What is a better word than "boring"? I would say this was a boring week except that is not quite the right word because it's been a long time since I've been bored. My thesaurus in MSWord suggests I might use "lackluster." No, that sounds... well, boring. Maybe "unexciting." No, that's not right either -- it's too... unexciting. Maybe "Dull"? "Uninspiring"? "Uninteresting"? Nope. None of them are right. I think I'll choose "humdrum."
This has been a humdrum week. I have done things like odd jobs around the house, writing a check for the property taxes, and taking the drapes to the dry cleaners. Come to think of it, that was kind of exciting since they hadn't been cleaned since we put them up 16 years ago (I suppose I shouldn't confess that). We took them down at 7:30 a.m., picked them up late afternoon and had them hanging again before evening.
Hey, maybe this was exciting. On Tuesday I made zucchini soup. Notice I said "I." I'm trying to use up zucchini but this recipe didn't use very much. It was good, though. On Wednesday I made apple butter with some apples Joann gave us. Turned out pretty good, too. It was a recipe out of Joyce's Splenda cookbook. Then I helped Joyce make banana bread. Thursday we made zucchini bread. That is really, really good. So... me in the kitchen 3 days in one week. I guess that's kind of exciting -- in a gastronomical kind of way. Probably we'll make more zucchini bread next week to use up all the grated stuff we have in the freezer.
Friday night I took Joyce on a date. That's sort of exciting. We went to see "Madagascar: Escape to Africa." I even bought her popcorn (we sneaked ((snuck?)) our own soda in). We were sitting there before the movie started and a guy walked by, did a double take, stopped and asked us where our kids were. I calmly told him they were in LA. Oh... speaking of taking Joyce places. I took her to a tavern today. Now that should rank up there on the excite scale. We went to worship at the only church in Wolf Creek (about 15 miles north of Grants Pass). It is a Christian and Missionary Alliance church and I know the pastor from our days of praying together with other area pastors. After church we went to the Wolf Creek Tavern for lunch. However, they recently changed the name to "Inn." To sanitize it, I think. It is an old historic building dating back to the middle 1800s. It was a stage stop with food and rooms to rent (and strong drink to imbibe in). Thus the name "tavern." It is owned by the State of Oregon now and leased to someone to manage. Some of the better known guests have been Clark Gable, Mary Pickford, Jack London, Carole Lombard, Fredrick March, and President Hayes (sorry, I haven't stayed there yet!).
After lunch we stopped at the Applegate Trail Museum in Sunny Valley and then went to see the covered bridge. As many times as we have driven past (it is visible from I-5) this is the first time we have visited. It is a good representation of the Applegate Trail -- it's rigors and limited success. The area is historic in the early settlement of Oregon.
One other thing I did was get Joyce a new phone. Now she can send and receive pictures. Same number. I'm not sure what they will cost us so don't submerge us with photos. But a few would be nice.
So that's my humdrum week. Good for getting lazy, putting on weight, and staying happy. Hope you have some humdrum weeks, too.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Phoenix Was Great
I think I'm becoming addicted to warm weather. The temp in Phoenix was about 80 -- really nice. The only thing... I was in meetings most of the time. This was for Ministerial Education and Guidance Board leaders from 8 conferences our Bishop is responsible for. There was a lot of good discussion and information -- and planning. We will change the way we are doing things in the Oregon Conference.
I woke up early Monday morning so I got up, showered, dressed, checked a few last minute things and decided I might as well leave. My flight was to leave at 7:25 and I got to the airport at 5:30. You do NOT have to be 2 hours early at the Medford airport but I wasn't sure where to go. They are building a new terminal and the long term parking is far away from the present terminal. It was raining a little and I expected to be drenched by the time I found the shelter of the correct building. I parked, shouldered my bag and took about 10 steps when the shuttle bus approached. I didn't know they had one! She took my right to the door -- I was the only passenger. It took about 1 1/2 minutes to get my ticket and there I stood with an hour and a half until flight time. So I bought a muffin and a cup of coffee and took looooots of time eating. Finally I decided to go through security and then set and read a book I brought. It took about 3 minutes to go through security. You can see why I say, "you do not have to be 2 hours early at the Medford airport." So I read until they made the announcement that our flight was delayed because of weather problems at San Francisco. No problem, I had a 2 hour layover in San Fran. More book reading. Finally we boarded, took off, had a great flight -- if you can call a 2-engine turbo prop vibrator a good flight. I kept wondering how many hours one of those things can fly without the vibration popping all the rivets.
But we made San Francisco okay. On the way we had a beautiful view of the angel's side of the clouds. I didn't see any angels but the clouds looked so fluffy it seemed like a person could just step out of the airplane and bounce around on a fluffy playground. In one place I could look ahead and see a chasm coming. When the plane flew over, it was an elongated crater in the top side of the clouds. It didn't extend to the ground -- just a deep pocket with steep sides going down into the cloud formation. Really strange. When we landed, I hiked to the next concourse to get my flight to Phoenix -- only to be informed it was delayed. Something about a computer in the plane not functioning. So instead of leaving at 10:55 we left at 1:30. Nice lunch at Burger King. More book reading. Finally, it was time to board but we didn't board. More plane trouble. Another 20 minute delay and we were off to Phoenix -- wondering if they had fixed the problem.
I was supposed to arrive in Phoenix about an hour ahead of our superintendent and another guy from Oregon. Instead, I arrived about 1 1/2 after them. They waited patiently and we made it to the first dinner and meeting on time. Tuesday was a full day with a group dinner. After, the superintendent, Dave, and I visited Ken and Sally who have a "snowbird" house in the Phoenix area. They are from Eugene and we all know them. Since Tuesday was election day, we were at Ken and Sally's when Obama was declared the winner.
The flight home was more routine -- almost. I still had to go through San Francisco -- with a 4-hour layover. So I ate dinner, waked around, and read more book. I was scheduled to get into Medford about 9:30. We boarded another one of those little 2-engine vibrators and the pilot said, "welcome to flight (whatever it was) to Medford. We are overweight and need to people to take the later flight." I volunteered. I figured late was late so a couple more hours couldn't hurt anything. And I got a free flight voucher for it. Anywhere United flies in the continental US. I'll probably use it in February to fly up for a Board meeting. But maybe not. We'll see.
I sold my pickup canopy. When I bought this pickup it came with a nice canopy. But of course, I can't use the canopy with a fifth wheel so it has been sitting beside the house waiting for me to decide to either use it or sell it. Sell it won out. I put an add in the Nickel and two people called. One guy bought it.
Yesterday, Joyce and I attended worship at Jerome Prairie. Then, all afternoon we were in a meeting teaching us to be marriage mentors. We had previously taken the Prepare/Enrich marriage survey. I had used the Prepare part the last few years in pre-marital counseling. But this was the first time I (we) had taken or used the Enrich part -- for married people. It was quite interesting. We are still compatible. No big problems. During the training we practiced on another couple and they practiced on us. The other couple is the pastor at Jerome Prairie. It was a lot of fun as well as informative. We did all this, so we can help mentor other couples when we return next spring -- if we decide to and are needed.
Well... fall has fallen. Or maybe winter has won. At least our nice weather seems to be over. It didn't rain today but has most days and is supposed to for the foreseeable future. Our high temps in the daytime are in the high 40s or low 50s. Brrrr. I'm ready to head south.
But not yet. Got things to do, so better get at it.
I woke up early Monday morning so I got up, showered, dressed, checked a few last minute things and decided I might as well leave. My flight was to leave at 7:25 and I got to the airport at 5:30. You do NOT have to be 2 hours early at the Medford airport but I wasn't sure where to go. They are building a new terminal and the long term parking is far away from the present terminal. It was raining a little and I expected to be drenched by the time I found the shelter of the correct building. I parked, shouldered my bag and took about 10 steps when the shuttle bus approached. I didn't know they had one! She took my right to the door -- I was the only passenger. It took about 1 1/2 minutes to get my ticket and there I stood with an hour and a half until flight time. So I bought a muffin and a cup of coffee and took looooots of time eating. Finally I decided to go through security and then set and read a book I brought. It took about 3 minutes to go through security. You can see why I say, "you do not have to be 2 hours early at the Medford airport." So I read until they made the announcement that our flight was delayed because of weather problems at San Francisco. No problem, I had a 2 hour layover in San Fran. More book reading. Finally we boarded, took off, had a great flight -- if you can call a 2-engine turbo prop vibrator a good flight. I kept wondering how many hours one of those things can fly without the vibration popping all the rivets.
But we made San Francisco okay. On the way we had a beautiful view of the angel's side of the clouds. I didn't see any angels but the clouds looked so fluffy it seemed like a person could just step out of the airplane and bounce around on a fluffy playground. In one place I could look ahead and see a chasm coming. When the plane flew over, it was an elongated crater in the top side of the clouds. It didn't extend to the ground -- just a deep pocket with steep sides going down into the cloud formation. Really strange. When we landed, I hiked to the next concourse to get my flight to Phoenix -- only to be informed it was delayed. Something about a computer in the plane not functioning. So instead of leaving at 10:55 we left at 1:30. Nice lunch at Burger King. More book reading. Finally, it was time to board but we didn't board. More plane trouble. Another 20 minute delay and we were off to Phoenix -- wondering if they had fixed the problem.
I was supposed to arrive in Phoenix about an hour ahead of our superintendent and another guy from Oregon. Instead, I arrived about 1 1/2 after them. They waited patiently and we made it to the first dinner and meeting on time. Tuesday was a full day with a group dinner. After, the superintendent, Dave, and I visited Ken and Sally who have a "snowbird" house in the Phoenix area. They are from Eugene and we all know them. Since Tuesday was election day, we were at Ken and Sally's when Obama was declared the winner.
The flight home was more routine -- almost. I still had to go through San Francisco -- with a 4-hour layover. So I ate dinner, waked around, and read more book. I was scheduled to get into Medford about 9:30. We boarded another one of those little 2-engine vibrators and the pilot said, "welcome to flight (whatever it was) to Medford. We are overweight and need to people to take the later flight." I volunteered. I figured late was late so a couple more hours couldn't hurt anything. And I got a free flight voucher for it. Anywhere United flies in the continental US. I'll probably use it in February to fly up for a Board meeting. But maybe not. We'll see.
I sold my pickup canopy. When I bought this pickup it came with a nice canopy. But of course, I can't use the canopy with a fifth wheel so it has been sitting beside the house waiting for me to decide to either use it or sell it. Sell it won out. I put an add in the Nickel and two people called. One guy bought it.
Yesterday, Joyce and I attended worship at Jerome Prairie. Then, all afternoon we were in a meeting teaching us to be marriage mentors. We had previously taken the Prepare/Enrich marriage survey. I had used the Prepare part the last few years in pre-marital counseling. But this was the first time I (we) had taken or used the Enrich part -- for married people. It was quite interesting. We are still compatible. No big problems. During the training we practiced on another couple and they practiced on us. The other couple is the pastor at Jerome Prairie. It was a lot of fun as well as informative. We did all this, so we can help mentor other couples when we return next spring -- if we decide to and are needed.
Well... fall has fallen. Or maybe winter has won. At least our nice weather seems to be over. It didn't rain today but has most days and is supposed to for the foreseeable future. Our high temps in the daytime are in the high 40s or low 50s. Brrrr. I'm ready to head south.
But not yet. Got things to do, so better get at it.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Trip Coming Up
The opinion poll was 6 to 1 -- six people being very, very, ready for the political ads to end. One person was simply ready. If you are in a place where you go to the polls Tuesday, it is almost time. If you are in a place where you can vote early, I hope you already have. In a couple days we'll have a new president and then we'll start a new round of name-calling.
In my tag responses I listed 5 things on my "to do" list. Well, I got 2 1/2 of them done. First, biggest, and best is that I finished the gel coat on the RV. That was a big job. I'm glad it's over -- until the next time it needs doing. The second thing I finished was the memorial service for Lois in St. Helens. She was the pianist for the church for 30 years and certainly for the 9 that I was there. She was our treasurer and then assistant treasurer, and she gave our girls piano lessons for a year or so. Joyce and I drove to Ginger's Friday evening, then on up to St. Helens for the service on Saturday and back to Ginger's last Saturday. We got to see lots of friends. It was a good time of reconnecting with people and rejoicing in Lois' graduation to heaven. It was held at Sunset Park Community Church. The pastor and I shared the service and the graveside. I preached at Lois' request. The weather was kind of rainy off and on, but off when we needed to be outside. On the way home we stopped at Corvallis and worshipped at the FM church there.
The thing that I have half done is the shelf. I figured a new way of doing it and have gotten all the parts together. I'll finish it next week. But for now the focus is on the next 3 days. Tomorrow really early, I leave for a MEG Board leaders training meeting in Phoenix, AZ with the Bishop and other leaders from the western part of the US.
So I've got to go to bed early tonight. Good night.
In my tag responses I listed 5 things on my "to do" list. Well, I got 2 1/2 of them done. First, biggest, and best is that I finished the gel coat on the RV. That was a big job. I'm glad it's over -- until the next time it needs doing. The second thing I finished was the memorial service for Lois in St. Helens. She was the pianist for the church for 30 years and certainly for the 9 that I was there. She was our treasurer and then assistant treasurer, and she gave our girls piano lessons for a year or so. Joyce and I drove to Ginger's Friday evening, then on up to St. Helens for the service on Saturday and back to Ginger's last Saturday. We got to see lots of friends. It was a good time of reconnecting with people and rejoicing in Lois' graduation to heaven. It was held at Sunset Park Community Church. The pastor and I shared the service and the graveside. I preached at Lois' request. The weather was kind of rainy off and on, but off when we needed to be outside. On the way home we stopped at Corvallis and worshipped at the FM church there.
The thing that I have half done is the shelf. I figured a new way of doing it and have gotten all the parts together. I'll finish it next week. But for now the focus is on the next 3 days. Tomorrow really early, I leave for a MEG Board leaders training meeting in Phoenix, AZ with the Bishop and other leaders from the western part of the US.
So I've got to go to bed early tonight. Good night.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tag! I'm It!
This a new game to me but looks like fun (and using a lot of remembering). Carole is the one who tagged me. I'll think of something for her. So here goes.
10 years ago I was...
1. Starting my 7th year as pastor of Allen Creek Neighborhood Church.
2. We had just had the Continental Singers at our church. We were able to get them as a last minute arrangement because some other group cancelled.
3. Preparing (with others) for the Harvest Carnival at church on the 31st.
4. I was on the Community Development Corporation Board involved in securing low income housing in Grants Pass. This was my "community involvement" ministry.
5 things on my to do list...
1. Finish the gel coat on the RV.
2. Organize the storage compartments.
3. Prepare for a funeral in St. Helens. This will be Saturday for a lady who was our pianist.
4. Make a shelf for the RV that will go next to my chair.
5. Fix the backdoor (on the house) so it closes easier.
5 snacks I enjoy...
1. Mixed nuts.
2. Peanuts.
3. Ice cream.
4. Popcorn.
5. Tortilla chips.
5 places I have lived... (in reverse order)
1. Grants Pass, OR (2 houses)
2. St. Helens, OR (4 houses -- that is along story)
3. Newberg, OR (2 houses)
4. Cottage Grove, OR (1 house)
5. Roseburg, OR (3 houses)
This happens to be the places where I pastored (in Newberg, I was the Director of Christian Education).
5 jobs I have had...
1. Pastor/Minister
2. School bus driver
3. Furniture mover for Mayflower
4. House inspector for insurance companies
5. Carpenter
3 people I tag...
1. Chuck and Susy H.
2. Jana T.
3. Kim B.
Day By Day
It seems our week has been focused on the RV -- with a little extra thrown in. Thought I would give you a day by day...
Last Sunday: attended church at Newman United Methodist. It is an old historic building in Grants Pass with a high steeple and a pipe organ. The worship was more liturgical than we're used to but still good. The minister is a lady. She had a good sermon.
Monday: did some more cleaning on the inside of the RV. Joyce's brother, Don came to pick up our old washer and dryer to give to a friend of his. Watched Monday Night Football.
Tuesday: went to Rascals -- that is the old people's computer group. Had lunch with James Downing, the pastor of Jerome Prairie Bible Church where we attend sometimes. Gave away our old freezer through a free ad in the paper. We weren't using any more. Cleaned the carpets in the RV. To rent a cleaner would cost money and they are too big to do a good job in the confined spaces of the RV. So I reasoned I could do it just a well with a scrub brush and a wet or dry vacuum. It was a lot of hands and knees work but it is a thousand per cent cleaner. I just mixed up a little carpet cleaner in some water, brushed it on, brushed it a lot, brushed some more, vacuumed it up, rinsed it, and vacuumed that up. Then let it dry... which took two days. Sure picked up a lot of dirt and sand.
Wednesday: washed the outside of the RV. gave away our old entertainment center via the free ad (I still have a food dryer no one seems to want). Most of the above work I did by myself while Joyce was inside working on crafts for the Daycare. In other words, she was inside earning money while I was outside playing with the RV! She finished November's crafts today so we took them to the Daycare.
Thursday: Joyce and I waxed the rear and street side of the RV. By "wax" I really mean applying a gel coat then wiping off the film. Lots of elbow work. I'm tired. Joyce worked for the Daycare's after school program at Allendale School -- about 3 hours.
Friday: cleaned the RV couch the same way I cleaned the carpet but with less water. Joyce and I gel coated part of the curb side of the RV until we ran out of the stuff. I applied Rejex to the front. That is a product that is supposed to reject bugs. Actually they stick, but will wash off easily (I hope). Joyce worked at Allendale School again.
Saturday: we went to Medford with Mike and Joann. We shopped at Costco and ate dinner at Appleby's. But the most fun was shopping for a new RV for them. It's the first time in my life that I got to buy an RV and it didn't cost me anything. But I did buy a generator to use with the RV. Roy: this information is mostly for you: I bought a Honda 2000 because it fits in my toolbox -- a 3000 won't fit. The 2000 will recharge the batteries and give power for everything except the AC (not sure about the microwave). If I feel I need to power the AC I can buy another 2000 and use them in tandem.
Today (Sunday): We attended worship at Jerome Prairie Bible Church then went to lunch with Fiskes, Lakers, and Curpheys ... all friends from Allen Creek.
The weather has been beautiful this week. In fact "beautiful" hardly describes it. Cool mornings; bright, sunny days. Fall leaves changing color. Gorgeous. Hope your week has been just as good.
Last Sunday: attended church at Newman United Methodist. It is an old historic building in Grants Pass with a high steeple and a pipe organ. The worship was more liturgical than we're used to but still good. The minister is a lady. She had a good sermon.
Monday: did some more cleaning on the inside of the RV. Joyce's brother, Don came to pick up our old washer and dryer to give to a friend of his. Watched Monday Night Football.
Tuesday: went to Rascals -- that is the old people's computer group. Had lunch with James Downing, the pastor of Jerome Prairie Bible Church where we attend sometimes. Gave away our old freezer through a free ad in the paper. We weren't using any more. Cleaned the carpets in the RV. To rent a cleaner would cost money and they are too big to do a good job in the confined spaces of the RV. So I reasoned I could do it just a well with a scrub brush and a wet or dry vacuum. It was a lot of hands and knees work but it is a thousand per cent cleaner. I just mixed up a little carpet cleaner in some water, brushed it on, brushed it a lot, brushed some more, vacuumed it up, rinsed it, and vacuumed that up. Then let it dry... which took two days. Sure picked up a lot of dirt and sand.
Wednesday: washed the outside of the RV. gave away our old entertainment center via the free ad (I still have a food dryer no one seems to want). Most of the above work I did by myself while Joyce was inside working on crafts for the Daycare. In other words, she was inside earning money while I was outside playing with the RV! She finished November's crafts today so we took them to the Daycare.
Thursday: Joyce and I waxed the rear and street side of the RV. By "wax" I really mean applying a gel coat then wiping off the film. Lots of elbow work. I'm tired. Joyce worked for the Daycare's after school program at Allendale School -- about 3 hours.
Friday: cleaned the RV couch the same way I cleaned the carpet but with less water. Joyce and I gel coated part of the curb side of the RV until we ran out of the stuff. I applied Rejex to the front. That is a product that is supposed to reject bugs. Actually they stick, but will wash off easily (I hope). Joyce worked at Allendale School again.
Saturday: we went to Medford with Mike and Joann. We shopped at Costco and ate dinner at Appleby's. But the most fun was shopping for a new RV for them. It's the first time in my life that I got to buy an RV and it didn't cost me anything. But I did buy a generator to use with the RV. Roy: this information is mostly for you: I bought a Honda 2000 because it fits in my toolbox -- a 3000 won't fit. The 2000 will recharge the batteries and give power for everything except the AC (not sure about the microwave). If I feel I need to power the AC I can buy another 2000 and use them in tandem.
Today (Sunday): We attended worship at Jerome Prairie Bible Church then went to lunch with Fiskes, Lakers, and Curpheys ... all friends from Allen Creek.
The weather has been beautiful this week. In fact "beautiful" hardly describes it. Cool mornings; bright, sunny days. Fall leaves changing color. Gorgeous. Hope your week has been just as good.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Little Jobs, Big Success
We're getting them done. The little jobs, I mean. It is fun to be able to cross off another item. This week I washed the walls on the inside of the RV and took down all the drapes and removed the screens. Joyce carefully washed the drapes and I scrubbed the screens -- some of them twice. Then I washed the windows, and cleaned the inside of the place where the windows and screens sit. Whew! Dirrrrrty! I think there was some Alaska dirt still stuck in there. But it looks a lot better and smells so clean. I also installed a new door handle and lock. The reason... well, remember we bought this RV from my brother. One night a burglar broke a side window, reached in and unlocked the door, then packed out the TV, microwave, etc through the open door. He set about making sure that would never happen again so he broke the inside lock. The only way to lock the door "from the inside" (as for the night) was to use the key on a lock on the outside. Confusing, huh? Especially in the dark, in the rain, barefoot and ready for bed. Anyway, I decided we had paid our dues to the old lock and bought a new one.
The garden is now history. After the freeze last weekend we bagged up all the vines ready for the city to pick up this week. The tomato vines are still there but the green ones aren't turning red very fast. They will disappear in a few weeks also. It is that time of year when leaves are turning color. We have friends in Indiana and on the east coast who are seeing a spectacular array of color. (Check out Carole's News and Husted's Happenings on the right). We have a little in our area but not much around our house. But of course that means I don't have to rake leaves either! When we drive down by the river we can see a lot of changing color and it is indeed beautiful.
This weekend the weather has changed from cold at night but sunny during the day, to cool and cloudy and dreary. It is supposed to rain tomorrow and then we'll get some more nice weather. I sure hope so. I'm not ready for winter. I am ready for the elections to be over, though. The commercials are getting to be redundant. If people haven't made up their minds by now, they aren't paying attention. So what do you think? The poll on the right is just for fun. Let's see how it turns out. Have some fun this week. And take care of some little things.
The garden is now history. After the freeze last weekend we bagged up all the vines ready for the city to pick up this week. The tomato vines are still there but the green ones aren't turning red very fast. They will disappear in a few weeks also. It is that time of year when leaves are turning color. We have friends in Indiana and on the east coast who are seeing a spectacular array of color. (Check out Carole's News and Husted's Happenings on the right). We have a little in our area but not much around our house. But of course that means I don't have to rake leaves either! When we drive down by the river we can see a lot of changing color and it is indeed beautiful.
This weekend the weather has changed from cold at night but sunny during the day, to cool and cloudy and dreary. It is supposed to rain tomorrow and then we'll get some more nice weather. I sure hope so. I'm not ready for winter. I am ready for the elections to be over, though. The commercials are getting to be redundant. If people haven't made up their minds by now, they aren't paying attention. So what do you think? The poll on the right is just for fun. Let's see how it turns out. Have some fun this week. And take care of some little things.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
We're Home Again
After a few daddy-do's at Ginger's we arrived back home Wednesday late afternoon. The days since have been mostly recovery and cleanup from the trip. We traveled 1600 miles and saw 34 people on our friends and family list. That counts Ginger but does not count the people on the MEG Board or strangers we met at church. The most we spent for diesel was $4.09.9 in Gig Harbor, Washington and the least was $3.73.9 in Salem. Fuel prices are always cheaper in Salem. It must have something to do with being so close to the state law makers!
Our garden was in good shape when we arrived home but the cucumbers and zucchini were HUGE. Friends picked some, but not enough. And the tomatoes were almost over-ripe. We managed to salvage a few. There are still many green tomatoes on the vines so we covered them with a tarp the last two nights. The temperature dropped to about 27 both nights. Yes, that is unseasonably low. A cold front from Alaska blew across the northwest but is mostly gone by now. Monday the high is supposed to be 73. I think we saved the tomatoes but there won't be anymore zucchini or cucumbers.
Our garden was in good shape when we arrived home but the cucumbers and zucchini were HUGE. Friends picked some, but not enough. And the tomatoes were almost over-ripe. We managed to salvage a few. There are still many green tomatoes on the vines so we covered them with a tarp the last two nights. The temperature dropped to about 27 both nights. Yes, that is unseasonably low. A cold front from Alaska blew across the northwest but is mostly gone by now. Monday the high is supposed to be 73. I think we saved the tomatoes but there won't be anymore zucchini or cucumbers.
Here are four pumpkins we raised. Obviously the one between Josiah's and Lilly's was fed the best. When the kids were here, Jana carved their names on them -- and then they grew. They would still be growing if the freeze hadn't gotten them. We'll take them to the kids when we go south at Christmas time. Right after this picture was taken Joyce gave the third one to the neighbor kids for carving.
The week ahead will be a lot of odd jobs taking care of the little things around here. So remember, take care of the little things before they become big things. I think I could write a book about that!
Monday, October 06, 2008
Friends and Family Tour, Week 3
The poll results are in. Obama has... wait... stop... wrong poll. The results of the "My Favorite Season" poll reveals an underwhelming preference for spring with 4 votes. Summer and autumn tied with 3 each and it seems nobody likes old man winter. Thank you for your participation. We'll try another one in a few weeks.
We also have the results of Week 3 of the Friends and Family Tour. What a great week it was. And tiring. I'll let the pictures lead into a brief explanation of each.
I closed the last blog with a mention of Joyce's cousins. After church Sunday -- which, by the way, was a gorgeous day in the State of Washington -- we met her cousins at Boston Pizza in Smokey Point (a little ways north of Everett) for lunch. Lots of good catching up on relatives. Pictured are Marla and Gordon, Pat, Joyce, Barbara and Brian. There are a lot more cousins in the area but these were the ones who could make it.
After the cousins lunch, it was on to Bellingham and Sharon's house. She is Joyce's older sister and right now her granddaughter, Audra, lives with her. Sharon loves to help others which has led her to a lot of experiments in growing food products with very little water. She hopes to someday be able to share what she has learned with people in arid countries. She also dabbles in ceramics and gave us lots and lots and lots of ceramic pieces (probably enough to overload the RV). Many of these will be painted by the kids at camp next summer as one of their crafts. Some were painted tonight by some of Ginger's clients. Some will be given away. I think Sharon was trying to unload a bunch of stuff. Anybody want a ceramic pig? We have lots.
Sort of looks like the beginnings of a bathroom doesn't it? My project was NOT a storage shed this time. It was a bathroom. This is in Sharon's basement and she wants to make a small apartment down there. So I plumbed and partially framed this important room. To go into detail about how the intricacies of this small project caused it to last all week are too complicated to go into now. Ask me in person some day.
Sharon lives on a hill. There is no level ground on which to park an RV. The most level is up this driveway, around a bend, past a ditch, between a car and a bus -- don't ask! -- and as close to a van as possible. Backing up! I deemed that impossible for my limited skills so we parked in a wide spot part way up hill. I got the front as high as possible which still wasn't totally level. We found some concrete blocks to put in front of the wheels. For six nights we slept with our heads downhill or turned our beds around.
Galen was my youth pastor in Grants Pass for about the last 5 years. He married Rylee a few years ago. This past summer he moved from Grants Pass to Vancouver, B.C. to attend a Bible College. Being that close, Joyce and I HAD to go up and see them. We got a tour of their apartment (500 square feet!) and the school. Then had a wonderful meal with them and returned to Bellingham. By the way, he is loving school and Rylee is the manager (and only employee) of the coffee bar at the school.
We left Bellingham on Saturday, arriving in St. Helens, Oregon about 6:00 that evening. St. Helens is where Joyce and I pastored for nine years prior to going to Grants Pass. The church has since closed but we still have a lot of good friends there. Sunday we attended church at Warren Christian Fellowship with Tim and Connie. Unexpectedly we ran into Bob and Joann and all of went to lunch together at Sunshine Pizza. Pictured are David, Connie and Tim, Bob and Joann, and Joyce. David is Tim and Connie's youngest son. He was born while we were there and now he is as big as his dad. Time sure causes them to grow, doesn't it? These people were so important to our church. They taught classes, served on boards, and Bob was our song leader.
Barbara and Jim were teachers and wonderful supporters. One of their daughters was born while we were there and she is now married and living in Everett, WA. If we had known, we might have been able to look her up while we were there.
Shirley was our organist. It seems she has not changed a bit in the intervening years.
Jerry and Shirley were always active in the church. One thing that stands out is Jerry's participation in our annual Halloween Carnival. He developed the "scary" stuff in the "fun house" aspect of the event. In fact he still has those items stored in his garage.
Edith has a little beauty shop next to her house and was the one who kept Joyce's hair looking lovely. She still works part-time in that shop. I married her son and daughter-in-law. He was a fellow school bus driver and bought our house when we left St. Helens.
We also have the results of Week 3 of the Friends and Family Tour. What a great week it was. And tiring. I'll let the pictures lead into a brief explanation of each.
I closed the last blog with a mention of Joyce's cousins. After church Sunday -- which, by the way, was a gorgeous day in the State of Washington -- we met her cousins at Boston Pizza in Smokey Point (a little ways north of Everett) for lunch. Lots of good catching up on relatives. Pictured are Marla and Gordon, Pat, Joyce, Barbara and Brian. There are a lot more cousins in the area but these were the ones who could make it.
After the cousins lunch, it was on to Bellingham and Sharon's house. She is Joyce's older sister and right now her granddaughter, Audra, lives with her. Sharon loves to help others which has led her to a lot of experiments in growing food products with very little water. She hopes to someday be able to share what she has learned with people in arid countries. She also dabbles in ceramics and gave us lots and lots and lots of ceramic pieces (probably enough to overload the RV). Many of these will be painted by the kids at camp next summer as one of their crafts. Some were painted tonight by some of Ginger's clients. Some will be given away. I think Sharon was trying to unload a bunch of stuff. Anybody want a ceramic pig? We have lots.
Sort of looks like the beginnings of a bathroom doesn't it? My project was NOT a storage shed this time. It was a bathroom. This is in Sharon's basement and she wants to make a small apartment down there. So I plumbed and partially framed this important room. To go into detail about how the intricacies of this small project caused it to last all week are too complicated to go into now. Ask me in person some day. Sharon lives on a hill. There is no level ground on which to park an RV. The most level is up this driveway, around a bend, past a ditch, between a car and a bus -- don't ask! -- and as close to a van as possible. Backing up! I deemed that impossible for my limited skills so we parked in a wide spot part way up hill. I got the front as high as possible which still wasn't totally level. We found some concrete blocks to put in front of the wheels. For six nights we slept with our heads downhill or turned our beds around.Galen was my youth pastor in Grants Pass for about the last 5 years. He married Rylee a few years ago. This past summer he moved from Grants Pass to Vancouver, B.C. to attend a Bible College. Being that close, Joyce and I HAD to go up and see them. We got a tour of their apartment (500 square feet!) and the school. Then had a wonderful meal with them and returned to Bellingham. By the way, he is loving school and Rylee is the manager (and only employee) of the coffee bar at the school.We left Bellingham on Saturday, arriving in St. Helens, Oregon about 6:00 that evening. St. Helens is where Joyce and I pastored for nine years prior to going to Grants Pass. The church has since closed but we still have a lot of good friends there. Sunday we attended church at Warren Christian Fellowship with Tim and Connie. Unexpectedly we ran into Bob and Joann and all of went to lunch together at Sunshine Pizza. Pictured are David, Connie and Tim, Bob and Joann, and Joyce. David is Tim and Connie's youngest son. He was born while we were there and now he is as big as his dad. Time sure causes them to grow, doesn't it? These people were so important to our church. They taught classes, served on boards, and Bob was our song leader.
Barbara and Jim were teachers and wonderful supporters. One of their daughters was born while we were there and she is now married and living in Everett, WA. If we had known, we might have been able to look her up while we were there.
Shirley was our organist. It seems she has not changed a bit in the intervening years.Jerry and Shirley were always active in the church. One thing that stands out is Jerry's participation in our annual Halloween Carnival. He developed the "scary" stuff in the "fun house" aspect of the event. In fact he still has those items stored in his garage.
Edith has a little beauty shop next to her house and was the one who kept Joyce's hair looking lovely. She still works part-time in that shop. I married her son and daughter-in-law. He was a fellow school bus driver and bought our house when we left St. Helens. Well, after all this visiting we left Monday noon for Salem. We are now at Ginger's doing some more "daddy-do's" and expect to travel home tomorrow (Wednesday). We have had some rain -- it starting raining again last Thursday -- but considering that this trip has been the last part of September and the first part of October, the weather has really has been good. But the fellowship, visiting, reacquainting, and eating together (we did a lot of that) has been really good. Now we look forward to being home again.
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