still for hill...

This made me smile, so I had to share it! (And it's only about 20 seconds, so what have ya got to lose by clicking?!)

sunday drive

This morning my mom and I were faced with a multiple choice question:
Should we:
(a) Go to church
(b) Clean our respective houses
(c) Read the newspaper while enjoying a cup of coffee
(d) Head out on a road trip

We opted for (d) as the beautiful weather ruled out (a), (b), and (c).

We did a loop on country roads passing through small towns (some of which we had never visited before). My camera behaved better today. I decided if it is incredibly bright and sunny outside AND the object being photographed in no way moves, the camera can handle the job.

Anyway, here's one of the views from the road (ooh, ooh, my blog name!). (That's Mt St Helens off in the distance -- the sky was a bit hazy).




The little town of Vader decorates their jail with flowers:


(Actually I don't think it is really a jail anymore.)


Here's the river in Pe Ell, Washington. We heard Doc Severinsen in concert in Seattle and he said he grew up in Pe Ell, but he might have been pulling our collective leg.




And here's my mom outside the restaurant where we had lunch:



Yep, it was a nice day. I'm glad we opted for choice (d).

blur = grrrrrrrr

The Empty Nesters went hiking at Silver Falls State Park (in Oregon) today. It's a beautiful area and features a hiking trail that takes you to 10 waterfalls in 7 miles. We hiked a little over 5 miles, saw 8 waterfalls, and called it good.

Here's the first waterfall from the front:



And you can hike behind it too:



I took lots of pictures, but my rackin' frackin' camera was really acting up so the majority didn't turn out. (My Christmas list is growing!) So, sadly, you won't get to see Presbyterian Gal photoshopped going over one of the falls in a barrel.

Friday Five: Fall

Singing Owl writes:
The Autumnal Equinox has just come 'round again... There is something so nostalgic about this time of year... The nights grow cooler, crops are harvested, for some of us the leaves are beginning to change colors...

For this week, let's share some memories along with some hopes and expectations.

I love autumn -- it's my favorite season! (Although sometimes I say that at the start of summer. And winter. Well, you get the idea.) Anyway... Since I recently discovered some old family photos in a trunk at my mom's, I'm going to answer these F5 questions using some of those pictures!

1. Share a Fall memory.
A couple of favorite fall memories are jumping in a big pile of leaves and heading back to school. I don't have a picture of me jumping in leaves, but here's a picture of me heading back to school. (I'm not sure why I needed the big briefcase. Sheesh!)


And here's a school photo from 4th grade (taken in October '65).



2. Your favorite Fall clothes--(past or present)?
In the past, plaid figured prominently. Here I am with my cousin Cheryl, taken late 1970.


3. Share a campfire story, song, experience...etc.
The only thing I can think of here is sometimes there would be a bonfire after football games. No picture...

4. What is your favorite thing about this time of year?
One of my favorite things is/was trick-or-treating at Halloween. I loved it as a kid, I loved it when C&D were growing up, and I still love answering the door and seeing the neighborhood trick-or-treaters. (Here's my brother and me in 1965.)



5. What changes are you anticipating in your life, your church, family...whatever...as the season changes and winter approaches?
The main change is that Hubby and I return to "empty nesting" this time of year. Sigh.

Bonus: What food says "AUTUMN" at your house? Recipes always appreciated.
Autumn is soup time! Here's Debbie Delzer and me enjoying some soup at her house. (OK it could be cereal, but that doesn't fit my answer!) Notice my sweater--also a fine fall fashion.

as seen in my waiting room...

Yep, dilated lots of eyes today.

my two cents

I don't know about you, but I'm getting really tired of political hyperbole overshadowing reality. Of course, in the world of politics this is nothing new. Witness this old postcard:

the front:


and the back:


We're obviously facing some big issues, and it's frustrating how über-partisan posturing limits our ability to have a substantive and rational discussion.

That is all.

empty nest adventure

Early Saturday morning was cool and rainy. But the blue sky made an appearance later in the morning, so the Empty Nest Hiking Club set off on a hike to the aptly named Gnat Creek.

You can see our hike (and share in our surprise) here:



OK, so I took some creative liberties.