Posted on by agilejack

I’m Still Here

Several people have contacted me over the last couple of days asking if I’m ok since I haven’t posted here for a week.

Rest easy. I’m ok, just really busy and exhausted. Our spring radio fundraising drive started last Thursday and it’s a really busy, stressful and tiring time. I’ve already had several early mornings, weekend work days and more are on their way.

Our drive ends on Saturday and I’ve already blocked of my calendar to take next Monday and Tuesday off to recover.

In the mean time, we’ve had some gorgeous weather and spring appears to be here for real this time. It got up into the mid 80s late last week so I had to take the quilt off my bed. Today it’s been cloudy and cool enough that I had to turn on my furnace this morning.

So, what’s been happening in the last week besides work, occasional pickleball and our daily walks? The only thing that stands out is that we were on the road Sunday morning at 5:30 headed for Olympia, Washington for another try at a sheep herding trial for Rico. He did a really great job! I took the opportunity to do some valuable training.

It was a nice dry day and didn’t have to do very much driving in the dark. when I drove up a month ago I drove in the dark for at least the first hour! And, of course, the boys got a nice field run before we headed home.

I have video of Rico’s runs but I haven’t had a chance to edit them yet. No one wants to look at 20 minutes of that! But everyone wants to look at more photos of my boys!

I haven’t done a damned thing in my sewing room for the last week except hand out in there when I’m on the radio. So that room is pretty much covered with paper right now.

Here’s some of the spring that popping out all over the place.

The tulips have finally started to show up.

I just love tulips. I always think back to the first spring I was in Portland and the tulips were so gorgeous. I’m sad to see that they are already fading a little.

The magnolias have been pretty spectacular this year too. I shared a photo of a pink/purple one a couple weeks ago. Here’s the white star magnolia in twilight.

And I’m laughing because I didn’t notice the cat in the photo when I took the photo! And neither did my dogs!

The dogwoods are just starting to bloom. But they are not yet in their prime.

The Rhododendrons are starting to bloom. They all have different blooming times so the season last nice and long.

I had never seen rhodies before I moved to Portland. And I love them! I have a purple one in my back yard and it is one of the last to bloom.

Here’s another variety.

Isn’t that color amazing!

Even the ones without color are spectacular!

And then there’s this thing. I’m pretty sure this is some kind of Daphne. I didn’t notice it as I walked until I SMELLED it. The most gorgeous aroma! I really wish you could smell this photo.

The azaleas are starting to look pretty amazing too. These peachy/orangy pones are my favorites!

This house had a number of them.

Azaleas aren’t my favorite spring plant. But this one was pretty

I just love this patch of candy tuft and flax that we walk past on our walks.

A bit of a close up….

My apple tree is in bloom right now too. These blooms have the most delicate aroma.

This little flower bed was so pretty.

Although today was cooler than it’s been, my boys were definitely a little parched on our long afternoon walk. Luckily, a park on our way has a doggy drinking fountain!

And my boys know it’s there! They love taking a quick break to wet their long tongues.

Off to bed soon. I have to be on the air at 7 am! Once these early days are over I hope to finish up those last ten Wensleydale blocks! I’m itching to start something new!

59 Replies to “I’m Still Here”

  1. Gorgeous spring photos! All those flowering plants are beautiful. I think the “snowball “ shrub is a viburnum. It is autumn here in Brisbane, in tropical Queensland, Australia and we are losing leaves and have chilly breezes to start the day. It’s still 26-28’ C during the day though!

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    1. I love fall but it’s arrival always makes me feel a little sad… mostly because I know we’re losing all our lovely evening light. I just love the long evenings in the summer.

      Anne

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  2. Your pictures are always so beautiful, and I love looking at them. Glad to know you’re OK but sorry to hear you’ve been so inundated at work. Taking next Monday and Tuesday off to recover sounds like an excellent idea!

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  3. Wow!  So glad to know you are okay.  I, too, was wondering where you’ve been!  

    You’ll sleep well when the fundraising is over! 

    <

    div>Peace – Nancy 

    Sent from my iPhone

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  4. Happy May Day to you , wow what beautiful flowers ,spring has really sprung for you and your boys .It’s already a scorcher here but that’s Florida ! I’m sure the pics don’t do it justice. Make sure you get some rest once your fundraiser is over !I made another Franken bag,love the pattern and it makes me feel so creative when it’s finally all together,since Memorial Day and Fourth of July is coming i used red,white and blue .I will send a pic

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  5. I, too, was getting concerned… so pleased to know that you are OK. Great photos of the spring flowers, so nice to see when we in Tasmania, Australia are nearing the end of Autumn and it’s getting quite chilly and dull! Am so enjoying your Wensleydale quilt – it will be stunning when finished.

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    1. It’s so odd to see Australians talking about fall weather and the weather turning cold. I’m always happy to steal your light in the spring!

      A friend of mine who used to live here in Portland is from Tasmania and returned there several years ago.

      Anne

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  6. Glad to hear that you are well and smart enough not to add to your stress by trying to post while you are in the thick of things. Hope that the fundraiser is super successful!
    Thanks for all of the photos of the flora and fauna!

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    1. I don’t have much left at the end of the evening for sewing. Plus, I usually do my blog posts at the end of the evening, which for me is after midnight. I can’t stay put that late when I have to be on the job at 7 am!!!

      Anne

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  9. Hiya, glad you are well and hopefully work will calm soon. Just to say the bobbly and scented white shrub is a viburnum not Daphne. It’s also lovely here in the uk just now.

    Thanks for all your wonderful posts! X

    All good wishes, Kate

    >

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    1. I just might have made the same mistake with that same plant last year!!! I do recall someone pointing out that some plant was a viburnum! Maybe it was you! At any rate, it’s aroma was pretty amazing!

      Maybe next year I’ll remember what it is.

      Anne

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  10. I was wondering what was going on. Figured you had your head down on some project, evidently it’s a work project and not a play project. Either one can leave you exhausted but, work fatigue is so different from creative exhaustion. Glad you’ve planned for recovery time . Self care is so important.

    Still wet and colder that normal here in NE Ohio. Dafs are done, as is the apple tree, the dogwood is a real stand out against the new greens. Redbud is so striking in it’s vibrant purpley-pink glory. Magnolia is fading. My crabapple tree in not in bloom yet, but the ones in my neighbors yard were very pretty and are just passing their peak.

    Happy boys! Love them.

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    1. I had some flowering crab apple trees in my yard in Salt Lake. I just loved them. I should plant one here.

      It’s nice to finally have spring. Once this drive is over I’ll be able to enjoy it a little more.

      Anne

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  11. Spring at your home looks glorious! I, too have been thinking about you and missing your post. Always love to see your sewing creations, and of course your two dogs. It’s also beautiful here in middle Virginia, we are a bit ahead of your area in the blooming season.

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  12. Anne,

    I’m glad to know you are alright.

    I was considering writing in to check on you as well. Hope it’s nice to know you were missed.

    Thanks for sharing your spring with us. Just beautiful.

    Nancy Port Ludlow, WA Olympic Peninsula

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  15. Glad you’re good, you and the boys were missed . The flowers are gorgeous, the weather here in Utah is so odd this year we skipped spring and are now in summer. Glad you are good

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  18. Love your walks with the dogs and all your pictures of your house and the flowers and the blue Lobelia? and the phlox along the way. You must have a very nice camera. I am having so much fun making crumb piecing “fabric” – I’ve already made two little purses and cant stop – again thank you for sharing.

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    1. All my photos are taken with my iPhone 11 Pro. I went for the pro model because it has such a great camera. No need for an actual camera when I have this!

      I’m glad you’re enjoying crumb piecing! It’s addicting!

      Anne

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    1. I had never seen azaleas until I moved to Portland. the winters in Salt Lake were too harsh as well. There are a lot of them around here.

      spring here is really a lovely time of year, especially after so many months of gloom and wet. it’s always welcome!

      Anne

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  21. I did notice that you hadn’t posted in a while and it didn’t occur to me that it might be another pledge drive week. I’m glad it’s almost over and you can get back to your projects. Lots of lovely blooms in your neighborhood. We’re back in a rainy, cold and gray loop.

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    1. I’m sure we’ll be back in a gloomy and rainy spell before summer really gets here. But it’s nice to have some spring weather for a few days.

      Anne

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  23. I love spring and it’s because of all those beautiful flowers and trees and bushes that are blooming. My dogwood are still looking great as are my tulips, a few iris are just starting in my yard but I’ve seen many in full bloom in sunny areas. My favorite to smell is lilacs and they are also blooming in some yards. I live in IL across from the St Louis Arch and so far spring is much longer than usual. I love your dog pictures. I met a lady in St Louis who had two dogs similar to yours and I mentioned the sheep etc. she said her sister has 10K sheep in California and that there is a great interest in her neighborhood of Pacific MO in the sheep herding trials etc. Never knew this? Glad you are getting some rest.

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    1. Our dogwoods are just starting to bloom. They are one of my spring favorites. And my lilac is just starting to bloom. We’re so far behind this year! Lilacs are one of my favorites too! I love the evenings in the back yard when you can smell the lilacs wafting on the air. Lovely!

      Sheepherding is everywhere! People travel all over the country to compete!

      Anne

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  24. You sure are busy! But not so much that you can’t get out with the dogs and enjoy the spring blooms and then share them with us. It’s all good.
    I heard you on the radio.

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    1. I have to get out every day for a walk or we all go stir crazy! It’s good for all of us and we don’t feel quite right when we don’t get our walks.

      You heard me on the radio? Are you in Oregon?

      Anne

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  28. Beautiful flowers! I really miss the dogwood trees. Your tulips are fabulous and a color inspiration 😄. Hi Rico and Bender 🥰 you two are super cute as usual! And the neighborhood cat photo bomb 🤗. I knew you were around – just very busy!

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    1. Yes. Someone else said the same thing. And I think someone pointed it out las spring too. Maybe next year I’ll remember that this’ not a Daphne!

      Anne

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