Rainbows in the Water

The other day, we took 3 of our out of town granddaughters up the Columbia River Gorge. We took the old highway through all the wonderful fir trees and stopped at Vista House, went by Multnomah Falls and then stopped at the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam. The hatchery is in a beautiful park setting. For years people have been able to see the huge sturgeon. I remember not that long ago there were at least 5 or 6 of them in the pond they had set for viewing. The largest one there which was at least 8 feet long was killed by some hoodlums one night about 2 years ago. We were disappointed to see only one in the pond this time. It was large but nothing like the ones we use to see. While there the girls fed the rainbow trout which were plentiful.

Smile!....Cheese!

Girls at Grandma and Grandpa's yesterday

My Heart and Soul Breathe the Air of the Oregon Coast

Growing up, my family spent many wonderful times  on the coast. My grandmother lived on the coast in Lincoln City, plus we spent several vacations in Walport as well as day trips to the Northern Oregon coast. While raising my family, hubby and I also took our kids there fairly often. Our family grew to love Cannon Beach and the surrounding areas. One such area was Indian Beach..a small little beach that over the years has become a surfer's paradise. While raising our kids, my parents on a few occasions would get a particular picnic spot there for a 4th of July picnic. This past weekend, Nathan, his family and Andrea and her family plus George and I went to Indian Beach and got the exact picnic spot we all grew to love. As I stood in that spot, I couldn't help remembering my parents there and a bit of emotion swept over me as I could picture my since departed father standing there with my mother putting food out on the table. Now it was my turn to be grandma. I felt such joy knowing that my grandchildren were tasting a part of family tradition.

Granddaughters in surf

Nathan and Andrea

Stop the World, I Want To Get Off!

 Have you ever got excited about going on a Ferris-wheel ride... got on and enjoyed the ride as it spun around ....then felt anxiety as it stopped on the top and someone decided to rock the seat cage? Well, that is how I am feeling.....like I have allowed others to spin my personal wheel of emotion and I have landed upside down hanging on for dear life and no one has a clue, seems to care or ever will. It starts and stops with jerking ... slowly weakening my grasp. I consider letting go but know I have to keep moving with the motion of the wheel until I can firmly plant my feet back on the ground praying that I will not get dragged along the bottom. Unfortunately, I seem to keep hanging on to the wheel. The spinning carries me around to the top and down to the bottom over and over again. Others seem to think I am strong enough to hang on forever and they just care about the tune that plays as the wheel spins, or when they get a turn at being at the top....not realizing that it too will stop and jerk them around eventually, also. Life has taught me that the saying, 'What goes around, comes around'... is true....one way or another. It is just a matter of time.

This is a late posting of  myself with my daughter Andrea and her girls from Mother's Day.

This one is of the girls with grandpa today on Father's Day

Hear Me

In today's world I am reminded of  the saying, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive."  I also find it interesting how some people have names that are sooooo very fitting....Madoff, Weiner, Farris Fink...to name a few...and no one can dispute that Lois Lerner has yet much to learn (and account for). Each day that goes by seems to reveal more and more.....I am reminded that things happen in the Lord's time and for his purpose......in the meantime....I sit and watch.....waiting to see how it all ends. Yes, I know this is being put in the files of the government.....I say good! Maybe someday they will read.....I am an American with a voice...hear me. I believe in God...hear me.  I believe in the constitution.....hear me. I believe in the Bill of Rights....hear me. I stand for values I was taught in the home and in my schools as a kid in the 1950's and 60's and in my church.....hear me. I am disappointed in the leadership of this country...hear me! I just wish it wasn't this way.....HEAR ME!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day and Veteran's Day are probably the most under-appreciated holidays we have. People look forward to long week-ends, barbecues, first camping trips of the year, no school, etc. but few truly pay tribute to the fallen soldiers and those who have gone before us. As a child, I remember each Memorial Day going to the various cemeteries where my grandparents and great grandparents are buried as well as my uncles. I grew up knowing where each was buried and seeing my parents put flowers on their graves. My children were blessed to have their grandparents alive while they grew up, so I have to admit that George and I did not keep up the tradition of visiting the sites regularly.George's grandparents are in other parts of the country. After my dad passed on, George and I have tried to make sure we go every Memorial Day morning before the crowds. This year is a bit different unfortunately. Because of the bad weather, we felt it was too dangerous for George to try and walk down the steep hill  in the wet grass and mud to his mother's grave site and will go another day. Nevertheless, we remember our dead parents. My dad served in WW II as a medic. George's mother was the wife of a military man...Army Corp of Engineers. They are both buried in Willamette National Cemetery. They are remembered and in our hearts. (George's dad and my mother are still with us.) We are also very grateful for all the brave men and women who fought for this country so that we who are alive can enjoy the freedoms they fought for.