This is Why NW Oregon is Green

We get a lot of rain in this part of Oregon. You see my pictures and leave comments about how green everything looks. Well, when you average 5-6 inches a month through Fall and early Winter, that's what you get... lots of green.

December average rainfall is around 6 inches, depending on what source you check.

This year we've had over 14 inches so far, and it just keeps falling.

We're blessed to live up in the hills where our home is at more of a threat from volcanoes or forest fire than flooding, but take a walk down to our creek and you can see evidence of all the extra water trying to make its way to the ocean.

The beaver family hasn't been active for the past year, but their dams are still mostly intact, adding to the noise of rushing water many waterfalls over and around dams. If it wasn't so cold and wet, I'd want to park myself on the bridge and let the white noise wash away all the tension of life.

Last Hurrah

The peak of our Autumn color season is here.

This doesn't mean endless expanses of orange-gold-red like you will find in other regions of the country. Rather, our ubiquitous verdant green becomes punctuated with a fireworks display of Autumn glory. Pockets of surprisingly brilliant color (enhanced by the shimmer of dew and rain) burst from an otherwise steady backdrop of conifer and grass (which has responded nicely to the early season rains by greening back up from the late Summer brown).

Fungus of all shapes and sizes spring happily up from every surface imaginable. I can't walk across any expanse without tripping over mini mushroom forests or large clustered communes.

The air smells of mist and damp and woodsmoke. If not careful, we slip and slide on the wet mossy and muddy ground. The clouds roll in and out, but mostly in, making the rare beams of sunshine feel like a hug from Heaven.

It is the last hurrah of this year's leaves, and they are doing their very best to make it a memorable end.

Lately

Changing of the Guard :: Jase and Uncle Sy :: Old :: Fiery :: Western Hemlock :: Saucers :: While Your Patterns Print :: Moon Through the Trees :: October Sky :: Dark Eyed Junco :: Stitching With My Girl :: Stonecrop :: Lichen :: Woolly Bear :: Anyone Know this Mystery Bird? :: Homegrown :: Stacked :: Grape Arbor

Lately

There has been a Continual Riot of Color...

and fun times with Grandma...

The Bulldozer and Farmboy have been hard at play...

we've seen a little bit of Blue Sky...

and a Whole Lot of Rain...

there have been Walks in the Woods...

some Seasonal Stitching...

a Multitude of Mushrooms...

a depleted Garden overrun by Chickens...

Flower Beds putting out one last Burst of Effort...

and best of all, there has been time together...

I am thankful each and every day for the gifts I have been given in family, friends, home, and community (both local and cyber). May you also find thankfulness in the simple moments of your life.