Parched

We've been gone. Over the mountains and far away to visit our sons and their families. Of course the best part of this is seeing our grandchildren there. It was very hot in eastern Washington and we were re-routed on our 6 hour drive there by the complete closing down of the freeway near the Columbia River because there was a raging wild fire burning on both sides of the freeway near Vantage, WA. We saw the charred remains of many fires alongside the freeways on both sides of the mountains and watched yet again fire-fighting being waged on another very big wild fire burning near our home there. ( Just over the mountain ridge.) All is well.

We returned home to parched gardens. A parched lawn, a parched orchard, and a parched pond. In the picture above you can see our small dinghy not floating in the pond. If it were actually in the pond it would be stuck in mud. Our pond is naturally filled with water by underground springs and rain. This is only the second time in all the years we've lived here the water level has been so low, and it is much lower today than when this picture was taken a few days ago.

There is a very big plus for us with the water drying up in the pond. Within the next few days we should be able to walk on the pond bottom without sinking into mud and finally clear out the fallen branches, logs, and debris the winter and early spring storms left behind. We'll also be able to walk across the pond bottom to the island and haul the storm-fall off without needing the dinghy .

The work crew ( husband & 2 grandsons ) cut up and stacked a lot of storm-fall on the island in Cedar Pond needing to be hauled to the fire pit to be burned later on this autumn when the burn bans are lifted. I think we'll make a big deal of this and have s'mores and hot coco by the camp fire. After a spring and summer of record breaking high temps and little rainfall I am looking forward to pouring rains , wearing jackets because I NEED them , mud boots , and a pond full to overflowing.

Fairies Need Houses Too !

 I had the blessing of two granddaughters spending a few days with me while my husband took their two brothers over the mountains for a visit with cousins and some fishing. These granddaughters love to think about where the best places for fairies might be and they love even more creating little houses for fairies. Here they are rowing our little boat around Cedar Pond, I know they love to tie the boat up at the little island and explore. Maybe there are fairies there.

 Look at what she made for the fairies from a cardboard box, twigs and leaves, and bits & pieces from my craft room !

 I think a fairy is already checking out this little house in the tree.

 This granddaughter not only made a pretty pink house, but she made lawn furniture to go with it,

 and carefully arranged it for the fairies.

 Looks like a fairy is interested in this house too. I hope the fairies move in.

"A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision , that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring , is dimmed and lost even before we reach adulthood. " Rachel Carson

Frogs & Fairies ?

Cedar Pond is a small pond, but big enough to have a tiny island in the middle. This little island is rarely visited by us and requires a boat ( albeit a very small boat ) ride. The grandchildren all covet that special ride to the island and when on the island , they have to explore thoroughly. You never know what you might find there, a frog or a fairy, and adventure is always there for anyone with imagination. Poppa came home early on sewing day. KN was almost finished with her sewing project and she said excitedly "Maybe he will take me on a boat ride around the pond!" The sun was shining and warming Cedar Pond after weeks of non-stop rain. How could he not celebrate such good weather with his granddaughter? We drained the little boat of many inches of rain water and Poppa and KN paddled around the island in the pond. Poppa chose this time to plant some little trees on the island. KN tied the boat to a tree while she and Poppa explored the tiny island. KN was thinking about fairies and looking for frogs.

Could there be fairies here? Such a miniature and complete little world, just on the other side of the island.Often overlooked, rarely disturbed, perfect.

There are holes and little doors all 'round this stump. Fairies and frogs would rejoice in such a shelter, don't you think? Ferns to shade and hide a secret entrance, the pond at the door , the sun on the side . Rarely trod by human feet. Places to float a fairy boat, especially one made of fir cones and feathers. Safe harbors in the miniature coves formed by water-sodden moss covered logs framed by Lily of the Valley and ferns.

"Happiness flutters in the air whilst we rest among the breaths of nature." Kally Scheaffer "The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful." e.e.cummings "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." Job 37:14

* This past week I have been having trouble with our internet provider , the service has been down, missing, AWOL, zilch, when I have attempted to post or comment. This coming week I have family responsibilities to attend to, but will hopefully be able to read and comment on many of my favorite blogs nevertheless. Thank-you again for taking a moment of your precious time to read musings on our little spot here on Cedar Pond.

Sweet Sunday

How sweet Sunday was. We were able to be with family, especially good for my husband who has not had many days this year without outside obligations. Our daughter and her 4 children were here today, along with our son's oldest daughter, a wonderful surprise! Dear friends brought her here to visit this week. Our first time ever having her here to ourselves and we intend to enjoy our time with her. ( above, our daughter with her youngest daughter)

Mommies like to play with dollhouses too.

Little 'J' also likes to play with the dollhouses. Especially the doll's cars.

Long distance picture of granddaughters playing with the doll house. Where is the blond head of our oldest granddaughter?

Ahh, there she is!

The grandchildren had plotted to make water balloons and bomb Poppa with them,but big squirt guns were nice too.

Little 'J' was very happy to get a hold of this big squirt gun , and although he could not actually operate it, I can tell it gave him a sense of being a "big boy".

Hoses worked even better for him though. ( note the change of clothes, there is only so much mud and water a boy can soak himself in before he needs a change of clothes)

Poppa even let Little 'J' help him mow the lawn.

Then it was time to row the boat around the island. Finally Little 'J' is big enough to ride in the boat with Poppa. ( The patches of white in the pond are the fluffy seeds of the cottonwood trees. They are so thick around here it appears to be snowing.)

He's pretty happy about that! ( I still haven't cleaned and painted that boat)

After Little 'J' gets his ride around the island in the pond, the rest of the grandchildren get in for a ride. What a sweet, sweet Sunday. Time with our family, good food to eat when we're together. Just hanging out together. Thank-you Lord for this precious gift!

Last Days of Summer ....

Summer days with cousins..... frog chasing, tree climbing,running and playing... popsicles,root beer, bicycles, tag...hide n' seek. Swimming,learning to paddle dinghys together, exploring, laughing,

...and the inevitable picture taking Grandmas and Aunties inflict.

My sister Karen's' oldest grandchild with my daughters' 4 children enjoying the last days of summer together, here on Cedar Pond.