Got Elk?

Being raised within spit'n distance of the Coast Range guaranteed lots of memories ("plinking" with 22s and pistols, excursions on skinny logging roads, picnics and fishing...) and adventures (do NOT ride on the canyon side of the pickup unless you have a strong heart and stomach...).

Last week it didn't take more than once for my brother Chris to ask "Want to go spotting?" and I was packing my thermos,gloves, and camera for an early (VERY early) morning. O-dark-thirty comes to mind...anyway, I was ready, 'cuz he's been known to leave slowpokes standing in the driveway wondering where the ride went.

Up the Wilson River, then we headed for the hills on the Coast Range road. I use the term "road" loosely. Actually, it's almost a freeway compared to what we drove on as kids up there.

Chris, along with the rest of the Y-chromosome carriers of our extended family, is a avid hunter. Especially of ELK. He wanted to show me some of the prime spotting sites, which are also incredibly scenic.

The best "spotting" opportunities happen at the crack of dawn. The sun should only be a gleam in the east when you get to the top of the hills. We were there. See that hillside starting to light up? It took awhile for the ice to melt off the puddles...it's still winter, remember, even though we were blessed with blue skies that morning.

Aha! THAT is an elk track.

And now...spot the elk. Here's your assignment: double click on the photo below. That should enlarge it enough for you to spot the elk. Can't find them? Look for the rounded tan spots. There are two elk on this hillside. Honest.

And after the lucky hunter gets his critter, he has to haul it OUT of those canyons...

There is a running photographic record on Mom's livingroom wall of the past umpteen elk hunts.

Right alongside the mounted rack of antlers from one of my dad's bulls (that's a boy elk, to you flatlanders). And it's not all guys in those photos, my sisters-in-law have earned their share of the glory, too.

Family tradition - or disease. It's a toss-up.

It was a great morning. We spotted two bulls, several groups of cows (lady elk), a family of deer, and a squirrel.

I had thawed out by the time we got down to the main road on the Kilchis River. So we stopped at a couple of bridges to see if we could spot some salmon...that's another story.

It's CLAMMY out there...

Winter is the best time to eat crab and clams, fresh from the cold, cold waters of the bay and ocean. Clam digging is a long-time Griffin family tradition.

Likewise, clam EATING!

But first you have to catch a clam...


(...the cup is for perspective - these are cockles)

then you scald them and clean them...

...grind them up (fee fie fo fum)...

and then....

you make a big platter of clam fritters and DIG IN!!

Winter on the coast is all about comfort - crackling wood fire in the stove and good eats on the table, from our labor of love (cleaning clams is an art).

Did someone say SPRING???

One thing you can count on - crocus and little grape hyacinths, in Mom's colorful spring flower bed!

Whooooo are youuuuu??

As Mom and I returned from a walk, we heard our resident flock of chickadees raising the roof from the side yard. Walking down the hill into the yard, we commented on what a happy racket they were making. Chickadees were decorating the neighbor's almost-dead-rhody like a late Christmas display. Boy, were ever wrong about what they were talking about!

I headed into the house while Mom took a closer look at the commotion. Calling me out of the house, she said, "Take a look at this! I think it's an owl, that has the tweeties so upset!"

Sure enough, it was an owl. Broad daylight. A very SMALL owl. All fluffed up, trying to look like a big guy. Those chickadees were NOT going to leave him in peace!

He wasn't a Screech owl. He wasn't a Saw-Whet owl. What WAS he?? That barred tail was a good clue, along with yellow beak and speckled head.

A consultation with our Sibley's bird book informed us we had a Northern Pygmy Owl visiting our neighborhood! Only 6.75" long weighing a mere 2.5 ounces, this ferocious diminutive hunter has been known to take down birds as large as pigeons. Glad he's not any bigger...

According to Sibley, these little guys are usually perched inconspicuously within a canopy of leaves. And they can often be located by watching for scolding songbirds.

I would say that is an accurate statement. S0 would the chickadees.

Oh yeah - this was another Life Bird for both Mom and me!

BAG LADY!

It was supposed to be a "knitty" winter - at least that's how it started out. Clogs, scarves, some hats...then somehow it all turned into sewing.

I helped out a fellow massage therapist at her spa just before Christmas, tending the front office, doing gift certificates (over $1,200 one day - that's a lot of bodies receiving a lot of quality attention!), organizing stuff, talking to clients - really a fun time, in exchange for some free massage sessions! During a brief lull one day, Danielle asked if I knew how to sew, and upon receiving an affirmative, she promptly hauled out some boxes of fabric and her sewing machine, and got me started on making tote bags that she sells in the shop. Then we collaborated - I'd take the project home, do some sewing, and share the bags.

So that's how it all started.

Sister-in-law Diane took pity on me, and showed up one day with a brand new Bernina to use in place of mom's ancient and troubled sewing machine. Little Bernette is my new best friend, we've made some memories (which you'll be hearing more about).

The bags are made from upholstry samples and fabric. They are fun and fast (well, usually) and a great size for just about everything.

In fact, that's what Danielle calls them: "EVERYTHING BAGS!"

I've given several as gifts, and use two of my favorites almost everyday - for everything from library books, groceries, class books (you'll hear more about that, too - stick around, there's never a dull moment!), to portable projects of all sorts.

The variety is endless. And Danielle just brought me a whole big box of assorted fabric - her inlaws have an upholstry shop, so she gets the stuff free - how sweet is THAT!!

If you have a source of free upholstry fabric you just about HAVE to make something with it - right?

I'm an Oregonian again

At long last - my laptop made the trip to Oregon. With my photos at hand, and a good number of megs or whatever those things are that make this thing more powerful than the mini, I'm ready to begin a new adventure in my blogging. It was hard to put Wisconsin Snapshots into semi-retirement, but it seemed a little weird to be posting stuff all about my Oregon home, and calling it Wisconsin! My heart may be a little mixed up, but not THAT confused!


A short explanation of the new title: I knew I wanted SNAPSHOTS in the blog title, for continuity and it seems to fit my lifestyle - short bursts of fun and intense activity, with calming beautiful scenery to support my spirit. The LEESIDE came after much pondering. With my webbed feet and some saltwater in my veins from growing up here beside the bay and ocean, a nautical term seemed appropriate. The leeside is the side that is sheltered or turned away from the wind. This period of time is a sheltering time for me and my mom. We hope to keep the destructive winds of slowly moving demetia and creaky aging joints at our back, always looking forward to the sunny calming views and adventures before us, for as long as possible. Together, we can do it!


So here we go, new faces and new adventures, new places and new stories. I hope you will enjoy walking many memory trails along with Mom and me.