Pool Day...finally

I'm not going to lie, my week has been not what I had hoped.  To say I was dictated by my bowels would be an understatement.  I did take my scooter out a couple times, but beyond that, my hermit status is secure.  I really have not been able to take baby, my camera out like I would like to, but low and behold, a camera shot literally came to my front yard.

I love the herd of deer that have the run of our neighborhood.  (well not when they eat my tulips).  We all talk about the family of deer who go through my driveway, graze across the street and back to the creek, and then sleep at our neighbors house behind us.

This weekend, finally my "issues" have started to behave.  Saturday, LL and I tinkered around the yard, went to Lowe's in Salem, went for a very long scooter ride around Silverton and then rode to Mt. Angel and visited with Kris and Steve and then a quick stop at Mom's.  It was a nice way to spend the day.

Sunday, today we have done something we had not done this summer.  Because of spending time at our campsite, the weather, and family picnics, we haven't just spent time around the pool and hot tub.  Today, Kane came over, Bailey babysat this morning but was home by afternoon, Max was with us, and we just stayed home and enjoyed family time around the pool.  Well I did make a quick trip to Mom's because Aunt Leone left tons of produce.  SCORED!!  Fresh green beans, beets, cucumbers, zucchini, and marion berries which I think came from Uncle Leo.  Anyway, I digress.  So Kane prepared to jump in.

LL got in after that.  Isn't the water beautiful?

Of course, Miller men do what Miller men always do.....

Start wrestling.

And then they decided to make up and bond in the hot tub.  Which I ended up joining them.

But pretty much I did what Bailey did.

Sat by and just watched with total relaxation.

After all that.  I ran to the store to pick up steaks to barbecue and when I got back, Kris and Steve was over for a visit.  Tried to talk them into staying for dinner but they had already ate.  After they left, I grilled steak, and we had bake potatoes to go with it.  I have not ate because frankly I am a little scared of spending the rest of the night having "issues".  So I think I will wrap my steak up and eat it tomorrow for lunch.  Seriously hate my digestion, but sure love summer weekends.

Kayli from Sitka

I have been asked by a few readers recently if Kayli from Sitka has moved to Silverton yet.  She has not but will be in just a few weeks.  I am excited to meet her.  She just wrote a post on her blog with a picture of her new house here in Silverton.  So for my aunts who have asked about her and for everyone else, I have posted a link down below to her blog.  Her house looks lovely and I am trying to figure out the location.

Kayli

Stark Green

Happenings...........My sis Kris came home a day early, late Friday afternoon.  LL and I went to visit her this morning.  She looks great and is getting around really well.

LL and I got a few things done around the house today, I then was going to make a nice early dinner, but the weather was so beautiful, I wanted to get outside before I ate and ended up with "issues".  So I went to the Oregon Gardens for a long walk and took some pictures.

The sun was beautiful.  There is not much to see at the gardens this time of year.

This area will be beautiful this spring and summer.

I did find the Conifer Garden beautiful with all the various green colors.

I took a few more pictures but will post them later.

Tomorrow is a big football watching day.  Both LL and Kane's favorite teams are playing tomorrow.  The Packers and the Steelers.  Wouldn't it be something if they were both in the Superbowl.  Things could get ugly around here.

I Don't Want To Be A Hermit

The other evening, I went to my mom's house to watch movies.  LL was out of town for work, so Bailey and I thought it was a good time to go and watch movies that my mom DVR'd.  The movie was OK.  It was Valentine's Day.  I might have liked it more if I didn't miss a lot with bathroom runs.  I took the opportunity to take a picture before we left. 

Rett, Evelyn, and the pillow in the middle is Bailey.

Yesterday, I decided to take a walk while the weather cooperated.  I am noticing my spring flowers starting to come up.  Isn't it a little early? 

While walking, I decided to take a picture of one of the most beautiful historical houses in town.

It is just around the corner from my house.

After my walk, I decided to let the girls free range for the day.  They didn't even wait till I got out of the way.  As soon as I opened their trap door, they ran out and went to town eating all the bugs and foliage they could get hold of.

After my walk, I tried to get some things done, but again, my "issues" got in the way.  Spent most the afternoon sitting and running to bathroom.  Not sure why this is all starting up again.  I have been very careful with my diet.  Maybe my body, after adjusting to the diet, decided to behave the way it is most familiar.  Maybe it doesn't matter what I eat.  Maybe I will have to accept I will be a hermit for the rest of my life.  I don't know. 

This morning, I have an important meeting for my sister Kathy.  Kris will be there.  So, if I do have problems and have to leave, at least Kris will be there to advocate for Kathy. 

It's A Small Blog World After All

First off, I want to apologise for Beau in the previous post.  When I let him write my blog, I did not realise how bitter he was and I failed to let him know that this blog has a NO NAME CALLING policy.  So Todie, I am sorry for Beau forgetting he is a gentleman.

A few days ago, in one of my posts, someone new commented.  If that person has a blog, I try to visit their blog and thank them for their comment.  I visited Kayli's blog and saw she was from Alaska.  I have always wanted to travel to Alaska and since I do not follow anyone from there, I took a little time to read.  In one of her posts, she talks about traveling to Washington and Oregon.  In the Willamette Valley, she mentions a small town that reminds her of Sitka and that she was soon moving there.  I asked her where, since I know all of this valley and was sure I would know the town well.  She told me she was moving to Silverton.  Isn't that something.  She will be my neighbor.  Oh I don't know what street she will live on, but Silverton is not that big.  I am looking forward to meeting her.  This is her blog if you want to check it out.  Sitka

Toto, We're Not In Kansas

What a weird day yesterday was.  First I want to show you a couple pictures I took a couple days ago.

This house is not the Griswold's house.  It is four doors down, not two.  I love how they decorate during the holidays, and at night, this house is beautiful.  They also do a wonderful job with flowers in the spring and summer.

Here is a day time shot of our town square Christmas tree.  Just down the road from my house.

I started my day yesterday, by gathering my supplies, and going to my Mom's house to make fudge.  I forgot my "baby", but had my point and shoot camera so took a few shots.

We made three batches of fudge.  I took a picture of my mom, but the disgusted look on her face made me think I better not post it.  Gee, she is a beautiful woman who should have lots of pictures taken of her.  But she gets a little mad so no picture of her today. 

I got home around 11:30 and started having "issues".  So while busy with the issues, my home phone rang.  Didn't answer.  My cell phone rang.  Didn't answer.  My home phone rang again.  Again, I was a little busy, but knew something was up.  So as soon as I could, I called my husband who was trying to get hold of me.  He said Aumsville, just south of Silverton had a tornado and he wanted me to go to the basement if the weather started to look strange.  Tornado?  We don't get tornadoes in Oregon.  OK we do, but since the 1800's only 98 recorded tornadoes, and all but three were EF-0 or EF-1 with little damage.  Good news is that the tornado was done before the storm hit Silverton.  Bad new is, my cousin's business was hit the hardest in Aumsville and the building was pretty much destroyed.  No one was seriously hurt.  Thank you God.  Still, the town and farms were hit by a EF-2 tornado, with many businesses and homes damaged.  Here is a sight to check out.  The Nichol Plumbing is my cousin's business. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40664381/ns/weather/

I Can See Russia From My House!

                                  I can see Russia from my house?  OK, not really, but because of our rains from the last few days, I can see Silver Creek from my house.  So after my doctor appointment this morning, I took the opportunity between showers to take a walk with my camera.
                                               
I have seen the creek burst over the banks, so the level it is right now is not that high, but boy is it rushing.

I was able to take a few shots around the neighborhood and my chickens before the drops started well......dropping.  So I have a few pictures to show you in the next few days.

If felt good to get out around the town.  Seriously love walking around the business and saying Hi to people I pass.  A lot of rain is predicted for the week.  I don't mind walking in the rain.  I am an Oregonian after all, but I just don't want Baby to get wet.  (My camera)

Now, about my doctor appointment.  Last week, I had my blood drawn so the doctor can check for cancer and make sure my liver etc.'s are working normally.  This doctor is my chemo doctor.  My surgeon tracks my healing and digestion.  My chemo doctor is the one to spot a recurrence.  Although they both over lap and are very thorough.  Well I got a clean bill of health.  Yippee!  We talked about my diet to help my "digestion" issues and he explained a bit further why some foods trigger my "issues"  So I am on the right track with the changes I have made and he wants me to keep a diary of my foods.  Well I must admit, leaving the doctor's office, LL and I breathed a sigh of relief and I definitely have a spring in my step.  So thank you God for one more good check up.

The Town That Still Believes

What a lovely evening it was last night.  The temperature was warm enough to be comfortable, and cold enough to enjoy the hot chocolate and cookies.  It was a huge crowd out to see Santa sprinkle angel dust on the tree so it will light and twinkle.

So as soon as LL, Karen and I got to the park, I hightailed it to get some hot chocolate.

We saw some friends who brought the Goldadoodle.  Isn't he sweet

Karen and LL looked on while listening to two singing cowboys sing carols.

Santa came in on the fire truck and then got into the lift.

Wow, our town square tree is getting taller, Santa had a hard time getting close.

But he did just get close enough for the angel dust to work.

Afterwards, the three of us went to our local pub and had dinner and drinks.  It was also packed.  Great turn out for such a little town.  We then looked a bit in an antique store, then I had to hightail it home for my "issues"  But what a lovely evening.  So different from last year. 

Silverton Murals-Mr. and Mrs. Claus

This mural was painted by Roger Cooke in 2002.

I chose to feature this mural today, because tomorrow is the big night here in the town that still believes.  It's the first Friday here in town.  Every month on the first Friday, Art galleries, antique shops, restaurants etc.  stay open later and offer refreshments while you browse and visit with neighbors.  December is always special because it is the night Santa come to light the Christmas tree.  He does this just across the street from this mural in the town square park, which is just around the corner from my house.  While waiting for his appearance on a fire truck, people crowd into the small park and partake in free hot chocolate and cookies and visit with all the locals.  I love this tradition but last year did not go well.

Well it all started with LL and I going to the park.  Santa is usually on time.  Everyone waited and waited.  Rumor has it that Santa "allegedly" partook in too much punch before his appearance and so things got a bit disorganized.  While LL and I waited patiently, we listened to the local choir, drank hot chocolate and visited.  I was so happy.  It was one of my first outings after regaining strength from chemo.  But just as Santa finally came rolling up in the fire truck, I felt something warm on my belly and running down.  Remember?  I still had my illeostomy.  My ostomy bag leaked.  So LL and I hightailed it back home.  By the time I got cleaned up and new bag on, we knew we had missed Santa's big moment.  So instead, we cuddled up on the couch, me in tears, and watch my favorite holiday movie.....Holiday Inn.  No not White Christmas.  Holiday Inn was made 12 years before White Christmas.  It is in Black and White with Bing Crosby and Fred Astair.  I love it.  When the movie is broadcast on t.v. now, they cut out Lincolns birthday.  They should, horribly offensive to African Americans.  But I still watch the uncut version I have on DVD.  It is a beautiful movie and does not need color.

So, with luck, I will take pictures of the festivities tomorrow night for you all to enjoy.

Silverton Murals-Old Oak Tree part 2

As promised............The Stump.  Read the post down below.  The stump of the old oak is located behind the Silverton Country Museum. 

For some reason, the setting behind the museum, encased in a gazebo, I find very sweet.

Silverton Murals-Old Oak Tree

Getting a picture of this beautiful mural with out cars in the shot, is impossible.  It is on main street, in the parking lot of a very popular restaurant the Town House.  They open very early for breakfast, so I did the best I could to give you a decent picture.

This gorgeous mural was painted by Lori Lee Webb.  It is titled Old Oak Tree.

The oak tree was written about in one of Homer Davenport's books, The Country Boy.

In the early days of Silverton, wagons had a natural roundabout on the street.  The center, a beautiful huge oak.  This oak according to Davenport, was a meeting place.  Even before it became the centerpiece in town, native Americans, "Indians" as Davenport called them, convened under the tree for council. 

It stood in the middle of main street and eventually became inconvenient.  The towns people chopped it down and divided its limbs amongst themselves.

The trunk is enshrined in a near by park.  I did not realize the connection until I did research and as soon as the weather clears up, I will be taking a picture of the trunk and posting it.

On the side of the mural is the words taken from Davenports, The Country Boy.

It is sad when in the name of progress, something irreplaceable like the old oak is destroyed.  But I am proud that my quirky little town found away to honor it forever.  The trunk enshrined in the park, and the beautiful mural to remember it.

Silverton Park Photos

Went to the Silverton Park to try out some settings on the camera.  It is a very dreary day so it's interesting to see what difference it makes.

The mushrooms were particularly fun to shoot.  I needed to lie down to take this shot. 

My mom asked me to bring my camera to her house this afternoon to take pictures of her Christmas cactus that is in full bloom.

Silverton Murals-Don Pettit

Silverton has been the home for a few stars.  Clark Gable and Howard Hessman both called Silverton home for a while.  But the biggest star or at least hero in my mind is Astronaut Don Pettit.

Don Pettit was born here in Silverton in 1955,  graduated from Silverton High School in 1973.  He was in the same class as my brother-in-law Steve, (Bud).  He received his bachelors degree from Oregon State University, and earned his doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona.

Dr. Pettit was selected by NASA in 1996, and went to space in 2002 and was in space for Expedition 6 for 161 days. He did another space exploration in 2008 and also has been on missions to Antarctica to do experiments for our country and the world.

This is a true brave American Hero and he was born, and raised here in my hometown.  He came back a few years ago for the ceremony to celebrate the new mural in his honor and he was also was the star of our little quait parade for Homer Davenport Days.

Mama Don't Take My Kodachrome Away!!

Mornings like this morning, I am so happy to have relief from my "digestion"  I was up early, made LL's lunch, emptied dishwasher, cleaned kitchen, started 2 loads of laundry, and made beef stew and put it in the crock pot all before 7:00am. 

I wanted to get my responsibilities done so I could go out and play with Baby, my new camera.  After taking care of the chickens, dogs, Max, and showering and primping.  OK I don't primp but I do brush my teeth.  I was out and about by 9:00.  Put gas in the car,  took a couple mural pictures with my new camera, which you will see in a future post, and made my way to Mt. Angel. 

Stopped at Mom's for a little while and then I was a woman on a mission.  To try out my Baby.

No this is not a professional photo, I just took this of St. Mary's church a few hours ago.

Made my way up the Abbey Hill.

Look how clear and vibrant this picture is.

This is the new bell tower at the abbey.  I like the angle I chose for this picture.

This is the church up at the Abbey.  I then saw that the weather was changing, and I wanted to take pictures at the Oregon Gardens, so I could show you the difference between my point and shoot camera and my new Nikon.

Point and Shoot

Nikon

Point and Shoot

Nikon

Point and Shoot

Nikon

Point and shoot

Nikon

The rain came fast while I was at the Gardens, and I did not want my new camera to get wet.  So I went home and.......

Started bread to go with tonight's stew.

All this before 12:00 noon. 

Love it when my "digestion" allows me such a fabulous morning!!

By the way, this is how new I am at this.  I forgot to mark my photos with the copyright:(

On a down note.  My son Kane, found out yesterday that he has been laid off.  And if the business he has been working for doesn't turn around and do better, he is without a job.  So he is here with me now, working on his resume'