Silver Falls

We haven't been to Silver Falls State Park in over 10 years so we decided to take a ride out there and enjoy a picnic lunch. I had cooked up some chicken, potato salad, and deviled eggs and to top off our picnic we took a nice, sweet, juicy watermelon to enjoy. Teacup thought this was the best ever! At first we thought we might to the Covered Bridge for a picnic but since Alan and I had lots of time we packed up, checked the map to make sure we remembered how to get there, and set out for a fun filled day at one of Oregon's symbol of nature. There are 10 falls in the 9,000 acre park to enjoy but in order to see them you'll have to take an 8 mile hike. We did this several years ago when our bodies were in better shape and one thing I think any hiker should get is a gold medal for accomplishing this task as it is quite a hike over some challenging trails. We were able to enjoy the South Falls this time and I was able to capture it's splender in several shots. There are some nice paved trails so my scooter was able to navigate without any problems. There are lots of bike trails as well as horse friendly ones. The South Fall is 177 feet high and is amongst one of the falls where you can walk behind it. The falls tumble over thick basalt lava flows resting on softer, older rock. The softer layers beneath the basalt eroded over time and created natural pathways behind some of the falls. If you look up you can spot tree chimneys or casts when walking behind the North Falls. These formed when lava engulfed living trees, causing the wood to disintegrate.

Silver Falls is relatively close and we were able to be home before dark. Even though the weather didn't end up sunny and in the mid 70's as was forecasted we still enjoyed a perfect day enjoying all the beauty that Oregon has to offer. It's so good to be back home!

What's On TV?

Teacup isn't the only one who enjoys watching a good show. Everyday he gets in front of his big screen TV and watches 'The Variety Show', which has something quite entertaining everyday.

The listing of shows include:
'My Neighborhood' starring The Renters, Miss Busybuddy, Kurious Kids, Teens on Wheels, and The Walkers. One never knows what this show will bring to its viewers.

Another show Teacup enjoys watching only aires on Fridays called 'Noisy Big Trucks'. Sometimes the loud trucks stop long enough for Teacup to tell them to quiet their engines a bit so he can enjoy his morning nap. He can't fiqure out why they try to steal the big containers that hold treasures like eggshells, toilet paper rolls, and fun tissue that he wished he could've gotten to before I took them outside to the big container.

Then there's the 'Postman Show' in the mornings that he always looks forward to. He can't understand why I won't let him greet the postman and try to get an autograph, or at least say thank-you for all the goodies he leaves for us.

Once in awhile there's a special on, 'The Patrolman' featuring a car with pretty blue flashing lights. There's not much action but the star is a knock-out!

Then there's the most entertaining of all shows, 'Just Passing Through'. This show highlights various other canines in the neighborhood and their owners taking them for an outing. Sometimes, he gets to join them.

All in all, Teacup enjoys all his shows and can't wait for the Summer line-up of shows. His favorites are the reality ones!

The First Rose

Last week Alan planted a beautiful, fragrant red rose bush. Yesterday, the first flower bloomed! There are lots of buds waiting to show off their beauty also. Soon, I'll have a whole bouquet to enjoy whenever I'm outside. I'll have to cut one for the rosebud vase to put on my desk.

"Thank you Lord for this gift! The proof of your creation is seen everywhere!"

Laughter is Good for the Soul...

One day while I was visiting the local thrift shop my eyes were drawn to this little stuffed lemur. I just couldn't leave without it and thought how it would make quite the conversation piece in our formal dining room while sitting in the corner tree.

Talking about laughter, I thought the following story might bring a chuckle or two for your soul.

Advantages of Aging:

* Kidnappers aren't very interested in you.

* People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

* Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

* Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable number.

* No one expects you to run into a burning building.

* There's nothing left to learn the hard way.

* Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.

* In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

The Senilty Prayer:

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones that I do like, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Have a great day!

Childhood Memories

This year Alan and I celebrated our 27th anniversary. We had a lot to celebrate already since we made our move back out to the west coast and found the perfect place to make our home. One day when we were shopping Alan came across this beautiful painting and showed it to me. I fell in love with it too but we left the store without it. The more we thought about it the more we decided that this could be our anniversary present to each other...that way the cost wouldn't seem so out of range since it would be a gift from each other to each other. The painting reminded me when I was a little girl and my own grandmother would spend time with me doing special little things like cutting out paper dolls. She taught her own daughters that art also. My mother use to cut out not only paper dolls but paper animals and all kinds of things. The painting is quite large and fits perfectly in the formal dining room of our new home. It gives it the special touch that was missing from the room.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning...

This year on my birthday I was to spend it alone but I wasn't about to let that put a damper on the day. The day began with a quick trip to meet my new doctor. He was nice and the office was decorated with all kinds of lush plants. It actually looked like a garden instead of a doctor's office. Afterwards, I was going to treat myself to a nice hot bowl of soup at an adorable cafe that I'd passed just a block away...but there wasn't anyplace to park my scooter so I headed on down to Main Street in the historic part of town. Soon I came to a quaint antique shop so I stepped inside and browsed around to see if there was anything that spoke to me. There were so many nice items...then suddenly I spotted the perfect gift to myself...a gilded bird cage music box. I wondered if the music box part would still work and it did...it played the tune, 'Oh What a Beautiful Morning'. I loved it and chose it for my birthday present to myself. It goes perfectly with the bronze doll holding a bird cage that sits on the chest in my room. Yes, that was truly a beautiful morning...and day!

Aloha

Aloha, today I decided to create a new blog for my treasured friends. I came up with the name, (Hattie from Hilo Hatti and Tutu meaning Grandma) from Hawaii. I found a vintage old-fashioned record of Tiny Bubbles by Don Ho...something the younger generation might not even be able to comprehend. It was fun creating and the silk Hawaiian lei gives it that extra touch. Now when I look at it hanging on the door to my room it will take me to the peaceful beaches of Hawaii...I can almost hear the splashing waves now. Ah, the serenity of it all....