LAKE QUINAULT PHOTOS - MID-AMERICA FLIGHT MUSEUM

ht jb63 thanks

"All of these photos in the woods are from 3/14/2018.  "M" and I took a day trip from Olympia to Hoquiam to Ocean Shores to Clearwater to Lake Quinault on south and north shore roads to Kalaloch to Ruby Beach and back to Olympia... A great day I would love to do again!!  The waterfall is that creek that is on the south shore road that everyone stops to take photos of.

I love trees, and I get so disgusted when developers cut them down to build cookie cutter houses.  We need to keep the trees!  The trees above were in an area that suffered a bad blowdown of trees during a storm a couple of weeks before we were there.  The tree with the chain on it is my favorite, I am sure there is a story about the chain that has grown into the tree..... fascinating."

 

Quote above is from a good friend and high school classmate. A few photos shared from the Lake Quinault and Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive awhile back. Brought back many good memories of that area of Washington State.

Growing up near the coast, my parents and close friends would often head out on an early morning, lunches packed for that trip "around the loop." Years and years ago that drive offered unfettered access to streams, lakes and coastal beach travel. We would always stop somewhere along that route, throw down  blankets, grab sandwiches, homemade salads and drinks. The picnic lunch was never rushed and there was always time to walk trails or get wet in the waterways. It was an easy day trip playing and relaxing in some of nature's best work. 

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A SATURDAY FULL OF SURPRISES      

 

The Mid America Flight Museum is a quick, forty-minute drive for us. In our back yard, if you will. After four years here now, we had yet to make the trip. Forgetful, too busy and time has evaporated. But this past weekend, we decided to have a date day, visit the museum and treat ourselves to lunch out. Our plan was to be there early, take some good photos of war birds and look at one of the best collections of old airplanes, all currently flying. We have been told many times how wonderful and excellent this museum is. Only open to the public on Saturday mornings 08:00 till noon.

 

It was a gold mine for this amateur photographer, way beyond my expectations. But the best story of all will be told and shared in next weekend's post. I have work to do with photos,  video and story telling. 

 

Stop by next weekend for the story. 

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Appreciate the visit this week.

 

FINNEGAN - HOMEMADE GRANOLA - LEGOS - SOUND OF NITRO - LAST GOODBYE - JIBBER JABBER

 Finnegan: ht nn

 

Finnegan is in the "dog house" sort of. Doing his job as overseer of his kingdom, he was hit in the face last weekend from the north end of a southbound skunk. In his wild reaction to get away from what had just happened, he ran into the house, trying to find some place to rub off the experience. 

And yes, experiences like this always happen on a weekend. It was bad enough that the fellow was sprayed in the face, but he also did considerable disruption to the home. If you have any skunk experiences, you fully understand the owners' immediate problems last weekend.

Finnegan was washed and washed and eventually cleaned with skunk cleaner. Then shaved in an attempt to completely clean off the skunk. The home also was in some disarray and, as of this weekend, the home is clean and odor free. Finnegan is on a short leash in hopes to teach him not to stick his nose where it does not belong. I fear though that Finnegan might not be able to control himself when his kingdom requires his personal investigation.

It could have been a face full of porky pine. These things happen. 

I so want to walk up to him here, give him a pat on the head and tell him he is a "good boy."

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HOME MADE GRANOLA

One of the very best "cooks" my wife makes. Quick mix of a few ingredients, stirred and put in the oven to bake. The smell permeates the home and the urge to scoop handfuls for eating is overwhelming. But we cannot, should not; for low carb diet reasons. But this ranks right up there with homemade bread out of the oven. 

This batch fills two quart jars and "we"/she made this for gifting. A "younger" neighbor to the west drives his zero turn mower down to help mow our sloped yard near the road. The slope makes me nervous and I have not stepped up yet to trying the slope. My mower, also a zero turn, leans and I get hinky. Especially after having watched a few videos on YouTube where fellows have flipped and turned over mowing slopes. We have adopted a partial mow with our mower followed by finishing the slope with weedeaters. 

But neighbor knows what he is doing, tells me I can do it, but still comes over from time to time to finish the job. He drives by, sees the job half-completed,  and cannot control himself. I tell him thank you and he replies "you are welcome." 

Long story short, the granola is a gift to say thanks. Saying thank you is important and besides, we know he and his wife love the homemade granola.  

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 VISCERAL EXPERIENCE

I found this scouring YouTube shorts.  A couple minutes. Watch it all the way through. 

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LEGO bricks 

I was most impressed with the technology of mass production and storage. How many simple designs and ideas like this have changed the world? 

Legos have open the world of designing and building to kids and adults alike. Your imagination is the only limitation to assembling these small pieces together.

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THE LAST GOODBYE 

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JIBBER JABBER

I was awakened this morning with my wife gently rubbing my feet and asking me if I was ok. I was yelling "hello" "hello" "hello" in my sleep and dream state at 04:30 this morning. I was aware that I was yelling that as I slowly awoke. "Yes, I am fine", I replied. I started to explain that a box of vertically stacked wood pieces was revealing the presence of aliens and I was trying to contact them by saying hello. I did not, could not see them, but apparently, the way the wood pieces had been re-stacked was proof that only aliens could do that; and thus, proof of their presence and existence. Hey, it was a dream. 

I do miss my flying dreams though and always trying to explain to my other childhood friends how to do it. Over the years, I have learned how to easily lift off and land and fly at will over hills enjoying the expanses and views from above. 

I would explain that I have to do is hold my arms down snug at my sides, open my palms and mentally press down. The secret lies in the belief that I can fly as I put 100% of my mind into that moment. As the dream years have evolved, the flying has been easier as my mind has more easily moved into the experience.

I also enjoyed lifting off the ground within a group of people and watching the looks on their faces. 

I would rather enjoy some flying now in these early morning dreams rather than looking for aliens in vertically stacked wood boxes.

Maybe watching "FAllOUT" again this week tweaked a few neurons. Not sure. 

Another blog without going down a world full of rabbit holes. "How am I doing?"

Thanks for the visit. Have a good week. We may just make it through September 2024. 

I do feel the need to re-stack that box out back full of wood sticks. 

 

 

 

 

NEW ENGLAND BOUQUET - PAMPASS GRASS BLOOM - CELL PHONE HOLDER - JIBBER JABBER - TV SERIES REVIEWS

 ht  foxhat

 

Always fun seasonal photography from friends up north.

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And today in the Piney Woods.

Pampas Grass in full bloom.  A favorite of mine.

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Cellphone holder. Had to take a photo. Simple design and function. Great idea for homemade Christmas presents.

Note hole for charging chord. 

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TV SERIES REVIEWS

RIVER 

A 2015 British mystery series: 6 episodes. 

I am not a fan of mystery series but my wife kept saying that this series received 100% Rotten Tomatoes review. She suggested we at least give it an episode or two. We did. What hooked me and kept me through those first two episodes was the actress, Nicola Walker. I had not seen her before. 

After those two episodes, I was in for the full series. Excellent story telling and excellent acting. I agree for once with Rotten Tomatoes. Give this series a try. Free on Prime.

SPOOKS

An MI-5 spy drama. 2002 through 2011; ten seasons. We are in season three and find the writing and acting improving through every episode. Stories and characters constantly evolving. Give this series a few episodes and see what you think. Free on Prime.

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JIBBER JABBER

Quiet Days. 

September is steady, one day at a time in the passing.  

I am not putting much energy these days into most of what I read and nothing I hear in a news event. I have spent most of my life being able to rely on news reports and stories to know what is going on the world. But for the past several years and surely everyday now, I trust not. Sad, I think, but have found this necessary for mental sanity and not getting constantly caught in some rabbit hole. At the end of the day I think that we are going to have to go through what lies ahead. I do not know what that will look like, but do believe I will recognize "it."

"Starbuck, Galactia! What do ya hear?"

Appreciate the visit this week. Have a good week.

JAKE COLLISSON - PORK BUTT - DOUGLAS A-26 B - PREPARATIONS - PINE NEEDLES

Jake Collisson rocks. Ten year-old guitarist owns the crowd. Fun to watch and the kid can play the guitar in front of 30,000 fans. Watch till the end. Heartwarming and the music is awsome.

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SET IT AND FORGET IT

Crockpot overnight boneless pork butt.

Ten hours on low. Salt, pepper and a little chicken broth.

Pulled pork at its best. Leftover broth covered the above pulled pork (after photo) and "it's what's for dinner" for the next two nights. Pulled pork street tacos. Full of flavor, very little effort and the cost reasonable in today's market place.

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A Beautiful Douglas A-26B.

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 A Reasonable Approach to Coming Times.

"..... means you must start thinking about your preparations. That does not mean you go out with guns and violence.  That means you get what matters in food, water in containers, some fuel and the ability to not have to go anywhere for a few months."

Thoughts from Lame Cherry (above)

September 1st today and I am again repeating the same thoughts as each month passes and the next month begins. I am holding my breath and wondering if we are going to make it through this month now.  This will be a 2024 pivitol month I believe.  I am seeing mostly EOTW headlines and stories across all of the blogs I visit and media sites I pass through.

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JIBBER JABBER

Temperatures "cooling" here, a stationary front has parked over Dallas and McKinney and odd that there is no associated weather with that frontal system and low pressure area. We have higher percentages of rain forcast each day but nothing yet. Still humid with the lower temperatures. 

Green pepper plants offering last of this seasons fruits. Canteloupes have been the best ever. Like eating sopping wet candy. Lawns are all but dead due to lack of rain and the damn pine needles are piling up faster than I can keep up with the raking and removing. I will admit that the morning workouts, moving pine needles, are an upside for staying active. And the yards look wonderful for two days.

This photo is a hint of what it looks like all around the yard with pine trees. Nasty. 

AND, and the Ryobi 40V big battery leaf blower works wonders. I have gone through three batteries on a normal morning blowing (dry) needles into rows for raking. I would truly be in a world of hurt if it were not for that tool. Has paid for itself a hundred times over. Check out this weekend pricing. Maybe a good deal worthy of a trip to town.

Appreciate the visit this weekend. You know the drill.