Good Food, Good Fun, Good Family

Yesterday was our brother-in-law, Brian’s, birthday so tonight we took him and my sister, Laila, out to dinner at Red Lobster.  Boy was it yummy.





Since Brian is celebrating his 102nd birthday, I thought I would make this post as  tribute to him.  Actually he’s only 72 but when you get that old, what’s a few years anyway?  Brian met my sister through the internet about 13 years ago.  He was living in Puerto Rico and she was living in Oregon.   He flew to Oregon to meet us – yes we had to approve – and the rest ,as they say, is history. 

We weren’t certain we would recognize Brian at the airport but he did tell us to look for the fella with big ears.  Boy he was NOT kidding.



We didn’t know a lot about Brian at the time.  We knew he was a retired army major and that he had a college degree.  But he wanted to go back to school and living in a college town such as Eugene, Oregon presented him with that opportunity.  He was well into his 60’s when he graduated the University of Oregon with a degree in Archeology.  We understand his love of digging in the dirt went WAAY back so I suppose it was a natural field of study for him.



He looked a little befuddled went the University sent him on his first official dig.




Of course, being an alum of such a storied institution as the University of Oregon, Brian jumped wholeheartedly into being the best Duck fan ever.



We traveled to San Diego a few years back to see the Ducks play in the Holiday Bowl and while we were there we ran into one of Brian’s relatives.



Do you see the resemblance?  We met another of his relatives while on a trip up the McKenzie River a couple of years ago.



In 2007, we traveled to Arizona and ended up in Tombstone one day.  I’m not sure who was more aghast at this chance meeting. 



Brian tried to pick up one of the local ladies in Tombstone, but Laila told him he would wind up back at Boot Hill if he didn’t knock it off.






Brian is the one who thought up some of the planking stunts while we were in Reno together last July.  You can read about that little adventure here.

I could go on and on about the fun times we have had with Brian and Laila.  He was definitely a positive addition to my sister’s life and we have more memories and fun photos than I have room in this blog, so with that I’ll just say “Thank You, Brian, for the fun times and for being a part of the family.  Happy Birthday.”

Hang in there Brian – 73 is only 365 days away.

Sue and Mo and SNOW!!!

Sue and Mo from The MoHo and Other Traveling Tales stopped in Eugene on their way south last night.  They boon docked at Valley River Center, a great place for overnighting.  Laurie (of Laurie and Odel) wrote a review about boon docking here and you can read it on her review site, We Called it Home.

We made plans to go to breakfast together this morning so I rolled out a little earlier than usual.  Was I ever surprised when I looked outside and saw that it was SNOWING!!   REALLY!!  At the end of February in Eugene, OR???  Yup…and here’s the picture off my back deck to prove it!



Now just in case that doesn’t look like snow to you, I had Rusty go outside and bring in a sample.




Let me tell you, that is some serious snow, oh yeah!!!  We figured if we were real careful we might just manage to make it to breakfast anyway so we chained up the van…oh, well okay, we didn’t quite need the chains!  We went out to Valley River and led Sue and Mo to our 2nd favorite breakfast place in Eugene.  Why not our #1 favorite??  Because that one is on the other end of town and Ye Old Pancake House is located right on the road they needed to take to get to the coast.  ( Note to my Eugene readers - I ran into an old friend at the restaurant from my Daisy Duck days.  Cookie stopped by and said hello.)

At Valley River we saw this white egret just standing in the field.  I didn’t realize I had his human twin in the photo until I got home.  See the resemblance – the coloring is a perfect match!!



So off to the restaurant where we had a  jolly good time – and some good food too.  We talked about ya’ll and laughed a lot.  Not really – but we did laugh a lot!!  While we were eating, the snow started coming down again and it snowed pretty hard for, oh, about 10 minutes at least.  We also saw a pick-up truck pull in and it had a good layer of snow.  Must have been a resident of our “South Hills” (that’s up where the other half lives and they do get more snow than us flatlanders).

Mo and I both had saved part of our breakfast for our fur kids and Mo was feeding Abby her portion, not knowing that Russ had a nefarious plan in place.  He gathered a big snowball from the aforementioned pickup truck and was threatening an unsuspecting Mo.



Don’t worry – he behaved and tossed the snowball the other way.

One last picture of the whole gang as they loaded up and headed for the coast and then home to Rocky Point.  Look for Jeremy the cat in the MoHo doorway.



Thanks for breakfast you guys and for a REALLY fun time.  Hope to see you again soon.

Whew!!! Glad that’s over!

I really shouldn’t be writing a blog tonight and I cannot be held responsible for anything I say as I am still in a somewhat drugged and muzzle-headed state.  Today was my introduction into the Colonoscopy Hall of Fame – yes I am now a member of that elite and wonderful comradeship of old farts who have been hosed. 


If you have had this procedure, then you know that the prep is the worst part.  I sent Russ to the store yesterday morning to get me some Gatorade and Jell-O.  Oh yes, the instructions said I could have clear liquids.  I naively thought I would be able to swallow something tasty while also ingesting 128 oz. of vile “prep” liquid.  Uh, no, not happening!  But Russ was so sweet to try and he also came back with a get well card for me.  This is the front of that card.





Did I tell you, I think my husband has sadistic tendencies?  I emailed a copy of this card to my siblings hoping to generate some sincere sympathy and this is what I got back from my brother, David:


Please do not fear having a colonoscopy. It is no big deal.
1. You drink a few gallon of a lovely flavored liquid, tasting interestingly like cooled urine. Although I have never actually tasted urine, at least not that I know of, it is roughly what I imagine it is like.
2. Then you take a nice comfortable seat in the bathroom for a few hours, OK, more like a whole day, and feel like you just lost your entire body weight into the sewer system.  Not a big deal.
3. Finally, you crawl into bed... wait a minute – one more trip to the comfortable toilet for a few minutes, or an hour. Now back to bed, well not so quick, one more rotation ought to do it.
4. Then you wake up and go delightedly to the hospital or other torture chamber, where they strip you of your clothes, dignity and money.
5. Then they put you back to sleep (where were they when you were asleep last night?), but not before you can see all the other people in the area who are recovering gracefully, vomiting wastefully and being a pain to your hopeful expectations of a trouble free procedure.
6. Then some ingrate, ignorant and wandering orderly walks through with a garden hose wrapped in his arms, and says, “We’ll be with you in a moment!”
7. Yes, I have fond memories of the day I almost decided to give up on life altogether.
Actually, I don’t remember a thing! No problem!
David


Thanks, Bro, I love you too.

And so it went.  I was extremely nervous and I think they gave me an extra boost of drugs as I was very aware of the beginning of the procedure.  I yelled  “up periscope” and I think that’s when the doctor said to put me WAAAY out! 
 
Good news though.  I only had one polyp, of which they very thoughtfully provided me a color image.  I can post it here if you want!!!  I have to wait 7-10 days to find out if it is good or bad but I ‘m sure it will be fine.  I also found out I have diverticulosis and that might help explain my tummy troubles.  No big deal.  So, since I can think of no one else to blame for my having to go through this procedure today, I think I‘ll blame Rick.  It was, after all, while visiting Rick and Paulette at the Sands that I got so sick and  finally decided to bite the bullet and have this done.  (just kidding Rick)
 
So with that I’ll sign off.  If I make any inappropriate comments on anyone’s blog tonight – just blame the drugs. WHEEEEE!!

Am I Just Prejudiced?

…or am I the only one who thinks my youngest is incredibly talented?  This is not a travel blog, or an outdoors blog or a weather blog.  This is an unabashed BRAGGING Blog.  But that’s okay, as we have all agreed in the past, I can write what I feel I want to write, right?!?!  And today I want to brag on my youngest son, the one who just got married on Valentine’s day.


We went to drop off a video of the wedding that I made for the newlyweds and this is what was on Joel’s worktable.  He made it for his new little step-daughters.





They wanted the Mad Hatter and this is what he came up with.  And since I’m in bragging mode here are a few more of his latest works.  This guy he calls “Political Commentary.”





At one time he made some wall plaques.  I have the Grumpy Butler hanging at my front door.  He made signs for me to hang from the Butler such as No soliciting, No smoking, etc.  He never liked his Santa plaque but I thought it was great.



    














Just a few more… These were designed to be garden plaques.  The one on the left represents wind and the one on the right is earth. 

  










And finally, just a couple I really like, just because.

 










So there you have it.  No reason for this post other than I am so proud of this talented young man and wanted to share his work.  It’s too bad he does not do this for a living but you know what they say about starving artists!!  It’s true!   And so he is a computer programmer by trade and an artist when he has time.  Thank you Joel for sharing your wonderful gift.

A Few Signs of Spring

We took advantage of a break in the showers today to get in a short walk at Fern Ridge Reservoir.  If you follow me regularly you know this is one of our favorite places to walk and let the dogs get in a little exercise.


There were myriad signs of spring, from the sound of frogs and birds and the chattering of squirrels to signs of new life on the trees and bushes. 


I don’t know what this tree is but it has a waterfall of new growth.  The new leaf covered shoots cascade from the larger branches almost to the ground.





This is what those little leaves look like close up.





Some of the older leaves are still trying to hang on.  Don’t they know that fall was a long time ago?





But nature will win out and spring will come again.










And as the sun sank slowly into the west, the Lone Ranger and Tonto…errr…that is…Russ and Rusty started their journey towards the car and home.  Poppy was already halfway over the bridge.  When it’s time to head back to the car, she’s always ready to get there first!







Both dogs (and both people too!) are plum tuckered.  Rusty had a hard time keeping up but he did his best.  He stumbles a lot but he keeps going and even got in a little trot or two.  It’s funny because he seems to have better control when he moves a little faster.  The vet said absolutely NO RUNNING, and I don’t think Rusty could run much anyway, but he had a good time on our shortened walk.  Bless his heart, he doesn’t give up.

Do You Like Old Automobiles and Aeroplanes?

We went to Portland yesterday to visit son John and family (and to pick up a BUNCH of Girl Scout cookies!).  John has been volunteering at an old museum (is that an oxymoron?) up near Hood River, OR.  This museum houses very old cars and “aeroplanes”, all in working condition.  Sometimes you can even get a ride in a Model "T".  John has written a blog about the museum and you can read it here.  It is a well-written blog, so no need for me to repeat the information here.  John did say one thing though – seems there is an antique fire engine at the museum that children love to sit on.  He said if you visit on the the day that he is volunteering and tell him the secret password “Blogger Friend”, not only will he let you sit on that fire engine, he’ll let you ring the bell!!!  How’s that for a good deal.



Granddaughter Rebekah was waiting for her nail polish to dry before she left for her shift selling cookies at Fred Meyer.  She is consistently their top sales person.  The local girl scout leaders asked John to do a training video featuring Rebekah and I got to play the customer!!  It was fun.


On the way home the sun was going down but Mt. Hood was very visible.  We were quite a ways away but it is always a treat to see Mt. Hood from any angle.  If you look closely, you can see a small plane in this photo between the bands of clouds.  That was a nice surprise!  We always see lots of hawks sitting along the freeway on the trip to Portland.  Yesterday we decided to count.  We saw 28 hawks, 1 egret, and a bald eagle.  Of course we go by so fast that we can only get a quick look but it was fun anyway.  We usually see some heron but didn’t see any yesterday.



Speaking of photos, Kate has a great hummingbird collage on her blog.  Kate comes up with some of the neatest photos.  It seems everywhere she goes, from the grocery store to the ocean to the garden, Kate can find something to shoot.  Check out some of her older blogs for some surprising images.  I see that Erin also downloaded the app Kate used on her collage and Erin created a very special tribute to President’s Day.  Check it out.  Rick had some interesting photos on his blog last night too.

So that’s about it for tonight.  Thanks to all those wonderful bloggers who took word verification off your blogs.  Many did not even realize it was required but these old eyes sure appreciate not trying to decipher those crazy words.  ♥

Looking for Spring

It won’t be long now and all I can say is…BRING IT ON!!  I’m anxious for some warmer weather, longer days,  and spring flowers.

Backyard Flowers 2008

 Don’t you agree?

P.S.  Please, get rid of word verification, pretty please, with sugar on top?!?!?!

A New Family is Created ♥♥

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.  Today was an extra special day for us as we welcomed the newest members of our family.  Youngest son Joel and his lovely Bride, Annette were married today in Eugene, Oregon.  What better day for uniting two families than Valentine’s Day.  And so may I present to you our Son Joel, his bride Annette, and their merged family.  Welcome to the family Annette, Olivia, and Sarina.

Therapy Goes For a Ride

Sunday was a cloudy but warm day and Therapy was raring to get out of her corral and hit the road.  After a stop at Subway for some picnic sandwiches, we headed south on I-5 towards Cottage Grove.  This small scenic town is about 20 miles or so from Eugene and just out of town to the east is Dorena Lake.  It’s a reservoir really, but everyone calls it a lake.  The lake is fed by the Row (rhymes with “cow”) River.  There is a wonderful walking and biking trail all around the lake.

We stopped on the north side of the lake first.  I was amazed at how low the water was.  The reservoir is drawn down for flood control but I had never seen it this low.  In the summer, all of that exposed area is covered with water.


One advantage of the low water was this sighting of the rare and elusive Oregon Alligator!




We also noted these strange holes in the bank of the river.  Does anyone have any idea what these could be?  Russ thinks the holes are made by some kind of bird.  I have no idea.



We drove clear around the lake to the south shore where there is a county park, Baker Bay.  This area contains a campground (no hook-ups), boating facilities, concessions, and a large picnic area.  This is a popular area in the summer but everything was closed for the winter except for a small parking lot.  We parked Therapy and had our picnic.









I could not believe that someone would actually back WAAAY down the boat ramp onto the mud to get their boat into the water.  They say this lake is a premier catfishing area but I don’t think I would take a chance.  Look close and you can see the boat in the upper third of the photo. 



We used to take our boat out on this lake when the kids were little.   Sometimes we would fish or sit and eat sandwiches, but mostly the kids wanted to ski or knee board.  One time we were getting ready to take off after we had taken a time out for lunch.  The boat was struggling to get going and Russ just kept giving it more power trying to get going.  It finally took off and at that point a broken rope started flapping around on the surface of the water.  Somewhere at the bottom of this lake lies our lost boat anchor!  Here’s a short video clip of John kneeboarding on Dorena about 30 years ago!



I wonder what this airplane was doing out here? 






We didn’t see him land so not sure what was going on.

We had a great day and Therapy got a much needed run.    Looks like the weather is not going to be that great the rest of the week so we’re glad we got out and about for a little while.   It was a good day.

Me and My Big Mouth!

I had several commenters asking about my collages a few posts ago, and how I did them.  I blithely said I would write about that in a future post.  What I failed to consider is the fact that I use an old program to do my collages and I cannot find a similar way to do that with either Photoshop or Picasa. 

Although I use Photoshop Elements 10 for most of my editing work, I find making collages with that program cumbersome and decidedly UNuserfriendly.  It is especially difficult to incorporate text with your collages.  If you use Photoshop and want to see more on making collages with that program, here’s a link to a tutorial on You Tube that will tell you more than I could in this space.  There are lots of free Photoshop tutorials on You Tube, some are better than others, but many are very helpful.

I have tried many photo editing programs over the years but the one I keep going back to and the program I use for collages is Microsoft's Digital Image Suite 10.  This is an old program and has not been supported by Microsoft since 2009.  No matter how I try to wean myself away from this program, I find myself going back to it often for certain applications.  It is intuitive for users of Microsoft products and, although it does have its quirks and is a memory hog, it is a powerful program that does most everything the hobbyist photographer could want to do.  This program is old and no longer supported, it is still available on Amazon from several merchants.  I run this program with Windows 7 even though it is not listed as a compatible program.

With Digital Image, I simply start with a blank canvas.  I can size it whatever I want – usually 16X20 and that gives me room to work and to down size it later for web publishing.  I draw a rectangle on the canvas from corner to corner and fill that rectangle with color.  Then I adjust the transparency and add a gradient.  Sometimes I add a second color following the same procedure.  I can also add any number of textures to the background for special effect.  I save the background under its own name so that I can reuse it for future collages without starting from scratch.

I open all the photos I want to use.  With Digital Image, I can just drag the photos from my files sidebar onto the background.  From there I can resize the image to whatever I want it to be, and add special effects such as soft edges or frames.  I can move the image anywhere I want to place it within the the background and free rotate it as many degrees as desired.  After I have all my images placed, I add whatever text I want.  Digital Image has a wide selection of fonts to choose from and it is so easy to move text around.  One thing I really like about this program is the flexibility to move things around and format which picture is on top when I want to use an overlapping photo design.

Here’s a collage I created in about 10 minutes using Digital Image.


The other option is to use Picasa.  This is the easier option, and it does allow for some creativity, but it does not have the options that you have with Digital Image.  I downloaded Picasa 3.9 and played around with it a bit.  This is really a neat program if you just want to make a quick collage.

Here’s a quick one I did with Picasa.  First make a new album and place all the photos you want to use in your collage in that album.  Select the album and then select Create, Picture Collage.  This is what I got without any editing.



I selected a matching pink from the flower for the background, changed the orientation and size of the canvas, and selected one of the collage templates. 



I was unable to edit my photos from the collage program so they would need to be corrected prior to making the collage.  I was also unable to move the photos within the designated frames to allow for better positioning.  I suppose if I cropped them beforehand it would work better.  Adding text is not hard but there are not a lot of options.

I also made a collage without using a template.  I was able to change the size and positioning of the photos but could not control which photo was on top.  In this example, I added a border around the photos and positioned them randomly.  I accidentally got two of the same photo in here but you get the idea anyway, I’m sure   This was easy but limiting.



In conclusion, I guess the easiest and least expensive option is to download Picasa 3.9 and go from there.  When you download this program it will scan your hard drive and create a library of all your photos.  There are some neat things you can do from here such as using face recognition to organize photos and eliminating duplicates.  I am no expert on Picasa as I just downloaded 3.9 last night, but it is free and the learning curve is not too steep.  Just play around with it and don’t worry about making a mistake.  You get as many do-overs as you want.  The other programs I mentioned are available for purchase – it just depends on what you want to do and how much fooling around with pictures you plan to do.  I love the editing and messing around with pictures so for me it’s all good.  Hope I haven’t confused you too much and if I have raised more questions than I have answered, just email me and I’ll try to get a better answer to you – if I know one that is!!  Happy collaging!!