The ArtFest magic has ended for this year. My trip was in three parts, so it seems like I've been away for a loooonnnnnngggg time! I'm anxious to write about it -which I will do in the next few days. This morning, I have Baby Storytime at the Library and then my volunteer shift at the Discovery Shop (American Cancer Society Thrift Store). So... the busyness of the day is quickly approaching. And...since I haven't written since last October (NO GUILT HERE), it took me awhile to remember how to sign in!!!

My love, though, to all of you ArtFesters out there. I met many new friends, connected with old ones and also took time to walk on the beach by myself as the sun rose over Pugent Sound.

It doesn't get better than that...

home again home again jiggety jog

I'm baaaaaackkkk from Portland Art and Soul. It was a magical time - with lots of fun, creating art and hanging out with old/new friends. It did seem rather low on attendance, and the usual totebag full of all kinds of "stuff" donated by various companies, individual artists etc. was very sparse. The tables that previously held many incredible altered art creations was non-existent. But the people...ah the people....were every bit as wonderful as in past years. The first two nights I stayed at the Embassy - the main venue - and then switched to the Holiday Inn for the next five days. This was due to the fact that I had two different roommate arrangements and they each had booked the reservations. If I do go back once again, I would definitely stay only at the Embassy. The price is a little more, but oh so much more with it. Each evening was the "Manager's Special" with free drinks and snacks. I only made it there twice, but had a great time when I did. We sat around and talked, laughed and sipped.

A highlight for me was spending one whole afternon with Michelle and Lori. Michelle picked us up at the hotel at 1:30 on Saturday and drove us to THE BINS!!! We spent two hours there (Lori had never "been" to the "bins") and then went to SCRAP for a short half hour or so. Michelle took us to a great little pizza place for dinner. I just love those girls from my Charmster Group. Since Lori lives in upstate New York and Michelle lives in Portland, we don't get to see each other often. We went back to the Embassy afterwards and totally lost each other at the VENDOR FAIR.


Another highlight was on Tuesday, when Ginny and I drove to the Japanese Gardens. She had a friend-of-a-friend meet us there. Betty is a docent for the gardens and we had a personal two hour tour that was just wonderful. The weather was spectacular - a Chamber of Commerce sort of day - and I was enthralled by the beauty and serenity. She told us that the night before was the once yearly Harvest Moon Festival - where all the sculptured lanterns within the garden are lit up, soft music plays and everyone wanders. Next year I want to go! And, I'd love to meet up with Betty again - she was a sweetheart.

Afterwards, Ginny and I headed for the Columbia Gorge to see waterfalls. I joked about finding a Starbucks at the base of a waterfall (I greatly missed my lattes this week) and would you believe, that at the bottom of the Multnomah Falls was a coffee/snack cart!!! Ask you shall receive...

We had lunch at the Multonomah Falls Lodge and headed west once again. On the way, we stopped in Troutdale so Ginny could see McMennamin's Edgefield - previously the Porltand Poorhouse. She was duly impressed and loved it. We got lost (for the second time that day) on the way home and, when we reached the Holiday Inn, went into the bar and drank two cosmopolitons (sp?)each.

Later on I'll talk about the classes...

The trip to Dinsmore and more...

Dave and I drove out about one hour from home on Saturday morning to an estate sale. It was listed as a Country Estate Sale and the details stated that an elderly couple had passed away after thirty years of living in a rural area and having a chainsaw repair business. That was an understatement! We drove through the hills of Humboldt County, reminiscing about the 30 plus years we've lived here ourselves and how beautiful the area is. Knowing that many people like living the isolated life, we were careful to stay on the highway and avoid the temptation to wander off and explore. Yes, there are marijuana growers out there, and they just don't want to be bothered. Don't ask-Don't tell is the motto.



When we arrived at the highway marker for the sale, we noticed the cars lined up in the steep driveway heading down to (wherever) this place was. We parked our car off the highway on the shoulder and walked about 1/4 mile back to the marker. As we walked down the narrow, gravel driveway a king cab truck stopped and asked if we would like a ride. So we hopped in and they drove us - quite a ways - to the homestead. And I say homestead because that's exactly what this place was...and it was quite overwhelming. There were outbuildings scattered around and junk everywhere. Dave managed to find some tools - chisels - and I came away with around 30 pieces of silverplate silverware for repurposing into jewelry. I also found three magnifiers. Most of the time, we just wandered around in awe. With all of the other people there, it was quite a happening.

On the way home I vowed never to leave so much junk for others to clean up.

CLEANING OUT THE HOUSE...

I came home from ArtFest, full up with the experience and then had my colonoscopy procedure a few days later...hmmm...guess I'll save the ArtFest joy and wonder until I've regained my energy and composure.

Why they call the "prep" drink "GoLyhtley" is a cruel joke!

This was my third dip into this short stay surgery procedure. The first was six years ago, and then another three years later. The second one turned up a small polyp, which was removed, s0 the doc wanted to a repeat three years post -which was this week. Fortunately, this time I was deemed clean and clear - so now I get to wait five years - yippee!

Enough said about the minor unpleasantries. Please, get your self and your loved ones over fifty years old tested. Caught early, colon cancer has excellent cure rates.

And so, ArtFest fun and games will posted soon - hopefully, tomorrow.

Out of the Ashes - or Kitchen Disasters Lead to Discoveries

The night before last, we experienced a disaster that could have been much worse (now that I look back on it). Dave was cooking dinner (yes, he does that) and had broccoli steaming on the stove. I was in the other room when suddenly the fire alarm went off. The cat, dog and I all came from different directions and in the kitchen, there was Dave - holding the now-melting pot - over the floor. We all -yes, the cat and dog too- stood there for a moment in total disbelief. I had a fleeting thought that I was glad it wasn't me who had done this (forgotten to put water in the bottom of the steamer), as I watched the quickly hardening metal gouging the hardwood floor in at least a dozen spots. But, nobody was hurt, the floor was going to be refinished soon anyway and the pot can be replaced. After the metal cooled, Dave pried up the pieces from the floor, placed them into a bowl, handed it to me and said, "Go forth and make jewelry!" I must say, the shapes are pretty interesting...

afterwards...

The family departed yesterday, flying to Illinois and home (for them). We were fortunate to have them here for ten days - fun, food, merriment with friends along for the ride. Lindsay is now almost two - and is an articulate little one - all she wanted to do on Christmas morning was to go outside and tromp in the rain puddles. She could have cared less about presents, stockings or anything else. It certainly makes you think about what's really important...

The birds are out in full force this morning, the first day in almost two weeks of constant rain. I wish the kids were here to see it. We are so lucky to be able to live in such a beautiful spot. After thirty years of looking out the kitchen window, I never tire of the scenery.

Happy New Year everyone!

septic systems and such...

Oh Boy! Today we had our septic system cleaned out - what a yucky job for the "septic guy". I guess that's why he gets paid to do what he does...

This activity made me think of cleaning out the White House - it needed to be done!

I'm making a stuffed doll - not really in my comfort zone, but I'm learning a lot. My best friend, Sally, talked me into doing this with another friend of hers. Yikes...too many crafts on my table - literally!

I'm looking forward to our trip to Illinois. First we'll visit Matt and Julie (our son and daughter-in-law) in Chicago. And then, we'll take the train to Champaign (I know it rhymes) and spend about ten days with our daughter, son-in-law and baby granddaughter - yipppee! Ah...retirement is so much fun...