Category Archives: Thoughts

I Look Out My Window and See …

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View from My Office Window
Heatherwood Spring

As I read the morning news on my office computer and sigh for all the turmoil that is going on in our country and the world, I turn to my side and gaze out the window. This image is what greets me on an early morning. It helps me change my perspective and think what is right about our world. I see the many trees that I’ve planted and nature has taken care of as they have matured. I look at the background hill and reflect on how it came into being. I compare the dry slope of the hillside and am grateful for the water that has been directed from the mountains that makes our little Heatherwood oasis possible. It entices me to go outside and mingle with the treats around me that nature has gratefully provided. Thank You!!!

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I Remember…

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NW Planting Bed
Heatherwood Spring

I remember when I first moved back to Selah, the Selah-Naches Irrigation flume ran across the base of the hill above. It supplied the water for the Selah and Naches valley farms and orchards for around 100 years. It was one of the highlights that attracted me to this specific site for my new home. Alas, a few years ago the flume was removed and replaced by an underground pipeline. I miss the historic scene, but was able to build a little tribute to it with this section of the flume and planting area in the NW corner of Heatherwood.

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A Blue Sky Afternoon

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Cherry Allee & Neighbor’s Pasture
Heatherwood Spring

With all the turmoil surrounding us, it is important to step back and reflect on what is right about the world. What is better to be thankful for than a peaceful sunny late afternoon with a blue sky above. This is just the spot to relax and enjoy the day and nature’s landscape surrounding our home. Soon the blossoms of the Pink Flair cherries will fall. Leaves of the cherries and birches and oaks below will emerge. A little later, the planting bed between the cherries will be full of colorful perennials. Horses will be grazing in the pasture. You will find us sitting on the rocks dangling our feet amongst the flowers.

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Beauty is Fleeting

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Akebono Flowering Cherry
Heatherwood Spring

It pays to stroll through the garden every day at this time of year. New blooms burst out every day. In this case with our Akebono cherries, the glory of the full bloom only lasted one day. The temperature dropped into the 20’s the day that the cherries burst out in full bloom. The next morning the bright white blossoms were brown.

Garden strolls remind me to stay in the present and enjoy each and every moment. When I see something that catches my eye, I take the time to stop and explore it. I sometimes get close and touch the plant and feel its uniqueness. Who knows, tomorrow it may change.

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Our Lady of Liberty Stands Above!

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Statue of Liberty
No Kings Day – Yakima, WA

My heart sinks as I observe what the Trump administration is doing to tear down our Democracy. Hope emerges as my faith in my fellow Americans holds strong. This was demonstrated yesterday during the third “No Kings Day” in our small rural town of Yakima, Washington. We had a large turnout in our very conservative community. As cars drove by, occupants honked horns, waved, and gestured strong support.

Our rural farming community has been severely impacted by the ICE roundups and deportations. We no longer have the work force needed to harvest our crops. Many small businesses have shut down. Several people whom I have worked with and befriended are no longer here. As we stand up and fight for what we believe is right, our Nation will survive. Our spirit with the “Lady of Liberty” will overcome and bring sanity back to our lives.

REMEMBER: “No Kings Day” is EVERYDAY, not just an event!

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Spring is Here!

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Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Heatherwood Spring

Spring started with sunshine and warm days here at Heatherwood. The Cornelian cherry dogwoods, star magnolias, forsythias, and early flowering cherries are in full bloom. The daffodils are right behind.

Spring brings new growth and re-emergence. It is a catalyst for fresh new thoughts and experiences. Enjoying new things in the garden helps me focus on what is right about this world. Positive thoughts are essential with all the crazy things that are currently going on.

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Good Morning !!!

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Sunrise
Heatherwood, Late Fall

Late fall and winter sunrises at Heatherwood are frequently spectacular. Many times I arise early in the morning when it is pitch dark. After a bit, a slight hint of light rises in the east. I see a trace of orange on the horizon. Soon the light spreads across the sky in pastel shades orange and pink. The hills and valley below are still pitch dark. Gradually, I can see dark shadows of hillsides and trees emerge. Then the sky bursts out in glorious brilliance of yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples. Mother Nature shouts out GOOD MORNING!!! Quickly the light spreads over the valley and the brilliant sky colors start to fade. It is a wonderful way to start the day!

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Looking at Life from a Different Perspective

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View from Our Patio
Heatherwood & Selah Ridge

During the last two years I have been focusing my photography in our Heatherwood garden using my standard visible light camera and presenting how I see the garden in color. I was becoming stuck looking at things in the same way. Yesterday I brought out my infrared camera from retirement and took a stroll through the garden. I looked at the garden around me with a different perspective seeing the landscape with a new view. The color was gone; the sky was dark; vegetation was white; greens and reds were the same tone; clouds were dreamy. Beauty presented itself in a different way.

At times I tend to get trapped in looking at life from a set perspective. It feels good and gives me balance when I step back and open up my mind to other viewpoints, focusing on a positive perspective. Opportunities open up. Life is more enjoyable!

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Ever Changing – What is Next?

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Record of Changing Time
Badlands National Park

The exposed hills of the Badlands paint a picture of changing time. Each line on the hills represent a period of time where things were changing on our planet. It is hard to fathom that this area was once a giant sea bed that covered the central part of our continent. Layers upon layers of sediment illustrate the layers of time as our current central landmass was slowly building up. As the sea receded, the atmospheric winds and rains eroded the hills creating crevices and valleys that now host emerging plant life. What is next in the continuing evolution of our planet?

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Change of Pace

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Colors & Contrasts
Badlands NP, South Dakota

It has been a long time, almost two years, since I have gone on a creative photography excursion. My focus has been on recording the changes in our Heatherwood garden as it gradually matures. It is time for me to get out to some unknown location, explore, and exercise my photographic vision.

Looking back at unprocessed images of my trip to the Badlands National Park a couple of years ago, I found a few gems that have stimulated me to get out and explore. We have so many places in our country that are awe-striking like this one in the Badlands. Some are far away. Others are on our doorstep. Our opportunity and challenge is to open our eyes and minds, then explore.

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