As usual

 

The Spartan tree is covered with hundreds of small apples-- as usual, each with its own personal worm. I planted that tree over 30 years ago as a little stick from a catalog. 

This cultivar was developed in British Columbia in 1936, and it was first apple produced from a formal scientific breeding program. Genetic testing has still not revealed its exact parentage. 

According to AI, Spartans faded from production as they are prone to disease. No kidding. It's just a specialty cultivar now, primarily grown in the native region of Canada, or as a home garden "novelty." That's a nice word to keep in mind while you're raking up piles of rotting apples. 

But I picked a basket of the nicer ones to do something with this weekend. They make pretty good applesauce, but that is a ton of messy work for something we don't eat very often. 

In fact, I haven't been into canning much at all this summer, other than a small batch of chutney made with our Roma tomatoes and pears from Lone Pine. 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Mellow yellow

 

September 9th is National Chrysanthemum Day, a holiday also called the “Festival of Happiness" that originated in Japan a thousand years ago. 

In honor, I bought this gold one at QFC this morning. Yesterday at Costco, they had those barrel sized pots as usual, tempting, but almost impossible to get home in with all the other random stuff piled in your cart and car.

The flower symbolizes happiness and joy, but will forever remind of me a short story from way back in my English major days called "The Odour of Chrysanthemums," by D.H. Lawrence. A poignant tale about 19th century coal mining in England and a sad relationship. Don't read it unless you're already depressed.

Today is overcast again, but yesterday turned out to be nice after all. I did some light cleanup and pruned back the roses covered in black spot, usual for this time of year. The clock is running out on these warm afternoons and the yard was sure mellow in the soft September light.

Soft and gleaming season

 

 

"Early Autumn," Maxfield Parish 

 The late Washington Post garden columnist Henry Mitchell once wrote:  

There is no need to think of September as the trash bin of the year, with just scraps of leftover things in the garden, because many things are only coming to perfection at the end of summer--a soft and gleaming season. 

 For example, Autumn Sedum...

That's a September photo from years ago, when I still had the inclination (and energy) to cut the beds to the ground and then mulch with carts of maple leaves from across the street. 

A tidy look, but actually it's better to leave most plants standing to provide food and shelter for birds and wintering insects. Actually I enjoy getting outside on those first mild February days to start chipping at the cleanup. 

 

So far, September has been more murky in Seattle than soft and gleaming. The air quality is better, but there are still 14 wildfires burning in Washington state. Not much rain in the forecast this week. 

 

 

 

Out for a spin

 

We headed downtown yesterday to check out the new waterfront park and take a ride on the Great Wheel. 

As you can see, a bit murky, although most of the fog had burned off by the time we went up, at least enough to see the skyscrapers emerging through the spooky mist. The mountains, nope. We're under a blanket of wildfire smoke, but fortunately most is staying at high levels.

 

And we had the car all to ourselves to take bad selfies. Actually, we had planned to go on this excursion today, but a grand opening celebration is happening at the waterfront park and they're expecting over 50,000 people to jam the area.  

We had lunch at Ivar's Acres of Clams-- fish tacos for me and chowder for John, then shared a scoop of Molly Moon ice cream before taking the water taxi back home. The full Seattle tourist experience.  

I logged 10,000 steps on my watch by the time we walked the mile home from the West Seattle Junction. 

Just taking it easy for the rest of the weekend. Have you heard, football season started? 

 

Happy birthday, John!

Fall?

 

You wouldn't have thought so in Twisp this week, where the temperature topped 100. Fortunately, we have a window air conditioner that keeps the main room cool. Karen and I sat on the sofa chatting the other afternoon, and a deer went by looking in the window with its tongue literally hanging out. Poor thing. 

School started yesterday in Seattle, and if that's not a fall wake-up call, nothing is. With the middle school across the street, we have traffic gridlock on our block twice a day during drop off and pick up times. 

Everyone is rushed and frantic, so it's also dangerous with kids darting between lines of moving cars. Fortunately the traffic jam doesn't last long, but for the next 10 months, we must watch our comings and goings. Woe to you, if you forget and come home with a load of groceries at the wrong time. 

I'll miss the quiet life again, but for now it feels good to be home. At Lone Pine yesterday, I bought local corn, pears, peaches, garlic and squash. We had an unusual but tasty pizza last night with red onion, Canadian bacon and our own Roma tomatoes. Cucumbers courtesy of Karen's garden. 

Newsflash

 

Vacation homes are a ton of work. Duh! Good thing I like puttering around the house-- at least this house. I've been busy the last two days changing bedding and cleaning out the pantry and freezer in preparation for fall and winter when we don't come as often.

We haul all our garbage (and recycling) back to Seattle, and John stuffs it in the measly little can. It can be a drag, especially in the summer. Guests who volunteer to take a bag home with them get bonus points. 

We eat lots of salad and produce, so Amanda's 12 healthy chickens are a big help and devour vegetable scraps, especially corn and greens. I found out they should not have onions, but they like stale bread, like that bagel that was in the freezer too long. (Sorry crows) 

In a few minutes, everything disappears, and this diet is one reason their eggs taste so amazing.

  

It hasn't been all work and no play. Most mornings before it gets hot, I walk or bike a 1.5 loop around town. The trail goes along the river by the city park, then down Glover Street and past Twisp Works on the way home. 

 

Does anything say fall like flocks of starlings? That picnic shelter is the very place Amanda and Tom were married in October 2009. Walking by I always think about that happy day, when Mom and Dad were both still with us.

My friend Karen is coming over this afternoon for a last visit, then I'm back to the big city tomorrow. 

September heat

 

What's not to like about September? Cool nights and warm sunny days. Well, hot actually, with the final heat wave of the summer and temps close to 100 in central Washington the next few days.

The young deer have turned this patch of grass on the north side of the house into a cool, soft bed. When I startle them, they jump up and stare at me for trespassing in their bedroom.

It does look inviting on a hot day. We fertilized and irrigated the yard more heavily than usual this summer (evidenced by my Twisp water bill) so the grass looks better than it has for while. I don't know if it's worth it, but keeping up a bit of lawn is considered respectable in town, although it comes with a cost in this arid climate.

It's hard to get the entire family together at one time, everyone is so busy, but last night tempted them over with enchiladas. Lots of enchiladas. We had a good time. 

 

Summer wrap up

 

This is probably the last sit-by-the-river-in-shorts visit until next June. It's still quite hot during the day, but with a wild 24 hour 50 degree temperature swing, and chilly enough for a jacket in the morning. Not fall yet, but the mornings are dark and cool.

The deer and turkeys have been the only visitors in front of the house. It's been peaceful so far at least, considering this is a holiday weekend. 

The river is down to a trickle, and probably not as appealing on a hot day, even for the most fervid river swimmers. I never go in that "hole" myself-- slippery, slimy rocks to twist an ankle on, a rusted culvert and debris on the bottom. Like fishing lures. Ugh.

 

 

I was at the Twisp Saturday Market today, which drew a big crowd. The Methow Valley Senior Center Thrift Store sponsors huge themed sales at regular intervals throughout the year: Spring, Summer, Western, Christmas, Winter, etc. Everyone in the community turns out for these events. There are incredible bargains to be found on high quality used clothing, gear and decor. What fun. Yes I bought some stuff, who can resist. 

That's about all the news, except for Nana bragging. Among other things, Nova is a talented artist. She did this free hand sketch and painting in a few minutes.

 

 

 

 

Little bitty things

 

 

The big flowers like roses, lilies and dahlias are wrapping up their show for the season, so beauty comes in smaller packages now. 

 

The chopped up star jasmine vine produced a hopeful little flower by the deck; ditto the spindly clematis I bought for half price at Safeway. That one needs to go in the ground before winter, the question is where?

 

Regarding the post yesterday, with a nudge from my sister, I filed an online report/complaint with the King County Sheriff Traffic Division about our dangerous intersection. We get discouraged in Seattle with rude, reckless driving and what seems like lack of enforcement, but that's no excuse for giving up:

  

“If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.”
― Anita Roddick 

Have a good holiday weekend. I'm heading across the Great Divide(s) this morning with a bunch of other people in a much bigger rush than me...

  

 

 

 

 

Really?

 

Our house is on a busy street corner with 4-way stop signs and crosswalks. We hear the traffic roaring past all the time, and yesterday afternoon at rush hour I watched car after car speed through that intersection without even slowing down. 

At least some cars made a rolling stop, but not a single driver came to a complete and legal stop. To make it even worse, parents blast through that intersection on electric bikes with kids on the back, and there's no way a driver could see them in time. Imagine the nightmare of a car/bicycle or car/pedestrian accident in Seattle?

OK, enough of that depressing stuff. Speaking of traffic, I hope to beat some of it with an early start to Twisp tomorrow morning. Just squeezing in one last summery visit before things get busy for us in September. 

 

    

 

 

 

Another golden morning

 

Click the below for a short art history lesson. Not a bad way to start the day.

"Woman Before the Rising Sun," Caspar David Friedrich, c. 1818

 

Mini heat wave

 

I sat outside after dinner last night watching a flock of excited Bushtits take showers in the sprinkler. The dearest little birds, they appear from nowhere at the sound of water, then disappear just as fast.

This will be the third day of near 90 degree temperatures in Seattle. Our neighborhood hasn't been quite that hot, but the house is still well over 80 degrees by evening. 

I'm a light sleeper and usually head to the downstairs bedroom which is cooler, not to mention quieter without a fan and kitchen refrigerator running a few steps from the bed. And a lone mosquito buzzing around the room. Is there anything more irritating at night? Lucky John can sleep anywhere through anything. 

This is perfect weather for ripening tomatoes, and we have an astonishing amount from just two potted plants. 

Thank you, better-living-through-chemistry tomato formula Miracle Gro.

 

 

I'm using them up in every possible way. We'll look back on those luscious sandwiches in January, when store tomatoes are a sad thing. 

 
 

High adventure pictures

 

As promised...and happy to report the families safely returned on Thursday after an incredible backpacking trip in the remote Pasayten Wilderness.

 

After 50+ miles on rugged trails, an icy dip in Ross Lake to wash off the dust, followed by copious pizza in Mazama on the drive home to Twisp. 

Amazing views of the North Cascade peaks from above tree line.

The group included four adults, two teenagers, two tweens and two dogs with piles of gear packed in, not to mention, an impressive amount of food for hungry days on the trail.  Seeing how those kids eat at home, I honestly don't know how they do it-- obviously lots of planning required.  

And everyone now carries a fair share of weight, including the canines packing their dinners. 

Nova taking a reading rest break, while Nica keeps watch along the trail. 

Amanda said that Maya, super fit from soccer and swimming, led the group up the steepest trails carrying her own 35-pound pack. 

I can just hear her: "What TOOK you guys so long?" 

Oh yes. No wildlife sightings other than some harmless deer. The fierce and smart ones gave the party a wide berth. Ha!

If I had a boat

 

 

I'm taking the Seattle water taxi this morning to meet my friend Betsy for a fish and chips lunch at Ivar's. A beautiful day for a boat ride, and we want to check out the new Waterfront Park. It opened a few weeks ago with much hoopla and was dubbed Seattle's "new front porch."

 

 From the July 11 Seattle Times:

"No one will believe it was once all but impossible to stroll from Pike Place Market to the waterfront. Elliott Bay — the actual water of the waterfront — was largely invisible even as you walked beside it? The center of downtown was separated from the waterfront by a double decker highway carrying 90,000 cars a day?"

Well, yes we believe it, having spent countless hours stuck in traffic up on the old Viaduct and walking underneath. There was actually a walkway down to the waterfront from the Market used by tourists and brave locals-- an unpleasant warren of connecting concrete staircases (stinky and graffiti covered) called the Pike Place Market Hill Climb. 

Amanda, Tom and the girls are wrapping up their wilderness backpack today, coming out (I think) on the Pacific Crest Trail near Ross Lake, where they left their cars a week ago. We haven't heard from them since last Saturday and looking forward to some pictures.