Milo Fire from Trail: Diary 7/31/15

So a fire started 20 miles away as a crow might fly. It put up this incredible pyrocumulus cloud from the heat from a vast area burning. It is so hot and dry, the fire which started as a guy mowing dry grass, will be devastation. It will come back, but not the same and not for a long time. As you can see, I am humble human when it comes to talking about wildfires. Now it is just smoky and I can only imagine from my own experience here 13 years ago, what folks are going through. My thoughts are with them~

Finding the Huckleberries~ Diary 7/30/15

Went looking at a new area for huckleberries in our watershed. It was another drive and jump out and check with a few berries collected along the way. Finally we found the mother load right by Bessie Creek. They were huge and hanging over the trickling water. Perfect on a 100 degree day. While on our hunt, we passed through two wild fire areas. One I would say is seven or older years ago and the other much more recent; maybe only three years ago. Huge fires that burned through wilderness areas unheeded due to restrictions on using anything other than hand tools. It was sheer devastation and will take a long, long time to recuperate.

Older fire in the foreground, trees are coming back

The more recent fire area

Tinctures Diary 7/28/15

I have been having fun making salves, oils and tincture. I collected and dried most of the herbs just a few days ago, but they all dried very quickly. I made a lemon verbena, rosemary, and peppermint salve for mosquito prevention, no data in on that, yet. I also made plantain and comfrey which I use regularly for skin irritations, bee stings, and just moisturizing. I also made oil of clove, oregano, and lavendar for those herb's specialties; tooth aches, congestion, and soothing. I am soaking horehound and lemon balm to make a tincture for cold and coughs and bedtime. I am going to harvest echinacea soon for another tincture.

I use that for colds, flu, and virus attacks. I feel so fortunate to have these herbs at my disposal, and finally some time to use and experiment with them

Diary 7/25/15

Made another visit to Crater Lake,. This time included the rim drive and a walk to the Pinnacles. Always a pleasure especially since we have no major fires as of yet, so the skies were blue, but not nearly as blue as the lake which put on a beautiful show. Wwoof helper headed out yesterday morning. Another enjoyable visit from an eager young woman the earth is lucky to have.

Broccoli! Diary 7/20/15

Broccoli, though not exoctly,
Is within an inich,
Of being spinach!

Huckleberries! Diary 7/15/15

So, it was not a rumor. There were berries at 4000' level on July 14th. At first we were so excited, we picked right by the road, but I think others had as well. Then we took a side road and found a nice patch. Unfortunately, we didn't get to the berries until 3:30 and only picked until 5:30 thinking we better head home. Next time, we will start on the other road and get there sooner, hopefully next week...

Diary 7/14/15

A trip to the top of the mountain only makes me want to go again. I might this afternoon because we heard a rumor that there are huckleberries ripe! In July??? Well anyway, it will be an adventure if I do get away from farm chores...More weeding to do to reveal the few raspberry plants I plan to take care of. Letting two old rows go. Have only the post to take out and then a mowing and one would never know there had been a raspberry patch there years before~ Maybe some stragglers will come up now and again to remind me of old farming days, but for now, I am de-stressed by eliminating what I cannot take care of~

one of the surviving raspberry rows

wildflowers in the mountains

Diary 7/11/15

There have been some great cloud displays during the thunderstorms we have had the last few days. So far, we have dodged lightning causing strikes locally. That is a good thing. Meanwhile woke up to fog and the feeling of something other than the hot July we have had so far. Nice reprieve with hot weather coming back at the end of the week.

Diary 7/9/15

Jewels in the garden:

Patiently waiting:

Diary 7/5/15

I hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday. There were no loud booms or unusual behavior around here and no fires. So now it must officially be summer because the zinnias are here!

Diary 7/2/15

Took my Help X helper to Crater Lake.

He was reluctant to sight-see, but in the end he was glad to see one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Not sure if that list is still the same, but at one point it was one of the seven!