jeepind's Xanga

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:28:52 GMT

Yesterday I decided it was time for a walk with God in the woods...we talked mostly about trees and leaves and changes. As I sat and watched the water of the North Fork of the Lewis river rush by, we talked about growth and movement....and with a cool breeze blowing on my cheek, God reminded me that I'm not alone. As much as I like the song, I can't sing with Greenday that my shadow is all that walks beside me...it's just not true.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:54:54 GMT

Just got back from a trip to northern Idaho.
My husband went to work & I relaxed by looking for bears!!!
If you look closely in the next few photos you might spot one....ok, maybe not!! One had scrambled up the slope right next to the car and disappeared into the bushes above us. I have a bruise from leaning forward and yelling stop, it's a bear and my husband slamming on the brakes...I missed most of the show trying to get out of my seatbelt!!!

I'll try and get some good photos of the trip posted on my Adventures in Wa site tomorrow.

Later in the day we spotted another crossing the road and running across this river....no more seat belt problems but I swear my husband wouldn't stop the car for me to get out...and I was trying!!! AHHHH........bears, I get too excited to think about getting the camera out!!

On Monday I had the car while he worked and drove up to the north end of Priest Lake hoping to see a grizzly....sure was getting lucky with the black bears and thought maybe the time was right. No such luck....but a moose and her baby walked by me as I sat at a picnic table writing. I was too shocked to get a photo when they where close ....you can see their bodies in this picture...ok, well...I can see them!! I followed after them for a bit trying to get a better shot but they quickly and quietly disappeared in the woods. It really was amazing how such large animals could be so quiet!! Needless to say my concentration was broken and I did no more writing!!!

The highlight on my way out was seeing a young mountain lion....didn't even try to get the camera out but just enjoyed the beauty of the moment as it crossed the road in front of me.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:12:29 GMT

Yesterday my father-in-law lost his battle with cancer.
He had fought hard for over 6yrs ....this is the first of our parents to go and it is a strange feeling.
We are heading to NC tomorrow then up to Ohio for the service. Don't know how much time I'll get to check in on you guys....like I'm very good at that right now anyways!!!
But at least for the next couple of weeks I won't be around much.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:10:57 GMT

Sat July 21st

More photos at Adventures in Washington

Hello to my friends here that I've neglected.........I'm sure if there were a BAD BLOGGER award I would be nominated!!
Life here has been crazy busy......the ebbs and flows of life and death.....family and trying to stay sane.....this next week I should be able to make the rounds and get caught up with you. At that's what I intend to do!!!!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:29:28 GMT

Life lesson learned from nature

Some days are stormy and foggy....

eventually, the clouds do break.

photos taken 7-18-07
hwy 101 & nehalem st park
Oregon

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:12:36 GMT

Elowah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon June 21st

This is the lower section of the falls.....

We then went up to the Upper Falls....the trail goes up thru a cleft in the rock as seen in the second photo...pretty cool spot!!

This is the view down from the rocks at the little bridge we had crossed down below

This plant is growing in that cleft of rock.

Upper Falls...we had lunch on some rocks up in the creek

Recognize the log from the previous photo? Give you an idea of where we were....they really should have guard rails up there!! :)

View of the Columbia River ....you can barely see Mt Adams off in the distance.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:06:36 GMT

A cool breeze blows unhindered by works of man.

The only creations I see in the valley came from the unseen hand of a living God.

I must say He/She does great work.
I find comfort and peace seeing what the Creator, my Creator can do.
Sometimes
My life seems like a puzzle
and I have trouble putting the pieces in the right place.
There have been times
when I tried to force a corner into the middle and then nothing seemed to fit right.
I think of God
as having the key, He/She knows
without looking at the cover what my puzzle is supposed to look like.
If I let go and let God help,
He/She always gets the pieces in the right spot.
Yet more often than not I'm like the child
who fights to do it my way
determined the corner will fit in the middle!!

Breathing the fresh air, seeing how
good God is at creating does make
it easier for me to let go.
Do you think about God being
your creator? How do you
connect with Him/Her?

(photos: Elowah Falls, Columbia River Gorge 6-21-07)

Monday, June 18, 2007

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:19:47 GMT

QUESTION

for my photographer friends....and if anyone else has an opinion let 'er rip!!

my husband is pushing me to get a new camera, I've been happy with my little digital point and shoot Olympus Camedia.

back in the days of film I used a cannon slr, it's been broken for awhile now and my man wants me to move into the world of digital slr's .

Nikon or Canon ? which do you prefer?
I don't want to spend a lot of money....actually, I would be content with a new tattoo :) but my man isn't letting this drop.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:18:18 GMT

Happy Fathers Day!!

Here's a few photos of my dad from last week.
We don't have the best relationship but I love him and he loves me...the rest just doesn't seem to matter much anymore.
He'll be 80 in a few months and has the largest garden this year he's ever had...made way too much work for himself this summer but he enjoys giving the vegetables away. My mom isn't able to can and dad has worked out a deal with a cousin who cans and gives him half of what she does. I brought back some squash and it caused some concern for the people working the scanners at the airport:)

His dog, Belle Star, who followed him all over the property died while I was there. I know dad will miss her & to be honest this photo just doesn't look right without her in it.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:35:50 GMT

Just got back last night from a trip to my home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Yes, there really are hot springs ...the water comes out of the ground at a 135 degrees and it doesn't smell like sulphur. If you've ever had Mt Valley Water, it comes from a cold spring a few miles out of town.

Got to spend time with some of my favorite people playing a game I love! And NO, we really weren't as serious as this photo would lead you to believe.

This is more like it!! And yes, we were hitting into the lake...not that we wanted to but for some reason those stupid golf balls just dropped right in!!

One of the more disturbing sights in my hometown...you can still find tracks about going to hell placed strategically in public places.

I played tourist and took a ton of photos...more to come!!