Fall Frolics and Silly Squirrels

Before I talk about the last couple of days, I just want to take a minute and thank all the wonderful folks out there who read my blog and comment once in a while (or more often!).  Like many other bloggers, I started this as a way to keep in touch with friends and family when we travel and also as a diary to help me remember the where we had been!!

When other folks started following my blog, I was astounded.  I had no idea there was an entire community of like minded people out there in the blogosphere.  Some of you I have been privileged to meet and others I certainly hope to meet someday.  These friendships and sense of community have become very meaningful to me.  And if we disagree from time to time, or tease, or laugh or cry together, well…that’s what friends are for!  Thank you all for being my friends.

And now back to our regularly scheduled blog, already in progress!

What a great two days we have had here in Eugene.  A bit on the damp side, but the temperatures are still mild, with just a bit of a nip in the air.

We have been making regular trips to the lake to exercise the dogs (and ourselves!)  The lake has already begun to shrink as the water is drawn down in anticipation of the rains to come.  The boats are being removed from their summer moorage.


It always looks kinda lonely when the slips are empty and the water starts to recede.


This fella is getting a head start on his treasure hunting this year!

Don’t think I would be that dedicated.

We went to Detering Orchard to pick up some apples and just enjoy the nice day.  We found an interesting bin of onions that Russ said had Jerry’s name written all over it.


I think they have a Peanut Butter Bush growing out back. The jars were in all sizes – just like the onions.

Here are some more pictures of Detering Orchard and their wonderful fall colors.



We are so fortunate to have farms and orchards within minutes of our house.  Today we visited our favorite farm, Lone Pine.  I have to admit to thinking Lone Pine is getting a little too big for its britches!!  They have become so commercial that it really isn’t a family farm anymore.  But on the plus side, it’s a great attraction for kids and at least gets them out on the farm. 

Some of the produce is still raised right here on the farm but in the fall, the hayrides and attractions seems to be the big drawing card.  I noticed something new inside the store.  They had little bags of what looked like sand but it promised an artifact of some type inside each bag.  These little bags sold for almost $5.  Seemed silly…until I went outside and saw they had installed sluice!  Buy your bag of sand then run it through the sluice and discover “Treasure”!!


Well, I suppose the kids get a kick out of it.  Click on the slide show below for more pictures from the farm.



Back at home Russ saw this little critter scampering around the yard.  He was digging holes all over the lawn…big holes…holes his whole upper body could disappear into.  When Russ went out to have a heart-to-heart with him, he was all sweetness and innocence.


And that of course is…  THE END!

How Grandpa Lost His Marbles

Yesterday we had the Eugene girls over.  Arwen, our DIL, was working on setting up her class room and Josh, our son, needed to get some sleep before his late shift at the hospital.  So the girls spent the day at our house.

BTW, just a quick shout out to teachers.  They put in so much time that the public never sees and most are dedicated to their profession.  After spending the first half of her day, and most of last week, organizing her new classroom (she had to move rooms this year), Arwen then went down town to our local Eugene Celebration and helped in a Eugene Education Association booth that was giving away books.  Thank you teachers (and former teachers).

So, first stop with the girls was a trip to the farm.  I’ve posted photos of the farm before so didn’t take any this trip.  The girls went to visit and feed the goats while I loaded my basket with fresh produce.  I got sweet corn, green beans, new potatoes, nectarines, peaches, plums, raspberries, blueberries, and a few other things I can’t remember!  Most of it was locally grown and I feel so fortunate to live in an area where we can get fresh local produce.  I really wanted some of their homegrown blackberries but there is just something about paying for blackberries that makes me queasy!  I can go out and pick them for free – now if I just would do that!!

So we had quite a feast for lunch – green beans simmered with onions, new potatoes, and bacon, and fresh corn on the cob.  The girls shucked their own corn and had a great time doing it.  We nibbled on fresh berries for dessert.
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Grandpa was kinda tired yesterday and I feared he would not really enjoy his time with the girls.  But I was wrong.  Miss Emmie had brought her marbles with her!  She and Grandpa have a thing about marbles…she likes to win them and he can’t seem to stop her!

So the line was drawn in the sand (okay maybe it was carpet) and the shooters came out.  Grandpa’s stash of marbles has become much smaller over the last year or two while Emmie’s just continues to grow.  I told her Grandpa didn't have too many marbles left and she said, “That’s okay, you can just buy him some more.”



Game on!  Of course Emmie has the biggest shooter you ever saw and she uses it like a bowling ball.  Behind that smiling face lies the heart of a true marble shark!


Even though Rusty tried to help, Grandpa was outclassed.


His frustration was beginning to show and Emmie just became more serene!


So while Grandpa and Emmie played marbles, Miss Cailin nestled amongst the quilts and blankets that perpetually adorn my sofa and demonstrated what she has been practicing on the guitar.


And now a short video to show you just how Grandpa lost his marbles.

Okay, I messed up!!  Made the video with no sound track and now I can't seem to get rid of this link.  Grrr...ever have one of those days?  Oh, well...ignore this video, it's the same one as above only silent!

A Very Good Week and meeting a fellow blogger

First, thank you to all who commented on my blog yesterday.  My dad was indeed a wonderful man and I count myself lucky to have had him for a father…and also just for being in this family.  I don’t know what I would do without my brother and sisters…and my extended family...they are the greatest!

We now return you to our regularly scheduled Blog!!

Well, we are without grandkids again and will be spending this coming week in recovery!   Just kidding…we love it when we have grandkids around but we do get tired.  We had a great time with Bekah, Corbin, and Brendan this week.

We had swimming ...


…and lounging by the pool…



…And pizza by the river…



…we had special “guests” at the pizza parlor (that’s a chance you take when you choose to dine outside!)…



…we visited a local park…




…and a local farm…

Yes, this is at the farm.  They have a full playground, along with the goats to pet.  They also have a place for weddings and in the fall, hayrides and a corn maze.  It's a fun place but I have my doubts about how much of the produce they sell (other than the berries and corn) is actually grown on the farm.  Oh well, it's fun.

…and another park where we found a tree that looked like it belonged in a Harry Potter movie (along with the bridge)…



…and a wonderful sitting tree…


…and a grandpa bench…


…and a foot print we are certain was made by Big Foot…


…and just a happy place to be.


We also visited the lake but it was pretty nasty that day.



We saw some paddle boarders….don’t think I’m going to try this anytime soon.


Today, when all was quiet on the western front, and it was again just Russ and Donna (as opposed to Grandma and Grandpa, we decided we were too tired to fix dinner and instead went to Sizzler for their senior steak dinner.  It was YUMMY!

Then we decided to go visit Barbara of Me and My Dog.  This is a first for us.  I never thought I would go knock on the door of someone I had never met before.  Somehow, with a fellow blogger, I just felt like I knew her already.  Barbara is staying at Armitage park which is only about 10 minutes from our house.  We found her easily enough and had a nice visit.  Katie is just an adorable little doggie and Barbara is just as nice as she sounds on her blog.  We might get together later in the week for another visit. 



So another week comes to an end and so does another blog.  Good Night!