KNIT ONE, PURL ONE

As seen at a local independent bookstore in Walla Walla. 

Is this a viable alternative to Match.com or eHarmony?

PARAPLUIE OR PARASOL?

Bon Weekend!

WHEAT HARVEST--NOW & THEN

Wheat harvest has always been a hot, dirty, and dusty job. 

Here two combines pass going in different directions in a wheat field north of Walla Walla. 

A combine does the job of three formerly separate operations--

reaping, threshing and winnowing.

From the combine, the wheat kernels are off-loaded into a hopper or directly into a truck that then takes the load to a grain elevator to be weighed and dumped along with wheat from other acreage in the area.

Today's combines surround the operator with amenities unheard of even a generation ago. 

In cab computers and GPS keep track of the field location and yield per acre while other controls monitor the header height in front and how much wheat is being lost out the back. Air conditioning, a pressurized cab to keep dirt outside, and satellite radio add to the creature comforts for the single-person operator.

Imagine doing the same job under the conditions in the following vintage photos courtesy of Joe Drazan:

Circa 1920s 

 Generations ago, the harvest was done by mules or horses pulling an open air harvester. 

Circa 1920s

Wheat used to be bagged right in the field and then had to be carried away on wagons.

With each new invention, it took fewer and fewer people to do the same job.

Circa 1951

For a look inside a modern day cab, watch this video: 

http://cookingupastory.com/a-look-inside-a-modern-combine-harvester 

Or, for a look at the whole harvesting process on acreage in Walla Walla watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEU3PgfRHJ0

Vintage photos courtesy of Joe Drazan and Bygone Walla Walla, 

http://wallawalladrazanphotos.blogspot.com/search/label/wheat%20harvest

30 DAYS AND COUNTING DOWN

Ready, Set . . .

While negotiations and behind the scenes work have been going on since last fall, the outward signs of this momentous event are now visible throughout downtown Walla Walla. Everywhere you look you can see the colorful banners, signs and posters announcing 

the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover.

Mumford and Sons, the Grammy award winning British folk rock band and one of two headliner bands, selected Walla Walla, WA as one of their 2015 Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers in the United States. It promises to bring over 25,000 visitors to our rural town of nearly 35,000 residents.

Speaking of the 2015 Stopover tour, Mumford and Sons had this to say: "The Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers are all about live music. We get to put them on in towns not normally frequented by touring bands in busses or splitter vans. We deliberately look for towns that have something unique, or some vibe of which they are proud, explore them and enjoy what they have to offer."

Other 2015 Stopover locations in the United States include Salida, Colorado; 

Waverly, Idaho; and Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

The 'Gentlemen of the Road' series began in 2012. 

Previous Stopovers in North America have included Troy, Ohio; St. 

Agustine, Florida; Bristol, Tennessee; Portland, Maine; Dixon, Illinois; 

Guthrie, Oklahoma; and Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.

As a community event, many groups have worked together to make this 

momentous event happen in Walla Walla including The City of Walla Walla, 

the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, Whitman College, 

and Walla Walla Catholic schools along with several other 

community partners and individual businesses.

Follow this link for more information: 

http://www.gentlemenoftheroad.com/stopovers/walla-walla/

ATHENA CALEDONIAN GAMES

A Scottish Heritage Festival

Athena is a small rural community 25 miles south of Walla Walla in Oregon. The the first Caledonian Games were held in June of 1899 and have continued in one form or another for over a century. The purpose of the games is "to preserve and perpetuate Scottish social manners and customs" as well as "to illuminate the city of Athena and its heritage." 

Among the Scottish traditions highlighted, dancing is always one of the crowd favorites.

Different dances require different costumes and quick changes. 

These young ladies did it all with grace, agility and skill.

HISTORIC WW FOR MURAL MONDAY

GROW BIG OR GO HOME

Sunflowers as high as an elephant's eye

Ten feet tall and blooming!

Have a bloomin' good weekend!

THREE MONTHS OF BLOOMS

In May, the Allium, now in seed heads, bloomed pods of tiny purple flowers.

June brought forth the brilliant red Crococsmia, aka Montbretia, now fading in the heat.

Beginning July, the Stargazer Lilies come into full bloom.

All the while random self-seeding Feverfew put forth their little white daisies.

ROAD(S) CLOSED

And it seems like it's been FOREVER!

Way back on April 21 I posted several pictures of the road crews working overtime at night  to keep the road construction work on target. (Click here) 

Well, here it is July 9, and they're still working. 

In fact, it seems that everywhere you try to walk or drive downtown even more streets and sidewalks are closed for construction which makes doing business nearly impossible.

But I'm sure the workers don't enjoy the record-breaking 100+ degree heat they've had to work in either.

As the signs say, businesses are still open, but at what cost?

It all makes for a very long, hot summer . . .and it's only the second week of July.

I sure hope it looks nice when all the work is finished. 

(Just in time for pothole season to begin!)

SDRAWKCAB

I know this is a few days late for the July CDP Challenge, but it sure fits the theme of BACKWARDS. Better late than never, I say!