Nature's Peggy Lee

We often think of the poor caterpillar as just the means to an end.  Waiting for the day when it transforms, grows wings and takes flight, a more beautiful version of itself.

Yet, isn't there beauty in this ornately patterned creature too? 

I see a torch singer of yesteryear, showing off her glamorous curves in a tight dress of intricate detail, all the way down to the mermaid skirt of golden tulle grazing the floor.

"Hit it boys, the crowd wants to hear another song!"

Tired of the Summer Rain?

Pirates vs. Carnies

"There will be no carnival rides during this year's Pirate Festival," it was announced at the Rockaway Beach City Council meeting.

It seems the pirates were booked the weekend that the carnival was available and the carnival was booked when the pirates were available.  After much discussion and consideration, it was decided that there should be pirates at the Pirate Festival and the city would just have to do without the carnival.

Pirates 1-0.

Udderly Indignant

Dear Townspeople,

Isn't it enough that no one wants me around (except the radio station that kidnapped me).  I have been moved more than a handful of times at your requests and am now trying to "bloom where I am planted" as my therapist says. 

I have been ridiculed, laughed at, and even ridden by camera wielding tourists.  But I think this hat is the ultimate embarrassment.  I appreciate your hard work to knit it and sneak it on me after dark, but do you realize I have hoofs, not hands? I can't even take this thing off.  It makes me look like a chicken...a chicken of all things!

I appreciate a good joke as much as the next cow, but will someone please take this hat off my head!

Sincerely,


Your Town Cow

Photo credit:  Headlight Herald

Advice From a Flower

"Don't be lonely, the entire universe is inside you."

-Rumi

Advice From a Tree

Stand tall and proud

Go out on a limb

Remember your roots

Drink plenty of water

Be content with your natural beauty

Enjoy the view

Letter from Adult Camp

Dear Family,

Here I am at Summer Camp.  I miss you all, but am doing fine.  My counselor said I should write home today and tell you that.  He also said I should tell you about what I do all day.

This morning I got up and looked out at the lake.  The sun was out and the steam was rising round the swimming dock.

I went down to the mess hall and had a latte with my breakfast.  Afterwards we campers went off to our morning hike on the beach where we picked up cool rocks and shells.  When we got back to camp it was reading time.  They made us read our favorite books sitting in the sun dappled forest. 

Next it was lunch time, so back to mess hall for cheese, fruit, smoked salmon and a little chocolate for dessert.  Right after lunch every single day, we have to take a nap in our bunks covered by our down comforters (thanks for sending my buddy, Bob, to camp too).

This afternoon was swimming, canoeing, fishing, or the water sport of your choice.  Other afternoons we do crafts like photography, woodworking or painting.  Some campers are learning to play instruments or sing.  Those taking cooking classes sometimes cook dinner for us with food grown right in the garden.

Around 5pm we all gather at the camp circle for cocktails and appetizers before dinner.  We talk about our day and what we have learned.  Then it is off to dinner (oh, I already told you about that).  The cook and the dishwasher are also very good at their jobs.

After dinner, we take a sunset walk and strike the flag for the day.  When it gets dark, we all meet at the bonfire to roast marshmallows and tell scary stories about our busy lives back home.  We have to tell stories because they took all our phones, computers, and other electronic devices away when we arrived and we can't get much everyday drama here.

So even though I miss you all and my work, I am doing fine.  My counselor says I am adapting to camp life quite well and I should probably stop my constant groveling and pleading to stay here forever.  The other campers have started doing the same thing.

Anyway, don't worry about me, I will be home soon. 

Love,

Nancy

Do You Happen To Have Any Grey Poupon?

Traveling down Highway 101 making yet another run to the hardware store last weekend, this car pulled out in front of us.  It jettisoned onto the highway along a quiet stretch that comes directly down from the mountains.

A true coastal car, this vessel had rope and a cleat in case of high tide, a motorcycle for a fast get away, a wooden plank tied to the right side so as not to be side-swiped, a missing persons sign in the back window, a bike wheel on the roof and a coffee pot swinging in the breeze.  Appearing to be held together by rust and mold, it squeaked and bounced down the road randomly firing puffs of black smoke at us.

Easing alongside at the first stop light, we noted the interior matched the exterior of this road warrior.  Slyly glancing over at the driver, he appeared to be a coastal character too! 

Today's Tip

 

Along the Pacific Coast, if you leave anything sitting long enough without attention, Nature will reach out and give it a hug.

Happily, this applies to people as well as old trucks.

 

You Read the Blog, Now See the Movie

My thanks to Shawna McKinley for inspiring, supporting, teaching and applauding me as I learned how to make a video from my photography!

Note To Self (and others)

"Solitude is not a luxury. It is a right and a necessity." 

-- Anne Wilson Schaef

What Are You Waiting For?

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did.

So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from safe harbor.  

Catch the trade winds in your sail.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

--Mark Twain

Decorations by Mother Nature

Salal blossoms or soft pink Chinese lanterns?  Native plants on the coast create their own enchanted world.

Didn't Do It, Wasn't There

"For the last time, Nancy, I have not seen your precious koi.  I have been here, on this rock, the entire time. 

I would never swoop into your backyard looking for a snack.  How can you accuse me of such a thing?  Seriously.

I didn't eat 'Goldy' even though I love those delicious orange and white fish.  You know, they taste just like Dreamsicles...

OOPS!"

Surveillance Cam