Friday, June 27th, 2008

Hello again!

Won't wait so long to blog, forget too many things. I mentioned in Sunday's blog that I gone to a concert at Glen's church, and listened to his daughter, husband and 10 children. Made a mistake, believe that total is 12 children. While a little loud for my tender ears, think the stone of the church made the sounds louder. Accoustics in a building can make all the difference in the world of a group that big.

I picked up one of their C-D's and the sound is better on it, so will enjoy again and again the songs that they sang. Had a chance yesterday to go over to Glen's home and have a good visit with Ruth, and most of the members of the family. The little ones were content to play with toys on the floor, while the girls were busy on the laptop computer, probably putting on some notes to their blogs. I really fell in love with the family.

My reason for going over was to give Eric one of my Hohner harmonica's, its like the one I play 90% of the time now. While it is made in China, it has 24 double reeds and does not take as much air to play it. I have a Hohner that I paid $60.00 for and it doesn't sound any better than the $8.00 one I gave away. Tried to pick up some more at the music store, but they were out, so ordered 4 more, which I'll give away to needy people who want to learn to play.

Tuesday morning, the 24th, we learned of the death of a long time neighbor, Phyllis Bonebrake. Phyllis and John lived just across the alley from our back yards, and he have been neighbors since 1964, which is 44 years ago. John died in 2000 at the age of 91, and Phyllis was 95 when she passed on. We loved both of them very much. I was asked and found it a privilege to read her biography, which she had written up prior to her death. Her daughter Beverly added a few more comments to it, but it was mostly Phyllis's history put down on paper. Then some family members shared insights of her life.

My son in law Paul gave the graveside service this morning, and the family was very pleased with his easy manner and the things he shared. I thank God for him, and his ability to minister in this way. Those kind of services are never easy, however, Paul grew up in the church that Phyllis and John attended, so knew them fairly well.

Two wonderful caregivers from Seattle that has been helping take care of Phyllis the past 4 years came down and shared. No doubt about it, they loved Phyllis and will miss her greatly.
We took neighbor Laura and Johnnie with us, and met some wonderful old friends. Saw Earl and Connie, Lee, Merle, Glen, Lorraine, Edgar, Richard, Dan, Lou and more that I cannot remember now, plus the family members. There was gentleman there that had gone to school with Phyllis way back in grade school, and then in high school, which was delightful to listen to.

I was able to talk to him afterwards, and he remembers when their was amusement park on the East side of Jantzen Beach. Believe you will find it was Lotus Island amusement park, look it up on Google and you'll learn some wonderful Portland history. He also said that the old Ockley Green school had a gravel pit next door to it. Will have to see if Google can come up with history on it.

Well, its supposed to get up in the 90's today and tomorrow, right now the house is comfortable and especially where I am at in the basement. Its probably 55 degrees down here, and usually when I go up, find how chilled I had gotten.

Think I shall bring this to a close for tonight, lots going on this weekend and the first of next week so may wait and put on some news the middle of next week, till then, cherrio!

Howard

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Late greetings,
Can hardly believe that I last posted 3 weeks ago, where has the time gone too? Seems like lots has happened, and when I look back sometimes can hardly remember any of it.

Picked my gooseberry bush the other day, another disappointing crop of wormy berries. So, I got on the phone to the Oregon State Extension service, and after sending them a picture of the bad berries, decided that the berries has a little grub growing in it, and when the berry falls to the ground, the grub will eventually go into the ground and next spring come out as a moth, which will in turn lay eggs on the next crop. Sort of like SIN isn't it, if you don't take care of it, it gets worse and worse.

So, I'm taking all the berries off, putting them in the garbage (not the yard recycle bin, as I don't want to spread the problem to other folks), will pick up all the fallen berries too, and next spring in late February or March, wrap the bush in cheese cloth so that any moths that might be around won't get on the new blossoms and crop.

Since last posting, my oldest grandson Stephen (guess where that name comes from) and his girl friend became engaged, with a fall wedding planned. They are madly in love... Must tell you about the plans he made for the proposal.

Stephen & Michelle often go out to dinner after he picks her up downtown. He did on that night, had some snacks, and then he told her about a old church in S.W. Portland he wanted her to see. When they got there, he said lets look it over, and when they came to the steps there was one of her friends playing the violin at the doorstep. There was a white pillow with a glass slipper on the steps and a ring inside the slipper. So Stephen, in true Prince Charming fashion went to his knees and said "Will you marry me Michelle?" and got a loudly resounding "YES",

Inside the doors were his and her parents and their siblings, and when they heard the "yes" they opened the doors with their greetings. They took some pictures inside the Old Church, and when they came out, their was a horse with carriage waiting and they took a hour ride around S.W. Portland, ending up at the Old Spaghetti Factory where their parents and siblings were waiting. WOW! that is some proposal....took him weeks and a little help from grandma to get everything all set up.

We are enjoying wonderful weather here, high 60's up to 80, and thats not bad, when you compare it to the rain and floods they have been experiencing back in my home state of Iowa. My brother send some pictures of the flood waters around Cedar Rapids. I used to drive on those streets that are under water, and can hardly imagine the damage that will be found when it finally receeds.

Was watching mystery theater tonight, but those bloody English actors either don't talk loud enough or else use that brogue that is hard to hear, or some loud music in the background.
Mentioning music, we went over to Glenn & Kathy's church last night for some music. Glenn's oldest daughter, her husband and their 10 children were there to sing & play instruments. They live in Montana and were here a few weeks ago when Glenn was in the hospital. He came home but blood pressure dropped way low, so they had to put him back in, but he was able to come home for the concert and then had to go back into rehab again. Poor guy, wonder if he will ever be able to come back to his store and put in a days work again.

There's a lot more I could write about, but think I'll just say, "cherrio for the present' and close

Howard

Sunday, June 1, 2008
Wow! I can hardly believe that I have not posted a blog since March 21st, but that may be true. A lot has happened since then, but I'll not post it right now.

This post is for a young man that I gave $10.00 worth of gas for his car in Kansas near a good German woman's restaurant.

Young man, you owe me nothing more than the thanks you expressed on the 24th. You, however need to get your life straightened out. Stop begging from others, settle down and get a job even if its only pushing a mop as a janitor. Get a job, and you'll get a life. You gave so many different answers as to what you have supposedly done over the last couple of years, that it is hard to believe you on any of them.

I'll not preach religon to you, but it would help you a lot of you would get your life in tune with God and quit lying about everything.

Your friend

Howard