Scooter Saga

Oregon, like most northwestern states, has a variety of climates–alpine, coastal, rainforest, desert.  Depending on what part of the state one is in, the experiences with mother nature can vary in intensity and advanced warning. We can actually get ice, snow, thunder and lightning, flooding, high wind, earthquake, tornado, volcanic eruption, tsunami, drought, wild fires, and heat waves.  Adverse weather most often doesn't last or cause major property damage.  It can be more inconvenient than lethal. Oregonians, however, have less tolerance for weather variation.  We whine when it's too hot, humid, cold, dry, wet...*  On the other hand, Oregonians don't ever take a sunny day for granted. A beautiful Sunday dawned as Skeeter and I headed off to meet my friend at Starbucks. Since they have a big outdoor patio, and it was such a lovely, summer day, my friend and I decided to have coffee "al fresco".  By the time I scooted there, it was cooler th...

It was time to think about phase two of the house remodel.  Earl's retiring next year, but still gainfully employed.  It was now or never.  We love everything we did in 2010, but now had a big two–bedroom house.  That's just goofy, considering the eventual value.  Not that we're planning to sell, but we wanted to be responsible.  There was plenty of "camping out on the floor" room, but could we do something more conventional as well?  The big question was, could we get more usable space without more house? Could we house family/guests? Yes. Could we house family/guests and afford some privacy? No. Did the grandchildren have a play area?  Yes. One they didn't have to share?  No.  Could we have two grandchildren for a sleep over.  Yes.  All four?  No.  Would we want to?  Probably not. Was there an affordable way to make the former master bathroom accessible to more rooms?  Yes. Was I very attache...

In case you don't remember what we look like* Our family vacation took us back to Central Oregon where the weather is usually warmer.  Although adjacent to Sunriver, the area where we stayed is newer, quieter, and the bike paths aren't heavily trafficked.  That's important when you have four young children, some being bike-riding novices, and an ataxic grandmother.  Daily bike ride This year, the parents imposed a "No idevice" rule.  How do you (gulp) keep four children under eleven, entertained for five days?  Short answer: Keep them moving.  More important answer:  Leave them to (uh) their own devices. The children made frequent use of the pool table, the hot tub and swimming pool, bikes, books, and various drawing implements.  The eight year old created the adults' portraits (see above) and "finger–knitted" a Rapunzel lock (see below) .  The ten year old read to the younger ones.  The lone boy taught everyone how to sho...