Bounty and Beauty

The beauty of our sweet little place continues to bring me so much pleasure. Our gardens, the sunsets over the hedge of blackberry bushes, the covey of quail scurrying about our yard, the sun shining through the clouds after the rain.



It's exciting to be in a place where the seasons really change. To feel the difference in the air, not just the temperature. And because we Americans have access to all kinds of foods no matter the time of year, I'm just now learning what fruits and vegetables are in season when. We eat from our garden and the farmers markets and now from Maya's yard.



Courtney picked concord grapes from Maya and Eder's grapevine this week and crushed them and made juice. He picked bartlett pears and prunes from their yard. Our kitchen counters are full of bowls of beautiful fruit.



Every other day I harvested a colander full of cherry tomatoes, plus squash and green beans. But that will end soon. There's so much to do around here to prepare for winter. Courtney finished putting in the new drainage system (that was a project!), put a layer of sealant on our flat roof (that was another project!) and is now sealing up the spots where little mice could come in out of the cold. Our wood stove gets installed at the end of the month. We're getting ready to buy a cord of wood and a truck-load of mint compost. Every day that the sun shines and it warms up, we're grateful! Feels like we're buying a little more time before winter comes.


Meanwhile, since I posted the last entry, Courtney went to California to celebrate his birthday with his dad and sister (who all three share the same birthday!) It was a really great trip for him--to spend time with his family--but 25 hours on the train coming home was bit too long.

While he was gone I consoled myself with a great book (thanks to a recommendation from Ellen O'Brien) called All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki. I highly recommend it to all Barbara Kingsolver fans. Not since Prodigal Summer or Poisonwood Bible have I been so immersed in a story. I read for hours at a time. It was so fun, and gave me a sense of what it will be like in the winter--reading snug in my papasan, strategically situated right by the wood stove.

Also during his absence I attended my first meeting of the Friends of Middle East Peace. The members of the group were earnest, intelligent, commited, frustrated. It reminded me of being back home in Monterey. We watched a devastating film called "The Iron Wall" about the Palestinian Territories. We talked about the million cluster bombs (purchased from the US) that the Israeli military dropped over Southern Lebanon in the final days of the war. Cluster bombs that are waiting like land mines for Lebanese children to find them. The Middle East (and especially the children) has haunted my thoughts ever since. I long to find a way to be useful (and effective) in the movement for peace and justice in the Middle East. But I can't seem to find direction yet. And fear for my tenuous health keeps me from just jumping in.



So we take care of Baby Ben, who grows cuter and livelier all the time. And I write and call Aaron and worry about how he's doing without his mom, though he sounds fine. His sixth grade class, with the 7th and 8th graders, just spent a week on retreat at Camp Jack Hazard in the Sierras, sleeping under the stars, hiking along ridge tops, sitting by the campfire at night, rope courses and rock climbing during the day. The focus of the retreat was outdoors leadership and environmental education. His teacher Mr. Spedding wanted the kids to come away with a strong sense of community, collaboration and the importance of working on behalf of the group, rather than oneself solely. Right on! Wish I'd learned that in 6th grade.

Today's a beautiful sunny day with clear skies. Courtney and I are on our way to the "Passport to Healthy Gardens: Organic Gardens & Sustainable Living Tour & Solar Convallis Tour" so I'll report in the next entry if it was as good as it sounds!

Thanks for having the interest and taking the time to read this,

Valori

The splendor of the Oregon Coast

Last weekend Courtney and I took a two-day vacation on the Oregon Coast. We went to vistit Courtney's friend Phil (who he's known since college) and his family at their home near Lincoln City. As soon as we arrived we were greeted by a pair of bald eagles (one which you can see in the photo below if you look really hard) in the trees just off their deck.



It was a welcomed break from home projects and so great to be along the coast. It was a hot couple of days in Corvallis but refreshingly cool on the coast with wisps of fog mixed with blue skies. Courtney and I both relaxed and enjoyed ourselves so much.

Being in a new environment, especially such a beautiful one, was pleasurable, but the real pleasure was being among such wonderful people. These were friends of Courtney's who I had never met before. They fed us yummy, beautiful food, entertained us with great stories and made us laugh. But the real testimony to their kindness and generosity was how they ooh'd and aah'd over all my photos of Ben and my family. Not only were they incredible hosts and provided us with such a sweet holiday, but they were really good company. That wonderful combo of good talkers and great listeners.





The area around and the beach below Phil's home reminded me so much of Point Lobos. Lovely white sand, tall trees and big rock outcroppings. Dramatically beautiful and incredibly peaceful.




Heading south along the coast to come home, we made lots of stops to take shots like the one below of the dramatic coastline.




We weren't sure what to make of Lincoln City. First we drove past Kundalini Espresso, then Hail Mary's drive-thru espresso, but finally stopped at Gnarly Boy's wicked kick butt espresso and tanked up there for the trip home. Gnarly Boy's worked and we made it home safely. I especially liked the sign on their bathroom door: Keep your sunnyside up.



And with those words of wisdom, I'll leave you til next week.

Peace, salaam, shalom,

Valori