Wednesday, 1 February 2017
During the day, Allan visited the Ilwaco Timberland Library and amused himself by reading the covers of “Blind Date” books. You check out a book based on the description and don’t open the package till you get home. (Almost all photos in this particular post are by Allan.)
In the evening, we had an event to attend. It was a difficult choice between a lecture at our favorite Ilwaco venue and a political meeting in Astoria. Not wanting to cross the bridge at night help me to choose. Later I was able to watch the Astoria meeting on video, and so I had the best of both worlds.
Learn about historic naturalist David Douglas’ multiple trips to the mouth of the Columbia River with noted author Jack Nisbet as he presents a SALTY Talks presentation, “I Do Not Go Alone: Traveling from Young’s Bay to Gray’s Harbor with David Douglas, 1825-27”. Complementing Nisbet’s 2010 biography on David Douglas, The Collector, this program will explore how Douglas’ natural history observations and long-lasting relationships with locals have persisted through time.
We multi-tasked by making this evening our weekly garden club dinner. We were treated to an impromptu introduction by beloved Grays River author and naturalist Robert Pyle, who happened to be there for the lecture.
and dinner….
We learned that the British often sent young people as explorers who were not of the upper class, so that less of a fuss would be made if they died.
In response to an audience member’s question, we learned that explorer David Douglas, who had come all the way from Scotland to Ilwaco more than once, was not especially interested in local ichens or mushrooms. This led to a suggestion of the Ways of Enlichenment website, for those who do want to know more. Speaker Nisbet commented that “in the world of botany, lichen and fungi people don’t mix.” While in Spokane, Douglas consumed a lichen known as moss bread, which was apparently the only one he ever sought.
Interested in all other sorts of plant and animal life, Mr Douglas learned much from indigenous women’s knowledge of local flora and fauna.
I was moved by the story of how Douglas continued to explore despite recurring bouts of ill health and pain.
Allan is now reading one of Jack Nisbet’s books:
After the meal and lecture, we were treated to darling photos of our friend Thandi’s baby.
And at home, Skooter perched up high.
Thursday, 2 February 2016
Today, we had a funeral mass to attend: The 98 year old mother of Mary of Klipsan Beach Cottages had passed few days before. Her name was also Mary, and after she moved in with daughter Mary and son in law Denny about ten years ago, she became known to us as “Mary-mom” or “Mama Mary”. Until well into her 90s, she loved being able to help out with ironing and cooking.
We will so miss Mary Mom coming out into the garden to visit with us during our weekly work sessions at Klipsan Beach Cottages.The eulogy told the story of how Mama Mary’s own mother was widowed and brought up seven children during the depression. I intend to ask Mama Mary’s daughter for more stories about that.
The lyrics of one of the hymns sung at the mass had a message that particularly spoke to me. I later learned that it is attributed to St Francis.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your pardon,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, let me bring your light;
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
in giving to all people, we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
I return to partial seclusion for a few more days till the weather allows the work season to start and we begin to wake up local gardens, including Klipsan Beach Cottages. No longer will we hear Mary-Mom’s laughter as she took in the sun on the deck above the garden. I’d like to hold the inspiration for doing our best, in her memory, to make hope out of despair.
Is that the Douglas of the Douglas Fir?
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Yes indeedy.
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We have some fine examples of his trees round us.
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I remember singing this hymn from my days in the Maronite choir. It’s beautiful. Mama Mary looks like a sweetheart.
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Oh, our friend J9 used to go to a Maronite Church!
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I bookmarked the lichen website. You must be familiar with Paul Stamets and his Fungi Perfect site? I have a couple of his books here.
I am sorry you lost Mama Mary. She was a beautiful bride and elder woman, and does seem like a real sweet person. The hymn was lovely too.
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Thank you. No, I’m
not at all familiar with Paul Stamets. I’ll pass that on to fungi photographer Mr Tootlepedal.
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