Sunny Sunday Morning

It's is a gorgeous sunny Sunday morning.
I opted to sit on the front porch,


sip my coffee, listen to the birds sing, and let the light breeze dry my hair rather than stand in the bathroom listening to the sound of the hair dryer.

I am so pleased with my yard this year! We finished the long awaited rock wall on the north side after spreading 7 cubic yards of bark dust yesterday.


It looks MARVELOUS!

My strawberries are coming on.



My roses are in bloom.



And I am enjoying my new


Lupine & Lily plants.


I had never seen or heard of Lupine before. But it caught my eye because of its blossoms. I especially like the way water droplets rest in its leaves.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0k6h8FRnks&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Now...
if we could just hold that new baby Gabe we are waiting on...
Maybe today!

Hope you all are having a terrific day!


- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

5th Anniversary

Today marks the 5th anniversary of our move to Oregon.
On June 23rd, 2006
4 of our kids,
myself,
our dog Thor,
our bird George,
our fish (who's name I have forgotten),
and a very dear and brave friend, Matt
loaded into 2 vehicles and headed west.

There were a few misadventures along the way,
but all in all a pretty good trip.

http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/2010/06/oregon-anniversary.html

I always remember this day because it is also my dad's birthday.
A lot has changed in the past 5 years.

There have been deaths & births,
marriages,
graduations,
moves,
and many other celebrations.

When I look at this picture I am surprised at how much the kids have grown.

I am thankful for the times that we have all been together,
and look forward to all the adventures & misadventures the next 5 years might bring.

We know there will be at least 1 new addition to the family as we await the arrival of Aimee & Mike's baby.
We were hoping for a birth today,
my dad's birthday,
but as the day comes to an end it doesn't look likely.

Thank you to my dear friends back home for helping me sort, pack, clean, and prepare for the move.
I especially appreciate the listening ears and shoulders to cry on.
(You know who you are!)
Thank you to Jose for your prayers, support, and photography skills.
And a HUGE thank you to Matt for your incredible patience and awesome driving skills!

I am forever in your debt.

DWNTWNimages.me

TGI 'S'

TGIF...
Thank God it's Friday.

I understand why this acronym has caught on in our society.
There is even a restaurant chain called TGIFridays.
Their slogan is something like, Where every day is Friday.

I say
TGIS...
Thank God it's Saturday!
I work on Fridays.
Saturdays I am off!
It could also be thank God it's Sunday!
I am off on Sundays too!

I enjoyed sleeping in this morning.
It was overcast, dreary and there was a light rain falling.
A perfect morning to just stay snuggled under the covers.
I felt bad for my husband who had to work this morning.

Hopefully tomorrow, Father's Day will be a TGIS day for him.

I didn't even mind the mess I came downstairs to this morning.

Its a lazy Saturday and I have all day to cook, clean, and do laundry.

I don't mind (as much) facing dirty dishes,
empty pop cans and beer bottles....
the residual mess from our first Friday night for the summer...
when I have all day to tackle it.


So about 10:30 I put some music on, grabbed my first diet coke of the day, and got busy. 

In no time, laundry was in the wash,
the kitchen was in tolerable shape,
and the beginnings of a great dinner had been started.

Yep,
I say, "TGIS!"







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The Joy of Big Families

I come from a big family.
Not a big family like the Duggers on the show 19 and counting. And not a big family like Jon and Kate plus 8,
Oh I guess it is just Kate plus 8 now.
I come from a somewhat big family of 9.
I am number 2 of 7 siblings;
4 girls and 3 boys.
My parents had a big family primarily because they loved kids, especially my dad.  I remember on numerous occasions hearing my mom say,  "If your father could have had babies, we would have had a dozen kids."

I am happy to say that I love all my brothers and sisters and wish I could see them all more often.
We get along well, laugh often, and love much.    
Oh sure...     As kids, it was a different story.
There was the normal amount of bickering, arguing, and fighting that goes on between siblings. But mom and dad told us everyday to love each other.      So we did.
But in spite of my happy childhood,  I did not plan to have kids of my own.  I wanted to be a photojournalist, get my pilots license, work for National Geographic, and see the world from behind the lens of my camera.

My plan wasn't meant to be.
And for that I am extremely grateful.
While I did NOT set out to pass my parents in the number of children I had, somewhere along the way I did.  I have 8;
6 girls and 2 boys.
And I get to live the adventure of raising them.
Everyday I tell them they love each other, and while this love is not always visible in their every day interaction... it is there. 
We share much joy & laughter when we all gather.
Recently #6 Caroline graduated from high school and all my kids, and my mom were here for the celebration.  Time was taken off from work, money was spent on travel, child & pet care had to be arranged, extended family shared the burden while others traveled, and sacrifices were made so we could all share in the joy.
My 8 children, my mother, 1 son in law, 1 boyfriend, my husband & I, as well as 2 dogs all under 1 roof.  It was noisy, chaotic, crazy and a whole lot of fun.  I was just missing another son in law and my 2 grandsons.  I don't know where they would have slept had they been able to join us, but I know we would have made room.  We don't get together often enough.  It has been 2 years since all the siblings were together. So obviously I had my camera at hand, even when I was cooking.  I guess in many ways I AM seeing the world from behind the lens.  It just happens to be my little world.

Out of the over 500 photos I took in the course of 5 days, my favorites are becoming the ones I took of Caroline as she 'posed' with each of her siblings.   I was struck by how the individual relationships seemed to be captured between Caroline and each of her siblings.

Melissa the oldest, and part time mom brings a look of "Oh No!" on Caroline's face as if she was caught doing something wrong.

Brad was in my mind a terrific babysitter.  We called him the 'enforcer' because he always made sure the kids followed the rules.
Because of this they often butted heads.

Aimee has been able to spend many Christmas breaks and some summer months with us the past 5 years giving Caroline an opportunity to grow their relationship as young women in addition to that of big sister/little sister.

I wasn't sure Lindsey was going to be able to make it with her new job, but thankfully she was able to steal away some time and join us.  Its always a party when L. A. is around.












Alex and Caroline are 18 months apart.  They were thrust together and referred to as the "2 little kids" before Jacquie and Laura were born. They have shared a lot in their 18+ years including the same Godparents.

Leaving family and friends while in junior high and moving half way across the country isn't easy for kids.  But my girls handled it quite well largely because they had each other. 

I suppose anyone who is the youngest in their family has stories to tell about how difficult it is to be 'the youngest'. 
And anyone who has a 'youngest' in their family will have a different version of those same stories. 
It is the same with our youngest Laura.  The family she has grown up in and will continue to grow up in is very different from the family that Melissa and Brad remember growing up in.
I know that is true because I am a different parent now with only 4 teenagers in the house than I was when my kids were 17, 14, 12, 10, 6, 4, 2, and 6 months.

I am so thankful to have been raised by 2 wonderful parents that taught me how to deal with all that comes with a large family.

I wish dad was still with us, but his spirit looms large in all of us...especially when we all gather together.

Growing up in a large family taught us there is always room for more. 
We didn't have a lot of money, fancy clothes, or extras of anything, but we always had enough. 
And we always had enough to share. 



It is the same now with my kids.


They make room for more.


More friends.


More family.


More fun.


More hugs!


And always more love!

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Pacific City

It's all good









- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:Nestucca Ridge Rd,Cloverdale,United States

Smoke, Fire, and what's Precious

In the early morning hours,
well before my alarm was set to go off,
I was startled awake by the sound of our smoke detectors.

There is nothing quite like waking up to this sound and the fear of a possible house fire.

Thoughts went rushing through my mind in a split second!
Fire!
The kids!
Get out of the house!
Where is the fire!
Oh Yeah! Put clothes on first!
...And a million other thoughts.

As we explored and took survey of our house and couldn't find smoke or fire, my thoughts then turned to the question,
What would I grab if the house were on fire and I had time?
What is most precious to me?

After making sure the family is safe,
My first thought was to grab my bible, not because I am that religious, but because all the sentimental notes, pictures, letters, funeral cards, and such are tucked inside.
Next on my list was my camera, then the external hard-drive with my photographs, but the more I thought about it,
even my pictures were something I could leave behind.
I don't have a long list of possessions that are precious.
I don't even have short list.
I don't have fancy clothes, gold or diamonds.
I don't have precious knickknacks or expensive collectables.

I do collect rocks,
mostly heart-shaped rocks.
But I'm not attached to them.

If I had plenty of time,
I might grab the quilts grandma has made for me & the kids over the years,
but they were not in the top 5 possessions that came to mind.

Honestly, my thoughts were more practical.
(Imagine that, me... practical.)
Change of clothes,
shoes,
phone,
And blanket if it's cold out.
Not just for me, but for the kids as well.
I guess I was in 'mom mode'.

On the drive to school Laura and I had a chance to talk about the smoke detector/fire scare.

I asked Laura, "If it had been a real fire, what would you have done?"
She said, "jump out my window.!"
I said, "What? You know there is concrete under your window. You could die from jumping.
What about the fire safety ladder in your room.
Do you even know where it is?"

With a chuckle she said, "Yes, its under the table by the window."

"So let me understand, you would risk your life by jumping rather than use the fire safety ladder?" I asked.
"Well, I would go over to the grassy part of the yard and then jump.
And then I would tuck and roll." she added with a laugh.

She continued to explain how she envisioned using the safety ladder taking too long.
She would have to get it out of the box,
read the directions,
get it set up, all before climbing out of the window.
It made me realize we need an actual fire drill in addition to the basic instructions we have given the kids.

I then asked Laura, "If there had been a fire, what would you grab first?"
She didn't think long before saying, "I would take my blankie, put everything on it and throw it out the window before I jumped."

"Like what?" I asked.

"My picture books,
whammy (a Lamb she has had since birth-I have restuffed, restitched, and repaired a few times over the past 13 years.)
and maybe my dishes from Japan."

"You know the dishes might break when they land on the concrete?", I reminded her.

"yeah. I know." and she grinned.

I am curious though,
"What picture books?" I asked

"You know, the red one you gave me, and the ones Melissa and Lindsey gave me."
I was drawing a blank.
But it was clear by Laura's reaction that I should know her favorite books.

Then Laura said, "The ones with my favorite pictures."
"Oh! Your photo albums!" (my light finally went on.)
She said, "I call them picture books."

With that we exchanged "I Love You's".
And she was off to school.

I was glad to know that what Laura finds precious are her 'picture books' & whammy.
Sentimental items that hold memories for her,
that is what she would save in event of a fire,
Those are the things she holds precious.

I hope we never have to actually choose!


- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:Silver Ridge Rd SE,Sublimity,United States

Memorial Day Home Improvement Projects

I imagine that I am just one of many homeowners who have spent their Memorial Day working on a home improvement project.

I have heard a number of my neighbors mowing and trimming.
I have noticed new flowers in some yards.
And next door to us is a new raised bed that will soon be providing fresh vegetables.

My home improvement project
However,
is a bit more daunting.


I am finally getting my long awaited for natural rock retaining wall.
It's a vision I have had since signing homeowner papers in 2006.
It's a project that we started 3 years ago.
And today...
I feel we are finally making progress.
It was going quickly with just 2 of us.
It picked up speed with 3 of us.


Then the guys got sidetrack by the call of the Disc Golf Course.

I can't blame them,
It's a gorgeous day.

Progress is much slower with just me though.

But after just a few short hours I can see significant progress.
I am ever hopeful that this will be the year that I get the wall finished.

I think I have been quite patient,
And I have to do something with this pile of rocks!




- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:Westfarthing Way NW,Salem,United States

Grandma Zelma & My next blog.

I have a lot of blogs I want to get out of my mind and onto this site.
But writing has been slow in coming.

My 97 year old Grandma passed away.
My thoughts have been with her.

I thought about blogging about her,
but each time I begin,
I stutter, and trip, and can't get the words out.

I guess for now, I will just wait until the words flow smoothly.

http://www.cochranmortuary.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1170065&fh_id=10368

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All about Business, or is it?

I got my new business cards for work today.
I remember in years past being quite excited when I got my first box of business cards.
Gee, that seems like a lifetime ago.
I was a youth minister at St. James Church in Kearney Nebraska.

Hmmm.....  (personal reflection)

Yep, that was a lifetime ago.

It was all good.

I have made my own personal cards as well.
There was a period in my life when I needed to feel important.
I needed to feel as if I was 'somebody'.

And when I was out and about with other working folk,
and they pulled out their fancy business card holders,
I too had something to hand them.
My own cards also came in handy when making my own luggage tags.

Granted...
back then my cards just contained my name,
basic contact information,
and my latest tattoo design.
But somehow that was enough.

After moving to Salem, and while working at Habitat for Humanity, I had a couple of different titles .
So that meant I had a couple of different boxes of business cards.
For the most part the cards just sat in the box.
I guess I don't meet enough new people that I can give away 500 cards in 3 years.

When ordering my Mid Valley Mentors business cards I questioned my boss.
(I know.       Not a wise move for a new employee.)
I asked her if I really 'needed' business cards.
When she said, "yes",
I asked,"How many?"
"500", she said.

Personally I thought she was nuts. 
But I figured I already questioned her decisions enough for one day.
"Just keep your mouth shut and do your job." at least that is what my friend always says.
Good advice, I am sure.

I continued to wonder what roll business cards even have today.
With all the technology, social media, and smart phones that can share contacts, photos, apps, and the like, by simply 'bumping' each other,
what do we need with an actual business card?

Regardless of the answer,
today 500 business cards with my name and work number arrived just for me.
I feel committed, or stuck.
I haven't decided which yet. 
It feels like I am in for the long haul. 
It feels like I can't quit until the box is empty.

After all, I am too practical
( http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2011/01/being-practical.html )
I don't want to throw away obsolete business cards contributing to the already overflowing landfills.

Besides all that,
just a few short months ago I created my own
Brand New Personal
'business' Card! 

(I suppose deep down having a card still makes me feel legit,
real,
important.)


I am excited about my website, my photography, my Mushroom Book...

Oh yeah, did I tell you I sold one already and have a possibility of selling more in a gift shop?

And the book I sold was bought by someone other than a family member! 
They are anxious for me to finish my next book.

So now I feel torn.
I am torn between working all day and trying to squeeze in time to write at night.
Or working all day and just setting aside my writing so I can better take care of the house and not ignore the family.  After just a few evenings of working on the book I sense the family feels neglected.
I know the kitchen certainly LOOKS neglected.

But then again...
I have all these cards.
Business cards for work.
and
Business cards for my 'hobby'.

I guess I have to do a better job of finding the proper balance.

Hmmmm....  (more personal reflection.)

Yes, I have been in this boat before.

Now if I could just remember how I navigated through the rocky waters of 'proper balance' last time....
Then it would all be good.





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My Next Book...Fire Hydrants

I started writing my next book.

Its about fire hydrants.

This book seems to come with more challenges than
my first book on mushrooms.

I seem to have a bit of writer's block.

I have roughly 200 photographs of fire hydrants that
I have taken over the past 14 months.
Yet I don't know where to begin.

The personality and characteristics I see in a simple fire hydrant
hold a lot of fascination and interest for me. 

I guess time will tell whether or not anyone
else will find my photos of interest or not.

As part of my research I found some information
and details on fire hydrants.
but the information isn't enough to help me
with my writer's block.

So for tonight,
I will set my photo editing and writing aside
and hope tomorrow brings the words I am looking to write.


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Silver Falls State Park

 Many of you know I began volunteering at Silver Falls State Park in April.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php

I committed to 4 shifts a month in late March because I had not been able to find work and I needed to get out of the house.
The very next week, I found a job.                Go figure....

I have been trying to honor my commitment at SFSP.
Partly because that is how I was raised,
and partly because I enjoy it so much.

I meet people from all over the world.
Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Greece...,
just to name a few.

And the volunteers I work with have their own wonderful story to tell.

I also enjoy getting away from the city and taking a drive up into the mountains and getting away from the busyness of life.
With the price of gas, I do think about whether or not I should be spending the extra money.
I wonder if there is something else,
someplace else that would benefit from 4 volunteer hours a week.
I am sure there is.

But I enjoy this volunteer position, a lot.

This past Friday I worked with a volunteer/board member who lives near SFSP.

In hearing his story, I learned we share a love of photography.

He told me of a local farm that had a field of yellow flowers in full bloom.



I don't remember the name of the crop, but I was intrigued.

He pulled out a map and directed me to the back roads that would take me to the field of yellow.

 After a long morning at work,
then a long afternoon on my feet at the Nature Store, I declined his offer to follow him.

I wanted to get home and kick my feet up and pour myself a cold beverage.
Driving unfamiliar back roads of the Willamette Valley was not in my plan.

But as I approached the turn off, I found myself taking the path less traveled.


 The road and the hills were exactly as my new friend had described.
In fact, the roads and the hills felt familiar,
as if I knew where to go.

When I approached the field of yellow,
I was NOT disappointed.

I had never seen anything like this before.

I went past the field and up the hill as instructed to get the better view.

Even though the sky was a bit overcast,
the brilliant colors were vivid and bright.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
It seemed unreal.
I just wish I could remember what he called this plant!

I am especially glad I have continued to honor my commitment.
And I am glad I followed my spirit and took the path less traveled.



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The Best is Yet to Come

Now,
If I just had more time...


- Posted by DWNTWN

Fresh Fish?... Summer is near!

I spent the past few days giving my fish mobile a fresh coat of paint and some new string.

Its a yearly ritual that I have come to look forward to.

(Last years' blog.)
http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/2010/06/one-of-my-summertime-rites-of-passage.html 

For me,
cleaning and re-stringing my fish means summer is near.

This year the fish needed a fresh coat of paint in addition to new string.


I know...

I should bring them in over the winter months.

I just can't seem to bring myself to take them down when I am hanging the Christmas lights.



I  like their bright colors and wide eyed look in mid winter when the skies are gray and dreary.



After the fresh coat of paint,
I sprayed them with clear coat to make them bright and shiny.







Tonight I hung them back in their rightful place on the front porch.



Now I am officially ready for Summer!








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