IRIS IN AUGUST!

"Kantina" is definitely faithful at reblooming. It was so exciting to go out and see her blooming the other morning! As proof, I put in the picture below with the hydrangea and hollyhock in the background. (I know! I'm obsessed with iris!)

JOSIAH TOOK OVER THE BBQ!

With Dennis working so much overtime and then having to get a load of water every evening, he's not getting home till after 6:00 every evening. So Josiah decided rather than give up barbequed chicken, he'd learn to do it himself. And what a good job he does too!

SADDLE MOUNTAIN: THE GOAL

Believe it or not, but in about 2 hours, we'll be at the top of that rock!By the way, we saw our car down in the parking lot from one of the switchbacks way up above. It sure is a long way down! That big old station wagon looked like a toy!

SADDLE MOUNTAIN HIKE: THE CLIMB

If you ask me, that cable is a little low to hang on to for support unless you're crawling up. And believe me we did in a few places!The last half mile to the top was the most treacherous. Not only was it steep, but the footing was very precarious with loose rock.That happens to be Josiah on top of the rock at the top of the picture. He always arrived first, while the rest of us struggled to catch up!

SADDLE MOUNTAIN HIKE: REST STOPS

I had my pedometer along and we seemed to need to stop and "look at the view" about every quarter of a mile! It was steep! We climbed 1600' in about 3 miles! It was more difficult for some of us than others, so we paced ourselves. However, just as soon as those bringing up the rear arrived at the rest stop, those who'd been waiting for the rest to catch up, would be ready to go again! How fair is that?
And sometimes even if there wasn't a view, we stopped!

When your feet are tired, you'll sit on most anything to rest them for a minute!

SADDLE MOUNTAIN HIKE: THE VIEW

As you start to get up above the tree line, the views are incredible!Not to mention the wild flowers!

SADDLE MOUNTAIN HIKE: THE SUMMIT!

We were able to share the thrill of our victory with son-in-law Andrew via cell phone. Amazing inventions, cell phones! Andrew loves to climb and we so badly wished he could have been there with us. He happened to be in H&M in Washington D.C. with Jessi. He was holding her place in the dressing room line while she picked out more clothes to spend her birthday money on. Anyway, we were able to wish her "Happy Birthday" from the top of Saddle Mountain in Oregon!
Grandad and Jeremiah refueling for the hike down.

SADDLE MOUNTAIN HIKE: TRAILS END

Even after over 6 miles of strenuous hiking and climbing, Jeremiah still has the strength to hold up the tree so his sister can walk under! Who said chivalry was dead?!!Had to put this one in to show that the 16 year old Buick Estate Wagon can do other things besides haul water! It still provides a very comfortable and quiet ride for a crowd!You'd think they were tired, worn out, and exhausted!! Actually we were! We may have been exhausted, but we still were able to enjoy the trip home.
We stopped at a Taco Bell in Seaside, took pictures of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, and wound up the evening having ice cream at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. By the way did I mention that Dennis had requested this trip for his birthday, which is tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

ANOTHER COBALT BLUE LOVER!

For all you cobalt blue lovers, you have to admit this is cute, even if you happen to not like cats! This picture was emailed to me by one of our kitten's proud new owners. They named her "Sassy", which fits her personality perfectly! She is a Blue Pointe Snow Shoe. Thanks, Susie, for the great picture! For you cat lovers, be sure to click on the link to "Cats' Cradle" for more adorable pictures. After several months, I finally got around to updating it.

DALLAS RETIREMENT VILLAGE COMES FOR A VISIT TO BROWNS' BACKYARD

When I got the call Wednesday this last week from Dallas Retirement Village requesting a visit to our backyard this Friday, my first thought was "but everything is dried up!" But on closer inspection, there are still plenty of green and blooming things to enjoy. You just have to put your blinders on to the parched places. I'm so glad they came! It was a real treat for me to be able to relax for an afternoon, and share the fruits of my labor with them. I'm told she is 99! Can you believe it? I'd love to be sitting in that very rocker on my front porch when I am 99 ~ but...I think I'll need a gardener!
The men deserve special mention, as there were only 2 of them! I enjoyed so much the hour spent visiting with all of these sweet people, and sharing iced tea and Poppyseed Friendship cake.Yes, that's Ella on the left in the picture below. She and her husband came to the door and asked if they could buy our little house on Academy St. more than 15 years ago now. A real answer to my prayers! We were homeschooling 4 children in a house under 1200 sq. ft!!! God doesn't need "For Sale" signs! We were able to move to the country and build this wonderful 2100 sq. ft. "farm house"! We love it here, even without the water!

Hope they'll all come back soon for another visit!

WHAT BLOOMS IN THE HEAT OF AUGUST?

Zinnias of course!Don't forget the Dahlias and Dill!Then there's the heat loving sunflowers and yet more zinnias.I can't believe the climbing Blaze rose is still going too!And my new summertime favorite, the Oriental Lily!

And they smell heavenly!!

In perspective you can see that they're at least 5' tall! Sadly the Hydrangia backdrop is not taking our lack of water very well. They are continually wilted. But from a distance they still put on a good show.Crocosmia and purple Liatrus ~ I love the contrast in colors!