Singing Hills

I had a chance last week to visit Mom in the Northwet. Rental car in hand, I decided to trust the GPS that was programmed to avoid freeways when possible. Saw towns that the freeway bypassed years ago. Discovered a restaurant in North Bend that serves sausage patties the size of ham steaks. Also found lots of rust, tractors, and barns.

The GPS took me down the northeast side of the Yakima river between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. This area brought back memories of a summer camp that had been located somewhere across the river, a camp that in a very circuitous manner led to me meeting the woman who would become my wife.

My choice for the most photogenic of the apparently abandoned barns.

While I was in the neighborhood, I stopped by Glory Farm to check out the project I'll be working on in early May. (And no, you don't get to see it yet.)

The barn will soon be sporting a quilt as part of the Barn Quilt Trail project. The trail sounds like a great idea for a day of wandering the area.

This was my first visit to the farm and it brought back lots of memories! Old farm houses, while all different, seem to include some of the same features.

Even the swing in the yard had character with the rope grown into the tree limb but the best part was the spirit of caring exuded by Ellen and her family. Great people making a welcoming home as part of a caring community. Looking forward to getting back here.

Compliments

I got the neatest compliment today in the form of a public Dear John letter. It's been many years since I got a Dear John letter although I've sometimes probably deserved one.

We have a shirttail relative that is working with her Loving Spouse on a massive house restoration project and maintaining her sense of humor while successfully adapting from Southern California city slicker dweller to Eastern Washington farmer. When we met her at the wedding last summer, I said I'd love to help with the project - it brings back memories of my childhood.

While I was musing about the Alaska trip scheduling and routing, she was writing a new blog post for her really interesting blog.

Seems like they're saving a special project for me - double hung window restoration. Should be fun if we can get them unstuck. We'll stop by for a week or so at Glory Farm on our way north.