...and if you don't see it on here the first time, try, try again.
This small success IN NO WAY changes my feeling about computers, however.
Friday, 31 August 2012
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
The brassicas are in/The computer is my enemy...
OK, so here we go with changing colo(u)rs again...just trying to brighten things up a bit (as we are getting into autumn)--esp given the second half of my title this time around.
The end of this month has seen the exit of our two semi-resident Angelinos, right after they helped create--actually, they did over 3/4 of the work, so why not give them credit?--the autumn/winter veggie bed. We are going to have some wonderful broccoli and kale this winter, thanks to Noel and AngeliTa, yes that's 't' not an 'n', no matter what Mr. Brad Pitt would have you think.
These two are the second couple of Wwoofers that have made their way to our newly 'founded' homestead, where we now have quite the gardening space. They also helped finish off the perfect gate that all the work and deer fencing that Sandy and Danny led us to...
So here it is, with the field being readied for its new crop:
and, so much for the colour (as photos go), can't upload AGAIN! ($&(@^(&$()@!!!)
and, so for the second part of this posting. I am downright troubled by technology. I honestly don't know how to make this funny. The computer and I really don't communicate, in any effective way anyhow. BUT, it isn't just me. The guy at Radio Shack could not figure out why I couldn't open up my Yahoo email account on my new "Android"anymore. The guy at the other copy/biz centre had to take several steps including two calls to Brent to finish uploading my new Windows software that he had not been able to finish the other day (WARNING: Do not start something that you cannot finish, ESPECIALLY if it's on the computer!). We had to wait 30 more minutes for it to load, AND THEN go thru 28 additions (so-called 'updates') which took even longer.
and, so, if you'd join me in a moment of furor in raging against the machine.
and, yes, I will try to upload a picture of the new garden addition, but there may be a few days of growing involved before I can put that up.
and yes, the computer is my enemy...Help me Julia!!!
The end of this month has seen the exit of our two semi-resident Angelinos, right after they helped create--actually, they did over 3/4 of the work, so why not give them credit?--the autumn/winter veggie bed. We are going to have some wonderful broccoli and kale this winter, thanks to Noel and AngeliTa, yes that's 't' not an 'n', no matter what Mr. Brad Pitt would have you think.
These two are the second couple of Wwoofers that have made their way to our newly 'founded' homestead, where we now have quite the gardening space. They also helped finish off the perfect gate that all the work and deer fencing that Sandy and Danny led us to...
 |
| AngeliTa and Noel--hard at it, and still smiling! |
and, so much for the colour (as photos go), can't upload AGAIN! ($&(@^(&$()@!!!)
and, so for the second part of this posting. I am downright troubled by technology. I honestly don't know how to make this funny. The computer and I really don't communicate, in any effective way anyhow. BUT, it isn't just me. The guy at Radio Shack could not figure out why I couldn't open up my Yahoo email account on my new "Android"anymore. The guy at the other copy/biz centre had to take several steps including two calls to Brent to finish uploading my new Windows software that he had not been able to finish the other day (WARNING: Do not start something that you cannot finish, ESPECIALLY if it's on the computer!). We had to wait 30 more minutes for it to load, AND THEN go thru 28 additions (so-called 'updates') which took even longer.
and, so, if you'd join me in a moment of furor in raging against the machine.
and, yes, I will try to upload a picture of the new garden addition, but there may be a few days of growing involved before I can put that up.
and yes, the computer is my enemy...Help me Julia!!!
Friday, 3 August 2012
The (first) garden is in!
 |
| The first pole of the deer fence goes in thanks to Dan! |
Awhile in the coming, but yes, the "diamond in the rough" is planted out...thanks to my first two great Wwoofers, Sandy and Dan! The plants are growing big (well, actually pretty small right now considering the late start...) and happy.
 |
| ah, yes, my first deer fence! |
I will AGAIN try to upload some pictures on my personal computer, but have really struggled with making this happen and just want to keep the story going.
When I have truly figured this out, you'll have to go back and take a look at previous entries for which I am presently photo-less, because you know what they say about pictures telling stories...
Saturday, 21 July 2012
a diamond in the rough...
It's finally happened!!!
So, just to update the blog and all of you, I am successfully uploading photos on the web! HIP-HIP-
HURRAY!
We have a plot--well you could say that the story has started for real. The picture you will see (I'm having a HELLUVA time down or up or otherwise loading these gems for your viewing pleasure.) will be that of my FIRST Wwoofer from Chicago who helped me plant up the first part of the 'diamond' the day after she arrived. I can tell you that Sandy has been awesome, and it is SO great to get support as we planted out all of the first little seedlings--SO, you also think that planting in mid-July (well at least in the northern hemishphere) is a little late...oh, you of little hope!
Unbelievably, outside of all the little lettuce starts (which will probably grow regardless) and the beans (which really all did need to be planted out about one week earlier), the timing on putting out all of these was perfect. As many of you know, we've not really had a summer in which to make this happen. What was weird though, with the fog, the thunderstorms, all of the prep-work necessary, and then finally the arrival of Dan from Hawaii, and the rest of the seedlings placed (the pumkins, tomatos, and squash) again, after another rain that added back a lot of needed moisture and made the earth much less dusty, I could not have asked for better conditions.
It will be interesting to see how all of this love and care in planting and the gentleness of the circumstances Mum Nature bestowed on us on the witching/planting hour will ACTUALLY make things go.
Several other tasks were tied into making what happens here in the future more meaning-full--like taking soil samples just before putting Dr. Earth all-purpose organic fertilizer on half of the bed to see what kind of a difference it will make compared to those that didn't get any. I also want you to know--esp you, Rob, Margaret, and Julia--that I AM recording this in my plant diary...you know, I am going to start this thing right this time round!
Today, staying in the same kind of mode (you know, getting it right from the get-go), we also weeded out a lot of thistle and tansy (known to be fatal to animals, especially cattle here in Oregon). Just in case you forgot from my previous entry and are curious about the bat encounters and results, Brent went through the remainder of his bat shots JUST IN CASE there was something really wrong about the bat that brushed by Brent's ear when we moved the wood shed about three weeks back. He is totally done with the series of shot treatments, and finally, finally, got a nurse who massaged the final injection into his shoulders in Denver which greatly helped reduce the discomfort he experienced previously in Gold Beach.
So, finally, we've got caught up a bit on the practical and I do promise those pictures--some day!
 |
| the 'diamond' |
HURRAY!
 |
| Sandy enters the scene--my 1st Wwoofer from Chicago! |
We have a plot--well you could say that the story has started for real. The picture you will see (I'm having a HELLUVA time down or up or otherwise loading these gems for your viewing pleasure.) will be that of my FIRST Wwoofer from Chicago who helped me plant up the first part of the 'diamond' the day after she arrived. I can tell you that Sandy has been awesome, and it is SO great to get support as we planted out all of the first little seedlings--SO, you also think that planting in mid-July (well at least in the northern hemishphere) is a little late...oh, you of little hope!
Unbelievably, outside of all the little lettuce starts (which will probably grow regardless) and the beans (which really all did need to be planted out about one week earlier), the timing on putting out all of these was perfect. As many of you know, we've not really had a summer in which to make this happen. What was weird though, with the fog, the thunderstorms, all of the prep-work necessary, and then finally the arrival of Dan from Hawaii, and the rest of the seedlings placed (the pumkins, tomatos, and squash) again, after another rain that added back a lot of needed moisture and made the earth much less dusty, I could not have asked for better conditions.
It will be interesting to see how all of this love and care in planting and the gentleness of the circumstances Mum Nature bestowed on us on the witching/planting hour will ACTUALLY make things go.
Several other tasks were tied into making what happens here in the future more meaning-full--like taking soil samples just before putting Dr. Earth all-purpose organic fertilizer on half of the bed to see what kind of a difference it will make compared to those that didn't get any. I also want you to know--esp you, Rob, Margaret, and Julia--that I AM recording this in my plant diary...you know, I am going to start this thing right this time round!
Today, staying in the same kind of mode (you know, getting it right from the get-go), we also weeded out a lot of thistle and tansy (known to be fatal to animals, especially cattle here in Oregon). Just in case you forgot from my previous entry and are curious about the bat encounters and results, Brent went through the remainder of his bat shots JUST IN CASE there was something really wrong about the bat that brushed by Brent's ear when we moved the wood shed about three weeks back. He is totally done with the series of shot treatments, and finally, finally, got a nurse who massaged the final injection into his shoulders in Denver which greatly helped reduce the discomfort he experienced previously in Gold Beach.
So, finally, we've got caught up a bit on the practical and I do promise those pictures--some day!
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Going Batty
Amazing how the time has gone! Not even two entries for June--the month of beginnings...
You know that you are not in control when you can't blog more than that--my partner, Brent, and I have now been back to Cloudplay for almost two weeks. That being said, it's been a bit slow-going. A big part of what we've been up to is getting our place--especially our infrastructure--back in order. One of the main things we've aimed to accomplish is to get our wood shed moved and set up next to our cabin.
This task wasn't actually that difficult, but did involve some major deconstruction of the present structure. I wish someone had told the bats our intentions to give them a bit more time to be prepared.
To cut to the chase, there were several who obviously weren't going to move and needed more than a push to move them along. Although a number of the flying rodents took off immediately, there were several who kept returning or lingered, and one mother was definitely not going to leave her young one
behind.
Perhaps she thought that she might win the struggle and to prove it, she decided to wing by Brent's ear closely enough to encourage him to make a trip to the local clinic to follow up on what he'd read that even a brush of a claw that didn't even draw blood was enough to transmit rabies. Whether that was her intention or not, we'll never know, but Brent is now in the middle of his 4 or 5-shot treatment--just in case.
The result: several somewhat sleepless nights and some very weird sensations in his body. There will be more on this later...
 |
| the "batty" woodshed moved and... |
This task wasn't actually that difficult, but did involve some major deconstruction of the present structure. I wish someone had told the bats our intentions to give them a bit more time to be prepared.
To cut to the chase, there were several who obviously weren't going to move and needed more than a push to move them along. Although a number of the flying rodents took off immediately, there were several who kept returning or lingered, and one mother was definitely not going to leave her young one
 |
| being painted by Wwoofers Sandy and Dan |
Perhaps she thought that she might win the struggle and to prove it, she decided to wing by Brent's ear closely enough to encourage him to make a trip to the local clinic to follow up on what he'd read that even a brush of a claw that didn't even draw blood was enough to transmit rabies. Whether that was her intention or not, we'll never know, but Brent is now in the middle of his 4 or 5-shot treatment--just in case.
The result: several somewhat sleepless nights and some very weird sensations in his body. There will be more on this later...
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
It's all relative(s)
Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed the Tahiti pictures...it often takes me awhile to load them up and get them organized, so check them out if you didn't see them in my previous blog--same thing will apply to the family photos yet to come.
What a great time I've had with my family!
The amazing thing about people that are part of your life is that when you get together again, it's often as you have never left (Maybe this has something to do with a space/time warp that I watched on the plane from Tahiti to LAX airport.).
My time with family has truly been awesome; it was so the right decision to make to spend some quality time with them. To make this short and sweet, this has included 3 legs:
1) my parents in Sierra Vista, a high desert region in SE Arizona
2) my sister and her family in Westminster, Colorado, about 5 km (Yes, it's time to teach Americans metrics; scream and fight, see if I care!) from where I grew up, and,
3) my brother and his family in Ft. Collins, Colorado.
I could go on and on, but leave it to say I have had a fantastic time reconnecting and catching up on their lives and sharing mine. Great food, games, camping and comfortable time together made my visits about as good as it gets.
There have been some interesting things that have happened along the way. One is that BOTH my siblings and their families are buying veggies from CSAs (community supported agriculture), and both took me to the places that they buy from or know of in their communities to check these operations out. This provided a tremendous boost to me and our future direction at Cloudplay in Oregon, not only providing me some models of what is being done and working, but the reality that this is a movement that is obviously becoming more mainstream.
It was a confirmation that we are on the right path.
One other unfortunate event has been the burning up of thousands of acres of forestry land near Ft. Collins in a fire that appears to be getting only bigger and more out of control. It reminds me of the Biscuit Fire we experienced not far from our place in SW Oregon (and N California). This one has been exacerbated by so much bark beetle infestation.
Lastly, one of the richest aspects of this trip has been a kind of coming together in spite of our various beliefs as the Thiemann family is quite passionate in their lives and pursuits. I TRULY realize that being gay or straight (or whatever?) does not have to be an issue or divider unless I--or my family--puts energy into it being so. How this can and will play out in society at large is still being uncovered daily. I think we'll get there.
Everybody has views, beliefs, and ideas that differ, and that's because we are all relative---s of the whole. We all have our various life experiences and realities, and yet they are just takes on a truth that we are all connected. What a joy it will be when we can all come to that bigger realization.
What a great time I've had with my family!
The amazing thing about people that are part of your life is that when you get together again, it's often as you have never left (Maybe this has something to do with a space/time warp that I watched on the plane from Tahiti to LAX airport.).
My time with family has truly been awesome; it was so the right decision to make to spend some quality time with them. To make this short and sweet, this has included 3 legs:
1) my parents in Sierra Vista, a high desert region in SE Arizona
2) my sister and her family in Westminster, Colorado, about 5 km (Yes, it's time to teach Americans metrics; scream and fight, see if I care!) from where I grew up, and,
3) my brother and his family in Ft. Collins, Colorado.
I could go on and on, but leave it to say I have had a fantastic time reconnecting and catching up on their lives and sharing mine. Great food, games, camping and comfortable time together made my visits about as good as it gets.
There have been some interesting things that have happened along the way. One is that BOTH my siblings and their families are buying veggies from CSAs (community supported agriculture), and both took me to the places that they buy from or know of in their communities to check these operations out. This provided a tremendous boost to me and our future direction at Cloudplay in Oregon, not only providing me some models of what is being done and working, but the reality that this is a movement that is obviously becoming more mainstream.
It was a confirmation that we are on the right path.
One other unfortunate event has been the burning up of thousands of acres of forestry land near Ft. Collins in a fire that appears to be getting only bigger and more out of control. It reminds me of the Biscuit Fire we experienced not far from our place in SW Oregon (and N California). This one has been exacerbated by so much bark beetle infestation.
Lastly, one of the richest aspects of this trip has been a kind of coming together in spite of our various beliefs as the Thiemann family is quite passionate in their lives and pursuits. I TRULY realize that being gay or straight (or whatever?) does not have to be an issue or divider unless I--or my family--puts energy into it being so. How this can and will play out in society at large is still being uncovered daily. I think we'll get there.
Everybody has views, beliefs, and ideas that differ, and that's because we are all relative---s of the whole. We all have our various life experiences and realities, and yet they are just takes on a truth that we are all connected. What a joy it will be when we can all come to that bigger realization.
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Tahiti & in-between
As we just arrived a couple days ago via Tahiti, I thought I'd stick with "Trebuchet" font, something I am sure you all want to know...I've never been much on fancy scribing here, but I've also decided to use various colours, or should I now say 'colors' to keep myself amused.
Taking a few days layover from New Zealand on the way here made so much sense in so many ways: 1) We were able to see friends. 2) We were able to save $ to a destination that we may never have afforded being able to check out. 3) We were able to break up a 12-13 hour airtrip, which almost made it bearable.
 |
| Believe it or not, Moorea, the island on which this photo was taken, is NOT a national park... |
Sleeping was a challenge in the warm/hot temps and especially the humidity. That being said, the rest (and some great French cooking!) we experienced with our travel network hosts, Gerard and his friend Stefan, and the warmth of spending scattered hours with our New Zealand friends, Olivier and Erica, made it all a real, much needed break on our way back to the intensity of the USA. Part of the wonder of our time spent Down Under was all of the places we were able to travel to and explore. During our six years there, we made 5 travel circuits throughout New Zealand, with many more trips to Northland and to the Coromandel, we went to Australia twice, we travelled to Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, and finally through Tahiti back to the States. There isn't a place I WOULDN'T recommend which we visited...and we will return--remember, that is a promise and not a threat!
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