Slow morning

 

Sorry early morning blog followers, no big news today. I got the pneumonia vaccine yesterday and feel pretty dull. Wow, I haven't had such a painful shot since the old penicillin days. Anyway, like my doctor said, the last place you want to find yourself is in a hospital with "plain old" pneumonia.

Live music

 

 

 

It's almost two years since we've heard a concert at Benaroya Hall. Music was such a taken for granted part of our lives-- until it stopped. All those Sunday afternoons, sitting next to Betsy, chatting at intermission and watching wonderful performances. Our seats were 4 rows back from the stage and the musicians were like familiar friends. Seems like a different lifetime.

 

We've had season tickets to the Seattle Symphony since the 90's, back when they performed at the Seattle Center Opera House. After a long commute and work at Microsoft and Boeing, I can't believe we had the energy to go downtown for the Tuesday evening series. Of course, it was much easier getting around. Now a drive to the Center could take over an hour. South Lake Union (headquarters of Amazon) is unrecognizable.

Closer to home, we were invited to a neighborhood block concert on Alki Beach, and listened to a group work their way through Mendelssohn's String Octet. It's a complicated and lively piece (the boy genius composed it when he was only 16.) Anyway, a brave choice for an amateur ensemble. It lasted an hour instead of the usual 35 minutes, so we got our money's worth!

 

 

Later that same afternoon (culture vultures) we walked a few blocks to hear a free piano recital at the Episcopal church. The excellent young pianist played Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Chopin. When those first notes rang out in that silent space, it reminded me how much we've been missing. There's just no substitute for live performances.

John renewed our fall-winter Seattle Symphony season, but we haven't received the tickets yet. Also, no guarantee we'll have our usual old seats next to our friends. Everything will be different. The first concert is in late September and you must show proof of vaccination to enter the hall. 

A plummy day

 

Mission accomplished on the plum jam. John diced the plums (precisely of course) and I followed the recipe on the box of pectin (not quite so precisely.)

I'd rather make chutney, where you just throw everything willy nilly into the pot and let it cook down. 

Pectin recipes are supposedly foolproof, but only if you follow it.  Lots of exact weighing, measuring and fussy instructions like "boil for exactly 1 minute."

And it didn't look promising when I filled the jars, but jelled up nicely as it cooled.  A perfect consistency, actually. We had some this morning and it was delicious. Much better than any grocery store jam. Thank you W. for the extra plums! Look for a jar on your back porch.

It's a beautiful day. Instead of hiding from people as we usually do on Saturday, we're going to check out some free music events going in West Seattle. More on that later.

Have a good weekend.

Just because

 

Plum memories

 

John picked a bowl from our tree yesterday, and our neighbor brought over a bag. So we suddenly have a nice bounty.  Maybe jam?

And John wants a plum kuchen.

Impressive looking, but easy to make with a butter and egg batter, flavored with almond extract and grated orange peel. A nice combination and looks pretty in a tart pan. You slice the raw plums on top of the batter before baking and sprinkle with powdered sugar afterwards. They get soft and juicy as the cake rises up around them. Fresh fruit cake doesn't keep, but no problem to eat fast!

Plum cake always reminds me of the year we spent in Germany in the late 1970's. Our elderly neighbors made a treat each morning for their Kaffetrinken. They used whatever summer fruit was in season, and in the winter canned or frozen. These people survived depressions and two world wars, so nothing from the garden was wasted. Not a single string bean.

Amanda was the only baby on the street, and being Americans, our extravagant and strange habits were closely watched. I did odd things, like hang laundry out on Wednesday afternoon instead of Monday morning!

After the morning chores were done (which everyone did at the same times, on the same days) I was often invited over for coffee. Even in old age, they were hard working people, but there was a break in the late morning for gossip, coffee and fresh cake. They're long gone now, but I have vivid memories of those kind neighbors on Contwigerhangstrasse in Zweibrücken.

Transitions

 

 

The view at sunset looking down the river from our beach.  The golden light shining on those cottonwoods a preview of fall colors, which is just around the corner now.  My drive back to Seattle yesterday was long but easy as it gets. Perfect weather and light traffic on the passes. With 2 short stops, it takes about 5 hours to go 200 miles. The West Seattle detour is always the wild card.

The kids start school today in Winthrop. Everyone is nervous and excited. Maya goes to 3rd, and Nova starts middle school. On Monday, I tagged along to the 7th grade orientation at Liberty Bell High School. Nova and her friends looked like deer in the headlights. 

The big school is pretty intimidating and everyone confused about their schedule. Even the parents couldn't figure it out. The teachers (who looked young enough to be high school students) were all so friendly and supportive. And I certainly don't remember our principal ever saying "my door is always open, whatever you need." Back in the day, the last thing you wanted was to do was enter to the principal's office.  

We've never grown such large, mouth-watering tomatoes. It was the hottest summer anyone can remember.

I bought some peaches and pears in Wenatchee, and we have a few big plums to pick today. The apple tree is groaning with fruit, maybe I'll can applesauce but there's no way I'll use them all. 

John started fretting about replenishing our winter chutney supply. He looks forward to doing the slicing when I can, and has a special knife (and YouTube video) for every fruit and vegetable. Fine with me-- my arthritic fingers can't handle that chopping anymore.    

Well, time to get caught up on all the chores at the other house. Be careful what you wish for!

A fall feeling

 

 

 

Beautiful light on the hills as I walked home from Amanda and Tom's house last night. Later, a full moon rose in the east across the river. The sky was perfectly clear and oh my, it is dark and silent here compared to Seattle. 

 

The big living room window is by far the nicest feature of this house. The morning sun warms the living room and in the afternoon the deck is shaded. In many cultures, an east-facing house is considered lucky, the sun symbolizing life, light and energy.

It was almost, but not quite, chilly enough to run the furnace this morning. The overnight lows are in 40's and we've seen the last of the 90 degrees days until next summer. I'll put the down comforter on the bed before I leave tomorrow.  

Fall is one of the nicest seasons in the Methow Valley. Everyone looks forward to the end of heat, smoke and fire. For new home owners, there's a certain feeling of trepidation this first year. We have a checklist of things to do in September and October.  We'll probably come occasionally, but most of the time the house will be sitting empty. 

 

Many people have summer places here, so this isn't unusual. But the winters are harsh and hard on structures and living things. I hope we can come once a month, depending the driving conditions. 

7th grade orientation today at Liberty Bell High School, and I'm going with Nova, Maya and Amanda. Everyone is excited after that awful year of distance learning.  

 

Tomorrow, back to Seattle.

 

 

The best show in town

 

 

We sat in front of the big window yesterday afternoon with our new neighbors and watched a tremendous storm. Violent lightening, thunder, wind, and best of all, drenching rain falling on the wildfires. It was more moisture in a couple of hours than the valley has seen all summer.

Unlike mellow Seattle, everything here happens in extremes. Heat, cold, drought, snow, rain.  Unfortunately, thousands of acres are stripped of soil-saving vegetation, which led to flash flood warnings for creeks and streams off the burn zones. 

We watched "our" river rise in front of the house, although a summer storm is a piece of cake for the mighty Methow, which efficiently drains the North Cascade mountains. But the smaller waterways can become dangerous. 

We watched this blessing with our new friends, and it was an unforgettable experience. We agreed it was best evening we've had all summer. Good company, good wine and the best seat in the house.

And the turkey family looked delighted.

 

We walked up to the Saturday market and everyone was in high spirits. Nice seeing people back in town enjoying themselves, instead of hunkering down inside.

 We're not out of the woods yet, but at this point the outlook is improving and the North Cascades Highway reopened. Before long, snow will close it once again for the winter. 

And the seasons, they go round and round...

John heads back to Seattle tomorrow, but I'm staying until Tuesday to take care of a few more things. The house is starting to feel homey. It's chilly today, and we just tested the furnace. Thumbs up.

Quiet morning

 

It's a quiet morning after a jam-packed few days. John arrived and we're hanging out at the house and around town.  I invited some neighbors over later this afternoon.

The girls are going to Wentachee overnight on a school shopping trip with their friends, staying in a motel with a swimming pool. They are very excited, Maya most of all, because she is getting her ears pierced on Saturday. She was supposed to wait until she was 10, like Nova, but the nagging must have paid off.  Ha ha.

We might even get some welcome rain tonight and tomorrow. The smoke situation has improved and I've had the windows open all week, although it changes hour-to-hour depending on the wind.

I've enjoyed watching the wildlife as always.  The turkey family kids are almost grown up. Turkeys must be excellent parents, because they've all made it to the teenage stage. There's also a big bevy? of quail running around in that comical way, like they don't know where the heck they're going.

The river is about as low as it gets. You could almost, but not quite, wade across in places. Don't try it, Maya, says Nana.

Town of Twisp

The smoke situation is better for now, thank goodness, but town still feels deserted. On a typical summer day, Glover Street looks more like this picture.  

Why stop in Twisp?  Well, there's a bakery, gourmet grocery store, art gallery, coffee roaster, community center, the TwispWorks campus. And a popular Saturday market. A few specialty shops. A Mexican and pizza restaurant, also a gas station with a sub shop and salad bar. But if you want fast food, it's 40 mile drive to McDonald’s. I don't how long they can keep it that way. There is an ugly rumor about a Dollar General Store opening out on the highway.

The Valley is changing, especially the northern section which is a big destination for pricey outdoor sports. Biking in the summer, skiing in the winter. During the pandemic, the area attracted high tech money from Seattle, reflected in the building boom and soaring real estate prices for second homes. 

I drove up Mazama yesterday with the girls, and it's starting to feel like a miniature rustic Sun Valley. We went to the fancy store that everyone raves about and found it quite unfriendly. Then the swarms of yellow jackets on the toney espresso patio sent us packing back to Twisp.

Twisp still has a small town feel, and I've already met some my neighbors and exchanged contact information. I invited a couple over on Friday afternoon when John is here. That would never happen so fast in Seattle.

Early morning is the nicest time here and I've frittered away an hour with my laptop looking out the window at the sun coming up. Time to get moving. The air looks decent and Nova is going to help mow. Another busy day ahead with the girls.

River house

 

Pretty light on the hills last night at sunset when I walked home from dinner. The drive yesterday was as good as it gets. I took my time, the weather was fine and traffic light on the mountain passes. I left the house at 6 am. The worst part is getting in and out of Seattle.

When you finally pull in the driveway, that nice "ah" feeling finding everything just as you left it. I've brought more personal things over, so it feels more like our home instead of someone else's vacation rental. That part is still sinking in, that I can do whatever I want here. Put a picture on that wall? No problem.

I hosed light ash off the outdoor chairs and deck, the inside seems to stay cleaner than our house in Seattle. Not much dust. Maybe because this manufactured home is 4 years old instead of over 100. And not stuffed with old furniture, rugs and fabric.

We really caught a break with the weather and smoke-- at least for now. It's cool and breezy this morning. The bedroom window is open and I just watched some deer walk by. 

What a change from the smoky triple digits, when everything was closed tight and the AC roaring. But despite the clouds, there's only a slight chance of rain this week and wind is bad news with fires still burning. One day at a time. 

The girls will be with me most of the time so I'll be busy. School starts next week and it can't come soon enough for both parents and kids.

 

 

Late summer pleasures

 

 Chili relllanos made from scratch with our Anaheim peppers. A labor-intensive project but oh my goodness delicious. 

No complicated Mexican heritage recipe-- just a thrifty fritter batter from my 1967 Betty Crocker cookbook. Reminds me of mom, who used to make delicious apple fritters fried in shortening (or lard) dusted with powdered sugar. 

Simple: 2 egg yolks blended with a cup of flour and 2/3 cup milk. Teaspoon of salt.  Beat the 2 egg whites until stiff and then fold together. A tidy recipe with nothing wasted. 

I used a pricey fry combination of olive and avocado oil that mom would have found strange, along with these "battered" hot peppers. Incredible as it seems, we didn't eat Mexican food until Taco Bell came along in the late 1960's.

In other local news, Mr. Nguyen Oriental Gardener trimmed the laurel hedge again. This is the second year his helper? partner? slave? accomplished the job in a few hours with no muss, no fuss. We've had some real drama queens over the years so I feel lucky. 

He even did a complimentary edging on the sidewalk (which bothers him more than it does us) so I gave him a big tip. I might seek his help this fall with the massive fall clean up.

The garden is still attractive for August, I guess because there are more mature plants and shrubs now. I have pictures from 20 years ago that would blow your mind, the flowers in this bed were so incredible. How did I do it?  Well, I was younger then and you could always count on summer rain. 

We've coming up on 2 months now without any watering moisture. With these dry summers, it would be impossible to grow giant gunneras and 10-foot lilies.

When all is said and done, I like how things have naturally evolved. Very little about this garden was ever planned. It's like plant archaeology, one layer on top of the other, survival of the fittest. Everything must adapt, and along with it, our expectation of what is beautiful. It is beautiful sitting outside on a warm dry early evening, which used to be a rare treat in Seattle. You always needed a jacket on summer evenings. Preferably a rain jacket. 

Have you noticed how the mornings are getting darker? The starlings starting to gather in groups, which means fall is around the corner. 

I'm driving to Twisp early tomorrow morning, and John plans to join me later in the week for a couple of days. Another carload to take over to the house. This is the last week before the girls go back to school, so we'll hang out by the river while Amanda is working. 

Apples and lavender

 

A happy-sounding blog title for what's shaping up to be a miserable day.

A pretty sight. So many apples the branches are drooping. Last summer (stuck at home) I thinned them out and got fewer but larger fruit. I never got around to it this spring.

The heat-loving lavender grew to a beautiful, freakish size and was a feast for the eyes and bees. I filled a big jar yesterday with dried flower heads. It smells wonderful in the bedroom, but it was so hot we spent the night downstairs in the double bed, tossing and turning with the air purifier running.

Why complain about things you have no control over? But Friday the13th is a bad luck weather day with temperatures in the mid 90's again. We're supposed to stay inside with the windows closed (yea, right) because unhealthy levels of smoke blanket the entire state.

We just peeked out the backdoor at another rather terrifying red sunrise. And end-of-the-world looking thing. John said maybe our younger neighbors will drop by to check on the "old couple on the corner." Ha.

More heat

 

The sun is just coming up in a hazy, yellow sky.  Another heat wave on the way, although shorter than the one in June. They're still trying to figure out how many people died in the northwest during that awful week.

A bit of good news, if you can call it that-- the high-level smoke from California might keep the temperature down so Seattle will "only" be in the 90's. By Monday, back in the 70's. All I can say is, what a roller coaster of a summer.  

Our resident kitchen window spider. She's having a fat happy summer, trapping the dumber honey bees from the hive across the street.

I tried to water early this morning with the sprinkler, but it just pools up on top of the parched ground. Only a good, slow, steady rain will make a difference. Flower season is pretty much over, although we still have dahlias and the wonderful Autumn Sedum coming into its own. Also a big pot of Roma tomatoes some beautiful Anaheim peppers, earmarked for homemade chili rellenos. A once-a-year labor of love. It wouldn't be worth it, if they weren't so delicious.

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

 

The Peace of Wild Things

 

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

 

The Peace of Wild Things
By Wendell Berry

Lazy Day

 

Ten of the Uke members showed up yesterday to practice and serenade the neighborhood. Our neighbor rushed over to say how nice it was to "hear music" which was rather generous of her.

We had fun but it's always challenging playing together outside. There's background noise, and frankly our hearing isn't what it used to be. It's not unusual to have two melodies going at the same time. Oh, dear. 

But I think we did better than last time. One of our stronger players/singers came and we could follow his lead.

Our old group leader hasn't shown much enthusiasm for picking up the baton again. There isn't anyone willing or able to take his place at this point. 

On top of the pandemic, other changes, such as the difficulty getting to West Seattle and the elimination of free parking at the Senior Center guarantee the old group will never be the same. Everything is harder now. The pandemic has taken away so much. For folks our age, precious time.

August 10th is "Lazy Day." Just what the doctor ordered around here. 

Today is also Nova's birthday. They have a big day planned with friends at the water park, which sounds like the opposite of lazy. 

Exactly 12 years ago at this early hour, I got in my car and headed across the mountains to meet our granddaughter for the first time.  How fast the years pass.

What a week

 

The week went by in such a blur. Let's see. Last Monday, we drove over to Twisp planning to bring the girls back to Seattle with us on Tuesday. Instead we stayed another night and worked all day at the house. 

We got a lot accomplished despite the awful smoke. Then we came back to Seattle on Wednesday and had the kids here for two non-stop busy days. Amanda and Tom arrived late Friday night and everyone left Sunday. You can't pack more into one week.

But other good things have also been happening. This is dad with with my brother and sister in Utah, celebrating our nephew's return from his two-year church mission. Marji and dad drove from Las Vegas, and Dave down from Washington making a big loop through Colorado to check on dad's house.

A lovely picture of Dad and my niece Julie. 

We're going to rest up and enjoy our quiet life here for a few days. We had a bit of rain over the weekend and cool temperatures, but it's supposed to get hot once again in Seattle. This will surely go down as one of the hottest, driest summers on record.

This afternoon I'm hosting a group of The Ukes again for backyard practice. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't picked up my ukulele for over a week. But everyone is rusty after the long pandemic. John will probably head for the hills until it's over and I don't blame him.

Busy

 

I haven't even had time to use my computer much less write the blog. The last two days have been so jam-packed.  We brought the girls back to Seattle with us on Wednesday. They are experienced car travelers and we hardly knew they were in the backseat for the 5 hour drive.

A bit homesick for mom and dad the first night, but things soon settled down. 

Yesterday included shopping for new shoes, fish and chips at Alki. Lots of fairy garden play in the yard.  But the big highlight was learning ride "Scootie." They were naturals. 

Here's a few pictures.