the salmon river skunk

Based on warm river temperatures forcasted in Idaho this weekend, my journey to the Salmon river for steelhead fishing should have led to success. However, after 2 days (about 12 hours each) of fishing and hiking, I left the river with only a couple whitefish to show. I came home empty handed, save for high spirits and a sunburned nose. I also smelled pretty ripe after a weekend away, which was a plus for West, but sadly not for Jess.

Welcome to the Steelhead Inn. I actually found sleeping in the Montero quite comfortable. It reminded me of all the weekends I spent chasing steel in Washington, camped along the Wenatchee.

taylor mountain hike





West & I stalked this
Red Tailed Hawk for quite a while.
 The wind was roaring up at the bluffs,
but he didn't seem to mind.



We came rambling over a ridge,
and were suddenly face to face with this. 




Coincidentally, I've had the song,
 "Danger Zone" stuck in my head ever since.
...
Seriously though, it was a stirring sight. 
And, one I won't soon forget.



four things

Music:
My morning play list, here.  I think it goes well with coffee.

"idaho" by josh ritter
"norther lights" by bowerbirds
"keep me in your heart" by warren zevon
"like rock and roll and the radio" by ray lamontagne & the pariah dogs
"thirteen" by big star
"cannonball days" by ryan adams
"boots of spanish leather" by bob dylan
"carolina" by meredith bragg & the terminals
"holiday inn" by elton john
"question" by the old 97's
"without you" by junip
(Jake: I can't get enough of Ryan Adams lately. Thanks for the recommendation).

Words:

A quote.  That Emerson was a wise, wise man.

(disclaimer: I didn't take this picture, and can't remember where I found it)

A book.  A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.  Best book I've read all year.

A poem.

To be of use.

Marge Piercy

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

diy book wreath

If you've got an old book, a hot glue gun, and 45 minutes  -- you've got the fixings for your very own book wreath.  In my spare time (which is a little limited these days), I've been finding ways to "feather the nest".  Here's the latest addition to the master bedroom.  It was so easy and rewarding.  Whoever invented the hot glue gun is a genius.  By the way, Sam has been tying flies like a mad man these days.  Hopefully he'll do a post about it soon!

mom's birthday dinner

Last sunday, while Rachel was in town, we celebrated our Mom's birthday.  Sam and I hosted a dinner party in honor of the birthday girl.  We served this pot roast, which turned out quite well.  We paired the roast with braised asparagus and wedge salads.  Although, the best part of the dinner wasn't what we ate, but who we ate it with.  It's been years since we've all been able to celebrate Mom's birthday together, and celebrate we did.  There was even a dance party set to the tune of "Birthday" by the Beatles. 
It was awesome.  And it was videotaped.  

"Birthday" is a special song in the Wood family.  While we were growing up, our Mom would wake up the special birthday kid by blasting the song and dancing around the lucky kid's room (sometimes accompanied by the other two kids).  Even in our teenage years, our mom continued the tradition.  She persevered and danced her way through many angsty-"too cool for this"-teenage-birthday mornings.  Secretly, even as teenagers, I'm pretty sure we would have been devastated if she ever took a Beatles dancing hiatus.  Even now, she still wakes us up this way on our birthdays.  Usually it's an early morning phone call, with the familiar "daaaanaaaa naaa naaa naaa naaaa" vocal intro.  She has figured out phone video capabilities now, so some years we even get a video dance party sent to us.  Either way, it's a tradition that makes birthdays Birthdays in our family.  And we're lucky for it.  Especially because my Mom's signature dance move is, "the bunny", which brings down the house.

oscar party

My mom and I viewed the Oscars together at her house this year.  And, despite the fact that James & Anne left a lot to be desired as hosts, we appreciated their eagerness.  We played Oscar bingo and cast our ballots for the winners.  We drank my new favorite cocktail and lounged in weekend wear.  And, despite not seeing any of the nominated movies this year, my mom ended up picking most of the winners.  She also won Bingo.  She's good like that.

Oscar's cocktail

--vodka tonic as you would typically make

--splash of Rose's sweetened lime juice

--splash of POM

--lots of ice

big game winter range

On Sunday, Sam & I went on an outing to the South Fork.  Our main mission was to see wildlife, with secondary gains established as wearing out West, and snowshoeing (I warned you it was here to stay). We definitely met all three goals, and decided that a hot thermos of coffee is one of life's simplest pleasures.  That, and making up wild turkey calls.

Two bald eagles together(!)

I wasn't able to capture it on film--
but we witnessed this eagle break off his branch in midflight,
 and then carry on like it was no big deal. 

I think this little critter counts as wildlife