Pros and Cons - the "T" List

Recently I was explaining to a stranger how Gene and I decided to move to Tri-Cities from Yuma, Arizona.  This place was not our only option and we spent several months (truthfully more like 3 years) deciding where to move. First, we wrote a long list of what was important to us for our new place to "be" and then we broke it down even further by writing on a big dry erase board.  We used the "T" method, placing Pros on one side and Cons on the other.  But first we had to decide which cities we were going to even consider placing up on the dry erase board.  We looked really hard at Oklahoma City (I shudder now just thinking about it). We even took a trip there to check it out and came home to quickly scratch it off our list.

Oklahoma City.  Looks good on paper but one must really go there to experience it. If you are reading this and it's your home and you love it there, we are so happy for you. On the "pro" side, they have that beautiful memorial of the OKC bombing but it's hardly a reason to move there. That's the only nice thing I can say about OKC.

I wish I had taken a photo of our "T" board when we placed Tri-Cities on it. Gene had done a lot of research about this area but quite frankly, life is even better here than I could have imagined. Maybe it's because I went for a lovely, long walk yesterday with Gene and "Missy" down by the river, which is one mile from our house. We don't walk down there often enough. There are miles of trails and yesterday we walked on one we had not been on before. I saw ducks and a big herron, wild mushrooms and leaves falling in a hurry for winter to arrive. We walked past a little art gallery that I've never been inside of but it's on my list of "to do's" for a Saturday when I'm bored. I don't spend any time out here in our little town but it's a goal to do more of that, and soon. We have a very old furniture store that has its original sign up that I'll have to shoot and show you sometime. There are towns and places around here that make you take a step back in time. I might add stuff like that to my "T" list if we decide to move again.

So, a few of the things on our "T" list for consideration were:  weather, economy, weather, distance from grand kids, weather, things to do, weather, job market, weather, population, weather, motorcycling roads, weather.

The weather is changing ... we noticed last night it was super nippy at 9:00 p.m.  I'm cold all the time and I sleep with a turtleneck on. I've never quite warmed up from my life in Alaska.  You could say I am freezerburned.  Even with the winter being a bit colder than I imagined, we made the right choice moving here. There are still a lot of places to see and roads to ride and trails to walk. So many things to do, so little time ... it seems.

Take 5 - Day Seven

I'm starting to get the hang of carrying my camera around and shooting.  We went out for a walk today and look what I found. Well, besides more fall leaves. I'll never quite get over how beautiful fall is in this area.  Hope you enjoy.

Spotted these cool mushrooms right at eye level on a carving in the park.

I've never seen this type of mushroom before. Really beautiful, for fungus.

Peace & friendship. I'm all about that!

I love the leaf carpet here. I hope I never grow tired of seeing fall leaves.

"Missy" doesn't really like walking through the leaves.

 I never tire of seeing squirrels - I "heart" them!

Keep This Coupon

So ... last night we went to the annual Oyster Fest out in Hermiston, Oregon. It was awesome, as usual. We arrived about 10 minutes before they started the potluck line. They always call 5 tables at a time to stand in the buffet line and our table was amongst the last group to be called. This annual gathering seats 500 people. The Hermiston folks fry up enough oysters to feed 500 people and our only contribution is to bring a dish. Last night I chose to make a 7-layer Mexican dip. By the time our table got called, my dip was long gone. I didn't care because I was smart enough to make a little side dish of it for us before I left home.  Anyway, to make it possible to put on such an event for absolutely free, they always have a fabulous raffle with tons of prizes and a grand prize which has been a TV 3 years in a row. In the spirit of one of the traditions of our fellowship which states we are self supporting through our own contributions, we buy lots of raffle tickets and hope the group covers their costs. We didn't win the TV, although we sure could use a new one.  However, one of my zilliion tickets did net us a little AM/FM radio which promptly has been placed in Gene's shop.  We had the most fun just kibitzing over the muti-colored tickets spread out at our table. I had a grand conversation with the woman sitting next to me as we observed how some people shout out when they win a prize and there are others who simply raise their arm in the air and couldn't seem any less excited about winning.  When my winning ticket was read, I quickly stood up and the prize-bringer (I know this is not a real word), a cute little blonde girl about age 10, brought that radio right to our table. My friends sat in envy.  I know this because that's how I feel when those close to me win. And frankly, they were verbal about it, in a loving, jovial way that only friends can be! (giggles!)  But, when my friend next to me had a matching ticket which netted her a $25 gift certificate to WalMart, you'd think she was auditioning for the Price Is Right!  She jumped up out of her chair, arms raised in the air, screaming all the way to the front to get her prize and our table went wild!  I want to sit with this group next year ~ I love their spirit.  It was a fun night and we'll look forward to it again next year. It's the one time a year Gene gets to eat oysters since we left Yuma and it's a super awesome showing of unity among our friends.

My Saturday

"Missy" went to see Tabby today for a haircut. We really love Tabby!

We have a golf course very near our house. We don't play but so happy for the guys who do!

I can't stop marveling at the beauty of fall. This is one street over from our house.

Goethals Park is undergoing construction. It's gonna be awesome!

Um ... don't get me started on this sign.  What's wrong with this picture?

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Friday Lunch-Time is 'For the Birds'

Columbia River looking towards Pasco and the "Blue Bridge"

Well-fed geese

People stop along in the park & feed the birds daily.

It looks like a convention, doesn't it?

So beautiful.

Tombstone, Arizona -- I love you!

My friend, KC, is celebrating her 9th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Normally, I don't remember such significant events like this but it is also an anniversary for me, too.  Toasting to her impending marriage vows the following day, we drank champagne and had some good laughs and it's the last time I drank alcohol (although in recent years I saw a photo & it's possible I had a drink the next day after the wedding when we went to dinner at the local restaurant but I don't get too bogged down in that detail ~ close enough is good enough). Regardless, I can't reflect about my 9 years of sobriety without thinking about the beginning of it, which happened in Tombstone, AZ.

Dad and I had traveled over to Elfrida, AZ and parked out at a ranch. We had a grand time while there.  I have a photo of myself up on a horse but I cannot remember if I actually rode the horse or if I just sat on it for the picture. I've never been around horses and have a healthy fear of them.  We listened to Caroline's beau at the time tell us about the illegals destroying the fences just about every night and how he'd have to go out and repair them.

We traveled to Bisbee, Arizona (love that little town, too) the day before the wedding to visit the courthouse and get KC signed up for marriage! I have a photo of her, Caroline and myself standing on the courthouse steps. It was a happy day!  We ended up in Tombstone for the wild, wild west wedding and I was so happy to see my friend do the deal.

I've been back to Tombstone twice since then.  Once when Gene & I rode the Goldwing over and again when his daughter came to visit us one December. We took the old Escort over, forgetting we didn't have heat and nearly froze to death on the trip home.

I love Tombstone for a lot of reasons. It was a happy beginning for my friend, and it was a happy beginning for me, too.  I loved going back there later with Gene, visiting the site of the gunfight at the OK Corral, etc. You can't go there without standing there and imagining what it must have been like in the old days. Going in December was an eye opener for me. It had to have been tough living there as it does get bone-chilling cold.

Well, I'm off to start another awesome Friday.  KC, you're on my mind today and I'll be raising a glass of orange juice in your honor!  Love ya!  Susan

When the Fog Lifts

"Like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, though in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them."  Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), U.S. statesman, writer.

After the fog burned off, it was another beautiful day. 
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  Now, on to today's showcase.  This fine piece of crafted furniture was made by my husband. It was a long time coming but so worth it. I will treasure it forever and ever. The drawers are big and deep and I love the color he stained it. A matching piece remains in the shop with just final touches needed before it comes up the stairs.

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
Henry David Thoreau

"Men grow old, pearls grow yellow, there is no cure for it." -Chinese proverb. 

 
This sweet little shelf was made by my Uncle Milt.  He died a couple of years ago and Aunt Peggy gave this to me before we left Yuma. I really love it because it has stood the test of time & I'm hoping someday I'll be able  to gift it to my cousin, Bobby.  He was my Uncle Milt's only child & I think he would probably like to have it.

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Your Attention Please

This week I've received some awesome emails from high school friends who questioned where I wandered off to since I left FB in September. (Thank you, Kathy C., for being my agent and pointing them to me since I left FB.)  I learned more about them in two emails than I have in months and months of following them on FB.  My good friend, Kathy, started her own blog and I'm totally enjoying reading her stories as well. Nancy put up a blog and although I think she should put up more posts as she leaves me hanging out there for more, I love her blogsite.   So, I made the observation yesterday that I am a bit selfish and what I really want is your undivided attention and I want to give you my undivided attention.  CAN ANYONE OUT THERE RELATE TO THIS?  You know, I go to lunch or coffee with friends and now that phones can display FB, they can't take their eyes off their cell phones. I'll be in the middle of a conversation and my own phone goes off. Do I answer it or let it go to voicemail? Should I turn my phone off? Should I leave my phone at home?  Washington state passed a law this year banning use of hand-held phones while driving. The place where I work requires we turn our phones completely off while at work. I think that's fair. They just want our undivided attention while we trade work for pay and while we drive.  It's not unreasonable.

And, if I still have your attention, I did a little research yesterday regarding hand-written letters. Did you know that hand-written letters is #9 on the Top 25 Things Vanishing From America?  Seriously.  I also read an article this week in the newspaper that cursive writing is  a vanishing skill at Oregon colleges.  A vanishing skill.  Think about it.  Once these skills go away, they likely will not come back. 

Last night, when I got home late, I threw up some photos and a little bit of commentary about them and hit the hay. I thought about it for a while before I went to sleep. Just in the couple days of my month-long quest to take more photos, I feel like something is missing because I haven't written in the mornings like I usually do.  I need to write.  For me.  It takes the words swirling around in my brain and places them elsewhere.  Whether it's on this blog or my personal journal or an email or a hand-written letter, I need to write.

Okay, that's all.  I'll move over so someone else can stand on the soapbox.

love, Susan

I Am So Lame!

Day 3 of "Take 5" and I wish I had another hour or two in this day. I started at 4:00 a.m. today and ran non-stop. On my lunch hour, a friend took me over to Kohl's to help me pick out a tablecloth, some napkins and some nice glasses for my T-Day dinner table. I now have a base-line to go from and I think it will be beautiful. I really needed her help because I didn't know where to start. I should have taken my camera with me as it would have been fun to shoot a pic of the massive choices I had at Kohl's. I think that's what gets me frustrated ~ too many choices. So I didn't even unsheath my camera until 9:00 p.m. tonight.  Therefore, I'm posting the lamest photos ever. It can only get better from here. This is worse than Day 1.

Okay, so, for those of you non-dog people, the red ball is called a "Kong".  I don't know why it's called a "Kong" but every dog owner should have one. It will provide you & your K9 with endless minutes of entertainment.  See next photo.

Dog food, peanut butter, popcorn, whatever you treat your dog with, goes in the "Kong".  Our dog will not eat her food out of her food bowl any longer. She insists on having it put in the "Kong".  She nearly breaks our toes by dropping the "Kong" at our feet to remind us that she needs to be entertained and fed. Peanut butter is the best if you want to get your dog off your back for a while. It takes longer to get it all out.

Missy has an amazing jaw line that opens like an alligator when it comes to this stupid "Kong".  Sometimes she likes for us to hide it while she waits in the kitchen for the command to "go" find it.  Everything is a game to her.

I

I warned you with the title of this post that it was lame. Are you still reading this???

I promise ... tomorrow will be a better picture day.

 Throwing this photo of my China in to make it "5" photos.  Oh, my table is going to look nice when it's all put together.  Stay tuned.

The Little Things You Miss When You Aren't Paying Attention

Beautiful day here in Tri-Cities. It was in the 60's at lunch time, clear blue sky and leaves falling as if they are in a race to the ground.  This morning on my trip to work I saw these trees and knew I had to shoot them at lunch time because it's likely they'll be naked  tomorrow.  While I was standing there taking this photo, I noticed a guy with a leaf blower strapped to his back (can you spot him in this photo?)  and I honestly could have pulled out a lawn chair and just watched him swoosh the leaves into a nice, neat pile. The best part is when he gets them in a big pile and purposely points his blower into the pile and the leaves go up in the air as if they are possessed by a spirit. Whoosh!

See what I mean?  I don't know if he saw me taking his photo but it's good practice for me to just observe people and shoot the photo regardless of how awkward it makes me feel. 

I did not want to go back inside into my little cubicle on such a wonderful, fall day.

But ... I did ... go back ... to work.  

On my way back, I shot this theater sign so I could check out what's playing at the movies. I don't see anything on this billboard I want to see.  Do you?  Jacka... in 3D? I don't think so. 

   

This next photo is right out back of the building where I work. Can you believe these colors?

This was taken at 8:15 a.m. today just before I got in the car to go to work. I heard birds making a racket and looked up above me and spotted this guy. 

Okay ... that's 5! It was a smidge easier finding something to shoot today.  Can't wait to see what crosses my path tomorrow.  love, Susan  

Take 5 - Day One

Shooting 5 random photos is not as easy as it might sound. I recently read a guy's blog who has a goal of taking One-Million photos in a specific amount of time. I had a hard time trying to figure out what I was going to take five photos of today. I suspect it will get easier as the days go by and my eye starts catching things I haven't noticed before. So, here's my first entry into this month long quest to Take 5.

 This is my dermatologist's building. I think his building is a little excessive but glad to know my hard earned medical dollars are going to make beautiful architecture for this fine city.

 I listen to 106.5 ~ classic rock. 

This is not Carol, but Carol was on the other side of the road when I snapped this pic. GO CAROL MOSER!

I carved this kitty yesterday!

Yes, that's Mr. Kitty taking a whiz in what is going to be my rose garden. It's so wrong, I know.