WHITE TAIL TRAIL~Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

I was up at 5 A.M. this morning.

By 6 A.M., I was cataloguing the Daytrips I’d made Solo Lobo; by the time I got to the last Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge walk of 2021, around 9 A.M., I was in the mood to drive there and stretch my legs a bit 😉

So, I did 😊

There was a lull in the rainfall – and because I have a cold sore on my lip, I didn’t want to be around people: the Wildlife Refuge Trail was perfect for a house escape.

I’ve always had cold sores on my lip – same place, all my life. They usually appear sporadically in the winter time and disappear completely in the Spring: sometimes a stressful situation will cause them to show up; but I haven’t had one in years. Until now. These past 9 days, there’s been a lot going on, and though none of it personally applies to me – it does apply to the lives of five of my friends, thereby applying to my life, indirectly. Hence the lip blister.

Cold sores are reported to be contagious, but Bob never got one … and we kissed. A lot; we were married for 44 years, and Bob never suffered a lip blister – or any other type of blister (me neither; only on my lip, right side). Stacey never got one either – if she ever gets one now, it’s not my fault. I was extra careful when I could feel a blister building up to a full-fledged appearance: I carefully hugged Bob and Stacey, but never kissed them until it disappeared. And I applied a liquid Campho-Phenique to the blister, which burned like hell, until the gelled stuff came along: it smells the same, but doesn’t make my lips sting, or my eyes water. I am thankful.

But people are weird about lip blisters, and I didn’t want to feel like a leper today – so, to Skamokawa, I went 😊

I topped the gas tank off before I got out of Dodge, and noticed that there had been a 51-cent price hike since I topped the tank off on May 4^th: The Highlander has barely left the carport this month due to all the rainfall.

Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge from Heron Pointe; 25 mins.

A 51-cent price hike; right on schedule: the political games never end – they just take a 6 month hiatus >:-P

Steamboat Slough White Tail Trail Hike: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/steamboat-slough-and-white-tail-trail-loop

Driving to the Trailhead, I was happy to note that the dangerously leaning tree hovering over Steamboat Slough Road, has been removed; thank God. That thing scared me every time I drove under it to get to the trailhead; I kept expecting it to fall all the way over and crush the Highlander, and me. I’m glad it has been removed.

Leaning tree; August 14^th, 2021. Gone, today.

When I stepped out of the Highlander, the first thing I noticed was a striking red clover patch just to the side of the trail entrance – I learned today that the Name of this trail I’ve been walking solo lobo for at least 2 years on a fairly regular basis, is called White Tail Trail. I’ve been calling it The Center Trail; but that’s misleading because a Center Trail Road already exists with that name.

I stand corrected, and I will used the correct Name from now on 😊

A patch of brilliant red clover.

Tommy James & The Shondells – ‘Crimson and Clover’ song

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2GGz_O0eZ4)

The pink clover is the red clover at maturity.

It made me smile, remembering my niece telling me during a phone conversation, “You and Uncle Bob always liked that Crimson and Clover Song, didn’t you, Aunt Val?”

Yes, we did 😊

The song fit our young life, our lifelong passion, and our marital bliss.

Bob and me; 1976 – married 20 months & rolling in clover.

I was the only person on the trail today – I usually am, but sometimes an occasional bicyclist will breeze past me, and motorists will drive the main road that is still intact to fish off Hornstra’s Beach (Hornstra was a farmer that owned this piece of land before the State forced him to sell to make way for the Refuge; he was paid a pittance for his property – including the beachfront that carries his Name).

I thought long and hard about that when I saw the scattered feathers on the trail. There was a large red fox colony on Hornstra’s property – when the school bus would drive past, they would come out of their dens and watch it lumber down the roadway. They were so cute. I hope some escape the hunt to eradicate them. And if they are still around, I hope they stay hidden 😉

Purple wild vetch.

Natural dried Teasel heads - very hard & prickly Teasel:

(https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/identifying-weeds-teasel-dipsacus-fullonum)

Online pic of teasel head.

Teasel; flowering.

Health Benefits of Teasel:

(https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/teasel/)

Red-headed-pearl type grassy lower along the trail ...

Lilac& White lupine.

Bicolor blue Lupine in forefront, yellow Scotch Bloom, & purple lupine in background.

Lupine with lilac and pink blossoms.

Trail kill ...

Out-going geese; flew right over my head; they fly FAST!

In-coming geese - again, flew right over my head; I must have been standing on the goose runway. LOL

Geese in forefront - Mallard in the background.

The greedy Columbia River is still eroding the riverfront acreage.

Even though I walk the trail solo lobo now, I remember Bob walking it with me in 2017. Bob’s presence will always be with me. No matter what I do, or where I go: 44 years is a long time to share a life together. We did e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. together. It is impossible to separate the past from the present – it dovetails: its dovetailing is carrying me into the future with confidence.

Bob in January 2017; we had no idea he'd be in Heaven by January 2019.

Birdsong was all around me.

It was soothing.

It’s been a week; soothing is necessary.

Yellow flag lilies peeking out through the marshy tangle of swamp grasses & driftwoods.

An Egret on the mud flats.

St. John's Wort; another patch of yellow ... it sure brightens up the gray day.

A bit of raindrops; between a misting and an actual raining.

Had to escape the coop; hopefully the stress blister will settle down and go away.

The death hit hard. There was no sign at all that the Grim Reaper was hanging around Linda, waiting to pounce.

Turning the car towards home, I decided to take the Brook’s Road - a jump road - that exits the Refuge land. I was hoping I could get all the way through without any handicapping snafu’s 😉

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the road has been tended to  – not perfectly, but enough that it was no longer a hazardous minefield. Joy and jubilation! Last time I drove it, it was a mine field of deep potholes, blacktop worn away to the gravel road foundation, and grass growing up through the road cracks that whisked along the car’s undercarriage: it was more a goat trail, than the road it used to be: but, it’s a passable road again, now 😊

Brooks Slough Road has been tended to. YAY!

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/07/convergence.html)

I crossed over Ocean Beach Highway onto Risk Road, intending to merge with the Elochoman Road which would take me over Beaver Creek Road – depositing me onto Ocean Beach Highway again further up the road towards home.

Plus, it’s a nice country drive 😉

But, Risk Road was closed! I hailed some locals and asked, “What gives with the road closure?” I was told there’s a project underway: no elaboration … I found the explanation later on at home – online.

This side road looped me right back to the Game Refuge Entrance.

Closures for the Ferry & for Risk Road: https://www.waheagle.com/story/2022/05/05/news/closures-ahead-for-ferry-risk-road/20778.html

When I got back home, I saw that the herb transplants I’d ordered finally arrived. I was glad … but I was also peeved; I have been home for weeks – and the one day I finally decide to break out of Dodge, Territorial Seeds decides to engage with UPS! Thank God they hadn’t been lifted by light fingers while I was gone. Because candy scott (the Park manager, here) does not do her job efficiently (like background checks, as she’s supposed to do for those wishing to live here), there has been an increase in thefts by bold thieves that troll carports where cars are missing, to lift and make away with anything and everything not nailed down (including cars – in broad daylight).

French Tarragon - VERY pungent and can cause my lungs to seize up; but I like the flavor in meals

My fuchsia bloomed! I hope it thrives & over-winters excellently. 

The Park, once a nice little neighborhood (That’s why we moved here in 2017: before candy became ‘manager’ and half the Park packed up and fled), is filling up with questionable characters – the main one being the current “Park Manager”. Murder and mayhem: that is candy’s MO.

I did not want to dwell on candy’s ineptitude. Dwelling on her rotten character and her slipshod way of doing business, would only lead to why I am now a widow ☹ I did not want to dwell on thoughts concerning candy scott.

Instead, I redirected my thoughts, and got busy busting my ass. Literally 😊

10-minute Core Workout for Seniors: Blast Away Belly Fat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBaZupuqwc)

2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 11/Thursday Bible Study

As I was finishing up my physical exercises for today …

10 Min Ageless Arms Workout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYzWrI4Lr70)

I thought how good it is to also exercise our spiritual muscle, so that we can stand strong in The Faith; and cross the Finish Line with victorious confidence 😊

In this study of 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, we will look into the depth of Paul’s love for the Corinthians brethren – and his zeal that they not forget the purity of the Gospel’s simple message.

**********

2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 11

Paul’s Godly Jealousy for the Corinthians

“I wish you would put up with a little folly from me. Please, do be patient with me! I am jealous (protective, watchful, trusting) for you. It is like the jealousy of *Elohim, Himself. I myself espoused (advocated, promoted, championed, backed up) you to one Man, **Christ, presenting you as a chaste (virtuous, faithful) virgin (not yet touched, used, or exploited). Yet I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning (calculating, scheming, inventive, astuteness, trickery), somehow or other your thoughts also will be corrupted and led astray from their simple (straightforward, uncomplicated, clear-cut) devotion to Christ. For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus that the One we proclaim (declare, state publicly, assert, broadcast, make known), or if you receive a spirit that you had not accepted from us, you will submit to it readily. (vv. 1-4)

Still, I do not consider myself at all inferior to these “outstanding” apostles of yours. And even if I am not a polished speaker, I surely am not lacking in knowledge. For this has been made plain to you in every way, and on every question. Maybe I committed sin when I preached God’s Gospel to you without pay, thereby degrading myself in order that you might be exalted. I did take money from other congregations for my support in order to serve you. When I was with you there were times when I was in need, yet I did not burden any one of you, and my wants were completely supplied by the brethren who came down from Macedonia. So I refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue that way. (vv. 5-9)

As sure as the truth of Christ is in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced in the land of Greece. Why? Does it mean that I do not love you? Elohim knows that I do. (vv. 10-11)

The Warning Against False Teachers

I shall continue to do what I am doing, so that I may not give any chance (opening, prospect) to those who are looking for opportunity (occasion, chance break) to make claim in their boasting that they work on the same terms (relations, positions, standings) as we do. They are false (bogus, sham, insincere, misleading) apostles, deceitful (untrustworthy, faithless, lying) workmen, in disguise (camouflage) passing (superficial, circulating, overstepping) as Christ’s Apostles! And no wonder, for ***Lucifer himself comes along disguised as an angel of light! So, it is not remarkable that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. But their end will correspond with their works. (vv. 12-15)

Paul’s Enforced Boasting

I repeat, let no one think I am vain. But if you do, then look upon me as a fool, and let me also boast a little. What I am now saying, I say not by order of the Lord; I am speaking as a fool, boastful and confident. And since men generally boast of their personal affairs, I, too, will do the same. Since you are so wise, you enjoy being tolerant of fools. You submit to it when they make slaves of you, when they prey upon you and rob you, when they exalt themselves and slap you in the face. To my shame, I admit that we are that weak. I am going to speak foolishly now. I, too, will dare to boast of anything about which anyone dares to boast. (vv. 16-21)

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am too, and more so – now I am talking like a madman (enthusiast, extremist). I have more work than anyone else, have been oftener in prison, have been beaten times without number, have often faced death. Five times the orthodox Jews gave me a whipping of forty-lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods, and once I was stoned. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I have spent a night and a day in the watery deep. On my frequent journeys I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own people, and in danger from the Gentiles. I have faced perils in the city, the desert, at sea, and among false brethren. I have experienced hard work and weariness, many a sleepless night, hunger and thirst; have often been without meals, exposed to cold, and poorly clad. (vv. 22-27)

And in addition to such external things, the anxiety for all the Churches has rested on me. If anyone is weak, have I not sympathized with his weakness? Who has been upset without my burning desire to help him? And if it is right for me to boast, I should like to boast of things that show my own weakness! Elohim, the Father of our Lord Yeshua Ha’Mashiach – He Who is blessed for ever and ever – knows that I am not lying. This happened in Damascus. Under ****King Aretas, the governor guarded the city, wishing to capture me. But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his clutches.” (vv. 28-33)

*Elohim (from the Hebrew word, Elohim/el-o-heem & the Greek word, Theos/theh-os) = the Supreme God. Exceedingly great and mighty.

**Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

***Lucifer: The Septuagint rendersהֵילֵל in Greek as Ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), "bringer of dawn" – the ancient Greek name for the morning star; The Septuagint, as the translation of the Hebrew Bible, was a landmark of antiquity. It is the first translation in the history of the Bible. It became the central literary work of Hellenistic Judaism (Greek speaking/living Jews) and Early Christianity.

Similarly, the Vulgate renders הֵילֵל in Latin as Lucifer, the name in that language for the morning star.

Lucifer was created a beautiful angel, who defied God and fell from grace. Isaiah declared, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” (Isaiah 14.12) Ezekiel goes into more detail in Ezekiel 28:12-19.

****King Aretas, aka Aretas IV Philopatris (as inscribed in Nabataean Aramaic: Ḥārīṯat Rāḥem-ʿammeh) was the King of the Nabataeans of the east bank of the Jordan River and the Sinai Peninsula, from roughly 9 BC to AD 40.

**2 CORINTHIANS 10:

https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/05/2-corinthians-chapter-10thursday-bible.html

MOD CROCHET PEEKABOO BLUE BABY BLANKET PATTERN ~Full Receiving Size - Boy

MOD Peekaboo Blue Baby Blanket FINISHED; 30”-W x 30”-L. Boy; Crochet. Baby Sport.

I designed, and started work on this baby blanket two days ago, but Life kept interrupting; I just finished it 😊

The stitches are simple, quick, and easy.

Stitch Pattern for MOD Peekaboo Blue Baby Blanket.

Materials: Blue – Super-Size skein, Bernat Baby Sport yarn; a coule ounces of CC Baby yarn; #G or 6/4¼ Susan Bates aluminum crochet hook; Scissors, Tapestry Needle

Terms:

ch = chain

cc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

rpt = repeat

ea = each

bet = between

MC = main color

CC = contrast color

T = turn

EO = end off

 

With MC, make a ch of 120 ct; sc ea st across row. Ch 1 - T.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, *ch 2, skip next 2 ch, sc in ea of next 2 ch; rpt from * across row: T.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in e ach-2 space across to last loop, skip next sc, dc in last sc: T.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, sc bet first 2 dc, *ch 2, skip next 4 dc, sc bet last skipped dc and next dc; rpt from * across row – ending with sc bet last 2 sts, sc in 3^rd ch of turning ch: T

Repeat rows 2 & 3 for pattern to a length of 30”.

Then sc 120 sts evenly across top edge; ch 1, turn and work another row of sc across top edge + 1 extra sc in the corner. Work 112 sc evenly along the side + 1 extra sc in corner … 120 sts across bottom edge + 1 extra sc in corner… and 112 sc up the other side edge, + 1 extra sc in the corner. EO MC.

You are now ready to add the trim.

Corded Edging: With CC, work a row of sc backward, instead of forward. The stitches cross at the top and give a nice decorative beaded finish to the blanket. EO and weave in all ends.