Monday, January 30, 2017

Swans, Winter Gorge and Baby Hats

Hello! On Saturday Dayle and I headed out to see how the Columbia River Gorge was doing after the big snow and ice storm.  First on agenda was to try to get some photos of the Tundra Swans that were wintering in Mirror Lake by Rooster Rock.  We actually found a small group of the swans in the lake in Stevenson by their fairgrounds and this image was captured there.


This image is from near Rooster Rock.. there are many swans there, but my images are not good.  I have to say I'm very disappointed in the zoom on my bigger Lumix.  So, the quest continues for a good zoom on a reasonable sized camera.  


This is another shot from Stevenson, Dayle walked out near the lake to snap the ones from there for me.  


There was also a large group of Canada Geese there which I captured.


Looking beyond the geese I was able to get a shot of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train racing by.


We were happy to be able to go to Big T's in Stevenson for lunch.  I had a bacon, mushroom and avocado hamburger and crunchy tater tots and oh it was so good.  Dayle enjoyed his burger, too.  After lunch we crossed over the Bridge of the Gods into Cascade Locks and drove around in the park there and I got some photos of the gorgeous mountains in Washington across the river.  

We could not safely get here during the worst of the storm, but I do imagine these crags were completely white then.


And yes.. it was as cold as it looks.


In the park there is a bronze statue of Sacagawea carrying her baby Jean Baptiste Charbonneau with Lewis' dog "Seaman" a Newfoundland - these three were an important part of the Lewis  & Clark Expedition.


Further along in the park is this life-size bronze sculpture of a Mountain Lion which I love to point out to the kids.  On a serious note, the trees in the park took a massive hit during this storm, there were piles of branches and whole trees down, it's a mess.  We noted a lot of damage to the trees in our drive through the gorge.


A last shot of the river before we headed home.


During the weekend I worked on my current project - making baby hats for US Military families who are expecting a baby.  The Daughters of the American Revolution has the "Operation Diaper Bag" where they put things together for expectant mothers, so I am making some cute little hats to tuck in for them.  If you want to make one or more and send them my way, I will see that they are given to the organizers.  


I created the shell design baby hat and if you want to use the pattern, email me and I will send the pattern and my address to you.  :-)  I also made a plain double crochet hat for little baby boys, but must admit, I like the shell one much better.  I am almost finished with my third!


Now for my news section of my blog.  Yes, I'm a blogger of crochet and rivers and my farm and life - but I am also a person who is seriously concerned about the state of my country since the election of a seriously dangerous man who has selected the most ill-advised cabinet possible.  

I do know that I have readers who aren't pleased or comfortable with my "news" part of my blog, but I also applaud you if you still read me even if we disagree.  It can't be easy to see my thoughts and feelings if you voted for the current president.  But I think you are good to listen to this side of the issue.  I read the current issue of Time online - it was very very good.  Please read this no matter what side you're on as it explains so much.  You will be illuminated.


What I want to communicate is some people think the "Liberals" are just upset that they "lost".  And that is not it - we did not raise a ruckus when other Republicans won.  Did we?  No.  But this is a totally different situation.  This man is not suited to hold the highest office in this nation.  He is making dangerous decisions.  I will not list my concerns of the actions being taken this time, but there are many.  OK.. nuff said for now.  
((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

27 comments:

  1. What a lovely drive Teresa with some very beautiful photos but gosh it did look cold. Well done with the hats..they're looking great. Enjoy the week ahead and take care. Hugs xxx

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  2. I don't mind if you discuss political things, I just prefer to stay out of it myself. :) It looks like you had a nice day trip. I always enjoy seeing your photos of things you spot on the way. The birds are beautiful. I hope you find the right camera for your needs, photography is very fun and rewarding when you're happy with your equipment, isn't it. Hope you have a good week.

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  3. loved your photos, looked and sounded a good day out. I need one of those. I am more than happy to read the news part of your blog - and I share your views!!! Hugs Anne x

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  4. Love the cover of Time magazine. Well done for standing up for what is right and good. The situation gets worse by the day I think. I cannot imagine what four whole years will bring, but I am heartened to see so many people standing up to be counted. All it takes for evil to triumph is that good men (and women) do nothing. There was a march here too as I'm sure you know.

    Your photos are lovely, what a glorious spot, it looks beautiful and peaceful. I love the mountain lion, brilliant, and it's always good to see your tundra swans. We have Bewick's swans wintering near here, which I think are a type of tundra swan. They fly all the way from Siberia on the Arctic Circle, it's amazing. I love how they arrive in family groups. They roost at the Wetlands Centre and then during the day they go off with their families to graze in the fields. It's fantastic to see them arrive each year with their new children.

    Sending you a hug Teresa in these dark days. And once again, bless you for speaking out. CJ xx

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  5. Sigo su blog desde Sevilla, España. Me gustan sus fotos, el sitio tan maravilloso donde vive y su vital optimismo.Ahora lo hago con más atención y me reconforta saber de sus opiniones sobre el nuevo presidente. Creo que son muchas las personas, dentro y fuera de los Estados Unidos que estamos preocupados aunque no perdemos la confianza en que prevalecerá el buen juicio de su país. Deseándole lo mejor. Carmen

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    1. I follow his blog from Seville, Spain. I like your photos, the wonderful place where you live and your vital optimism. Now I do it with more attention and I am comforted to know your opinions about the new president. I believe that there are many people, both inside and outside the United States, who are worried, even if we do not lose confidence that the good judgment of their country will prevail. Wishing you the best. Carmen

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  6. Oh can I say brrr! to all that snow on the mtns and who knows but what we might get more. It is chilly this afternoon after I got home from Salem...jury duty. Warmer down there then stepped out of the car here and brrr...put coat on again. The swans are so nice. I am thankful I got a newer zoom lens in Aug. One like I've wanted in awhile. Sometimes the zoom in camera aren't the best...focus on the subject better? Always something with a camera. We were out yesterday and I thought mine froze up but alas, a setting got switched. sigh! Your shell hats are nice. Have a good week and stay warm!

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  7. I love seeing those swans. They are such beautiful creatures. I remain in agreement with you on the Trump issue. Not fit for office.

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  8. I am with you all the way on your news portion and of course your beautiful views. He is not fit for office, not even for the office smallest office in the land. Enough said.

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  9. #1 Sacagawea has amazing legs. ANd it is a beautiful sculpture, seriously.
    #2 Everytime I see the swans I think of a needlepoint I worked on for years in my 20s and never finished (of swans)
    #3 I want that dinner with the tator tots
    #4 Your hats for military families are darling....a great idea. When is the deadline? You are a generous soul.
    #5 This is such a distressing time for me concerning the U.S. I go to bed anxious after the news. I will read the TIME you mentioned.
    #6 hugs

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    1. Kathy, luckily there is no deadline on the hat for Military families.. the DAR has been doing this for years and plans to do it for many more years if not indefinitely. You need to go to Big Ts.. best burgers EVER!

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  10. What a beautiful drive you and Dayle took up the Gorge Teresa. I love the pictures of the swans and the Canadian geese. We still have lots of snow on the ground here, with more predicted tonight and tomorrow. Since I haven't left the house in a week and they're telling me another month before I can go anywhere, I just stay cozy here in my home. I love the baby hats that you're making. I've been busy making hats for the hospital here too. When I was in the ER last week, one of the maternity nurses came down and told me they were running low, so I need to get my needles busy.
    I don't mind you talking about the news either Teresa, but as Jennifer said, I prefer to stay out of it myself. It seems there are very strong feelings on both sides of the fence. That's what makes this country the wonderful one that it is. I love all my friends here in blogland, and prefer to keep any views that I have or don't have to myself.
    Blessings always my friend,
    Betsy

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  11. You took us on a beautiful drive today, it was such a shame to hear about the damage to the trees. I would actively encourage you to tell us about the news we don't get all of the USA news so it is always interesting to hear points of view from both sides. Love the hats.

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  12. The nature in your part of the world is grand, I would love to come back one day (my husband used to live in Portland). I haven't been visiting for long but your blog has fast made it into my top ten list of blogs I like to read, not just for the beautiful nature photos and your craft adventures but also because you are not afraid to voice your opinion. I'll read the Time magazine article during my lunch break, thanks for the link. x

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  13. Hope the quest for the lens goes well.
    Re: our country. To me, it's not liberal vs. conservative, or democrat vs. republican, it's the future of the planet at stake. And, obviously, many living on the planet agree since there are protests worldwide against herr trumpf. We have a mentally ill president and I'm hopeful that congress will impeach and remove him. I'm very thankful for our Oregon Senators (particularly Senator Merkley) who are fighting everyday.

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  14. Your photos are as stunning as always and I always enjoy seeing 'your' part of the world via your blog posts. We get geese flying overhead in our eastern part of the UK and there's a colony of swans that live on our river (and congregate by the road, hoping to get fed by people who are out and about). Many of us here in the UK share your concerns about the current president; not because of his party (is he truly a Republican, or was that expediency on his part, I wonder) but because of the person he is.

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  15. I'm not normally that political but I do agree with you on this issue. I actually wish he would do something so outrageous that impeachment would be a reality. Of course who only knows how dangerous a decision that might be, so there probably is no reasonable outcome.
    Onto happier things - your hats are lovely , and as usual I love your scenery photos 😃
    Jill x

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  16. The photos of the swans and the gorge are lovely, and I really like both hats! I have scanned the Times article, but not had the energy to focus on what it says yet. I am glad you care about our country and I appreciate your concerns even if I don't always share your point of view. Thanks for posting! xx

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  17. Such beautiful photos of the swans and the gorge. I love seeing the snowy scenes. Those little baby hats are delightful, really pretty. Have a cosy week and take care Teresa.
    Helen xox

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  18. I love your gorge photos. Nice to get out and about. Hope the long range forecast for snow on Friday is the usual long range forecast. We don't usually have this much snow activity. I already feel spring coming - waiting for flowers to start popping out soon.

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  19. Hi Teresa, just wanted to let you know that because of your wonderful posts about DAR, I joined a local chapter last fall and convinced a good friend to do likewise. So you never know who you are influencing and how far blog posts reach. ;-)

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  20. Oh, the Gorge. I thought of you the whole time we were driving through it last September. Such a beautiful, beautiful stretch of country. And there always seemed to be a train going by on the other side of the river. :)

    The hats are adorable - such a good cause. And on the political note: this is YOUR blog, by golly - talk about whatever you want/need to talk about! This is one way for Americans to show that we are capable of listening to each other, whether we are in agreement or not. And of being friends regardless of political standing. We so need that right now.

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  21. That was a wonderful drive and so loved your pics Teresa 😊😊 and your blog so totally ok to express your views.....we shudder way over here 😨😨

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  22. Loved all of your pics Teresa ❤❤ your views aok by me ☺ and you do make gorgeous little hats xxoo ����

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  23. Beautiful photos dear Teresa...I love the bronze statues and the little crochet hats are so pretty!!...It's definitely interesting to read your views too x
    Susan x

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  24. Very pretty photos Teresa - did you use your iPhone or camera? You really do live in a beautiful part of your country. Don't know if I'd ever be able to cope with that snow though. I don't like feeling cold and everything aches - the joys of ageing eh? Good on you for making all those little hats. How many have you done now? Enjoy your weekend. xox

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