On the first day of the month, according to normal monthly tradition, either Karina or I say "Rabbit" - as the first words uttered for the month ... something about good luck will follow for the rest of the month for the one who says it first - and no, I don't believe in luck, and no, it seems I'm always the one who forgets to respond, because I don't remember that the month has changed ... well, ANYWAY - as Karina says "rabbit" (last Saturday) my first response was "It's August already? Where did the month go?" Now the truth is, I wasn't trying to be cute. I lost the month of August! Even after celebrating my birthday during it's presence! That's why, I think, it's been so long since I posted to this blog. Oh well ...
A lot has happened. And you get to hear just what it was. Portland was host city to the Little League Softball World Series (international, 12/13 yr old), and the team that represented the Northwest had a member that I had baptized about 12 years ago! We went on a Saturday to watch one of her (triple elimination?) games against the Netherlands, and unfortunately they lost in the bottom of the 6th on a goofy error, 6-5. They had more opportunities to play, and beat Mexico (or was it the US Southeast Team?) ... don't remember - but had a great time at the game. Alpenrose Dairy hosts the tourney (at their Daily complex) and I was impressed with their "family setting". The stadium is really quaint.
the flowers provide a nice touch, don't you think?
Then a week later (I think) we got to take a mini-vacation (Sun pm -Thu am) at the coast at Lincoln City; some of you have been at Margie's beach house before - that's where we went. Karina's mom, Dorothy joined us - GREAT weather - sunshine every day; walks on the beach; tide was low enough to get out to the tide pools;
one afternoon watched the whales migrating (no pics, were about a mile off shore) but they stayed in the same area for about 1-2 hours. Think there were about 8-10 in the pod - they kept blowing and breaching and fluking! An awesome sight! We just watched and watched with binoculars! Also had the "kite-boarders" (surfboarding with a para-sail) - that was cool! Also while I was fixing crab for the group, K and D had two deer come into the flower garden less than 10 feet from them. Sunny (the dog) is getting more and more deaf, so he never heard them and remained asleep; but when he did stir the noise of his collar with dog tags barely jingled and startled the deer and off they ran! They got some great pictures (but not on my camera).
Saw a beautiful sunset each evening - this picture is representative of all of them ...
When we packed to leave it was raining at the beach - so it made it easier to go! We got home to no rain and God blessed us with another great sunset off our back porch. This one I also captured -
pretty - even without the ocean!
The following Sunday (I took it off) we hosted a picnic/BBQ for friends of Jan and Bill, she's a member of PoP - who are both retired, but getting married in October - had about 30 people over at noon, and it, too, was a gorgeous day! After they are married they're moving to Olympia,WA, though.
Jan and Bill - she in black, he, yellow ...
yum, yum! food for all! Karina's directing traffic, I think.
and last, but not least, we added a new member to our family, Bernina 580E! Thought we better open it before the warranty ran out! Now Karina has to get lessons to legally operate the equipment - that is, unless there is someone out there reading this who would like to come west and give "hands on" training! We're more than open to that!
you go, girl!
We're back in full swing at PoP - Kindergarten started today; had a chapel to ramp up the 45 Ks; next week the other 200+ pre-schoolers arrive and we soon will hear the voices of all of them! And what a joyful noise that is!
Tonight (1st Tuesday) we head downtown and serve the meal at Transition House.
Enjoy your September (August, if you've lost track of time). Hope all is well with all!
From the left coast -
we love ya.
Karina and Dan
Yeah...the Bernina has seen the light of day in year 2012! After googling your machine, you have a beautiful machine with lots of fun stuff to try. Hope you can take those lessons re: the 'bells and whistles'. When my sis and I took our lessons, we were shown a lot of options that we 'could do' if we wanted. It was a great way to become acquainted w/ your machine. Happy Trails and seams Karina. Now....dig out that red thing you bought in Sisters....and let's get going! :) Hey, did you hear that Sisters was rained upon this year? Glad we were in the crowd.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've had some relaxing times at the coast and amongst friends. Nice!
Now...it would be FUN (for me) to see the little projects that K completes w/ Bernie-out West. Even the stuff you learn and execute on your lessons. Do you have to take your machine? That's aways fun.
OK...is that enuf talk about THE MACHINE Etc?
I mean "Glad we were NOT in the crowd.
ReplyDelete