Beautiful Pest

This golden gem is called Scotch Broom. In springtime, it covers the island like a bright fluffy blanket of sunshine. I find it charming, but the locals consider it a plague. Apparently, it's a pushy non-native flower that shoves aside existing species to spread its yellow hegemony. So every year hordes of islanders spend hours pulling the stuff -- but to no avail. Every spring, the island has an even more intense saffron hue than the last.

Which makes me wonder: why do they fight the system? It's just a flower. It's not going to steal your job or beat your children. Clearly, the broom was born to rule. I say love the yellow - don't hate! And then get on with your life. Am I missing something here?

Freeom's Just Another Word For .. .

. . . nothing left to blog about? Hardly. Let's try again.

. . . Freedom's just another word for Beauty and Resilience.

And, in keeping with the key theme of this blog, I thought I would give you a regular weekly Freedom update.

Here she is from over the holiday weekend. Thankfully, the sheen is coming back to her coat and it's getting harder to see her ribcage. She still moves rather slowly and you can see that her eyes are a bit dull with heavy lids -- always looking as though she just woke up from a nap. But none of that detracts from her charm. Her ears are forward and she is all cuddles and nuzzles.

She is still my hero.

Tidepooling

A natural way to pass the time on a sunny Memorial Day. We are lucky enough to live only a short walk away from a beautiful beach that overlooks Rich Passage. The beach sports awesome wildlife at low tide (beautiful starfish, crabs etc) and is bordered right now by beautiful new Spring flowers.

Hope all had an equally happy holiday.

p.s. Edited to add: Yes, I realize that the starfish only has four legs. I'm trying not to think about that right now.

Freedom Flourishing

Not in George Bush's America, perhaps, but certainly in our neighbor's pasture.

This is Freedom. Our neighbors up the road adopted this sweetheart last week and she has completely stolen my heart. I can't remember the last time I met such a kind-hearted mare. She has obviously had a rough time up to now - as you can see from the exposed ribs and sideways gait (the latter perhaps not quite so visible in a snapshot, but take my word for it); but she is making wonderful progress. Resilient. Graceful. A role model for all.

Gray

On the whole, Western Washington is an excellent place to live if you really hate sunshine.