Hi family,
Our Oregon Summer is elusive. Judging from the photos attached, you wouldn't think so, but we think Summer came last month for about a week. It's been cool, overcast and raining the last few days. But warmer weather is on the way.
Our stay at SunRiver was fun. All the Portland clan except Kirsten and Mathias (Kirsten had gigs with Trash Can Joe on the 4th holiday) showed up. We made some good memories. One of the great improvements was that each family was assigned a meal to buy, prepare and serve and cleanup. Taking turns like that led to creativity and energy and variety we all enjoyed. (note the hamburger picture). Well, almost all of us. I stuck to my diet, but I forgot my protein shakes and tried the nearest equivalent I could buy in Bend but it was not very palatable. One of the great products of our family get together was the Tyveck mural we made for Arden. Everyone, including (!!) me contributed to the art but of course, Kaaren assembled it all for the group.
One of the highlights for Kaaren and me was our canoe trip down the Dechutes after everyone else had left. Monday morning we ran the Dechutes (and got a ride back to our car) just the two of us and the only other traffic we encountered on the whole trip was a fellow on a surfboard. Very quiet and lovely end to our trip. (If you don't count the almost 3 hours of cleanup).
Thank you all who came for the time and energy you brought to this family vacation. It was worth it.
We have nine chickens now, not chicks. They are beautiful and Kaaren is taking good care of them. I'll try to remember a picture in the near future of them in their quarters (the old greenhouse).
We also have raspberries, marionberries(huge and plentiful), boysenberries, and of course blackberries we are trying to get rid of. We also have tomatoes and beans on the way; Kirsten has chard and kale and peas and other things. The garden is good.
I am working hard on my IFR rating, flying about twice each week and studying at night for the exams. It is a great experience and I love every minute of it. My partner, Colin, and I are doing it together with the same instructor - Ron Magnus who sang in the West Linn Community Chorus for years with me. I've actually been flying in the clouds several times and am getting the hang of navigating without seeing anything outside. As a matter of fact, I've flown for 7 or 8 hours lately in beautiful weather not seeing a thing except for a moment at takeoff and a few moments prior to landing. It's the most challenging thing I've done, maneuvering in 3 dimensions while operating radios and navigation equipment of several types and receiving and acknowledging instructions over the radio, etc.
Last Friday, Kaaren and I saw the first local production of The Producers at the Lakewood theater. We laughed so hard. It was a really tremendous production. I had forgotten how funny the show was. We still start laughing spontaneously, thinking of moments in the play. For me, the gay Nazi was so over the top it makes me laugh to remember his character.
The next day, Saturday, Kaaren and I visited the Oregon Garden. It was very peaceful and inspiring to Kaaren to think of all the new projects she has in mind for me - for our gardens. Especially intriguing was the hobbit house.
Kirsten and Mathias will be in Ottawa for the next week. Kirsten is coming home tonight from her gig at the Oregon Country Faire. Kaaren and I went once when Kirsten played with March Forth there and we loved it.
We are enjoying having Molly around. We are enjoying having each other around. It is a good time for us.
We are looking forward to Bryce's performance 23,24,25 July as Harold Hill in Music Man. It's being performed in Sherwood by a community theater group there. I hope at least you Portland Pixtons will show up to cheer him on.
I'm listening to French language CDs in my car as I drive. Getting ready to be not quite as dumb an American as possible next month. We will be in France with Brittany and Bob August 14-30, and Kaaren will then go on to England to visit family there. I will spend one night in Frankfurt to visit friends on the way home.
Bon nuit und Guten Abend,
Dad
