Perfection

I reviewed the photos I took at the Rose Garden a few days ago, looking at close up views. What I saw was beauty, so rare and so perfect, that even the tiny imperfections of weathering on the edges of petals, the occasional tiny bug bite, a discoloration from age or water, could not mar the exquisite rightness of these delicate creations.

I am drawn to many things in my life: but flowers call me the most. I cannot imagine living long without a garden. Even in this tiny apartment we have plants on the patio. And I have already mentally landscaped our new house. Flowering bushes of every hue, every size color the landscape of my mind. Trees, bushes, tiny flowers, tall proud gladiolas, sassy climbing roses, frumpy hydrangeas.

I'm wondering how much I can cram into the tiny spaces our yard will afford us. Unlike the Iowa house, this garden will be private, hidden by bushes and woven fence, created for us -- to provide a badly needed secluded spot of tranquility. We will contemplate the imperfect perfection of nature as we watch the garden change with the seasons. We hope to have visitors: hopping, flying, slithering, fluttering visitors; come for the water and the berry bushes and hiding spaces.

A garden is chaotic perfection, a recognition that things left alone for the most part, given only minimal protection from that which is foreign, will grow to their own quiet beauty. The best we can do is rejoice in the gift of nature and feed our souls and minds with the natural perfection that is around us. The most we can ask of ourselves is to walk as gently as we can upon the land.

Quiet thoughts, inspired perhaps by the gentle but sad departure of Randy Pausch. I cannot mourn with suffering, but instead with a quiet joy that this lovely man taught so many of us to see and feel and touch the beauty while we can.

Perfection -- in a flower, a leaf, a tiny bug on a twig swaying in the wind; all this and more, available if we only look and see.

A Tree Falls in Hillsboro

The tree on our new property was sick, no doubt about it. But there is something overwhelming and sad about cutting down a 64' tall tree. It was interesting to watch the pros at work, and everything went without mishap.

To The Gardens

We spent a photo day at the Japanese Gardens and at the Rose Test Gardens. I took tons of pictures, but these were what I kept. Ah the joys of digital photography. Shoot hundreds, reject the bads. Luddite that I am, though, I still like film. But I admit this easier and cheaper.

When Worlds Collide

I play a few on-line games, some more than others. I used to play World of Warcraft until I realized that it had pretty much taken over my life. It can do that; the world is so real, so highly interactive, and the social elements of it just suck you in. My latest fascination is Ikariam.

Ikariam is a game of combat and growth, set in an ancient world format. Each player can establish and grow colonies on islands, with each island providing wood and either sulfur, marble, wine or crystal. Armies and navies can be created, alliances are formed, and there is much trading and raiding.

I try to keep my fantasy worlds and my real life separate. So imagine my surprise when someone in the game contacted me today saying she had read this blog. Not that I have anything I want to hide, but I like that separation. I'm wondering how she managed it, since I usually do a fairly good job of disguising things. I'm guessing it was when I made the mistake of trying to sign up on their forums so I could see what they were plotting.

I think we all have our little secret worlds that we try to keep separate. It may be something as complex as my gaming world or as simple as a meditation group, a reading club, or even just the private time you keep to yourself. It is a part of you that you don't share with the wider circle of your friends. I'm feeling intruded upon, invaded, and I don't like it. I realize that this blog is out there for the world to see, but that is why I don't use my real world name in my gaming world.

Ah well, this too shall pass. It is difficult to be too upset about anything when the weather is so wonderful, the flowers are in bloom, the beerfest is just around the corner, and the scales show still more loss.

House Plans Are Done

Here they are -- the approved floor plans! This first one is the main level. We have an open living/dining/kitchen area on the right side, and studios/offices for Rex and myself on the left, with a full bath also. The stairs in the back leading up will have one of those ride up seat thingies for me on the days I need it.



This is the second floor. We have a huge master bath on the left of the master bedroom and the closet of my dreams on the right. In the back and around to the righ we have a train/game/tv/visit area. I'm having dreams about warm towels after the shower from the laundry room right up there. And our big luxury is going to be one of those Kholer programmable showers in the master bath.



For the outside we are thinking sage green siding with deeper green or perhaps a deep reddish brown trim. We want to blend into the landscape as much as possible.

We have many green features being built into this house. There will be a rainwater catch system that will be used for flushing toilets and watering the landscape. We will use hardscape rather than greenscape -- no lawns. And a garden railroad for us both to play with. We will be drilling for geothermal for the heating and cooling. And we will have tankless water heating. Radiant heat in the floors on the first level and solar panels on the roof facing east (the front faces east) will complete the package.

This is also a small house as such things go: the downstairs is a little under 900 sq. ft, and the upstairs a wee bit larger.