How was your spring this year? Pretty different from any other spring?
Yeah, mine too.
I’ve been going through my photos from these last months and keep coming back to the ones below. I like them because they capture moments of no worries, no thoughts of lockdowns, travel restrictions or cancellations. Instead, calm, joy and delight.
Maybe number one? A wonderful trip to the most fantastic and perfect little cabin right next to the Sandy River up on Oregon’s beautiful Mt. Hood. In just less than an hour drive from Portland you are there, deep in the forest.

I sat there in that wicker chair for what seemed like forever, just breathing, looking at the water churning, the leaves flickering in the trees, the occasional bird flying by. Bliss.

Sitting by the river may have been the high point, a close second? S’mores.
The first since,… well, since a very long time.
What an amazing idea. A melted marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker. So good.

Another moment, a hike in a wooded city park where I saw, …
can you see it?
In the tree! A beautiful owl, just sitting there, calmly watching and hanging out.

Spectacular.
After a few minutes, it spread its great wings and with a quiet whoosh, flew off.

I took this picture in the beginning of the lockdown when there was a toilet paper shortage and my sweet neighbors, who after hearing me complain that there was none at the store, stopped by with these.
Talk about generous.

The Agave Montana, remember? I posted about it just as it was starting to open. A visit a few weeks later and it was covered with flowers.
The yellow caution tape set up along the street so people could stop and admire, safe from cars.

My orchid! A gift from my brother. Continuing to bloom well over a year since he gave it to me. A big deal for someone who habitually forgets to water her plants.

A special visit from my friend Kayo. She has a day job, but photography is her passion. She had an idea to offer a photo session in exchange for a donation to a Black Lives Matter organization.
Such a good idea! I’d been wanting pictures of my hands sewing and I loved the idea of donating to a worthy cause, so we set up outside, 6 feet apart. I brought out my scissors, pins, measuring tools, thread and one of the appliqué projects I’ve been working on.
I sewed and Kayo took picture after picture.

So much of my sewing is slow hand work, it’s wonderful to have it documented.

Thank you Kayo for these beautiful photographs!

And thank you for the perfect little cabin and the owl in the tree and places to hike and Mt Hood and the Sandy river, my brother, my neighbors, the gardener who planted and tended the Agave Montana and I must not forget, a huge, well deserved thank you to whoever thought of S’mores.
I love owls, and that one is stunning. You may have seen on my FB feed the family of Western Screech Owls who hung out in our trees for a couple of weeks. So delightful!
I did see your screech owl pictures Judy! So Cute!
Thank you SO much for reminding us that there is still joy to be had during this angst filled time.
I think a photo of you sewing would be lovely in your next craft show booth. Then people would see you really do sew everything on by hand. Beautiful shots.
Thank You Elisabeth!
Kayo did a great job showing that they are most definitely hand sewn!
Thank you for the lovely photos and words. The agave is splendid.
Your posts always cheer me. This morning, I feel the need to remind myself of gratitude to others.
Jan, We’re all in this together aren’t we? I know I feel better when I remind myself of all the good that is out there.
I think this is one of my favorite of your posts so far, Ann! ♥️
Thank You Betsy!
I love the the set of photos showing your talented hands doing the delicate work on your creations.
Thank You Karen! Didn’t Kayo do a fantastic job?
Love you, hate s’mores
That works for me Sally, no s’mores for you means more for me!
Thank you Ann for the beautiful pictures.
Nature and creativity are the solution to coping with our current troubles.
Indeed, they are the solution to all our troubles.
You are so very welcome Lorraine! You put it beautifully.