Summertime

It's 83 degrees out and not quite yet noon. Just finished mowing the lawns. It was 75 when I started and it's suppose to hit the mid-90's before the day is over. Tried to balance rising temp with the fact that it is Sunday morning as to when to start lawnmower.

When I was cleaning up, washing off the mower, sweeping the driveway I could hear the sounds of kids playing in the distance. The yelling and screaming. I can't see them, but imagine them running through a sprinkler and splashing in a kiddy pool set up in the backyard as they chase each other around, burning off some of the boundless energy that kids have. I could also hear some crows scolding the kids, adding their voices to the the sounds echoing over the neighborhood.

I put the mower away, that chore done for at least another week, and go rest with my feet up, a cool drink and the tv remote. What more could you ask for?

Yesterday was the second annual Portland Pen Show. We went last year and got good deals on some very nice pens. This year was no different. I scored a Visconti Opera Club fountain pen, Summertime color. Check it out


Looks nice and writes like a dream. A new favorite....

We also got a Namiki fountain pen with a dragon hand painted on the barrel. It will take a bit more practice with the camera to get pictures that do it justice.

Back to work tomorrow. Last two weeks of the fiscal quarter for us. The usual scrambling. Our ISO auditor is scheduled to visit for a couple of days at the end of August. We have started preparation meetings. Time to dust out the cornors, double check to make sure that we have the evidence that shows we follow our procedures. It is also review time. The managers have until close of business this Friday to give us our reviews. Not having anyone working for me, I don't have to worry about giving reviews. I only have to worry about receiving one. The first rule of reviews is "No Suprises". This will be my first review from this boss. Always a little apprehension before a first review.

This Tuesday, besides a staff meeting, and an ECO Review Meeting I'm scheduled to give whole blood after lunch. The Red Cross comes to Etec three or four times a year to harvest. I've been lucky the last several time in that the whole blood donation date fell in the middle between my monthly hemaphersis donation appointments. I believe I'm working on my 21st or 22nd gallon of blood products donated. All I know is it's a lotta time with needles in my arms but for a good cause.

Back Home

Arrived in Portland just before 10 last night. Had a great view of the fireworks going off all over the place, especially on the Washington side of the river. Kind of interesting looking at them from the top down. By the time we got off the plane, collected our luggage, got the shuttle out to the parking lot and ransomed our car we were in the midst of all the people going home from watching those fireworks. Bailey was sure happy to see us! He hasn't let us out of his sight today. Can't says I blame him!

We were about an hour late getting into PDX because our takeoff time had been pushed back from 6:45 to 7:15 to 7:32. And then we were in a long line of planes waiting just to take off. There wasn't any problem for the flights heading west, but the ones going east had to contend with the thunderstorm activity that passed through in the morning heading northeast. We didn't have any problem driving to Chicago, just a bit of heavy traffic that slowed to a crawl several times to give us a chance to gawk at some poor unfortunate souls at the side of the highway with car problems, getting a ticket or exchanging insurance info because of a minor accident.

A thunder storm moved through Milwaukee and woke us up around 3:30 Sunday night. We rarely get thunder storms in the Portland area. Lots of rain but none of the drama. At any rate, it had stopped raining and dried up a bit by the time we checked out of the hotel. We decided to stop at the Zoo after all. Naturally, when we were the farthest spot from the zoo entrance and our car it started raining once again. At least there wasn't any thunder or hail. We were a bit damp by the time we got back on the road to Chicago. At least it wasn't cold, but then the mugginess and humidity isn't something we are used to either.

Sunday evening, after the get-together, Allana found a fireworks display that was going to happen on the 3rd instead of Monday the 4th. We tagged along. We took the round about way to the high school where it was held, but the Wilgus luck held. Dave got a pretty good parking spot, we walked about a block to the school, got a good spot to sit on a little slope, Allana and the rest of the boys found us within 5 minutes and the fireworks started a few minutes after that. Very good timing. It was a pretty good firesworks display too. It has been years since P and I have gone to a fireworks display. Usually we just watch the goings on in the cul de sac in front of our house.

The get together Sunday afternoon was a good chance to talk to everyone and catch up. Here is the obligatory picture:


The crew

It was interesting to hear Bo's take on the No Child Left Behind act, what it means to him as a school principle.
Toni is doing well, with Rachel planning to take the Dental School Entrance Exam this fall and Brooke going to school to become a nurse. The grandchildren are growing like weeds.