Scratch-n-sniff Oregon

Mushroom season is just beginning. We comb wooded areas in search of Chanterelles. The forest floor smells of pine needles, decaying plant matter, and moist earth. Undergrowth is minimal, the perfect environment for little mushrooms.

I pick an apricot-colored chanterelle from its spongy moss bed. The light fruit aroma of it matches its color. Into the bag it goes.

Several paces away, clustered around a rotted tree stump, I see more of them. I'm like a child again, hunting Easter eggs. No dress this time. No basket, gloves, or shiny patent shoes. But the excitement of discovery is just the same as I remember it.

Days later I'm at the stables picking blackberries. As Dante' rides her horse and Maxwell plays, I stand before the prickly vines filling a small bucket. It is hot and the sun brings the odor of the berries to my nose. Hot, sticky, and sweet, they smell of late summer and fresh pies.

I shuffle my feet trying to angle my way to a better picking position without getting scratched by the vines. This crushes the wild mint under my feet. Inhaling deeply brings the cool refreshing scent deep into my lungs. Combined with the jammy sweetness of the berries, it is a gratifying moment.

Not all the smells here are wonderful. Low tide in the bay makes us look suspiciously at each other, wondering which of us was the 'offender'. " I swear I didn't!", vows the accused. "It's low tide!"

There is the pungency in spring of the skunk cabbage, the pervasive odor of 'cow' at the dairy farm, and the fishiness of the oyster processing plant.

Having said that, however, I wouldn't change any of it. After all these years, it all just smells like home.

-E

Part II

Day Tripping part I

Although these pictures appear totally unrelated, they were taken during an afternoon outing. We drove about an hour to a small , rural town. Much smaller and vastly more rural than our own.

In just one day we encountered such a diversity of life it was amazing. I can't do it justice in just one posting so here is part I:





pic 1- Dante' and Rex by the river. Note the greenness of the water.

pic 2- An utterly gorgeous bloodhound sits watchfully on his porch.

pic 3- Max on the 'upside' of a teeter-totter.

If you haven't already, go have some fun!!

It's tough to post this time of year with so much going on. The weather is beautiful, the gardens are going well, the baby goats want playing with..... Lots of wonderful distractions keep me from writing for the blog. :)

If your stuck in a rut, if your not having fun, be encouraged to try something new. I'll make a list to get you started with some ideas that are as frugal as possible.

1. Dig a pit in your back yard. Line it with bricks. Start a (safe) fire and roast marshmallows.

2. Dust off your tent and air it out. If you can't afford to go anywhere, just set it up in your front or back yard. Then camp out and do idea number 1.

3. If you don't have a yard, put a tent in your living room. We've done this and it's fabulous.

4. Lay blankets in the yard and watch the sun set.

5. Eat dinner outdoors. If you don't have a patio set (we don't) drag your dining set outdoors (don't laugh, we've done it) and enjoy a candle light dinner al fresco.

6. Roast corn on the cob for dinner. It is so delicious off the grill.

7. Go fishing and vow to eat your catch for dinner.

8. Make paper lanterns and hang them from your porch or balcony.

9. Borrow a telescope and stargaze.

10. Spend an entire day at the park, lake , or beach. No cheating and going home early.

11. "Summerize" your living space with wildflowers, throw pillows in summer-y fabrics, and don't forget to open the windows and let some light in.

12. Water balloon fight! You live near a dollar store, don't you?? Get 'em cheap.

Okay, that's plenty for now. Don't plan too much or think too hard, just go renew your spirit with some good old fashioned playtime.

love,
-E