Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
October 30, 2011 - Wet, Wild, Windy, yet wonderful Camping
Our weekend of camping was filled with wet, wild & windy weather, yet sandwiched in between was a Saturday of wonderful weather.I don't mind the rain as long as I can have a nice hot shower to help me warm up.
I am thankful that Beverly Beach State Park has great facilities.
I was excited to try out the camera on my
new iPhone 4S and compare it to my old Nikon D50.
Here are a couple of fun photos.
Tell me which one you think was taken with my Nikon and which one was taken with my iPhone.
Photo 1
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
October 28, 2011 - Mushrooms of Beverly Beach
I was very glad to get back to Beverly Beach and do some hiking and mushroom 'shooting'. Even though it rained considerably at times, the rain did not dampen my spirits. I love camping and hunting for mushrooms in the Fall. It is awesome!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
October 27, 2011 - Friends don't let friends drink bad beer
Today I was walking into the grocery store as a gentleman was walking out carrying a case of Coors. I wanted to say, "No, what are you doing? Go back inside, get your money back, and by a GOOD beer!"
But he was a stranger, not a friend.
I just let him go on his oblivious, merry way.
But he was a stranger, not a friend.
I just let him go on his oblivious, merry way.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
October 26, 2011 - 107 Choir Concerts and still counting
After tonight's concert, my mental count is at 107, and that is the conservative number. It could be higher since I didn't add in all the little kindergarten programs.
I suppose attending over a hundred concerts is to be expected when you have 6 daughters with lovely voices who enjoy singing.
I have blogged about the girls and their gift and love of singing before and I am sure I will again especially as I attend Caroline's first College Choir Concert. (See link below for details.)
But for now, Jacquie makes the Quick Snap of the Day as she sang at tonight's West Salem Concert under the direction of a new teacher.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
October 25, 2011 - The Lord's Pantry
Today we all lost another good man in the passing of Lee Valdez.
Lee volunteered with my dad, Don Ranney, at The Lord's Pantry at St. Patrick's Church in Wichita, KS.
These 2 men had many Misadventures and I, along with many others, miss them dearly.
Lee volunteered with my dad, Don Ranney, at The Lord's Pantry at St. Patrick's Church in Wichita, KS.
These 2 men had many Misadventures and I, along with many others, miss them dearly.
Monday, October 24, 2011
October 24, 2011 - Woodworking 101
I finished the basics needed to deliver Mike & Aimee's rocking chair to them.
The rocking chair was a gift from Mike's grandma when they left Kansas for the west coast last April. Gabe is nearly 4 months old and I started the project about that long ago.
With sanding help from Alex, I was able to get the primer and stain on tonight.
It could use another coat of stain.
And it needs a sealer, but it is done enough to deliver tomorrow before Mike's grandma arrives from Nebraska.
I forgot how much I liked woodworking.
I used to work along side my dad when he was stripping and refinishing furniture.
Even though my basic role as an 8 year was only to hand him rags, I learned a lot from my dad.
I know this is not my best work, but I will let the perfectionist in me step aside because it's more important to deliver a rocking chair so a great grandma can rock her great grandson.
The rocking chair was a gift from Mike's grandma when they left Kansas for the west coast last April. Gabe is nearly 4 months old and I started the project about that long ago.
With sanding help from Alex, I was able to get the primer and stain on tonight.
It could use another coat of stain.
And it needs a sealer, but it is done enough to deliver tomorrow before Mike's grandma arrives from Nebraska.
I used to work along side my dad when he was stripping and refinishing furniture.
Even though my basic role as an 8 year was only to hand him rags, I learned a lot from my dad.
I know this is not my best work, but I will let the perfectionist in me step aside because it's more important to deliver a rocking chair so a great grandma can rock her great grandson.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
October 23, 2011 - Fall Harvest
Today I went to my first corn maze.
Willamette Valley Fruit company plays host to the largest corn maze in Oregon.
In addition to it being quite fun, some of the proceeds go to the Marion/Polk County Food Bank.
Willamette Valley Fruit company plays host to the largest corn maze in Oregon.
In addition to it being quite fun, some of the proceeds go to the Marion/Polk County Food Bank.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
October 22, 2011 - Luxuries
Luxuries are just that. A LUXURY.
It is NOT often a luxury comes your way.
But as Mick has said, "if you try sometimes, you just might find, that you get what you need."
Today, I can relate.
I ALMOST
Found what I needed.
Luxuries...
Flowers & fresh Produce.I
The flowers I gave to the neighbors.
It is NOT often a luxury comes your way.
But as Mick has said, "if you try sometimes, you just might find, that you get what you need."
Today, I can relate.
I ALMOST
Found what I needed.
Luxuries...
Flowers & fresh Produce.I
The flowers I gave to the neighbors.
Friday, October 21, 2011
October 21, 2011 - Autumn = Back to Quilting
Today was the first day that I began to embrace Fall 2011.
I have been fighting the approach of Fall,
fighting the approach of cloudy skies, cooler temps, and rain.
However, driving up to Silver Falls this afternoon,
seeing the beautiful Fall foliage,
smelling wood smoke from the fireplace,
and enjoying lunch by the fire helped me embrace the changing seasons.
So much so that I think I am even ready to get back to quilting.
- I know Laura will be thrilled as she has waited a very long time for me to finish this project.
Also, I have a new project in mind and I am 'wired' such that I NEED to finish one project before beginning the next.
So tomorrow, (after cleaning house and doing my other chores)
I plan to find my spool of thread and needle and
begin AGAIN!
In case you missed the beginning of the story, Click Here.
DWNTWN Images
Thursday, October 20, 2011
October 20, 2011 - Tillandsia-and-Succulants...Again
It's been 20 months or so since I got my first 'air plant'.(Click here for the 1st Blog about my 'air plant')
I am glad I have kept it alive for so long.
I am even more grateful that I am keeping my Christmas Cactus alive,
and that it blooms numerous times a year.
However, I haven't been able to get the air plant to bloom yet.
Maybe,
someday.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
October 19, 2011 - Old Hands
There are times when I look at my hands and think, I am sure getting old. My hands are rough, wrinkled, calloused, and have too many knicks, scars, and burns.
When I look at them I think they must belong to
an old man.
But they are my hands.
I use my hands constantly.
I use them to cook, clean, type, garden, and do all sorts of work.
I use them to brush hair, wipe noses, put on bandaids, and wipe away tears.
I also use them to hold my camera, paddle a canoe, and carry a hiking stick.
They may not be pretty hands.
But they are pretty useful.
And I am glad to have them.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
October 17, 2011 - Final Day in San Francisco
Our last full day in San Francisco was certainly a full one. In addition to doing a wide assortment of things,
We also experienced a wide range of emotions.
It has been a very good trip.
And I think Jacquie would agree.
We also experienced a wide range of emotions.
It has been a very good trip.
And I think Jacquie would agree.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
October 16, 2011 - Explorations, Celebrations & Birthdays
We are celebrating well here in San Francisco. Much of today was spent at the Exploratorium.
I also want to give a huge shout out to my dear friend Fr Matt who celebrates 40 years of life today. Happy Birthday my friend!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
October 15, 2011 - I love the Cable Cars
I absolutely love riding the Cable Cars. If this trip was about me, I would have been on them Thursday went we hit town, as well as every opportunity since. But this is Jacquie's trip, not mine. So I was excited today when Jacquie decided she wanted to take the Cable Cars to China town.
I hope tomorrow we get another chance to catch a ride on them.
I hope tomorrow we get another chance to catch a ride on them.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
October 13, 2011 - Pumping Gas
I have lived in Oregon for over 5 years now. I haven't given much thought to pumping gas or teaching my kids to pump gas until I find myself in another state. 
So I took the opportunity to teach Jacquie the basics of transferring fuel into the tank of an automobile.
And now she has a new skill that could potentially land her a job as a Fuel Transfer Attendant, at least in Oregon.
So I took the opportunity to teach Jacquie the basics of transferring fuel into the tank of an automobile.
And now she has a new skill that could potentially land her a job as a Fuel Transfer Attendant, at least in Oregon.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
October 11, 2011 - Work cubicle
I have focused much of my work hours the past 2 weeks on preparing our very small office space
for 3 more employees. I am nearly done. Admittedly I am looking forward to a break as Jacquie and I prepare to leave for San Francisco tomorrow the 12th of October.
- Posted by DWNTWN
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 10, 2011 - Thoughts of my mom
Today's Quick snap actually comes from my mom who I had the pleasure of hosting in my home for a week or so in September. Mom is back home in Wichita now after traveling the Oregon Trail with her 4 legged traveling companion, Sammi.
You can read all about my mom's travels and adventures on her blog Forever Hopeful.
Love you mom!
You can read all about my mom's travels and adventures on her blog Forever Hopeful.Love you mom!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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