Backing up just a little, here's our youngest daughter selecting "just the right" pumpkin. Of course, about five minutes later she went about fifty yards from this spot and picked out another "just right" pumpkin to replace the first one. How many of you parents have had the identical experience?

First of all I wanted to let you all know that yesterday was my lovely wife's birthday. I won't whisper her age, that would only get me hurt. She had a wonderful day, and I believe one of the best birthdays she has had in some time.

Also, I want to thank those of you that followed my "Cider Sunday" series this past week. We had a great time going, and couldn't wait to share at least a part of it with all of you. For today's post I thought I'd turn our attention to one of the most under-appreciated flowers, the dandelion. We pass them by all the time, writing them off as a nuisance, just a weed. Maybe, but I thought I would make it my contribution to Floral Friday.

For more wondrous Floral Friday shots click the link below.

In yesterday's post I showed you Lattin's Country Cider Mill, a wonderful local farm, cider mill, petting zoo and much more. If I only showed you yesterday's photo and the accompanying write-up I wouldn't be telling the whole story. Right now Lattin's is going through a very tough time. You see that's the rest of the story. This past Sunday we not only went to Lattin's to let our seven year old pick out a pumpkin and feed the goats, we also went to show our community support to some good people that experienced something terrible recently. You see on the morning of Thursday September 24th the unthinkable happened. One of the employees, Kay Langford was shot and killed at Lattin's by her ex-boyfriend. The owner, Carolyn Lattin risked her life to stop the man but could not. After he killed Langford he, as many cowards do, attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the face. He failed. I'm writing about this not just to tell you about a local killing. Several days after the murder my wife and I read this article in our local paper The Olympian. I thought it was well written and echoed our sentiments exactly. Just to let you know, we were by no means the only ones there supporting these fine people. The place was crowded with kids and adults buying pumpkins, pies, jams, good barbequed food but mainly letting Carolyn Lattin, her daughters and the rest of the people there know that it was going to be okay.

Hopefully I'm not boring you all with this past weekend's events. After we left the "Cider Sunday" festivities at Tumwater Falls Park we decided to go over to Lattin's Country Cider Mill, a local farm where you can pet goats, pick your pumpkin out of a huge patch, buy fresh pies and jams, & much much more. We had our seven year old with us that day and she really wanted a pumpkin. Even though it's still pretty early and we explained that if she carved it now she'd end up with a moldy orange glob by Halloween she was still sure she wanted one. My wife said okay knowing that at the very least she would end up with some pumpkin seeds to bake. Besides getting the pumpkin our daughter had her face painted and fed a number of the animals there. It really is a wonderful place for the family to go. I'll be posting more on Lattin's tomorrow. The pumpkin was by no means the only reason we went there. Please stay tuned.

Carrying on with our "Cider Sunday" series, part 3 moves away from the homesteaders and cider squeezers and on to the spawning salmon, and there were LOTS of them. Not only did they have two large tanks filled with salmon, but there were plenty working their way up the ladder toward the falls. Representatives from The Department of Fisheries were on hand educating the kids (and some of us adults) on fishy reproduction. We walked down just below the falls to see what was going on there. When we first saw the salmon pictured here he was thrashing around in the water wearing himself out. He slowed down and moved over to the calmer water to rest for about ten minutes or so. When he felt like he was ready up he came. These shots were taken about fifteen feet from the falls themselves. In order to clear them he would have to jump about eight to ten feet. We ended up leaving shortly after taking these photos so I'm not sure if he made it or not. More tomorrow.........

For more amazing Monochrome Weekly shots click the link below.

This Sunday is going to be a busy day at Tumwater Falls Park just south of Olympia. Not only do the salmon return at this time every year, but it's time to bring the family to "Cider Sunday", an annual apple press. The Washington State Department of Fisheries will be there educating the public on pretty much anything salmon related, while at the same time people can bring their own apples to have them squeezed into cider. My wife has informed me that we'll be going there, so you can bet I'll take the trusty Nikon along. Two years ago I had decided to go to the park to photograph the salmon spawning. I asked a beautiful young lady if she wanted to go with me. Now that lady is my wife.

Do you ever feel like you're okay, but everything around you is a little fuzzy?

Click the Floral Friday link below to see more of what gardens grow.