A Walk in the Woods

As we learned in a library book recently checked out, Western Oregon is technically a "temperate rainforest." Not hard to believe when you see these moss covered trees.

Showing off their treasures found along the trail.

Some of the forest's spring bounty- trillium, I think.

An old forest service cabin? Or a hidden castle for kings and queens? Well, that all depends on what you choose to see...

Sometimes the heart needs a walk in the woods. Today the girls and I ignored the rain, the sleet, and the forty degree temperatures to take a long walk in Forest Park- one of the nation's largest urban forests right in the heart of Portland. Over eighty miles of trails crisscross through Forest Park providing us city dwellers with a bit of 'green peace.' Walking beside a babbling brook, under moss covered trees, and by luscious ferns we all rejoiced in this rain soaked green land we have been given as home.

Our Rhode Island Red, why she can lay an egg.

"You see, I was sitting here, resting my legs

And I happened to pick up a couple of eggs

And I sort of got thinking- it's sort of a shame

That scrambled eggs always taste the same.

And that's because ever since goodness knows when

They've always been made from the eggs of a hen.

Just a plain common hen! What a silly thing to use

With all of the other fine eggs you could choose!

The places I hiked to! The roads that I rambled

To find the best eggs that have ever been scrambled!

I hunted new birds along wild tangled trails,

Through gullies and gulches, down dingles and dales.

If you want to get eggs you can't buy at a store,

You have to do things never thought of before."

- Dr. Seuss SCRAMBLED EGGS SUPER!

All I can say about this egg is Yum, yum, yum.

Some updates on things here and afar. Dad is doing better and got fit for some walking boots which will make his life a bit easier (although more painful), and he doesn't have to spend all his time in the wheelchair. Great news for him. Jake is still gone, and we still miss him terribly each at different times. Eleanor still says Jake is part of her family, and we have to always count him.

sometimes life throws some curve balls

I realized today that it has been two weeks since my last post...and an eventful two weeks at that. On March 13th, my Dad had a ski accident which entailed falling 800 vertical feet, breaking two ankles, and tearing three ligaments in his right knee. After some surgery putting six screws and a few plates in each ankle he is now wheelchair bound for a few months. I flew to Montana and spent a week with him. We had a nice week together, albeit not under the ideal circumstances. He is motoring around now in his chair, working from home, and growing in his appreciation for people who have to spend their lives confined to a chair. And much thanks go to Jason, TErry & Cathy (who were in town for the week) for holding down the fort here in Portland!

Then, after arriving home late monday night from Montana, I had to bid farewell to my dear dog Jake yesterday. It has been a rough twenty-four hours. Yesterday we were having a quiet morning at the house. I was reading on the sofa with Jake cuddling next to me with his head in my lap. Eleanor crawled up to cuddle with us and pet Jake. We're not sure if he was surprised, spooked, or what was really going on in his little doggie mind, but he whipped around and snapped at Eleanor leaving two teeth marks and a grazed eyelid. That afternoon the girls and I drove him down to Corvallis to return him to his foster family. I cried the whole way home and much of the night. The dear folks at Oregon Weimeraner Rescue are doing what they can to figure out what made Jake, who has no history and is an AWESOME dog, do this (the vet is checking him, his legs, his hips, his blood for a thyroid problem). Eleanor is not phased, and she cried when we had to leave Jake. She said, "I love my Jakie, mommy, let's go back and get him." So, we're all sad. Today Eleanor made up an elaborate story about her "EE-OO" (her special lamb she sleeps with), and how E-O had a friend that died and made him sad. I think it was her four year old way of processing all the emotions of the last day. We miss Jake and his wiggles. I was suprised at myself and how much the whole experience hurt. Even Rynn said, "Why did Jake have to bite Eleanor?." We're not sure, but we miss him and even more we are thankful that Eleanor is fine with just a scrape on her eyelid and nothing more.

More Chicken Fun

Chickens get their addition so they can play outside...

Watching the chickens

"Brownie, Pokey, and Wendell"

Chicken Little

Mr. Chicken Little

It is with great excitement that we introduce the newest members of the Little family- our chickens! After several years of joking about it, thinking about it, and dismissing it, we finally had chickens pretty much dropped in our lap by a family in our church. They were ready to get rid of everything, coop, chickens, and all for FREE. Jason jumped at the opportunity, and two days later we now have a chicken coop with three very cute clucking chickens in our backyard. We also have one very excited dog who thinks life just got a lot more interesting around this urban backyard. Fortunately for the chickens, their coop was built to withstand a 100 lb Labrador Retriever, so we think it is pretty Jake proof. Jason has big plans for building a little run for them, some stairs, and some perches. We have a lot to learn, but we are very excited about fresh eggs this summer.
Jake welcomes the new additions.

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

My baby is FOUR. Oh, how did it happen. What a ball of fire, joy, and personality she has brought to our lives. Happy Birthday, Eleanor!

3 years (2008)

2 Years (2007- this photo is technically one month after her birthday, but it is one of my favorites from our Tennessee front yard)

1 Year! (2006)

March 1, 2005 Eleanor is born to us!