Stan & Joyce Orchard

Trying to figure it out since 1975.

Joyce Carol

Joyce Carol

On this date long ago in the Territory of Alaska, a child was born. On the darkest day of the year she was a light that still shines for our family. Another year. She still amazes me.

Meet Our New Neighbor

Meet Our New Neighbor

Our little corner of the world continues to change. New homes, new families, and new critters. This furry bovine showed up yesterday to join recent arrivals, mainly chickens at two of the fanciest coops ever built. The neighborhood sounds more lively these days.

Lookin’ For Love

Lookin’ For Love

This guy’s been hanging around a few days, trying to get lucky. Not sure if the first snow of the season helps or hinders his efforts.

Frog On Tiger

Frog On Tiger

Cleaning up the deck, wrapping up the growing season, and this little guy stays perched on our fading Tiger Lilly. Guess he hates to see the growing season end.

No Reproduction Today

No Reproduction Today

This morning we made our annual stop at Landsburg to see the salmon returning. There was just one lonely, raggedy fish. Kinda sad. At least the weather was nice.

Summer In October

Summer In October

Temps in the 80s, flowers still blooming, Mariners still playing baseball…life is good for the moment. Savor it.

Greenhouse Wildlife

Greenhouse Wildlife

We’ve been using our greenhouse for a year now. An abundance of vegetables and flowers is the result. But we have been surprised by the number of small critters that have found their way in there. Butterflies, dragonflies, bees, frogs, and even slugs. We learn something every day.

Turn The Page

Turn The Page

This is our youngest grandchild headed off to her first day of Montessori school. The same school where her grandmother was a teacher and her father a student so long ago. My brain and heart are having a hard time taking it all in.

Sweet Life

Sweet Life

Consuming what you grow is one of life’s greatest pleasures, at least for us.

Hiding In The Peppers

Hiding In The Peppers

We’ve been enjoying a bumper crop of sweet peppers this summer. Today when grabbing a few more, this little guy appeared. We’re not the only ones enjoying those green globes of goodness.