It was in the wee hours that we arose, disturbing the entire household. The time had come for us to depart San Diego and return to the Pacific Northwest. Leaving the house about 5:15 A. M. we had a short but foggy drive to Lindbergh field, where we bid a teary adieu to our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. The crowds in the terminal were much thinner than we had encountered at PDX on Christmas Eve, but that was not unexpected.
The flight was uneventful, and we arrived in Portland about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Jill's bag was the second one to appear on the baggage carousel. Mine was about number seven! Schlepping our luggage out to the sidewalk, we were elated to see our friend Kathy L. pull up within a minute of our arrival there. She deposited us at home, where we promptly notified Mom by phone of our arrival and got a full run-down on her Christmas. She enjoyed it.
After a bit of welcome brunch, we drove to the Countryside Pet Spa to fetch our wee beasty. She was glad to see us, and we were happy to bring her home and just rest. Tomorrow morning we will be running back to PDX to provide shuttle service for our friends Steve and Kathy D. We will retire early this evening. I just hope I can make it through the Holiday Bowl game. Go Ducks!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
In which is recounted our San Diego holiday...
Oh, my! It has been a while. Since my last post, we have traveled to San Diego, celebrated the birth of our Savior, done a couple of small projects, enjoyed the sunshine, played in the park, and babysat Josiah.
Our trip here was interesting, but uneventful. We arose at 3:45 AM on Christmas Eve. Michael picked us up at 4:45, as big fluffy snowflakes descended. There was about 1/2" of new snow on the ground when we left the house. The drive to the airport took about 45 minutes: double the usual time. Although the lines to check baggage were long, they moved quickly and soon we were going through the security checkpoint, on our way to the boarding gate. It was just then that my cell phone chose to ring. I was in the process of unloading my computer, my pockets and my shoes, while I attempted to answer the call from Michael. He wanted to make sure we were going to be able to fly out and to let us know that he had made it home safely. His call was welcome, if untimely.
Once aboard the aircraft, we were pleased that we backed away from the gate a few minutes early. The snow continued falling, and we soon learned that we would have to wait for the de-icing truck before we could take off. That put us about 30 minutes behind schedule, but it was Christmas Eve, and people were feeling jolly. As we taxied out to the runway, we had to wait for a couple of other planes. I noticed that some snow had collected on the wing, and then one of the pilots came back into the cabin to check for icing before take off. We all held our breath, hoping there would be no more delays. At last the pilot disappeared onto the flight deck and we were moving again.
As we made our final turn onto the runway, the snow was falling harder than before. The engines began to roar and we rolled down the runway, faster and faster, for what seemed like a long time. And then the nose tipped up, and we heard the landing gear stretch out to its full length. At last we were airborne! The cabin erupted with spontaneous applause from the grateful holiday travelers.
The rest of the flight seemed to go quickly. We were seated next to a gentleman whose name was familiar to me, because he is a dental practice broker. His wife is the Executive Director of the Oregon Dental Association. Her name was familiar, too. In fact, many years ago, she had been an insurance broker and sold me some life insurance.
Arriving at Lingbergh field, in San Diego, we were met by daughter Laura and grandson Josiah. It was good to see them, and to know that we would be celebrating Christmas the next day as a family. Daughter Tara had flown in from Denver the evening before, and son-in-law Tim came home from work at mid-day. We had a lovely Christmas Eve repast of pot roast, with vegetables, before we went to church for Christmas Eve services. It was a lovely day.
Christmas morning was a joy. Josiah is three and a half, the perfect age for a kid on Christmas morning. He was so excited, and we adults reveled in his joy. Later in the day, Tim served a beautiful ham with a brown sugar/cola/bourbon glaze. Accompanied by green beans, asparagus and mashed potatoes, it was a fitting holiday feast. After dinner we went to the neighbors' house across the street for dessert. They are a couple about our age, who have adopted our kids, much as we have adopted Julie and Aaron and their kids next door to us. Don and Char are lovely, generous people, and we all had a good time.
On Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen's day, Jill and I made a trip to Home Depot and to Target to pick up a couple of items for small projects around the house. As I was attempting to run my debit card through the scanner at Target, my phone rang. What is it with my phone ringing at the most inopportune moments? It was Laura calling with directions to meet the rest of the gang at San Diego Fish House, a restaurant and fish market on the bay. We dined on seafood and the marvelous view of the bay from the restaurant windows. Food for body and soul.
Satisfied with our luncheon, we moved on to Shelter Bay Park. Josiah played on the swings and slides until his heart was content. There were lots of kids, parents, grandparents, and who knows, perhaps even some shirt-tail relatives there enjoying the sun and the sea.
Saturday noon found us dining at In N Out Burgers, at Tara's request. Following lunch, Tara took Josiah to Chuck E. Cheese's next door for some gaming. They had a ball. Jill and I did some shopping, and Tim and Laura got some much needed couple time. We all met back at the house, where Tim and I watched a couple of gridiron shoot-outs.
In the evening, Tim and Laura went out to dinner with some friends who are in town visiting relatives. That left Josiah to fend off a doting aunt and two adoring grandparents. We played and had some dinner; and then we gave the boy a bath, read some stories and put him to bed. Tim and Laura had a pleasant couple's evening, and Josiah was a perfect angel the whole time.
All of which, dear reader, brings us to this morning, which is a sunny, if cool, one. We haven't any firm plans for the day, except to get Tara to the airport in time for her flight back to Denver. Stay tuned for further developments.
Our trip here was interesting, but uneventful. We arose at 3:45 AM on Christmas Eve. Michael picked us up at 4:45, as big fluffy snowflakes descended. There was about 1/2" of new snow on the ground when we left the house. The drive to the airport took about 45 minutes: double the usual time. Although the lines to check baggage were long, they moved quickly and soon we were going through the security checkpoint, on our way to the boarding gate. It was just then that my cell phone chose to ring. I was in the process of unloading my computer, my pockets and my shoes, while I attempted to answer the call from Michael. He wanted to make sure we were going to be able to fly out and to let us know that he had made it home safely. His call was welcome, if untimely.
Once aboard the aircraft, we were pleased that we backed away from the gate a few minutes early. The snow continued falling, and we soon learned that we would have to wait for the de-icing truck before we could take off. That put us about 30 minutes behind schedule, but it was Christmas Eve, and people were feeling jolly. As we taxied out to the runway, we had to wait for a couple of other planes. I noticed that some snow had collected on the wing, and then one of the pilots came back into the cabin to check for icing before take off. We all held our breath, hoping there would be no more delays. At last the pilot disappeared onto the flight deck and we were moving again.
As we made our final turn onto the runway, the snow was falling harder than before. The engines began to roar and we rolled down the runway, faster and faster, for what seemed like a long time. And then the nose tipped up, and we heard the landing gear stretch out to its full length. At last we were airborne! The cabin erupted with spontaneous applause from the grateful holiday travelers.
The rest of the flight seemed to go quickly. We were seated next to a gentleman whose name was familiar to me, because he is a dental practice broker. His wife is the Executive Director of the Oregon Dental Association. Her name was familiar, too. In fact, many years ago, she had been an insurance broker and sold me some life insurance.
Arriving at Lingbergh field, in San Diego, we were met by daughter Laura and grandson Josiah. It was good to see them, and to know that we would be celebrating Christmas the next day as a family. Daughter Tara had flown in from Denver the evening before, and son-in-law Tim came home from work at mid-day. We had a lovely Christmas Eve repast of pot roast, with vegetables, before we went to church for Christmas Eve services. It was a lovely day.
Christmas morning was a joy. Josiah is three and a half, the perfect age for a kid on Christmas morning. He was so excited, and we adults reveled in his joy. Later in the day, Tim served a beautiful ham with a brown sugar/cola/bourbon glaze. Accompanied by green beans, asparagus and mashed potatoes, it was a fitting holiday feast. After dinner we went to the neighbors' house across the street for dessert. They are a couple about our age, who have adopted our kids, much as we have adopted Julie and Aaron and their kids next door to us. Don and Char are lovely, generous people, and we all had a good time.
On Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen's day, Jill and I made a trip to Home Depot and to Target to pick up a couple of items for small projects around the house. As I was attempting to run my debit card through the scanner at Target, my phone rang. What is it with my phone ringing at the most inopportune moments? It was Laura calling with directions to meet the rest of the gang at San Diego Fish House, a restaurant and fish market on the bay. We dined on seafood and the marvelous view of the bay from the restaurant windows. Food for body and soul.
Satisfied with our luncheon, we moved on to Shelter Bay Park. Josiah played on the swings and slides until his heart was content. There were lots of kids, parents, grandparents, and who knows, perhaps even some shirt-tail relatives there enjoying the sun and the sea.
Saturday noon found us dining at In N Out Burgers, at Tara's request. Following lunch, Tara took Josiah to Chuck E. Cheese's next door for some gaming. They had a ball. Jill and I did some shopping, and Tim and Laura got some much needed couple time. We all met back at the house, where Tim and I watched a couple of gridiron shoot-outs.
In the evening, Tim and Laura went out to dinner with some friends who are in town visiting relatives. That left Josiah to fend off a doting aunt and two adoring grandparents. We played and had some dinner; and then we gave the boy a bath, read some stories and put him to bed. Tim and Laura had a pleasant couple's evening, and Josiah was a perfect angel the whole time.
All of which, dear reader, brings us to this morning, which is a sunny, if cool, one. We haven't any firm plans for the day, except to get Tara to the airport in time for her flight back to Denver. Stay tuned for further developments.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Free at last...
In retaliation for an acute case of cabin fever, for the first time since Friday last week we slipped the surly bonds of our domicile and sallied forth into the world of white. Thanks to my lovely bride's urging, we shoveled the driveway yesterday, and I installed the brand new tire chains that I purchased about seven years ago and have never used.
So, this morning, we were able to drive the 10 miles to my mom's house and help her with some Christmas preparations. We had a lovely lunch there, which was a blessing to Mom, who has had no visitors, no mail delivery and no newspaper delivery in two days. She was getting pretty lonely.
From Mom's house, we ventured out to the country to leave the dog at the boarding kennel. It was a bit dicey getting out there over streets that were partially snow-covered and partially bare. Remember, we were riding on tire chains. But the drive home was spectacular. The country roads were covered with packed snow, and the farmhouses were little ships afloat on a sea of white, undulating fields.
We have a dear friend who has offered to take us to the airport in the morning in his four-wheel drive rig. We have our boarding passes. So, if the planes are flying tomorrow, we are off to San Diego and Christmas with our grandson, our son-in-law, and our two daughters.
So, this morning, we were able to drive the 10 miles to my mom's house and help her with some Christmas preparations. We had a lovely lunch there, which was a blessing to Mom, who has had no visitors, no mail delivery and no newspaper delivery in two days. She was getting pretty lonely.
From Mom's house, we ventured out to the country to leave the dog at the boarding kennel. It was a bit dicey getting out there over streets that were partially snow-covered and partially bare. Remember, we were riding on tire chains. But the drive home was spectacular. The country roads were covered with packed snow, and the farmhouses were little ships afloat on a sea of white, undulating fields.
We have a dear friend who has offered to take us to the airport in the morning in his four-wheel drive rig. We have our boarding passes. So, if the planes are flying tomorrow, we are off to San Diego and Christmas with our grandson, our son-in-law, and our two daughters.
Monday, December 22, 2008
And then there were eight...inches more, that is...
OK. We awoke to 6" of new snow this morning. The pile of snow on top of the post is our bird feeder, which I cleaned off yesterday afternoon so the birds could get to the seed. The other photo is our front walkway and driveway. The walkway arcs from the porch where I stood to take the photo and passes between the two yard lights. The lights stand about 2 feet high.The snow continued throughout the day today, and we ended up with about 8 inches of new snow since last evening. The total amounted to about 16 inches. Jill and I shoveled a path wide enough to get one of the cars out of the garage along the entire length of our 51 foot driveway. I guess we got our exercise for today!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
It's baaa-aaaack...
We awoke to about a quarter inch glaze of ice over the 7-8" of snow that we got yesterday. During the day there has been an off and on drop of freezing rain, and then a few minutes ago the snow returned with a vengeance.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Pretty...inconvenient...
The storm has finally arrived. It doesn't seem storm-like. It's just that it has been snowing lightly non-stop since before I got up at 6 AM. The weather gurus tell us that it will get worse, and then be topped off with freezing rain. That's when things will get dicey. But as I said in my previous post, one is well-advised to take the forecasts with a grain of salt.
We did cancel our trip to Monmouth to celebrate Christmas with our son and daughter-in-law. So, the storm is affecting our activities. Instead of driving to Monmouth and celebrating, we are watching Christmas movies and celebrating!!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Weather or not
Always view the weather forecast with a grain of salt. Seems that the forecasters may have been doing a little wishful thinking. The big snowfall that was predicted for yesterday never materialized. We had a few flurries, but the temps were above freezing all day. Then we were told the arctic front would come through around midnight and we would awaken to 2-4" of snow on the ground. In fact, we awoke to 35 degrees and rain. It is currently raining here. The KPTV weather blog contains an admission that the forecaster was ignoring some clear evidence in the computer models that we would not have as cold and snowy a weather picture as he had forecast. There is still some cold weather and maybe some frozen precip in the forecast, but it's anybody's guess what will actually happen.
I am constantly amazed at how excited meteorologists, both professional and amateur, become over some devastating weather prediction. They are absolutely bored by fine weather and become ecstatic over the prospect of a meteorological disaster. Go figure.
We are fortunate to be finished with Christmas shopping and in possession of an adequate supply of groceries so that we can stay home if the weather threatens. On the other hand, it looks pretty tame today. Our primary concerns are being able to get to Monmouth for a Christmas celebration on Saturday and to the airport for a Christmas Eve flight to San Diego. Right now we are watching a movie and babysitting little Luke, who has a cold but still has a positive attitude and outlook.
I am constantly amazed at how excited meteorologists, both professional and amateur, become over some devastating weather prediction. They are absolutely bored by fine weather and become ecstatic over the prospect of a meteorological disaster. Go figure.
We are fortunate to be finished with Christmas shopping and in possession of an adequate supply of groceries so that we can stay home if the weather threatens. On the other hand, it looks pretty tame today. Our primary concerns are being able to get to Monmouth for a Christmas celebration on Saturday and to the airport for a Christmas Eve flight to San Diego. Right now we are watching a movie and babysitting little Luke, who has a cold but still has a positive attitude and outlook.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
And so it continued both day and night...
The cold weather continues. I nearly bought it on the road today, when my car slid on through the stop sign and into the path of an oncoming minivan, which, when viewed from my Nissan Versa looked like a maxi-van, or perhaps a Mack truck! Fortunately, the other driver was better prepared than I and had tire chains. He was able to make a course change that saved the day...and my fender.
It is expected to snow another couple of inches tomorrow morning. Then things may really get ugly. The forecast is for temperatures to rise above freezing in the afternoon, bringing rain on top of the snow. Then the temps will dip into the twenties and freeze the whole mess into a Christmas glaze. When that is nicely brewed, we will get more snow on Thursday...ouch!
Today the sky was cloudless and that medium blue that can only be seen in a clear winter sky. It is somehow bluer than a blue sky in summer, perhaps because the sun is lower in the sky and doesn't light the northern sky as much. It was simply gorgeous. I was able to get out and finish the Christmas shopping, have my hearing aids adjusted, go to church to do some counseling with my darling wife, stop on the way home and pick up her new glasses, and fill the car with gas.
We laid in a supply of groceries on Friday, so we have food, which is good, because it is doubtful we will be able to navigate the streets for the next several days. So, we plan to hunker down, catch up on our Christmas movies, do a couple of projects around the house, and generally take advantage of being retired people who don't have to worry about adding to the traffic woes by driving to jobs. We thank God for that.
It is expected to snow another couple of inches tomorrow morning. Then things may really get ugly. The forecast is for temperatures to rise above freezing in the afternoon, bringing rain on top of the snow. Then the temps will dip into the twenties and freeze the whole mess into a Christmas glaze. When that is nicely brewed, we will get more snow on Thursday...ouch!
Today the sky was cloudless and that medium blue that can only be seen in a clear winter sky. It is somehow bluer than a blue sky in summer, perhaps because the sun is lower in the sky and doesn't light the northern sky as much. It was simply gorgeous. I was able to get out and finish the Christmas shopping, have my hearing aids adjusted, go to church to do some counseling with my darling wife, stop on the way home and pick up her new glasses, and fill the car with gas.
We laid in a supply of groceries on Friday, so we have food, which is good, because it is doubtful we will be able to navigate the streets for the next several days. So, we plan to hunker down, catch up on our Christmas movies, do a couple of projects around the house, and generally take advantage of being retired people who don't have to worry about adding to the traffic woes by driving to jobs. We thank God for that.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
It is here! Temperatures in the mid twenties to mid teens (tonight) and a couple of inches of snow. Tire chains are required everywhere in the metro area. Current temperature is 26 F. This is reputed to be the worst cold snap in several years. I don't think it will equal 1968, when we had 3 feet of snow on the ground in front of our house. Four-wheel drive vehicles were getting high-centered on our street. Nevertheless, this is a significant cold spell, and I can't help thinking of the people who are living on the streets. They will need special attention and prayers this week.
We are among the fortunates. We were unable to make it to church this morning, but we had a nice warm home to stay in. We had a fire in the fireplace and put on some Christmas movies. The aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the kitchen filled the house. My lovely bride is a consummate baker and chef. All things considered, it was a very pleasant day. I am sure we will get tired of the cold before it is over. We had to cancel a trip to my mom's house to help her decorate, but I think we can make it happen later in the week.
We are among the fortunates. We were unable to make it to church this morning, but we had a nice warm home to stay in. We had a fire in the fireplace and put on some Christmas movies. The aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the kitchen filled the house. My lovely bride is a consummate baker and chef. All things considered, it was a very pleasant day. I am sure we will get tired of the cold before it is over. We had to cancel a trip to my mom's house to help her decorate, but I think we can make it happen later in the week.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Watching the weather and the babies
We had another opportunity to sit the three little darlings next door this evening. They are five, almost three and two months in age. What fun. They are so well-behaved that we never regret having an opportunity to sit with them. Their parents made contact with a couple from their past who, unbeknown to them, have been living nearby for the last three years. Now, as luck would have it, this couple is moving to Phoenix in the next couple of weeks. Well, the four of them had dinner out this evening, and we got to watch the kids.
It may be a good thing that they went out this evening. The weather forecast is calling for several inches of snow over the next couple of days. Then we are to look for unusually cold temperatures for the next week. So, who knows whether the kids will be in school next week or have an extended Christmas vacation? Maybe our kids, the teachers, will get some extra time off!
It may be a good thing that they went out this evening. The weather forecast is calling for several inches of snow over the next couple of days. Then we are to look for unusually cold temperatures for the next week. So, who knows whether the kids will be in school next week or have an extended Christmas vacation? Maybe our kids, the teachers, will get some extra time off!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The end of a season and the beginning of a season
We returned today about noon from two lovely days at Champoeg State Park. This was our swan song for this year's camping. The weather was, if not lovely, at least acceptable. We had no rain, and the temperature never dipped below freezing. Our coach kept us cozy and warm. Yesterday we had a four mile walk along the Willamette river. Pogo slept for hours afterward!!
Today we came home and cleaned up the coach and winterized it. We are expecting snow this weekend, and bitterly cold weather next week. So, I was able to blow all the water out of the pipes in the coach and to drain the water heater. I also drained the holding tanks. Fortunately, we store the coach indoors, so we expect the temperatures to be mitigated some. At any rate, we also unloaded all foodstuffs, waxed the wood cabinetry in the galley, washed the exterior, and removed excess gear. We will put the coach in the storage building tomorrow and not see her for a few weeks.
The next several days are expected to be the cold spell of the decade, complete with snow and bitter temperatures. There is much to do to prepare the house/yard for the onslaught. So, tomorrow's work is clear. Let's hope that it will be a short interlude that all can enjoy. Lord, we pray for no casualties related to the weather.
Today we came home and cleaned up the coach and winterized it. We are expecting snow this weekend, and bitterly cold weather next week. So, I was able to blow all the water out of the pipes in the coach and to drain the water heater. I also drained the holding tanks. Fortunately, we store the coach indoors, so we expect the temperatures to be mitigated some. At any rate, we also unloaded all foodstuffs, waxed the wood cabinetry in the galley, washed the exterior, and removed excess gear. We will put the coach in the storage building tomorrow and not see her for a few weeks.
The next several days are expected to be the cold spell of the decade, complete with snow and bitter temperatures. There is much to do to prepare the house/yard for the onslaught. So, tomorrow's work is clear. Let's hope that it will be a short interlude that all can enjoy. Lord, we pray for no casualties related to the weather.
Monday, December 8, 2008
A weekend full...
Oh, how the time flies! I haven't posted in several days, and I would like to say that I have been too busy to post, but usually, that is just a weak excuse. Let's see now, Saturday was a good day. I spent most of the day working in my shop, and Jill spent most of the day working in the kitchen. In the afternoon we took Pogo for a walk.
Yesterday WAS pretty busy. We went to the nine o'clock worship service. During the service, my phone rang...how embarrassing. I shut it off, but when the service was over I found a message. It was from one of our premarital counselees who was in need of some assistance. We ended up staying after church and meeting with this lovely couple for a couple of hours. They have hit a very rough spot in their relationship and needed a sounding board.
After we finished our meeting, we had just enough time to dash home and have a small bite to eat. Then we picked up Mom and headed back to the church. Mind you, it is fifteen miles one-way to the church. And it is eight miles in the other direction to Mom's house. So, a fair piece of the day was spent driving. Our reason for returning to the church was to uphold the tradition we have had for several years of taking Mom to the annual Christmas play and then out to dinner. Only in this case, we had dinner back at our house. Jill had made a wonderful lasagna...in the crockpot!! We had a Caesar salad along with the pasta and lemon cake for dessert. I don't think we could have found a better meal at a restaurant. We dropped Mom back at her house about quarter to ten and then headed home to rest.
Today was a work day. We picked up the motor home from the storage facility and brought it home so we could load it for a couple of days of "camping." I did some more elf work, and Jill went next door to babysit the two little ones, while big sister went to her dance lesson. When she returned, we took the motor home to the mechanic, so he can change the oil and service the generator tomorrow morning, before we go camping. The evening has been filled with Christmas carols played on guitar and piano...well, actually Jill was playing the piano, and I horned in with my guitar. It was fun, but we are not ready to quit our day jobs, even if we had any.
Yesterday WAS pretty busy. We went to the nine o'clock worship service. During the service, my phone rang...how embarrassing. I shut it off, but when the service was over I found a message. It was from one of our premarital counselees who was in need of some assistance. We ended up staying after church and meeting with this lovely couple for a couple of hours. They have hit a very rough spot in their relationship and needed a sounding board.
After we finished our meeting, we had just enough time to dash home and have a small bite to eat. Then we picked up Mom and headed back to the church. Mind you, it is fifteen miles one-way to the church. And it is eight miles in the other direction to Mom's house. So, a fair piece of the day was spent driving. Our reason for returning to the church was to uphold the tradition we have had for several years of taking Mom to the annual Christmas play and then out to dinner. Only in this case, we had dinner back at our house. Jill had made a wonderful lasagna...in the crockpot!! We had a Caesar salad along with the pasta and lemon cake for dessert. I don't think we could have found a better meal at a restaurant. We dropped Mom back at her house about quarter to ten and then headed home to rest.
Today was a work day. We picked up the motor home from the storage facility and brought it home so we could load it for a couple of days of "camping." I did some more elf work, and Jill went next door to babysit the two little ones, while big sister went to her dance lesson. When she returned, we took the motor home to the mechanic, so he can change the oil and service the generator tomorrow morning, before we go camping. The evening has been filled with Christmas carols played on guitar and piano...well, actually Jill was playing the piano, and I horned in with my guitar. It was fun, but we are not ready to quit our day jobs, even if we had any.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Families and colleagues
I had breakfast this morning with a bunch of retired Permanente dentists. I spent 23 years treating dental patients at Kaiser Permanente in Portland, OR. It was good to reconnect with these fellows, some of whom I have known for more than 40 years. I don't know yet whom to thank for organizing these get-togethers, but I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with old friends and colleagues.
Jill and I decorated our home for Christmas yesterday. We went minimalist this year, since we will be doing the actual celebration of Christmas with our kids at the homes of the two married ones. We look forward to that with great anticipation. It is so much fun to see the kids mature into responsible adults who are productive members of the community. Among the kids and kids-in-law, we have three teachers, a human resources administrator, a financial analyst, and a stay-at-home mommy. We are so proud of each and every one of them.
We are about to go next door and babysit our "adopted" grandchildren while their mommy and daddy go out to celebrate mom's birthday. What could be more fun or more important than building good, godly families. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to be involved in the lives of future generations.
Jill and I decorated our home for Christmas yesterday. We went minimalist this year, since we will be doing the actual celebration of Christmas with our kids at the homes of the two married ones. We look forward to that with great anticipation. It is so much fun to see the kids mature into responsible adults who are productive members of the community. Among the kids and kids-in-law, we have three teachers, a human resources administrator, a financial analyst, and a stay-at-home mommy. We are so proud of each and every one of them.
We are about to go next door and babysit our "adopted" grandchildren while their mommy and daddy go out to celebrate mom's birthday. What could be more fun or more important than building good, godly families. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to be involved in the lives of future generations.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I feel so... empty...
Yesterday, we took the table over to the UPS store for shipping and sent it on its way to San Diego. It feels like one of my children has moved away from home. The shop seems so empty. I can keep the car in the garage ALL the time. It is just so...sad...
But there will be a reunion on Christmas Eve, when Jill and I will be flying to San Diego for a visit. We will be able to see our table and our grandson. Oh, yes, and we will see our daughter and son-in-law, too. Our other daughter will be there. It would be wonderful if Pat and Katie could join us as well, but they have their own Christmas challenges, with four families to juggle. Perhaps, next year.
In the meantime we are getting in the spirit of the Christmas season and reveling in the pure joy of celebrating the Savior's birth. What a miracle, to think that God became flesh and blood; came to live among us; taught us about how to live life as He meant it to be lived; sacrificed Himself through an ignominious death on a cross, in order to pay the debt for our sins and bring peace between God and men, so that we may come into the very presence of the living God; He was buried; rose from the grave and was seen by over 500 people; and then ascended to be with the Father in Heaven and intercede for us, knowing first-hand how difficult it is to be a human being.
JOY TO THE WORLD!! THE LORD IS COME. LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING. I guess I don't feel so empty, after all...
But there will be a reunion on Christmas Eve, when Jill and I will be flying to San Diego for a visit. We will be able to see our table and our grandson. Oh, yes, and we will see our daughter and son-in-law, too. Our other daughter will be there. It would be wonderful if Pat and Katie could join us as well, but they have their own Christmas challenges, with four families to juggle. Perhaps, next year.
In the meantime we are getting in the spirit of the Christmas season and reveling in the pure joy of celebrating the Savior's birth. What a miracle, to think that God became flesh and blood; came to live among us; taught us about how to live life as He meant it to be lived; sacrificed Himself through an ignominious death on a cross, in order to pay the debt for our sins and bring peace between God and men, so that we may come into the very presence of the living God; He was buried; rose from the grave and was seen by over 500 people; and then ascended to be with the Father in Heaven and intercede for us, knowing first-hand how difficult it is to be a human being.
JOY TO THE WORLD!! THE LORD IS COME. LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING. I guess I don't feel so empty, after all...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I am remiss
It has been about five days since my last post. Of course, a lot has come to pass in the meantime. Thursday was Thanksgiving day, and we had a houseful. My brother and his wife and two of his kids were here, along with my mom, our daughter-in-law, our son's half-sister, and a couple from our Bible study group. It was a lovely day, although we were sorry that Patrick, our son, was ill and unable to attend. Although, I was instrumental in preparing the meal, I have to say that it was one of the best turkey dinners I can remember. For once, I got a perfect "do" on the Turkey. Others brought things that added immensely to the meal, but of course, the thing that added the most to the day was the presence of family and friends whom we love.
Friday was given over to working on the dining table that I have been building in the garage. Staining and varnishing were the order of the day. I have already posted about the virtues of espresso-colored stain. The varnish added an unexpected depth of character to the table. I am gradually warming to the color. I hope the kids like it as much as I do.
On Saturday, the varnishing continued, but it was interrupted by the need to sit down and listen to the Oregon/Oregon State (civil war) game on the radio. Although the game was televised, I don't have access to the station that broadcast it. The radio announcers, however, did an outstanding job with the play-by-play, and I could almost see the game in my mind's eye. I was pleased with the outcome: Oregon 65, Oregon State 38. That set a new record for points scored in a civil war game: 103.
Today we were in for a treat at church. Internationally renowned evangelist, Luis Palau, was the guest speaker. His sermon was thrilling and motivating. This man is a master communicator and has been instrumental in presenting the gospel of Christ to over 1 billion people around the world. That's billion with a "b!" Over a million people credit Luis Palau with having led them to faith in Christ.
In addition to Dr. Palau's message, we were treated to some very moving music from a rather small (by comparison with most Sunday services at our church) worship band. It all felt very intimate and satisfying. There was a preview of the Christmas play that will be performed next Thursday through Sunday, and a video drama that is to be continued next Sunday. One never knows what he will encounter at Rolling Hills on a Sunday morning, but it is a safe bet that it will be a blessing.
After church, I put the finishing touches on the table and took a few pictures of it. I won't post any photos of the finished product until after the kids receive the table. I want them to have some kind of a surprise out of this project! Tomorrow, I hope to locate a shipper for the table. My plan is to visit the UPS store. I understand they will not only ship it, but also pack it for shipping. That will be a huge relief, because I am not a good packer. I am beginning to believe that we will actually be eating Christmas dinner at this table.
Friday was given over to working on the dining table that I have been building in the garage. Staining and varnishing were the order of the day. I have already posted about the virtues of espresso-colored stain. The varnish added an unexpected depth of character to the table. I am gradually warming to the color. I hope the kids like it as much as I do.
On Saturday, the varnishing continued, but it was interrupted by the need to sit down and listen to the Oregon/Oregon State (civil war) game on the radio. Although the game was televised, I don't have access to the station that broadcast it. The radio announcers, however, did an outstanding job with the play-by-play, and I could almost see the game in my mind's eye. I was pleased with the outcome: Oregon 65, Oregon State 38. That set a new record for points scored in a civil war game: 103.
Today we were in for a treat at church. Internationally renowned evangelist, Luis Palau, was the guest speaker. His sermon was thrilling and motivating. This man is a master communicator and has been instrumental in presenting the gospel of Christ to over 1 billion people around the world. That's billion with a "b!" Over a million people credit Luis Palau with having led them to faith in Christ.
In addition to Dr. Palau's message, we were treated to some very moving music from a rather small (by comparison with most Sunday services at our church) worship band. It all felt very intimate and satisfying. There was a preview of the Christmas play that will be performed next Thursday through Sunday, and a video drama that is to be continued next Sunday. One never knows what he will encounter at Rolling Hills on a Sunday morning, but it is a safe bet that it will be a blessing.
After church, I put the finishing touches on the table and took a few pictures of it. I won't post any photos of the finished product until after the kids receive the table. I want them to have some kind of a surprise out of this project! Tomorrow, I hope to locate a shipper for the table. My plan is to visit the UPS store. I understand they will not only ship it, but also pack it for shipping. That will be a huge relief, because I am not a good packer. I am beginning to believe that we will actually be eating Christmas dinner at this table.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Covering a multitude of sins
Today was a big day in the life of the dining room table that is under construction in the garage. After a final sanding, I applied a pre-stain conditioner to the wood. The purpose of this step is to make the stain take to the wood more evenly. In every project, there are always a few flaws. Some of them stand out to the builder to the point that he will never be able to look at the project without seeing the flaws first and then the rest of the project. After I applied the conditioner, I felt better about some of the flaws. They seemed to disappear as I flowed on what gives the appearance of an oil treated finish.
What really did the trick, however, was the espresso stain. Now, this is not a color that I would choose for my own home, but I understand it is very popular. And it is what the kids wanted for their dining room furniture. I have to say, though, that it covers a multitude of sins! Most of the flaws that concerned me have pretty much disappeared with the application of the stain. I think it is because it is such a dark color. And I admit that I believe the table will be quite attractive when it is complete. So, I am gradually being converted to being a fan of espresso stain.
I hope that I will have the table completed and ready for shipment by December 1st. There is much to do yet, and Thanksgiving looms, but I believe I am on schedule. So, we may yet be able to sit down to whatever gourmet delight Tim prepares for our Christmas feast at the new dining table. Whoo hoo!
What really did the trick, however, was the espresso stain. Now, this is not a color that I would choose for my own home, but I understand it is very popular. And it is what the kids wanted for their dining room furniture. I have to say, though, that it covers a multitude of sins! Most of the flaws that concerned me have pretty much disappeared with the application of the stain. I think it is because it is such a dark color. And I admit that I believe the table will be quite attractive when it is complete. So, I am gradually being converted to being a fan of espresso stain.
I hope that I will have the table completed and ready for shipment by December 1st. There is much to do yet, and Thanksgiving looms, but I believe I am on schedule. So, we may yet be able to sit down to whatever gourmet delight Tim prepares for our Christmas feast at the new dining table. Whoo hoo!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Friends and prophecies
We just returned from worshiping at Rolling Hills Community Church. Pastor Dale has begun a new series titled "The Future is Now." He is teaching about biblical prophecies. This is a subject that always thrills me. It is so interesting to see how prophecies play out. So far, God is batting a thousand! Of the prophecies that have already been fulfilled, every one has been fulfilled completely and just as it was given in scripture. Amazing. And to think that some people question why I have faith in God and His word!
Another interesting thing that Pastor Dale shared is that fully 28% of the Bible is prophecy. So, God not only has given us a handbook for how to live life in the present; he has also given us a glimpse into the future. In fact, it is quite a big glimpse. We already know how the history of the world turns out, and we know who comes out on top in the war between good and evil. I am always amazed and saddened that so many Christians are worried about the future. No need, guys, it is in the bag.
After the worship service, we made a quick trip to Woodcraft to pick up stain for the dining room table I am making. It is difficult to find "Espresso" colored stain, but we scored at Woodcraft. Hooray.
We hurried back to the church to meet with a pre-marital counseling couple. They have had some interesting changes in circumstances in the last 6 weeks since we saw them. Their wedding date has been moved up from July, 2009 to December 20, 2008. It is not for any shady reason. They simply have had some things fall into place that make it possible to move the date up. This is a dear, sweet couple who are anticipating a second marriage. They have had logistical considerations, family considerations, and personal considerations that have kept them in turmoil for a couple of years. But now the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place (Where did that phrase come from? A movie?) and they are poised on the brink of a marriage that we believe will be a blessing to them and all who know them. We consider it an honor to have been involved in preparing them for this big step, and we now consider them to be dear friends. Thank you, Lord.
Another interesting thing that Pastor Dale shared is that fully 28% of the Bible is prophecy. So, God not only has given us a handbook for how to live life in the present; he has also given us a glimpse into the future. In fact, it is quite a big glimpse. We already know how the history of the world turns out, and we know who comes out on top in the war between good and evil. I am always amazed and saddened that so many Christians are worried about the future. No need, guys, it is in the bag.
After the worship service, we made a quick trip to Woodcraft to pick up stain for the dining room table I am making. It is difficult to find "Espresso" colored stain, but we scored at Woodcraft. Hooray.
We hurried back to the church to meet with a pre-marital counseling couple. They have had some interesting changes in circumstances in the last 6 weeks since we saw them. Their wedding date has been moved up from July, 2009 to December 20, 2008. It is not for any shady reason. They simply have had some things fall into place that make it possible to move the date up. This is a dear, sweet couple who are anticipating a second marriage. They have had logistical considerations, family considerations, and personal considerations that have kept them in turmoil for a couple of years. But now the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place (Where did that phrase come from? A movie?) and they are poised on the brink of a marriage that we believe will be a blessing to them and all who know them. We consider it an honor to have been involved in preparing them for this big step, and we now consider them to be dear friends. Thank you, Lord.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sawing, sanding, and hearing
Been working on a unique dining room table from a plan I found on line. The leaves are on extension arms and store under the main table top. To extend the table you just lift up on one end of the table top and slide the leaf into place. This increases the length of the table from 54 inches to nearly eight feet. The purpose of this project is to provide a table and a Christmas present for middle daughter and her husband. The house they bought in the spring has a dining room that is 9 feet square, so a large table is not an option. One end of the dining room connects with the living room, so with this table, they wil
l be able to extend the dining table into the living room if necessary.Today I completed the construction phase of the project. Tomorrow, I will start on the sanding and finishing phase. Once that is complete, I will stain and varnish the table. God willing, I will get it shipped to San Diego in time to eat Christmas dinner on it!
After completing the table construction, I made a long overdue trip to Costco to visit the hearing aid center. I had a hearing test and a test run on a pair of Revera hearing aids. Wow! Just to think of what I have been missing. I wanted to take the demo pair home with me, but alas I will have to wait a week or two. So, I ask you, "Whatever became of instant gratification?" I do believe this will be a huge enhancement in my life. I do biblical counseling in concert with my darling wife. It has become a strain, sometimes, to hear the counselees. I am convinced that this will make listening much easier...and that should make our counseling more effective.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Hoop de doo
This was a very fun day. Jill and I started the day with a brisk walk of a couple or three miles at the mall. Then we made a morning run to Winco for the Thanksgiving day groceries. It is so much fun to shop in the morning on a weekday. There just are no crowds. We took our booty home, and after lunch we met a couple whom we are counseling at church. They are struggling in their marriage and need some support. We are so blessed by this ministry, because every time we work with a couple, whether they are in a pre-marital state or in need of marriage encouragement, our marriage is strengthened.
After the counseling session, I dropped Jill at home, filled up with gas at $1.99 per gallon (!) and headed for Independence, where son Patrick was coaching the seventh grade girls' A-team basketball squad in a game against a visiting school. I arrived a little late, and the score was 10-0 in favor of the home team. The girls played reasonably well, considering that they have more days with games scheduled than they have days to practice. So, all the teaching of skills has to be done within the context of a game. Nevertheless, they led the entire game (by as much as 17 at one point) and closed out the game at 30-20. It was a lot of fun. The most fun was to see my son being an adult and doing what he loves best: teaching...basketball.
After the game, Patrick and I grabbed some dinner at the local sushi bar, and then we went home. Patrick's lovely wife, Katie, was home and we had a pleasant evening chatting and playing with the neighbor's two year-old daughter, when she and her mom dropped by. When the Portland Trailblazer basketball game came on, I knew I had better hit the road for the 75 minute drive home. I was able to hear the game on the radio all the way home. At half time, when I arrived in the driveway, the score was 62-37. Now, with under 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, it is 106-64. Yes, you could say that is a satisfying win...provided Portland can hold on to the lead. :-)
When I arrived home, Jill gave me a full rundown on her time of babysitting Luke this afternoon. There is nothing she would rather do than love on little ones. And since our Josiah is 1,000 miles away, she can get her Grandma fix by babysitting the neighbor kids. All in all, it was a satisfying day for both of us.
After the counseling session, I dropped Jill at home, filled up with gas at $1.99 per gallon (!) and headed for Independence, where son Patrick was coaching the seventh grade girls' A-team basketball squad in a game against a visiting school. I arrived a little late, and the score was 10-0 in favor of the home team. The girls played reasonably well, considering that they have more days with games scheduled than they have days to practice. So, all the teaching of skills has to be done within the context of a game. Nevertheless, they led the entire game (by as much as 17 at one point) and closed out the game at 30-20. It was a lot of fun. The most fun was to see my son being an adult and doing what he loves best: teaching...basketball.
After the game, Patrick and I grabbed some dinner at the local sushi bar, and then we went home. Patrick's lovely wife, Katie, was home and we had a pleasant evening chatting and playing with the neighbor's two year-old daughter, when she and her mom dropped by. When the Portland Trailblazer basketball game came on, I knew I had better hit the road for the 75 minute drive home. I was able to hear the game on the radio all the way home. At half time, when I arrived in the driveway, the score was 62-37. Now, with under 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, it is 106-64. Yes, you could say that is a satisfying win...provided Portland can hold on to the lead. :-)
When I arrived home, Jill gave me a full rundown on her time of babysitting Luke this afternoon. There is nothing she would rather do than love on little ones. And since our Josiah is 1,000 miles away, she can get her Grandma fix by babysitting the neighbor kids. All in all, it was a satisfying day for both of us.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Mothers, grandmothers and baby boys.
I took my mom to the podiatrist today for treatment of an ingrown toenail. It went well, and she did fine. We are going to arrange for a nurse to come over periodically and take care of her toenails.
When I arrived home, Jill was babysitting Luke, our neighbors' 8 week old baby boy. He is absolutely beautiful and very sweet. The problem is that he suffers from infantile acid reflux and often is very fussy. Luke has two sisters, aged 5 and 2 1/2. So, his mommy has a lot to look after, and she can't always hold him every minute. Today, Luke was very fussy, and his mommy was about fit to be tied. So, Jill brought Luke home and looked after him. Of course, he was good as gold for her, which just makes his mom feel like she is an inadequate mom. We both love babysitting Luke. Jill sometimes watches the girls, too, so mom can have a break. They absolutely adore her.
Mom finally came over and took Luke home. She was afraid she would wear out Luke's welcome, but that will never happen. There is something absolutely breathtakingly wonderful about babies. We look forward to our children having some more of them one day. We have so much fun babysitting our grandson Josiah, but he lives in San Diego, so our visits aren't as frequent as we would like.
On another topic, I found the bolts I had been looking for, and my project is coming along just fine, thank you!
When I arrived home, Jill was babysitting Luke, our neighbors' 8 week old baby boy. He is absolutely beautiful and very sweet. The problem is that he suffers from infantile acid reflux and often is very fussy. Luke has two sisters, aged 5 and 2 1/2. So, his mommy has a lot to look after, and she can't always hold him every minute. Today, Luke was very fussy, and his mommy was about fit to be tied. So, Jill brought Luke home and looked after him. Of course, he was good as gold for her, which just makes his mom feel like she is an inadequate mom. We both love babysitting Luke. Jill sometimes watches the girls, too, so mom can have a break. They absolutely adore her.
Mom finally came over and took Luke home. She was afraid she would wear out Luke's welcome, but that will never happen. There is something absolutely breathtakingly wonderful about babies. We look forward to our children having some more of them one day. We have so much fun babysitting our grandson Josiah, but he lives in San Diego, so our visits aren't as frequent as we would like.
On another topic, I found the bolts I had been looking for, and my project is coming along just fine, thank you!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Getting connected in the Age of Communication
I just had a fun "chat" with my son on Windows Live Messenger. We talked about everything from Thanksgiving to basketball, from church to blogging. This modern age of electronic marvels is fascinating. It is so nice to be able to carry on a "conversation" for free with loved ones who live in remote areas. It is really handy for staying in touch with our kids: one in San Diego, one in Denver and one in Monmouth, OR.
On the other hand, it saddens me that with all the technology that is available for connectedness, there is so much disconnectedness in our society. We can call people anywhere at any time, and yet we are afraid to open our hearts to each other, for fear that someone might actually find out who we are deep down inside. Nevertheless, we all long to have someone with whom we can connect and be totally honest.
There is One who already knows us in every detail, and yet who has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." He is someone who will accept us just as we are, without condemning us. He is always available, even without modern technology. He will listen, and He will comfort us; teach us and challenge us; and even still love us when we mess up. I mean really mess up.
His name is Jesus. If you don't know him, you can learn more about him here. If you would like to learn about his life and how he interacts with people, get a Bible (any Bible will do, but I find the New King James version or the New International Version to be especially readable) and read the Gospel of John. You might also like to read, further on in the Bible, the First Epistle of John, which talks about the love Jesus has for each of us and how it can transform our lives.
If you have questions about Jesus, please feel free to email me. I am not a preacher; I am a man whose life was transformed by the love of Jesus. I believe there are no "dumb" questions, because I already asked all of those, so the only ones left are legitimate questions. I don't know all the answers, but I know where all the answers are. They are in the pages of God's love letter to humanity, which we call "The Holy Bible."
On the other hand, it saddens me that with all the technology that is available for connectedness, there is so much disconnectedness in our society. We can call people anywhere at any time, and yet we are afraid to open our hearts to each other, for fear that someone might actually find out who we are deep down inside. Nevertheless, we all long to have someone with whom we can connect and be totally honest.
There is One who already knows us in every detail, and yet who has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." He is someone who will accept us just as we are, without condemning us. He is always available, even without modern technology. He will listen, and He will comfort us; teach us and challenge us; and even still love us when we mess up. I mean really mess up.
His name is Jesus. If you don't know him, you can learn more about him here. If you would like to learn about his life and how he interacts with people, get a Bible (any Bible will do, but I find the New King James version or the New International Version to be especially readable) and read the Gospel of John. You might also like to read, further on in the Bible, the First Epistle of John, which talks about the love Jesus has for each of us and how it can transform our lives.
If you have questions about Jesus, please feel free to email me. I am not a preacher; I am a man whose life was transformed by the love of Jesus. I believe there are no "dumb" questions, because I already asked all of those, so the only ones left are legitimate questions. I don't know all the answers, but I know where all the answers are. They are in the pages of God's love letter to humanity, which we call "The Holy Bible."
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Raking leaves and chasing bolts
Today was a beautiful mid fall day in Clackamas. The sun was out, the temperature was near 60 degrees, and the breeze was calm. Jill and I had appointments with the optometrist this morning, and then we took a drive to Tigard, where I had inadvertently left my jacket in a restaurant yesterday after breakfast.
After retrieving the errant garment, we went on to Woodcraft, the woodworker's candy store. I am looking for 3/8"-16X5" hanger bolts for a project I am working on. So far I have failed to find them at Home Depot, Lowes, and today at Woodcraft. The folks there were kind enough to refer me to A-Boy, down the street. Alas, A-Boy didn't have them either. The young lady who waited on us there was very kind and called Oregon Bolt Company for us. She was unsuccessful in raising anyone there, and we concluded that the company must not be open on Saturday. But she gave me the contact information so I can call on Monday. Let's hear it for A-Boy!
We stopped at Costco on the way home and ordered some glasses for Jill. It was difficult for her to choose the frames, because she hasn't worn glasses for many years. She found some really cute frames with the help of the optician, who was immensely helpful. So, now she just needs to muster up the patience to wait for a couple of weeks until her new glasses are ready.
We finally arrived at home around 2:00 PM. The Oregon State Beavers were on their way to beating the Cal Bears, but at half-time, I went out and joined my lovely bride who was dead-heading the roses. I mowed the lawn and raked up the leaves, and then I got into the dead-heading, too. We stopped when we had filled the 60 gallon yard debris bin and two 30 gallon yard debris bags, in addition to the compost bin. It felt good to get some things accomplished in the yard.
Having not yet exhausted all of our energy, we decided to walk Pogo. Along the way we met up with Murphy and his master Dennis, a neighbor whom we hadn't seen for a few months. They are both doing well. Pogo felt better after her walk, as did Jill and I. All in all a satisfying day.
After retrieving the errant garment, we went on to Woodcraft, the woodworker's candy store. I am looking for 3/8"-16X5" hanger bolts for a project I am working on. So far I have failed to find them at Home Depot, Lowes, and today at Woodcraft. The folks there were kind enough to refer me to A-Boy, down the street. Alas, A-Boy didn't have them either. The young lady who waited on us there was very kind and called Oregon Bolt Company for us. She was unsuccessful in raising anyone there, and we concluded that the company must not be open on Saturday. But she gave me the contact information so I can call on Monday. Let's hear it for A-Boy!
We stopped at Costco on the way home and ordered some glasses for Jill. It was difficult for her to choose the frames, because she hasn't worn glasses for many years. She found some really cute frames with the help of the optician, who was immensely helpful. So, now she just needs to muster up the patience to wait for a couple of weeks until her new glasses are ready.
We finally arrived at home around 2:00 PM. The Oregon State Beavers were on their way to beating the Cal Bears, but at half-time, I went out and joined my lovely bride who was dead-heading the roses. I mowed the lawn and raked up the leaves, and then I got into the dead-heading, too. We stopped when we had filled the 60 gallon yard debris bin and two 30 gallon yard debris bags, in addition to the compost bin. It felt good to get some things accomplished in the yard.
Having not yet exhausted all of our energy, we decided to walk Pogo. Along the way we met up with Murphy and his master Dennis, a neighbor whom we hadn't seen for a few months. They are both doing well. Pogo felt better after her walk, as did Jill and I. All in all a satisfying day.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
S.N.O.B.
We had dinner this evening with our Bible study group at Laurelwood Public House and Brewery on Sandy Boulevard in northeast Portland. The food was tolerable, the Porter was eminently potable and the company was nonpareil. I might add that the service was friendly, with just enough attention to assure that all of our needs and desires were addressed without the intrusive, hale-fellow-well-met sort of chumminess that seems to be all the rage among the younger generation of wait personnel. All things considered, I can recommend Laurelwood without reservation. (Incidentally, they don't take reservations on Thursday through Sunday evenings, although they did make an exception for our group of eight. That made a positive impression.)
Across from me, pasted on the wall was a small poster with the letters S.N.O.B. emblazened across the top. Below was a photo of a chap with a tee shirt sporting the same letters. The poster went on to explain that S.N.O.B. is an acronym for "Supporter of Native Oregon Beers." It seemed a reasonable sort of thing to be. I meant to investigate further, in hopes of adding a tee shirt to my collection, but at my age, I am easily distracted and failed to follow up.
So, there it is. My first restaurant (or in this case, public house and brewery) review. I don't eat out often, so when I do, I will try to post a review here.
Across from me, pasted on the wall was a small poster with the letters S.N.O.B. emblazened across the top. Below was a photo of a chap with a tee shirt sporting the same letters. The poster went on to explain that S.N.O.B. is an acronym for "Supporter of Native Oregon Beers." It seemed a reasonable sort of thing to be. I meant to investigate further, in hopes of adding a tee shirt to my collection, but at my age, I am easily distracted and failed to follow up.
So, there it is. My first restaurant (or in this case, public house and brewery) review. I don't eat out often, so when I do, I will try to post a review here.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Getting up and running
It took me several weeks to get started here: not because the site is difficult to use; and not because the software is cumbersome. No, the problem has been thinking of a suitable title for the blog. The final choice you will understand if you look at my profile photo and are familiar with or familiarize yourself with the term "pilgarlic." I am hopeful that I can live up to the secondary definition of the term.
We were going to take off in "Sadie," our 1988 Hawkins Motor Coach (that's Sadie in the background) for a couple of days of late season "camping." OK, I know you purists don't consider staying in a motor home to be camping. My brother, on the other hand, once defined camping as "staying in a Holiday Inn that has only black and white TV." At any rate, we decided to cancel the trip and eat the prepaid campground fee, when we read the forecast for 27" of rain and 300 mph winds during only the two days we planned to be gone. Well, actually, it was 3" and 50 mph, but in a motor home, the two scenarios are about equal.
So, we have been hanging out at home. I have been doing some pre-yule elf work, and Jill has been doing some holiday shopping. It has been a pleasant couple of days, and the forecast is for MUCH better weather starting, yep, you guessed it, tomorrow, the day we were due to return from the campground. In the meantime, we have put in a couple of intense sessions of mall walking, and played go-go Pogo with our little mutt (Pogo is in the foreground in the photo above). I'll leave it to your imagination to picture 19 pounds of bichon/fox terrier going lickety-split in a figure of eight, using the dining room table and the sofa as pylons.
My hope is to share some of my thoughts, joys, sorrows, hopes, and dreams here. Paul the Apostle said, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) I hope that this blog will do just that. Frequency of posts will be determined by how much useful stuff I have to do before I get around to playing on line. Come and join me from time to time.
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