Sweet Nectar!

            The Bee and the Foxglove

A Life Cut Short

Yesterday Darrell and I flew down to San Jose for the funeral of my cousin, who died suddenly and unexpectedly last week while camping and water skiing with his wife's extended family.  Richard was only 57 years old.  Way too young for death to claim him.  He was known as the family comedian, wearing a big smile no matter what his circumstances.  He was well-loved by his family and friends, and had a strong faith in Christ :o}

Richard Andrew Vaughan

April 1953 - July 2010

'Til we meet again..........

A Summer Visit

My best friend since nursing school days came up for a week long visit last week!  Still wasn't enough time, though, but we enjoyed our time together. 

Of course we ate all sorts of good things.  This was a steak dinner of sorts, prepared by Darrell.

Using the tea blossoms that 'sprout', we made some delicious teas.........  along with Lemon Lavender Cookies!

Taking a break from the usual, we took a hike to Barclay Lake.

Much of our time was spent either crafting

OR......

.....watering and picking raspberries and strawberries !

We also had a young man come out and teach us how to use our DSLR cameras better.  It was very helpful, and son Scott and another teacher from his school (Sandra), joined us for that.  We played with our cameras a bit this week, trying to put into practice the things we learned.

It was a grand week!  Hopefully it won't be another 5 years before we see each other again!  Thanks for coming, Terry!

Summer Beauty

First peony I have ever bloomed out at Harmon Hollow!

Tranquility

I was bird watching and enjoying the flowers on the deck a while back, before this month long seige of rainy weather hit.

Lucky Snap!

Before & After

We've had this outdoor furniture for close to 25 years!  It was time for a make-over!

My Summer Book Stack (so far)

A nice variety, I think ;o)

I just finished this biography of George S. Patton.  Most interesting.  If you are at all interested in WWII history, I recommend this book.  I have a whole new admiration for this WWII General, as well as a whole new disgust with him.  I think he really was quite off-balanced in his brain, as well as a pompous, egotistical jerk at times.  However it was these things that made him the great captain/general that he was.  Without him the war would have likely lingered on for a longer period.

Darrell and I also watched Band of Brothers during the month of June.  If you haven't seen this DVD series on the 506th Army, 101st Airborne Easy Company, then you need to.  Whether or not you are interested in WWII.  You will come away with a whole new appreciation for those who sacrificed for our country and the freedoms we yet have (even if they may be quickly disappearing these days!).

“God of our fathers, who by land and sea have ever lead us to victory, please continue your inspiring guidance in this the greatest of all conflicts. Strengthen my soul so that the weakening instinct of self-preservation, which besets all of us in battle, shall not blind me to my duty to my own manhood, to the glory of my calling, and to my responsibility to my fellow soldiers. Grant to our armed forces that disciplined valor and mutual confidence which insures success in war. Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived. If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor in a manner which will bring the greatest harm to the enemy, and please, oh Lord, protect and guide those I shall leave behind. Give us the victory, Lord.”

~General George S. Patton

It's Time!

Look what has finally ripened in the cool weather :-)

“Doubtless God could have made a better berry (than the strawberry), but doubtless God never did.”


~William Allen Butler

Freedom!

Geocaching!

I finally went geocaching for the first time!  I have been intriqued with this new sport for a little while now, but not having a GPS with geocaching software on it, was unable to participate in any hunts.  The Kauahi family does these frequently though, so while they were out visiting yesterday Big Scott took us on 3 hunts.  I went with Ryan, Big Scott and Zach on the last 2, which were simple ones: 

Second Geocache:

The family of the soldier obviously placed this last geocache for the 4th of July weekend.  Apparently there is a Geocaching Woodstock (the largest in the world) right here in Carnation today!