Christmas Tree

Our dear friend Barbara gave us one of her unused christmas trees today.  I'd been looking for something small to go in the front room but was about to give up.  Also coming from her bottomless garage came some ornaments and hangers.  We had a string of red lights that we added to the diminutive white tree.  She saved Christmas for us and has given us some seasonal joy. 

Banco in Situ

An early morning walk down G St. to do some window shopping and look at the town's Xmas tree

Banco in Situ

Word came via email this morning that Troon Winery is having a mystery case sale this weekend.  For $99, you get 12 bottles of Troon bliss.  Banco and I hopped into the car and motored through the Applegate. A sunny afternoon for a walk around the grounds and then home to see what treasures were contained in our unmarked box.

He's Gone

Martina had to let go of her beloved Barney today.  Rescued from a puppy mill and a documentary subject on the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, Barney then became a fixture of NYC's East Village and travelled extensively with his new owner. After 12 years together, Barney is being laid to rest today in the Catskill Mountains.

His Dogtown episode 4 can be seen here

Gaffer63: Barney and Banco

Gaffer63: Barney Takes New York

60' Down

Galesville reservoir was 60' below the overflow last Monday.  I made my way to the sunken forest but only saw heron and ducks today. No otters. It's been rainy all week and I checked this morning to find the level is up 5'.  Winter is here.

 

Morning Drama

The clouds were dramatic this morning.  Pouring over the tops of the local hills into GP's valley.  Breaching the battlements.

First Turkey

Rainy weather so we made our first turkey of the season.  The highlight is W's secret gravy recipe made with our favorite local red. 

Banco in Situ

She's not enjoying some of the morning headlines.
 

Banco's Fire Pit

We recently went to Steve and Debbie's for a fire pit with some of the gang. Banco stole the show with her full body shawl.
 

Story of the Decade

These brothers funded the ripping apart of America.  The surviving one is now saying "Whoops, sorry".  It's almost unfathomable the amount of damage they caused.  There's more here

Pop Icon

Some East Village graffiti of America's favorite doc.
 

Queens Man Evicted

Banco in Situ

The town has swapped out the old sodium vapor street lights for LED panels.  Good color and good CRI means that NW B St. now resembles a film set. 

Lost Creek Blue Grotto

We returned to Lost Creek Lake on monday.  About 60' below normal and all the boat ramps closed except one. We paddled over to the blue grotto for a look. More green than blue.  The marina across the lake is barely in the water. Luckily for the lake level, it starts raining/snowing this weekend.

Gaffer63: Lost Creek Lake

Gaffer63: Lost Creek Redux

Fall Trees

 

Time to Vote

How John Adams might have framed today's election

Cause and Effect

Banco in Situ

A lovely afternoon at Steve and Debbie's.  Trying a new pinot gris in the late afternoon sun.  W's first seasonal batch of rum balls. Banco loves Steve and is supremely comfortable next to him.
 

Biden Gets Swatted

In movie making parlance, those big 20'X20' silks hung from condor cranes are called Fly Swatters. Yesterday in Florida, Biden had 2 to keep him squint free and the sun gently diffused.

Banco in Situ

 Maybe 6:30 is too early for a walk

WL's Sauce

While I've been paddling, WL has been creating his fantastic tomato sauce. Tomatoes sourced from the farm stands of the Applegate Valley.

Guest Room Closet

We took down the single pole in the guest room closet and installed a more practical system. We had a guest who lamented the lack of a lingerie chest..... we are hoping these drawers will suffice.
 

Lost Creek Lake Redux

This past week we returned to the reservoir at Lost Creek Lake.  The water level was down about 30' and the flooded forest was on display as we put in at Catfish Cove. The Blue Herons were hanging out on the bare branches. It was our longest paddle at 3.5 hours.  We made it to where the Rogue River feeds into the lake. The last 1/3 of a mile was against a heavy Rogue current.  On our return, we spotted a bald eagle fishing. We were wiped out but a banana malt and chili cheese burger from Phil's Frosty helped to revive.

Gaffer63: Lost Creek Lake

Gaffer63: More Lost Creek

No Art

Banco in Situ

A yawning Banco recently joined Karen and I for a glass of rose at Woolridge Creek winery
 

End of Season

We got the whole gang together for a final party at Lake of the Woods. Dogs, spouses and neighbors showed up. Water is still crystal clear.  Was a warm day but Fall is coming fast this week.