There’s no question: My days are numbered

This article was in the Oregonian in November of 2006. I love it. And, at this time of year the point of it is good to remember:

The average American home now has more television sets than people, according to Nielsen Media Research. There are 2.73 TV sets in the typical home and 2.55 people, the researchers said. --The Associated Press Sept 21, ’06

I have two kids. Both are away at college.
I have five television sets. (I like to think of them as a set of five televisions.) I have two DVR boxes, three DVD players, two VHS machines and four stereos.
I have 19 remote controls, mostly in one drawer.
I have three computers, four printers and two nonworking faxes.
I have three phone lines, three cell phones and two answering machines.
I have no messages.
I have 46 cookbooks.
I have 68 takeout menus from four restaurants.
I have 116 soy sauce packets.
I have 382 dishes, bowls, cups, saucers, mugs and glasses.
I eat over the sink.
I have five sinks, two with a view.
I try to keep a positive view.
I have two refrigerators.
It’s very hard to count ice cubes.
I have 39 pairs of golf, tennis, squash, running, walking, hiking, casual and formal shoes, ice skates and rollerblades.
I am wearing slippers.
I have 41 37-cent stamps.
I have no 2-cent stamps.
I read three dailies, four weeklies, five monthlies, and no annual reports.
I have 506 CD, cassette, vinyl and 8-track recordings.
I listen to the same radio station all day.
I have 26 sets of linen for four regular, three foldout and two inflatable beds.
I don’t like having houseguests.
I have 184,000 frequent-flier miles on six airlines, three of which no longer exist.
I have “101 Dalmations” on tape.
I have 14 digital clocks flashing relatively similar times.
I have 22 minutes to listen to the news.
I have nine armchairs from which I can be critical.
I have a laundry list of things that need cleaning.
I have lost more than 1,000 golf balls.
I am missing 37 umbrellas.
I have more than 400 yards of dental floss.
I have a lot of time on my hands.
I have two kids coming home for Thanksgiving.

~Written by Rick Moranis

Some days are like that

Today has been the kind of day that nothing seems to go right. Nothing seems to go wrong, necessarily. It just doesn't go right. Maybe that is why I've lost my brain. I decided to make a yummy wild rice and turkey casserole for dinner. Get rid of some of those turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving. I went to the store especially to get mushrooms for it. Came home, put it all together and stuck it in the oven. About 15 minutes before it was done I opened the fridge. Guess where the turkey still was?!

Ugh.

:) Good thing it is almost over!

A Little Bit of Wyoming on the East Coast

Even if I won't be in Wyoming for Christmas this year, a little bit of Wyoming will be gracing the front lawn of the US Capitol Building. I will also be gracing the front lawn of the Capitol at some point during the holiday season and will therefore, get to experience a little bit of my homestate on the other side of the country. Bliss.

As soon as I found out that this years Capitol Christmas Tree was coming from my homestate, I had to "Like" the Facebook Page. Of course. That page led me to the blog of the adventure from WY to DC. The pictures below I hijacked (with love and appreciation) from the blog~

I absolutely LOVE the one of the tree loaded on the truck with the Tetons in the background. Stunning, really.

The one of the tree in front of the Capitol Building is pretty impressive, also!

Soon enough, I will be seeing it. Adorned with 5,000 ornaments made lovingly by many from around the great state of Wyoming. I can't wait.

(click on the pictures to make them bigger!)

Last visits. Goodbyes.

Last visits, last times to see a person, last looks at something, to someone are interesting. And hard. I experience this a lot with the population I work with. Sometimes I don't know it is the last time. I think I might prefer it that way. Then again. I don't know. Is it easier to say goodbye to a person now before they are gone or later once they are gone? Is it easier to say goodbye to a place that you have fond memories of, knowing you will make more fond memories in the next place?

Goodbyes. They can be either temporary or permanent. The temporary ones are always better. The permanent ones are inevitable.

This post is disjointed. Maybe because my brain is disjointed. Along with my emotions. You see, I made a last visit today. Said goodbye today. It was harder than I expected. Maybe because it was unexpected in the way it happened. As some of you know, and some of you don't, I am a Hospice volunteer. It is a semi-recent thing. I completed my training in June and got my first "assignment" in early August. She was a hard nut for me to crack. We eventually found our groove. She loved having her back massaged. I'd love to have someone massage my shoulders, arms, and back for 45 minutes to an hour once a week. Sounds like heaven. That is what I did for her. Faithfully, once a week. Even with little response from her. Even with little interaction. And only one time (in four months of visits) any indication that she remembered who I was. That didn't seem to matter. She glowed when I was there. It didn't matter that I had to be let in AND out of her building. It just didn't matter. I was making a difference in her life, if only for that hour, once a week.

Late Friday I got a call from one of the Volunteer Coordinators that my first patient was being discharged from services. She had improved enough that she no longer qualifies at this moment in time for Hospice. It was optional to make a last visit.

I made my last visit today. My usual Saturday visit. After the phone call yesterday I couldn't help but feel sorrow. Sadness knowing I had grown accustomed to seeing this lovely, little lady that only has a world as large as her room, her wheelchair, the locked facility that she lives in. That her world has been diminished and will be further diminished, day-by-day, hour-by-hour. Even though the last visit was optional, I couldn't not go and say goodbye. She was in her bed and very agitated. Delusional. She was upset and not consolable. Not redirectable. It broke my heart. Especially as I explained that this was the last time I would come. She looked at me blankly and then started to talk about the rats, wanting to go home. I wanted to go home. I was having a hard time with this. When I had signed up to be a Hospice volunteer it was knowing full well that I would be saying goodbye to my patients. But I hadn't expected to say goodbye to them in person. While they are still alive. And if that is the case, I was wishing that it would have been on a good note. On a note that we'd had our visit last week when she was smiling and happy. I stepped back for a moment and reminded myself that I needed to meet her where she was at. I reapproached her and told her that I was so glad that I had been able to come visit and that I would think of her often. I thanked her. I gave her a kiss on the forehead and said goodbye. She calmed then and said goodbye, probably not (but maybe) understanding the scope of the goodbye.

On my way home I reflected on my thankfullness that I was able to interact with this person. I was able to make a difference in her life and that she made a difference in mine. For this, I am grateful and appreciative. And, I said my final goodbye.

Socks-lots of them!

Apparently, we love our socks here. So much so that some crazy folk arrive in the wee hours of the morning at their local Fred Meyer store on Black Friday to get great deals on socks. Socks. Because I am not originally from here and also choose not to participate in the chaos I forget every year about this madness. That is until I walk into Fred Meyer anytime during the week before Thanksgiving. Every year this thought goes through my mind: "why are there so many boxes of socks. Seriously, stockers, get them out of the isles." Oh, goodness. Socks. 50% off on Friday apparently. Is it worth it?

I've also heard stories of people going in to Freddies on Thanksgiving Day and hiding socks so that they can avoid all the people swarming the boxes and can just go to their friendly garden center and extract said socks out of the pots that they've hidden them in. Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to give away your secret. Really. Please forgive.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Me and mine will not be sock shopping in the wee hours of Friday morn.

Only in Portland

Portland is a unique city. I love it for that very reason. I am not often 'surprised' by anything I see here. However....this completely caught me off guard.

I was walking to the hospital during my lunch break one day and this is what I saw. After walking past it I had to turn around just to take a picture all the while silently praying that the owner wouldn't walk up as I was doing it. Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.

Drum roll please as I introduce you to the most unusual thing I've seen in a while~~

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is a crocheted car hood warmer. WOW. Really?! Welcome to Portland in all of its "Keep Portland Weird" glory! :) And now, please proceed with your day and have a great one!

The Ripple Effect

Alternately titled:
"On the difference we make in peoples lives

and the difference they make in ours."

This post has been a long time in the making. It has been rolling around in my mind as if it is all that takes up residence in this place. It has been formulating during what has equated to hours of conversations, some where I did the talking, some where I did the listening, all with those who are close to my heart. It took a road trip to see a dear new friend. It took a late night airport run and quiet on my part. It took a picture message of a beautiful fall leaf from a beautiful friend. It took a typical weekly visit and conversation that took a different path than normal. It took walks up a pretty intense hill. It took a reconnection with a mentor from my junior high days. It took listening to music. Listening to my heart. It took the melancholy that settles like a heavy fog in my life, always making itself known during the change of seasons. It took silence. And the processing of conversation content. The processing of brain content. And of heart content. It may not be clear, but it is from deep in my soul. It is tangential. Quiet but loud. It is sincere. It is here, for you, to read. For you to know my appreciation of you.

As of late I cannot not think about the people in my life. I know a lot of people. I have connected with a lot of people. I cherish the impact that they all have had on my life. Hence, the ripple effect. Recently, I've often been finding my thoughts drifting towards the people that have entered my life, and who have not left. The people who have entered my life, and who have left. For all of them, for all of you, I am thankful. Truly. I am. I wouldn't be the person I am today without your presence in my life. Your influence. Your love. Your time. Your patience.

There have been innumerable people who have made a dent in my person, my development. Carefully crafting who I am, carving out the image of me as a person, whether they knew it or not. There is, of course, my family. They are the base, sturdy and strong like a Great Oak. They are the ones who first taught me love. Taught me the impact that can be made in the life of someone, for better or worse. Then there came all who are not blood related, but are heart related. The people that I surround myself with. The people who again, teach me love, but of a different kind. The friends who share their concerns, friends who share their life experiences, their fears, their excitements. And those are the friends that let me share my concerns, life experiences, fears and excitements. It is they, who have open hearts and let me be me and love me for who I am.

As I think of you and thank God for placing you in my life I also wonder at the impact that I have made in your life, in the lives of all those that I interact with. Was it for the better, or worse? I pray for the first, but will also own the later. In several conversations and thoughts that I've had as of late, one of the points I come back to often is: I may know the impact that a particular person has made in my life, but I often forget and minimize the impact that I may have made in the life of another. The reason I make this point is not in vain. The reason I make this point is to remind you, to tell you, that even though you are grateful for those who impact your life, you should always remember that you are also making an impact in peoples lives. You are important. Even if you feel small. Even if you feel insignificant. You aren't. No one is. You have made an impact on me. In my life. I am beyond blessed to have you as a part of me and who I am.

I've decided on the need to be on a personal crusade to more transparently and intentionally acknowledge those who make a difference to me and for me. I begin here. And I hope I don't end. Many blessings to you and many thanks from my heart go to you.



Always,
~Stephanie

Proud New Inheritor of An Original

I was gifted a dear and close to my heart gift tonight. I lost a participant, who was a light in my life, a little over a year ago. I still miss her. I still have the privilege of seeing her family. She was an amazing artist. Her daughter has been trying, for the last year, to get me to willingly accept one of the many paintings they have that her mom had done. I haven't wanted to. I've pushed back. I've resisted. I thought it would be too hard to have one of her pieces. When I was having dinner with her daughter tonight, going through the artwork was brought up. I tried to diffuse the situation. Then she got flustered. I thought in my head, "you know Stephanie, this may be her way of having some closure. Accept the gift graciously." So, I left her home with a new piece of art work for my home. I love it. It already feels like it belongs. Now...to frame it. The mat doesn't do it any justice either. And then, a distinguished place for it to hang.

October Poem of the Month

Fallen Leaves
by Robert William Service

Why should I be the first to fall
Of all the leaves on this old tree?
Though sadly soon I know that all
Will lose their hold and follow me.

While my birth-brothers bravely blow,
Why should I be first to go?
Why should I be the last to cling
Of all the leaves on this bleak bough?
I've fluttered since the fire of Spring

And I am worn and withered now.
I would escape the Winter gale
And sleep soft-silvered by a snail.
When swoop the legions of the snow
To pitch their tents in roaring weather
We fallen leaves will lie below
And rot rejoicingly together;
And from our rich and dark decay
Will laugh our brothers of the May.

Sheriff for a Night

I got to spend All Hallows Eve with this handsome Sheriff (and his lovely parents).

Aren't I lucky?!

Howdy Partner, wait--should it be Stick 'em Up Partner?

A Week of Friends & Fun & Needles

What a whirlwind week. Every night this week has been booked. It has been fun and exciting and exhausting-in that good way.

The week started off with one of my girls groups' October event. We were gathering to carve pumpkins. It was grand fun and we laughed A LOT.

I love, LOVE this picture of Jamie.

There was a trauma injury and a stat surgery needed to be performed, rapidly, with a toothpick. Thank goodness it worked.
When I was at the Pumpkin Patch picking out my pumpkin I had decided that I wanted to try a white pumpkin. It was a nice change of pace.

This was our group post carving with our pumpkins in our scary (intended to be) picture.

This is a "normal, nice" picture of our group.

And, another...

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Tuesday I headed to my doctors office. I have consistently had a knee that has bothered me. It grinds and pops. It is miserable. I had decided finally that it was time to go to the doctor (after going through Physical Therapy a couple of years ago with no remedy). She said it was arthritic. Did I mention that I am not even 28 right now?! Really?! Arthritic?!

My options were a steroid injection or beginning the process to get approval for an MRI, which would/could lead to a surgery. I opted to try the least invasive track to start. So, the Dr brought in the needle that was HUGE. Her nurse that set-up the iodine, etc said, and I quote, "when I had a cortisone injection it hurt like hell. Ah. Well, it was in my finger which is obviously smaller joint. Maybe that makes a difference. Sorry. Are you okay. It won't hurt too bad." Thanks. A LOT. Really, because you know, I love needles and all. Especially the ones that are like 2.5 inches long and will be given in the joint.

Anyhow, I survived. Fairly unscathed, with the exception of a tiny needle hole in my knee. Which, by the way was small, but large enough that other people could see it.

Then I went home. I was done with that day.

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Wednesday was movie night with Megan and her housemate, Corina. We went to see Eat, Pray, Love. I really enjoyed it. I craved spaghetti because of this movie. I also craved travel. Exploring parts of the world that are unknown to me. Ah, that wanderlust thing...blasted. :)

Thursday brought musical night. This is probably the 7th season that Holly and me have had season tickets. It is a nice, guaranteed time that we have together. The show was In the Heights. It was quite enjoyable.

Friday night brought the end of a busy week, but not before getting in a great game of hockey between the Portland Winterhawks and the Seattle Thunderbirds with Megan, Corina and Julie. It was a first time hockey experience for Megan and Julie. It was a great first game for them to see. At the end of the 3 periods it was tied and eventually made it into sudden death shoot out with Portland winning!

Here are some pictures from the game!

He looks like he is staring right at me doesn't he...?

During one of the breaks they had the dash for cash. Pretty impressive to see people scrambling around on the ice to get any of the $10,000 in coinage that had been tossed to the ice.

"The gaggle of girls," as Megan called us that went to the game:

Me, Megan, Julie, Corina.

It was a great week spent with great friends. Now, I am tired. On to a restful weekend (hopefully)!

"Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words...

... Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart."

~MLK, Jr.

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I had never been to Corvallis. Not until this weekend. And, may I say, it was a splendid little town and a very splendid weekend away. It was beneficial for me to be there. On so many levels that I can't quite explain or put into words. I had plans to see some friends that had been neighbors of mine and had moved back to Corvallis this past January. Then I was going to be staying with Tera, a student intern we had at work this past summer, who I had connected with and we became quick friends.
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The drive down was wet. Really, really wet. There was a lot of rain and water spray, and only car- length-in-front-of-me visibility, but I made it safely. I'm thankful that there wasn't more traffic on the road.

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The first stop I made was to see my dear, former neighbors. These are the kind of neighbors you want. Beth and Jorge and their two, darling daughters were my neighbors for too short of a time. I was sad to lose them as neighbors when they returned to Corvallis. I miss them so much. When I had decided to visit Corvallis I gave them a heads-up that I was planning on visiting and was hoping to see them. Besides Jorge being at a Men's Conference for the day, it worked well. I was going to get to "hang with the girls," as Beth said in a message. I got to their place and got the grand tour, got hugs from Nora and Carmen and then we whisked away for brunch. We went to The Broken Yolk. They had gluten-free bread so I got to have toast with my breakfast. It was yummy!!

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After eating we headed back to their place. Here are Nora and Carmen gazing at my from inside the front door. For Nora's birthday, I had sent an oh-so-cute tutu and ballerina book. Nora was gracious enough to model the tutu for me! Isn't she just adorable?!

Then she wanted a Stephanie-Nora picture.

And then another one...

And then another one...and another one...I will spare you those. Not that they are bad or anything, but they are basically all the same, yes, I quit at 5, I think.

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I neglected to get a picture with Beth, so I hijacked this one of her and Nora.It was great to take time with this family that I love. I had time with each of the girls by themselves while the other was napping and even had a great opportunity to visit with Beth while both girls were napping for a few minutes at the same exact time. It was wonderful. It made me want them to be closer again.

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After several hours with these great girls, I headed to the store for a few items and then made my way towards Tera's house and her church, where she was working the Men's Conference, that Jorge had been at. I conveniently got to the church just minutes after Tera had finished kitchen duty. I followed her to her house and got the grand tour of she and her roommates place. It is adorable. Absolutely.
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We had made plans to hike. As you may remember, it had poured on my drive down. We knew it would be muddy, my knee has been unhappy with me and we had spent some good quality time talking and talked a bit too long to get a good hike in before dark. We decided to pass on the hike and just go downtown and hang out. There are tons of cute stores in Corvallis and Tera showed me many that I love and definitely want to and will go back too. To name a few (so I can remember when I go back): Inkwell, The Book Bin, Living Earth Bakery (all g/f). I even scored a serving dish for my dishware set (which has been discontinued) at Many Hands Trading. Sweet! After walking all over downtown and the great debate of where we would eat, we headed to dinner at Cafe Yumm. And it was yummy! :)

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Then to the a few other locations Tera wanted to show me, including a 24 hour prayer room above a coffee shop and OSU's campus. I really love wandering around college and university campuses. It was dark, but we still made our way around. I will return sometime in daylight hours. The buildings were pretty phenomenal. My favorite was the Memorial Union building. It is a gorgeous building. It also has a gorgeous ceiling in the rotunda. I couldn't stop looking at this ceiling. I didn't even think of taking a picture, until Tera mentioned later that I should have. I found and borrowed the next two pictures from here. Thank you OSU blogger.

We walked up that staircase. I looked up at that amazing ceiling, a lot.

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The picture below is a close up of the recessed shapes in the ceiling.

Then we headed for gelato. More yummy goodness.

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Tera was making a mess. Her gelato was melting all down the side of her cup. She ditched the spoon and just started licking.

Then we made a few more stops to see a few more places she wanted to show me and headed back to the house and on to more quality conversation.
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After much late night conversation we had to take a few pictures of Tera's roommates cat, who, by the way, is not being tortured in the following picture. She rather likes being held like this...

Sapphire (the cat) slept in bed with me while I was visiting. She was a sweet cat. Ezme forgave me when I returned home.

Sunday morning we got up and headed for church. Tera is on staff for her church as one of the leaders/organizers of the girls groups for Real Life, their college age group. She is also attending the School of Ministry run by her church. It was such a blessing to see where she attends church, attends her SOM classes and see her at work answering calls/texts to assist in arranging rides for girls to get to church that didn't have a way to get there otherwise. I got to see her in her element. It was great.

After church we headed back to her place for lunch and then she headed off to go shopping for supplies to feed 30 girls a spaghetti dinner and I headed home...in the sun and in enough quiet to process conversations that had been had, time that had been enjoyed, and the blessings that these people, and so many others, are in my life. Thank you Beth, Nora, Carmen and Tera for a most enjoyable and refreshing weekend.

Success or Failure?!

At the beginning of summer I made a list of things I'd like to do. Summer is very much over now and I thought I'd go back and take a look at that list. At THIS list and see how I made out. I can't say I succeeded, I won't say I failed.

Here is my list in review:
1. Go to the beach. ~~DONE x3!
2. Go to the Tacoma Museum of Glass. ~~not done...tabled to another time.
3. Hike, as often as I can, wherever I can. ~~DONE (a lot)
4. Discover new music. ~~DONE (a lot)
5. Drive to Leavenworth, WA. ~~not done...tabled to another time.
6. Go to a Portland Timbers soccer game. ~~not done...tabled to another time (when they are an MLS team)
7. Go miniature golfing. ~~not done...tabled to another time (this can so be a winter activity with an indoor course).
8. Go to a Portland Beavers baseball game (before they get kicked out by MLS). ~~DONE
9. Go to concerts in the parks (a few times, at least). ~~DONE
10. Go to Flicks on the Bricks (at least once). ~~DONE
11. Read more books. ~~DONE
12. Lay in the grass. ~~DONE
13. Go on more picnics. ~~DONE
14. Go to a Vintage Baseball game (again, it was so much fun last year!). ~~not done...tabled to another time.
15. Go to festivals (Balloon, India, etc.) ~~eh, DONE, but not with much enthusiasm.
16. Go to some area gardens (dahlia's, Leach Botanical, Japanese, Rose, Oregon, and more) ~~not done...the gardens weren't super great because of the weather we've had.
17. Drive to Sisters/Bend area (something I'd wanted to do all last summer and never did). ~~not done...tabled to another time.
18. Go berry picking. ~~not done...tabled to another time.
19. Drive the Fruit Loop (perhaps during pear season). ~~DONE x3!

I figure, a list is a list, as crazy about them as I am. It provided focus. At the same time, there were some other things that I did that ended up being much more beneficial and important, things that couldn't have been placed on this list all the way back in June when I made it.

September Poem of the Month

Desiderata - by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

How to Make a Beautiful Life

LOVE yourself.
MAKE PEACE with who you are.
and where you are
at this moment in time.

LISTEN to your heart.

If you can't hear what it's saying

in this noisy world,

MAKE TIME for yourself.

Enjoy your own company.

Let your mind wander among the stars.

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Try.

Take chances.

MAKE MISTAKES.

Life can be MESSY

and CONFUSING at times,

but it's also full of surprises.

The next rock in your path

might be a stepping stone.

Be HAPPY.

When you don't have what you want,

want what you have.

MAKE DO.

That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any SHORTCUTS to tomorrow.

You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY.

To know where you're going

is only part of it.

You need to know where you've been, too.

And if you ever get lost, DON'T WORRY.

The people who love you will find you.

COUNT ON IT.

Life isn't days and years.

It's what you DO WITH TIME

and with all the goodness and grace that's inside you.

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MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE....

the kind of life you deserve.

Courtesy of a birthday card from my Mom. I found it in a stack in my closet last night. It still resonates.

My Winter To Read Stack

S'pose I'll get through them all (and then a few more)?! I hope so!

It's a good thing I LOVE to read so much, AND that they predict a much wetter and colder winter than PDX has faced in the last several years. Lots of curl-up on the couch with a good book days ahead!

Any recommendations? Let me know. I'll add them to my list and my stack!

Out for a....

I had always wanted to drive the Hood River Fruit Loop. The map has been hanging off my fusebox for at least a year. Set to guide me as I navigated east into the Gorge when I awoke some gloreous morning, ready to just get in the car to drive. I sort of, accidentaly stumbled upon it when I was returning from a hike earlier in the summer. I vowed I'd return. I wanted to go for the Pear Festival. I love pears. I love fruit. I love the Hood River Valley. While my Dad was visiting we did the drive, but we didn't stop at any fruit stands. The forecast for this weekend was rain and more rain. I had more or less decided to wait until next weekend. Pass on the Pear Festival and just going post-festival to gorge myself on them after the crowds. To my surprise, the sun was shining when I got up this morning. I decide to hit the road.

Megan had been the weekend before and recommended Rasmussen Farms. That became destination and stop #1. And, by far, ended up being my favorite stop.

There were all sorts of colorful, and not colorful gourds. One of my favorite fall sites.

And pears...
And a wagon fill of unusually vibrant, orange pumpkins.

I also stopped at a few other fruit stands and farms, but was largely unimpressed. However, there were some adorable Alpacas near my last stop.

I learned something while I was out-and-about also:

Did you know that the Pear is the state fruit of Oregon?! Oh, okay, you did. Well, I didn't. Not until today that is. But I won't forget. Especially since it is one of my favorite fruits and all.

The trees were LOADED!

The sunflowers were blooming and enticed me to remember that I should venture out this direction for Van Gogh Days next summer.

At the end of the day, I had success. I made it home with three different varieties of pears. And, some pretty amazing pear hazelnut fruit spread. DELICIOUS! It was a grand day for a Sunday Dr! :)

There is more...

There is a quote that I love. It hangs, framed, in my living room and I see it every day. I should take its heed every day, especially on those hurried days when I feel that there is not enough time in the day to accomplish all I need to or all that I want to....

"There is more to life than increasing its speed."

~Gandhi

Yes, I have taken more notice of this framed quote in the last few days. Maybe because I just spent what was a very busy, but at the same time restful, extra-long weekend with my dad. Maybe it is because the days of summer have wound completely down now and the sun is setting and darkness is among us what seems like hours earlier than it was a mere month ago. Maybe it is because autumn feels like a season in which we should slow down, a time to enjoy the sights and sounds; from crisp air to crunching leaves to hot spiced cider to the slimy, gooey goodness of the inside of a pumpkin. It is Back-to-school time, football and tailgate party time. It is time to retire my morning-tea-on-the-balcony-times to indoor tea times. Preferably curled up in my bed or on the couch. Replete with many good books and a few great movies. Yes, these are the mornings and afternoons, the days, where there rush and fervor of the full summer months wane and ease me into the gloomy, rain filled days that grace our winter months here in the great Pacific Northwest. These are the days during which I reflect on the events of the summer and gear up for the holidays. The days that I downshift from cramming as much into as few hours as possible, all the while hoping for the best. Not that I don't love those fun-filled summer days. But, without the time to be still, to be calm, to be me, I couldn't grasp and cherish those bustling summer days.

Here's to Autumn, and to life slowing down, or rather, slowing life down.

A Visit from Mi Padre

My Dad had gone to Washington, DC to visit younger brother. While he was driving back to Colorado he decided that is was about time he come see me. I whole-heartedly agree. After all, it had been (just) over 5 years since he had been here. College graduation time. He headed this direction and arrived safe and sound in PDX Wednesday afternoon. I had decided I really wanted to "document" this trip. So here it is:

I had given Dad directions to work and he arrived with these:

A girl always loves to get flowers!

Once I got off work we headed downtown for dinner. We made a quick stop at Powell's City of Books. (It would be visit number 1 of 3 to a Powell's in the greater Portland area.)

Dad amongst the books...

We then headed to Deschutes Brewery Pub for amazing beer (gluten-free for me) and an amazing g-f burger for me and a sandwhich for Pops.

There was dessert on the menu that we wanted, that we didn't have room for, but we decided we'd come back the next day.

I had two glorious days off from work and when we got up Thursday morning we headed to Concordia's campus so Dad could see all the changes. Here we are in between some of the apartment buildings that I lived in once upon a time.

Then, back to Deschutes for g-f cheesecake, for lunch mind you. Yes, cheesecake for lunch. Healthy diet, but delicious nonetheless.

Then we made stop 2 at Powell's and hit-up some other stores in the area. I had tickets for a play that evening so I left Dad to fend for himself. He washed/cut/preped supplies for our picnic the next day.

We got up Friday and headed for the hills. Mountain more like it. Dad had never been to Mt Hood, so away we went. Destination: Timberline Lodge. I was disappointed in the cloudy, overcast day as I love the view of glorious Hood on the trip up, but alas, it was not to be that day.

When we arrived at Timberline the clouds were blowing through. This is the best view we had of the summit the whole time we were there.

Us with the Lodge behind us.

View from inside the Lodge.

An attempt at getting a shot with Hood behind us. You can make it out (sort of).

Once we picniced and came down the mountain the clouds conveniently started parting. If only they'd gotten an earlier start at that. We were coming around Mt Hood and then north through Hood River to do the Mt Hood Loop. It is a gorgeous drive.

This is the view from the west side of the mountain.

We stopped to get some shots with us and Mt Hood.

Once we made it to the Hood River Valley we stopped off at Panorama Point Park. I had seen the sign, but hadn't stopped before. I'm glad we did as it is a gorgeous view complete with picnic tables, ample parking and restrooms. Sweet!

This is the view of us with Hood in the background from Panorama Point:

Mt Hood with the beautiful valley of orchards below.

After amazing views we hopped on the freeway to head back towards Portland. I can't pass Cascade Locks without stopping at this little joint for a mouthwatering Blackberry Milkshake. One of the things I love about my Dad is that he is always up for ice cream-I inheritated that from him. Most definitely.

We then hopped off the freeway to take the Historic Columbia River Highway back into Portland. With a few stops, of course.

Multnomah Falls being stop one.

Next stop: Crown Point. Phenomenal views. Sweet reflection.

The building is also pretty amazing.

I was worn out by the time we got home. I crashed that night and dear Dad let me sleep in the next morning. It was glorious. Dad wanted to say that we stood on a mountain one day and on the beach at the ocean the next. Once I was up on Saturday we headed to the beach, got almost all the way to Tillamook and then had to turn around. I later found out that the traffic back-up was due to a fatality accident. We eventually (3 1/2 hours after setting off from home) made it to the beach. We stopped and had lunch and then walked the beach.

Us with Haystack Rock in the background.

Feet on the beach! It was warm and wonderful!

Pops on the beach.

Me on the beach!

Fun sandcastle that we saw.

On Sunday, Dad's last day, we went shopping for a cute little boys 1st Birthday gift. And then headed to Battle Ground for Isaiah's 1st b-day shindig. Too.Stinkin'.Cute.

After the party we headed home and I had to face the realization that my fun, extra-long weekend was winding down and Dad's time for his visit was winding down. It was a grand trip and I was so thankful for his visit and the time I had with him.

.

Ezme sratched on the door and cried each night when Dad went to bed. So cute!

Dad also spent a lot of time playing laser light with Ezme, which she LOVED.

Thanks for the visit, Dad! Love you lots and come back before another 5 years passes! :)