Build Me a Dream

Autumn, in Oregon, is my favorite time of year!!  There is a crispness to the air….but it is not cold; …. the stiff tan and white grasses from the dryness of the summer green up from the beginnings of the return of moisture….but usually does not need to be mowed; …… the wasps and hornets of late summer are less abundant….and start to die off; ….. and the sunrises are truly amazing!!!

September sunrise

As all of us on the west coast know, the long, dry summer of 2015 was one for the record books.  Fire ravaged so much of the terrain in the western states…the damage was enormous.  If you will allow me one quick moment on my soapbox….. I believe that if the Federal and State governments in our great nation would allow more logging and replanting of our forested lands (with extra protections of old growth trees) in turn cleaning up of dead, fire promoting, trees and brush….it makes sense that many of these uncontrolled, massive fires would become more controllable as fire breaks from logging would then exist thus promoting natural breaks from fire advancement, as well as, providing many more jobs in our struggling logging communities!!!  Okay…..back to topic!!

(photo. KGO News)

On a more personal scale….the damage we see in our forest from lack of water this summer speaks loudly….with that being said, according to our personal weather station, the rainfall we’ve experienced on our land, to this point in the year, is 53.40″.  More than a drop in the bucket!!  However, the rain stopped the first week of June….that’s what hurt us.  The Douglas Firs and other coniferous trees around us have dropped a massive amount of needles….

…and look really thinned out.

Also, there are quite a few trees that have died….

…..or are showing signs of great stress through dying branches.

Our black walnut trees are also feeling the stress of summer.  Take a look at the abundance of walnuts from early fall 2014 ……

…..now take a look at this year’s crop…..

….NOTHING!  Either the squirrels are taking what little nuts the trees have produced, or they have left for greener pastures.  I think it’s the latter, as Penni hasn’t performed her beloved, “squirrel run,” for several weeks now.  No wonder she’s been looking a little……

…..lately…haha!  Back to the trees…. One grove of trees that have survived quite well through the summer, and actually show new growth are these little cuties…

….our young Giant Sequoia trees.  We watered them from our well…I guess they are pretty important little trees!!

So, Welcome Fall…..the southern migration of Canadian Geese (here they come California,) ….

…. and the beautiful skies full of God’s handiwork!!

Thank you for visiting our little Oregon forest today.  Please have a beautiful, first Sunday of fall.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

P.S….need a puppy fix????  Go to http://explore.org/live-cams/player/great-dane-service-puppies-indoor-puppy-room and watch live as, Service Dog Project, bring in and trains the next generation of mobility / balance Great Dane service dogs.