Raindrops on roses ...

One of my favourite things is having fun with friends. 

Karma, over at Karma's, When I Feel Like it Blog,  issued a photo challenge for April -- and just like in my old school days, I'm submitting my assignment at the very last minute.

Karma explained: "I have two objectives in this month’s assignment: 1) to give you a creative spark and 2) to find out more about you!".   

She asked us to photograph at least four of our favourite things, but "brown paper packages tied up with strings" were verboten.  


And so dear followers -- all 16 of you -- I humbly offer a few of my favourite things ...

Gardening.  Messing about in the dirt.

Doing things with my dogs, Wendy and Trey.

Wondering, thinking and pondering, about God.

Exploring and photographing the world, with my "dime-store" digital camera.

Exploring, exploring, exploring.

Kayaking, preferably with a friend.

Visiting different beaches.

... with a dog.

I realize now that I mentally added the words, "to do", in my interpretation of Karma's challenge.  Rather than showing you favourite things to see, I gave it more of a favourite things to do slant.  


Also, I think I was supposed to take NEW photos, and these aren't, and what's worse -- I didn't even take the first photograph.   Sigh ... 


Well Karma, I think you have learned something about me -- not only do I submit my assignments at the last moment, I fail to read the directions thoroughly.  


Hope I don't get another "D".

How could I forget ?

Back in Portland, the day after I visited the Chinese Garden, Stacey took me to the Japanese Garden.

Where is the post about that visit ?   I was sure I'd told you all about it.

Unlike the Chinese Garden, which covers only a city-block in downtown Portland, the Japanese Garden is much larger, and is located in the lush countryside.

The main entrance.

The Flat Garden is formed from raked sand.

The Natural Garden, which contains ponds, waterfalls, streams and small bridges looks ancient and not man-made.

Strategically placed benches, encourage the visitor to sit a while.

Walk slowly here. To rush, just doesn't feel right.

The Sand and Stone Garden features the simplicity of weathered stones, rising from a bed of "sand" (white gravel) raked to suggest the sea.  This garden style is typically found in Zen monasteries.

The Poetry Stone reads:

"Here, miles from Japan, I stand as if warmed by the 

spring sunshine of home."

Now you can see why I had to rectify my omission.

How could I have forgotten to share this marvellous place with you ?

A note to Mother Earth.

Dear Mother Earth,

I am sorry.  I am sorry we put financial gain ahead of you.  I am sorry we ignore your warnings that you are not well.  I am sorry we are making you sick.  Sometimes you have a fever.  Sometimes it's a chill.  Those who understand, call it climate change.  Those who don't, say you're fine and just faking it, and that you've been faking it off and on since the world began, a mere 6,000 years ago.

I just want to tell you that you are lovely still, and that as I flew above you last week, leaving a trail of noxious gases, I saw your loveliness and marvelled at it.

Mount Hood is lovely. My compliments.

Sometimes you surprise us, as you go from mountains
to flat land, in a flash.

Sometimes, we try to work with you.

Sometimes, we don't.  .

You are lovely, you know.

And I hope your story has a happy ending ...

Scents and Sensibility.

 
From the time I arrived last Tuesday in Portland, I knew I had entered into the land of springtime.  Everything was lush and green and bursting into bloom.
The light rain the next day, added a wonderful, earthy smell to the mix.

As my chums will tell you, I'm nutty about moss.  Love moss.  Love its lush greenness.

Back in Ontario, I'd find a teeny patch of moss and go all giddy with joy.

Moved to Nova Scotia, and was delighted to find that great carpets of moss blanked the woods, still glowing green, even in winter.

But in Oregon, the moss carpets the trees.
Then ferns grow on the moss.

Green, upon green, upon green.

Almost like being in a prehistoric forest.

Hey !  Wait ...

Spring in the Chinese Garden.

   
I'm still in Oregon, visiting family in Portland.  This is my first visit here, but I sincerely hope it won't be my last.

Wednesday we visited the Chinese Garden, which is located on one city block in downtown Portland.

Amazing to see what can be done with one city block.

The pond was about six inches deep, and inhabited by koi of varying sizes.  Have a close look at the photo below.

The osprey had just dropped a white koi back into the pond, as it was too heavy to lift.  What a double-thrill to see it, and capture it on film.

Stacey and I then watched him from the second storey window of the tea house, as he perched on a pagoda roof.  He continued to entertain us as he swooped about dodging two birds that kept harassing him.

Another small surprise awaited us on our way out.

See her ?

Defying Gravity.

I think we've established how much I like flying, looking down on the earth far below.  Sadly, I have to use a plane to experience it, but otherwise it's terrific.

It was only once I was in the plane, and looking at the route displayed on the seat-back in front of me, that I realized we'd be flying over mountains.  (insert squeal of delight here)  

Oh it is so magical seeing the world from up so high.

The skies were clear for much of the trip.  It was wonderful watching the changing landscapes from forests to farmland to bogs to foothills.  My window seat guaranteed me and excellent view.  And there was a bonus.

The plane was far from full.  Any time I wanted to look out the other side of the plane, I could.

Wasn't sure if those were forest fires .

Actually it was a bit hazy.  But when you're four miles up, that's sorta understandable.

Sigh ...

I'd left Halifax at 3 p.m. and thanks to my ability to travel back through time, arrived in Portland, Oregon, a mere 4 hours later, after flying for 8 hours !

And here kiddies is your bonus shot.  Pay close attention to the distance travelled, speed, and direction of travel.  Any questions ?