The Optimistic Spider in the Wind...

As I sit here waiting for the dark and the celebrations to officially take hold, I see a silk line capturing the sunlight...looking up the branch, I realize it's a Spider trying to make the connection to the next limb.  I wait and watch, and see her waiting, hoping the wind will let her connect the thread, but I don't see her; I just see the thread moving with the wind, nothing at the end to tether it.  Then I catch a glimpse of a 2nd thread capturing the sunlight..the blues and reds of the white thread; a Spider's rainbow.  And then I see her...dangling at the end.  Will the wind carry her to her destination?  Not right now, as I see her pull back up...waiting...waiting... Tonight, I am rooting for the optimistic Spider... Pax Friends!

Happy 235th Birthday, America!

Today is our Nation's 235th birthday.  Today we celebrate our independence and I reflect on the many sacrifices of my relatives and ancestors, to whom I share appreciation for their sacrifices so I can sit here today and express myself, so I can vote, so I can work in a safe environment for a fair wage...  

I also reflect on many happy memories shared with my family celebrating this day.  Family BBQ's with roast beast and strawberry shortcake and ice cream; skin warm and red from a day on the river in the sun as watermelon juice drips down my chin...then waiting for the dark to watch the sky light up with a cacophony of colors and the ground shake with the power of the celebratory explosions...  We are truly blessed to live in this Great Country of ours. 

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July, Friends! 

Summer in the Willamette Valley

Good Afternoon!  We enjoyed a nice, typical warm summer day here in the Willamette Valley yesterday, getting into the 80's, but today...the temp gauge is struggling to hit 70!  Not feeling very optimistic about having any produce this year.