Cherries - Bald Eagles - Etc.

Where to begin.... Today we went to a cherry orchard and picked a couple of gallons of ripe cherries (Rainier, Dark Sweet Bing, and Pie Cherries). So much fun! The apples and apricot trees will be loaded in September. This orchard was part of Washington State University's horticulture department and is about 1 mile from our apt. The trees were loaded with branches hanging to the ground.

Did I mention we saw a bald eagle this week and he landed in the tree above where we were fishing at Lower Granite Dam. We watched him for over an hour--or rather HE WATCHED US.

This aft. we're going to a BlueGrass Music Festival in Palouse, WA. and to a "Pig Pullin' Supper". Never a dull moment! We're trying to experience all that this area has to offer while we're here. Can't wait for the National Lentil Festival in late August!

One more exciting thing....I painted a picture of a street scene in Palouse. It's a Bistro with a really colorful entrance, and it got accepted in a Gallery showing. So, now I'm a "featured Washington artist!" Also, last night we met a young woman in Moscow, Idaho who has a Down Syndrome 5 year old son, and I gave her my number. Hopefully, I'll be doing some volunteering with him this next month.

The hills are turning gold with the wheat, which will be harvested any week now. So beautiful!

Farmer's Market in Moscow, Idaho

I wish I could not only send you photos, but smells and sounds, too. Today Loren and I went to the Saturday market in Moscow, which is only 7 miles from our apt. I had no idea what we were in for. It was kind of a combination of 1970's hippie life, go organic, go green, and leave the world a little better than you found it. Some young girl was singing a Joan Baez song and playing her keyboard wearing a long peasant dress, others were passing out Peace Now flyers, people were selling delicious breads, dogs were barking, everything was organically grown, lots of pottery and home-spun knits, and so on. Fun experience!! Loren is planning to grow a ponytail and I'm gonna start making my own paints from local geraniums and dandelions....

Blessings of the Nez Perce Indians

A rare event: Yesterday, Loren and I got to attend the dedication of a mural at the Nez Perce Reservation near Lewiston, Idaho. This very old Elder from the tribe was there and blessed the painting by ringing a bell and chanting a song in the ancient Nez Perce language. There is no way I can describe this...it was spiritual, connecting us all to the Earth's voice and beauty.

Then we went for a drive along the Snake River and Loren fished some on the Grande Rond River. This is in Hell's Canyon, but it is definitely GOD'S country! Spectacular views...

Valley Quail

We just looked outside and below our balcony we have a little family of quail--a mom and dad with 8 little chicks! The wheat fields are beginning to turn from bright green to a nice golden color and will be harvested in a few weeks. The weather is in the 50's most nights and gets up to mid 80's each day. It's beautiful here.

Our little apartment in Washington

Some of you were asking about our living quarters here so I'm going to post a couple of pictures. It's a one bedroom, galley kitchen and bath, and living room/dining room combo on the 2nd floor of an apt. building. It's part of their graduate student housing here on the campus at Washington State University. The smallest part is Loren's study, which is in a closet! The best part is our little balcony, that looks over the hills that are now green with wheat and peas. They'll be harvested in about a month, then the hills will all be brown. The weather is beautiful, and a cool 73 degrees today and breezy.

Washington Barns and Palouse Hill

I can't get enough of these old barns! I am constantly taking pictures and planning to paint watercolors of them. The hills around Pullman, WA are called the "Palouse" and right now are planted with wheat, garbanzo beans, peas, and lentils. Guess what? This is the "Pea Capital of the World!" No kiddin...There is a National Lentil Festival in August.

Yesterday we went to Johnson for the 4th of July parade. It was a small-town parade with a redneck twist!

Trip Photos

That's Loren and Mary waving.....not cave drawings....

Grand Canyon, late afternoon

We made it!

The trip was really beautiful all the way to Washington. Loren and I saw the Grand Canyon on Monday, the Salmon River and Snake River and lots of huge mountains on Tuesday, and we arrived in Pullman, WA on Wed. at 4 p.m. We picked up our apt. key, and made a quick run to Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, and Safeway before collapsing last night. We like our apt. just fine, but it is definitely a throw-back to college days! I had to go out this morning and buy a down comforter, because the nights are really cool here. We have no A/C, just fans, and the weather is really pleasant all through the day.

Loren got to see his lab today. Some of you have been asking what he will be doing. Here is his official answer: "I will be looking at individual genetic differences in immune response to vaccines. These will be vaccines to zoonotic pathogens (animal diseases transferred to humans)." So, there you have it.

We just got our internet going, so we feel connected once again. Looking forward to this weekend, because the 4th of July is a BIG deal around here. We're going to Johnsonville, WA for a hometown parade which includes the whole town (about 100) and the visitors (about 2,000) and a barbeque and fireworks display. Loren says if you ever wanted to be in a parade you should come to Johnsonville. I have so much more to share, but I know this can tend to get long and rambling, so I'll close for now. I'll send pictures soon. We are happy here and will enjoy this adventure, but will be happy to be back in Texas in December. Love you all!