My Sunrise Resolution

Poor Old Mall

2010-03-25T23:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm cheating. I didn't take this today, and it was taken during the afternoon rather than the morning, but I like it and it ties in with the other blog I'm working on today: Responsibility!

The rubble in the background is what remains of the Blue Mountain Mall, in Walla Walla, WA. I can actually remember a visit to my aunt's house before I moved to the Northwest when this was still a beautiful field full of horses grazing on luscious green grass. So, I don't have any facts available, but I'd say it was an early death as far as mall lives go!

The graffiti-ed foreground is the unfinished remains of an ill conceived strip-mall project that died in the credit crisis. I've heard Detroit is considering turning it's acres of abandoned buildings back into farmland, perhaps we should let this real estate go back to the horses!

Warming Barrett Station

2010-03-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

I got a tip there might be lovely irrigation ice formations out here, but it was too warm. I love the way the rising sun warms up the silos though!

The Joy of Spring Break

2010-03-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Spring

2010-03-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Monday, March 22, 2010

Okay, so Spring was officially here on the 20th, but this is the first really Springy photo! ^_^

Ugly Morning

2010-03-21T14:27:00.001-07:00

I have obviously been ignoring my blogging duties, but I was inspired by two glorious mornings where the orchards had been doused with water to keep the buds from going below 32 degrees and they had been covered in brilliant glistening icicles, to search desperately for my camera! No luck...but yesterday afternoon I finally found it. So, this morning, instead of a neighboring ice castle...I found this:

Very anti-climactic! Maybe tomorrow will be better...

------------Update----------------

Turned into a nice day after all!

Fast Fog II

2010-02-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

I first woke to a beautiful clear dawn, but then noticed a line of fog building in the distance! Although it wasn't as dramatically fast as the morning of Fast Fog I, by the time I got downstairs it had smothered us all.

Puddle Jumpin'

2010-01-31T16:44:00.001-08:00

No, it's not sunrise, but it is when the sun decided to make a brief appearance! ^_^

Foggy Fun

2010-01-30T23:57:00.000-08:00

Close Up

2010-01-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

I'm guessing this is a hawk, but I am no expert! So if you know, please let me know in a comment! I'm pretty happy with how well it turned out at 16x zoom on my Canon Powershot!

See it?

2010-01-29T16:48:00.000-08:00

January 28, 2010 - I did not take any photos. So, here is part one for the 29th. ^_^

(Click pic for a larger view!)

Morning

2010-01-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

January 27, 2010

Rain Warped

2010-01-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

January 26, 2010

Blue Fog Fade

2010-01-29T16:19:00.000-08:00

January 25, 2010

Winter Flower

2010-01-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

Snowy View

2010-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

January 23, 2010

Nostalgic

2010-01-22T16:14:00.001-08:00

The frosty light of dawn landing on these tiny tennis reminded me that my teenager once wore them. They have served each of my three boys well, but as soon as my youngest outgrows them it seems an era will have passed.

Wind and Clouds

2010-01-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

Actually, the wind chased those puffy clouds away pretty quickly. It turned into a WINDY, but beautiful day. It's to the point where my husband suddenly said last night, "Listen! The wind stopped!" But by morning it was back.

Wind and Sun

2010-01-21T17:29:00.000-08:00

January 20, 2010

Blinding Brilliance!

2010-01-19T22:53:00.001-08:00

My son got this shot as I drove him to school. It still feels more like Spring than January, and the bulbs are starting to sprout. They usually don't make an appearance until mid February. The worry is that if the fruit trees warm too much, they will start to bud early. I love the sunshine, but wouldn't mind a bit more winter.

January?

2010-01-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

Feels more like Spring than the middle of Winter!

Wood Cuts

2010-01-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

January 17, 2010

I love these artistic little patterns in the wood!

Drip Drop

2010-01-16T23:05:00.001-08:00

A Glow

2010-01-16T17:11:00.000-08:00

January 15, 2010

I considered making a video this time so I could capture the wild wind that blew all the clouds back in. This shot looks deceptively calm!

A Sunrise

2010-01-14T21:34:00.000-08:00

It truly felt like Spring rather than the middle of January today. Apparently, this is not good for future crops, but it sure felt nice!

Red Light, Foggy Light

2010-01-13T17:28:00.000-08:00

Windy Ride

2010-01-12T23:00:00.000-08:00

I always enjoy looking at the creative decor in this yard as I drive past. This morning I noticed that the wild wind storm that barrelled through last night knocked two of these brave teddies off their bikes! I was a tad bit worried all the huffing and puffing would blow our old house down last night. ^_^ Actually, the effects of the storm even surprised the weather dude on the local news this morning because the downdraft over the Blue Mountains raised the temperature in Walla Walla to 61 degrees by 6 this morning: nearly 30 degrees above the rest of the area! We are about 10 miles away and didn't get quite that warm, but it was up to 48 when I drove through down town.

Lovely!

2010-01-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

That's the way to start the day! It's foggy again now. I'm glad I looked out at just the right moment! ^_^

Blanket

2010-01-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

Fog blankets the valley today:

Lament of a Night Owl
(Another cheesy poem)

Somewhere deep inside my soul,
a part of me aches to control
the too harsh rules of time and space.
Listen as I make my case:

I hate to go upstairs to bed
and pull the blankets to my head,
because it seems that when I sleep
instantly alarms will beep.

So, if I stay late in the night
perhaps I can delay the light
that races round our too small earth
to brighten up a new day's birth.

But sadly, if I finally rest
at one or two or three, the West
will soon be bright'ning anyway,
for I CANNOT delay the day!

Glazed

2010-01-09T20:13:00.001-08:00

The rain was already washing away the layer of ice it left in the night, making things extra shiny for a moment.

(You can really see the ice here if you click the picture and view it full sized. ^_^)

Shattered

2010-01-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

Hurry Up!

2010-01-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

Touch of Sun

2010-01-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

Waiting...

2010-01-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not used to being early!

Time for School

2010-01-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

Took this from my car AFTER dropping my son off at school. I could have used another day or so of vacation! ^_^

Before the Fog

2010-01-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

The fog has rolled in thick now, but it was pretty this morning!

Melting Away!

2010-01-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Bye-bye snow!

Sorry to see you go...

01-01-10

2010-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Trying again in two thousand ten!

Happy New Year!

Good-bye 2009!

2009-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

2009 has been a rather prickly year. I am not sorry to say good-bye. I hope this next decade brings happiness and joy to us all!

Day 131: Green

2009-05-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

Day 130: Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

I caught the last launch of the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede out a second story window. We used to go all the time, but it's been a while. Maybe I'll remember next year and get some close-ups!

Day 129: Try, Try Again!

2009-05-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Day 94 - 128: Perfection is my Enemy!

2009-05-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to both of you who asked where my sunrises had disappeared to. No real answer...just busy and distracted. Sorry. Instead of giving up now that I've blown my original plan, I am going to go back to my original resolution and will "not let perfectionism get in my way." Here's a song by Francesca Battistelli that helps me remember:

Day 93: Forsythia

2009-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

The forsythia buds have burst into bloom!

Day 92: April Showers...

2009-04-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

...bring May flowers!

Day 91: April Fool's Day

2009-04-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Amazingly, these clouds were just the beginning. It got darker as the day wore on and I couldn't believe it when my gmail background showed snow! None of it stuck, but it was COLD and there were flakes hitting the windshield as I picked the boys up from school. It did seem like some kind of cosmic April fool's prank!

Day 90: Delicate Strength

2009-03-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

Day 89: Sunny Morning

2009-03-31T23:57:00.000-07:00

Day 88: Low Snow

2009-03-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

The sun finally rose above the clouds around 11:30! By noon it was already hidden behind it's cold gray blanket once again.

Day 87: Rainy Day Pastelitos

2009-03-31T23:40:00.000-07:00

My husband followed the Argentine tradition of baking on rainy days (usually torta frita) and made us delicious pastelitos filled with dulce de membrillo! It's been a real deluge outside and a feast inside!

Day 86: Falls

2009-03-31T23:37:00.000-07:00

Multnomah Falls at twilight.

Day 85: ...Go!

2009-03-31T22:52:00.000-07:00

The plan was to hold the camera steady enough that you could see the handlebars and the rush of the road around me... but that is easier said than done!

Day 84: Ready, Set...

2009-03-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

Day 83: Wind Blown

2009-03-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Day 82: Favorite View

2009-03-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

Day 81: Ripples

2009-03-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

Day 80: Brave Beauty

2009-03-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

Day 79: First Day of Spring!

2009-03-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Day 78: Daffodil Rising

2009-03-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Day 77: My Amazing Son!

2009-03-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

I did not get a photo this morning because my son was using my camera to create his stop-motion animation commercial for a school assignment. It is so awesome! Check it out:

This is the first time he ever did anything like this! I think he's got talent! He and his 11 year old brother can both fix the rubix, no matter how much we mess it up, in no time flat!

Day 76: Red Delicious

2009-03-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Day 75: Love is in the air...

2009-03-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

...or maybe an early Thanksgiving dinner.

Day 74: Mini Spring

2009-03-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

Day 73: Congregation

2009-03-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Day 72: The Budding Begins!

2009-03-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Trees everywhere are bursting into springtime beauty! They've had to use the wind machines at night during this cold snap (low of 16 deg.) so that the orchards don't freeze. It's a beautiful time of year, but whoever said the country was quiet didn't have to sleep with the sound of a herd of helicopters out their windows!

Day 71: Morning Moonlight Munch

2009-03-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Do you see the miniature ponies? I wish I'd gotten a better shot of them.

Day 70: Waldorf Salad

2009-03-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

In the fall I could make waldorf salad from the walnuts off the tree and apples from the orchard. (If you want the recipe let me know.)

; )

Day 69: Full Moon

2009-03-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this was actually last night, but I was way too rushed this morning to stop for a photo. I did snap a blurry picture of a squirrel, but this shot is so much better!

Day 68: Morning Song

2009-03-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

I must admit that if it were not for the earlier wake up due to Daylight Savings Time I would probably not have heard this sweet song. So, I guess I shouldn't fuss so much. You can't tell from the video, but there is a new dusting of snow on the ground and record lows (low 20's) are predicted for tonight. And I thought spring was here already!

Day 67: 7:45am Daylight Savings Time

2009-03-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

So, I'm bummed that sunrise is once again right when I am rushing to get everyone out the door in the morning! Plus, one hour less of sleep! : (

Day 66: Flamin'

2009-03-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

I am "flamin'"mad about Spring-ing ahead tomorrow! I hate having darker mornings. Although I do like the longer afternoons! Well, I stayed in out of the wind this morning. We've all got this horrid flu.

Day 65: Late Snow

2009-03-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

Day 64: Caught!

2009-03-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

Poor guy, he just keeps slipping deeper into the muddy rocks. He and his friend worked on it all day yesterday, but not even the tractor can get enough traction. He heard that the ground is saturated 5 feet down. So our riverbed land, that is usually as solid as concrete, has turned into a trap. Meanwhile two storm fronts are colliding overhead bringing a cold winter wind, rain and later in the day even hail!

Day 63: The Mighty Beast

2009-03-04T23:05:00.000-08:00

Day 62: Abandoned Real Estate

2009-03-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

Day 61: Fast Fog

2009-03-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

Feeling sick, I woke up with the sun already streaming in through the chinks in the blinds filling the curtains with patterns of light. My photo! I raced down the stairs and pulled aside the drapes. An enormous puffy cloud glowed white and gray right outside. Was that fog at the edge of our property? Where was my camera? I finally found the boys' and as I raced to add batteries the light in the house dimmed. It was like someone turned out the lights. I peeked out again and it was dark gray fog. I could still see yellow sunshine coming in the sunporch door. I raced out there as I turned on the camera.
"Set time and date."

"NO"

The sun was a glowing yellow disk in the disappearing sky.

"Cancel!"

I snapped the above picture as the monster fog cloud gobbled us up. It was amazingly fast, and beautifully dramatic. I wish I could have captured it better!

Day 60: Caution

2009-03-03T07:59:00.001-08:00

Day 59: Fuzzy

2009-02-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

On the right is a bud on the earliest blooming tree in the valley. I think its called a tulip tree? On the left is something I've never seen before...is it a yak?

Day 58: Bright & Clear

2009-02-28T07:12:00.000-08:00

I love watching the Northward progression. Check out the same view on January 30th and January 9th. It's coming up about an hour earlier now. Just in time to Spring forward and make it an hour later again. : (

Day 57: All in one day!

2009-02-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

The ice on green was taken (with flash) at dawn, but the rest of the day was too amazing to leave out.

Day 56: Early to Bed, Early to Rise

2009-02-25T07:15:00.000-08:00

Makes a boy eager for sunrise!

My little one fell asleep around 7 and woke on his own at 5:30. Not the norm in a house full of night owls. He kept saying, "The sun's gonna come up!"

Day 55: Zoom!

2009-02-24T06:40:00.000-08:00

Have a good day Honey! Drive carefully!

Day 54: Little Light of Mine

2009-02-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

Guess it's time to take these down, huh? ^_^

Day 53: Yesterday

2009-02-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday...

Everything seemed far away, because we drove up to Brewster, WA. Like yesterday, today was another gray dawn, with a nippy wind that has now brought rain. Instead of taking another gray morning shot, I decided to use the picture I took yesterday of the afternoon sun as we drove around the tiny orchard town by the lake. We were waiting for the church to open for the memorial service for Bernice Stout. She and my Grandmother were good pals back in Columbia Adventist Academy in the late 20's. Both women are truly inspiring; enjoying life into their 90's. My grandma has told us, "no more parties," until her 100th birthday in three years.

Day 52: Forgotten

2009-02-21T07:44:00.001-08:00

Day 51: ...easy ivy over!

2009-02-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

One of the first jump rope songs I ever learned, from first grade, I think:

Bluebells,
cockle shells,
easy ivy over!

Day 50: Cold

2009-02-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Day 49: Potential

2009-02-18T17:48:00.001-08:00

Day 48: Rocky Road?

2009-02-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

Where'd the water go? ^_^

(It's an irrigation ditch. I never know what it's schedule is. It runs most of the year.)

Day 47: Highwire Hello

2009-02-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

Day 46: Icy Bubbles

2009-02-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

Day 45: Lone Leaf

2009-02-14T09:25:00.001-08:00

Day 44: Perchin' Proud

2009-02-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

Day 43: Crystallized

2009-02-12T18:45:00.001-08:00

I took no photos this morning. But, for the second time ever I saw "perfect" snowflakes. The picture above was taken the first time I saw them, January 17th, 2007. Today, as I took the boys to school I saw them again. I had no time to stop and try to catch one of the flying beauties. They were melting on contact, so I just had to enjoy the little glimpses I got. The whole way to school I kept exlaiming:

"Oh, did you see that one?
Wow, look at the size of that one!
Ahhh, they're SO pretty!"

"Mom," the oldest retorted, "it's just ice!"

Day 42: Morning Visit

2009-02-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

Day 41: Cloud Genie

2009-02-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

Day 40: Staying In

2009-02-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

Day 39: Kissed By Frost

2009-02-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Day 38: Farm Cat

2009-02-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

I finally got one of the cats to pose for me! She is slightly out of focus, but better than her brother on Groundhog's Day!

Day 37: Fleeting Moments

2009-02-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

A poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson

MUSIC

Let me go where'er I will,

I bear a sky-born music still:

It sounds from all things old,

It sounds from all things young,

From all that's fair, from all that's foul,

Peals out a cheerful song.

It is not only in the rose,

It is not only in the bird,

Not only where the rainbow glows,

Nor in the song of woman heard,

But in the darkest, meanest things

There alway, alway something sings.

'T is not in the high stars alone,

Nor in the cup of budding flowers,

Nor in the redbreast's mellow tone,

Nor in the bow that smiles in showers,

But in the mud and scum of things

There alway, alway something sings.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm not sure I agree with this as much as I used to. I have a better understanding of how dark and mean this world can be than when I first read this as a child. But I do still like the poem and it makes me think about how to find the good even when it is hard to see. As we are told:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:4-7

So, about the weather...I think it rained from here down to San Diego last night. At least it was pouring when I was talking to people there and in LA. It did make it seem like a small world after all. It froze in the night so in the morning I went out to photograph the icy rain drops studding the orchard, but they quivered and dropped off as I kept trying to get the right focus on the camera. I stopped to snap a shot of the ice crystals melting in the water around the pile of old bricks, and the cat came to investigate. Did you see his reflection? Once back inside the light seemed to change. I peeked out and found that the melted rain drops had all evaporated into a thick fog completely obscuring the Blue Mountains.

Day 36: Smudge Pots

2009-02-05T18:35:00.000-08:00