Christmas Blessings

The other morning I woke up to a beautiful snowy morning and the gift of some of my niece's spending the night to make cookies and watch Holiday movie's and was even treated to a Reindeer Dance and song from my little niece Kiera. The best kind of Holiday Blessings.

A Cherokee tale of Creation

Many moons ago, the Great Sun created the plants and trees. Then he blessed them with the gift of green, so that they might bring forth fruit and flowers. All was well for a time, but the the Great One withdrew his face. The winds came down from the mountains of the north, and gray clouds jostled above the earth.
"Oh Father, don't leave us!" cried the plants.
"Give us your light and your warmth!" cried the trees.
But day by day the Great Sun sank lower in the sky, and the long nights were as black as a crow's wing. Then the vines began to wither, and frost touched the grasses of the meadows. A curtain of clouds covered the heavens.
"Dear Father, we will die without you," wailed the trees and plants. "Come back! Come back!"
"He's coming," whispered the clouds. "His face has turned in the sky."
The plants and trees were full of joy at the good news. Eager to greet their dear father, they decided to stay awake every night and watch for his return.
Sumac, sassafras, and purple aster put forth brilliant colors to welcome the Great Sun. But after a night of watching, they fell asleep.
The dogwoods and alders watched for two nights, but soon their boughs grew heavy and they feel asleep.
The maples and poplars whispered to each other, "We will not give in to sleep," But soon they were slumbering under the cold stars like the others.
When the Great Sun came from his wigwam on the dawn of the seventh day, the skies were clear. He looked down on the forests and meadows below. The only plants and trees awake to greet him were the pine, the fir, the spruce, the holly, and the laurel.
"For your faithfulness I will give you the gift of green forever," said the Great Sun to the plants and trees who welcomed him. "The others will drop their leaves or sleep through the winter, but you will remain awake. Your color a promise of my return to all who see you."
AND HE SENT A STREAM OF LIGHT ACROSS THE SLEEPING EARTH.
Many Blessings to all of you from my humble home and ecosystem.

Winter Solstice and God's hand in our lives

Yesterday my husband journeyed to our neighbors on foot. He called to tell me a chunk of one of our many ancient fir snags had fallen off and was amazing to see. He had forgotten how large and amazing they really are. He said you should bring your camera and come look. So I did, it was pouring down rain but this is what I saw. This is just a chunk from this tree and it is as tall as I am sideways on the ground. That is 5'7". The picture's with my hand and boot are to show you how large one branch from this tree was. Remember this tree is at least 600 years old, survived two Yacolt Burns around 1902 and 100 plus years since, and this is what is left. I can stick my whole arm into one of the rings from a branch. For me this is one of God's wonders I wish you could see first hand.
So I will write a tale above that reminds me how precious our lives are and some of what God's hand in our lives means to me. Happy Winter Solstice and enjoy the lengthening days and a Very Merry Christmas as Jesus light comes to shine in our lives.

Gifts that last beyond Christmas

Here is my quaint old fashioned small town of Yacolt, Washington. You may not see its value at first glance but I can assure you it has great value in this world of 10,000 text messages, replaceable TV shows, appliances, computers and the like. This train gets dolled up for Christmas every year and takes visitors from surrounding Vancouver and Portland on a magical journey through the woods and back for a tree. Moments that you remember as an excited child or nostalgic adult. Unlike those 10,000 text my daughter made last month that when asked is one memorable enough to save? she answers NO. Here is the Yacolt City Courthouse. It is so old it still has the funky 1890's bars on the cells. The Yacolt City Council is so kind and welcoming when I recently visited to share news of the BPA I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project they greeted me with open arms and even made sure to bring water to drink, share jokes, and then got involved with integrity, action, and care so uncommon in this modern world. The tree in this picture gets decked out for Christmas every year and on the 4th of July there is a Rendezvous, and parade where children and adults still share the spirit of what makes this Country great, caring for neighbors and all the things around us not just for personal gain or prestige. On the fourth kids do sidewalk chalk drawing all over the town, isn't this one wonderful. It reminds me of my experiences growing up in Clark County attending George C. Marshall Elementary School where we sang "Washington MY HOME", My Country Tis of Thee, and This Land is Your Land. I was the Treasurer of my Elementary School and since this Christmas has brought a need for me to connect and communicate with public officials like never before in my life, due to the BPA I am searching, and hoping to find some who still operate for the common good of us all. So far Yacolt City Council, The Clark County Commissioners, Representative Orcutt, and Senator Honeywell have greatly impressed me with their actions and integrity. The stair case to Patty Murray and Maria Cantwells Clark County offices has a big picture of George C. Marshall but, it took a physical visit to get a response, 2 letters and e-mails did nothing. I hope that will change. Since Brian Baird went to the Galapagos Islands to learn about Global Warming I am hoping he will take 10 minutes to realize the impact the BPA I-5 Corridor Project will have on Clark Counties Global Warming situation. The bottom picture shows you some of the incredible rare plants and flowers from my property that will be destroyed to make way for more TV's, Computers, Air Conditioners and such if this project goes thru line#29. Fran Gillette from our area has a new cookbook out this year, she is famous for them, the patriotism and wisdom they hold. My favorite quote from this cookbook is:

Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.
Cree prophesy-

May your Christmas be filled with gifts that LAST beyond Christmas.

Fridays Flower

Okay so I was slow posting this today, it's cold and, my dear friend Julie of Kindred Roses has me thinking of Spas, warmth, and kindness. This waterlily is from my pond and was photographed this August on a bright Summer Day. Right now this beautiful lily is sitting in the muck at the bottom of my frozen pond waiting for the sun to shine again, and it will soon. that is what the promise this Christmas Seasson is all about. Wishing you warmth and comfort today.
Ever, Erin

Frozen River and Creek

Here are todays scenes from our frozen creek and pond. It was 12 degrees yesterday and is a balmy 21 today. My girls finished up with finals and are home to enjoy some Holiday time, YEAH!!

Dreaming like Julie of Kindred Roses

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But by the wood stove it is so delightful!!
Stay warm my Northwest friends.

Frosty Mornin

My daughter Lynz and I woke up to the most beautiful morning. We grabbed our cameras and slipped on our boots and ran out to take pictures in our bathrobes..sorry no pictures available of those episodes. We owed and awed, took picture after picture til our fingers were numb. Then ran back inside excited to download our shots and share the results. It is amazing something so cold can be so incredibly gorgeous.

Scenes from this week

It is very cold here today, my pond is frozen, ice crystals cover the foxglove,
this morning the sky was clear and suddenly dark clouds moved across, an amazing sight.
The last picture in the group shows scenes from my area and cards I gathered at Wednesday's Yacolt Meeting of Citizen's affected by the proposed BPA I-5 Corridor Project. It includes the picture of kayakers I showed Mark Korsness Senior Project Manager for this project. I will write more about this meeting soon.
Prior to the meeting I stumbled upon NATURAL OREGON by Dennis Newman who was kind enough to ask if I would send him a brief summary of the Yacolt, Washington meeting. Please visit NATURAL OREGON to visit Dennis and his wonderful writing.

I am very grateful for everyone who attended the meeting in Yacolt Dec. 2.
The effort people are making to pull together and help each other is impressive.

Our Reflection in a Flower

My daughter took these beautiful pictures at Clark College this week.
She also attended the Yacolt Primary Citizen organized BPA I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Meeting with me this week, helping at the sign in table, setting up chairs and enduring hours in a cold school gym. She is a flower I AM forever grateful for.
When we sat down to look at the pictures we realized her reflection was in the rain drops on some of the petals in the same way we are all present in every word we speak, every action we take.
Often it just takes a closer look to see what is Real.
I love the picture she took with the Clark College Pen beside it as writing seems to be a daily part of my life now and flowers always and ever will be.
I hope you get to take a deep breath today and take a deep close look at this beautiful world that surrounds you. Where will your Reflection be?

Friday's Flower

Beautiful Full Moon

I hope you get a chance to see the moon as I did last night during these cold and clear evenings.
We are having a meeting at Yacolt Primary School this evening @ 7:00PM regarding the BPA I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Meeting.
Say a Prayer for this beautiful place.
Thank You,
Erin

Peaceful Sunday Evening Wishes

Wishing you the peacefulness of a shining star, the calm of a evening sky
and the awareness of the real light in your life.

Bright Flower for Black Friday

This is a native Columbine taken in my yard this summer. It is bright and shining just like anticipation for the up coming Christmas Holiday. I love Christmas and this year my Christmas wish is to protect this beautiful flower and it's surroundings so you can come and enjoy their blessings someday too. Thank You for the nice comments about my header picture. It was taken from my neighbors deck and is a nice view out at our beloved valley.
If you are out shopping on this black Friday consider buying one gift that will benefit a plant or animal of this world of ours. And if you are reading this I hope you get to look at one incredible Natural sight that brings you JOY today.

Many Blessings,
Erin

Happy Thanksgiving

If you are reading this know that I am THANKFUL for YOU! And very grateful to know so many wonderful places, people, plants and animals right here in Clark County, Washington.

Many Blessings for a Holiday filled with all you hold dear.
Erin



Pictures include: Cedar Creek which my creek feeds into, my 600 year old fir snag, pumpkins I grew this year, fir snag and 50 year old alder woods surrounding it, closeup of nature's detail.