WHEN IS SUMMER GOING TO ARRIVE?

Portland set a new record today ... July 17th, and we got .57 inch of rain!  Can you believe it?  Though I am in my glory - don't have to water the lawn/garden - there are many truly upset - I think we have hit 80+ degrees maybe three or four days this year.  supposed to be 76 tomorrow, thunderstorms on Tuesday and back into the mid 70s for Saturday and Sunday.  the down side is also clear - strawberries were about 3-4 weeks late this year, the vineyard owners are getting mildly anxious, BUT Karina and I harvested our first crop (3-4 cups) of marionberries!  looks like the jammin' will be happening!  Also got some beets and snow peas and radishes; the tomatoes are greening, the squash are blooming, the beans are stretching their vines up to the sky to set their pods.  looking forward to what's to come.

speaking of gardens, Karina and I were garden-hopping this past week - but for special opportunities.  Last Monday we started snooping at community gardens.  We checked out the Kennedy Gardens and the gardens at Cedar Mill Bible Church.  the first had 85 plots and the second had 42.  Now why were we garden-hopping you ask?  well, glad you asked.  Karina brought a proposal to our council Tuesday night to pursue hosting a community garden at PoP for 2012.  We have some areas (between the parking lot and the neighbors to the north) that could be developed for such a ministry.  What's on the docket?  developing somewhere between 20-30 garden plots (raised garden beds - perhaps sizes 4x12, 8x10) for "the community"  - whoever would like to have a garden, but have no room on their own property.  They're really becoming popular around here, and a wonderful way to get our name out in the community.  they provide opportunities for folks to share caring conversations and relax.  in some gardens (St. Gabriel Episcopal - "First-Fruit Gardens") ten percent goes to the Oregon Food Bank to help the hungry.  Don't know where we're going with it yet, but looks like a neat outreach and challenge.  there is an annual fee for gardening - $20 - 40 (at the various sites) and that kind of provides for water.  PoP would probably provide the water,  and 3-6 inches of garden mulch per plot, and let the gardeners have their way.  I am really hopeful that the opportunity is accepted and can grow here.  Karina met with a former St. Gabe's gardener (who has since become a member at PoP) to pick her brain as to the specifics.  hopefully some good stuff was 'garnered' in the discussions.  

and speaking of agriculture ... today's sermon was "It's Those 'Darn'el Weeds Again!" a play on words from the Gospel lesson "Wheat and Tares".  Should be posted by Tuesday, had some fun comments, as well as some very serious ones also. If you listen, I hope it proves worthy as well.  The poem at the end, which was kind of a late addition to the sermon even had requests!  The poem, not a work of great theology, evidently struck some emotional chords along the way.

also had a fun addition to worship today.  in the summer we go to one service in the Christian Life Center; begins at 9:00.  Even though it was deluging outside, our first week (of 10 more?) of a pre-service hymn-sing was delightful.  Did old favorites, "How Great Thou Art,"  "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," "Brothers and Sisters in Christ," "Alleluia (the old campfire version...)" Come, Let us Worship" and something else, but I've forgotten what.  what a fun way to see people enter the church for worship - in song!  I think there were about 6 people there at 8:45 today; we'll see what happens next week.  I'll keep you posted.

still waiting for the landscaper to make his appearance - I think Karina told me it will be August before he can get here - what with the delay in the painters, etc, the landscaper actually took on other projects! can you believe that!!!  How rude. (this is all written tongue-in-cheek :))  such is life - the good comes to those who wait.  and wait.  and wait. and ...

don't think I mentioned it before - on the 4th of July, June (in Roseburg) was pulling weeds in her yard before the usual gang came over to watch the fireworks from her back deck.  well, she came upon this monster weed that wouldn't give up its rooting, until she had all her weight against it.  she fell backwards in the process, thought she had done some major hip damage by falling on the scalloped garden trim but discovered that she had broken her right wrist in 2 places, and had at least sprained her left wrist as well - it was too swollen to X-ray.  so she's staying with Jackie and Jerry with a cast on her right arm and a splint on her left.  She stayed and hosted the party - as she said, "what else could I do?  I wasn't going anywhere..."  way to go, June! 

think that's about it for now.  will write again next week.

love ya,

K and D