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