Astoria

I drove up to Astoria today. Remembered to bring my camera. There was a huge cruise ship at dock near the spindly looking Astoria Bridge -- was perfectly placed for a great picture. Hunted around for a place to pull over that still gave me the perspective of the ship with the bridge behind it, pulled into some parking lot and grabbed the camera.

Unfortunately, I neglected to check my batteries in the camera. Deader than a doornail.

I've got them charging now but am sad to say there are no pictures of the ocean crashing into rocks offshore at Oswald West State Park either. As I drove north on 101 to Astoria, I scoped out all the places to pull off 101 southbound to take pictures. I still pulled over and enjoyed the views on my way home but the camera stayed in the car. I regret not being able to share the beauty of the Oregon Coast with ya as I had planned.

On a side note, I doubt I would ever drive over that 4 and 1/2 mile long Astoria Bridge. Take a look at these pictures online and I think you will understand. Yikes.

Apple Blossoms

The apple trees are blooming. I shot this photo of one of the apple trees on the property from inside the front breakfast room. So many shades of green surrounding those pink and white blossoms. Was pouring down rain and the wind was blowing and I wasn't about to go outside (laughing).

For a short, repeat short amount of time this afternoon, I had blue skies and white puffy clouds. As you can see below, it didn't last -- another rain band moved through forcing me inside.


The rain is no longer constant -- tomorrow I'm going to venture out and see what I can see -- and take photographs to share. I've rested and slept and rested some more for a couple of days now and am ready to hit the road for some day trips.

Lead Me Not

Lari White -- Lead Me Not.

On vacation from Firedoglake backstage duties -- no flippin' of levers or twisting of dials behind the curtain this week. Will still be hosting my Late Late Night posts Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights -- all of the fun and none of the responsibilities!

Am hoping to do some sightseeing this week. Have a buddy visiting Portland this week and I will be headed over the hill later in the week for lunch and catching up. I am hoping to be able to drive up to see Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood but this latest storm (its predicted to rain through Friday -- naturally -- can ya tell I am Irish) is expected to bring snow down to pass levels. I have managed to avoid driving in the snow since I came up here and I see no reason to break that streak. If I can't get up to Hood this week, I'll just go another time.

Tis a week to recharge my batteries and get my mojo working again. The nice thing about having no clocks to pay attention to this week is that it allows me to be flexible -- if it is raining and I don't feel like going out, I can putz around the house and do nothing -- magnificently.

Fork

I wanted to use this video tonight for my Late Late Night FDL post but it is forking embedding disabled. Little Mary Sunshine from Reefer Madness The Musical would have been forking perfect.

Fist raised while cursing embedding disabled by request at YouTube.

Black Betty

Tom Jones -- Black Betty.

Still Blooming

The peony is still in bloom. Sure does look (and smell) magnificent. It is much paler than it was when it first opened.

Peony

The peony bud has opened -- it took several days -- I took pictures. This was Wed late afternoon:

Starting to open, early Thurs afternoon:

Later that afternoon:

Friday:


In full bloom today.


As the days pass, the bloom will fade from purplish pink to pink to pale pink to almost white. You can see how the color has gotten lighter this week in these photographs.

Now that it has bloomed, the perfume is starting to develop -- was faint today but based on past experience, tomorrow I won't have to stick my nose in the flower -- I will be able to enjoy the scent just by walking by.

Fridge Art And Other Pretties

The clouds parted for about a couple hours Wednesday afternoon -- a nice break before the next big storm starts to come in Thursday evening.


My peony bud is getting ready to open. The bud has survived several rounds of hail and strong winds this week. The storm coming in Thursday night is gonna test its resiliency (and my ability to not worry over something I have no control over). This plant usually flowered in early May in Boulder Creek.


I have Fridge Art! I had mentioned that I had none on a recent thread of mine over at the lake -- and in today's mail I found this from my buddy J in NC. Thank you so very much J for sending me some fine Easter Fridge Art from Angelina. Thank you so very much, Angelina, for creating this for me.