A MERE MONTH AGO...

...homeward bound from Washington, along the Columbia River Gorge.

Cool, refreshing...........blinding rain!

Misty, mysterious forests...

Lots and lots of flowering weeds, otherwise known as wildflowers...

and cool green hills.

Oh why oh why couldn't I have appreciated that weather?!!

And when the sun comes out and finishes melting this snow,

Lake Shasta may have absolutely no red dirt shoreline showing. I haven't seen the lake this full in decades. It was absolutely stunning.

And in today's sweltering heat (no, the grass is never greener, for very long, at least), I have those lovely memories of Pacific Northwest Rain to keep me cool(er)!

NAME THAT TREE #9

Devils Postpile National Monument

GAINING A FOOTHOLD

Tioga Pass

July, 2010

"Q" - NAME THAT TREE (#8)

Another Hawaii find.

MESSIN' AROUND AGAIN!

This proves it, once and for all! The moon really is made of green cheese! Looks like a Roquefort to me. Well, more Roquefort than bleu anyway.

MAJOR BURROUGHS ~~~~ SOAP BOX ALERT

I detest this feckless war, America's longest war, and its attendant siphoning off of our country's future leaders. Our men and women in uniform, thrust in harm's way daily, make incredible sacrifices. For what? I grieve for them and for their families who fearfully and proudly watch and wait and hope and pray their loved ones don't come home in a flag-draped pine box.

Go ahead and call me names, but flag-waving and firecrackers and meaningless "support our troops" bumper stickers have no impact on me. Yet finding this poignant, personal affirmation on a California country road was gut wrenching and heart breaking. I just want Major Burroughs and his fellow heroes to come home safely to their loved ones so they can get on with their lives in peace in THIS country.

IT'S A MADAGASCAR DAY GECKO...

...a diurnal subspecies of gecko.