Month: August 2012

The honor system

We stopped for some honey recently at a local farm, Sailing “S” Orchards and Apiary. Our out-of-town visitors were amazed: take your honey and put the payment through a slot in the wall. Simple as that. From my experience as a former urbanite, I can assure you that this wasn’t common where I come from in California.

The experience was sweet. . .and the honey is delicious.

Hollywood sculpted in sand

The annual Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic contest was held recently in Port Angeles. I could only attend before the sculptors completed their works, which were themed “Hollywood.” Above is Sue McGrew of Tacoma working on “Hollywood Heroes,” which won first place.

Second place honors went to this piece entitled “Metropolis” by Delayne Corbett of Vancouver, B.C.

This year’s event included community team sculpting, which was a new feature here. Assisted by a master sculptor, two local groups learned sand sculpting, then each team worked collaboratively on a project. A dragon was taking shape, above, for a piece entitled “Phoenix Dragon” which was the work of about a dozen sculptors. The team event is an opportunity to get a start in this art form. This year’s winner started in Olympia in a similar contest.

The frogs are back

It isn’t as if the frogs exactly disappear around here. We generally hear their chorus much of the year. But these days I find them hanging out and sunning themselves. And they seem to love my dish gardens. We startle each other as I water. They are suddenly in the midst of an unexpected shower. And I see a tiny part of my landscape come to life.

They’re very small, no bigger than a thumb.