Relatives Land in Oregon

Debbie & Keith Hake with Nathan & Jonathon (Phoenix, AZ) made Oregon their Spring break destination! It just happens their oldest son Brian is beginning his graduate studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where Jana's family resides. They ended up in Ashland for a few days. Fall weather was beautiful so we headed up Mt. Ashland thinking we would see lots of snow. About 10 inches had fallen two weeks earlier with the promise of ski season opening on Thanksgiving!!! As we headed up the nearly 8000 ft peak, Mt Shasta appeared off in the distance. . .about 60 miles south. . .but no snow!! We arrived at the lodge and still no snow! Thinking we would drive to the summit, Keith bounced us in that direction and the fork in the road headed up looked more risky when Debbie chickened out. Esther and I have made that drive numerous. . .slow but doable. Keith decided to turn around. . .drove a few blocks and parked at a great scenic overlook with wonderful views in all directions. Everyone got in the mood to rock climb. On our way back, we stopped at the Ski Lodge to look at the ski run. . .and behold, several small patches of snow, enough to make a foot tall snowman!!! plus many near misses of wet snow balls. It was a great memory!

Wilson's Visit Oregon

Jane & Larry Wilson are those special friends that stay connected over the years. We met in Elkhart and have continued the friendship with gusto!! Both Wilsons are now retired and living on the East Coast. They arrived the last week of August at just the right time. We didn't plan on a health detour that grew full bloom August 28. We had spent several days at the coast and had a relaxing time. Esther's leg had been bothering her. On our way back to Ashland we stopped in Roseburg where a springy rest room door put Esther on the floor. It was now very difficult for her to walk and we ended up at the Ashland Emergency Room. Since then and many tests, a herniated disc seems to be causing the problem. Sept. 20, she had a Cortisone shot in the spine. Healing and pain relief has now made it possible for her to slowly walk around the house. We are thankful.

In spite of this detour, we had a wonderful time with the Wilson's, who were a big help during this stress. The photos are from the Charleston area on the coast. The top is Sunset Bay and the bottom, Bandon Shoreline. Dahlias were gorgeous at Shore Acres. The pink flowers at Hall Lake near Lakeside are unknown. The Oregon coastal beauty is breathtaking and refreshing to the human spirit. . .a wonderful masterpiece by our Creator!

The Best Tomatoes in the U.S.A.

Esther has 3 tomato plants, in pots, staked, tied and 4 feet tall! We have even had several nice bright red tomatoes about the size of a tennis ball! They also grow great tomatoes in Texas. I suppose Ashley & Zack are growing some in their raised bed garden. But Roly's have really entered the tomato competition in Corsicana, Texas. On Father's Day they sent me a box full of ripe tomatoes all properly hybrid labeled! We even rated them according to taste!!! What a treat!

Then I received a photo this Indiana tomato grown by our friend, Dan Monroe, who now lives near Indianapolis. He finally had to pick this 1 pound 14 ounce tomato before it broke his plant! I can almost taste it - it's been a long time since I've seen one this large! And I have to say to all you tomato growers, your as good as the best and better than the rest!!!!

Costa Rico at Age 11

Brady, just finished the 5th grade and at the Spanish/English school he attends, they earn the right to take a trip to Costa Rico just before they enter 6th grade. Jana & Paul worked all year getting him ready for his BIG trip this June! Brady flew from Portland and stayed the first week with local folks and had to use his Spanish!! Brady was assigned to a young family with a restaurant!!! How lucky can you be??? Their last 4 days were spent having fun as you can see. Brady says it was a blast!!! and he met many new friends. He was glad to get back to familiar surroundings with a new appreciation for home!!

Clipped in Eugene

Clipping is usually a football term but Derrick decided he needed a head clip! Long curls were too much for a growing boy headed into 3rd grade this fall! Very carefully, Jana & Paul started whacking off the curls! What a change! Congratulations, Derrick! You have grown up a bunch by giving up something you lived with so long!! The short of it is, you look Great!

Texas Cabbage Heads!

Joel, Holly & Joe's son, must have been visiting grandpa & grandma (Roly & Candy) cause I'm quite sure they are the big Texas growers! I understand they go to market in Mildred every Saturday with their fresh produce. I even got a box of wonderful tomatoes for father's day. . .and all 9 in excellent shape from Texas to Oregon all marked by hybrid names! We all agreed that Superfantistic was the best!

Joel got to learn his arithmetic or math as they now call it and I suppose grandpa made him figure how many square inches and of course how much this beautiful cabbage weighed. Needless to say their garden is growing like mad! Wish we were closer or there were more father's days!!

Tough ReHab

Thought you should see all the rough & tough rehab they are putting me thru at the hospital in Medford. All the nurses insist on 15 minutes on the tread mill with an incline of 4 degrees and a speed of nearly 2.5 - which is almost running!!! I can hardly keep up. . .that's when the whip comes out! After this workout, it's the arm/peddle to the metal. . .another 15 minutes! Of course they make me stretch before and after - and if there's time, I must do 1 or 2 complete arm lifts with 3 pound barbells and that means 15 lifts per exercise!!!! After all this and a viciden, I'm ready to be wheeled out the door! It's a tough life and I say avoid surgery if you can! And besides, I have to pay for all this attention!!! Oh well, I'm just resigned to it by now!