Look Out World

He's walking now
Our youngest grandson has found his balance is enjoying his new position in the world.
rita

March Winds

In like a Lion and out like a Lamb? March did not behave that way this year for us in the Pacific NW.

Quirky Cottage is located 2 miles from the airport where the temperature and wind is monitored.

I watched the wind gage on the Weather Bug Internet site to see if the wind gusts that were impacting the trees next to my window were before or after they hit the gage at the airport. It was a fun little diversion. The wind would bend the trees and two seconds later the gage would record the velocity.

As you can see from the print out above the experts expected gusts up to 39 miles per hour. The strongest one I saw while I was watching was 29 -- and that was impressive enough, thank you.

I'm not fond of strong winds. I'm not fearful -- just not fond. It spooks the wild birds, too. They do not feed on the ground nor at the hanging feeders when the wind blows like this.
rita

Quirky Kitty

One of our neighbor's cats, who we have dubbed "Quirky Kitty" because of his belief that the place I chose to feed the wild birds is his own Happy Hunting Grounds, has been much too successful lately and I decided to put up a small fence to slow him down.

Here is his first encounter with the fence . . .

I know this is your doing, Lady!

It'll take more than this to stop me

He walked around and finally jumped inside the fencing.


For some time his interest was in something he thought was moving on the ground

But then he moved into position along the edge of the fence

He lowered himself against the ground

Wrapped his tail around himself

And watched as the birds began to fly onto the tree branches

But then something on the ground moved

And a bird flew down a wee bit closer

But then flew away

Another one over there

It was just too tiring for Quirky Kitty

Eventually he had to leave and the birds were on the ground feeding a few seconds later

rita

Look and Sea

While Gracie and I were having lunch one day on the Oregon coast we looked across the street and saw this little shop.

It was full of junk -- both old and new.

Anyone need a back scratcher?

Where's the baby?

Something's wrong with this picture!

I remember something about swaddling clothes!

There were four of these chairs for those who love the mid-century look

And two great lamps to go with them

I didn't see anything I couldn't live without but Gracie found a milk can she couldn't resist (at a great price, too). She'll be repainting it and putting it outside her front door this spring.

rita

Lighthouse day

Today the sun was so bright and not a cloud in sight! We drove south along the coastline and stopped at two lighthouses.

Keeper's desk & cap

Our tour guide

wearing typical 18th century lighthouse keeper's wife's dress

During the tour we were told that the overseeing authority could show up, unannounced, any time, day or night to inspect the lighthouse keeper's records, the amount of lard oil on the premises as well as the condition of the house.

It was as important that the lighthouse keeper's wife kept the house spotless. One inspector was known to open a closet door and run his white gloved finger along the top edge of the door to see that there was no dust there.

The second lighthouse we drove to is at Heceta Head. The sun was so bright I wasn't able to get really good pictures of this one. If you'd like more information you can click on the link text.

rita

Beach Photos

I'm at the beach this week with a girlfriend. We went out on the point across from the condo where we are staying to take these pictures.

Tide pool

We've seen rain, snow, sleet, hail and bright sunshine -- all in the same day.


Tomorrow we're going to drive to Newport to see the sights.
rita

Bedroom Fabrics

I have been thinking about how I would like our bedroom to look. From the local library I found this House & Garden Book of Bedrooms and Bathrooms. There are only 2 bathrooms in the book and the rest are these elegant bedrooms.

One after another. So very beautiful.


Page after page.
Prints and plain colors.

That is fabric on those walls!!

As I drooled over the glossy photos one nagging thought kept creeping into my head. A year later all that fabric is going to have to be taken down and WASHED or DRY CLEANED!!!!!

I realize that the owners of these opulent bedrooms have paid help to do the work but still -- just the thought of dismantling it all and putting it back up. Yikes.

rita