is found in tidal zones on every continent other than the warmer Atlantic Western seaboards and its central coastlines. I remember as a child having Abalone steak and loving it, though later it became politically incorrect to eat it due to being over harvested.
Abalone (Paua) nacre is unbelievably beautiful due to its rich and dark patterns, unlike pearl nacre, which has its own grace and beauty. Today it has reemerged with great popularity, especially in the Southern Pacific waters, much to the angst of some localities who must now police the harvest with due diligence, once again, due to over harvesting.

Unlike the Oyster mollusk’s nacre, or pearl, the Abalone pearl nacre cannot be judged on its roundness nor does it require processing, or to be bleached or buffed. It is a favorite item used for inlay, and its beauty has been recognized and used throughout history, as jewelry, ornaments and more, especially in the coastal zones.
Once you see it, you will remember it. When I see pieces that I especially like, I buy them, saving them for later.

Recently, later became now, for me...

I finally decided what I wanted to do with some doublet*(see below) beads and a huge pendant piece that I have had for several years. I finished it, excepting the clasp, which I will forge later; but still, I had no name for it. So it has been in the unsorted file as "Paua" for a while now.

How it all came about:

I am in a Jewelry Guild at Etsy, a Global Street team (an Etsy sellers networking system), and we have Seasonal Challenges, which are always fun. In our weekly chats we decide what we will focus on for our challenges; then poll readers of our public blog (eJAG), to choose the winner. The prize is a Featured Artist article in our blog and our team site too.
All fun, no pressure.
This spring our Challenge is titled “Spring Fling” and the rules are: "Trees"
Any type, any shape, any medium, anything…but it must be worn on the body. Our goal is to see what vision and inventiveness can grow into a jewelry item. We want to see where one word like tree(s) will take a person in their creative mind.
Ok, so those who know me well…need I say more?

I am usually on the fringe of normalcy anyway, which keeps me busy at my hairdressing job, but when requested to click the creative button in my mind, the box I am usually outside of, then becomes hard to keep my grip upon, just my fingernails remain hooked in to the fluted cardboard corrugations that connect me with my Earth.
So, to come up with a “spring fling” idea, in the tree arena…with my favorite medium, copper wire; the box that I so tenaciously grip; I had to soak in water, to soften the edges for me. Is that metaphorical enough for you?

Here is what I came up with:

This:

4 & 14 gauge raw copper wire

Becomes this:

Which ends up being this:

"Barren" – "Sticks and Stones
Can break our bones,
But our words, come back to haunt us.”

The end of the growth cycle.

This necklace may ultimately find itself
in my Misfits Etsy shop due to the fact
that I consider this a prototype
and created in a flurry of excitement

resulting in crimps that I consider

to be less than optimum in appearance.

Well now, THAT got me looking at THIS: (Because it is in the same photo file, and I had to scroll down past it)

And I started seeing all kinds of things in this:

clockwise- 1."Anaconda Eats Capybarra"~~~~ 2."while Capybarra Drinks From Pond"~~~~ 3."White DoDo baby"

Which ultimately took me here:

clockwise - 1."Warrior worships Sol" ~~~~ 2. "Angry Man" ~~~~ 3. "FishMask"

Which led me full circle, back to the very top and finally, a name for my Paua:

"Eve, The Many Faces of; "

This necklace will be placed in my Signature Series file in my shop, because until today, I had never really taken a close look at my saved New Zealand “catch.”

So I am glad, and peace reigns over my computer once again.

This concludes today's Mini Trip.

Thank You for coming to visit Claybritt images, and please return soon. It has been my pleasure to swoon you off your spot today.

So, if you happen to find yourself in the neighborhood of our Ejag blog between March 15 and March 31st, you are more than welcomed to vote, in fact we want your vote!

When given free reign, it is amazing to see how one gets from here,
to there.
I love to view the width of a span.

*doublet- these are beads that have a thin layer of shell or paua, oyster nacre, even opals mounted upon the top and bottom faces of a base bead, then sealed, so that it may be used as a bead. Triplets (two layers mounted) are also seen in the marketplace. This is done because of the softer nature of certain stones and nacres that cannot withstand the drilling or wear and tear due to their molecular structure.

The Goyle File: for GardenJoy4Me

2009-02-27T14:56:00.000-08:00

Lone Survivor

I saw this on my way out of work recently. This lone leaf was the only survivor left on the bare tree in the throes of winter; after snow, sleet, rain, ice, wind, and our sometimes drippy fog. The sun actually broke through one single afternoon. So I drove home and came right back with my camera. I swear it is the only time in my life where I have actually returned to work after leaving for the day! But this type of image, I can rarely pass by without capturing it, if possible. And of course, I did good, because the very next day the rain was back and Sun hasn't been seen since. (just kidding we have had Sun on one other occasion) :o)

I recently e-met a new friend of a friend: GardenJoy4Me, through Garden Author, and her great Blog, of which I am a follower, amongst approximately a million other followers.

I was elated to find that not only does Joy (of GardenJoy4me) desire to be part of the SETI program (of which I actually knew some people once associated with it, from back in the NASA days), Joy also has some funny felines like us (probably like everyone whose felines allow human to share their habitat), and Joy has Goyles, too! That's Goyles as in Gargoyles

So I am here to introduce my Goyle to her Goyles:

Full Glory Goyle (say that 6 times quickly in a row)

Goyle (in pose), for his thoughout-the-year-modeling job:

"Fall Goyle"

with 6 legged male friend that lost his legs in a fight for the ladies.

Snow Goyle

Day Snow Goyle

Over Snowed Goyle

Night Goyle

Thinks shes a Goyle...

Thinks she's a sex kitten.

This posting has been brought to you by the Goyle file from Claybritt Images.

Debuting for Deb, It's Dangerous Driving for Donuts Day

2009-02-23T00:24:00.001-08:00

It was one of those Saturday mornings, late, after the kid was long done with her breakfast, that we start foraging for treats to eat. The request came to me, as I looked down at my cat hair covered sweat pants…."Donuts! Didn’t you promise me donuts earlier this morning?" I swear he uses my menopause against me at times.

Changed into my jeans, and on my way out the door, I still don’t think I have completely wakened myself, nonetheless, I have a moment of freedom to look forward to, because I know it takes me at least 10 minutes to get to the donut shop. And hopefully I can shake this foggy brain of mine and clear my head.

I feel like I am behind a filter, bleary brained and all, as I drive along the winding road.

Even though it is daytime, as the sun comes into play I wince…

My view of the world numbs me.

I try to discern the reasons for my need to be… My yearning for a place of solitude and zen moments.

I contemplate the future, while trying to remember if I have learned from my past mistakes.

It seems my days blend into nights, and nights back into days…The Sun pierces my winsdshield, blinding me, now…

My eyes burn like a fierce solar storm that blows a headwind straight from Hades.
I am floating, in and out of a dreamlike state, while the rods in my eyes adjust to the changing rays that bombard me… the road I travel continues…

For all I know I am now lost...

Things are starting to look different outside…

A memory from somewhere inside me, a subconscious state floats around my car's sunroof, trying to escape into the morning air. It's like I have been here in a dream,

have I been here before?

No.

Suddenly the clouds start burning away, the birds now return,

along with my reason for being:

Donuts …
As I drive onward, my path becomes less obscured, and the sky is clearing, and My Contemplation now fades away, to be replaced with a Pavlovian condensation in the roof on my mouth.

*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*

I arrive to find that the donut shop is completely stocked, unusual for a Saturday, especially unusual for a donut shop that has just added an extra dining room, now enlarging into the failed eatery next door. This donut shop also serves biscuits and gravy, very popular, though something I have yet to taste, ever. And this shop opens at 5:00 in the morning, to a daily crew that eagerly eats Cal's fresh donuts and gravy goodies.

Oh yes, it’s going to be a good day after all! I am usually left with the 'jimmy' covered, green iced, cake donuts; the donut assortment having been picked over between 5:30 and 8:00 in the morning.

Arms laden with boxes of donuts of every color and size, I walk out to the car.

Now, since I am not allowed to eat in my car, I take note that I have picked a good assortment of donuts, ones that melt in the mouth, ones that squirt red stuff, and even the ones that leave the maple icing in the corners of the mouth that I think I wiped off earlier.

Yes, I am not allowed to eat in my car, especially when driving. Nor am I allowed to eat sweet things around my camera…

They're my rules. So I can break them.

Now parked in a County Lot, I notice a cop watching me, like I am some kind of perverted freak. I guess I probably shouldn’t do this.

I should be home with my family right now….

Not parked out in some obscure location with this box of donuts on my lap…

My drive home was a little too quick, for my liking.

This is all that was left to feed my family.

~This Volvo Donut tour has been brought to you by Claybritt Images.
All names have been changed to protect the innocent donut eaters
everywhere.
Any resemblance to anyone you might think you know
is purely coincidental, and should be taken with a grain of sea salt.

Dear Deb.... I was very, very, bad today....

2009-01-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

But things could have been worse.

We had big rains. I was just trying to get home.

But Nature kept getting in my way,

She just kept throwing herself at me.

What else could I do?

Eveywhere I looked, there she was.

So I just enjoyed her.

Here in Oregon, we don't necessarily dig in our heels for the Winter,

but we do Set the anchor.

Have you been getting in any trouble?

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T00:49:00.000-08:00

Dawn Breaks~

It is my sincere wish that we all have a wonderful year ahead, with many new horizons to wake to each morning.

The "Volvo Snow Tour"

2008-12-19T20:02:00.001-08:00

We're going on a "Snow Tour"

Today, I got locked out of my house, in the cold and wet snow, wearing only my camera and my tripod. So I got in my car, and decided to take you on a "what's left of the snow" tour around town. We'll call it the Volvo Snow Tour, since I haven't really ever had a chance to take my car out in any of the elements, at least when there is nowhere to go. So this is going to be fun.

Our first stop is to admire my car. Ha, not really but I do admire the lines of the Volvo V50. This is where I parked my car so I could get a shot of something that I have been wanting to shoot during this snowy season. The River Ridge Golf Course is my first stop on our tour today, because I really loved seeing this flag on one the greens, all covered in snow.

Lonely and out in the cold. This flag just sat there. My optimum shot was the snow storm before this past one, when everything was completely white and the wind was blowing, causing the flag to blow.

The problem with this site is that it is right along the road and cars fly by not only spraying snow slush, but it is also on a blind corner, and it could cause some drivers to veer unexpectedly and then all hhhh would happen, and that would not be good for anyone. Sooo, that being said, this is as close as I could get ...today.

Maybe some other day. Like in the middle of a snow storm when everyone else is too scared to go out. When the only drivers out there are snow plows, cops and guys in their 4X rigs.

Leaving the River Ridge Golf Course, we will now head southbound on the notorius Delta Hwy. The one that seems to confuse more drivers, and thus probably causes more accidents because of their confusion. This is the only freeway in the New World, where some drivers actually stop on the freeway in order to wave other drivers to merge in front of them.

This is very unfortunate for the 'Drivers of Many Freeways,' that knowingly realize and comprehend that freeway interchanges and merging lanes are to be merged in a flow pattern, a smooth interfacing from one highway to another. These drivers that stop on the freeway to let others in front of them, actually think they are doing their share of 'good deeds for their day' and are quite proud of their driving, but never seem to glance in their rear view mirrors, because if they did, they would see visions of whiplash and neckbraces, the scrambling of brake lights and quick decisions made by the remainder of 50 mph, rush hour traffic, approaching this particular interchange, right up on their back door, while they are smug in their waving another onward to fill their gap in the traffic.

Continuing South bound, we approach another interchange, the I-105 interchange, once Eugene's second most deadly interchange, but it is now reconfigured so that it is actually one of the safest, yet still death defying for those "scared of heights drivers." We are coming to the end of our freeway interchanging and being led out to a feeder street, 7th Ave, a main one way street through Downtown, Eugene. This image is of the Washington Jefferson Street Park and this is a location that is usually lined with panhandlers that have some ingenious cardboard signs. Every possible corner in this area has it's own panhandler, sometimes in multiples. The interesting thing is, the signs all stay the same though the people change... Sometimes it seems that the signs have life of their own, and use the people to hold them. Who knows...

Continuing onward, we are now going through our University of Oregon campus dorm area, quite empty this time of year now that finals are over and all have returned home after shaving their mohawks off and recoloring their hair back to what their families will consider to be naturally colored. A very quiet campus today, but that is fine because we are heading uphill to our famous Rhododendron Gardens and Tall Old Growth Firs at Hendricks Park.

So the Rhody Garden was a bit...uneventful,
and I have decided to drive into the park a bit. Funny, everyone was pulling off this tiny little road that winds through the park.

It was as if everyone was scared to go any further lest they be trapped by snowdrifts. There weren't any drifts, but they will never know that now will they?

After our tour of Hendricks Park, we now head

southbound to what we in Eugene refer to as "The South Hills." We used to live down here. This area is always fun in the snow. It usually snows here first...but not always.

"Spencer Butte," in the background here, is actually getting snowed on at this very moment. A few flakes falling here and there.
Temp is 34 deg. but some drivers are driving with chains on wet pavement... I ask not why....

Returning back to downtown I notice that the Valley River Mall seems to be back in full swing as people try to get inside for an afternoon of Christmas Shopping. I notice some people looking at me whilst I shoot through my windshield.

Heading North now behind the Delta Ponds (where they probably got the name Delta Hwy from), I

decided to stop by the nature Overlook, but it was so unnatural looking that I only took one image that I thought was appealing.

This slough had a great reflection, and the ice had melted just off the water's edge.

Passing back over the notorius Delta Hwy interchange, I always keep in the left lane because it is just plain more fun to dodge the cars that have to stop quick, swerving into the laft lane when someone stops traffic to let another driver merge in front of them. This is so much better than being in the right lane, to be one of the drivers that has to sit and wait while the driver in front stops to wave on, one of the mergers. I am still waiting for the case to come, when the accident happens (and I am sure it has already happened more than once) because the driver was flipping the bird to the jutting merger who thought they were getting the go-ahead to pull in front...

Back at the River Ridge Golf Course I have decided to try another angle at that lonely green with a flag at the cup.

I am not sure where one tees off for this shot but I am parked on a private road, and fully expect to hear the Pinschers barking off in the distance as they approach me... The flag and cup are off in the distance behind the little creek with the bridge.

I have seen many a golf cart going down here. So I think this is the tee.

The creek and bridge are really far off on the background here.

Turning 180 degress around and I have found my "Shot Of The Day"

Right here ~~>

This concludes our Volvo Snow Tour, now that we have returned to our starting point. This image shows where I have been and a little of where I am right now.

Thanks for joining me on my adventure.

Afterthought: You know, when we lived in the South Hills, we used to take my Subaru Outback Sedan out during snowstorms at night; out behind that mountain (Spencer Butte) during white-outs. You know the nights, when strings cars do the same thing as us, late at night in a storm, and one by one they disappear behind us, so that only we and maybe one other car, are the only cars left out there in the snow. When the roads make no sound at all because a blanket of snow muffles all sounds... Well, this Volvo beats that Subaru tenfold...so I can't wait until we get to take you on our next tour,

Our "Snow Trek."

Snowy Twilight

2008-12-18T08:41:00.001-08:00

Taken at 24 degrees, our recent ice and snowstorm dipped us to below 11 degrees, and just about halted our town in this balmy valley, usually fed by marine air. Even the coastline had snow right down to the Pacific Ocean's edge. Haystack Rock, just outside of Oregon's Cannon beach even had snow on it!

Kudos to flickr's user: adventursaurus for the absolutely gorgeous shot of Haystack Rock, taken yesterday 12/17/08.

The 2nd image is of the town Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, is in the back ground.

And the 3rd image, well I am just going to title it: "No Tsunamis, Please."

Seasons Greeting from Claybritt Images

2008-12-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

Silent Night

Commercial and Natural views of this Christmas and the Holiday Season, combine in a virtual Greeting for all. This image is also currently viewable at KVAL NEWS in my hometown; http://www.kval.com/younews/?profile=y&author=Brittlee under the name Brittlee, because some else has used my name, claybritt, how'd that happen in such a small town of only 120K? (actually I think it WAS me and I forgot my password)

Happy All Hallows Eve and the day afterward!

2008-10-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~

Ronan ~The Great

Cattitude

Found 'em! We're pretty sure we know what they are now....

2008-10-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

Ok I think we have some answers: Stink bugs

Pentadamids or better known as: Hemiptera(true bug)>sub order-Heteroptera>Pentatomidae family(Stink Bugs) AKA pentadomids

This one is the green stink bug: genus: Acrosternum hilare

This one is the two spotted stink bug: Perillus Bioculatus

These are freshly hatched pentadomids
The murgantia genus(harlequins or halloween bug) also look similar

Murgantia eggs

The true bug has the segmented antennae which is clearly visible on my bugs. And the pentatomidae (stinks) penta=5 - have 5 segments in their antennae.
Even though the color and patterns are different they are yet the same style.
I am looking at the genus Podisus right now, only their eggs seem to be frilly edged, but still in cylinders with little lids. (see the two images below)

This Podisus has a pair of mating fireflies in tow. The author felt that the stink bug had its proboscis in one of the fireflies and the other just went right along with it. Sheesh!

I am going to stop here, because I am pretty sure that this is what we have. Besides, I getting goosebumps and these are creepy. Many of the genus are really nasty looking; not all shiny and colorful. Some are big and look like bark. I found images of them eating things that are 100 times their size and 1/10 their size, even eating flowers. I find spiders to be much more...beautiful...in a bizarre macabe way. At least they pierce the skin and back off or wrap up...these guys stab, then seem to just sit there and siphon their prey... with long snout/straws.

Pentatomids produce odors from thoracic glands for self-defense.
One thing is certain, in the bug world they are Bad Dudes.

Oh my! I am so glad I am as big as I am tall. I wouldn't want to be ladybug sized. We should all recognize our true positions in this world. If we were to observe the insect world for just one day, we would probably stop our rabbling and infighting amongst ourselves. We would have many other important things on our minds.

♦I would like to give thanks to the Bug Guide for these great images and tons of information, and I will be sure to bookmark their site for fufure reference.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/182

Herding Mentality -Help! What are these beetles in our Vine Maple?

2008-10-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

Please help us identify these beetles:
**note: I clicked on the images and was almost horrified at what I saw. I appears that perhaps these eggy things are being 'covered' as if they had just been deposited. Now I must check the remaining images not used in this post for more clues.

We found them on our Vine Maple this summer.

The reason I originally noticed them was their formation. Notice how they are all perched facing the same direction. They are actually sitting on top of eggs. Keeping them safe? warm? incubating? hatching......? laying? eating? Notice nymph stage beetle standing with them.

As I watched, getting close with the camera lens, they seemed to be upset by me and started to move off; vacating their positions. That, or they just happened to be finished with whatever they were doing at the time. I also noticed webbing around them, but webbing is everywhere around here. I am not sure whether the webbing is from them or the spiders. But the spiders are our friends. Spiders are not rushing to eat these, and that makes a giant problem for our little

Vine Maple.

At first, I thought they were actually attacking and eating the eggs, and that I happened upon them in their feasting frenzy. But the adults do not appear to be ravaging them as a predator might do. After observing them for a while, I came to the conclusion that they may actually be rearing their young. It alsmost appears that they are helping the babies out of their eggs... But the nymphs here, look too dark and possibly too large to be the babies that have come from these eggs; so I was left with more questions.

Are the newly hatched babies transparent or translucent, as many other insects are when freshly hatched, not becoming all that visible until having grown for awhile? Also, some of the nymphs appear to have 8 legs, though it may be their antennae. Perhaps they are just laying the eggs, but these look emptied, at least some of them do. Unless those are very little seedsized larvae or eggs in those little cylinders. Perhaps the nymphs are sealing off the newly laid eggs for later hatches.

These beetles also obviously have a hardened shell-like back. Backs that should be split with wings underneathe. Having observed these guys for way too long now, I have also noted that I yet to see a single beetle reposition, lift and spread, clean, or tend to any appendages that might be under their hard shelled backsides. I have also taken note that their color and bright markings may be a sign that they taste really bad to anything that might decide to predate upon them.

Below, they seem to be making an exit as if by some agreement made between them; now moving off from their positioning. They appear to be leaving in unison. I wonder about their communication. How do they do it? Do they use an expressive vocalization well out of my hearing range? Is it done telepathically? By odor? Or is it instinctual, something that just happens in a particular order, successively, year after year, after year, without any forethought.

As the adults of this species vacate the scene, they appear to be leaving the nymphs in charge, caring for the eggs, some which may now be empty, and some occupied, including some that appear to be very new, with a creamy color throughout. Some even seem to have little lids but then I could be totally wrong.

These nymphs seem to be tending these eggs. Perhaps they are eating them, or cultivating them, in a bizarro-symbiotic way...raise them to a certain age, and then, when ripe, they are consumed like a delicious fruit. Perhaps they allow a certain amount to hatch and live to further the species, and providing sustanence for later or the following year.

The adults, after leaving the winged seed pod, have moved to other seed pods on the same branch. They have now separated from each other and seem to be happily doing their thing on the tree. Note: Another thing noticed this particular year, every winged seed pod on this tree has the same brown scarring on them. This was not present last year, nor are the other Viney Maples showing the same scarring...yet. It may be possible, or probable, that this is related to these little varmits.
Now, I have been here year after year after year, too. Why is it, that I have never noticed them before this? I noticed these guys immediately when I stood by the tree. Was it just my vantage point at that particular moment? It is not often that a new species comes to me (of course, some of you will remeber our European Pine SawFly attack earlier this year, an infestation that if we had not noticed it when we did, would have cost us our entire set of Mugo Pines, leaving only tufts at the top of our beautiful trees). I hadn't noticed them before either, though I have to admit that when I saw the winged SawFly adult version that hatches (from the larvae that we eradicated just prior to its seeking the soil under the tree for underground pupation), I did indeed recognize their frilly antennae from the prior year's summer. But I will never forget them now.

Once again, these are new. As soon as we discover their latin name and common names, I will research them and then more than likely eradicate them. Until then...taking pictures and learning is the way for me to understand their necessitiy for life. But life is short, and the tree will inevitably become short, once the leaves are all off and gone. The seed pods have always hung long after the leaves fall, seemingly created to blow away by the winter storms, finding new fresh soil from which to tap their roots into. This tree, in particular, is about to be hard pruned, everything stripped off and discarded, uhhh, after beign sprayed with pyrithium or Safer, depending upon what I learn about them.

It also depends on you (reading this blog) and what you might know about these tiny critters. If you recognize them or think you know someone that might know about them, please leave a comment in the comment area of this post, and I will happliy wiki them, or even use my feet to go to the library if necessary...

Thanks.

Trapped

2008-10-21T23:34:00.001-07:00

Pinus Pitchus Stickus

Enough Spider Butts...

2008-10-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a Spider's Face Smiling At You.

This is the same model from the UNews Press Image on the right side bar, in the Pic named "Ambush"

Some fangs, eh. Do not click this image if you fear spiders.

She is looking at you, ya' know...

I think we Humans have an inate fear of beings that walk around with their head beneathe their knees.

I wish I had a macro.

A New Morning's Fresh and Clean Web.

2008-10-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Click on pics to see the sticky droplets on her web...if you can handle a spider this close.

Don't you want to just reach out and give her a little butt scratch, like you would do to a dog's head?

These images were captured September 15th, 2008. These babes are only medium in size. If they were lucky enough to have been hatched early this year, they may molt one more time before freezing (or wintering over) and become huge spiders. I will keep watch over them, since they are in my own backyard, and won't be going anywhere soon, unless it is in a Jay's beak, or if attacked from behind by a hornet; as they are now large enough to fend for themselves, against others of their own species. I have seen no lynx spiders and they are pretty high on the spruce trees for the comb foots (theridion) to be a problem, so I don't think they pose any threat to the Araneas living here on this particular tree.

This is it.

2008-10-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

My blog has officially opened for business.
First things first:

Some images:

Stormy Blue Skies

When I awoke, my dream hadn't quite ended. I was still in flight.

Nos(e)y Neighbor Series

Rosa Alba

Golden Bamboo at night.

Wonderful Sunset

Things go better with:

Ronan, The Great