Join me for a walk along the Metolius River...

Hey kids, if you take a walk with Great-Aunt LeAnn to the store, I'll buy you a treat! It's only a mile! And there are many things to see along the way...

There are ducks playing in the water and the occasional fly fisherman wading in the water gracefully waving his line....

Lots of wildflowers are still blooming, although I keep thinking how much prettier it is in July when the gorgeous purple lupine is blooming...

The butterflies love the flowers...

There are butterflies everywhere!

A drink or ice cream? How about both!

Some bright sweet peas!

Ah, speaking of sweet, look at Tavin and her grandma walking with their arms around each other...

Oopsie daisy, down she went! Did Tavin trip her? No, of course not! But a small stump was hidden under the greenery right next to the path and Grandma Carol didn't have a chance! Isn't she a good sport! She's even smiling! Luckily she is ok, just skinned up a little. Look at all the loving family support she receives!

We continue sedately down the trail, in a safe single file manner.

The ducks are resting now...

And it's time for us to rest too. Why do the kids get the good chairs?! Because we love them.

Yes, a walk along the Metolius is a thing to be savored, alone or in the company of beloved family members. Coordination is desirable but not required. I have tripped on rocks and roots so many times but manage to gracefully skip my way out of the stumble so far!

(Pictures posted with permission of my awesome fun sister-in-law Carol. What a great person to camp with!) Will was up there for two weeks, and I went up for the weekends. During that time, we got to enjoy the company of my brother Doug and his family, all of Galen's girls and parts of their families, and all of our boys and some of their friends. I am so thankful for the great company, good times, beautiful location and NO mosquitoes.

I Like It

Last night when I watered my new project, I decided it needed more blooming flowers, so today I picked up a few annuals from Home Depot. By the time I finished planting this evening, it was growing slightly dark (because after work I went to visit my sister Hope who just celebrated her 50th birthday!!). I took a picture, dim though it may be, to share what it looks like when you create a flower garden by keeping a few existing pansies and dianthus plus randomly adding the best selections on the clearance rack, then adding some of my favorites, petunias and chrysanthemums

Here's another view since it's kinda dark.

I like it.

Yesterday when I was over there watering, a neighbor from the other side of the loop walked by and stopped to talk. We hadn't talked in ages, and I learned that she has a grandson in Afghanistan who is heavy on her heart. We had a wonderful conversation, and I was very blessed! Courtney's little boy spotted me and got drove his little car over, and I was honored when he listened attentively as I told him about Tyler. Very awesome.

I'll post a brighter photo in a few weeks when hopefully the plants grow and flower profusely!

So Much Better!

I feel so much better now.

Saturday I was at the park behind our house with my great-niece and nephew, Jenna and Brenden. It's so much fun to take visiting children there to play. Of course I had to look at the veteran's memorial there right next to the playground, dedicated in memory of my nephew Tyler and other veterans. This picture was taken back in 2006 right after it was completed.

Beautiful, right? And as usual, when I read the plaque, it brought tears to my eyes.

Even more tears came to my eyes when I observed the area. No flowers were planted this year and the weeds had taken over. It really upset me that something in my neighborhood dedicated to Tyler looked like that. On our second trip to the park, I brought some supplies and got busy weeding! Jenna and Brendan had so much fun playing together that they didn't even care if I wasn't playing with them. (Well, except for that tearful "He stepped on my ponytail." "But it wasn't on purpose and she punched my side on purpose!") As I listened to the children laughing and playing, I was struck with such strong nostalgia for the good old days when Tyler and my kids were enjoying the innocence of youth and playing at the park. My Nick was Jenna's age when that park was built! How did their childhood disappear so fast? (Just when I was thinking the empty nest thing was maybe ok!)

Well, I can't do anything about that, but I can plant flowers. I got permission and went shopping yesterday. Since it's late in the summer, I thought maybe I'd find some colorful cosmos that would reseed next year or maybe some geraniums. I didn't want to spend much money this late and after all, it is in a park where lots of kids (including young teenagers) play and they don't always respect the property. I checked a few places yesterday and today after work but couldn't find anything. So guess what, I asked God to please help me find something. Hmmm, how about BiMart? Would you believe, BiMart had all their remaining large perennials and annuals on clearance for $1.00 each?! They weren't blooming much but I was able to pick out 12 very healthy looking plants, a mix of annuals and perennials! Twelve big plants for $12!! Thank you Lord!

As I was leaving with my prizes, I thought about digging 12 holes for those big plants. Now this may surprise you, but I'm not very good with a shovel and we have very nasty hard clay out here. I usually get a big strong man to dig my holes. Will is gone right now, I knew Craig and Eric were scheduled to work, and Nick went to work at 6 this morning for at least a 10 hour day so I figured he wouldn't be thrilled to be my digger. (And strangely, his phone went straight to voice mail when I tried to call!)

But another young man popped into my mind, a wonderful young veteran from Tangent who used to occasionally play basketball at that park and who is a long time family friend. I got up my nerve and gave him a call. He didn't hesitate to agree to come on over and help me out! By the time I had the plants all delivered to the park (and made about 10 trips back to my place for things I forgot!), Brent Riley and his lovely wife Kathrin were there to help me with the planting!

I had texted my friend and neighbor Courtney that I was near her house planting, so before long she and her family came strolling along. In no time at all, everything was planted and it looks so much better! Everyone was kind enough to come to my patio where we enjoyed watermelon and iced tea. I was even able to finally give Brent and Kathrin their wedding gift (a juicer) which has been in our garage for about a year because we were out of town on their reception day! He was very excited because he really wanted one!

We have missed Brent on the family camping trips to the Metolius over the past few years while he was in the Army. Brent always impressed me with his kindness and patience with the younger kids (like my Nick!). I told him tonight that when he was overseas, I would see the lighted flag when I looked out my kitchen window at night and it would remind me to say a prayer for him. I can't describe how good it felt to be working together at that place with that young man, safely returned home. I so appreciate that he and his wife were willing to come help, especially at the last minute. Obviously he is still a very kind and helpful young man, and I believe God has great things in store for him and his beautiful wife.

The day was topped off by some girl chat time with Courtney, who I also love dearly! No wonder I feel better!