The Days Of Wyrd

With high temperatures in the state and the July 4th holiday looming ahead, things can get a little crazy around here.  Don't believe the temperature readings you see for the coast.  Many weather reports tagged us as in the 50's yesterday.  It was 80 degrees in the shade at my house. 

So it's already hot, and it's crazy, people are shooting off fireworks starting like last week.  It's a recipe for accidents.  Especially drowning.  You tourists out there, don't swim in our ocean.  If the booze and lack of experience and undertows don't get you, the ecoli (or something else) will.  What do you think happens when our ancient coastal sewer systems are besieged with tons of touristal excrements?  Nothing happy I assure you.

Posted by Wyrd at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It seems that the yearbooks are out today.  The yearbooks we parents already paid some 40 or 50 bucks for.  Yes, Marshfield was letting the kids pick them up today... FOR AN EXTRA THREE BUCKS.  If they did not want to pay the extra 3 bucks, or couldn't, then they had to wait for Friday to get them.  What's the big deal you ask?  Well today was the last day of school for the Seniors.  So if the rest of the kids wanted their senior friends to sign their yearbooks, they were SOL.

Gee, thanks Marshfield.   Another petty way to suck more bucks out of the parents.  GOOD GOING. 

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

A 4.7 magnitude 250 miles off the coast of Oregon.

The tsunami message said it was a preliminary 5.3.  Somebody tell me what that means exactly? 

Posted by Wyrd at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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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)

It's been a cold and windy blowhole on the coast.  Big, cold destructive blasts of North Pole wind make it impossible to be outside and be happy.  Last night we actually had ice on our car windshields.  Bleah.

The basil I put out too early just shriveled up and croaked.  But did that teach me?  Heck no.  I'm still putting things out.  It's my sink or swim program.  It's also the only way I can empty out my crammed full greenhouses.  So I can start some more things.  Stop looking at me that way.

Posted by Wyrd at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So far, it has hailed here in Coos Bay everyday for what seems a week.  At least the last 4 days straight, and then some before that, broken by an occasional nice day.  Yesterday: cold.  Today, some sun but bits of icy wind and more cold.

Of note:  a 5.2 earthquake in Northern California.   Important because Northern California is connected to us (us as in, Oregonians).  Connected to, and much like, Oregon.  So much so infact, that we should just STEAL Northern California and call it SOUTHESTOFALL OREGON. 

Anyway.

All of this bad weather and talk of earthquakes makes me ponder the many historical infrastructures of the Oregon Coast.   Such as Newport's beautiful bridge shown in the above picture.  Or any of the bridges.  Or the roads.  Of which there are not many that lead out of our little coastal towns.  Coos Bay has been isolated many times during my life span so far.  Didn't take much of a disaster either.  Little flooding here, little landslide there.  Easy shmeezy.

Posted by Wyrd at 08:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Wyrd at 04:04 AM | 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)

So the call I got last night was true.  Ex-president Clinton really IS coming to the Coos Bay / North Bend zone.  I hope he takes note of the wild beauty of our area.  I hope he falls in love with the ocean, and the beaches, and the forest, like many of us have. 

I hope he also sees the clear cut areas.  And all the areas set aside for strip mining.  I hope he notices the potential for our area, and how it has been overlooked in favor of Casino's, and LNG, and ASC, and everyone else who comes here to take advantage of the desperate plight of our citizens, then leaves the area in more of a shit hole than it was before said activities took place. 

Maybe he will see our lush vegetation and abundant wildlife.  Or maybe, like every other politician that comes here from somewhere else, he is just looking to line his own pockets or further his own position in life. 

Posted by Wyrd at 07:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two more earthquakes so far today, one is a 4.0.  It seems to me that whenever Nevada starts having earthquakes, we are in the mix there somewhere. This one was about 100 miles directly west of me. 

It doesnt hurt to review your survival preparedness list here folks. 

Number 1, make sure there is some drinking water stashed, even if its just a bucket in the tub and a pitcher in the fridge.  Couldn't hurt, right?

Posted by Wyrd at 05:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

That's the message the telemarketer just left on my phone.  Friday, infact.  I wonder, will he be coming in person or show up via TV.  I'm thinking of going so I can march around with a "No LNG" sign. 

He must be desperate to get his wife some leverage.  Or maybe he just likes Oregon girls.

Posted by Wyrd at 04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I prefer to gaze at this pretty red lilly in my window, and pretend like it's not almost freezing outside.  Pretend like the snow level isn't dropping like the stock market.   Pretend like the weather channel didn't just show me a week straight of rain.  Dammit.

Posted by Wyrd at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A perfect, warm summer's day.  In the middle of winter weather.  Only it isn't summer, and it isn't winter.  I blame it on the ever continuing earthquakes.  We made the news!  Hundreds of earthquakes off the Oregon coast, indicative of volcanic activity.  Only there is no volcano.  Or so they say.  But there probably is molten lava movement.  On the off shore fault.  Whee?

Posted by Wyrd at 06:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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4.0 off the coast of Oregon.

I've been watching the earthquake site for a few years now.  I don't remember ever having this many earthquakes for this many days before.  

Posted by Wyrd at 07:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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It's still freezing here at night.  The days have been sunny all week, but a ice cold wind starts up every afternoon.  There is about a three hour period where it is actually comfortable to be outside.  I clean the garden and weed during those precious three hours.  And I stare at the plants.  The rest of the time I bounce between the cuddly, warm house and the cuddly warm greenhouse.  And I stare at the plants.  This one is my newest hoya.  Thank you mommy!

Posted by Wyrd at 02:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I woke up to big fluffy snowflakes this morning.  They lasted just long enough for us to wake up our neighbors with the news.  Mr Wyrd and I had already planned on a morning galavant, so this fluffy snow thing just inspired us more.  We drove up Highway 101 towards the Seven Devils Road.  The scenery looked like a Christmas snow forest.  Gone wild.  Something about snow on the coast is just really magical.  Because it is so rare.  And because of the vegetation here that is quite jungle like.  Large firs and cedars and spruces all mixed up with crazy, wild alders, and tons of salal, huck, blossoming salmon and blackberry bushes and grasses all providing the thick undergrowth.

Unfortunately, I cannot share this with you because I forgot to bring the cameras when I ventured out this morning.  Instead, I shall try to console you with the cinnamon rolls I made yesterday while trapped indoors by the cold.

I'll give you the recipe later this week when the cold drives me back inside the warm and cozy kitchen. 

Posted by Wyrd at 07:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is what I get for laughing at you Klamath Falls people. 

Posted by Wyrd at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

That's right folks.  No Home Depot after all.  Concerned with falling profits, Home Depot decided to go over their contract with a barbie comb until they found themselves a legal out to their contract with us Wild West Folk.

Sad.  But not as sad as when we lost Lowes.  We like them better.

In other news, we had two earthquakes off the coast of Oregon.  A 5.9 and a 4.2.  WheeHaw.

On the home front, I finished a massive pile of paperwork this week.  M-A-S-S-I-V-E.  Paperwork is now replaced by gutting the living room, and gardening.  I potted up copius amounts of exotic geranium seeds.  I was reminded of how much I hated the word copius so I had to use it.  Today there will be sowings of varieties of Coleus.  Along with peppers and tomatoes. 

Greek Grrl aka NayborGirl and I tried to pretend to be social animals and ventured out into the city yesterday.  We looked for garage sales.  I think there were three.  All closed.  Because it was rainy and cold.  So we perused by the Goodwill.  I think I can truthfully say that I will never go there again.  Their prices were horrible.  When I go to a thrift store, I expect items to be at least half price.  Not only were they not half price, but they were often TWICE full price.  As was demonstrated by their many from-the-dollar-store items marked up to 1.99.  Next we went to hospice, which I have always cursed in the name of too expensive, but they are nothing like Goodwill, so I shall stop whining about them.  For now.  (I was rather grossed out by their coughing and hacking sick cashier though...).  Really, the best commercial non-profit thrift store is still the Salvation Army.  Bar. None. 

Posted by Wyrd at 09:28 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. 

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Posted by Wyrd at 09:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 Sometimes, the people at the boat, are every bit as interesting as the boat itself.

Posted by Wyrd at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 See that brave gentleman holding up the mast?  HE'S A PATRIOT.

This picture seems rather sad.  Reminiscent of the Titanic.  I typed that word with my pinky extended.  Watch me do it again.  Reminiscent.

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

It seems that the newly discovered wreck has a name after all.  It is the George L. Olsen.  Supposedly you can see part of the name on the hull, but I have yet to personally determine that.  It ran aground in 1944, and then basically they just stripped it and hauled it out to sea and dumped it.  Some of the lumber that was salvaged from the ship's cargo was used to build the Baptist Church in Charleston.  Which my husband's uncle helped to build.  He was a missionary.  That was his position.  *Ahem*.

Posted by Wyrd at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

See those two funny looking high school kids walking on the beach?  Well that tall, lanky looking one is mine.  The one wearing his nice white school shoes in the wet sand.  That looks like a baby deer just learning to walk.

This is the port side of the bow of the mystery ship.  The called it the port side so everyone would know which side of the boat to break the wine bottle on.  I could be lying. 

Another picture of the bow.  Get out to see it while you can.  This area will be closed in March because it is a snowy plover sanctuary.  And though the sand is being eaten away during the winter, it will be redeposited in the summer, when weather conditions and current directions change.  OR it could rot away. 

Oh yes, I left you a couple of big pictures behind the cut.  Just click on the little pics. 

Posted by Wyrd at 07:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)