The Days Of Wyrd

I wanted to be telling you about my wild adventures up and down the Oregon coast this fall.  My familial galavants partying with the Tykes for Bykes crowd.  My dabblings in cooking in my new double walled oven with a flat top and a warming drawer.  Or my cherry lipstick red new Ford Escape.

But then, as happens in all good families, disaster struck.  First a great aunt died, the last of the old ones.  We all held our breath.  Things really DO happen in threes in my family. 

Well we were next.  One of our children was involved in an accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.  Yeah, that's what has been occupying my time.  

It wasn't so much a matter of things in threes this time.  More like sixes.  Two more family friends end up in the hospital.  Then another friend lost her long - time companion - her dog.  Then a very close friend suffered a heart attack.

I think we have fulfilled our bad moon karma for the decade.

Posted by Wyrd at 08:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You just can't take a bad picture of crater lake.  It's not possible.

Such a pristine and beautiful place.  Cold, clear water.  Fresh snow.

This little squirrel isn't worried about anything other than where his next frito is coming from.

I don't think his buddy can read.

Posted by Wyrd at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A couple of weeks ago the Wyrd family escaped into the wilderness of central and eastern Oregon.  We packed up the cooler, a few bags, tossed the kid into the back seat with several pillows and a blankey and headed for the hills.

We stopped occasionally to behold the pretty water.

And to fight over the camera.

And to soak our feet and drink cold stuff out of the cooler.  I forgot just how cold and clear and lovely looking the water is in this part of Oregon.  It makes a person just want to jump in and drink it all up.

Posted by Wyrd at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My parents had their annual Seafood festival garage sale.  So I helped, and hung out, and drank their coffee, and watched the goings about from up on the hill.

For the past two day both the festival and the garage sale have been very, very busy.  Looking over the bay into Charleston, all a body could see was wall to wall cars. 

Lots of people said they were from inland, where the heat was driving them insane.  They oohed and aahed over the plants, as they had to use shade cloth to keep anything but roses burning to a crisp.  Poor city people. 

They also said the whole town, whether it be a motel or a camp site, was totally booked up.  Methinks we should be renting out rooms and rv parking.   But a garage sale is good enough.  People didn't seem too thrilled with the festival itself, but they loved Charleston and just wanted any reason to get out of the heat.  Many said the garage sale was the highlight of the whole trip.  And there are the repeat people, the ones that vacation and come visit us every year.

Today my parents ditched me in the afternoon.  They had previously purchased tickets to see the Lipenzimerblahblah horses at the Myrtle Point fairgrounds.  They did not realize it was the same weekend as their yearly garage sale.  So Derek and I ran the garage sale for awhile and made up stories about some of the items.  It's what we do.

Oh, and about the horsey show?  The parents said the horses were really, really neat.  However.  They had purchased some special tickets for sitting in the front row that cost them extra money.  When they got there, the people had sold more "special tickets" than they had spots to sit.  So they drug out chairs and put them way down at the end.  Basically offering my parents worse seats than if they had just bout the regular tickets and sat in the bleachers.  

So after spending extra money, they just went and sat in the bleachers anyway.  Hoping to at least get some far away view and perhaps a few pictures.  But that too, was not to be.  Oh no.  For the people who planned the building of said bleachers had, in a STROKE OF GENIUS only demonstrated by the people in charge of anything at our small coastal towns, saw fit to build light poles.  That blocked the view in many critical spots.  Then of course there was that blonde doink that was in the front row and had to stand up the whole time blocking the view of everyone behind her.  THE WHOLE TIME.

My parents vowed never to go to a show at that arena or fair ever, ever again.  That was before the $4 parking or the $12 for an itinerary with a glossy horse picture on it.

Posted by Wyrd at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Instead of going camping around in the State in search of beautiful scenery and fireworks (which in Coos County and along the coast are staggered so that onlookers may participate in several gatherings), we opted to stay close to home and celebrate. 

We ventured over to the parental home for a nice family gathering and huge fire-pit barbeque.  Where else could we enjoy a private party with a view of Charleston, the bay, the bar, and south slough.  Plus the family is rich with wonderful cooks who bring many fine ass-fattening dishes.  I myself was instructed to bring "something chocolate".  And so I did.  Chocolate cheesecake with an oreo crust.  I melted a bag of caramels with a half a cup of heavy cream, added a cup of chopped walnuts, and poured it over the crust.  On top of that went the cheesecake.  Frosted with a dark chocolate ganache.  Had I been blessed with more time and a higher pan I would have added more layers.  Which was unnecessary.  Totally.

Also, Mr Wyrd took a few days extra off to work on the new greenhouse he is building me.  So in between planting more beans and peas outside and watering, I was repotting my greenhouse babies for the trip to their new house.  

On the actual day of the 4th, there were not as many people around and about as is usual.  Also, local neighborhood firework activity was down by about 90%.  It could be because our drunken neighbor has left for Alaska for work for several months.  Or it could be the $600 something fine that has been layed upon those who have fireworks that shoot more than 3 feet off the ground, (like all of them).  Which the police insisted they were going to inforce. 

Whatever.

Posted by Wyrd at 07:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Or, young boy becomes a partial Transformer.  That's what has happened to my sweet Derek.  He just got a full mouth of braces a couple of days ago, after a week of torture with rubber band spacers between his teeth.  The spacers, they say, are the worst part.  And they hurt right away.  The pain of spacers is supposed to subside within two to three days.  Ibuprofen is the drug of choice.  Oh yeah, and the spacers pop out and break alot too.  If they break and remain between the teeth, no big deal, they are still doing their job.  If they come completely out you have to replace them yourself.  Or rather, MOM is supposed to.  Well mom couldn't. 

Derek's teeth were so tight together that the orthodontist's assistant could barely get them in.  And with so much chance of slippage, (mind you, replacing them requires that you thread a couple of pieces of dental floss through them and pulling tight, then cramming the fat little rubber band between the teeth), I could not tolerate the thought of cutting my already hurting son's mouth/lips up.  So after a few tries, I pussed out.  Derek, however, brave soul that he is, was determined to do it on his own.  AND HE SUCCEEDED.  Several times because the damn thing kept popping out.  PROBLEM SOLVED.  Sort of.

We were told very little about the braces process as far as pain goes.  I think that's because they don't want to scare the victim patient.  So Derek and I turned to our knowledgeable friends.  The consensus was this:

Derek's friends:  You can really eat whatever you want.  Oh yeah, and it hurts like hell.

My friends:  You have to change your whole diet.  What do you mean they can eat what they want?  Ask them this, are YOU an orthodontist?  So what makes you smarter than one?  Oh and sure, it's two years of torture.  Lot's of blood and pain.  But SO worth it.

In the end, it was not so much about choosing what he WANTED to eat as it was choosing what it was POSSIBLE to eat.  So far that is soup, tapioca pudding, jello, and little sandwiches picked into mouse size pieces.  And mashed potatoes.  Now excuse me while I go cook something soft and mushy for the boy.

Posted by Wyrd at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

And that's why you are being subjected to one more kitty picture.  Kitty ala carte (without cone).  She is frisky and severely underfoot.  And thusly she has been stepped on twice so far today.  I think wearing the cone for a week distorted her depth perception.  Or else just made her way too brave. 

She is used to sticking to me like glue, crippled by the big blue cone made for kitties with longer legs.  She couldn't always eat without help, or walk, or clean herself.  It made her very insecure and dependent, much like a two year old.  Now she's back to her bratty teenager self.  Pretty much.

In other news, it's still cool and drizzly.  According to the always wrong weather forecasts, it should be that way until NEXT Friday.  Which actually makes me happy.  It's perfect transplanting weather for the garden.  So don't sit on your couch and mope about the weather the whole holiday.  Get out and do some planting. 

Posted by Wyrd at 10:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After the sun started to go down, it cooled to 90 degrees on the porch.  I have been watering constantly today.  Not only is this heat dangerous for plants, but it also poses a massive threat to us used-to-cool-weather coastal beings.  Thank goodness I have trees and plants, it turns my zone into a balmy jungle region instead of a desert wasteland. 

I kept the house closed up today, (mostly because kitty got herself in another scrap and had an abscess, requiring her to have a drain put in, meaning no outside), and the ceiling fan on.  Everytime I thought I was going to die from the heat, I just went outside, where it was 20 degrees hotter.  I cannot imagine that tomorrow will be even hotter.  Is this possible? 

It's a perfect evening for that walk on Sunset Beach. 

Posted by Wyrd at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Speed gardening is what happens when you get 2 nice days in a whole month instead of the 10-20 that are typical of the month of April on the Oregon coast.  After weeks of cold and windy and snowy and hailing weather we were blessed with a few warm and wonderful days.

Mr. Wyrd and I weeded and composted and moved around the many plant beings that inhabit our yard.  I transplanted Heinz tomatoes and night blooming jasmine and dwarf snapdragons and Siam basil and marigolds, about 300 plants in all.  My greenhouse, once stuffed full, is now an echoey mess of dirt and containers. 

Which means, of course, I have to start more stuff.

Posted by Wyrd at 07:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Wyrd at 08:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A picture for Vanita.  I don't know who the curly haired doof-ass is, but I am most fond of the other one.  I wish her well. 

Posted by Wyrd at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Easter will be a cuddle at home with the neighborhood day.  After a week of appointments and kitty  nursing, the Wyrd family is tired.  A vast pile of bread was baked yesterday for todays Easter feasters.  A mound of strawberries and a lovely ham await my attention. 

Kitty is much better, thank you, as is demonstrated by her incessant nagging to get out.  The first day  she was home was really rather horrible.  She wouldn't drink or eat and just looked very sad.  I tried to pick her up to hold her, which made her cry, and practically everyone in the house as well.  My first thought of, oh maybe she didn't need her pain meds after all was soon replaced with frantic dosing.

Yesterday she was much better, but just like a human, seemed to get tired and hurty later on.  Today she seems a little more interested in licking her stitches.  Not.  Good.

Posted by Wyrd at 07:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The past three days have become part of THE KITTY DISASTER.  Two days ago Miss Kitty was moping around, clinging to me, looking at me with those emotion filled eyes, willing me to understand her plight.  Whatever that was.  When the boys came home from work/school, I mentioned this day long kitty phenomena to them. 

"Oh it's probably that lump she has on her tummy, you felt it right?" 

*WHAT*??!!??!!! 

Exit, to the vet, stage left.

Kitty had a rather large umbilical hernia.  I asked the vet, "could it have been from falling off the fence perhaps?"  Because kitty is an accomplished acrobat.  "More like she got punted over the fence,"  mumbles the vet.  She paused to behold the frozen look of horror on my face.  "People are horrible", she says.

Yeah, no shit.

So the surgery happened yesterday, it went fine, and I know kitty is ok at the vet hospital because everyone adores her there.  If you must know, I take her to Hanson's, infact, I have taken my animals to Hanson's since I was a teenager, and they have always done me right.

So this morning, within the hour, I shall go to fetch her kittyness, and she will be the most cared for kitty in the whole world.  I swear. 

Posted by Wyrd at 06:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am right at this moment watching a fox news clip that is blah blahing about our Oregon beaches and wrecks.  They are talking about how efforts are being made to save the wrecks.  I don't see any of those efforts being made myself. 

Last weekend we stuffed the parents in the 4-wheel drive and took them to behold the George L. Olsen.  This was our third trip.  Each time we go, we see more damage to the ship.  Chunks of the outer hull are missing, revealing the unbleached wood underneath.  I would suspect people are taking  souvenirs, which is rather sad.

The ocean is taking its toll as well.

This is a previous picture I took of the shipwreck.

This is the same side of the boat as the previous picture.  I took this last weekend.  You can see how close the sand is to covering up the portholes now.  As for the back of the boat, which is still partially buried in the sand, people are being allowed to climb all over it, up and down the sea wall.  And trust me, everyone is touching the boat.  Oh sure, the cops are there, but they only seem to be interested in people who are going over 25 miles an hour.  No effort is being made WHATSOEVER to keep people from touching/climbing on/destroying the wreck.  And don't even get me started about the stupidity of destroying the New Carissa.

A reef for fish, a perch for the birds, and a wondrous site for human beings.  What's not to love?  Can our city fathers/mothers actually make a decision that makes sense?  Why tear up something that has attracted so much attention, that has provided so much entertainment.  Not to mention how much money destroying the Carissa would cost.  I just don't get it. 

Posted by Wyrd at 06:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My daddy took this picture.  The eclipse the one of the most fantastic sites I have ever seen.  At the peak of the eclipse, the moon was just a boiling dark red.  I can see why an ancient type person might have thought the world was going to end.

Posted by Wyrd at 08:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I told her a tsunami was coming.  She did what everybody else does when that happens. 

Posted by Wyrd at 05:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just a little bathroom break so to speak, a hiatus from pictures of ships and flowers.  A brief PAUSE.  A bit of Eye Candy.  Check out that bejewel-like igloo.  When I was little, my beloved cousin was going to build an igloo for him and I.  An igloo with which we could escape the adult world (we were in trouble.  again.).  A little underground home made of ice.  Furniture.  All ice.  Only there was no ice.  Just dirt.  And though we tried hard.  All we managed to do was to dig up the old dead cat.  And then we were in trouble.  Again.

I'll stop now. 

Posted by Wyrd at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)