Military Romance Author
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
Since we’ve been having dark and stormy nights and days here in Oregon, what better time to stay in and cuddle for those of us who can? And if cats and dogs can get along, I think the rest of us can too. How relaxed are these furry guys and gals?
Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!
https://youtu.be/eBZFMGQziCQ
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
It seems I’ve developed a serious alpaca addiction. While on our girls road trip a couple of weekends ago we drove by a herd of alpacas we hadn’t seen before and I almost slammed on the brakes. This would have happened if we hadn’t had an appointment with some thundereggs and had traffic up my tailpipe.
I looked the ranch up online and found out they were open seven days a week and had the Alpaca Boutique so there was no stopping us from shopping.
On our way home we took a detour to make sure we had to drive by and stop at the Alpaca Boutique at the Crescent Moon Ranch Alpacas in Terrebonne, Oregon.
The babies close by the shop were enjoying a fabulous sunny Sunday afternoon doing what we all wish, dozing in the sun. Such cuties!
Seems they had around 600 alpacas, then downsized and moved the herd to this location with around 175 or so alpacas.
One of the reasons I had to come visit, besides all the alpacas, was a picture online of the fabulous sock wall. Now, I love my alpaca socks, but I’d never seen so many different alpaca socks in my life.
When I noticed the pink ones on their web site, you can bet I bagged two pair at the shop.
Not only were we met by one farm cat who was trying to get into the boutique, but upon entering we were greeted by Cash the wonderdog. Obviously his domain is inside since the cats had to stay outside. Some sort of détente arrangement I guess.
The boutique has a wide selection of clothing from Peru, alpaca wool and socks plus even fabulous stuffed toys like the baby alpacas and the pink teddy bear. So soft and cuddly.
There was also alpaca feed, so of course I had to buy some and feed my first alpacas. Soft noses, very polite manners and efficient food hoovering.
If you’re out by Bend, Oregon, don’t hesitate to stop at the Crescent Moon Ranch run by Debbie and Scott Miller.
They also have an online store to shop.
www.crescentmoonranch.com
Now all I have to do is convince Gate Girl to get an alpaca to keep me in yarn. Cross your fingers!
Got alpacas?
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
I never get tired of playing in the dirt, especially when there are treasures to discover. Weekend before last I snatched my rock buddy Joann from her husband and we went on a four-day girl’s shop and rock trip to Sisters, Oregon.
Stayed at our favorite place, the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, complete with a killer outdoor hot tub, free breakfast and llamas to feed. Liv’in the dream.
We packed up our gear, filled the gas tank then headed eleven miles North of Madras to the Richardson’s Rock Ranch to hunt thundereggs. I’ve never dug for thundereggs before and this ranch is the mother lode. We also love to buy pretty rocks and geodes here.
Signed our waiver, got our map to the digs and we were off on the gravel road eight miles to the beds at a not-speedy five miles per hour. Takes about 30 minutes to get out there with the gravel road and opening three gates along the way. Since I was driving Subie, Joann became gate girl.
The weather was perfect, 84 degrees with a slight breeze and we were alone at the dig beds. Heaven. It was so quiet. I’ve been living in a neighborhood construction zone the past several months and this was a treat. Complete silence except for a little wind, an occasional bird and my digging.
We only had an hour to hunt before we had to hightail it back to the shop, since they close at 5 p.m. We’d moseyed into the day and ended up getting to the ranch later than we expected, so we had to dig fast.
Thundereggs look like clumps of dirt or stone. I followed the directions from the “cutter” at the shop and went two feet out from the cut wall. A girl in the dirt. Happy.
Came across several I wasn’t sure if they were dirt clods or thundereggs, so I tapped them with my garden weed puller. Ended up with about 20 or so round orbs.
Back we tore to the shop, just in time to get several of the thundereggs cut. I picked the large one I dug out of the ground, one that looked like a double and a medium-sized orb. Mr. “Cutter” took them in the back and brought them out wet in the sun for us to see. Fabulous.
It’s like finding gifts inside a plastic Easter egg but better; these natural agate gifts are made by Mother Nature. We ran out of time to have more thundereggs cut, so I may need to find someone here with the skills. Or maybe we need another girl’s road trip to Richardson’s Rock Ranch? Yes!
And I need to wet polish them. Another craft project, I do believe.
Story of the thunderegg
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, UCC staff, law enforcement personnel and medical first responders dealing with the tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon. When evil comes I am grateful for the courage and compassion of the brave people who stand in harm’s way to help others, many times at their own peril.
Let us comfort the grieving, help heal the wounded and support each other in community. Perhaps we can take some solace in knowing we are a state and nation full of much more grace and good than evil.
I gauge the character of our country by how we respond during these horrendous acts. When the world seems to have gone mad, know there are still more good people helping those who need care and who can’t help themselves.
Hug those you love. Have a safe weekend. Say prayers for Roseburg.
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
My favorite song from the film “Animal House” is “Shout.” You HAVE to dance when you hear this tune. Now add that the movie was filmed in Eugene on the University of Oregon campus and it’s even closer to my heart. Nike released a new commercial last weekend for the start of the college football season.
They used this great song and brought back U of O athletes, the Duck and the BAND too! Crank up the volume on your media device and let’s all boogie to “Shout!”
Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!
https://youtu.be/iOEgDbdjj2s
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
When I took a three-month camping trip to Europe in 1983, I carried 70 rolls of film with me. Some of my best shots were sticking the camera out the window and just shooting. Shit shots, I called them. Nothing to lose!
On our recent adventure to Hood River we went to one of the Columbia River parks for a look-see before heading home. It had started to rain and the wind was whipping up in the gorge, so I did my usual and took a few pictures from the car window. Just like in Europe. (Yes, I rolled the window down.)
Sometimes the most important thing as a photographer is to just take the shot. I had some cars coming toward me and I was about to hold up someone driving behind me, so I grabbed the shot. I’m pretty happy with it.
One of the reasons I always carry one of my little Canon Elph cameras with me is I never know when I might see a photo I need to take. Kind of like the Boy Scouts, always prepared. Which includes a fully charged backup battery too.
With the leaves starting to change colors and the pumpkin decorations everywhere, this is a great time of year to capture the golden light in the morning and evening. You don’t need a ton of equipment or to even get out of your car; be lazy and creative. You might be able to use the photo for a blog post.
Whether taking pictures on the road, in your own backyard or trying to capture your pet’s latest antics, for us photo freaks it’s always a good day to take a picture. The weather folks say the rains are coming in this week. Yeah! Cloud and rain pictures! Woo Hoo!
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