Memorial Day Brunch

Ron & I were invited by our friends downstairs, Mike and Cynthia, for brunch on Memorial Day. We looked forward to it for days because food always smells so good from the Studio below!
We arrived to find a beautifully set table and flags and Memorial Day decorations in the window. Cynthia is always so sweet and etiquette conscious. She always brings a gift or flowers or flowers and wine when we host them. This is like the old school that we see celebrated by Ron's sister Pet's family. Her children always come with gifts. It is so nice! So with a garden full of flowers I decided to arrange what would be a beautiful bouquet only for a couple of days. It was fun to arrange.
Mike was cooking up some surprise for us! We sat down and had coffee while our hosts worked together to finish the really lovely brunch. The surprise – scrambled eggs lobster! Beautiful sausage, flakey croissants, a mixture of fresh strawberries and blueberries along with orange juice, coffee and the best company one could find made for a lovely and memorable treat.
Thank you Mike and Cynthia! We really enjoyed the time with you.

New Fishing Buddies

Fishing Detroit Lake May 22 with our new friend and tenant Mike.

"There are sure to be fish to catch" I promised Mike after I read the fish stocking schedule for the Brightenbush and Santiam Rivers. Mike has been fishing daily on the Willamette River where the fish are not really safe to eat. He has been catching some there – so this was our chance to have a fish feed!

Ron & I packed a fine variety of food for a picnic lunch and by about 10:30 a.m. we were at the Upper Arm Day Use Area to enjoy the most beautiful warm day. Mike and Ron got busy rigging their gear and I roamed the beautiful picnic area with everything one could want for a nice comfortable day in the Mountains. There was even a swimming area designated with a nice beach. We were a bit surprised that we had the whole area all to ourselves. After all – this was the Friday before the holiday weekend.
Mike made beautiful casts into the blue green water while Ron wandered up and down the shoreline casting his fly rod. It wasn't long at all until they were both HUNGRY!
We dug into the bounty of hoagie sandwiches – chips and dip – fruit – and deviled eggs.
After a great picnic Ron took off to find a better fishing spot while Mike continued to try his luck – repairing his line after snags – and adjusting the weights to deal with the high water and swift current.
By about 2:00pm with no luck we all piled in the truck and drove up the Santiam trying a few spots by bridges and enjoying the perfect warm weather and the beautiful views of snow covered majestic Mt. Jefferson.
When I reached my riding limit about 3:00 and suggested we start home because I was "tired" Ron suggested, "maybe you shouldn't be as old as you are"! Well- maybe not but IT WAS TIME TO GO!
On the way home we stopped at the Ginger Bread House and Mike treated us all to ice cream cones. Perfect end of a fun day – even though we had NO FISH!
Thanks for the great fun and interesting conversations Mike - It was fun to have you along!

MCMinnville 10th Annual UFO Festival

My half alien (not illegal) son Tim keeps me entertained with one adventure after another. This year he invited me to join him at the 10th Annual McMinnville UFO Festival which celebrates and features the first Oregon UFO sighting and well known photo's taken by a local farmer 59 years ago. This was before the digital age and the photographs have been scrutinized for years and are found to be authentic my many authorities in the field.

The festival is sponsored by McMenamin's who have established their Bar and Grill in the old Oregon Hotel downtown McMinnville. First of all Tim took me to lunch on the 5th floor Rooftop Bar from which the view of this wonderful little town is breathtaking. We had a fun time visiting and people watching. We were amazed at the huge crowd that gathered for the parade.

As Tim says, "we are both vertically challenged" so when we got to the Parade Route we were holding our camera's as high as possible and shooting with our fingers crossed. There were lots of amazing and fun costumes. Being long time fans of Star Wars we especially enjoyed the clone army and Darth Vader! It was a blast.

After the Parade we went for Ice Cream!

Then we walked to the lecture hall to hear Linda Moulton Howe, a renowned journalist and Pulitzer Prize recipient speak about documented events in New Mexico. The hall was packed with about 500 people. Lots of interest in the possibility that we have never been alone!

Thanks Tim for another outstanding Adventure!

Every Day is a new Adventure

I've been too busy having adventures to write in my blog lately. Yesterday we were interrupted by seeing a cute little Boston Terrier in danger on our busy street. Of course we brought him in. The sweet little guy seemed to be old and very compliant. Cynthia contributed some dog food from Sitka while I thought about what to do. The Humane Society of Salem was closed until noon on Thursday (today), so I made a poster for our tree out front and put a lost found ad in Craig's list.

Then the little boy and I took a nap together. He snores! As the evening wore on I became really concerned that somewhere his "mommy" was really worried about him and was broken hearted. About 8:00 pm my intuition told me to take the dog on a rope Ron had tied carefully not to choke him – and to go to Alpine Street to canvass the whole neighborhood if necessary to find his home.

At the first door I knocked on the gentleman told me he didn't know anything about the dog – but it was nice to meet a new neighbor who just moved in. I started on down the street when another man came running out of the same house and shouted – "a little old lady has been looking for a dog today – and she lives in the last house on the right".

I shouted "Thank You" and the dog & I headed to the end of the street. As I turned into the yard I saw a little foot scraper with a "Boston Terrier's Head" and I knew I was in the right place. I rang the door bell and a lady answered. "Is this your baby?" I asked. "Yes" was her joyful reply. She invited me in to see the dog run and explain how very careful she is with her dog named "Beau"! (That was our cat's name.) She is 91 years old and had had her next door neighbor looking – since Beau had been missing since the day before. It was a happy reunion and another confirmation that one should always listen and respond to the quiet inner voice that knows what to do!

I will have more adventures to tell soon. Till then – have a great day – wherever you are!

Mother's Day 1974

My focus for this blog is to tell a few life changing stories of which I have many. I don't know about you, but it has been my experience that life has a way of slapping you upside the head every now and then just to clear up what is really important in the big picture of things. That was so for me on Mother's Day in 1974. I was alone for the first time since I married in 1958, in the final steps of divorce. I had two young kids who were depending on me but I felt like my life was over. When I looked in the mirror I saw a fat old lady (33 years was over the hill) who had wasted my youth on a marriage that didn't work out. I was the supporting actor in that relationship – always in the background. Mrs. R., "Stage Wife", working as a dental assistant to support the family while Mr. R went to college to get a degree that would make our life better. I was depressed, yet relieved that a decision had been made.

It was just before Mother's day that the youth leader of our Methodist Youth Group called me. She said, "we need you to come on a retreat over the Mother's Day weekend and help chaperone the event." I said, I couldn't possibly leave my two little kids on Mother's day, but she kept after me and told me it would do me good. So reluctantly I asked Mr. R to take the kids for the weekend and I packed a few things for a weekend in a donated rental house in Neskowin located between Pacific City and Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast.

There's nothing like being around 12 or 15 teenagers to lift your sprits. They are so full of energy and enthusiasm for life. We played games – shared stories, walked on the beach and their joy shifted my attention to the big picture.

On Mother's Day morning, after breakfast when they invited me to join them to play on the beach, I declined. I needed to think. As I looked out over the beautiful blue pacific I thought to myself about all the amazing creatures that live in the sea. Many of them are enclosed in shells to protect themselves, only opening up long enough to take in their prey. I realized that's exactly what I was doing. Closing myself off from the world, to avoid being hurt again. As I looked from the hill top house down on the beach I saw a huge message carved in the beach. It must have stretched a quarter of a mile – in huge letters it said "We all love you Betty"!

In a flash I saw that I had always been the one to care for the family, to earn the living, to balance the check book, to cook the meals, to clean the house, to nurture the children, to volunteer at Hillcrest (detention school for girls at that time), to teach Sunday School, to lead groups of youth, to continue to learn. I made a decision at that moment that would be foundational in the rest of my life and I stood up and declared in a loud and proud voice "I AM". I can do anything I need to do in life. If the load is heavy, I may need to make many trips instead or one – but I can do it. "I AM" a special being, loved by many and now loved by myself. I will not hide from fear of being hurt – because I am capable of dealing with whatever comes my way. "I AM" was a place to start for the first time embracing the talents and the gifts that I have to share and loving life whatever it brings!

Mother's Day

The day began with Ron taking my picture with my beautiful Cardinal Bush in full bloom. Then we joined my son Tim, daughter-in-law Marilyn and my precious daughter at McGrath's downtown Salem for our special celebration. Now is the time to collect all those awards and benefits for the job of motherhood. When I see what wonderful people and friends my children have become – the creativity in them, the contributions they make to the community and to my life, it is much better than any gold watch retirement party!

I had phone calls from the other three kids – including Ernie (Ronnie) who lives in Eastern Washington, Vicki who lives near Seattle, and Eli our youngest who joined our family when he was 16 years old and has been a treasured part of our clan ever since. Who has the Greatest Kids in the Whole World? I DO!

Thanks kids for the beautiful cards, flowers, breakfast out, phone calls and for remembering me when your lives are so very busy. I love you with all my heart.

For a report on our Picnic on Saturday with Mike and Cynthia and the opportunity to meet our great new friends check our their blog by clicking on the link above. This is the first time I have tried a link. Lets see if I can do it! Cynthia has been my coach in this blog process, which I find to be very entertaining. Nice way to keep in touch with friends and relatives all over the world!

Happy Birthday Children of May

Hello and Greetings to my gang of grandchildren who celebrate birthdays in May.
* Jared Michael was born May 8,1997 – youngest son of Vicki – Ron's daughter.
* Alyssa was born May 11, 1987 – first child of Ernie & DeeDee
* Deja was born May 12, 1988 – third child of Vicki
* Josh was born May 21, 1985 second child of Vicki
Landon born May 19, 2007 son of Jesse, our Great Grandson!

We are so proud of you! You are all just great kids. Have a great May celebration and know that your Grandpa Ron and Grandma Betty are thinking about you!

As you see Alyssa and Deja were born one year and one day apart. DeeDee was at my house the morning she went into labor and it was Mother's Day in a big way. I was having brunch in my back patio brought to me by my daughter when DeeDee announced she was soon to deliver. What an exciting event. Ron & I were privileged to have Ernie & DeeDee stay for a short while after the birth and Grandma Betty got to play with the tiny little Alyssa. It's hard to believe she will soon be 22 years old! Deja will be 21 this year. We attended her wedding last June when she married Chris. They are courageous college students working their way through school in Yakima, WA. We wish them the very best and Happy Birthday Deja
Deja 1 year old and Alyssa 2 years old at their first Birthday Party together at Grandma's.

Jared came to visit us last month and it was fun to have him overnight. He enjoyed going to Discovery Village – one of his favorite places to visit when he comes to visit from his home in Washington. Jared enjoys CARS! He also likes airplanes and going fishing with his parents.

Josh must be 24 this year. It is hard to believe. When I used to take the three littlest ones for a walk, Josh would be dragging behind – tired on the way to Grandma's house up the hill. Grandma would trick him into running in the late afternoons by saying, "catch my shadow Josh!" "Step on it." Soon he was running ahead of me up the hill. Now Josh is the Daddy of Isaiah, born April 28th. Grandma Vicki will have to help me with the year. Below see Josh in 1988.

Happy Birthday to Maria in Sweden too. Maria was with us on her 17th Birthday as an exchange student. What a joy she is to this day. We look forward to your next trip to the USA Maria!

Salem Growing

There actually was a train station in West Salem many years ago and the train took passengers from the heart of Salem to the West Salem and out lying areas. There is a bit of history here for you to see.

I'm sure our boys who liked to climb to the top of the bridge in the early 1980's will be interested in these changes. Tim tells me he climbed to the very very top of the bridge only to have an owl fly our in his face which was almost enough to make him fall. I am relieved though that no one in my family actually jumped from the bridge into the Willamette! I hope that part of the story is true . . . ? click on pictures to make them larger to read. We Love Salem!

Manifesting Visions

Ron & I took our first walk across the newly opened foot and bicycle bridge from West Salem to the Riverfront Park downtown Salem on Sunday. We are so excited about all the development and changes in our community. When we moved to West Salem in 1975 there was only one traffic bridge with two way traffic. We have seen another bridge open to allow for one way four lane bridges - heard talk of building another traffic bridge in the future - and now the old Railroad bridge built in 1912 has been converted to a foot and bicycle path which in the future will connect three parks, Wallace Marine Park to Riverfront Park with path ways running all the way to Browns Island Park South of Salem. The dream of community planners is becoming reality as the old "Boise Paper Mill" is coming down - making room for our vision of a beautiful river access all along the Willamette River.

Just like a personal dream or vision, a community vision requires years of gaining enough people to see the same picture of benefits equal to or in excess of the cost in hours of time and acquiring the funds to proceed. We are really beginning to see the "big picture" of this user friendly environment for the enjoyment of people just like us.

We saw lots of people enjoying this new opportunity to connect while taking a leisurly walk across the Willamette. We spoted nesting geese on the bridge structure and will be watching them in the future - since it seems like such a long way for baby geese to jump!

Extended Family

Rilletta helps us decorate Easter Eggs

Our sweet neighbor lady Rilletta "dropped in on us in a very unexpected way" Saturday afternoon when her giant old oak tree fell and crushed a section of our patio cover during a severe weather alert. We were not aware of the "thunderstorm alert" until it was all over. The storm effected areas from the coast through Salem and moved North through Beaverton and Portland causing widespread damage and leaving 30,000 people without power. It could have been much worse but the wind storms are always frightening given that we live in the midst of a forest of oak, maple, and old overgrown cherry trees. We love the beauty and the secluded feeling but from time to time it comes with a price.

Rilletta has been like a big sister friend and good neighbor for many years now. She has been alone in her house next door for over 20 years since her husband and Love of her Life passed away. Ron & I made a commitment to "look after her" in December of 1995 when we invited her to join us for Christmas so she wouldn't be alone. Since then she has joined us for a hearty meal once each week. For the last few years I have tried to have a good movie from the early days of film for her to enjoy with me after dinner. Even though she is "legally blind" she seemed to love "watching the old movies with me". Every Christmas we make sure to watch "White Christmas, staring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney." As she grew older (now in her 80's) and had more needs than we could provide, we reluctantly broke the bond of dependency and insisted that she hire care givers to come into her home to cook and help care for her needs. It was sad for all of us to end the 12 year rituals, but she is doing so well with the additional help I know it is for the best.

Years ago I asked my boss, "Do you think I am a Pollyanna?" His immediate reply was, "Pollyanna? NO, you're a *# #* Tinkerbelle! Oh well, what do I care? If it's a weakness to look after neighbors, confused teenagers or people who need a helping hand, then so be it – Because I know that’s why I'm here – and that's what I have to do – and gratefully Ron shares that loving compassion. As we grow older I notice that the memories we treasure are those that we shared with wonderful people all through the years. We both really believe from the depth of our hearts that Every Child is our child and Every Older Person is our parent, or sister or brother. I have tried to teach our children and extended family that if they have to choose between being Naïve or Cynical, they should always error on the side of Naïve and do what seems right from that place of Love.