Monday is for Medford

Sunday turns out to be a very pleasant day; I consider the gentle rain here in Southern Oregon to be such a welcomed change with mid-day temperature in the 70s.  In the later afternoon I prepare for a party at Joyce and Richard's.

 It's a 'neighborhood party,' I guess you'd call it that even when the 'neighbors' each amicably live on several-acre-ranches in this bucolic 'neighborhood.'  It's just the kind of gathering I'm thankful to be included in as I travel on this adventure; there are ten of us - nine who have such entertaining stories related to life in rural Ashland.  Most are transplants from other places who've chosen this locale for its beauty and life-style.  I gather that this 'neighborhood' was, at one time, one large piece of property, now divided into smaller, individually-owned parcels.  As happens in so many neighborhoods, these folks have one near-by resident, who of course was not present, and who they describe as 'weird, obsessed, strange, out there, unbalanced, other-worldly, .....'   This gentleman's vocation, from what I gather, is managing a website concerned with observation of aliens anti-polical jargon, etc.  You get the picture!

They share that there is one well and one main source of electricity shared by the six ranches, making it necessary for there to be participation and accord in paying for their usage.   It is generally thought by the group that this 'other-worldly' fellow appears to be using much more than his share of the resources for his various activities and guests; some of the couples have actually installed meters to gauge personal usage, so they've been able to deduce his usage; but the cost is equally shared by all.

Of course, my participation in the jovial nature of the evening is relegated to listening and laughing at some of their stories, complete with imitations of voices and body language,  about this 'outrageous' neighbor.  The evening provides me with new acquaintances with whom I share a delightful several hours, along with a delicious Sunday supper buffet prepared by Joyce and neighbor ladies.  A good time is had by all.

Today I have a reservation to go on a kitchen tour of Harry and David in Medford at noon; I'm looking forward to it as I've always loved receiving those christmas gift baskets from surgeons and hospital administrations throughout my long tenure in surgical services.  Food is always a wonderful choice of gift for hard-working docs, nurses and staff in a busy OR during the holiday season.  With several 'towers' of easily handled snacks all during the month of December each year, I hardly had to think about preparing a bag lunch for work.  So, now I'm going to see how Moose Munch and H&D Baklava are made.  Maybe after the tour, just a short walk through their store!

This is the same gaggle of geese I photographed the other day; this late afternoon, as I enter for the party,  they're still happily foraging on the ground at Richard and Joyce's ranch - this is only one part of the group of over 50 geese, I'd estimate.  Later, of course, they'll lift off and circle one of the many ponds to safely pass the night away from coyotes, etc.

This is an unrefined shot from Richard and Joyce's deck as the sun lowers and warms the hills after dinner.  Such beauty.