The Bright Side

"Another day, another storm," that's all we hear from the weather authorities.  Oceanside and parts of Netarts have been cut off from the world for weeks this winter thanks to washed out culverts.

The bright side?  Sand dollar hunting has never been better.  We discovered six beautiful "sea cookies" (to those Down Under) on this winter stroll.  

What Lies Beneath

Harsh winter storms have scoured the beach of it's soft sand, revealing rocks and tide pools.  It is quite beautiful and a completely different place than summer.

Will I remember what lies beneath when the sand returns?

Sanity Check

Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the Oregon Coast this week.  Homes were evacuated, raging rivers flooded their banks, the power was out and entire communities became cut off from the outside world by landslides.

Undaunted, these citizens watched out for each other during the storms and continue to help each other dig out from under tons of silt, water, and trees.  Often sending a distressed plea through social media for others to check on loved ones when the roads were washed away.  This small community banded together and the heartwarming stories are many.

We fared much better than most, only losing a pine tree to the wild winds.  It snapped off 16 feet up, unceremoniously dropping the upper half on the fence.  At the coast they jokingly call this "having your firewood delivered to your door."  Many have had it delivered by ocean waves this week, thankfully, not in our case.

The storms continue to batter the shore with lively thunder and lighting last night and another high wind warning alert for tomorrow.  Just as you are considering a sanity check might be in order, a moment (like the one pictured here) comes along.  The salty air whirls around you, the sky lightens and the birds once again take flight.  The calm before the next storm reminds you of why you live here.

From Our Home to Yours

Tis the season to receive delightful Christmas letters from friends far and wide.  Letters that eloquently describe their lives filled with fantastic vacations, children becoming doctors and new homes in gated communities.  In the spirit of the “holiday letter,” we offer our own newsy communiqué…

We hope this letter finds you as happy and healthy as we are, grateful for so much as we enjoy the beauty of the season.   Living the dream and wanting some help around the house, this year we were fortunate enough to secure the services of a personal monkey butler named, Mr. Jeeves. 

While it took us a while to understand each other, things have worked out swimmingly.  This summer, Mr. Jeeves was quite a help around the yard too.  On warm summer days when Bob was busy clearing brush and cutting back blackberry bushes, Mr. Jeeves jockeyed on the front of the riding lawnmower, drinking PBR with his little aviator hat flapping in the breeze.

Mr. Jeeves’ domestic skills have improved dramatically.  He learned how to set a beautiful table, pour the wine, and serve each course from left to right.  Although he is terribly shy and won’t actually perform any of those duties when we have guests, retreating to the comfort of his bunk and cable shows when they arrive.  Who doesn’t want to binge on Sister Wives from time to time?

This fall was a busy one with back-to-back events in Las Vegas.   Imagine my surprise when I checked into the fancy casino hotel, opened my suitcase and out popped a stowaway, Mr. Jeeves!  Dressed in an outfit that would have made Liberace jealous, he bolted for the door saying something about showgirls.   A few days later, I was getting dressed for work as the sun was rising when I heard a knock at the door.  Mr. Jeeves was back looking exhausted and a bit under the weather.  He ambled in, pulled the blackout shades closed, put on his satin sleep mask and climbed into bed. 

He was still there when I returned 14 hours later although the room service trays led me to believe he had been awake at some point.  The little scalawag had run up quite a bill, but nothing compared to the mini-bar charges I saw upon checkout.  Anyway, we will write that off to a well-deserved vacation for our favorite personal monkey butler.

Back in Netarts, Mr. Jeeves has been on his best behavior, now that Tillamook County has arranged to drop the charges for an earlier misunderstanding with several tourists.  He has agreed to sign on for another year and we are thrilled. 

From Our Home to Yours, Here’s to an Exciting 2016! 

Monday's Moment of Zen

I came along at the right moment to capture nature's spectacular artistry.

Witch Test

If you spend time on Winter Solstice shaking each grain of sand from sea shells collected during the summer and saving them in a crystal bottle, does that mean you are a witch?

Ah, I thought so.

Beachcombing Bonanza

Wandering down the beach yesterday after the big storm, we saw broken shells, plastic debris and even part of a dock washed ashore.  Then, in a remote part of the beach, we happened upon this...

A nice 20-foot fishing boat complete with a depth finder.  The hull is smooth and clean outside, as all of the barnacles and sand are on the inside. There were no bodies or other creepy things aboard. If a little crime scene tape doesn't bother you, it could be yours for the taking.  That is, if the high tide doesn't beat you to it.

Storm Watch 2014

We are expecting a real humdinger of a storm today and already there is no view of the bay through the rainy window pane.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Force Wind Advisory and we are expecting winds of over 70 knots to come ashore here in Netarts.  They have included the following bit of information along with the warning... 

"A HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 64 KNOTS OR GREATER ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. ALL VESSELS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT...OR TAKE SHELTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...UNTIL WINDS AND WAVES SUBSIDE."

As advised, my vessel will remain in port until further notice.  Preferably with a warm fire and toasty adult beverage.

Winter Blues

 

The coldest of winter days are often the most striking.  

The rewards of leaving the fireplace and bundling up should never be underestimated.

November Sunset

“There are those who fear the sunset, worried they will never see light again. 

There are those who ignore the sunrise, squandering dawn, believing they will never run out of daylight. 

And then there are those who have learned to live in the sun's warmth, 

gauging time by its positions, 

thankful at night that the day happened. 

Be aware of time. Use it wisely. 

Be thankful for the light allotted.”

--Richelle E. Goodrich

Short But Sweet

Silhouetting the winter trees, the sun lays to rest another day.

Give In

If you don't become the ocean, you'll be seasick every day.

--Leonard Cohen

The Soul of a Tree

There is nothing so intricate as a tree in winter, perfectly shaped by years of salty wind.  The sun peeps through its gnarled branches reminding me that soon enough they will be covered by leaves. Once covered, the tree's strength, grace and undeniable beauty will be hidden from view, yet always there.

Perhaps we have a lot in common.

At Last!

There is something infinitely healing in

the assurance that dawn comes after night

and spring after winter.

--Rachel Carson

Mas Moss

A man in Austin, Texas, asked me, "Is it true, in Oregon, moss grows everywhere?  I have heard that it even grows on sidewalks.  Does that really happen?"

True?  Yes, moss grows on sidewalks, on cars, on fences, on buildings, and well, pretty much anything left outside. This time of year, when there hasn't been much sun for over four months and the rain/drizzle/mist is constant, the moss is at its thickest.

It's damp, green beauty blankets everything with inches of soft fur and the leafless trees keep warm in their moss stoles.

Yes, sir,  it is not only true, it is magnificent!

Designed by Nature

A winter's walk took me past this old tree where the intricate pattern of the bark was stunning.  I think the fairies have been braiding it as it grew.

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.

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

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. 

What a Difference a Day Makes

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.

Winter Solstice Apocalypse

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!

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