On Saturday we took the EL downtown to The Saturday Market. This is almost like a state fair without the rides and livestock. A lot of vendors set up booths and sell their wares.. Lots of food choices. We chose gyros. Don't think I liked them very much. Having limited amount of room in my carry on luggage, the only thing I bought was some kettle corn.
Since it was Halloween there were a lot of little kids trick-or-treating. One was an adorable little gnome dressed like the gnome that advertises travel on TV. She was probably around 2 years old dressed in a light blue robe and red hat. One of the dancing water thingies was an attraction for her and several other little kids.
The chilly weather didn't seem to bother them. J & K had an artist do caricatures of them.
Kendra's choice of "things to show Gramma" was Powells Book Store. This is about 6 or 8 blocks from the market so we walked. Just as we started up the street it started pouring down rain. I guess this is the way it is in Portland. I bought a couple of books for reading on the return trip.
We then went to another little suburb to visit some antique shops and eat supper at a Chinese restaurant which was very good.
Back home & watched a little TV.
Sunday we went to Church. A very small church compared to the one they attended in Lincoln. C J % K were among several joining the church that morning. Some of this group were also being baptised. As we took communion we dropped rose petals into water in remembrance of the saints that have gone before us. They have a lady pastor and was a very nice service. C & I had coffee and walked around outside while waiting for K to get out of SS>
Terry picked us up to take a drive up Columbia Gorge. Even though Cindy said we would not eat anywhere we could eat in Nebraska, Arbie's seemed like the most convenient spot to have lunch. We stopped at Cindy's favorite falls, Monhotmah(don't think that is the right spelling). We walked up to the bridge about half way up, but decided not to go all the way to the top since days are kind of short and we wanted to go the dam and fish hatchery. There wasn't much to see at the hatchery except the aquarium that had a sturgeon that weighed over 400 lbs. I think his name was Herman. Back to Portland and another meal. This one in a place kind of like IHOP or Village Inn. Another very good meal. Good thing we were doing a lot of walking. Back to the apartment and repacked for the trip home. Said "goodbye to JD since she opted to sleep in.
Monday, up early to catch my flight home. Kendra got up for a goodbye hug. Cindy dropped me off at the entrance. The flight home was a lot nicer than the one out. I thought I might have time to get a bite to eat in Denver, but our connection to Omaha was not near the food court. I was glad I had my kettle corn and some cookies that Terry had given me. Got into Omaha around 4 and was back in Norfolk by 7. Had to stop at the store to restock for the week.
It was a great trip and I am glad I know how to picture the apartment and the area where My Girls live.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Portland/Clackamas
When we got back to the apartment, everyone was ready for bed.
Friday a.m. (not too early) we left to drive to Seaside. Seaside is not really beside the sea it is by the ocean. It is pretty much your typical tourist town. It is also the last stop of the Lewis & Clark expedition. We ate lunch at Pancakes and Pigs in a Blanket or some such name. Very good. We checked out the shops, Jaydee and Kendra decided to have their picture taken. Maybe one of them can post it for you. We walked up the hill and there was the ocean. It was cold and windy, but J & K took off their shoes and socks and waded into the water. Cindy & I decided it was too cold. On the way back to the car we bought salt water taffy and stopped at a 50's diner and had ice cream.
It was dark when we got back to Clackamas and Cindy took a wrong turn and we ended up crossing the Columbia River into Washington state. So I can say I have been in Washington. She finally got her bearings and we got back to what was familiar territory for her. We stopped for a bite to eat at a Mexican place and then went home.
We had only been home a few minutes when Cindy's friend, Terry, called and said he cut his finger on a can and it wouldn't stop bleeding and could she drive him to the hospital. It did require 3 stitches, but like a typical man, he was just going to duct tape it and let it heal.
More later.
Maybe Thanksgiving Day I can get Tammie or Abby to see what the problem is when I try to post pictures.
Friday a.m. (not too early) we left to drive to Seaside. Seaside is not really beside the sea it is by the ocean. It is pretty much your typical tourist town. It is also the last stop of the Lewis & Clark expedition. We ate lunch at Pancakes and Pigs in a Blanket or some such name. Very good. We checked out the shops, Jaydee and Kendra decided to have their picture taken. Maybe one of them can post it for you. We walked up the hill and there was the ocean. It was cold and windy, but J & K took off their shoes and socks and waded into the water. Cindy & I decided it was too cold. On the way back to the car we bought salt water taffy and stopped at a 50's diner and had ice cream.
It was dark when we got back to Clackamas and Cindy took a wrong turn and we ended up crossing the Columbia River into Washington state. So I can say I have been in Washington. She finally got her bearings and we got back to what was familiar territory for her. We stopped for a bite to eat at a Mexican place and then went home.
We had only been home a few minutes when Cindy's friend, Terry, called and said he cut his finger on a can and it wouldn't stop bleeding and could she drive him to the hospital. It did require 3 stitches, but like a typical man, he was just going to duct tape it and let it heal.
More later.
Maybe Thanksgiving Day I can get Tammie or Abby to see what the problem is when I try to post pictures.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
getting to Portland
On October 29th I left Norfolk at 10 am to catch a 2:30 flight from Omaha to Portland via Houston. Although it was raining I wasn't too worried about the weather as it was just rain. After getting checked in and wondering around a bit, I decided maybe I should get a sandwich and not wait until my short layover in Houston.Then I headed for my gate. Our plane was about 10 minutes late getting into Omaha, but I wasn't too worried about making the connection since I had a little over an hour to get to my next plane. Just about 10 minutes or so late taking off and away we went into the wild blue yonder. And I do mean wild. Our pilot informed us that we would be taking a different route due to the stormy weather. He changed routes about 3 times to miss the worst of the turbulence. Finally arriving in Houston at 6:10 to make the 5:59 connection. Luckily (or not) everything in Houston was late due to storms. Our plane was waiting for us to leave at 6:45. Another lady passenger and I raced to the next gate that included a shuttle ride to another part of the terminal. We made it in plenty of time around 6:30. On the plane, the door is shut, and we waited to leave the gate. And we waited and waited and waited. Finally we taxied to the runway. The pilot informed us there were 23 planes ahead of us. Then everything was grounded because of high winds. The cell was supposed to pass through in about 30 minutes. Then the wind changed so we had to taxi to another runway. While all this was going on we were allowed to have our electronics on so I called Cindy and told her expected arrival time was 10:30 instead of 8:30 PDT. Aound 9:30 we left Houston with arrival time 11:15. Do the math, that is 1:15 CDT. After getting above or around the storms the rest of the flight was uneventful. Thankfully, Continental still serves food. We had a soggy cheeseburger, a salad and a bite sized Hershey bar. Sure glad I had the sandwich in Omaha.With our safe landing in Portland at 11:15 I called Cindy from the gate and told her we were on the ground. Thank God and technology for cell phones. Cindy is only about 20 minutes from the airport so after I got off the plane there was just a few minutes wait for her and the girls to pick me up.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Accomplishment
One of the things on my "bucket list" was to read the Bible cover to cover. The King James version that I received for comfirmation is the one I read. It is finished (pat,pat). King James is probably one of the hardest to understand, but it really suprised me how much of it was familiar. I have on loan from Janell a study version with questions and answers and a text that is easier to understand. This one will take longer because of the q's & a's. Each evening depending on how late, how alert, or how tired I am, I read a chapter or more before I go to bed at night.
In the beginning (ok, I plagarized) man (man meaning the human race) lived hundreds of years until God decided that man should live only 120 years. Has anyone in modern times lived that long? I don't think so. There does seem to be a lot more people reaching the century mark, but what is the quality of their lives? Most of them are in nursing homes just waiting to die. They can't get around, don't recognize their families and can't even go to the kitchen and get a dish of ice cream or a cookie if they want it. What kind of impact would a cure for alzheimers have on nursing homes? They could go home to their spouses or to an apartment where they could watch soaps or games shows or the news channel and eat their ice cream and cookies whenever they felt like it. On nice days they could get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. Especially this time of year when the trees are the most colorful. Coffee or tea with maybe a game of cards or scrabble with friends or quilting at a senior center would also be options.
I really don't know where I am going with this. It is all just rambling on about thoughts of living to be 120. Living to be 120 is not on my bucket list, but "living" until I die is. Have a nice life :).
In the beginning (ok, I plagarized) man (man meaning the human race) lived hundreds of years until God decided that man should live only 120 years. Has anyone in modern times lived that long? I don't think so. There does seem to be a lot more people reaching the century mark, but what is the quality of their lives? Most of them are in nursing homes just waiting to die. They can't get around, don't recognize their families and can't even go to the kitchen and get a dish of ice cream or a cookie if they want it. What kind of impact would a cure for alzheimers have on nursing homes? They could go home to their spouses or to an apartment where they could watch soaps or games shows or the news channel and eat their ice cream and cookies whenever they felt like it. On nice days they could get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. Especially this time of year when the trees are the most colorful. Coffee or tea with maybe a game of cards or scrabble with friends or quilting at a senior center would also be options.
I really don't know where I am going with this. It is all just rambling on about thoughts of living to be 120. Living to be 120 is not on my bucket list, but "living" until I die is. Have a nice life :).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Season's end
Golf season is winding down. The PGA players are chasing "The Tiger" for nuero uno.
Club tournaments and city tournaments have been played. Lots of golfers seem to put away their clubs after Labor Day and school starts. This is really a shame because some of the best golfing weather is in September. This year out late summer weather in Nebraska has been the best. Temperatures have been great and we have not had a lot of windy days either. The rains have come at good times and the courses are as pretty and green as spring. One of the downsides of fall golf is the falling leaves. Our course has mostly evergreen trees so the leaves are minimal. The baby geese have grown up and flew away a couple of months ago. Even though they are fun to watch, it's nice not to have the poopy mess they leave.
This is the time of year clubs have some "fun" tournaments trying to generate a little more fall interest. This Sunday our course is having a "one-person scramble". Each player gets to hit 2 balls on every shot. If you have a good shot with the first ball, you don't have to hit the second. A lot of clubs have a final 4 person scramble in mid October. A second reason for this tournament is to get the inventory in the coolers down. Especially if the clubhouse is not used during the winter months.
If you are thinking of buying new clubs, this might be a good time to shop. This years models will be replaced with new ones next spring so just like the automotive industries, they have year end clearances.
I hope all you golfers had a fun season and remember a bad day of golf is a better than a good day of work anytime.
For you non golfers, you don't know what your are missing.
Club tournaments and city tournaments have been played. Lots of golfers seem to put away their clubs after Labor Day and school starts. This is really a shame because some of the best golfing weather is in September. This year out late summer weather in Nebraska has been the best. Temperatures have been great and we have not had a lot of windy days either. The rains have come at good times and the courses are as pretty and green as spring. One of the downsides of fall golf is the falling leaves. Our course has mostly evergreen trees so the leaves are minimal. The baby geese have grown up and flew away a couple of months ago. Even though they are fun to watch, it's nice not to have the poopy mess they leave.
This is the time of year clubs have some "fun" tournaments trying to generate a little more fall interest. This Sunday our course is having a "one-person scramble". Each player gets to hit 2 balls on every shot. If you have a good shot with the first ball, you don't have to hit the second. A lot of clubs have a final 4 person scramble in mid October. A second reason for this tournament is to get the inventory in the coolers down. Especially if the clubhouse is not used during the winter months.
If you are thinking of buying new clubs, this might be a good time to shop. This years models will be replaced with new ones next spring so just like the automotive industries, they have year end clearances.
I hope all you golfers had a fun season and remember a bad day of golf is a better than a good day of work anytime.
For you non golfers, you don't know what your are missing.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Solheim
This weekend the LPGA's equivalent to the PGA's Ryder cup, the Solheim Cup, was played near Chicago. For those of you who do not golf the format has nothing to do with your final total. It is called "match play". The golfers compete hole by hole. If they get to the 14th hole and have won 5 holes the match is over. Winning 5 up with 4 to go. During the Solheim and Ryder competition they play 3 different formats. Four-ball, alternate shot and singles. Four-ball has 2 players from each team. If one play has less than the others that person or team wins the hole. The alternate- shot is really the hardest format. One player tees off and they alternate hitting the shot until the ball is holed out. If there is a low score that team wins the hole. Singles is head to head competition between 2 players. There are 14 players from America and 14 players from Europe. If the team ends up even at the end of 18 holes each team gets 1/2 point.
The first 2 days match 8 players (2 teams) from each team for 4-ball play in the morning and 8 players (2 teams) from each team for alternate stroke in the afternoon. On Sunday there are 14 matches of head to head competition.
After the first 2 days of competition the score was all tied at 8 wins each. If you think golf can't be exciting, you should watch the Ryder and Solheim cup competition. There are so many ups and downs and ties that it can really keep you on the edge of your seat. Although the US won 16 to 12 it really wasn't a run away on Sunday. The leads changed so many times it was hard to keep track. A lot of the matches came down to the last hole.
These matches were televised on the Golf channel. So if you don't get that tier of channels, you probably didn't even know this was going on. I have not seen even highlights on any other channel. Granted, I don't watch every news or morning show, but shouldn't the LPGA get as much attention as the PGA? The Solheim and the Ryder competitions are only played every other year. This year was the Solheim and next year the Ryder. Playing one year in the US the next in Europe. The US has never lost a Solheim match on US soil. USA, USA, USA!!!!!!!! You go girls.
The first 2 days match 8 players (2 teams) from each team for 4-ball play in the morning and 8 players (2 teams) from each team for alternate stroke in the afternoon. On Sunday there are 14 matches of head to head competition.
After the first 2 days of competition the score was all tied at 8 wins each. If you think golf can't be exciting, you should watch the Ryder and Solheim cup competition. There are so many ups and downs and ties that it can really keep you on the edge of your seat. Although the US won 16 to 12 it really wasn't a run away on Sunday. The leads changed so many times it was hard to keep track. A lot of the matches came down to the last hole.
These matches were televised on the Golf channel. So if you don't get that tier of channels, you probably didn't even know this was going on. I have not seen even highlights on any other channel. Granted, I don't watch every news or morning show, but shouldn't the LPGA get as much attention as the PGA? The Solheim and the Ryder competitions are only played every other year. This year was the Solheim and next year the Ryder. Playing one year in the US the next in Europe. The US has never lost a Solheim match on US soil. USA, USA, USA!!!!!!!! You go girls.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Fun stuff
Since I don't want to bore you with all the tournaments that go on this time of year, I will steal something sent to my e-mail.
Although this isn't related to golf, one of the dumbest phone calls that came into the bank where I worked many moons ago was a lady that asked if all her checks were in. Like the bank was supposed to know how many she had written.
How about you? Any dumb or funny phone calls?
Subject: ACTUAL GOLF COURSE PHONE CALLS ACTUAL CALLS RECEIVED AT THE PUBLIC GOLF COURSE (Amherst, Mass.)
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: What are your green fees? Staff: 38 dollars. Caller: Does that include golf?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I need to get some information from you. First, is this your correct phone number?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, we have a tee time for two weeks from Friday. What's the weather going to be like that day?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I had a tee time for this afternoon but I'm running late. Can you still get me out early?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have one of those areas where you can buy a bucket of golf balls and hit them for practice? Staff: You mean a driving range? Caller: No, that's not it..,,,
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I'd like to get a tee time tomorrow between 12 o'clock and noon. Staff: Between 12 o'clock and noon? Caller: Yes. Staff: We'll try to squeeze you in.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have any open tee times around 10 o'clock? Staff: Yes, we have one at 10:15. Caller: What's the next time after that? Staff: We have one at 10:22. Caller: We'll take that one. It will be a bit warmer.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: How much to play golf today? Staff: 25 to walk, 38 with a cart. Caller: 38 dollars? Staff: No, 38 yen.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: What do you have for tee times tomorrow? Staff: What time would you like? Caller: What times do you have? Staff: What time of the day? Caller: Any time. Staff: Morning or afternoon? Caller: Whenever. Staff: We have 16 times open in the morning and 20 open in the afternoon. Would you like me to read the whole list? Caller: No, I don't think any of those times will work for me.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have a dress code? Staff: Yes, we do. We require soft spikes. Caller: How about clothes? Staff: Yes, you have to wear clothes.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have a driving range there? Staff: Yes. Caller: How much for a bucket of large balls? Staff: Sorry, we're all out of large balls. But we can give you twice as many small balls for the same price.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Can I get a tee time for tomorrow? Staff: Sure, what time would you like? Caller: Something between 9 o'clock and 10 o'clock. In the morning, if possible.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you rent golf clubs there? Staff: Yes, they're 25 dollars. Caller: How much to rent a bag?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, my husband just called me on his cell phone and told me he's on the 15th hole. How many more holes does he have to play before he gets to the 18th?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have a driving range there? Staff: Yes. Caller: How much for a large bucket? Staff: Four dollars. Caller: Does that include the balls?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have a twilight rate? Staff: Yes, it's 15 dollars after 2 o'clock. Caller: And what time does that start?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I'd like some info about your golf course. Staff: OK, what would you like to know? Caller: I don't know, that's why I called.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: My kids just came home with pockets full of range balls and said they stole them from your driving range. Would you like to buy them back?
Although this isn't related to golf, one of the dumbest phone calls that came into the bank where I worked many moons ago was a lady that asked if all her checks were in. Like the bank was supposed to know how many she had written.
How about you? Any dumb or funny phone calls?
Subject: ACTUAL GOLF COURSE PHONE CALLS ACTUAL CALLS RECEIVED AT THE PUBLIC GOLF COURSE (Amherst, Mass.)
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: What are your green fees? Staff: 38 dollars. Caller: Does that include golf?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I need to get some information from you. First, is this your correct phone number?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, we have a tee time for two weeks from Friday. What's the weather going to be like that day?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I had a tee time for this afternoon but I'm running late. Can you still get me out early?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have one of those areas where you can buy a bucket of golf balls and hit them for practice? Staff: You mean a driving range? Caller: No, that's not it..,,,
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I'd like to get a tee time tomorrow between 12 o'clock and noon. Staff: Between 12 o'clock and noon? Caller: Yes. Staff: We'll try to squeeze you in.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have any open tee times around 10 o'clock? Staff: Yes, we have one at 10:15. Caller: What's the next time after that? Staff: We have one at 10:22. Caller: We'll take that one. It will be a bit warmer.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: How much to play golf today? Staff: 25 to walk, 38 with a cart. Caller: 38 dollars? Staff: No, 38 yen.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: What do you have for tee times tomorrow? Staff: What time would you like? Caller: What times do you have? Staff: What time of the day? Caller: Any time. Staff: Morning or afternoon? Caller: Whenever. Staff: We have 16 times open in the morning and 20 open in the afternoon. Would you like me to read the whole list? Caller: No, I don't think any of those times will work for me.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have a dress code? Staff: Yes, we do. We require soft spikes. Caller: How about clothes? Staff: Yes, you have to wear clothes.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have a driving range there? Staff: Yes. Caller: How much for a bucket of large balls? Staff: Sorry, we're all out of large balls. But we can give you twice as many small balls for the same price.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Can I get a tee time for tomorrow? Staff: Sure, what time would you like? Caller: Something between 9 o'clock and 10 o'clock. In the morning, if possible.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you rent golf clubs there? Staff: Yes, they're 25 dollars. Caller: How much to rent a bag?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, my husband just called me on his cell phone and told me he's on the 15th hole. How many more holes does he have to play before he gets to the 18th?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have a driving range there? Staff: Yes. Caller: How much for a large bucket? Staff: Four dollars. Caller: Does that include the balls?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have a twilight rate? Staff: Yes, it's 15 dollars after 2 o'clock. Caller: And what time does that start?
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I'd like some info about your golf course. Staff: OK, what would you like to know? Caller: I don't know, that's why I called.
Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: My kids just came home with pockets full of range balls and said they stole them from your driving range. Would you like to buy them back?
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