expirationdates

Memory Tree

Today we planted a tree for our dear friend Rachel.  In 2007 Rachel evaluated our wetlands area and made suggestions on what trees we should plant on our property.  So today we planted an Oregon Ash in her memory  along with a Garry Oak as that was her very favorite tree.

 

We were able to purchase a 16' Oregon Ash from a native plant nursery near here.

 

The site was very wet due to flooding from all the rain we have gotten lately and the antics of our new beavers.

  

  

Planted and protected from the beavers.

 

Next up we planted a Garry Oak in a much dryer area.

  

We fenced it in as well to protect it from the beavers and voles.

  

Linda brought some plum brandy from Serbia that Rachel would have loved, it was called Yellow Jacket. 

We toasted to her and the newly planted trees.

It was a beautiful sunny warm day and Rachel would have loved the entire event, even the mud.

 

Rachel Virden Hulscher

1974-2009

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush,
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still in each new dawn.

Gutters

I can't believe snow is in the forecast again.  We have had our fair share this year for sure.  We lost our deck gutter to snow in January. 

 

I went to Home Depot to see what they had in the way of gutters and of course could not find matching colors.  So I went with this vinyl snap together system.  It was really easy and pretty inexpensive.  The most expensive part were the corners at $6, the gutter length was under $5 and the brackets were under $2.

 

They are self sealing so you don't even have to use caulking.

 

In just a few hours we had replaced it.  This system also had gutter helmets for under $5 a section so I think we will try them out to see if it makes a difference, we are surrounded by big leaf maple tress that hopelessly clog them in the fall.

 I am very happy with the results.  I think little by little we will replace all the gutters on the house with this system.

Next Project: Wood Pile

Thanks everyone for all your kind words about my Dad and for welcoming me back.  It feels all warm and snuggy.