What is this all about?
http://www.dwr.com/contestcorkaward.cfm
Thanks to New Skool for point this one out.
In other news: it’s raining!
It has been raining, it’s raining now, it’s going to continue to rain for the foreseeable future.
A month into the year and 1/3rd of our annual rainfall has already fallen. The reservoirs are filling up nicely and we are accumulating a nice dense snow pack in the mountains. I don’t think there will be a water shortage this year.
Friday was the last regular work day of the fiscal quarter for us. We were greeted with an email from our corporate bosses that our building is one of several in the company’s world wide inventory of building space that is to be sold to cut costs. It’s no secret that our building is under utilized. And there has been talk about trying to lease the excess space. But the announcement caught our local management by surprise. There were a couple of hurried conference calls before we were all called together and the facilities manager told us what he’d been up to and what his plans are for the near future. Ideally, we would like to sell the building and lease back the space we are using right now. We would get out from under the maintenance, upkeep and taxes on the portion of the building we don’t use. Reduce our expenses considerably. That’s at the top of the possibility list. At the bottom is the question of how far will we have to go to find just the right amount and kind of cleanroom space to fit our current needs and future needs along with office space for the rest of us.
And, if that wasn’t enough, Friday was the last day the Cafeteria served hot meals at work. Starting Monday a “roach coach” will be stopping by to supplement the extra vending machines that are supposed to be installed. I normally take my lunch but have gotten used to supplementing it with a cup of soup every so often. It’s good to have something hot on these cold, rainy days. I guess its time for Plan B.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Greetings!
I got a summons in the mail today:
Greetings:
You are summoned to serve as a Juror in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Washington County.
I haven’t had much experience with juries and jury duty. A bunch of years ago I got called for federal court jury duty. I wasn’t selected and the whole experience lasted maybe three hours. It gave me my first look inside the federal building in downtown. Pretty nice place, the rooms are big enough for the serious purpose they are used for.
A couple of years ago, two or three, I was called for this very same circuit court in Washington County. That time I reported, sat through the juror orientation, got selected for a trial to start in the afternoon. They let us go for the several hours until we would be needed. I walked around wonderful downtown Hillsboro and eventually bought a book of Damon Runyon stories: Little Miss Marker, The Apple Lady, all the characters and stories that were later turned into movies. I went back to the courthouse and started reading. Before too long, the Court Clerk came in to dismiss us, we weren’t needed after all. It seems the defendant was playing a little chicken with the prosecutor. The defendant blinked. He took the deal offered, what ever it was, to avoid the trial. We (the jurors) were no longer needed to dispense justice. The rules of jury duty, for circuit court at least, say that when you show up and have been dismissed by the court clerk, you cannot be called for another two years. Well, it must have been two years for me.
This time, if I do get selected for a jury, I hope I at get to see the inside of a courtroom at least.
In other news of the Northwest: it’s raining. It has been raining for a while, it’s raining now and it’s forecasted to rain for some time to come. All this rain has exceeded the runoff capacity of our back yard.
This is the view out our downstairs patio door a couple of days ago.
Even the birdbath was surrounded. It was like the levee broke or something....
Please note the fence in the background with the nice layer of moss on the bottom. Thats one of the ways you know you're in Oregon.
The water recedes fairly quickly, especially since we took out the swimming pool. All that new dirt soaks up a lot of water. About six or eight years ago we had a period of heavy rain followed by an unusually warm spell that melted most of the snow pack in the hills and mountains. That pushed the rivers over the flood stage. We had our own problems with the lower floor of the house flooding. But, we survived.....
Greetings:
You are summoned to serve as a Juror in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Washington County.
REPORT ON FEBRUARY 03, 2006
I haven’t had much experience with juries and jury duty. A bunch of years ago I got called for federal court jury duty. I wasn’t selected and the whole experience lasted maybe three hours. It gave me my first look inside the federal building in downtown. Pretty nice place, the rooms are big enough for the serious purpose they are used for.
A couple of years ago, two or three, I was called for this very same circuit court in Washington County. That time I reported, sat through the juror orientation, got selected for a trial to start in the afternoon. They let us go for the several hours until we would be needed. I walked around wonderful downtown Hillsboro and eventually bought a book of Damon Runyon stories: Little Miss Marker, The Apple Lady, all the characters and stories that were later turned into movies. I went back to the courthouse and started reading. Before too long, the Court Clerk came in to dismiss us, we weren’t needed after all. It seems the defendant was playing a little chicken with the prosecutor. The defendant blinked. He took the deal offered, what ever it was, to avoid the trial. We (the jurors) were no longer needed to dispense justice. The rules of jury duty, for circuit court at least, say that when you show up and have been dismissed by the court clerk, you cannot be called for another two years. Well, it must have been two years for me.
This time, if I do get selected for a jury, I hope I at get to see the inside of a courtroom at least.
In other news of the Northwest: it’s raining. It has been raining for a while, it’s raining now and it’s forecasted to rain for some time to come. All this rain has exceeded the runoff capacity of our back yard.
This is the view out our downstairs patio door a couple of days ago.
Even the birdbath was surrounded. It was like the levee broke or something....
Please note the fence in the background with the nice layer of moss on the bottom. Thats one of the ways you know you're in Oregon.
The water recedes fairly quickly, especially since we took out the swimming pool. All that new dirt soaks up a lot of water. About six or eight years ago we had a period of heavy rain followed by an unusually warm spell that melted most of the snow pack in the hills and mountains. That pushed the rivers over the flood stage. We had our own problems with the lower floor of the house flooding. But, we survived.....
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Baby its cold outside
Baby, it’s cold outside! We’ve had a high pressure system over us for a couple of weeks now. It’s been cool and clear the whole time. We’ve had cold air from the east flowing up the Columbia River gorge and spilling into the Willamette Valley the whole time. There has been lots of frost everywhere in the mornings. Except for the lack of snow, it reminds me of the cold I experienced in the mid west where I grew up. (Why, I had to walk five miles back and forth to school everyday in snow up to my neck, uphill, both ways!) The forecast calls for a change, starting this evening. The warm front coming in off the ocean is finally going to displace the cold. It’s bringing some moisture too. That is where it will start to get interesting. If it starts to rain before all the cold air is moved out we could get some nice freezing rain. It’s supposed to start with the rain early this evening. I doubt that it will be warm enough then to keep it from freezing when it hits the ground. The water in our bird bath has been frozen all week long. The squirrels have broken out their ice skates to get around on it!
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Black Friday plus one
Cool and crisp and damp out this morning. Just back from taking Bailey for his walk, or was he taking me for my walk?.... It rained yesterday and some last night. Temp is in the mid 30’s. No wind and the morning fog is being burned off early by the sun. No clouds this morning. It was cool out, especially in the shade, but nice in the sun. Steam rising off a lot of things that the sun was warming up: roofs, fences, mailboxes, cars, even a few bushes. Kind of eerie watching steam rise off a bush. Kind of like it’s on fire.
We avoided the crowds yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. Today we’re going to stare danger right in the face and head downtown to Saturday Market, do a little shopping, stop for some refreshments at Hubers and do a lot of people watching. The best entertainment around.
We avoided the crowds yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. Today we’re going to stare danger right in the face and head downtown to Saturday Market, do a little shopping, stop for some refreshments at Hubers and do a lot of people watching. The best entertainment around.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Friday early evening
Friday, early evening. It’s warm, wet and raining. We’re catching up on the rainfall for the month here on the last day. We’ve gotten 1.28” today bringing the monthly rainfall total up to 1.31”. Not a lot of rain before today. This is going to green up the grass nicely!
I’m about half way through a head cold (hopefully). It started with the twinge in the back of the throat Tuesday morning. I used some of my 400+ hours of sick time yesterday, came home for some chicken soup (that someone else made for me) and had a nice nap. Boy was my head stuffed up when I got up! It’s been draining ever since. (Nice visual, huh? Maybe a little too much information?) I went into work today for a few hours to process some paperwork. I warned people by putting “Enter at your own risk” on the whiteboard at the entrance to my room. Very few people ventured past the candy bowl just inside the door.
Tomorrow we’re heading to the other side of town to visit with R, P’s brother and drop off early birthday greetings for Eric who turns 10 on Tuesday. Double Digits!!
R and Pat L. are going back to Virginia next month to attend a memorial service for her son, one of the Navy Seals who died in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan. P will be house sitting while they’re gone and more importantly, taking care of R’s dog, Hanna, a Bassett hound in its teens and set in her ways. P will be getting instruction on how to anticipate, interpret, and fulfill all Hanna’s needs and wants. This dog is not spoiled!
R is retired now and has just enough time on his hands to go fishing every once in while….
Here is his new boat for navigating the Willamette and the Columbia Rivers.
As you can clearly see, it is almost big enough.
I’m about half way through a head cold (hopefully). It started with the twinge in the back of the throat Tuesday morning. I used some of my 400+ hours of sick time yesterday, came home for some chicken soup (that someone else made for me) and had a nice nap. Boy was my head stuffed up when I got up! It’s been draining ever since. (Nice visual, huh? Maybe a little too much information?) I went into work today for a few hours to process some paperwork. I warned people by putting “Enter at your own risk” on the whiteboard at the entrance to my room. Very few people ventured past the candy bowl just inside the door.
Tomorrow we’re heading to the other side of town to visit with R, P’s brother and drop off early birthday greetings for Eric who turns 10 on Tuesday. Double Digits!!
R and Pat L. are going back to Virginia next month to attend a memorial service for her son, one of the Navy Seals who died in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan. P will be house sitting while they’re gone and more importantly, taking care of R’s dog, Hanna, a Bassett hound in its teens and set in her ways. P will be getting instruction on how to anticipate, interpret, and fulfill all Hanna’s needs and wants. This dog is not spoiled!
R is retired now and has just enough time on his hands to go fishing every once in while….
Here is his new boat for navigating the Willamette and the Columbia Rivers.
As you can clearly see, it is almost big enough.
Saturday night, around the kitchen table.....
I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!
This event is powered by PokerStars.
Registration code: 1418947
This will be a little different than the penny ante poker we play but it's sure to be fun.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Pencil wizardry
There is some one in Brazil who has too many pencils and way, WAY, WAY too much time on his hands. Check it out:
http://ueba.com.br/forums/index.php?showtopic=19022&hl
Thanks to whoever it is that runs this web site for finding it. I think he has too much time on his hands too!
http://ueba.com.br/forums/index.php?showtopic=19022&hl
Thanks to whoever it is that runs this web site for finding it. I think he has too much time on his hands too!
Monday, September 05, 2005
Labor Day, 2005
We cleaned up around the house yesterday, chopping down the larger weeds on the far side of the house. That’s the side no one ever sees and it hasn’t been painted in years. It’s been so long that it’s still brown while the rest of the house is grey. There was a large shed up against the house when we changed the house color. The shed got painted with the new color, but we couldn’t get to the side of the house then. And somehow, in the two or three years since the shed came down and got recycled, we’ve never found the time to paint that wall. I guess it’s time now.
I had to fix the gutter along that side of the house; it was sagging a bit, needed to be nailed back in place. That led to cleaning out the gutters. It’s been a while since that’s been done too. There are trees close to three of the four corners of the house. Scott helped put some mesh material in the gutters to act as a leaf guard for the coming fall season. Not an easy task, sitting on the edge of the roof, leaning over to finagle a piece of nylon mesh so it stays in the gutter. I think I’ll have that grit from the shingles embedded in my hands for weeks. And it gets down right warm up there when the sun is shining. At one point I moved from one section of the roof, over a peak to the far corner. I startled a couple of squirrels who were just coming from the tree onto the roof. They froze and gave me a look like “What the heck are YOU doing up here?” before scampering back into the tree and disappearing. I got a laugh from their expressions. I was that last thing they expected to see.
So, one of the tasks for this fine Labor Day will be to trim the tree branches back from the house, at least so they aren’t aiming their leaves at the gutters. If we get organized in time, we just may prime the side of the house, cover up the brown and get it ready for a new, grey coat of paint sometime in the near future. And the lawn needs mowing.
Regardless of whatever else does or does not get done today, we will be burning some meat over an open flame. Barbeque! A nice pork tenderloin is marinating in the “secret” sauce as we speak.
The end of summer ritual.
School starts tomorrow.
I had to fix the gutter along that side of the house; it was sagging a bit, needed to be nailed back in place. That led to cleaning out the gutters. It’s been a while since that’s been done too. There are trees close to three of the four corners of the house. Scott helped put some mesh material in the gutters to act as a leaf guard for the coming fall season. Not an easy task, sitting on the edge of the roof, leaning over to finagle a piece of nylon mesh so it stays in the gutter. I think I’ll have that grit from the shingles embedded in my hands for weeks. And it gets down right warm up there when the sun is shining. At one point I moved from one section of the roof, over a peak to the far corner. I startled a couple of squirrels who were just coming from the tree onto the roof. They froze and gave me a look like “What the heck are YOU doing up here?” before scampering back into the tree and disappearing. I got a laugh from their expressions. I was that last thing they expected to see.
So, one of the tasks for this fine Labor Day will be to trim the tree branches back from the house, at least so they aren’t aiming their leaves at the gutters. If we get organized in time, we just may prime the side of the house, cover up the brown and get it ready for a new, grey coat of paint sometime in the near future. And the lawn needs mowing.
Regardless of whatever else does or does not get done today, we will be burning some meat over an open flame. Barbeque! A nice pork tenderloin is marinating in the “secret” sauce as we speak.
The end of summer ritual.
School starts tomorrow.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Blogger for Word, Test II
So, it appears to work!
Now, how does it handle pictures and links to other sites on the web?
This is a picture of the obsolete and mothballed Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. All those buildings beside the cooling tower are empty and chained shut. This plant has been shut down for years. As you might expect in a hardcore liberal enclave like the Portland area, there were quite a few demonstrations on this road in the past. It is a very nice park all around the place and there was even a company picnic going on in one area.
These geese were very interested in us when I got out to take the picture of the cooling tower but once they found out we didn’t have anything to eat and only wanted to take their picture they gave us a few choice “honks” and headed back to the shade. Indignant, as only water fowl can be….
So, it appears that inserting pictures is even easier that with the original Blogger tools. Now we have to take more pictures….
And as for a web link… lets try this: http://www.playsam.com/eng/index.htm a web site of nicely designed toys for kids of all ages.
Update----
AARRRGGGggggggggg!!!!!!
It DOESN'T support uploading pictures to Blogger "at this time"!
Drat!
I had to go back, log into Blogger and edit the posting to insert the pictures above. At least I could do it, I suppose....
Ok, Rome wasn't built in a day.
The web link insertion and upload worked though!
Now, how does it handle pictures and links to other sites on the web?
This is a picture of the obsolete and mothballed Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. All those buildings beside the cooling tower are empty and chained shut. This plant has been shut down for years. As you might expect in a hardcore liberal enclave like the Portland area, there were quite a few demonstrations on this road in the past. It is a very nice park all around the place and there was even a company picnic going on in one area.
These geese were very interested in us when I got out to take the picture of the cooling tower but once they found out we didn’t have anything to eat and only wanted to take their picture they gave us a few choice “honks” and headed back to the shade. Indignant, as only water fowl can be….
So, it appears that inserting pictures is even easier that with the original Blogger tools. Now we have to take more pictures….
And as for a web link… lets try this: http://www.playsam.com/eng/index.htm a web site of nicely designed toys for kids of all ages.
Update----
AARRRGGGggggggggg!!!!!!
It DOESN'T support uploading pictures to Blogger "at this time"!
Drat!
I had to go back, log into Blogger and edit the posting to insert the pictures above. At least I could do it, I suppose....
Ok, Rome wasn't built in a day.
The web link insertion and upload worked though!
Testing Blogger for Word
This is a test of the Blogger for Word add-on for Microsoft Word. If this works as advertised I should be able to write a blog entry while I’m using Word and post it to my blog on the web with little to no trouble.
Here goes the first test!
Here goes the first test!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
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.
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.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
The nursery
A nice day today. I went out to mow the lawns so I wouldn't have to do it on my recouperation day when we get back. Here is what greeted me when I went out the patio door:
This is what I saw when I looked for the source of the mess....
There are three baby robins in that nest. They appear to be getting fairly big, about time to test out their wings. Momma was keeping a sharp eye on me as I was taking these pictures...
Had to get up on a stool to get this one: eye to eye
This is what I saw when I looked for the source of the mess....
There are three baby robins in that nest. They appear to be getting fairly big, about time to test out their wings. Momma was keeping a sharp eye on me as I was taking these pictures...
Had to get up on a stool to get this one: eye to eye
Beer and Brats
Woo Hoo!
On vacation until next Wednesday! Going back to Milwaukee for a family reunion. Catch up on all the happenings since the last one, see how the nieces and nephews have grown, what they're up to now. Even the cousins will be in attendence! A good time will be had, guarenteed!
I took today off even though we don't travel until tomorrow. Figured it would be nice to have a day to do nothing before the hub-bub of traveling, partying and generally carrying on for four days. We will be coming back late on the Fourth so I scheduled a vacation day to recuperate before heading back to work. I'll need it! That will make for a very short week as I'm scheduled to give platelets at the Red Cross Friday afternoon. I'm working on my 22nd gallon of donated fluids: whole blood and platelets. I've got the scars on my arms to prove it too.
The other big deal coming up is the Portland Pen Show, 15-17 July. We went last year and drooled over the beautiful pens, new and vintage. It was kind of overwhelming: too many choices. I kind of know what to expect this time so I've been trying to do my homework, scoping out the pen catalogs recently received. Eye candy! Still too many to choose from. And then there will be all those vintage pens! What a delightful dilemma!
On vacation until next Wednesday! Going back to Milwaukee for a family reunion. Catch up on all the happenings since the last one, see how the nieces and nephews have grown, what they're up to now. Even the cousins will be in attendence! A good time will be had, guarenteed!
I took today off even though we don't travel until tomorrow. Figured it would be nice to have a day to do nothing before the hub-bub of traveling, partying and generally carrying on for four days. We will be coming back late on the Fourth so I scheduled a vacation day to recuperate before heading back to work. I'll need it! That will make for a very short week as I'm scheduled to give platelets at the Red Cross Friday afternoon. I'm working on my 22nd gallon of donated fluids: whole blood and platelets. I've got the scars on my arms to prove it too.
The other big deal coming up is the Portland Pen Show, 15-17 July. We went last year and drooled over the beautiful pens, new and vintage. It was kind of overwhelming: too many choices. I kind of know what to expect this time so I've been trying to do my homework, scoping out the pen catalogs recently received. Eye candy! Still too many to choose from. And then there will be all those vintage pens! What a delightful dilemma!
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Road Trip
Brother H. et. al. will be traveling west after the reunion in Milwaukee, and will swing through the Northwest. Time will be limited (isn't it always?) so we need to point out the highlights, the "Must See's" as opposed to the Should See and the Nice to See. To that end, we figured we'd better get off out butts and see some of the stuff people had been telling us that we should see. Well, this is what we saw yesterday:
This is called the Vista House. It has been closed for four years for renovations. It reopened two days ago. This is why it is called Vista House:
The view looking east, up the Columbia River Gorge, and
the view looking west, towards Portland.
We proceeded east, up the Gorge to the town of Hood River, known around the world for the quality of it's apples and the fact that the geological configuration of the area creates a natural wind tunnel. It provides excellent wind surfing conditions almost year round. We stopped and watched some of the "Dudes" practice their moves
You can't see it very well, but there are a bunch of guys kite surfing out there.
This is called the Vista House. It has been closed for four years for renovations. It reopened two days ago. This is why it is called Vista House:
The view looking east, up the Columbia River Gorge, and
the view looking west, towards Portland.We proceeded east, up the Gorge to the town of Hood River, known around the world for the quality of it's apples and the fact that the geological configuration of the area creates a natural wind tunnel. It provides excellent wind surfing conditions almost year round. We stopped and watched some of the "Dudes" practice their moves
You can't see it very well, but there are a bunch of guys kite surfing out there.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
We've got a nursery under our deck. Not one, not two but three birds nests.
I guess the word got around from the birds that used the ledge outside our computer room last year.
These are robins nests, this year. They get up very early to sing. Like 4:30 am! With open windows and the calm of the morning they are LOUD!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Brrrrrrr
It's suppose to be the hottest day of the year so far. I'm in my little room here at work with a sweater on. The AC is over compensating until it gets it right. In the mean time I have a very cold draft blowing on my neck and back. I have to get out and take a brisk walk around the halls to warm up. I've taken to washing my hands just to warm them up! It's got to be close to 65f in here.
In other news, the weekend is almost here. A long, holiday weekend. The Indy 500 weekend. Naturally, the weather is suppose to cool off, cloud up and possible showers. It's a long weekend, what did you expect?
It was just about this time in 1977 I got out of the Air Force and drove to Las Vegas. Stay'd with Jay W for a week before heading to Portland with Dan. Twenty eight years! I can remember it (well most of it, there was a lot of partying going on then) like it was yesterday. We were all so much younger, with more energy, more potential, and dare I say, alot more stupid. That assumes that we've learned a thing or two since then.... Of course, if we hadn't killed so many brain cells drinking we'd probably remember those lessons!
In other news, the weekend is almost here. A long, holiday weekend. The Indy 500 weekend. Naturally, the weather is suppose to cool off, cloud up and possible showers. It's a long weekend, what did you expect?
It was just about this time in 1977 I got out of the Air Force and drove to Las Vegas. Stay'd with Jay W for a week before heading to Portland with Dan. Twenty eight years! I can remember it (well most of it, there was a lot of partying going on then) like it was yesterday. We were all so much younger, with more energy, more potential, and dare I say, alot more stupid. That assumes that we've learned a thing or two since then.... Of course, if we hadn't killed so many brain cells drinking we'd probably remember those lessons!
Friday, April 15, 2005
P. U.
Someone hit a skunk last night on the road I take to work.
You talk about an eye opener!
PHEW!
It's like it gets into your clothes or something.... you can smell it long afterwards, kind of like the phantom pains people with missing limbs feel. You know it isn't rational yet it sure is real!
With any luck, it will keep on raining and wash the smell away or at least dilute it to the point where you don't smell it when you drive by with your windows rolled up.
And I pity the county road crew worker who gets called upon to pick up and dispose of this road kill....
You talk about an eye opener!
PHEW!
It's like it gets into your clothes or something.... you can smell it long afterwards, kind of like the phantom pains people with missing limbs feel. You know it isn't rational yet it sure is real!
With any luck, it will keep on raining and wash the smell away or at least dilute it to the point where you don't smell it when you drive by with your windows rolled up.
And I pity the county road crew worker who gets called upon to pick up and dispose of this road kill....
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Lost Time
Woke up to the rain coming down the spout right outside our bedroom this morning. It had been threatening all day yesterday but held off so I could mow the lawn. It was a busy week in the cul-de-sac: the people almost directly across from us moved to a ritzier neighborhood, a house with three garages. And even with three, they won't have space for all their vehicles in doors. Five cars and trucks and an RV between the two of them. The cul-de-sac got a little cramped at times. Now, a retired real estate attorney has move in. He and his two dogs. And his four cars! That's a lot of cars for one person... Our kitchen window has the prime view for all the goings on in the cul-de-sac. It's not like we're nosey or anything...
A couple and their two dogs move into the rental next door to us this week too. They have larger dogs, a labrador and a mixed breed. Larger than Bailey. There was some barking going on at the fence as they and Bailey started working out the pecking order. The squirrels use the top of the fence as a pathway around the yards. I saw the fence shake yesterday from one of the dogs running and jumping on the fence trying to get a squirrel. This morning I was sitting at my computer, still trying to wake up when all of a sudden one of the fence panels popped off into our yard. The dog must have been going after another squirrel! A second later I saw a nose and then a head poke through to sniff and scope out our yard. After a minute or so of looking around he lunged through the opening, popping off another fence panel and took off to the other end of our yard. He must have seen another squirrel. Not exactly the thing you want to see at 8 am on a blustery, rainy Sunday morning while still in your sweats. I had throw on a jacket, get the dog back into his own yard and patch the fence. The dog was surprised to see me when I came out the door. He had his tail between his legs so he knew he wasn't where he was suppose to be, but the tail was wagging too, hoping for the best... I got him back through the hole in the fence and replaced the panels. I did my best to secure the panels. That portion of the fence is getting a bit old and weathered. I was cold and damp and not in the best of moods by the time I'd finished. I do have to say thank goodness for cordless screwdrivers. I'm afraid that if I used a hammer and nails I might have done more harm than good, such is the state of the fence.
How many clocks do you have in your house? Luckily we have a number of "atomic" clocks that pick up the radio signal from NIST or wherever so they are always right. But all the rest have to be set by hand. It is this time of the year that P's Micky Mouse watch collection becomes a liability.
A couple and their two dogs move into the rental next door to us this week too. They have larger dogs, a labrador and a mixed breed. Larger than Bailey. There was some barking going on at the fence as they and Bailey started working out the pecking order. The squirrels use the top of the fence as a pathway around the yards. I saw the fence shake yesterday from one of the dogs running and jumping on the fence trying to get a squirrel. This morning I was sitting at my computer, still trying to wake up when all of a sudden one of the fence panels popped off into our yard. The dog must have been going after another squirrel! A second later I saw a nose and then a head poke through to sniff and scope out our yard. After a minute or so of looking around he lunged through the opening, popping off another fence panel and took off to the other end of our yard. He must have seen another squirrel. Not exactly the thing you want to see at 8 am on a blustery, rainy Sunday morning while still in your sweats. I had throw on a jacket, get the dog back into his own yard and patch the fence. The dog was surprised to see me when I came out the door. He had his tail between his legs so he knew he wasn't where he was suppose to be, but the tail was wagging too, hoping for the best... I got him back through the hole in the fence and replaced the panels. I did my best to secure the panels. That portion of the fence is getting a bit old and weathered. I was cold and damp and not in the best of moods by the time I'd finished. I do have to say thank goodness for cordless screwdrivers. I'm afraid that if I used a hammer and nails I might have done more harm than good, such is the state of the fence.
How many clocks do you have in your house? Luckily we have a number of "atomic" clocks that pick up the radio signal from NIST or wherever so they are always right. But all the rest have to be set by hand. It is this time of the year that P's Micky Mouse watch collection becomes a liability.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
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