On Their Way Home to Montana

My sister Bonnie and her husband, Frank, spent four days here, and are now headed back home to Montana. We spent most of our time just sitting around talking, going through old-old family photos of great-great grandparents, and eating.

Our ancestry goes back to Germany and Wales, and once our ancestors got here, a smattering of other races entered the gene pool, making our children look very ethnic, mixed.

My Dad's old drawings, floorplans of houses, and geneology lists covered the table. It is a goal of mine to figure out his family line, if that is possible, to see where we get these unusual noses, kinky hair, high cheekbones, and slight frames. It is a wonderment, seeing women five generations back, with ten children, in the most straight-laced, solid, stern images, and then the image of Bonnie and I at the same age, wearing REI down jackets, fleece vests and sweatpants.

Bonnie showed family photos of the old ghost town of Gilman, Montana, where our great grand parents owned the Hotel. When the Great Northern Railroad was built, and didn't go through the town, Gilman shut down and the old Hotel was moved to Augusta. A lot of our relatives live in ranching and farming communities around Augusta.

We also went through some old slides, showing my mom's 1957 Thunderbird, our parent's homes on Flathead lake, and all of the kids when they were little. Time sure catches up with you, when you get to be our age. We laughed at all the old fashions, the outrageous hairstyles. And we remembered a lot of good times. I'll have to say that now is the best time of all - much of the hard work is done, and the children are grown, sharing the laughter and stories.

Late Afternoon at the Nisqually Delta

My sister, Bonnie, and her husband, Frank arrived safely Saturday, and we took this hike yesterday at the Nisqually Delta, south of Tacoma. It is a wildlife refuge, with many Canadian geese wintering over. We had a very brisk hike, with some of our children joining us. My son, Taraz, carried the camera, and took some of the photos.

Hiking The Nisqually Delta

I'll have to admit, we were not surprised for how cold it got on this hike, and we also started late, as you can see from the long shadows.

I had to borrow my son's wooly scarf because my ears got cold, and of course, I always have to wear sunglasses and a visor, because my eyes are very sensitive to light. I'm sorry, but, this is how old ladies get, and we simply do not care about fashion when we are desperate to stay warm. That big jacket is Men's Extra Large - big enough to wrap around my life jacket when we are canoeing, and the sleeves are long enough to cover my hands when I walk.

Sunset Beach - Gig Harbor

The Boulevard Hausman - A Fantasy

The Boulevard Hausman is in a sleepy little fishing village where the houses are vibrant with color - white, pink and ocre. Gardens have hedges of pink laurel, jasmine and honeysuckle.

Signac, Matisse and Bonnard painted here, thrilled by the color. Street life is vibrant by day - residents packing aspargus, peeling garlic, hanging tobacco leaves, sorting plums - and street musicians a acrobatics entertain shoppers looking for fresh shrimp, prawns, oysters and crab. Flame throwers entertain in the Arcade. Goats, geese, and chickens are at the Flea Market.

Night life is gentle - lovers stroll through the park, couples show off new babies, old men walk their dogs. Aromas from the Cafe are a calling card to exquisite local cooking, fine china and linens, and lively discourse. This is a time to ignore the rest of the world. At sunset, little boats, provided by Haussman, are free for an evening glide. Rooms are available, and reasonably priced, above the Patisserie. Fresh bread and sweet rolls are compliments to your room. You will find them on your nightstand.

~ Colored pencil drawing with marking pen definitions. A few years ago, I created a set of about 25 little drawings of French and Italian life, improvised a story, and this is one of them. (Click on picture to enlarge illustration.)

Market in Ravenna - Italy

VIETATO TOCCARE LA MERCE ````````````````````````````````````````````
Melanzane Mozzarella - eggplant with cheese
Crostinialle Olive - fried bread with olives
Acciughe al Limone - anchovies with lemon
Caciucco alla Livornese - stew with cuttlefish, red snapper
Risott0 ai Finocchi - rice with fennel, onions, parmesan
Polenta de Grano Saraceno - buckwheat polenta, Gruyere cheese
Malfatti di Ricotta -ricotta gnocchi, spinach, onion
Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa - pasta with turnip greens
Frittata ai Tartufi Neri - black truffle, potato, prosciutto
Sarde a Beccafico - sardines with raisens and pine nuts
Teglia di Pesce Spade - marinated swordfish
Involtini alla Maggiorana - little veal rolls with margoram
Mele al Burro - apples cooked in butter and wine
Cenci Fritti - Tuscan fried pastries
Pesche Ripiene agli Amaretti - Amaretti - coffee ice cream with Amaretti biscuits
Sorbetto al Limone - lemon sorbet
Auccotto - almond and chocolate cake
Zuccotto - almond and chocolate cake
Zabaione con le Fragole - Zabaione with strawberries

~ Donation only ~ Proceeds go to the garden commune workers ~

Colored pencil drawing, with ink highlights ~ from a portfolio of my drawings and their stories that I did several years ago on Italy and France. (Click on illustration to enlarge.)

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home
--Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought
--Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free"
--Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

From Our Walk Today - Gig Harbor

Twas a very cold day for a walk, low 40's, but we strolled along the old waterfront along Gig Harbor, where we found this old truck, packed up for the season. Have I ever admitted, I love old trucks, old hubcaps and wheels...

All The Little Treasures

When we were raising our kids, the BIG word was FREE. Because we had about a decade of scrimping along, we never had the extras that a lot of people take for granted. Our kids grew up with paper routes at an early age, to earn money for clothes and amusements. They were always hustling with eachother, trading clothes, finding ingenious ways to stretch their resources.

I remember one Halloween, Ruhiyyih dressed up her two younger brothers in her old costumes - Rahmat used her Oreo Cookie costume and Taraz went as a Maid, with the little black dress and apron with white ruffles. They went to extremes to conserve their resource.

My kids wrote for things, sending stuff off in the mail, when summer simmered down in a slog of boredom. Rahmat wrote to Nintendo offices up in Redmond, WA, with an "Envelope Art" drawing and some suggestions for game strategies. And, he got the most fantastic response back - a personal letter from Greg Wallace, the Game Play Counselor. He said, ' Way cool envelope art, dude!'. The real treasure here is that Rahmat now designs intricate games on his own website - amazing what a kind letter of encouragement can do.

I remember one day something came in the mail for Ruhiyyih - she couldn't have been more than 12 years old. It was a free sample that she'd written away for. It came in a white package, no decoration other than lines drawn to make a bow. I was curious about it, wondering what would be in an unmarked package, and I did what any snooping mother would do - I opened it. Inside was an "Attends Brief" with new Perma Dry Protection, fits 32-34 hips, medium, with instructions for wearing standing or bed-ridden!

She started at age 10 filling out all the Sweepstake forms from Readers Digest and sent them in, hoping we'd win the 6 million dollar prize. I never filled them out, because I thought getting rich would spoil our life. It would rob my kids of the delightful inventiveness that I saw as they tried to figure out how the world works.

Ruhiyyih comes to visit today, and she will look in the piggybank I keep on the windowsill for her - all my loose change. I've got some holiday coupons from stores with free gifts - Bath and Body Works, Victoria Secret, Domino's pizza, and a $7.00 carwash. I save these for her. And, this last week she gave me a $10.00 coupon savings at the Jiffy Lube for my oil change. If you were to talk to her, she'd tell you about all the ways she saves and collects little treasures along the way. Funny, when she tells me about it, she is always giggling and laughing, like she was still that 12 year old child, ready to get a grip on her world.

Snake Lake Wetland Preserve - Tacoma

About 2:00 I hiked around Snake Lake, which is about a mile or so from our house. The trail goes up into light, airy woods and meanders along one edge of the lake. It is about an hour stroll, very peaceful.

Canadian Geese Feeding On Algae

Algae in the water and lichen on tree trunks are very abundant here.
Lichens are nature's pioneers...they are among the first to arrive, finding their homes in some of the most barren and inhospitable parts of the world. From there they slowly begin the process of creating a foundation for habitation by others.

The structure of lichens are unique: a symbioses of two organisms -- a fungus and algae -- so complete that they behave and look like an entirely new being. A lichen can literally eat stones, survive severe cold, and remain dormant for long periods without harm.

Upgrading The Old Man's House

A few years ago I saw an old man sitting at the window of this house, day after day. He had an old dog he called 'Jack', and they would walk the streets of 6th Avenue, three blocks from my home.

Jack and the old man were alone in the house, and seemed to inhabit only one room, the kitchen. It was the only room that ever had a light burning, and also the only room without shades.

The house caught my attention because the old man seemed so alone, and I wondered how he was managing. He and Jack always walked slowly, like they'd been together a long time. Then, one day I noticed that the house never had a light burning, never had the old man at the window. It was like this for several years, and when I drove by, I thought for sure that the old man had passed away - and he had.

I pass this house on my walks, and yesterday a contractor and his son were making plans to fix up the house, by pulling out all the old shrubery, putting in new ones, and by painting and remodeling the inside. They've started to spray-wash the outside, getting it ready. They said they'll be painting next week, gutting portions of the old house, redoing the porch. The contractor is the grandson of the old man who owned it, and he said he will be living in the house with his family when it is finished. I'm so pleased that someone is taking care of this old property, and I'll post a picture of it when everything is finished.

I just wish this contractor had been able to make all the repairs and make it more presentable when the old man was alive - but, who knows, maybe living in an old relic of a house with its memories is just what the old man treasured.

Taking A Lunch Break - Hobo Stew

Its been a gorgeous, sunny day here in Tacoma, so I've spent most of the morning pruning my tree malva and rose bushes, mowing the yard, and doing a little edge-work. I'm dumping my potted flowers, and storing the containers in the garage. We still have one tree - the cherry - that is still dropping yellow leaves everyday, so I'm ignoring that.

I've put together Hobo Stew with English Muffins for a lunch, along with a tossed salad and a cup of tea.

Hobo Stew is an inexpensive stew that is great for pot-lucks - black beans, great northern beans, pinto and kidney beans, mixed frozen vegetables, sauteed onions, saussage and hamburger in a tomato soup-bean soup base, from concentrate. I make up a big batch of it, then thaw portions at a time. It's a real hit with kids.

Lost In The Deep Woods!

Ruhiyyih and I went for a long walk through the woods yesterday - a walk much longer than we had planned...we got lost!

Point Defiance Park is an old growth forest on Puget Sound, right here in Tacoma. I walk through the trails here at least three times a week, but I stay close to the road. It is easy to get lost on all the little trails, as they all interconnect.

Now, if you have to get lost in a beautiful forest, this is the one! As you can see from the photo, the trails are wide, soft with pine needles and leaves, and it invites a journey. George gets lost here all the time when he is running or bird-watching, and he loves it. But, Ruhiyyih had to go to late afternoon services at her church, and we had our Baha'i Friends coming over for the study circle at 5:00. We were loosing time, and it was getting dark.

So we short-cutted through the woods over to the road, and followed it. We must have walked a circle taking that shortcut, or gotten over onto a fork in the road, because the road became miles! We watched a storm roll in off the water, blowing the top branches of the cedars, and the sky turned very dismal. Pretty soon we picked up our step, a little apprehensive about the weather. Cars drove along the road with their headlights on, and a few runners passed us by. We just kept walking - we knew the road would take us back to our car, as it was only a one way route.

We watched a deer, and I almost petted a big black lop-eared rabbit that obviously was tame, someone's discarded pet. (We even watched a herd of caribou, about 8 of them, with big antlers - they were by the zoo boundary). So, it felt like lions, tigers, and bears, oh my, and getting dark, and will my car get towed, and my purse is in the car, and what will we do.... we finally considered called George, to let him know we were lost, couldn't find the car. We'd walked about three and a half miles, and no end in sight. Just as we were thinking about doing that, we rounded a bend, and...... there....... was.......my............... car! We just laughed so hard, more from relief than from our foolishness.

Manchester State Park - Washington

After our Cluster meeting yesterday, we went for a drive through Kitsap County, and found a hiking location at beautiful old Manchester State Park.

The park itself was constructed at the turn of the century as a U.S. Coast Artillery harbor defense installation for the protection of Bremerton. During World War II, the property was converted to a navy fuel supply depot and a navy fire-fighting station.

The buildings you see here are the gun battery deep in the ground and the torpedo warehouse, both built in 1901. The torpedo warehouse was later an officer's club, a barracks and a mess hall, and is now a picnic shelter in the day-use area.

A small concrete building east of the torpedo warehouse (not pictured here) was originally used as a mining casement, and later for coal storage. I walked through it, and it was so eerie - the walls were built two feet thick, with just one window at each end and a trap door in the top. It was incredibly dark and musty. I couldn't imagine men sleeping in such a 'tomb'. As I was walking along in the dark, looking up at the ceiling, I didn't see a pop can at my feet, and I stepped on it. It squashed, popping with an echo, and scared me out of my wits. Just the kind of boom those men living in this barrack probably expected!

Rich Passage in Puget Sound Washington

Our excursion started along Rich Passage in Puget Sound, where we stopped to watch the hundreds of American Widgeons that have congregated along the shoreline. Our hike went through beautiful stands of cedar, hemlock, Douglas fir and maple. Moss and ivy cover a lot of the tall trees - a testiment to the moisture that frequents this area year long. We hiked up trails that led to overlooks of Rich Passage. The trail meanderd through heavily forested campgrounds that are still open for people willing to brave 45 degree temperatures at night. I enjoyed walking along the shoreline here, looking at at the detris on the beach. We've been here a number of times, last time with my dad when he came for a visit. He liked the old buildings at Manchester State Park.

Antique Mall - Port Orchard

We finished our drive by stopping at one of my favorite antique malls in downtown Port Orchard. While I was there, I saw these toys, that I'm sure made some child happy. Also, I was surprised to see an old set of dishes that was similar to the old set we had at the cabin when I was growing up - a white pattern with gold trim. Those dishes are worth a fortune now! Amazing how just a few decades go by, and what we once discarded becomes more valuable. Quite a lesson in that, wouldn't you say?

Mordrid, Ruhiyyih's On The Phone!

Shhhhhh. Listen up! Ruhiyyih's on the phone! It's for you, Mordrid! ......She is coming to stay overnite!

Our cat, Mordrid, just waits for my daughter to visit, then, he sits on top of her wherever she happens to be. He really misses her! We've got two cats, Pandora is a feisty little female, and Mordrid, a gorgeous male. Of the two, Mordrid is the most affectionate. A few days ago, Ruhiyyih came to stay overnight, and when she awoke the next morning, the two cats staked out their territory. Take a look, on 'Ruhiyyih's Reflections' , (scroll down a ways):
http://ruhiyyih.blogspot.com/

Pot Roast and Lemon Bars

I've just been reading, cooking and hiking lately - the reading inspires the hiking, the hiking works up the appetite. Quite the cause and effect going here...and all so satisfying.

I made a Pot Roast, browning it with spices in the frypan first, then transfering it to the oven to simmer with seasoned broth, carrots and onions for three hours until it was very tender. I added the potatoes halfway through the baking, basting them occasionally. Then, pinto beans were added toward the end, to soak up some of the broth and seasonings. It then just simmers in my ole cast iron skillet, until the broth is thick, like a gravy. Sure was good.

I'll have to admit that Lemon Bars are about as simple as a dessert can get, but I love them. Just bake the bottom crust for 8 minutes, then add the filling, bake another 25 minutes, and let it cool. Dust with powdered sugar. I like lemon bars with a cup of green tea. So refreshing.

Hiking In The Snow at Mt. Rainier

The snowplows up on Mt. Rainier had just finished plowing the road, when we arrived up at Longmire for a hike. What a change from late fall colors to full blown winter.

I hadn't planned on such cold weather, so didn't have gloves or a hot drink in the thermos. We also brought the wrong kind of boots - for hiking, not snow and slush. But, we headed out on a trail through the woods.

There are little bubbling thermal pools, where carbon dioxide escapes from the volcanic activity in the mountain. They had a strong sulfur smell. Orange iron residue laced some of the meadows.

We walked a nice trail up through the woods, over little streams, through a meadow. It was such a short trail we walked it a second time, taking our time, and really lingering.By the time we were finished, I didn't need a hot drink, and I'd removed my scarf, my coat, and my hat.

It was considerably overcast, with rain, and fog nestled in the mountains by Alder Lake Reservoir - the water is purposefully drained this time of year to make way for the incoming snowmelt.

The little cabin was just someone's long-forgotten idea of a tourist trap, many years ago. We checked out some canoeing places, but didn't find a good put-in place. It was getting dark, so we headed home. One thing about hiking up in high-country, you are ready for a hot meal when you get home. You've worked up an appetite.

Afternoon Walk at Point Defiance Park

I took a long afternoon walk in the rain today at Point Defiance Park . Here in Tacoma there is a wonderful light drizzle all winter long, and if you want to walk anywhere, it is often in the rain. A bit of fog was just settling in, and the forest was quite dark, peaceful.

I walked down to Owens beach, and walked along the shoreline. On my way up through the forest, I saw several deer, who seemed not at all concerned that I was there. I kept my distance, watching them browse and twitch their tails. They'd stop chewing and listen and then resume nibbling the huckleberry branches. At one point, I followed them along a little trail, and we walked along single file, stopping to breathe the air, to listen...marvelous teachers, they were.

At one point, I stood under a tall cedar, whose base and branches were covered in glistening little ferns. I stood under these to get out of the rain. Chicades signaled from the berry bushes, and big-leaf maple leaves tumbled down to the ground. Oh, the weight and yet the softness of rain, transforming the light, encouraging the fog to settle in.

I must say, getting out for a daily walk is so refreshing. I try to make it a part of every day - rain or shine.

Hiking Mt. Reynolds - Glacier Park - Montana

This is a photo of the staff of Whitewater Rafting Company in Glacier Park.

I've done a lot of hiking right here! Glacier Park - Logan Pass. We make a point of climbing with my sister and her husband, who are avid climbers. They've done Mt. Reynolds here, and usually have a hike planned every weekend. When we visit them, they don't take us on serious climbs, rather just a nice puttering trail. It is sure gorgeous country, and very tourist friendly.

The Whitewater Rafting Company is at West Glacier. It provides abundant recreational activities for those that wish to experience the backcountry in Glacier Park. Interpretive guides point out all the details. Trips can be arranged that include camping, fishing and whitewater rafting. I'd enjoy a 3 day hike to Granite Park Chalet. (You've heard all the grizzly bear stories about that place, right?) Or a fishing trip on the Middle Fork or North Fork of the Flathead River. These waters support the native West Slope Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. Just a great getaway for the sports-minded. Check out their site:
http://www.glacierguides.com/

Lunchtime For My Sons Today

We've got an afternoon hike planned today, my 'boys' and I. No rain today, but windy and a little brisk.

Before we head out, I wanted them to have a good lunch...some teriyaki rice and fried fish, a tossed salad (apples, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes, and sunflower seeds). And, of course the cornmeal bread I baked yesterday.

No matter what I fix, my sons are still like beanpoles. Nothing seems to fatten them up. I'll sure be glad when I see each of them put on about 10 lbs. Today, when Rahmat walked down the stairs carrying some laundry, his sweatpants started sliding down with each step. Finally the pants won, he was swishing the darn things around his ankles.

Warming Up The Kitchen - Bread Baking

It was about 46 degrees out this morning, so I'm baking bread today to warm everything up. I'm making a 'Cornbread-White Bread', great for French Toast or for Garlic Bread.

I've made my own bread for over 30 years, usually four loaves at a time. Dilly Bread is a favorite, with cottage cheese and dill weed, and I've got a wonderful recipe for Whole Wheat Bread, with molasses and honey, wheat germ, and a tad of buckwheat flour.

I'm holding the dough here, after I've greased it, ready to place in the oven to rise. That will take about an hour, then I'll shape the loaves and let it rise again.

Wish you were here - we'd have toast and coffee.

Afternoon Walk At Point Defiance Park

I've got some chilli ready for supper, along with some hard crusty rolls. A little spinach salad and some tangerines - dinner is ready. Meantime, I'll post some photos of the long walk I took today at Point Defiance Park. This park is part of a large old growth forest here in Tacoma. It is covered with hiking trails, bicycle paths, and picnic areas. I went down to the pond to feed the ducks, then I headed into the forest for a walk. I must have spooked a deer because there was a terrible crashing...and I was so glad I was not in Montana up at Glacier, where the likelihood of meeting up with a grizzly is quite possible this time of year. We had rain most of today, with sunbreaks in the late afternoon, and I was fortunate to sit in the sun for awhile. Its not everyday you'll get a spot of sun like this here. I guess I made good use of it. It's getting dark now, and smoke is curling up from the chimney in the house across the street. A warm light shines through the window. It's about time to sit down and call it a day...with suppertime. Hope you all have a good evening.