Winter snow in the high Cascades. Near Government Camp, Oregon; February, 2006.

The main falls at Bushkill Falls State Park, Bushkill, Pennsylvania. To get a size perspective, click on the thumbnail and check out the people on the trail to the left of the falls. August, 2007.

They say nouns are the first things to go and I find that to be true. I can't remember the name of these things, although I don't think they're actually called bouys. Anyway, I like the patterns of colors and lines in this one, as well as the different textures and shapes (ovals, whites & oranges, water, etc.). Also, on the full version (click the thumbnail) the mooring lines play a much larger part in this production. Cortes Bay, Cortes Island, BC, Canada. April, 2008.

Another in my series of light, lines, textures, and patterns. For the May 12 photo I showed a long, narrow passageway in the Chinatown section of Victoria, BC, Canada. This is what the passageway opens into. Better much better understanding of how it fits my series by clicking on the thumbnail. April, 2008.

It's kinda cool being up in one of those hot air balloons with other balloons around you, and you're above the other ones. Madras, Oregon; May, 2008.

Amazing Facts

I admit it, I like trivia. So here are some that made me think or giggle or raise my eyebrows, or all of the above. Special thanks to the web site Mental Floss:

Bob Dylan got his musicians drunk for the recording of “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35″ because, as he claimed, they were too stiff.

Robert Lincoln, son of President Lincoln, was saved from a nasty railroad accident by Edwin Booth. Edwin was the brother of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

Yahoo! is an acronym for “Yet Another Hiearchical Officious Oracle.” David Filo and Jerry Yang were in a trailer in Palo Alto, Calif., thinking of a name for their hobby!

The creator of the iPod first shopped his idea (without success) to Philips and RealNetworks before Apple agreed to market the device.

There is actually a specific area of the brain known as the bilateral vomitation center. It notes when our tummy is upset and queasy, and it makes the final decision whether to barf or not to barf.

Walt Disney’s famous “logo” signature wasn’t really his; it was designed by a staff artist.

Jimi Hendrix actually opened for the Monkees.

Though it’s rarely used, the word used to reference half a computer byte is a “nibble.”

The average salary for a person with a bachelor’s degree is nearly double that for a person with only a high school diploma.

In New Jersey and Oregon, pumping your own gas is actually illegal. These states banned self-service out of fear that untrained consumers might light themselves on fire. The laws are surprisingly popular with citizens, and any hint of repealing them has been met with plenty of opposition.

Despite being nominated five times, Gandhi never won the Nobel Peace Prize. Although posthumous awards aren’t given, the Nobel Committee came as close as possible in 1948, the year he died, when they didn’t give out an award because “there was no suitable living candidate.”

And finally...
Picky linguists will tell you that the feminine version of “dude” is “dudine,” not “dudette.”

It's irrigation time on the high desert. This is better digested by clicking on the thumbnail. Madras, Oregon; May, 2008.

More from my morning in a hot air ballon. Madras, Oregon; May, 2008.

The poppies are blooming in my backyard. Click on the thumbnail to see a much more detailed view of the middle of this flower. Madras, Oregon; May, 2008.

Each year, my community has a day-long celebration. It starts at 5:30 am when hot air balloons take off. This year, I was fortunate to go up in one. Seeing them get blown up is a real treat. Madras, Oregon; May, 2008.

Clouds get hung up on the magnificent mountains on the BC mainland. It's really, really difficult to adequately capture the expanse of the region and the breathtaking size of those mountains with a camera. I've been trying for 17 years and have not yet been able to do it. Taken from the crystal clear waters of Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April 2008.

Another offering form the Hollyhock garden. As always, more detail can be see by clicking on the thumbnail. April, 2008.

The garden at Hollyhock is world famous. In April, the tulips are front and center. This particular batch was fun to watch because as the sun moved across the sky, the flowers would move to follow it. But on this day it rained, and they tended to remain standing straight up. If you click on the thumbnail, you can see the raindrops are still present on some of these. Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April, 2008.

The last outpost? Whaletown, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April 2008.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, in the vibrant Chinatown of Victoria, BC, there was a warren of places hidden by very long and narrow entry points, opening out into a larger area for people to gather. I assume this was to facilitate opium dens, tong headquarters, private clubs, etc. This is one of those long, narrow entry points. Victoria, BC; April 2008.

Just after the rain. Hollyhock, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April 2008

Twin Island from Hollyhock Beach. Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April 2008.

The Campaign, Part Deux

Dear friends, if you are compassionate, caring, and want to help others, please click on the headline for this post and following the link.

Bowing,
Ted

Kitchen/serving area after hours. By clicking on the thumbnail you can better read that night's dinner menu. The words that the Buddha is partially hiding (in order) are walnuts, seeds, cake, and mint. Hollyhock, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April, 2008.

This is Raven, the meditation hall in which the retreat took place. Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April, 2008.

The Campaign: Part One

If you believe in humanity, generosity, kindness, and compassion, please visit the above link by clicking on the headline for this post.

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.

Home from the retreat now. This shot is leaving the registration building at the retreat center and going out into the garden and then the lodge beyond. Click on the thumbnail for a more detailed view. Hollyhock, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April 2008.