rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Shades of 2010

It is I, your humble narrator bringing to you tidings of great joy and a report of the altogether odd happenings here in the Wilds of Southern Oregon, by the Pond on Giant Chicken Acres, where the deer and the cantaloupe play.

This year I am posting many fewer photos (for those of you who are download-speed challenged) and many more links to where you will find additional content, like YouTube videos and photos.

As you will no doubt ascertain on your own, Rock and Janel have once again experienced some rare and unusual moments (along with the "Do'oh! Forgot to tie my shoes!" moments and "Hey! Who turned out the lights?" moments, to name just a few).

Here is a snapshot of a year in the life of Rock and Janel, AKA: the Rawsterns, as they were in 2010, and shall never be again. With no particular intent towards continuity, highlights of their most interesting year.



With some of the pics, you can click to see a larger version.


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Janel and friends got into character for the annual Halloween Samba Thing in Ashland. At home, Janel sports her handmade, hand-dyed “Giant Groovy Purple Daisy” costume.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Miss Peggy

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Flower Girl

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Flower Girls: Janel, Patricia and Susan

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Janel attended the Jacksonville Chinese New Year Celebration
and loved the Dragon! She says it would be a bit
much for her to attempt for a Halloween costume,
yet it was very inspiring!


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Many of their adventures were captured forever on digital video and presented here to amuse and amaze you.

Most of them are under three minutes, and all are posted at YouTube.


Sunrise at Giant Chicken Acres, August 8, 2010

A Very Close Fire

Hungry Cat-tle

Cats Singing for Their Supper (AKA: Whiners, Pt. Deux)

Giant Chickens NEVER Give Up!

Giant Chickens love Uncle Rock 'cause he feeds them delicious stuff from his garden

Love is in the air

Time for leaving is at hand. Geese take to the air.

Northern Shoveler Doing His Thing

Gotta Go! Canada Geese Taking Off

Got to Go! Canada Geese taking off, Hoser!

Bufflehead - the diving duck


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Late September 2010, in the Lake Anthony region of Eastern Oregon.

Present were Rock's aunt Jeri, unk Jon, cousins Kim and Holly, cousin-in-law Christine, Janel and Rock.

Christine came up with the best location-description "An alpine wonderland high in the Elkhorn Range of Eastern Oregon's Blue Mountains."

All in all, a glorious, silly-making success, as witnessed by the collection of goofy grins, looks of utter exhaustion, a malodorous heap of filthy jeans and socks, and this photo.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review - Anthony Lakes Region September 2010

This pretty much sums up the trip to Lake Anthony: absolutely no end to the exhilaration of the great outdoors, fine views, moments of sheer terror, and those of contented companionship.

As to this scene, you would be correct to assume that they were experiencing massive injections of pay-attention hormones at this point in the hike. Beyond lies the reason that nerves of steel, a strong constitution and sticky sneakers become required equipment.

There was nervous giggling, and not all if it coming from Rock.

Photo by Cousin-in-law Christine Baker, who was at the time not on a precarious perch.

Here is the rest of the story Anthony Lakes Region September 2010

And here are the HDR images of the the vasty wilderness where both wandering about and good times were sought, found, and had.


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rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Janel and the Boys enjoying a nice lie down on the gravel

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

With a minor amount of whackery it looks like this...

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

And then, this...


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The 4th of July parade, Ashland Oregon. The Samba Band brings up the rear of the festivities. When they pass, everyone knows that it is time to dance in the streets!

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Rock is clad in one of the Giant Head costumes, frolicking down the streets of Ashland, to the delight of the gathered crowd.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

In June, The Samba Band leads the "Survivor Lap" for the Ashland Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. (click for large version)



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Janel, her classmates and teacher traveled North to Florence for a 3 day weekend to perform in a bellydance show. They rented a house, ate like queens and enjoyed the perfect weather. It was agreed that they'd "do it again!" For these pictures, Janel is narrating.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Rest stop view: On the way to Florence at a rest stop. The view was enough to make you breathe very deeply.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Veil pose - Not only did we pose, but once we actually got on the beach and played like girlets for a while, we performed our two dances for our audience, the ocean.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Veils on the beach: Girls just wanna have fun. Susan on left, Samar on the right and Lu is hidden behind her orange veil.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review Stage: My first ever performance on an actual stage (I’m on the far right).

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rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Strolling about one day, looking at the shops, I discovered that Rock had gone all slobbering goofy and acting-out-wacky with his 2010 Gallery. This group of images can best be said to represent Rock channeling his inner dementia. (Click on the image to go to the Gallery)


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rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

On Rock's 52nd celebration of his annual circle around the sun, we found him communing with the local arthropods.


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Janel and Rock participated in a collaborative effort with their friends the Bakers; one each, Eric and Patty. Patty, cute, sparkly, and an intelligent conversationalist. Eric, hairy is the best way to describe Eric. Just hairy, in every way (not unlike a well-fertilized shrub in a "sprouting-uncontrollably" way), except the part where hair gives way to massive (and undoubtedly housing an equally massive glob of cranial goo) cranium. Not cute, even around the edges and from a distance, more bridge troll-ish if you ask me, and you are asking me. As to conversation: one bulb short of a small bag of bulbs. Just sayin'.

Since this was not their first rodeo, nor even the 9th time that they had ventured into the unknown, together, without a care, even though they certainly should have had a care given the fact that some in their group have been photographed leading the rest into temptation and all sorts of rather sordid occasions. But I digress, again. What? You want details? That'll be five bucks, paid in advance. No checks, cheques, or Czechs.

View the HDR gallery here and in a classic interpretation, Rock whacked some them into shape. "What shape?" you may ask. Well, this one.

Their Primary Mission: let Rock loose with his camera, keep fingers crossed and 911 on speed-dial. Secondary mission: dine on fine victuals, consume delightful beverages, and enjoy the fact that they were all gathered together, grooving like in the old days. You know, like "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict." Yeah, just like that. (BTW - these are "click to enlarge" pics)


rocky rawstern janel rawstern eric baker patti baker 2010 year in review
Eric is signaling for a left. Nobody has a clue as to why; he just is. Sometimes he signals things like "Hey! My pants are on fire!" to which we signal in return "Hey! We know, we set them on fire!" And other times he's all flopping around like a skinny rodent on a hot pike about something or other, to which we signal using the universal posture for "Hey Eric, can you detect, even with the finest of instruments, even a hint of concern in our collective eyes?" At that point he just starts to pout so we have to gather 'round and console him with words of comfort and support, OR slam another tasty brew into his sweaty palm.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern eric baker patti baker 2010 year in review
Janel tilts, Patty supports, Eric waves; a curious synergy there, don'tcha think?

rocky rawstern janel rawstern eric baker patti baker 2010 year in review
13 played a prominent role in the middle stage of their adventure. Despite their trip to the 13th floor (Gasp! Choke! Sputter! Yes, Virginia, there is a 13th floor!) the intrepid foursome gathered up the remaining shreds of their strength and sailed into an unknown Portlandic Future.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern eric baker patti baker 2010 year in review
Sometimes I wish that Rock would just step aside and let me smooch on his wife! Once or twice a month might sustain me. Oh, Crap! Was that my out-loud voice! DO'OH!

rocky rawstern janel rawstern eric baker patti baker 2010 year in review
The discerning reader will note that Janel sported blindingly white legs on this adventure. Her companions, on the other vestigial appendage, chose to hide their equally devoid-of-color legs by draping them in things like………pants! Except of course for Eric, who on this day found himself with just the one clean pair of big boy drawers and had to wear them or else have to operate in a pants-free environment, and nobody wishes that on any self-aware being.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern eric baker patti baker 2010 year in review
Janel and Rock standing without fear in front of a seriously dangerous number. Silly humans!

While there have been adventure that won't go down in the annuls of history, this wasn't one of them. There were many moments when they collectively stopped, looked around, and everybody looked at what was going down; those happened mostly as they mingled in the fast-paced crowds, hyped on Portland java and groovin' to the collective consciousness. And then there were other moments when doing so made them dizzy, so they stopped and calmly went about their mission, muttering about age-related deficits and something about lunch.
Now, back to the adventure: It wasn't without a great deal of consideration, pondering and industrial strength mentation that the gang allowed Rock to wander around Portland without his shock collar, built-in GPS unit and Emergency Location Beacon. To say that they might have been a tad concerned about his welfare vis-ŕ-vis getting lost and generally smooshed by the odd TriMet bus, would be like calling the poison arrow frog "something bad to put in your mouth and chew."

Turned out that his wandering simply and inexorably led him back to his starting point, at which time they collected him up using a cleverly designed and crafted "rock netting device." Yep, at no less than 35 miles-per-hour they scooped him up and went boldly into the day, silly grins upon their faces and a promise of good fortunes ahead.


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rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

One day Rock thought too hard. On that day his head exploded into the 11th dimension, where it is today waiting tables in the cosmic dairy queen.

So kids, I beg of you, NEVER THINK TOO HARD! You could end up like this, lurking in dark corners for fear of the unruly gangs with pitchforks, bad attitudes, and stinking of far too much in the way of "judgement impairing beverages."


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Mt. Ashland

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland
Surprise!

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland
At work

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland
Casting A Shadow

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

Busted relaxin' and chillin' it in the shade!

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

Front and a bit off-center, we have the one and only hike-girl herself, Janel.
Here this day seen performing the unusually
difficult task of self-portraiture combined with happy face
while on her first-ever trip to Mt. Ashland at the top of the world!

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

Rock is able to spread his arms this far without exploding!
Past that point, there's no guarantee, implied or stated.


On top of Mt. Ashland (YTV)

And some of the HDR images

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review mt. ashland



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Critters found around here at Giant Chicken Acres

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Mr. Froggy finds refuge in the corn.

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review


Geese landing in the pond at Giant Chicken Acres

The end of the year, 2010 (December 30) and the Canada Geese still visit us here in the Wilds of Southern Oregon.

It is not unusual for them to dither during their landing approach; we have seen them circle the pond dozens of times before one "not currently silly" goose takes it upon him or herself to "stop this madness and land already!"

In a few weeks, or sooner, the pond will undoubtedly undergo periods of frozen splendor. I say "frozen splendor" regarding how us humans perceive the no longer liquid wonder; the geese, on the other philangical appendage, are not amused and are simply a bit put off by the whole slippery mess.


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The Garden


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Janel has tomatoes. Not ordinary tomatoes; no, she has Copious Tomatoes! Tomatoes coming out her ears. Tomatoes so plentiful that "Come on down folks! She's GIVING them away!" "Two! That's roight! Two tomatoes for the price of none! But wait, choose to use our exclusive five easy power payments of nothing plan and we'll throw in a free bag of beets! Or corn. Or beets and corn. Or beans. Or beets and beans. Or corn and beans. Or corn, beets and beans. Or corn, corn, corn, corn and SPAM!"


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

A man with huge roots! Go ahead, ask. Ask! I know that you can't help blurting out "How huge were they?!" (with a knowing smile upon your clever face; nudge nudge wink wink, SAY NO MORE!)

What?! You can't see from the picture just how huge those roots were? All right, go grab a vegetarian, they know their roots! Have them 'splain it to you.


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

Beans make some people goofy. Janel started out that way, so she has the advantage in any "goofy is as goofy does" contest. This is proof.


rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review




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And lest we forget the Purple Cows, who were "all in my brain. Lately things don't seem so plain. Actin' funny, but I do know why. 'Scuse me while I squeeze some pie." And the cows just stand around, confused (no doubt a bit uncertain about the whole magenta thing).

rocky rawstern janel rawstern 2010 year in review


And it is on that most odd of endings to this, yet another installment of purple prose, that I once again bid you adeau with this wish: "as it was with all of us in 2010, may 2011 be interesting for you, too!"


Rocky Rawstern
The Artist
"I am not an actor,
but I do play one in real life" RR 2001


Desktops Gallery
Infrared Gallery
2010 Gallery
Surreality
2010 Portland Gallery
2010 Portland Gallery B&W
Sept. 2010 - Anthony Lakes HDR
9/2010 - Anthony Lakes Just Us Folks

Variations On A Cow
Hill Family Reunion 1983
Hill Family Reunion 2005, pg 1
Hill Family Reunion 2005, pg 2
Hill Family Reunion 2005, pg 3
Hill Family Reunion 2005, pg 4
Hill Family Reunion 2005, pg 5
Jon Parrish 50th Birthday
Whiskey Camp Adventure, June 2009
Samba 2006, pg 1
Samba 2006, pg 2

Samba 2007, pg 1
Samba 2007, pg 2

2008 in Review
2009 in Review
2010 in Review
Our Wedding, pg 1
Our Wedding, pg 2
Our Wedding, pg 3
Our Wedding, pg 4
Our Wedding, pg 5
Our Wedding, pg 6
Our Wedding, pg 7
Vows
Halloween 2006, pg 1
Halloween 2006, pg 2

BillyChinook 2006, pg 1
BillyChinook 2006, pg 2

PPC Part I
PPC Part II
PPC Part III




All Photos Herein © Copyright 1999-2011 Rocky Rawstern.
Use other than personal viewing is prohibited without written permission from the artist.
Images may not be copied or reproduced except as links from your site to this one.
All images are watermarked for identification.
All rights Reserved, USA and Worldwide.
This site went live on Cinco de Mayo 05.05.2001
Last Update 16 March 2011


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