Happy First Birthday Seamus!

Today we celebrated Seamus' birthday
by having a picnic at Robinson Park.

Seamus' best friend Nosey came and a
lovely time was had by all.

Lolo Pass

Last week on my trip I went over Lolo
Pass for the first time:


















Most of the roads I travel are riddled
with historical markers about Lewis and
Clark. I often see one right about the
time I am bemoaning the lack of bath-
rooms or restaurants on my route, then I'll
pass an L & C sign and remember how good
I have it.

So during the third week of October there
was already snow on the pass. So pretty!


















A bit after the pass is the Montana border
where one can see this charming sign which,
for me at least, resulted in a big reduction
in speed.

DeVoto Cedar Grove

Between the town of Lowell Idaho and Lolo
Pass on Highway 12 site the DeVoto Cedar
Grove. You have a choice to walk through
the grove on the north side of the highway
or the south side. The photos below are of
the north side which has diverging paths
and a small stream that runs down the the
loud river on the other side. Lots of ferns
and tall cedars here in this dark and magical
faerie habitat.

On the Road

I've been traveling through Idaho and Montana
for the past two days and I highly recommend
October as the best month to drive through
these two beautiful states. Here's a few
photos of Lowell, Idaho, a town one drives
through traveling East on Highway 12 towards
Lolo Pass.


















Below is the pretty view from the pricey gas
station in Lowell - the last place to buy gas
till after the Pass, which is why they charge
$4.39 a gallon, I suppose.


















And below, the City of Lowell sign with its
ominous overtones.

The Bluest Eye

Sometimes I look back and forth at Seamus' eyes
trying to decide which one is my favorite. Brown
or blue. There's the brown eye actually its 2/3
brown with 1/3 blue at the top - when you look at
it you can see what a handsome dog he is; and the
blue eye, which makes him look a bit fey, like a
dog from Brigadoon or Avalon.















I really can't decide.

Columbus Day in the Park

Thank you Christopher for another day off work!
We've already spent an hour at the park - very
pretty, cold, clear fall day. Now I'm working
on my daughter's Halloween costume. Later,
cleaning out the car and reading ... Nice.

Aveda - The Third Circle of Hell

Once upon a time there was a remarkable hair
product for people with curly or frizzy hair
called Aveda Elixir. It was a great product
until some evil ne'er-do-well (with smooth sleek
hair no doubt) discontinued the product.

You can read about my past frustrations with the Aveda
Product Elixir here and here

Today I got an anonymous comment from another
former Aveda user:

“I just spoke to a representative at Aveda who said
that Elixir was discontinued because it was of their
"HIGH" standards, and now they have a new product
for $24.00 that is better. I asked her for a sample,
and she told me to go out and buy one. I told her
I've been buying this product probably before she was
born. I'm so pissed I can't tell you...I have curly
hair and elixir was the only product that ever made
my hair look good... “

I completely commiserate. Not only is it bad business
to discontinue a popular product without any warning
or explanation, it’s also just plain stupid not to
offer free samples of the new product you’re trying
to replace the old product with.

I used to be a big Aveda fan but really, those people
have no class. Nor manners.

As for my hair, I've learned to embrace my natural
curl ...

Porom Hat - Scary

I've made quite a few hats - all pretty basic;
72 stitches on - rib for an inch or so, then
basic knitting and reducing - switch to double
pointed needles till the end. Nothing fancy.

But I'm about to try something more difficult:


















The Porom hat from Jared at Brooklyn Tweed.
His site has more photos and information
about making the Porom hat plus LOTS of
other knitting ideas.

I purchased Jamieson's double knitting yarn in
two shades of blue, one for my hat and one for
a hat for my daughter. Wish me luck!

Garfield County Courthouse

The town of Pomeroy is the county seat
of Garfield County and home to a very pretty
courthouse. I've had to drive through there
a few times for work and finally managed to
remember my camera last time. One of my
favorite parts is Lady Justice at the very top
of the building.



















Here's a look at the building in 1923 (before they
painted the brick facade white) and you can see a
variety of courthouse shots over the year at this site.














Another favorite part is the turret. I'm think
this may be where they keep all their dangerous
prisoners before they appear in court.