Holiday Blessing

I received an early holiday blessing today - an email from a dear high school friend that warmed my heart in a way I find difficult to put into words.  My friend and I lost touch in the years following high school but recently reconnected and what a joy it's been to get to know her again.  When I read her email it felt as though no time had ever passed between us.  Like time had just stood still.  Her words and the tone of her message spoke volumes of sincerity and warmth; I was transported back in time to the early days of our friendship.  I've never had another friend as dear as she was and continues to be.  What a gift.  The gift of friendship is the most wonderful and fulfilling gift one can be given.  What a wonderful prelude to this holiday season and a gentle reminder of all I have to be thankful for.  Thank you my friend for the reminder of how wonderful life is in spite of all the sorrows and darkness that surround us. 

Tipping Into Another Season

It's dusk, one of those evenings where the evening outdoor light seems to linger, hesitating to disappear in all its pink and golden glory.  Fall's presence - so comforting and warm, yet chilly and crisp at the same time.  Golden leaves sprinkle over and hide the fading green grass.  The time of year when hunters eagerly prepare for their hunt, children ponder Halloween costumes and yummy candy and people like me who think of a hot bowl of chili, knitting needles and a skein of soft wool yarn, a good book and a cup of warm spicy tea.  Fall encourages us to reflect over the past year, remember what we're thankful for and what we will anticipate for the coming year.  It's all good. 

Built for Fun

Summer, finally.

This Little Light of Mine

Beautiful, Serene Ola, Idaho

For Mother's Day, we headed for a place called Sagehen Reservoir for a picnic.  Sagehen is a small reservoir surrounded by Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine trees and nestled in the mountains northwest of Boise.  As we made our way toward Sagehen reservoir, we wound through desert sage covered hills and through several little towns.  One in particular caught our eye today, a place called Ola.  We've been through Ola several times before, but this time we stopped to take a little closer look at this gentle, pastoral piece of Idaho history.  Wikipedia describes Ola as an unicorporated town in Gem County Idaho.  Homesteader Carroll Baird established the first post office in Ola on July 22, 1882.  Wikipedia states that Baird chose the name Ola "for an old Swede that happened along."  Ola does seem a place that folks might "happen along." 

Today's Ola from afar...a sleepy little place with plenty of story.

Ola's community church.  Each of the windows had a candle glowing in it. 

Baird's cabin thoughtfully preserved.

The modern day post office.

And the school house.  When I see old school houses still in use I think of all the technological changes that have been incorporated into it - like internet access and whiteboards.  Amongst all the changes, brick and mortar still remains.

A message to think twice about litter...

A homestead, a place called home.

A cabin up the creek.  Gone but not forgotten.

Spring green in the hills above Ola.

Jackson and Speedwagon in the mountains near Ola.  We never made it to Sagehen reservoir, there was too much mushy wet snow on the road and we thought we'd get stuck.  That wouldn't be fun.  We spent our time wandering around Ola instead.  I think it turned out to be a good thing. 

A sign wishes us well as we head back out of the canyon towards home.  I am so glad we "happened along" Ola today.  What a great Mother's Day.

Dorothy had Toto...

I have Scout. 

He patiently waits for his next opportunity...

Quickly returns when he gets too far away...  

 

A best friend who always knows the way home.

What's Your Color?

I love blue.  Blue skies, blueberries, blue sweaters, blue blankets, the blue Pacific ocean.  Blue reminds me to slow down, relax, enjoy each passing moment.  It seems like we all have a few colors we naturally choose over others.  My sister enjoys red - red cherries, red fabric, red antiques, red flowers.  She and I balance each other out - even in our color choices.  Her red influence fires me up when my blue influence encourages a little too much relaxation and not enough action.  Friends and family balance us out and help us make our way though life's challenges.  It's reassuring to know we have others around us to sit along side occasionally. What's your color?