The Diversity of Oregon

One Saturday in July we decided to check out the back country of Deschutes County, where we live. In the past when we wanted to go out into the High Desert of Central/Eastern Oregon we would go to Burns and out into Harney County. But this day, we wanted to see what was in our own back yard. Obviously, lots of sagebrush, juniper trees and views.

We drove on various dirt and gravel roads and took a picnic lunch along. We found that most of the land was fenced off  and posted private, no trespassing, which surprised us. We didn't know so much of it was privately owned, since it is mostly desert space. We found several old homesteads, long abandoned and derelict, but with a kind of haunting beauty of their own. This one was in a fairly green valley with several little springs of water dotting it. 

We found this big barn, really large by High Desert standards. It looks pretty good from this side...

but not so good from this side. We got out and walked around it, and admired the original workmanship. It won't be standing too many more years. 

There was a nice little spring just down the road, and we could see where they got water in the 'old' days. 

Many dreams and stories are abandoned out there, and the trees were quick to invade this little house and call it their own.

We did find one nice large farmhouse, still housing a family and farm, far from 'civilization'. Shady and green in it's little valley it seemed an oasis in the midst of sagebrush. We also encountered a sheriff deputy, who pulled up alongside us and seemed glad to chat about the area. He said that the land owners wanted a law enforcement presence known, to quash any vandalism or theft, so routine cycles were driven once a week or so. Interesting. Oregon is a state of such diversity. From the ocean, to the fertile rain-filled Willamette Valley, to the High Cascade Mountains, to the High Desert. 

We are planning another trip out to view another section soon as we love exploring our state.

We'll take you along too....

Summer Food Items of Note

 This is a rather dark photo, but it is a summer morning breakfast. Cornmeal griddle cakes batter, with fresh blueberries to add...along with coffee of course. Delightful!

  And then my mother-in-law came to visit, and we made raspberry freezer jam together. A tasty treat in the winter months. 

When we were over at her house visiting, she showed us she can still make a delicious potato salad at age 95. Wow!

And finally a summer dinner. It is a taco salad, made a little differently, with each fresh ingredient separated and then mixed all together at the end. It's pretty this way, don't you think? Adding a few fresh grapes for dessert, we had a wonderful meal. 
(Each of these photos shows up better if you click to enlarge them)

A New Way of Looking at Things

A while ago, I was reading on one of my favorite blogs (Susan Branch, Millie) about using old fashioned liquid bleach on linens. I decided then and there to try it out. I remembered my mother using it, and then ironing the damp fabrics. It was a trial and error for me.

I first collected all the vintage doilies, and linens I have all around the house. This is NOT by any stretch all of them!

I then ordered the bleach from Amazon. They still make the same old stuff....who knew?

Next I washed all the linens and line dried them to get out the yellowed/rust spots and make them smell sooo good! There is nothing like UV rays for whitening and brightening. Then I brought them all in and slowly soaked them in a mix of 1 part water to 2-3 parts starch. Back out to the line to dry again. I tried bringing them in damp to iron, but it didn't really work, so I let them dry again. Only this time they were STIFF.

But the ironing was easier and they came out lovely, slightly stiff, crisp and white, and they stay that way! Now ironing is not my favorite domestic chore, but somehow ironing vintage tablecloths, aprons, clothes, doilies and runners is more fun and rewarding.

Here are a few, line dried, and waiting for the iron.

I am now in the process of cleaning the linen closet, putting some out for display, and the rest nestled in their closet.

 It feels like Grandma's house around here, but I don't care because I LOVE vintage linens. (But it was a lot of work!) A rewarding household project, completed.

A Walking Miracle!

 As you probably already know, John and I had a pretty amazing adventure/nightmare last week. Our friend that feels like family, Jerry Thomas went missing a week ago last Wednesday while picking huckleberries with a friend. He was camping up by Parish Lake on the west side of the top of the Cascade Mountains in Linn County.

For the next three days there were search and rescue teams from 10 counties, sheriff's department officials, a heat-seeking helicopter from the Oregon National Guard, horses, Linn County Posse, scent dogs and their handlers, ATV teams, and the best tracker in the United States, combing the area and searching daylight hours.

Every day we would get up and rendevoux with team leaders and they would depart on their duties. Most of these people were volunteers, trained in search and rescue techniques. There was also a wonderful chaplain, again a volunteer, attached to the Linn County sherrif's office. 

The forest is not like on our eastern side of the mountains, but thick, brushy and filled with old growth timber and lots of fallen logs. It made for very difficult searching.

Jerry and Mary were camping for a few days with friends Don & Linda Wright, and Don and Jerry were huckleberry picking when Jerry wandered off in search of the best berries. It wouldn't and didn't take long to get turned around in the heavy terrain of the area. This is a photo of the Wrights trailer and ours, with the insurance man, Linda Wright, Mary and her sister Judy. The first 2 days the forest service would not let us search on foot, but only in vehicles on all the roads and logging spurs we could find. On Friday most of our gang decided they had enough of that, and set off on foot searching. (They were careful to stay together).

Saturday morning, after 3 days and 3 nights in the forest, Jerry walked out here. He had slept by or under logs, had collected thunder storm water in his hat, and eaten berries that he had or found. He is one tough cookie! When he woke up that day he just knew he would find a road, and he did...a logging spur. He walked it down here to a trail head at Daly Lake.

Looks pretty peaceful doesn't it? But it wasn't peaceful for all of us looking and searching for him. He found a guy with his camper there and Jerry asked him to take him to his campsite. 

What a stir it made when they pulled up together in the midst of about 100 searchers! The guy driving said he felt like he set foot in the middle of a hornets nest. Jerry just kind of looked around and wondered why all the people were out there in the middle of the forest. 

When I took this photo he looked up and said don't take it, I haven't combed my hair!! We all had a very tearful, joyous, riotous reunion.

Later he sat and told us about his adventure. He refused the ambulance and no one saw a need for it. He was not injured in any way, not even any scratches. His glasses were broken, his hearing aids dead as well as his cell phone, but he is the old time kind of rancher, hunter, cowboy who knows how to survive in the forest. And he has a great protector in his Heavenly Father.

Here are some of the friends and family that were there to welcome Jerry back and celebrate together this walking miracle.

 I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life! Even a little thinner, a little weaker, and a little grayer. So glad he's home.

Now a Story of Forgiveness, Peace, Blessing and Comfort!

On September 11, 2015 I put a story on the blog about the people in the photo above. It told a story of friendship, jealousy, rage and finally violent murder. (If you would like to re-read this story put 'Brak' into the search box on the right side of this blog and it will take you right to it.)

'Braskell, the one murdered, is the man with a guitar on the far right in the photo. Much to my shock, two days ago I was contacted by the murderer's granddaughter Laura. She explained that she found my name on my blog and then messaged me on Facebook. She was discouraged from contacting me by her family, who did not want to see her hurt. But she felt the need to let me know how her Grandpa Oscar's life turned out. We messaged back and forth on the computer that day, both of us in tears.

After receiving a life sentence for the murder, Oscar served eight years and was released for good behavior. Laura then told me that he came home from prison and lived a solid, hard working life. He came home to his wife and daughter, and eventually Laura. The crime was never discussed and Laura grew up not knowing anything about it. She said she grew up with an amazing Grandpa who worked until he was 75 providing for his family. She told me he was humble and simple and lived as though he deserved nothing. His manners and actions were kind and apologetic. 

Three years ago Oscar was in the hospital, and told Laura about Braskell and the murder. She said that finding out her Grandpa took a man's life was unbearable. After she found my blog, she read him the story I wrote and it continually brought him to tears. She wrote me that the story I wrote down, and Ruel Teague told, was verified as accurate by Oscar. His life had never been easy, with both he and his wife carrying the guilt with them every day, and carrying Braskell in his soul. He frequently commented that he deserved nothing. Oscar passed away in August of 2015. 

Laura thanked me for writing down the story and sharing the post. She said that her mom had been told that Oscar's sister Ophie influenced Oscar and encouraged him to be violent. But our story verified that for her. She also said that her mom would find closure from this event, after I told her that our family had forgiven Oscar, finding Ophie to be the mainly guilty party. Her mom needed that forgiveness and closure because she had been only two years old and in the back seat of that car the evening of the murder, and she witnessed the whole thing. (We never knew that horrible truth) 

We both told each other how good God is, to bring forgiveness,  closure and peace to this story 64 years after it happened, for both families, when that seemed impossible.  

Laura's main point for writing was to let us know that her family has not forgotten. That Braskell's life mattered to them and that losing him was tragic. She wanted to give some comfort to our family and I wanted to give some comfort to her family. She sent us her condolences and we both blessed each other. Only God can do that. Turn a story of friendship, jealousy, rage, and murder into one of forgiveness, peace, blessing and comfort. I am so very happy to be able to write this postscript to the original story. Wow!

After a Cold Wet Winter

 After a cold wet winter, with lots of snow for insulation, my garden has been in great shape this spring and summer. I have so enjoyed getting out and enjoying all my thriving plants.

 This is a honeysuckle bush and some pretty petite iris's that I got from my mother-in-law's yard before she sold her home.

 These iris are called 'Stepping Out' and I got them from a wonderful lady who gardened in Burns and shared them with me probably 40 years ago. I have been dragging them with me to each yard I have gardened in since. The insurance man and our grandson Ben dug them up last fall and divided them, so that I had enough to share with daughter Joy.

 Various plants blooming among the lava rocks.

 This is another plant I moved from Burns to Bend, and they are the prettiest deep red peonies. Love this bush Mom!

 Results of the peonies...

Long Time Coming

My, oh my, has it been a long time since I posted here. Life has been hard for me to catch a tail and hang on. But now, in mid-summer, I think I may have a bit more focus back to the important things of life. I have a a quote that I love, that I will share today.

"With pomp, power & glory 

the world beckons vainly.

In chase of such vanities

why should I roam?

While peace and content bless

my little thatched cottage,

and warm my own hearth 

with the treasures of home."

My feeling exactly said by Beatrix Potter.

I'll come back soon, and post a longer post about what's been going on.