Montana Ranch?

Looks like a fence post from a Montana ranch, but it's just proof that snow does fall in a Portland, Oregon neighborhood.

You've Got Mail

Long row of mailboxes outside an apartment complex.

Return of the Chicken

Watchful eye of the Chickenland Strut. I think I've developed a chicken phobia. Probably will dream about ninja chickens tonight.

Honeycomb Grill

Honeycombed dots on the grill of this tractor. I'm leaving the large version of this one up on the web just for kicks. Click the photo to enlarge. If you're infatuated with dots, set the pic as your computer's desktop wallpaper.

Barn Light

Even a mundane, utilitarian object can have an artful appeal.

Chickenland Strut

Ruler of the roost struts his stuff. No doubting who's boss in Chickenland tonight.

Bearded Wheat

Wheat stalk in amber sunset. Thanks to my farming in-laws, I'm proud to say that I actually know that this type is called "bearded wheat" for its long tendrils.

Farmin' and Such

Well-used farm equipment taking a rest in the barn.

Oregon Farms

After nine months of our new urban life, the sight of a rusty ol' tractor and wide open fields of fruit and grains refreshed my soul this weekend. If only I could have the idyllic country setting with a shopping mall, coffee shop, and plenty of restaurants right next door. I'm a study in contrasts.

Midwest Sunset

One thing I do miss about living in rural Ohio are the endless fields and stunning sunsets. The sun sets in Oregon too, of course. I just don't get to see it unobstructed.

If Only...

For all those times when the good stuff seems out of reach.

Windmills of My Mind

Don't see many windmills around Portland, Oregon. This one sits along side these barns in rural Ohio.

Dreams Come True

Okay, so I'll eat my words. I was dreaming of a green Christmas here in the northwest and we actually got a white one. It snowed in Portland on Christmas! I remember every Christmas as a kid wishing that it would snow, so today's blanket of white was nostalgic and happy.

Farmhouse Window

Old houses make me wonder about the stories of the people who have lived in them over the years. If those walls could tell their tales...

Peculiar Picket Fence

A ruler straight fence takes a sudden creative twist as if the posts simply grew tired of standing guard and decided to fly away.

Gas Pump

More farm footage. Gotta fuel that machinery somehow. (And you thought gas prices were high for YOUR car!)

Grain Bin

A contrast of lines and ovals, lights and darks played out on a grain bin on the farm.

(This marks the 100th post of my photo blog. Happy Birthday to me!)

Hooked

Just a couple of chains lying around on the farm.

Yellow Dozer

An old bulldozer on my in-laws' farm.

Barns and Silo

Mouse-Eye View

For whatever reason, I'm drawn to the rundown barns and sheds that are so easily found in our rural landscape.

Harvest Sunset

The sun slips down over a field of corn, harvesting another day.

Rustic Shed with Ivy

Found this rustic shed on the way to the park the other day.

Wheat Harvest

Endless blue skies and amber waves of grain--just another reason why it's great to live in northwest Ohio.

Railroad Bridge

Railroad bridge over the Tiffin River. Not so much a "river", as a "stream" or "trickle".

Abandoned Barn

Found this quaint barn with an abandoned house while out and about a couple weeks ago.

Hexagonal Barn

With this camera constantly with me, I've started thinking of myself as a tourist in my own hometown. It's funny how we don't appreciate the beautiful things around us just because we've become used to them--whether landmarks or the people we love. This hexagon barn is a familiar landmark just south of Bryan, Ohio on highway 15.

Gate

Picket fence and gate close by the lighthouse at Marblehead, Ohio.

Fence

A section of fence from our back yard.