I'd Rather Play Than Work

Happy Mother's Day. If you're not my mom, just ignore that greeting. Better yet, take it, plagiarize it, use for your own, and send it on to your mother. You did remember didn't you? Today I gave Joyce her choice of churches and she choose to go to Jerome Prairie because a lot of our friends are going there. It was a good service with a couple baby dedications and a special prayer for the children and children's staff.

Yesterday we were all set to get in a few hours work in the backyard. I had cooked up some omelets for breakfast, now we had shovels in hand, the dirt pile awaited... then Mike and Joann showed up with a wheel barrow I had asked to borrow. As we inspected our yard project, they asked if we wanted to take a ride up to Union Creek. Well, I always prefer play to work so that was a no brainer! They agreed to pick us up at 1:00 so I actually got in a couple hours of moving dirt. They showed up at one and off we went. Our destination was a wide spot in the road on Highway 62 about 50 miles east of Medford. It is noted for three things: Becky's Cafe where we ate a late lunch. Her huckleberry pie is delicious but only available when they are in season. The Rogue River Gorge is also at Union Creek. Here the rocks force the river into a narrow, downward channel churning the water and sending up a cloud of spray. It's not spectacular in terms of the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls but it is still an awesome sight. The third point of interest is Farewell Bend Campground. Mike and Joann wanted to check it out for a possible camping destination. It is a beautiful camping place right on the Rogue River -- but still snowed in. It was fairly warm even with snow on the ground and me in my short sleeved shirt.

As we checked out all these places, we came up with the notion to drive on up to Crater Lake National Park. So we did. There was about 10 to 12 feet of snow at the top and when the wind blew it was cold! -- and me in my short sleeved shirt. But it was absolutely gorgeous up there. You see a picture of the lake and Wizard Island at the top. I also found this snow nymph hanging around and talked her into posing for me. The other picture shows some of the parking lot with Crater Lake Lodge in the background. At the bottom is a look at part of the Rogue River Gorge. (Click on any image to make it larger).

Friday evening Joyce and I volunteered to help at Silver Ring Thing sponsored by the Pregnancy Care Center. This is a very well done professional program encouraging teens to be sexually abstinent until marriage. they can buy a silver ring to remind them of the commitment they have made. Joyce helped register -- this after 6 hours at the day care. I was involved with helping set up earlier in the day and then with security in the evening. It was held in the Performing Arts Center at Grants Pass High School and the place was filled -- about 800 kids. Good program. Very high energy.

That is about all we did this week. Oh, we worked in the backyard. Other than that... not very exciting. But it sure was a lovely day Saturday.