FEATHERS - Just off the Road

 There are lots of birds where I live.  All types, colors, and sizes.   I never paid much attention to birds before, but now I'm an unofficial bird-watcher, thanks to my daughter, a variety of feeders, and my friends at Wild Birds Unlimited in Gardiner.  Who knew that they even sell books that feature bird feathers?

Never one to miss an opportunity, my husband took this Northern Flicker feather and made it the focus of his recent class in close-up photography.  We spent a full day in the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, seeking out backgrounds for my flicker feather.  "The Feather as Art" is the result. 

 

Beginning with moss, moving to bark patterns in a Western Red Cedar stump, progressing to sword ferns, then rocks, he was able to create a photo that highlights the beauty of a simple bird feather.  This is such a special place if you take the time to look.

WILDLIFE UP CLOSE - SEQUIM-STYLE - Just off the Road

When I first heard a lion roaring from my deck, I decided that it was necessary to find the source.  Amazingly, just about 2 miles from my house, I found the entrance to the Olympic Game Farm, home to some of the friendliest "wild" creatures on earthy.

From bison to elk to deer to bears who wave at me, these wondrous animals are the legacy of those wonderful Disney nature movies that I loved in my youth.  Feeding is encouraged, though only wheat bread will do.

Being a transplanted Alaskan, I was skeptical about the brown bears they advertised, but a stop beside a huge specimen, and the offer of a slice of wheat bread was all it took to entice this big guy to give me a little wave, though he proved to be camera-shy.  It was a no-brainer to follow the signage.

Olympic Game Farm is now my 90-year old mother's favorite place in Sequim. She loves getting up close and personal with the animals, and it gives me an excuse to visit as well.

HAPPINESS - Just off the Road

My Mother is 90 years old.  She's starting to forget things, and sometimes I find her TV unplugged and her slippers in a drawer.  Make no mistake, she still remembers the important things, and this year she remembered all the wonderful memories associated with Christmas.  In the place she lives, they go out of their way to make their residents feel loved and cherished, and this visit from Santa took place after a wonderful classical concert presented by some amazing musicians.  

Christmas is a time to give thanks, to laugh and sometimes indulge, to hug our loved ones, and to feel that sense of family that we occasionally overlook.  This is my Mother's 90th Christmas, and it's one I'll always remember.  She is so happy!!!

CHRISTMAS MAKE-BELIEVE - Just off the Road

When I was a little girl, I loved playing with the Christmas village that my Mother set up under our Christmas tree.  It allowed me to play make-believe to my heart's content.

As I grew older, make-believe faded a bit, until it occurred to me that I might have my own dream village, and with that, THE COLLECTION began.  It took over 20 years to amass the houses, barns, cows, boats, lighthouse, forest, people, etc., etc, but I finally had my own village - "JoJo's Village" - which fit into a large area of my home.

When we moved to Sequim and downsized our dwelling, I pondered what to do with my collection, until my Mother moved into a retirement community with lots of empty floor space.  It's been my delight for the past two years to set up JoJo's Village for the enjoyment of the residents, and I've challenged them to pick a character and invent a life story for him or her.  It turns out that you're never too old to play make-believe!  Who knew?

JOY - Just off the Road

We had some snow last week - not much, but enough to cover the ground and make it look rather festive.  To our surprise, it lasted several days since the temperature stayed below freezing.  Our grandson, who moved here along with his mother and us last year, was born and raised in Alaska, and he insists that he's got Alaskan blood which equates to shorts all winter long, and seldom a need for a coat.  The snow has melted, but our fearless offspring continues to flaunt his thick blood and lack of need for any type of external warmth.  Grandma has been luckless in trying to get him to wear at least long sleeves and long pants, but this lack of shoes is really about more that I can bear.  Oh well, maybe next year...

"LITTLE BIT" - Just off the Road

 My grandson has been bugging his mother for a year to get a snake, gecko, lizard, or some sort of reptilian species.  For a year she made him do his homework, researching the different types, what they require, how to care for and feed them, how long they live, etc. etc.  To her surprise, he was diligent and she finally caved.  The new resident of their home is a water dragon which, according to the pet store lady, is the easiest and least problematic member of the lizard family.  The rub came with the task of selecting a name.  They've ranged from Bob to Wizard to Nacho to Steve until at last, under threat of "nameless" the choice has been made to go with Little Bit.  He is, after all, a small lizard, and though he eats mealworms and kale and live crickets, he's pretty benign.

Little Bit has been accepted by the cats, the dog, and the grandparents, though my husband has yet to hold him.  He's the newest resident of our little bit of heaven - just off the road.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - Just off the Road

 In downtown Sequim there are a myriad of Christmas lights at the main intersection.  There are lighted trees, walls, bushes, tractors, reindeer and sleigh.  Not being one to take anything for granted, my photographer spouse spent an hour last week fiddling with his camera and the lights.  What he came home with was a whole new way to look at decorations.  He says the reindeer shot was an accident, but it inspired him to see what else he could create.

 

 This shot is the result of zooming backward with his wide-angle lens.  Who knew that Christmas lights could generate fireworks?  I think I'll send him out again this week.  There are all sorts of decorations that might need a new perspective.