Letting Go of the Bay Leaf: Cow elk

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Sunday, June 2, 2019

Mosaic Monday #30 - Movin' and Shakin' in May

Sandhill Crane by our lake

May has lingered. Oh, not in a bad way. Last week, I sat down at the keyboard to compose this May summary, and then a glance at the calendar brought me up short - whoa, there's another week left! It occurred to me that, by week 3 of the month, I was full, satiated, deeply satisfied. It led my mind to conclude that the month must be over!

First Glacier Lily in our yard

Even my attempt to distill the month's activities yields seven major categories, in addition to our road trip, recent hikes, and my garden journal. So much has happened in May that it's no wonder my brain would put me a week ahead of myself! But, it's just too much for one post. On the other hand, this is a helpful problem - I won't be running short of topics for weeks, months, maybe even years! Does anybody need to "borrow" some of my material?

So, as unlikely as it might seem, I pared down my content to four subjects that brought me immeasurable joy this month.

REFINING OUR EXTERIOR LOOK

It was always our intent that our landscaping should evolve over time; I have grand visions for the ultimate look of our property. This month, we stepped forward in this area, in both permanent and seasonal ways. First, we added a jackleg fence to both sides of our driveway entrance. It provided some needed definition, while maintaining the rustic feel we prefer.

Upper left: first section underway

Right: first section completed

Lower left: second section completed

Driveway with fences

All of the logs used for this project are lodgepole pines harvested from

our property during last year's thinning process

Second, we enhanced the driveway itself with dress gravel. The original driveway was constructed with a crushed material that compacts to establish a firm foundation capable of withstanding the rigors of all four seasons in Montana. Having passed through summer, fall and winter, the driveway was ready for dress gravel to provide a finished, clean look and better define parking/driveway areas from landscape/natural areas.

Left = before Right = after

Driveway outside garage

Before and After; Looking down driveway toward road

Before and after: additional parking area, especially designed for the

RV owned by my younger brother and his wife!

Before and after - looking up the driveway from the road - WELCOME!

Third, we adjusted the location of several large rocks at the driveway entrance while our gravel contractor was on site with his Skid Steer (you can see them in the collage directly above this paragraph). I am ecstatic that we have completed a few more stepping stones leading to the landscape we envision for the roadsides along the entrance.

My landscape design for the right side of the driveway is already a

year old, and our thinking has evolved. But, you get the idea!

Fourth, we selected annuals for our deck planters. Already, the little splash of color adds warmth and layering to the deck that is so absent in the winter.

Black-eyed Susan Vine; Ambella White Bellflower; Coleus;

Evening Star Trailing Petunia; Red and Orange Ivy Geraniums

BIRDWATCHING THROUGH THE SPOTTING SCOPE

In past posts (March 14, April 7, May 5), I have written about combining my spotting scope, PhoneSkope adapter and my phone to take bird pictures. This month, with some assistance from Spousal Unit, I feel I have improved my technique. It doesn't hurt that it's been a banner month for birds!

Left: Male Evening Grosbeak; Middle: Red-winged Blackbird; Right: Female Evening Grosbeak

One day, I saw a yellow-headed blackbird come to the feeder, which is quite unusual. I set up the spotting scope with my phone and waited for it to return. And the most wonderful thing happened. I was passing the dining room window, and my brain, on alert for "birds", saw a "bird" and caused me to stop and look again. This is what I saw.

Great Horned Owl

This stunning creature roosted in the same spot for over three hours. We couldn't take our eyes off of him. (We kept hoping he would swoop down and capture one of the Columbian ground squirrels scampering around below him, but it was not to be. That may sound cruel, but they are eating some of my landscaping!) I love the clarity of this photo, and wondered aloud why this came out so much better than my other shots. Spousal Unit reminded me that Mr. Owl sat very still, whereas most of the other birds are constantly moving, not to mention the feeder on which they are sitting is often swaying in the breeze. Right.

This discussion made me wonder if video might provide better clarity. Maybe you can give me your opinion. Here is a picture of a Blackheaded Grosbeak (it seems to have been the month for grosbeaks), followed by a video. Make sure you watch the video through to the end - my sought-after Yellow-Headed Blackbird shows up after the grosbeak.

And here are a few other birds from the month.

Left: Rufous Hummingbird; Center: Song Sparrow; Right: Yellow-Headed Blackbird

In case you would like more, below is a video of the owl, and separately, the female blackheaded grosbeak.

ENJOYING A VARIETY OF WILDLIFE

Of course, we have more than just birds here! The trail cams have continued to deliver a delightful menagerie.

Upper left: Red Squirrel; Upper right: Canada goose

Lower left: Mountain Cottontail (well-camouflaged, right?) Lower right: Columbian Ground Squirrel

One morning, Spousal Unit suddenly grabbed the binoculars and said "Is that a moose?" Well, that was better than a shot of espresso to get me going! By the time we looked through the binoculars and the spotting scope, "it" was nowhere to be seen. The good news? The trail cam was in the perfect spot to capture "it". So, I trotted down there and retrieved the disk, and this is "it".

A cow elk. Elk are usually in herds; the fact she is on her own suggests she is ready to calve (give birth).

One of our neighbors told us today that he saw a cow and two calves in the last few days. Might be her!

Another sign of spring - the young bucks with nubbins for antlers.

My heart always takes a little leap when I see the coyote on the trail cam.

And then there are the spring wildflowers.

Upper left - I love to bring the outside in - larch, kinnikinnick, star-flowered Solomon's seal

Upper right: Oregon grape; Bottom: Blue violet

Some of the flora we find is edible, as in the case of morel mushrooms. I wrote in the past about a gift of morels from a neighbor - upon first taste of the sauce prepared by Spousal Unit, we were hooked. Fully intending to go mushroom hunting on public lands this spring, we were pleasantly surprised to find enough around our own acreage to make a meal. Melt in your mouth good!

REVELING IN THE SURPRISES

But the month wasn't complete without a couple surprises. One day, Spousal Unit was tidying the woodpile and came back with this beauty - a long-toed salamander, which just happens to be the state salamander of Montana. Yep, you know I love nature when I get excited about one of these!

And last but not least, Spousal Unit was fishing the North Fork of the Flathead River, and popped into the Polebridge Mercantile. Despite its middle-of-nowhere location, it is deservedly famous for its baked goods. Imagine my delight when he returned to the house with two huckleberry bear claws. Savoring this confection made up for the fact that he didn't hook a single fish!

What's not a surprise? That Spousal Unit was the man behind both of these moments - I can always count on him to bring me joy!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Mosaic Monday #17 - Report: Week 105 of Retirement

Sunset on Whitefish Lake, May 2017

March 3, 2019 marks two years since my retirement. Two years = 104 weeks = 730 days = 17,520 hours. It's cause for ongoing celebration, and reflection.

In my usual analytical fashion, I concocted a myriad of ways to approach this post. Maybe I could use major milestones for the structure. Or perhaps my key observations about retired life. I could consult my "Joy of Retirement" book for inspiration. Maybe I should summarize the six "retirement reports" that I previously posted. (Week One, Week Three, Week Five, Week Twelve, Week Nineteen, Week Forty-One)

One picture from each of the six retirement reports

It struck me that I have not published a retirement report for over a year; I believe it means that I have been too occupied to think about retirement. Or is it possible that retirement has become my state of being rather than something separate from me?

Then it occurred to me to look in my Legacy Box, a parting gift from my Human Resources team. I turned the key, and ...

First I found the dedications from our kids, both orated by our son at my retirement party. The tears began to flow.

First, a few words from my sister who couldn't make it today: Dear Mom - Let me first say congratulations on your retirement. You've earned it. I want you to know that you are the strongest woman I have ever known. I aspire to be like you every day for you inspire me to be a better manager. I hope that I have as big an impact on the people that I work with as you did. I'm so proud of you and I love you. #1 Daughter

So, this isn't so much a speech as it is a chance to tell a story. A story of dedication, ideals and teaching. As long as I can remember, there has been a phone, a laptop, and Mom. Every night the laptop came out and down sat Mom to do unfinished business from the day or deal with an issue that had popped up on the phone. Every vacation along came the laptop and phone. Whenever it came out at night or got packed along with the rest of the bags leaving for vacation, I would urge my Mom to leave it. Surely she had done enough work to warrant not needing to do anymore tonight or on vacation. I didn't urge her because I thought she was a workaholic or because I wanted her attention; I did it because I wanted her to be free from the work for the night, vacation or any amount of time. My protests were always met with a smile, and a "I wish, son."

As I grew older, I began to understand why. Her unending dedication to her work, that at times was very trying and unenjoyable, taught me a lot about my Mom and about how I wish to live my life. Primarily, that I don't want an office job. But more importantly, about upholding ideals of work ethic and commitment. I could not be more grateful. And now in a week, for the first time ever, there will be a vacation where I don't have to ask my Mom to leave behind her phone and laptop. But the lessons I have learned by watching my Mom will never leave me.
#1 Son

Yes, yes, YES! It was worth it all.

Next I found this simple, handwritten and taped sheet, and it spoke volumes to me about my legacy and my retirement journey.

During my Human Resources career, I led leadership development events. The standard program called for senior leaders to share career lessons, and toward the end of my career, I chose an unconventional medium- my collection of Chinese fortunes.

In my very last leadership session (the 8th under my direction), the cohort in training presented me with a set of fortunes that they had collected the night before at a local restaurant, together with their best wishes for my impending retirement. I present some of them to you now, with corresponding pictures from the last 24 months.

A relaxing adventure is in your near future

As I noted in my first retirement report on 3/13/2017, I calculate I worked an extra 18.2 years due to long hours.

So, I have only relaxed off TWO of those years!

You will continue to take chances and be glad you did

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, August 13, 2018. Standing in awe next to Man with Hat.

New experiences in Norway (upper left) and in Glacier (lower right)

New friends in the neighborhood (upper right) and at the ski resort (lower left)

Wildlife abounds - badger, elk, beaver, mountain goat, black bear, hoary marmot

You will soon discover how capable you are
… of running an informal bed and breakfast/boutique guide service. We have thoroughly enjoyed our visitors and showing them our little corner of Montana. And from their comments in our guest book, Spousal Unit could apply for a Michelin rating for his food! Our tour guide services aren't bad, either!

You will get what your heart desires
If you asked me what I wanted most from retirement, time with Man with Hat, in our slice of paradise, would be at the top of the list. So, I will close this post with my favorite pictures of my beloved (some with Hat and some without!) Darling, I have enjoyed every minute of the 104 weeks = 730 days = 17,520 hours.

Mosaic Monday

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

July Hijinks

Summer - just the word evokes deep memories - devouring still-warm tomatoes from our garden, juice running down my chin; the enticing aroma of hot dogs on the grill; dashing through the sprinkler in the back yard, with bits of cut grass stuck between my toes.

Sunset on Whitefish Lake - July 4, 2018

I may be a bit older now, but I still love the traditions of summer, and the boundless opportunities it offers to be outside in Nature's glory. Here are some warm-weather highlights from July.

ONE: PET-SITTING
Everybody takes at least a short vacation or summer trip, and so I was delighted to accept my neighbor's request to look after her cat while they went to California for a family wedding. Isn't Katniss just a darling?

TWO: PIE-MAKING
It may seem a bit late in the season for rhubarb, but I had a hankering that would not be denied. Early in the month, we visited a local farmer's market, and I was thrilled to find one stall with massive bunches of rhubarb. Result: two mouth-watering pies. Here is a link to the recipe.

THREE: STITCHING
The slower pace of summer (sangria on the porch, anyone?) lends itself to ~~naps~~ wrapping up projects. I am delighted to report that my tea towel project is complete!

FOUR: GROWING THINGS
No, not me - God and Mother Nature. My role is simply to capture the beauty, and there sure is plenty of that to go around …

Upper left: Pinedrops; Upper center: Bee balm; Upper right: Death Camas

Bottom: Petunias

From Left: Bog Orchid; Lupines and Blanket Flower near Many Glacier; Beargrass; Sticky Geranium

Very creative lollipop gift from a neighbor

FIVE: ENJOYING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
We have been blessed this month to host my in-laws from the UK, as well as my youngest brother and his wife. And we held two large parties at the house - one to honor all those who made our log home dream real, and one for Spousal Unit's 50th birthday. Yep, we made a few new memories this month!!

Upper Left: Swiftcurrent Lake; Bottom: Hidden Lake; Both in Glacier National Park

Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

Upper right: my in-laws marveled at the size of "2 scoops"

Middle right: Hand-made gift from a neighbor

Lower right: Bird seed house gift from in-laws

Left: Mountain near Many Glacier

And now I am writing this from the UK, where we are visiting my in-laws in advance of the wedding of Spousal Unit's only cousin. Despite the many years of summer holidays here, we can still find new places to experience.

Top and bottom: Royal Border Bridge in Berwick-on-Tweed, completed in 1850

Middle: Millennium Window - Church of the Holy Trinity

Walking the Coastal Path near Berwick-on-Tweed

Quarry Garden at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens; in ravines cut out of rock, a micro-climate allows for many

unique plants to flourish; this garden is one of only two quarry gardens in the UK

BONUS:
And just in case you have been longing for some new trail cam photos, here is the best of the bunch from July: a cow elk with a baby at her side. Now THAT'S a new summer memory to be treasured. What is your favorite summer memory?