First, a little geography. I live in a special place just outside of town. My little slice of heaven was formerly a private campground owned by the Elks Club and consisted of campsites, a large common bbq area, and a much older large house converted into a clubhouse back in the day.
The land, 12 and 1/2 acres, is now owned as one parcel by our Association and we each own our house and one share in the Association. We are surrounded by water on three sides and are blocked by a large hill on the fourth. I am just across the river from town yet isolated from town. The only way in and out of our "compound" is via the wooden bridge. Very private setting.
The campsites became sleeping platforms and eventually those were converted into cabins. The cabins are now houses, some added onto, others look just as they did when they were built. There are 24 houses and the clubhouse.
The clubhouse has a large rec room and kitchen on one half and the other side of the house is where the caretaker lives, who takes care of the grounds. Inside the rec room there are still Elk momentos. In a side yard of the clubhouse stands an old oak which looks to be older than the clubhouse. Climbing this old oak is an old wisteria with its large branches wrapping around the old oak trunk clear up to the top.
It is currently in bloom and is a sight to behold. I took these pictures this afternoon but they do not do this old oak covered in purple flowers justice.
The picture above was taken standing at the base of the oak looking up. You can see some of the wisteria blooms in it.
The picture below was trying to show the blooms at the top of the tree.
This is a close up looking at the top of the tree. Note all the purple showing. When the light is just right, which unfortunately it wasn't in this picture, the tree glows purple.
Joanie, these pictures are for you.
Dag rabbit! Only got 3/4 inch of rain over the past 3 days, bringing me to a grand total for the year so far of 75 inches. I am thinking positively and telling myself that I will get more rain in Oregon.
Good thing I like the rain. The weather dude is saying we are looking at rain all weekend. My year to date total for rain is 74 and 1/4 inches before including whatever I get this weekend. Being double Irish, I had just set out my table and chairs just two days ago. All winter, they usually are stored under the eaves in tarps.
Additionally, a picture of Token, also known as "Grumpy", sitting next to the peony. He was not cooperating, but then I have rarely known a male who cooperates at picture taking time.
I've got to share a little ditty I found ... to be sung to the song “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
I was awake most of the night, tossing and turning, unable to stop the numbers running through my head. No matter which way I crunched, the only solution is to sell the house.
Last night, just before dusk, Naomi came in to tell me there was a steelhead in the creek. I grabbed my camera to take a picture of it. It was about 18" long and was in the pool the steelhead use for spawning under the wood bridge.
First, a little geography. I live in a special place just outside of town. My little slice of heaven was formerly a private campground owned by the Elks Club and consisted of campsites, a large common bbq area, and a much older large house converted into a clubhouse back in the day.
