Very Unexpected Visitors from the Northwest

It was a shock to have Judy call Saturday afternoon, to say that she was at Stokes' Marketplace (the only grocery store in town).  We enjoyed this impromptu visit (how can a visit be impromptu when it is 836 miles to Olympia?).  Short visits require fast talk and no time wasted.  It was so much fun to be able to sit down and visit.  The wonderful thing about family is that, no matter the time lapse in seeing each other, the bond exists and threads are quickly picked up.  I think that Judy and Bob scattered sunshine all the way down to Provo, with important stops along the way.

Visitors from Afar

Cousin Gail (Sorensen) and her husband, Richard Hamilton visited for a while this afternoon, on their way to Star Valley after blessing a new grandson in Utah,  attending a family reunion, and visiting friends in Logan.  The years seem to be very kind to Gail and Dick; they keep very busy, and are hoping to go on a mission next year.  We spent a couple of hours catching up, and then they went on their way.  Very pleasant to touch bases remembering the past in our extended family and thinking about the future.  We are grateful for those shared memories, which help make up the fabric of our lives.

Time for Lilies to Bloom

Aren't they lovely?  These lilies have an especially good fragrance - between the petunias blooming and the lilies, the front gardens are very pleasant to be around these warmer than usual July days.

Ruining the Robbing Robin's Raids on the Raspberries

 There are many, many robins who live in the trees that are around our house to the north, northeast, and south.  They are usually very busy on the lawn, hopping around, listening for worms, and "harvesting" them.  However, they must get tired of the wormy diet, because robins love raspberries.  They exhibit great subterfuge, running almost hidden under the branches, and jumping up to bite the succulent berries.  Time for action.
So...Ron's first step was to hang shiny strips of special glittering foil from the wires defining the row
 That helped, but we could still walk out by the raspberries and surprise one or two robins not minding their business as we'd like.  So the bogus owl, mounted on a pole, with wings that flap in the breeze was the second attempt to discourage the robin robbers.

 That seemed not to be enough, so the next step was to use a motion-sensor rattlesnake along the path that the robins like to frequent.  Helped, but not efficient, in that we would need a half dozen to police this side of the patch.  Now, there is another owl, waiting to be mounted -how much pretend can we do?

However, the raspberries are beginning to come on quite well - Ron picked this morning, and our tiny patch gave about 1-1/2 quarts.  And they are just starting.  Perhaps there will be enough for the freezer, and an occasional robin, too?  If they dare, that is.

The Flag is Passing By

Yesterday was quite an event, in a sad way, for a family from Preston.  Their son was the first from Preston to be killed in the Iraq-Afghan war - he was in Afghanistan.  His body was brought home in a small airplane via Logan, Utah, and then a cavalcade that included a motorcycle brigade, formed for the 30 miles into Preston.  We understand the people were along the streets in Richmond, Utah, half-way home, and Franklin,  just 6 miles south of Preston, had many flags planted along the way, with people holding more, and giving their respects to this young man and his family.
Two of our neighbors took their children to participate in this procession.  Last night, about 8:00, the doorbell rang, and our favorite neighborhood children, two boys, one newly turned 5, one 2, and two girls, around five were there to tell about their day.  They each had a flag, and proceeded to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  They then presented Ron with a "letter" about their day, which consisted of the word "To", and many wavy lines.  The explanation was that when they could write, we would be able to read their message better.  All of the children, even those who were too old to tell us about it, must have benefitted from the day, when a young hero, who chose to join the military, and do as his country asked, was honored for doing so.  We are grateful that these young men, both those who come back, and those who lose their lives, are being honored for the sacrifices they have made.

Red Flowers

Red is the color of the day.  The top picture is a miniature rose bush that has pushed all of its growth buttons, and is blooming profusely.  The bottom picture - volunteer poppies.  The wind does blow gifts in strange places in the yard.  These came up in the bark underneath the burning bush plant.  Be glad for gifts. (except parslane)

Weed or Food?

The plant shown above in my scientific photographs is a nasty, obnoxious, take-over-the-garden plant called purslane.  Research shows us that this weed can be eaten; that it's particularly good in salads, and has several vitamins and good ingredients.  Unfortunately, my raised vegetable garden beds came equipped this spring with so much purslane that it looked like carpets, and I've had to slowly weed through to find the beets, carrots, tomatoes, etc.  I may be done by next week, and then I'll have to start all over again, because that's the nature of the beast.  If a small bit of root, or a small cutting of the plant is left on/in the soil, it grows.  I don't know if this gift came via the wind, the compost from the open compost pile, or just from heaven.  The plant is so hardy, it will grow anywhere.  I read where people in the Mediterranean areas plant it for food.  They must plant the more cultivated seeds, because I can't imagine anyone planting this weed on purpose.  We spent a couple of hours watching the early English history on PBS last night - as pertaining to ordinary people in an ordinary village.  It was so interesting; one of the things I learned was that the kitchen garden was planned so that at the back, certain weeds were allowed to grow, because they could be counted on for nutrition during times when food was scant.  I just cannot imagine eating this nasty weed, but I guess that if I were starving, I might look more kindly upon it.  In the meantime, it's war in my garden!

Summer Posies

 The pots are beginning to respond, and are looking better every day.  (A little Miracle Grow doesn't hurt.)  In this 90+ weather, I have to be constant about watering at least once a day.  I would love a drip system, but the pots are far apart  in the beds and on the porch.  I always have great decisions to make at the greenhouse in the spring to choose the plants that will look good in each pot (I only planted 12 this year.)  Sometimes I win, sometimes I flop.  This one is going to do well.  The white and purple pansy is a volunteer from last year.  Enlarge this one to enjoy the posies.

Gorgeous flaming red, with ruffled green leaves, and interesting buds that bend over with the weight, and then produce these feathery, fragile flowers.  Love the poppies.  One summer, long ago, some poppy seed got mixed in with the sugar beet seed, and as we thinned (with short handled hoes), we left some - maybe unintentionally.  But there were spots of red in the field where they grew to remind us of beauty in our lives.

The Quilt Show Continues

 Hearts and Gizzards - Louise has always wanted to make this one - lots of hand applique in this one.  Very striking!

 And, below, the Wedding Ring quilt done in pinks and white.

 This beauty was done at a retreat - Looks pretty difficult to me!

 And, this is Cheryl's gorgeous sampler quilt.  Enlarge below so that you can see the batik on the border.  Absolutely beautiful quilt.

You can see why we were so busy talking quilts.  Lots of material here.  (No pun intended.)  What a fun day!