The last week has been dedicated to finding gardens that have become overgrown. Fifteen years ago I lined the banks of the stream from our spring with stone. I had created multi-tiered, waterfalls out of naturally hallowed logs that funnelled the water onto rocks below. Water moving though the logs had an
eery, muddled sound. The logs have long since rotted away into the stream muck. The rock walls were taken over with blackberries, horsetail rush, stinging nettles and Joe-pie weed. That particular garden now looks
whacked and barren. But, the stream can once again be seen and heard. This fall I plan to move several large boulders into the area and plant
rhodys and ferns.
The other garden I reclaimed this week is a large woodland garden by the large pond. Yesterday with the help of Mindy, I made great progress on it. We pulled weeds all day long. Today she continued to pull weeds and transported several trailer loads to the burn pile. I now have beautiful trails along the pond and
stream for my guests to enjoy.
I love my gardens. They are not professional but they please me and amaze guests when they are told all rock was found,
transported and placed by me. All of my gardens are made of native stone and plants I have been given or propagated.
Tomorrow is the big Brown Ranch party. Strong, younger friends will be splitting and stacking firewood. Those inclined will go swimming, boating and play with the dogs. All of us
will be celebrating Dave's birthday and all of our wonderful friends.
A little humor goes a long way these days. The dogs provided that with gusto a couple days ago. A mouse while being chased by the dogs, mistakenly took refuge in our new motorhome septic hose. The dogs had a field day pursuing the trapped critter. They first hauled the hose from the car port to the side yard. At some point they had a mighty game of tug-a-war resulting in four sections of hose. Actually, I only witnessed the start of the hunt when mouse dashed inside the hose. Later in the day I found the transformed hose in the side yard. Dave saw no humor at all in the incident but I could not keep from laughing. I grabbed my camera and tried a reenactment with treats in place of the wayward mouse. 
Innocent Willy.
Other years I have shared my sanctuary with close friends. This year the friendship was as necessary as the pilgrimage. Two close friends agreed to go with me even knowing that along with potentially camping in snow/slush covered mud, they would become my outlet for verbalizing a couple months of pent up stress. Plan A was a favorite campsite for mine on Scott Lake. The short hike in is rewarded with an unrivaled cascade mountain view. If our campsite was taken, Plan B was a bit longer hike into nearly Hand Lake. It’s 80 year old, lean-to provides shelter eliminating the necessity of hauling the weight of tents. Plan C was a rustic cabin at a nearby resort and a drive to the mountains for a day hike. The resort is known for its hot spring fed swim pools and vast gardens tucked into the woods along the McKenzie River. 
Ma Nature was instrumental in our choice of Plan C. The end of summer with a predicted deluge swayed us toward the cozy warmth of a cabin. She also determined our decision with a lightening caused forest fire. When we tried, we found access to the two lakes was blocked. We were not allowed to even hike into them. 
Friendship, wine, good food, an ancient cedar tree and morning coffee were all shared on our little deck overlooking the river.
Koyuk 6 months old with her owl.
The stand of trees outside my office were logged with horses and re-planted around the time we were married. Today the new trees were thinned by the coolest machine. The logger can limb, cut, fall, cut to length and load the trees with less noise and forest floor impact than the horses of old. The saw makes a brief whir sound unlike the whine of chain saws. The logs are not drug across the ground to a landing for loading. They are loaded where they fall and the vehicle breaks up the limbs as it drives over them. Without all the competition for sun, water and soil, the remaining trees should really grow fast now.
Koyuk resting after a long day.
"These are curious." 
"Stepping on pink was interesting. What should I try with the green one?"
" White or purple? Purple or white?"
Friends enjoyed good food and each other's company after working hard all afternoon.
My dad, sister, me, brother-in-law and step mother
Both Koyuk and McKenzie included mud facials in their adornment.
Fortunately with a quick swim in the pond, the Chinook teflon coat easily sheds its dirt coating.
Cedar remained aloof. She is not a fan of getting wet and chose the tongue bath cleansing technique. 