An uncommon man (or woman)

I heard this quote on Dave Ramsey's show tonight and had to share it.
This was written in 1952 by a man named Dean Alfange, born in 1899. Alfange was a World War I veteran, a pro-Zionist (in 1943 he appeared before the House of Representatives and addressed them on the rescue of the Jewish people in Europe), and was the American Labor Party candidate for governor of New York.
He was also one of the founders of the Liberal Party of New York.
Strange how things change.

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not
wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and
dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk;
to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I
prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed
existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale
calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor
my dignity for a handout. I will never cower
before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and
unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the
benefit of my creations and to face the world
boldly and say, "This I have done with my own
hand, I am a man. I am an American.”

Bored, bored, bored!

Not much going on this week.
Worked all day Monday.
Had Joshua over on Tuesday, which was fun but now it's Thursday.
Pretty slow week and nothing to blog about.
So I'm going to tell you about one of my favourite things.
It will be the first of a series called "Things I Love."
My house decorating style would have to be called "eclectic," because I tend to buy things that I love, not necessarily things that look good together.
Here is one of the first things I bought because I truly loved it.










It's called "Rainbow optic vase" by Dan Bergsma. I was on a girls' beach trip and found it at an art gallery in Lincoln City. The one in the gallery was already sold, so I ordered and prepaid for one.
It cost $395.
But I loved it.
Jeff didn't kill me.
Didn't even get mad.
I looked online and it's now selling for $450.
Hmmmm. Not exactly an investment.
But I still love it.
It makes me HAPPY.
I found another of his vases online today.
Isn't it beautiful?


It would complement my decor perfectly!

The Great Escape

Sometimes ya just gotta get away.
Which we did this weekend.
To the beautiful Oregon Garden Resort.
Two nights, breakfast buffet included.
Oh. The fresh buttered strawberry scones on Sunday morning!
Check out the bed...
Soft, downy comforter, cushy pillows, and ALL WHITE.
Just the way I like it.
It's a wonder I ever left that bed.


But leave it we did.
To hike the almost-8 miles of trails in Silver Falls State Park.
And yes, we saw every one of those ten waterfalls.
Some of them twice.


I love the forest in winter, branches all covered in moss.


Little ferns all growing out of the moss.



Finally, at the end of the day, two pairs of tired feet.
And yes, the boots and possum socks were AWESOME.
Not a blister in sight!

Spring has sprung....

...the grass is riz,
I wonder where the flowers iz?

Well, spring hasn't really sprung, officially anyway,
but my garden thinks it has.
Miniature iris sprang into bloom a couple of days ago...


Followed quickly by yellow crocuses.
Or is that croci?



Primroses, hardy souls from last year, are fighting the slugs and barely winning. It is true, you can plant your primroses in the ground after they are done blooming and they will bloom again next year. I think the trick is planting them where they get plenty of water in the heat of summer.

Are we bored yet?

Does anybody need crocus or iris bulbs?
They proliferate like crazy.

Slugs and snails and.....

....puppy dog tails.
That's what little boys are made of!

We have four little boys.
They are all slightly quirky and more than a bit ornery and thoroughly adorable. Each in their own, unique way!
A couple of weeks ago I had three of them over for the afternoon.
It was a sunny day and the air was balmy, a promise of spring to come.
We blew bubbles on the deck and ate marshmallows.



We rode scooters.


Then we went for a walk.
We sat on the path by the new traffic island.
We ate marshmallows and waved at all of the trucks and cars that went by.
Some of them studiously ignored us.
But most of them smiled with delight and waved back at us.
How could they not?

Then we walked to the fire station and watched the firemen spraying water at their practice structure.
Three pairs of tired little legs walked home VERY SLOWLY.
Tommy kept asking, "WHEN WILL WE BE HOME, NANA?"

On Monday, we went to the zoo with Bethany, her four offspring, and Tommy.
We chased children all around the zoo.
We ate elephant ears, and admired the animals.


We walked a long way.
Tommy kept asking, "CAN WE GO HOME NOW, NANA?"

Useless fact of the day

What do you call a group of finches?
Answer: A charm.
Here is our charm of goldfinches.


So what do you call a group of Valentines Lindor milk chocolate truffles with white chocolate filling? Bought at Bi-Mart this afternoon for $2 a bag. Which wasn't as good as the $1 a bag Halloween truffles, but neither was I tempted to buy 25 bags, either.


Feel free to leave suggestions in the "Comments" section.
Maybe the clever winner, chosen by me, will win a bag.
Maybe.
If they're not all eaten by then.

Winter: The Great Equalizer

The thing I LOVE about winter is that it makes me so happy when it's over. I can't wait for my daffodils and tulips and crocuses to bloom. Almost all gardens look equally crappy in the midst of winter chill....or rain.
Oregonians crack me up. As soon as we get a sunny day, any time after March 1st, we drive in droves to the nearest nursery centre and stock up on colourful blooms.
Every year, I try to resist the urge.
Every year, I fail.

Here are some radiant spots in my garden right now.

My friend, Lori, gave me snowdrop bulbs a couple of years ago. They have multiplied aggressively and are the first bloom of the year.


Hellebores


Some kind of jasmine. Also from Lori.
I'll bet you wish YOU had a Lori too!


The ubiquitous goldfinches with the expensive tastes.


Raised beds, just waiting for spring.
Two beds of dormant strawberries, dreaming of little children who will steal their delicious fruits.