There are four days left of November, and I am running out of words. National Novel Writing Month ends on the thirtieth, and I am not even halfway to the fifty thousand words I need to compose by then. I may throw in the towel, but not without a valiant effort first. In the spirit of NaNoWriMo, here is a fuzzy spot of color.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, we drove through the Sacramento Valley, and enjoyed a view of the Sutter Buttes as the moon rose and sunset approached.
We were fortunate to be in an area with light highway traffic and air so clear we could see Mt. Lassen in the distance.
I’m starting a new tradition. Instead of going shopping the day after Thanksgiving, take a walk in the woods, or any natural area. We hit a nature trail near our house, and had it all to ourselves.
That is, until we encountered this young buck who watched us for a few minutes, and then continued his walk along the same route.
I feel fortunate to have enjoyed my Thanksgiving Day so thoroughly that I forgot to post to this blog. Although, it’s not the first time that I have skipped a day. My hope is that my readers spent the day with friends and loved ones, sharing memories and making new ones.
My photos today are of the aspens on the San Juan National Forest of Colorado. They were ready for winter when I walked among them last month, and are now blanketed with snow. What a scene that must be. Enjoy your moments where and when you find them.
Here is the view at the end of the Big Al Trail on the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado. Hesperus Mountain is the highest peak in the La Plata Mountains, which are a part of the San Juan Mountains.
I very much enjoyed my bird walk around the cabin early yesterday morning. The clouds parted and let enough sunlight through that a festival of birds careened about the landscape. I have been working on my National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) novel, and was desperate for some fresh air. Procrastination played a key role in my nature excursion as well.
The first thing I saw when I came out onto the porch with my camera was this Western Bluebird drinking rainwater out of the bird bath in the garden.
I was fortunate to get a series of shots that depict its posture and enjoyment of the experience. I loved watching it dip and swallow!
I followed this Rufous-sided Towhee around the yard, taking pictures of other birds as it eluded me. At long last it came out of the bush where it had taken refuge with its pals, and I got this shot of it in motion. I have never known this bird to stay still for long.
No, it’s not an early visit from Santa. It’s a Black Phoebe, hanging out on the neighbor’s roof, looking for a meal after the last storm.
In between storm #2 and storm #3 this weekend in the Sierra foothills of northern California, I went outside to stretch my legs, and the birds were going nuts. This Song sparrow was the first shot I captured, but it posed for me!
My test kitchen has been the site of numerous recipe variations, searching for the perfect (in my humble opinion) oatmeal cookie. Today I produced another one. I do not use fancy gadgets. I am old school. I use wholesome ingredients and a wooden spoon.
This is not a rich, greasy confection, designed to destroy the diet in one bite. It is wholesome, nourishing, and addictive in its subtle flavor and eatability. Try it, I dare you!
Oatmeal Drop Cookies
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and lightly oil a baking sheet.
Mix together 2 and 1/2 cups unbleached flour, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs.
Blend in 1 grated apple (1 cup), 1 cup milk, 2 cups oatmeal, 1 cup golden raisins, and 2/3 cup chopped walnuts.
Drop the batter by rounded tablespoonfuls.
Bake 10-12 minutes (do not overbake). This recipe produced 3 dozen cookies.
When You're Bored 
