EMBROIDERED TREE SHADOWS

It appears that trees like to create their embroidered patterns upon the ground for us humans to enjoy. 

SMALL TOWN KINDNESS

It was a nice sunny, dry day and the roofers had just left for the day. Delores had just appeared out on her porch with her broom to sweep away the roofing debris. 

Earlier in the day I had spotted an old well cared for building as I rode into the small town of Tangent, Oregon. Now later -- leaving Tangent -- I noticed this genteel looking woman working her broom diligently. along the long porch of this old historic structure. Stopping in front of the old building I asked her who owned the building. She said rather firmly, "I do'"

Delores immediately sat down on her porch bench and gave me a look, that I read as, "lets talk." So I bounced out of my truck and sat down with her and talked. Our subjects were wide ranging. She told me that her and her husband moved to Tangent from the Midwest when they bought this old building. The building had a living residence plus a post office and convenience store. The convenience store was run by Delores after their move-in.  Then they gave up the convenience store part of the building and rented it out to a restaurant. Now the latest restaurant endeavor had just moved out. She told me that was the last of rentals for her.

She told me she had lost her husband two years ago. Now at seventy- seven she wanted to relax and work in her gardens. As you can see in the photo above a small flower garden was growing by her backyard entrance gate -- a large vegetable garden was in back. 

I found it amazing that one can be out and about and run into folks such as Delores. Sitting together on the porch bench, discussing all kinds of subjects with this woman I just met -- gave me a peaceful feeling in this world of turmoil.  

BACK OF THE BARN

Most barn photographs are of front exteriors. The photos on this post are all of backside exteriors of a large gambrel-roofed barn and its few remaining farm outbuildings. No farm house in sight. A busy highway road roars by the farm's frontage.The surrounding rural land is mostly large tracts of acreage belonging to farmers. 

If one discovers the small entry road along the back of this farm's property one can pull in with a vehicle, park for a few minutes while imagining its past use and if for more than a few minutes invent some farm stories about the place.  

Together, the structures stand straight and appear in good condition. Are they vacant ? -- perhaps.

One would expect to see some tools of the barn world in this back area -- hay wagon, truck, tractor, and perhaps an old harrow. But no -- the place has been "swept" clean of all vestiges of farm implements. 

The farm's "backsides" have become backgrounds for beautiful wild plants of various hues. 

The one and only modern item I noticed in this environment was a wooden stake driven into the ground with a posted paper sign saying "No Trespassing."

The rusting steel roofs combine nicely with the old natural wood buildings capturing a nice contrast with the wild ones growing tall in the soil. This photo above reveals that very few, if any, humans have walked by this way lately. 

Even the robin-egg blue of the old corrugated siding of the barn felt right at home with the unpretentious plant colors.

For whatever reason the overcast skies, the old patina of the buildings along with the various hues of the wild plants took me back to some of the farms I was familiar with from my past. 

Except for the whizzing noise of the highway I felt very peaceful here.

Peaceful yet sad as I felt this beautiful place just might not have a bright future ahead?  

What do you think?

THERE ARE fruit stands AND THEN THERE ARE FRUIT STANDS

Driving along rural Route 34 near Corvallis, Oregon one passes by a fruit stand that you cannot help but observe. Its main attraction, at least for me, is its size with hand painted art work on the structures along with painted lettering found on most exterior surfaces. 

Yesterday I was driving Rt 34 and decided to stop and and take some photos. I had not stopped at Jim's Fruit stand, as it is called, since I lived here for a few years in the early 1990s. 

I found full sized art jumping out from the building surfaces everywhere I looked. 

More art above. . . .

Jamie, who works at the stand mentioned that the original owner sold the business many years ago but then bought it back -- and has owned it to this day. How old is Jim's Fruit stand? At least 25 years old but probably more. 

A red barn dominates structures on the property. All the hand lettering attracts folks to stop at the fruit stand. 

Bunches of various flowers and vegetables 

wander throughout the property. 

Hollyhocks are in full bloom right now at Jim's. Fruit and/or vegetable stands come in different sizes and textures offering a multitude of offerings. I have noticed other smaller stands in my area -- I'll have to stop at some of them 

and have a good look around. 

TURKEY VULTURES AND A NATIVE AMERICAN PAINTING

"FREE STUFF" BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD --  NATIVE AMERICAN OIL PAINTING

Some days just seems different from most. Yesterday was one of those days. 

I walk my dog Daisy at a very large open field across from where I live. Yesterday I was there sitting on a wooden bench enjoying the sun and mild breeze. No other folks were in the area. Perfect day I thought. 

Then a large shadow loomed over my head -- I quickly looked up to see what it was. Oh -- it was a large turkey vulture riding thermal air waves over my head. He (or she) was marvelous to watch. We became a trio -- dog, woman, and turkey vulture enjoying the sun and accompanying breezes. Then after about 15 minutes other vultures began to soar out from the woods behind the field. They were catching the wind and soaring as a pack. Like dancers they twisted and turned in the air just above the field. Such beautiful entertainment. After a short period folks began to enter the field area with their dogs -- the vulture show came to a stop and disappeared back into the woods. I gave them a soft clap as they left their "stage."

My next stop after I left the field was an unexpected one. About a quarter of a mile down the road I spotted some old furniture and a few odds and ends by the side of the road. A make shift cardboard sign held the word FREE! As I came closer to the stuff I noticed something that I thought I might like. Parking my truck I walked over to the item. Yep, it was a lovely older oil of a native American in a very fine frame. 

Now, I have had an interest in native American culture for years therefore I knew right away this oil was going home with me. 

The first thing I noticed when I got it home was that it was signed in its bottom corner -- "FERTHERWIND" Shirley McLoughlin (spelling by artist).

Then I took the time to take a close look at the oil and noticed that the native American man in the painting was wearing what seemed to be two turkey vulture feathers as a headdress!

If I was superstitious I would think turkey vultures had some meaning in my life. But for now I look at this day as one that brought unexpected pleasures!

Reference:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/id

HAVE A SLICE!

Been very hot here in Oregon. One would think it was August rather than the beginning of June. I spotted these watermelons sitting outside the little co-op I shop at. Didn't buy any but was tempted. I took this photo instead. 

My mind is rather rusty after my long hiatus from blogging. Will slowly join all of you that blog as well as any newcomers. 

Stay cool!