Author Archives: Maggie C

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About Maggie C

Stained glass artist, woodworking artisan, writer, respecter of life.

Vancouver, USA Summer Spots (Walk #1)

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I came across a local “summer challenge” run through an app that is designed to encourage participants to get outdoors and explore the area. There are 20 sites listed, and if I verify (through the app’s gps) that I have visited 15 of the 20 locations by August 31st, I get entered into a drawing for prizes.   

My walking companion Chules and I have visited and “checked in” at five of the locations so far. I’m going to share with you some of the beauty of my area through a series of posts and photos of our outings.  My first destination, in Ridgefield, Washington:

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Oh, I forgot… Chules didn’t get to come on this walk. No dogs allowed in the refuge. But I had the good company of one daughter and three grandkids.

The Oaks-to-Wetland trail winds through large native Oregon white oak trees and other lush foliage (including some carefully marked poison oak), and along a lake with excellent opportunities for bird spotting.

Photo: poison oak

Then the trail opens up into tall grass and climbs away from the wetlands.

We didn’t make it all the way around the loop. Hot weather and a two-year-old who was due for a nap prevailed. Maybe next time.

One down, 14 more to go.

Last pic of July, ’21

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For Bushboy’s Last on the Card Challenge:

The rules:

1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st July.

2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.

3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do

4. Create a Pingback to [Bushboy’s] post or link in the comments

5. Tag “The Last Photo”

spitting on the fire

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With July’s record-breaking high temperatures here, it’s been frustrating and – truth be told – rather depressing to watch flowers in my native plant garden wilt before reaching full bloom and then turn end-of-summer brown without setting seeds.

What happens, I wonder, if annuals can’t reseed themselves? What happens if birds and other critters have no seeds to tide them through the coming winter? What happens when spring pollinators show up and find but a few flowers to feed upon?

I do what I can for my small domain. I water the roots of my plants; can’t do much for the sunburned leaves. This fall I will plant more natives. In the winter I will feed the birds. Next spring, I will build a fountain of some sort to provide reliable water for thirsty creatures passing through my yard.

Sometimes my efforts feel quite satisfying, like I’m giving back to the planet. Lately, it just feels like someone trying to extinguish a forest fire with spit.

leather brown leaves curled

fists shaking at the August sun

give us a reprieve

dVerse haibun Monday: August

Last Pic of June, ’21 (and May)

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For Bushboy’s Last on the Card challenge.

“The rules are simple:

1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th June.

2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.

3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do

4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments

5. Tag “The Last Photo”

The last pic I took in June (yesterday):

And I forgot to post May’s last photo:

Both photos taken with my iPhone 8Plus.