In Shades of Purple and Hues of Blue

 

When we moved into our home, one of the first outdoor enhancements I noticed was this Spanish bluebell that had been planted on the side of the front deck. In a lovely purple shade, this flower continues to bloom each spring. I say thanks to the person who planted it! It brightens the front yard with a nice spot of color. 

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Today is April 7, 2025, and Mallory and I were off doing some deliveries again. Having two packages to drive to Winston, off we went. It had been a rather slow morning but picked up quite a bit in the afternoon and eventually became one of the most profitable days I've had in Roseburg. 

Dropping off the orders was a simple task. The second and last of the drops was easy-peasy and we climbed in the car ready to head home and call it a day. An odd screech split the silence. Having never heard that sound before, Mallory asked me what that might be. I replied that it sounded like a peacock. She pointed to the house across the street. On the rooftop she had seen what appeared to her to be a fake peacock.  

My eyes searched the roof and after a few seconds I saw the magnificent bird too. "I see it now, but Mallory, that's not a fake one," I said as I saw the head move. Out came the camera and we had a photo shoot to capture this gorgeous bird as best we could from our viewpoint .  

Standing on the roof like an ornate hood ornament, he yelled out periodically. His colors were fantastic. He stood proud and content, soaking up what little sun we had for the day. Our attention was focused for about 15 minutes before we felt the need to leave. We were having a difficult time taking our eyes off of this magnificent peafowl but reluctantly forced ourselves to climb into the car and leave. What a reminder of how nature uses all the colors in a special palette to paint the world.  

Stunning bird. Not sure what it was doing on top of a house, but the position the bird took gave us the chance to see its bright, bold, gorgeous colors.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Today we spotted more color on the delivery route. Tulips were in a garden outside of a local sushi place. Yes, a nasty bucket filled with cigarette butts were also in the garden but who knows why. People. Gotta love 'em. 

More tulips finishing out their yearly bloom lined the path to the store, topped off with an azalea bush with purple blooms. 

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Another delivery gave us a mixture of purple and yellow flowers. This combination of colors caught our attention. 

I have seen this field before and always wanted to snag a photo or two. This pasture land sits by a storage unit I had when I first moved to Roseburg. Each time I passed it, the beautiful flowers inspired a photo or two, however, the pictures were never taken in a standing position. They were either blurry or not good enough. These were taken after I pulled over so Mallory and I could actually get a couple of pictures while parked. The camera still does not do these flowers justice. 

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Along with purple and blue hues in the area, there are several pinks and other colors that paint the environment. 

As I'm sure you have seen in your city, there are trees all around that are blooming. Lovely buds that show us spring is definitely here and they are bursting with shades of pink and white. I saw this tree at the local supermarket and had to click out a few photos. 

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Pulling back from all of the colors that spring displays, I come back to our home. Our little Esme is fitting into the mix nicely. Her fur is growing back where she was once bald. She is playing with toys and enjoying her stay in the house. I believe the surplus of food she receives every day is making her feel secure, and the love she gets is putting the final touches on her comfort. 

Esme is now an indoor cat instead of a little girl roaming the streets in search of what little food she can find. I think back on the first time I touched her. I could feel every bone in her due to the lack of food she was able to hunt for. I'm not sure how much longer she would have lasted on the streets but her emaciated state was not good. Now she is grabbing toys, throwing them into the air, and pouncing on them with exuberance that makes us smile. She is showing signs of being a healthy, happy kitty and for that, we are grateful. 

With a full belly and a tiredness that comes from playing, she curls up between her dad's legs and falls into a deep, happy slumber. 

Our new baby is happy and that's what life is all about. Kit cat is still uncertain of who she is and why she is here. He chases her around the house even though she complains to him in hisses and growls. 

Togo the husky steps in to break up this disagreement and Jasper? Jasper sleeps away or struts back and forth between his food dish and his bed. He could give a crap about any of it. The old man is in his own world, living his best life, as it should be in the animal kingdom. They deserve happiness in their lives. 

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Well, today is Sunday, April 13, 2025. We are doing nothing, really, besides enjoying life and all that it offers. Terry is heading into surgery next week for his second cochlear implant surgery, which will take us to Portland for the night. I hate driving to Portland, but we will do what it takes to provide a hearing tool to make his life better. 

Other than waiting impatiently for all of that, we are working and relaxing as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary is happening, other than the implant surgery, Terry's birthday, a picnic for the volunteers that help veterans, and our upcoming trip to Junction City to be with family for Easter. Barbecue, candy, eggs, and more will be the projects for the day. Can't wait!

Until our next post, we wish you all the best. Thank you for reading the blog each week! We appreciate you. May blessings and happiness follow you into the week and throughout your life. Take care. 

Terry & Vicki Macrae

Have a great week!