Wednesday, December 26, 2012

My Father Was a Gardener


My father was a gardener.  Thanks to him, I know what a tomato tastes like when it is still warm from the vine.  A tomato that was started from seed early in the year under a grow light in his basement and nurtured until it was big enough to transplant into a ½ milk carton to be transported to my garden.  In the early years he would plant them with me and teach me as we went along.  In later years, he delivered them and left me to do the planting,  He had trained me well.  

Each year, we would have a race to see who would get the first red tomato of the season and then another race to see who would have the most.  He usually won both of these competitions, but I was gaining on him.

He gave me his knowledge of nature, gardening, and the weather.   Just like him, or because of him, I am graced with the overwhelming need to spend more time outdoors than indoors among these earthly delights.

Somehow it was fitting that this gardener should pass away as the final leaves were falling from the trees.  His work done here.  During his last hours, the sun burst out of the clouds and came in through his hospital room window.  Unable to speak as the sunbeam warmed his face, he looked up at it knowingly.  I held his hand and told him it was a good day in the garden after so many days of rain.


An amazing sky outside his room, I took this photo which will always remind me of the last time we would sit in the sun together.

Change of Seasons

The ocean is constantly changing, yet not changing at all as it comes ashore without fail, kissing the sand.

Each time I watch the waves they are different, colored by the wind, the weather, the sun...the seasons.  I now recognize the color and texture of the winter sea and how wildly beautiful it is perfectly offset by the color of the sky as a storm blows ashore.

photo of winter waves at Rockaway Beach Oregon by Nancy Zavada

The summer sea with it's jewel toned water of turquoises, emeralds, and blues is reminiscent of tropical waters far to the south.

photo of summer waves at Rockaway Beach Oregon by Nancy Zavada


As I learn to tell the seasons by the color of the sea,
I find myself in the rhythm of this most delightful planet.

Note: Taken from the exact same spot six months apart, these photos are perfect examples of Mother Nature's ever changing wardrobe. 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

What a Difference a Day Makes

Photo of Twin Rocks by Nancy Zavada


Just 24 hours after a sunny Winter Solstice, dark blue clouds rolled onshore.  The colors of the morning were magnificent!

We scurried back to the shelter of Saltair Station before those clouds had a chance to deliver the rain they promised--and they did deliver.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Winter Solstice Apocalypse

photo of Rockaway Beach Oregon by Nancy Zavada

Standing at the seashore in the sunshine, I do believe the warnings of the planet's demise today were unrealized.

A very Happy Solstice to you!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Onshore Breeze

The recent storm in Rockaway reported winds of 90 mph.  Superstorm Sandy had some competition for windspeed.  Although Carpenter Bob had reinforced the fence and the local police hadn't called us to report a fence in the road, we were still nervous about what we might find upon arriving at Saltair Station on Friday.

Damage Report:

  • A length of gutter found in the yard.  Not from any of our gutters, so it had apparently flown there from another house.
  • One goofy looking 12ft. tall "palm" tree snapped off.  Whoever originally planted this tropical species was confused about the latitude of the property.
  • Missing mailbox.  Even though it was bolted down, it had blown clean off the cement post.  Thanks to the numbers I had recently put on it, the curved dome was returned by a neighbor.

Happily, the fence was still standing this time. 

Man vs. Nature:  Bob - 1, Mother Nature - 1.

Note:  The locals have their money on Mother Nature and never miss an opportunity to tell Bob.  What the heck, it gives them something to watch in the winter.


Friday, December 7, 2012

Rejoice




If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy,
 if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you,
if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand,
 rejoice, 
for your soul is alive. 

-Eleonora Duse