Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay...

Welcome friends...thanks for coming by. We're seeking beauty in all of creation... in our faith and our families; our art and our music; our crafts and kitchens, and even in our own backyard. We'll share a poem or a recipe, a picture or a memory; maybe a dream of how we wish our life could be. And though we acknowledge that the world can be harsh, we're keeping it pleasant in our little corner; endeavoring to keep the words from the Book of all Books: ...Whatsoever things are lovely; think on these things.

I so enjoy hearing from you...so leave me a comment; it'll make my day!

Photo: Bee and thistle: Taken high in the Cascade Mountains where there is a bee buzzing on every thistle. by Debora Rorvig

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay...

Monday was a perfectly lovely winter day here in the Pacific Northwest. Sunny and cold. There were so many things I could've done on my day off...but sunshine is a rare commodity around here in winter, so I took advantage and headed for the Bay armed with my camera and a warm jacket. As you can see, I wasn't the only with that idea. I took this shot of a fellow camera-bug down at Marine Park, near the Alaska Ferry terminal and our railroad terminal.

Canada is just a few miles north of Bellingham. Those mountains in the background of Bellingham Bay are the Canadian Cascade Mountains, I think.(Help me out here, my Vancouver friends!) Mom used to call them the Canadian Rockies, but I believe technically they are part of the Cascade Range. How blessed to live between the mountains and the sea!

Seagulls are commonplace in our parts. I almost didn't take this picture, but this fellow was just so charming. I couldn't resist his smile! He may be an ordinary seagull, but he knows he's got swag!

No hoisted sails today! Too cold, I guess. They're probably sitting in Tony's Coffeehouse sipping mochas and playing checkers.

I will never tire of sparkle-y water. Never. Some girls want sparkle-y jewelry. I'd much rather sit with my feet in the sands of some lonely beach and watch the sun's rays dancing across the waves. Magic.

Evening came, the winter sun danced away behind the clouds, and I headed over to Tony's for a cup of hot cocoa. Nice day. Very nice day!
***

4 comments:

joanne said...: Incredible pics. That last one looks like a painting. Did you take a photography class, the quality of your pictures and increased highly!! Help me, haha.; January 24, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Debora said...: Yes, Hubby bought me a nice camera last year & I had to take a class to figure it out! Been reading lots of photography books too. My best advice...1.take tons of pics from every angle. 2. Learn to use photo editing programs...then you can make a just ok pic great 3.ALWAYS pay close attention to everything in your frame including whats behind your subject.; January 24, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Linda O'Connell said...: Your photos made me smile. I had forgotten how magestic those mountains are, Iused to live in Alaska and your photo took me back. I'm with you, I prefer the jewels of the sea, the shimmer, the glint. Thanks for sharing.; January 24, 2013 at 9:20 PM
ellen b. said...: Beautiful shots Debora! You really captured the water and sparkles so nicely...; January 25, 2013 at 8:15 AM

I Am From

I Am From...

by Debora Rorvig

I am from a lumber mill worker’s company house
with peeling paint and a sidewalk made of two by fours.
From faded flannel shirts that smell of pine and cedar boughs.

I am from Mason Jars of homed-canned pears,
from Dairygold milk with cream on top
in bottles on the porch.

I am from a garden plot with rows and rows of golden corn
that always wanted hoeing,
and from atop the highest branches of the Gravenstein apple tree in the Attolini’s orchard-
with apple juice dripping from my chin.

I am from saurkraut and wooden shoes-
the Millers and the Youngedykes,
and from the lively Scottish clan
who wear the McKinnon tartan.

From farmers and woodsmen
plain folk all,
who’s hands were calloused hard
but who’s hearts were tender-soft.

I am from ‘what will the neighbors think’
and ‘if you can’t say something nice,
don’t say anything at all.’

From saints and sinners who didn’t see eye to eye
but loved each other anyway,
and in their own way.

I am from the Western shores of Washington
strewn with agates, kelp and driftwood,
from Steelhead salmon, salty smoked
and chowder made from clams we dug
at Semiahmoo spit.

I am from my mother Ruby,
who taught me how to sew
on the old Singer treadle machine;
and told me all about my heritage.

And from my daddy, Raymond Claude
who took me nightcrawler hunting in the moonlight
and showed me how to bait my hook
and fish along the Nooksack River’s edge.

I am from an ancient, tattered Holy Bible kept safely on the upper shelf
with pictures of Jesus Christ
and a letter edged in black- carefully tucked inside.
There are births and deaths recorded there,
and a poem by great- great grandfather Alexander Laughlin Mckinnon
who I never met--and yet I know him
better than some I’ve met.

Precious is that Book to me.

And that is where I am from.

My Life List

*Seek first the Kingdom
*Never stop dreaming
*Make a difference in my students' lives
*Create alternate streams of income to fund my goals
*Dress with flair
*Master virbrato on my violin
*Try cross country skiing in Eastern Washington
*Lose those extra pounds and be healthy
*Be more active in my church
*Stop fearing things, people and confrontation; say what I think
*Stop Hurrying
*Inspire my grandchildren
*Own a Cottage on the Beach
*Live the Word
*Memorize the Book of Hebrews
*Find the perfect hairdo
*Be myself
*Look up old friends and make new ones
*Remodel the kitchen and bathroom
*Make my garden lovely
*Sleep under the stars in the desert and hear coyotes howl
*Write and publish a book(s)
*Travel toRio de Janiero, Cape Breton, South of France, Italy,Scotland, Wales, UK, Ireland, Norway, Turks & Caicos, New York City and the Eastern Seaboard; The Deep South, Africa

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay...

4 comments:

LinkWithin