Blue Angels Dive & Divide

I found these images from a few years back. We were headed back from the Oregon Coast and right above us these jets were doing their synchronized acrobatics from a nearby airshow in Hillsboro. I grabbed what I could and they moved on.

This Tree ~ A long time leaning

It is difficult to realize how great a part of all that is cheerful and delightful in the recollections of our own life is associated with trees.  Wilson Flagg

Suburbia, the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.  Bill Vaughn

Trees are much like human beings and enjoy each other’s company.  Only a few love to be alone.  ~Jens Jensen, Siftings, 1939

Heated Hummingbird Feeder by Bo Bolen

It is 40F degrees outside (4 Celsius) this morning and the hummingbirds are frequently feeding and teasing the housebound cats. You may recall my Arctic Blast hummingbird feeder rotation when it got down to 18 degrees in early February. Well yesterday, my wife and I came across this heated hummingbird feeder. The cord/bulb is removable for non-freezing temps. The feeder is reportedly heated via a small light bulb.

The time is almost past here in Western Oregon for freezing temps….I cannot believe I just said that. Ok, well big, all day freezes are almost past. But, this feeder holds promise for next year. It came in two sizes, we bought the smaller one. We discovered this one at a Home & Garden type show in Portland. 

Update 12/11/17: Bo may have passed away, But they are still in business, but running behind due to volume of orders. Still by check only, in the mail.

Here is where you can order the feeder!

Bo Bolen reached out to me and sent information re his development of this heated hummingbird feeder. Reach out to them and promote their product. More here

My Life & Probably Yours………….

I was intrigued by this image I took of a wall from which the wall paper had been stripped. Beneath the wall paper are nail holes, remnants of paste/adhesives, notations of some sort and assorted blemishes and damage after 60 some years.

My artsy/philosophical side was going to try and write something, perhaps, momentarily profound about life, the canvas of life, healing, change, scars, repair, strength, time, enduring, new beginnings….

But, perhaps the image stands as is….my life up to now.

Unrequited Love: GRHE

In the day, the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear (GRHE) was a must have, go to nymph pattern for the fly fisher along with the Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN). The two patterns covered the Clinger, Crawler, Swimmer, Burrower nymphs for mayflies. The gold bead head brightened up the pattern along the way, but one would be hard pressed to find this pattern today in most fly shops (or am I wrong?)

Synthetics (dubbings), wires and beads have allowed for smaller, denser patterns that are easier/faster to tie and seemingly as productive as the older fur/hair concoctions. I admit, I have not tied many of this pattern in the last ten or so years. I have about a couple dozen left, all on Mustad hooks of old.  Rabbit is still a part of many blended dubbings and worthy of use. So, is the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear. I bet many new tiers have not used gold tinsel in their tying.

Through the passage of time…………..

I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do.— Willa Cather  (O Pioneers, 1913)

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.  William Shakespeare

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness.   Kahlil Gibran