RACE FOR THE CURE

While I was busy doing my Sunday morning "thing", Karina and her mom were doing their Sunday morning "thing," the "Race for the Cure" in downtown Portland.  And to prove that they really made it, The Oregonian even posted this picture on the front page of today's paper - Karina and Dorothy .  So I took Dorothy to the train so she could get back home today, and bought a paper for her - I think she was going to the coffee shop to buy some more papers to take home with her.  I stopped at a restaurant for breakfast on the way home and bought another copy; and talked to Karina since I've been home and she'd bought another copy as well. So that's the exciting news from the left coast this morning!  In years past the church has sponsored a team, "PoP Souls for a Cure", but didn't have enough to gather a team this time.  Rain was forecast for Sunday morning, but they stayed dry until they were ready to get back into the car to come home.  Hurray!  Dry and warm is always better than wet and cold!

processing tomatoes - first night ... of many, methinks ...

Picked tomatoes and more tomatoes and more tomatoes and more tomatoes last night - and still have more and more and more left.  We only put in four plants, and they are as prolific as rabbits, or cats, or whatever your choice of simile is.  I think that's a simile ... or maybe not ... problem is I won't be looking it up, so in my correctness or un-correctness in this grammar lesson is over.

and speaking of grammar, I hope all you grammers and grampers enjoyed grandparent's day!  Since I'm only a week late, and I noted none of the readership made mention of it, perhaps the day hasn't made your annual calendar, either!  If fact, no one (to my recollection) has ever wished me a "Happy Grandparents Day" - EVER!  I think there are probably more unaware of this most cherished day, than aware!  Take that back, some did say, "congratulations on becoming a grandparent" when the Z-man was born - for me THAT was grandparent's day!

Have a PoP couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this week - they dated for 6-7 years before they got married!  And another PoP'er is 17 days (I think) away from her 100th b-day!  And she is very much aware of it!  So milestones are happening all around!

Went back to two service yesterday - several "seasoned" citizens came back for the second service (10:30) - say it's just too hard to get up and going for the single summer service (9:00).  Anyway a nice crowd at both services.  Did something a little different this year - our choir director/organist/congregation president asked to have a special "musician" dedication -  so before the Anthem in first service I had all the voice choir and bell choir members in front of the congregation for a blessing, prayer and dedication of their musical gifts to the service of God for the coming year; did the same with the Praise Team at the second service.  If you're interested, I'd be happy to share the text of the   service itself - was well received - especially the musicians liked it!

went to another PoP family for Sunday afternoon Pinochle party - 4 tables, about 18 people - usually the game is in the evening, but more and more of this "team" are getting older and desiring not to drive at night.  Dessert was a Zucchini cake (pretty yummy - no pics - imagine brown and gooey); and can you believe this - the gal who provided cookies for 2nd service worship had made Zucchini brownies - again, no pics, imagine a little darker shade of brown and gooey - my aren't we snacking healthy these days?

well, that's about it from here.  enjoy your week.

we love ya.

Karina (the gad-about and media star) and Dan