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Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

• February 05, 2012
• 7:42

  Shelter Cove Resort at Odell Lake, Oregon:

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  Source:  Travel Byways and Get-a-ways.com
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On our way back from Eugene on Christmas Eve day 2011, Cary and I stopped at Shelter Cove Resort at Odell Lake to check it out.  It had been several years since we had stopped by.  Our company, La Pine Redi Mix, Inc. provided the concrete for the foundations of the lodge years ago, in the middle of December.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Ken and Trula Kieblock now own the resort, and have developed it into a destination point, in both winter and summer.  We met up with Ken, and here he is driving his cool rig. To learn all about the resort itself, please visit their website when you are all done here at Oregon Gifts, by "CLICKING HERE".
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is a store, r.v. parking, a marina, cabins and a lodge at Shelter Cove.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There wasn't much snow when we were there, but there is now!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Willamette Pass Ski Resort is the mountain with a bit of snow on it behind the lake.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A plaque honoring the camp dog is next to the fire pit.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Kokanee Lodge has four units,  that people sign up for years in advance to rent.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This foundation was poured around 16 years ago, next to the lodge.  Ken said that someday they will build sister lodge to Kokanee.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  In January, I did a post about Trapper Creek, which is on the road to Shelter Cove.  To see that post with a lot of info about the area, please "CLICK HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  During the winter, there is a sledding area, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails.  Downhill skiing at Willamette Pass Resort is just across the highway.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  During the summer, there is a campground at Trapper Creek, where you can fish and otherwise enjoy Odell Lake.  For more information on Odell Lake, here is the Wikipedia Link.
  
  I hope that you enjoyed the tour!  We plan on going back this summer with our trailer and doing a bit of camping here.  It is a super place.
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• February 04, 2012
• 8:05

  Join in and Show Your Valentine's Day Stuff!

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  It is that time of year once more, Valentine's Day will be here soon.  My friend Jessa Irene, of the wonderful blog "A Holiday Haven " is hosting a Valentine's Day party and blog hop, and it begins today!  You can post your favorite Valentine's ideas, decorations, table settings, gifts ... share with others whatever you would like, as long as you stay on theme.  All you need to do, when you are done here at Oregon Gifts, is to click on the box below and follow Jessa Irene's instructions:
  
  
  
  Now that the kids are grown, I rarely decorate for Valentine's Day any longer. though I still do have some tableclothes and a few things in storage.  Maybe this year I might, if we get the dining room back into shape in time.  (The guys are almost done with filling in the holes that are in the ceiling and walls from December's leak.)
  
  For my first party post, I would like to show you photograph of a vintage color plate that was originally posted in The Delineator magazine in February 1918.  I am enlarging it so that you can take a closer look.  I scanned it out of a Butterick book that I have had forever, which was written in 1977 by Becky Stevens Cordello, called "Celebrations".  It has all sorts of neat things in it for all the holidays.
  
  
  Source: "Celebrations" by Cordello, ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  So, every so often until the 14th, I'll be posting something cheery or pretty and adding it to The Valentine's Day Party.  Thanks, Jessa, for putting this on for us! 
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
  
• February 02, 2012
• 11:48

  Book Blurb Friday # : "Haunted San Antonio"

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  "Haunted San Antonio"
  by Kathy Matthews
  Rachel Hernandez is a full-time river taxi driver/tour guide on the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.  She had grown up on the boats and knew the river by heart.  Both of her parents had been guides before her. 
  
  Rachel was a spirit magnet.  She knows where to look for them, and they like keeping an eye on her.  Rachel's favorite spirit is the young and beautiful actress Lilian Dutcher, who had died a tragic death by falling from the balcony of The Esquire in 1946.  To those who know where to look, Lilian can be easily spotted from the middle window above the ivy in the building next door. 
  
  Bad spirits are out there too, such as the evil Hector Director (the man who pushed Lilian, but wasn't blamed).  Hector now resides by the well at the Alamo. 
  
  Read and learn about the most haunted places in San Antonio! (150)
   
  
  Okay, so I made that all up.  But I do see a LOT in that there picture, which really is next door to The Esquire Tavern.  To read my blog post about The Esquire, please CLICK HERE.  For more possible San Antonio sightings, you might want to check out this post too: "Can you spot some faces in these places?".  Also, for pictures of our tour along the River Walk, please take a look at this link:  The River Walk Area of San Antonio, Texas.
  
  Thank you, Lisa, for choosing one of my pictures again this week!  Oh, here is the photo I took at The Alamo at night, of the newly named bad man, Hector Director.  He really is scary looking:
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE on Friday to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 10:12

  Family Dogs: Sepia Satuday 111

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  This week's Sepia Saturday theme is dogs.  After you are done here at Oregon Gifts, please visit my friends and read their stories over at Sepia Saturday.   If you have some old photos and perhaps a story to go along with them, you are welcome to join us too.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This picture is of my Great-Grandmother Maude Craig Traylor Bennett standing beside her sister Echo Craig.  The little boy is my Grandfather (my Mom's Dad), Floyd Albert Traylor who is standing by a very happy dog (sorry that I don't know his name).  Grandpa was born in 1912, and he looks to be around 2 here, so lets say that this picture was captured in 1914, for the sake of argument.  Here is the blog post that I wrote about that gets us started on that side of my family: Groundhog's Day and Grandpa T.'s Birthday.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The mother in this picture is my Great-Grandmother Talitha Letsom Hedrick.  The children are my Grandma Florence Hedrick Traylor, my Great-Uncle John Hedrick and my Great-Uncle Homer Hedrick.  The dog is Jack.  This was taken at their farm, known as Jack Creek Ranch, located near Hardscrabble, not far from Drain, Oregon.  Grandma T. looks as if she is around 8 here, so I am guessing that this photo was taken around 1920.
  
  Talitha, or Litha, married Benjamin E. Hedrick.  Great-Grandpa Ben wasn't in the picture above, so perhaps he was the one taking it.  Here is Great-Grandpa Ben with his farm horses.  I know that they are not dogs, but still thought you would enjoy seeing them.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  As I was going through The Letsom Letters, I came across one that was written to Great-Grandpa Ben from his friend William Larsen on May 23, 1906.  William is just dropping his friend Ben a line, and telling him about how much he does not enjoy his logging job.  I thought that you guys might enjoy reading it.  It has nothing to do with dogs.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This last picture is of Cousin Danny Hedrick with Otis.  It was probably also taken at Jack Creek Ranch when Danny and Lyle were visiting their Grandma Litha and Grandpa Ben Hedrick.  Danny was born in1925, and though it is kind of hard to tell by this picture, I am guessing that he was around 10 in this picture and that it was taken in 1935.  I might be a couple of years off here.  Otis sure looks a lot like Jack. 
  
  I wrote a post about Danny and Lyle's mother, Flora, a couple of months ago, and you can just CLICK HERE to read it.  This is an excerpt from Flora's diary in 1928, where she talks about a day of shopping with the boys.  Danny was 3 at the time, and Lyle was 2.  Lyle transcribed and typed it out years later, and has included it in The War Letters.   
  
  By the way, on the page before, Flora had noted that the neighbor's home had burned down.  That must have made quite an impact on Danny, and that is why, for some reason, he said what he did.  They were probably explaining to him why it was dangerous to play with matches and he was perhaps reminding himself not to burn their home to the ground.  Note to self.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  So, there you go!  Happy Sepia Saturday to all.  I am still not doing well with this surgery and go back to the doctor this afternoon.  My neck is all swollen now, and I hope that I do not have an infection. (I did, but am on meds and am feeling much better now.)  I am still working on getting around to those of you who commented on my last week's posts.  I appreciate you all so much.
  
  
  Take care and God bless,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  After you are done here at Oregon Gifts, please visit my friends and read their stories over at Sepia Saturday.  If you have some old photos and perhaps a story to go along with them, you are welcome to join us too.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 31, 2012
• 8:53

   Sign Up ...

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   Sign Up for A-Z
  
  Hello, Everybody!
  
  I just wanted to let you know that you have from now until April 1 to sign up to participate in the A-Z Challenge.  Now, what is that one?  Well, if you sign up, that means that you are committing to post every day except for Sundays during the month of April, and that your posts are in alphabetical order.  For instance, on April 1, you post something that begins with the letter "a".   Also, you blog hop and visit new folks and existing friends along the way.  It really is fun, and last year I used it as a tool to show off some of my past posts that others may not have seen yet.  To learn more, please visit Arlee at Tossing It Out.
  
  
  On to other news:  there isn't much.  I still am not ship-shape after my surgery.  I thought that I was doing fine, but when the pain pills wear off, I still hurt.  When the pain pills are working, I don't feel like doing ANYTHING except being a couch potato who watches reruns and reads her book.  From my phone I can post your comments, and thank you so much for leaving them!  But as far as posting all the stories that I want to do, it just isn't happening right now.
  
  I have big plans though, for when I am back to normal.  I have a bunch of furniture rearranging to do (making a new sewing station in our bedroom, and adding a new desk to our office are a couple of the plans).   Then it is on to serious stuff around here regarding writing and hopefully some sales.
  
  Our new roof was put on yesterday, and they should be starting on the inside of the house in a few days.  Our spare bedroom is filled to the ceiling with furniture, and some pretty cool Christmas presents that are still in the boxes.  Looking forward to making our home look less like a college dorm someday soon. We are getting there.  Good thing that I haven't felt well, or that would really be driving me nuts by now! 
  
  Well, I just wanted to say hi.  I'll post as I can.  I am sorry that I am behind on my visiting and commenting; I am slowly catching up.
  
  Thanks for checking in!
  
  Hugs, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 28, 2012
• 15:17

  San Antonio Shadow Shots

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 25, 2012
• 18:11

  Source:  Bliss ...

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  Source:  Bliss Plan.com
  
  
  Tuesday Afternoon:
  
  Well, this is certainly one week when I am so happy that I got my homework done ahead of time, and even threw in some extra credit.  By that of course, I mean that I had time to do two Sepia Saturday posts and my Book Blurb Friday entry.  Just scroll down to see them! 
  
  And, why am I so glad of this?  Because in the morning I am going to have oral surgery on my mouth to remove a bone growth on my left rear gum.  I discovered it right before we went to Texas, went to the dentist then, and then to the oral surgeon today.  There was an opening for 9:00 tomorrow morning, so I took it.  Could be I'll be fine by 3:00 Thursday, but perhaps I'll feel like taking it easy and drowsing with pain pills instead. 
  
  So, if you happen to think of me in the morning, please send a quick little prayer my way. 
  
  Thanks and hugs to you guys!  I'll be by to visit you as soon as I can.  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  Friday Update:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Hi, I just wanted to give you an update and to thank you for thinking of me, saying prayers and sending me your kind wishes.  You guys are the best. 
  
  I don't usually give reviews on my medical experiences, but I really wanted to give a shout out to Dr. Shock and the fine women who work at his practice.  Even the building itself was very comfortable, and seemed more like a high class spa than a doctors office. 
  
  Yesterday morning, when Cary drove me in, I was more thinking about my thirst than about what was to lie ahead.  The ushered me back to their surgery room.  All that was in it was a spiffy leather dental chair and a row of closets on one side, a sink and a counter, and a rolling tray covered with a sheet against the wall.  This was of great psychological importance, come to find out, because they had everything they needed, but it was all tucked away as not to further freak out the patient.  Smart! I never did see it all.
  
  I was all hooked up to a blood pressure monitor, had an i.v. easily slipped into my left arm, had heart and breathing tabs stuck to the outside of my body and oxygen tubes slipped across my head and under my nose.  Then they slipped me the anesthesia through the i.v. and numbed my mouth and did their work.  I was awake, but could feel no pain and tried mind when Dr. Shock said, move your tongue over.  That was that.  They took off the bone (called a Tori) that was growing sideways on the inside of my left gum; gave me several stitches that will soon dissolve on their own, and we were done.  It took about an hour.
  
  Cary brought me home and I took the pain meds as directed and dosed all day on the couch.  Last night, I slept like a baby, even missing some of my doses, and I feel great.  It is so nice to not have that Tori cutting into my tongue. 
  
  So, if you ever need to have something like that done, and live in Central Oregon, this is the place to go.  They rock!
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 17:53

  Book Blurb Friday #48: "Baby Girl Pink"

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   "Baby Girl Pink"by Kathy MatthewsPhoto by Tammy Goodsell at Message in a Bloggle: The Are of Being Broken
  Stella Rose-Anne McMurphy was going to be a grandmother soon, and she could hardly stand it.  There were a few worries about the situation though, due to the fact that her boy Brian had already broken up with Brittany, the mother of the baby.
  
  Stella had just finished crocheting the baby girl's blanket.  Stella had chosen the prettiest shade of pink yarn for the project.  These days, the color pink seemed to symbolize breast cancer survivors, but Stella still considered it a color for baby girls.
  
  Stella was so hoping that Brittany would include her in her granddaughter's life.  Brittany was nice enough, but they hadn't known her well, or for very long.
  
  The phone rang.  It was Brian. "Ma!  The baby is coming early!"  Stella grabbed the pink blanket and her car keys, and headed out the door.  Grandma Stella was on her way to meet Baby Girl Pink.  (150)
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 24, 2012
• 9:01

  McPherson Opera House, McPherson Kansas: Sepia Saturday 110

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  This week's Sepia Saturday theme is old movie theaters, which in my way of thinking includes performance halls and opera houses.  I remembered the neat photos that I had taken of the McPherson Opera House in September 2010.
  
  Of course, my pictures are not old enough to be considered Sepia, so I spent over an hour trying to find old photos of the building online.  I had no idea that this would be so hard to do!  I finally found these four that were on the McPherson Public Library site, and felt fortunate to have even successfully completed that mission.  It really did surprise me that such a fantastic old building doesn't have more photos on the internet.  
  
   Source: McPherson Public Library
  Located on Main Street in McPherson Kansas is the McPherson Opera House .  It was originally built in 1888 for the large sum of  $42,000.  Over the years it became a movie theater, an apartment building and then was restored to its original purpose.  Quite impressive!
  
   Source: McPherson Public Library
   Source: McPherson Public Library
  Here are the photos that I took of it in 2010.  It is a very beautiful building, and it is so nice that they restored it.  They do also use it as a movie theater.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you have more photos, or know of any stories, please leave a comment or email me so that I can add them on to this post.  Thank you!
  
  Also, I posted an extra credit Sepia Saturday post about something that means a lot to me this week.  Please click on this link, or just scroll down if you can, to read about The Letsom Letters. 
  
  ~ Kathy Matthews
  oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy @ hotmail.com  (delete the spaces)
  
  If you enjoy old photos and the stories that go along with them, please join us over at Sepia Saturday.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:55

  The Letsom Letters: A Sepia Saturday Post

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  On our way home from our Texas trip a couple of weeks ago, my Mom came and picked us up from the airport in Eugene, and we spent the night with her.  In her living room there were two old cardboard barrels and a box full of hundreds of vintage postcards.  Mom said, these are The Letsom Letters, and I want you to take them home, because I know that you will do something with them.  Oh! Thanks, Mom, that is quite a vote of confidence, and for me, a gold mine of information on family and early Oregon pioneer history.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I didn't even know about these, for some reason, so this was all really a surprise.  They were never a secret, and I can't figure out how I missed the fact that Grandma T. and Uncle John had been keeping them safe before they made their way down the generations.  Mom talked to my aunties, and they said it was fine for me to have everything at our house.  My Nanny is busy gathering the stuff that she has to make it's way over here soon.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I haven't even dug down to the bottom of the barrels yet.  There are thousands of newspaper clippings, tons of letters, many receipt books, and all kinds of other stuff!  I could easily get overwhelmed with the task of organizing, scanning and, mostly, putting things into some kind of chronological order.  But, instead, I am so excited! Also, I've given myself the gift of time; the letters have made it here all in one piece after 100 years, and I don't have to get this project finished in two weeks or anything.  It is good to have goals though, and I think that I will aim for some sort of family book/CD package by this Thanksgiving.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I did sort through the postcards by name, and most of them were sent out to my Great-Great Grandfather, John Letsom; sent to him as birthday cards.  There are many postmarks for 1906 and 1916.  He turned 87 in 1916.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I found the surnames of many cousins that I had never heard of before.  That should come in handy someday.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Because my Great Grandma was Talitha Letsom Hedrick, there are some letters in there written to her husband, my Great Grandpa Benjamin E. Hedrick in the mix as well.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Check out this telegraph postcard and handmade wedding/party favor to celebrate a special occasion on March, 6, 1909.  This is all so cool!  
  
  I have written about some of these family members over the past couple of years, and have submitted the stories to Sepia Saturday.  This is my extra credit post for this week.  My other post is about The McPherson Opera House in McPherson, Kansas.
  
  Here are some links to my stories about The Letsoms: 
   Early Oregon: John Letsom of Yoncalla, Oregon

  • Letsom: Postcards to Litha #1 & #2
  • Letsom: Postcards to Litha #3
  • Letsom: Postcards to Litha Letsom #4

  Sisters Martha and Talitha
  Early Oregon Pioneers: John and Louisa Hedrick
  
  
  
  To read wonderful posts from my friends over at Sepia Saturday, please "CLICK HERE".  If you enjoy old photos and historical stories, please consider joining us!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 23, 2012
• 8:10

  Down With This Sort of Thing: Google Is Closing More Programs

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  Source:  Bart King's Blog
  Well, here I go again, complaining about the free products that I like to use disappearing.  Closing down.  Potentially leaving gaping holes in my blog posts.  Google has been buying up other companies and then taking them off the internet.  Dang it.  They are also shutting down some of their own programs.  I have learned that Google is working on improving Google+.  I haven't even checked out it yet, but maybe I should because that is what they really want us to use.  I just hope that they will leave Picasa 3 alone, or I am really sunk.  It really makes me sick to think of how my blog is going to look, me being sort of a perfectionist and everything. 
  
  As I have mentioned several times, Slide.com will be shutting down in March.  I have 82 slide shows with at program, and even a separate blog where I have gathered them together.  Here is the link if you would like to visit it: "Slide Shows by Kathy Matthews".  You have about a month and a half to check it out, and after that, there will just be 82 gray boxes to look at, along with some Jimmy Buffett videos.  I may redo some of them through Windows Movie Maker and post them on You Tube, but it is just too much work to try and recreate them all.  I have also liked how they served the purpose of being an online back-up, but I will just put more photos on Facebook now.
  
  Here is an example of a blog post that took me forever to make and will be effected by the changes soon. It was of our trip to watch Tyler at Nike's "The Opening" event last July, and includes over 600 photos.  "CLICK HERE".  Now, just imagine it without the slide shows! 
  
  The latest programs scheduled to shut down include Picnik.com, a fun and easy way to add special effects to your photos.  For now, Picnik is letting you use all of their premium features for free, so I think that I'll take advantage of that until April 19th, the last day.  I don't think that what I have created with Picnik and have posted to my blog will disappear.  I don't see how it would, because I am saving the end results to my own computer.
  
  I added the daisies to the photo at the top of this post using Picnik.  Here are a couple of other ways that I have used in the past:
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To read more about what else Google is closing, and to learn about some other photo-editing options, you might want to read this informative article: by CLICKING HERE. 
  
  Have a great week, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  P.S. - Remember to delete your cookies every once in a while.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 21, 2012
• 20:47

  The Esquire Tavern in San Antonio, Texas:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On my first river boat tour with the ladies on Saturday evening after the football game, I spotted this cool establishment and took a picture of it.  Doesn't it draw you in, making you want to check it out?  Doesn't it remind you somehow of New Orleans?  No?  Well that is how I felt when I first saw it:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The next day, Sunday afternoon, January 14, 2012, Cary and I hopped on a river taxi along the River Walk in the fine city of San Antonio, Texas.  The boat tour guy, Doug, that mentioned that The Esquire Tavern had the longest old wooden bar in the city, at 100' long.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We found it on the River Walk side (versus the street side), and climbed up the stairs, taking photos along the way: 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  From the back entrance, you need to climb up these steep stairs.  Cary and I both thought that nobody could get away with this entrance in Oregon.  Because it is a bar, there is a likely chance that somebody could get hurt entering or exiting on those stairs.  I suppose, even if it wasn't a bar that could happen.  However, we were in Texas, and it seems that people just might need less babysitting in Texas.  Either that, or they don't allow as much government regulation.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When we got up the stairs and came through the back door of the bar, I began taking pictures.  This is how you get into the Esquire Tavern from the street level.  The Esquire originally opened in 1933, which was six years before the River Walk itself opened.  I am still trying to find out the whole history here, but it was closed from 2006 until April 2011 when it reopened under new owner Chris Walker.  Here is a link to what it looked like during the refurbishing process, just " CLICK HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This cheerful sign greets you at the front door.  If you turn left at the front door, you will find a very dark and scary hallway with a big (clean) and scary bathroom.  It was still in the middle of the day when we were there, but that area of the joint gave me the creeps.  I wouldn't be surprised if something bad has happened there over the years, but I have no evidence to back that up right now.  I do hope that there are surveillance cameras where the bartenders can monitor the hallway though.  Or at least please light up the area a bit more.  I'm just sayin'.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The decor is simply beautiful.  The booths and bar stools have beautifulyl re-worked leather upholstery.  The bar is indeed long and old.  There are several taxidermied animals scattered about here and there, from bobcats to game birds.  The windows and door above open up to the backdoor and balcony overlooking the San Antonio River.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This bar/restaurant is HUGE!  They call it a tavern, but it isn't like your typical Oregon tavern, which is generally something small and cozy, with a pool table here and there.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Look at the old lights.  The ceiling is copper and is so beautiful!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary and I were promptly greeted, and sat down at the bar.  We were not hungry, so he ordered a gin and tonic and I ordered a glass of Merlot.  But they didn't have Merlot.  By this time, I was getting used to San Antonio not offering Merlot.  The friendly bartender gave me some other wine options, but I decided to have a Margarita instead.  It was fine, but I have been reading the reviews of The Esquire, and they brag on how each drink is made extra special, by trained mixologists and are the best to be found anywhere.  Still, my drink was nothing like the best ever Margarita that I have ever had in my life, which was at McMenamins Old St. Francis School  in Bend, Oregon.  Those things are made with fresh fruit and are simply to die for.  Again, I'm just sayin'.  We must have been at The Esquire at happy hour, because our drinks were about $6 each, not  too expensive.  The reviews also mentioned that some of their specialty drinks are $13.00 each.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The bartender and other peeps were very friendly, and they gave me a copy of their bar menu to take home.  We enjoyed our time there, and if we go back to San Antonio, we were sure go back to this place again and try the food. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are a couple of You Tube videos featuring The Esquire Tavern in San Antonio:
  
  
  
  
  Links:
  The Esquire Tavern.com
  The San Antonio Current Article on The Esquire Tavern
  So, that is my take on this historical place.  We liked it, and we will certainly return if we get the chance.  Hope you enjoyed the review.
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:25

  Winter Has Finally Arrived: The Pacific Northwest Storms of January 2012

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  After months of clear, not so cold weather, winter finally arrived this week. High winds, snow and then, very unfortunately rain and flooding to those in the Willamette Valley. Here in La Pine things are fine. We are supposed to have some high winds and more snow, but so far it hasn't been anything out of the usual. We still have our roof covered with a tarp though, and are hoping that the tarp will do its job until the weather clears enough for the repair work to get done.
  
  
  
  On Wednesday, we got 18" of snow in our yard, in about 10 hours. 
  
  
  Our family in Olympia, Washington were thrilled with all the snow that they got, which was close to 2 feet.  Their power has been out for several days now though, and it is still really cold there.  Tree limbs sound like gunshots as they pop and fall off.
  
  Friends and family in the valley were dealing with flooding as the 5" of rain that followed the snow melted the snow and caused disaster.  Oregon has even been on national news, which rarely happens.  The small towns of Marcola, Turner and Scio were evacuated, as were many other individual families.  It was once again very interesting to see how helpful that Facebook was for communication.
  
  This woman captured the flooding of Mapleton and Cushing as they attempted to go to the coast and check on their vacation home.  She did a fantastic job, if you want to check it out:
  
  
  
  
  We are supposed to get more winter storm activity, but we have been given a break.  Much of what they have predicted hasn't come to pass for us here in Central Oregon, and I can say that I am pretty happy about that!  I sure do feel bad for all of those who have lost family members or have property damage due to this winter's storms. 
  
  Here is another flood video featuring the McKenzie, Willamette and Mohawk Rivers:
  
  
  Hope you are all safe and sound on this January weekend.  Take care. 
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:21

  Sepia in San Antonio: Can you spot some ghostly faces in these places?

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  Some of these photos are just developed as sepia and black and white, and some of them seem to have ghostly faces in them.  I'll do another post like this with color photos soon.  I was very surprised at how many things that my camera picked up on this trip.  When there is a blurry spot, I look closer and see if there is anything else that I can see in it.  Though, in San Antonio, heads just sometimes seemed to be in trees or open space as clear as day.  Hint, look for the eyes and if there are any, you'll probably be able to see the rest of the face.  Sometimes the faces are huge and distorted.  Trees and water seem to be favorite hang outs!
  
  Not everybody will be able to see them, and in that case, I hope that you just enjoy the photos as they are.  ~ Kathy M.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 20, 2012
• 9:19

  MLB Former Catcher Jamie Burke Now Managing the Cedar Rapids Kernels:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  One of my prized items is the baseball signed by one of my favorite MLB players, fellow Oregonian Jamie Burke.  The first part of this post was written last January, giving you a little background information.  The second part tells about the great news of Jamie being hired as the new head coach for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, with links to news articles. 
  
  Congratulations, Jamie, Cary and I are very proud of you!  We would love to make a trip with Dobie and fly out to watch you guys soon, if we can.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Jamie Burke grew up in Roseburg, and played college ball for Oregon State University.  Cary and I met Jamie and his lovely wife Katrina at the funeral of a mutual friend several years ago.  Jamie was wearing his World Series ring that he received while playing for the Chicago White Sox.  The following season, Jamie became a Seattle Mariner, which is the team we follow the most.  After leaving the Mariners, Jamie played for The Washington Nationals and then retired as a player.  The following pictures were taken when he was a Mariner:
  
   Source:  Bing Images.  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  During hunting season a couple of years ago, Jamie was here in La Pine, and Cary and I were invited to go to pizza with the family friends.  That is when Jamie gave me the baseball above.  I love it!
  
  
  Source:  Bing Images. Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsAdrian Beltre and Jamie Burke
  
   Source:  Bing Images. Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLooking good, Jamie.
  
   Source:  Bing Images.  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsJamie giving Felix Hernandez a huge hug.
  
   Source:  Bing Images.  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHigh fivin' Ichiro.
  Man, I'm Jonesing for baseball season to begin.
  Click here to read more about Jamie Burke.
  Following are some news releases and articles about Jamie and The Cedar Rapids Kernels that I got off of the Kernels Facebook page and off of The Cedar Rapids Kernels website.  Here is the Wikipedia link about the team, which is affiliated with the LA Angels: just click here.
  
  Article from The Gazette:
  
  CEDAR RAPIDS — Jamie Burke was asked about his memories of playing professional baseball in Cedar Rapids.
  
  “A championship, baby,” he said. “A long season, but it turned out to be a very good season.”
  Burke played in a team-high 127 games at first and third base for the 1994 Cedar Rapids Kernels, a club that got hot in the second half and won the Midwest League title. That’s the last time the local nine has won it all, though if you believe in signs, that streak will finally end this summer. 
   
  The 40-year-old Burke was announced as Kernels manager Friday. It’s the first coaching stint for the Oregon native, whose 18-year playing career ended in 2011.  He played bits and pieces of eight major league seasons as a backup catcher for the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals, a .277 hitter in 191 games. Burke spent last year away from the game before deciding to get back into it as an instructor.
  
  “I took last year off to do some things with my family that I haven’t been able to do for 17 years,” Burke said. “I feel like I’ve got a master’s degree in this field. I’ve been through the ups and downs of a career, feel like I will be able to relate to my players.
  
  “Everybody said they knew this was what I was going to do. I want to be a manager in the big leagues some day.”
  
  Burke said he is still very good friends with former Kernels teammate Tony Moeder, who settled in Cedar Rapids after he quit playing. The rest of the Kernels 2012 field staff is Mike Eyward (hitting coach), Chris Gissell (pitching coach), Omar Uribe (trainer) and Joe Griffin (strength coach).
  Eylward was last season’s hitting coach. Gissell played in the Chicago Cubs farm system and had a cup of coffee in the bigs with the Colorado Rockies.
  
  The Kernels also announced this week they are seeking a home clubhouse manager to replace longtime clubbie Ron “Roady” Plein, who will tend to the visitor’s clubhouse this season.
  The Kernels will hold their 16th-annual Hot Stove Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Cedar Rapids. The season opener is April 5 at Wisconsin, with the home opener April 9 against Clinton."
  
  News Release from Cedar Rapids Kernels:
  
   Source: The Cedar Rapids Kernels website. 
  "Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, announce their field staff for the 2012 season.
  
  
  Taking over as the Kernels Manager is Jamie Burke. The native of Roseburg, OR was drafted by the Angels in the 9th round of the 1993 draft out of Oregon State University and played for the Kernels in 1994, hitting .264 with a HR and 47 RBI in 127 games. He made his MLB debut with the Angels on May 9, 2001 and played 191 Major League games with the Angels, White Sox, Mariners and Nationals as a catcher and infielder. He retired at the end of the 2010 season and this is his first season as a manager in the Angels organization.
  
  
  Chris Gissell takes over as the Kernels Pitching Coach. He was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the 1996 Free Agent Draft out of Hudson's Bay HS in Vancouver, WA and pitched for the Rockford Cubs in 1997 and 1998, going a combined 9-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 31 games. He made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies on August 22, 2004 and appeared in five major league games with an 0-1 record over 8.2 IP. He has also pitched for the Seibu Lions in Japan in 2006 and Uni-President Lions in Taiwan in 2009. He was signed by Oakland as a free agent in 2007 and pitched for the Sacramento River Cats in 2008 and 2009. This is his first season as a coach in the Angels organization.
  
  
  Mike Eylward returns to Cedar Rapids as the Kernels Hitting Coach. He played for the Kernels in 2001 and 2002 after being drafted by the Angels in the 44th round of the 2001 Free Agent Draft. In 2002, he hit .263 with 8 HR and 43 RBI in 98 games for the Kernels. He played eight seasons in the minors and has been the hitting coach for the Orem Owlz the past two seasons (2009-10).
  
  
  Omar Uribe rejoins the Kernels staff as the team's Athletic Trainer. Born and raised in northeast Los Angeles, Omar graduated from Long Beach State with both a Bachelor's and Master's in Kinesiology. He also holds a Career & Technical Education Credential in California. For the past 6 years, he has taught and provided sports medicine at Culver City High school and then Los Angeles Senior High School. While at LA High he also served as the athletic director. In the past Omar provided coverage for Cal State Los Angeles, USC, Claremont Colleges and various therapy clinics and gymnasiums. In 2002, Omar served as an intern for both the Atlanta Braves & Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball. He currently resides in Los Angels with his wife Norma.
  
  
  Joe Griffin returns as the Kernels Strength Coach. He has a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Along with various other certifications he had a 15-year baseball playing career and a strong knowledge base in nutrition for athletes. Before coming to Cedar Rapids, he was with the Washington Nationals and has worked with various universities in the Mid-Atlantic area. In addition he is the owner and founder of ESX Athletics LLC and has worked with hundreds of high school and collegiate athletes for over the past five years.
  
  
  The Kernels open the 11th season in Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Monday, April 9 at 6:35 pm against the Clinton LumberKings. Season tickets and 10-game anytime coupon books are on sale now at www.kernels.com, or in person at the stadium. Individual game tickets go on sale Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10 am."
  
  This is just so cool.
  
  ~ Kathy Matthews 
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:11

  Sepia Saturday Posts #107, 108 and 109: Catching Up!

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  I have been away from Sepia Saturday for oh so long.  We had so much happen in December that I got behind, and then we went to Texas and I needed to get caught up on that stuff.  I've missed making my Sepia Saturday posts and visiting my Sepia Saturday friends.
  
  This week, I am showing some slideshows that some of you may have already seen.  Slide.com is closing down in early March 2012, and I wanted to show them again while I still can.  I also wanted our family on Facebook another opportunity to view them.  The first two slide shows are of my husband Cary's family, and the last one is of my Dad and the Johnson side of my family. 
  
  If you love old pictures and awesome stories, please "CLICK HERE" to see what my Sepia Saturday friends are up to this week!
  
  
  
  "People and Their Pets"
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis sweet baby is my husband Cary. The slideshow below is of him with his family.
  
  
  
  
  "Ladies and Their Hats"
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe photo above is of my husband Cary's Grandma Pearl Spillers Wright Ellis.  The slide show below is of the Spillers family in 1947.
  
  
  
  
  "Little Blond Girls"
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Me and my Dad.  Believe it or not, this was my Easter Outfit for that year!  The slideshow below is of my Dad, Ralph as he was growing up.  I know that many of you have seen this one before, but it fits into this post.
  
  
  
  
  
  Here is a story about me when I was little and about my doll, Sherry:  A Trip Down Memory Lane to Home, Sweet Home  
  
  
  January 2009:  Last Sunday, on our way home from Corvallis, we drove through Sweet Home, Oregon. I lived in Sweet Home when I was 4 and 5.  I went to kindergarten there, at Oak Heights school. We lived in a house that was converted into a duplex, and my little friend next door was named Terri. My friend Monty lived with his parents and 4 brothers in the house next to us. I was living in Sweet Home when President Kennedy was shot. I remember that day very well, because when I got home from school, my Mom was watching the black and white t.v. and she was crying. It may have been the first time that I saw her cry ... she's very good about holding it all in. I felt a sense of doom, and, of course there was good reason for that.  
  
  My Dad was the manager at the grocery store. My mom was a R.N. at the hospital in Lebanon. We weren't that far away from Harrisburg and Junction City, so Uncle Red, Aunt Vete, Shelly and Terry ... as well as Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and Grandma and Grandpa T. came to visit often. I had a world globe, which I was very proud of. One time Uncle Red brought his wild brother Tom with him, and Tom broke my globe.  I felt pretty bad about that one, but he grew up to be a minister and mended his wild ways. 
  
  I learned to ride my bike at this house. I ran through the sprinkler in the summer with my brother wearing only my underpants. The older kids (probably 2nd or 3rd graders) made fun of me, and made me feel bad and ashamed because I didn't have a top on. Never again did I go outside without my top! 
  
  The neighbor's dog, Sadie, died when somebody threw poisoned meat over the fence and she ate it. 
  
  I lived in that house during the big flood.  My dad's store was flooded, but we lived up high enough not to have our little house effected. There were old, unused railroad tracks behind the house that we used to explore. 
  
  I went to a sleepover at Monty's in the backyard when they had their tent up. I got up very early and went home because I was a little spooked. When the boys woke up they came over and made sure I was okay. They were nice boys. 
  
  Here is a picture of my dad with a reverse Mohawk, my little bro, my baby sister and me, sitting on our porch.  I'm not quite sure what you would call Angie's hairstyle.  I think that the sun was in our eyes. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is what the house looked like on that Sunday when Cary and I visited.  It doesn't really look that different, does it? Too bad all those cars are blocking the view. I hopped out of the car with my camera and a lady flung open the front door. I said, "I hope you don't mind, but I lived here when I was 5." Cary said, "Is this a duplex?" He still wasn't sure it was the right house. She nodded her head. I said, "Does it have an upstairs?"  She nodded again. I guess she thought we were legit, because she just turned around and closed the door.:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  This is what my old school looks like now.  It is called Oak Heights:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My best friend husband is 11 years older than me. He was a senior in high school when I was in kindergarten. We have a standing joke that he walked by my classroom one day, looked in the window, pointed to me and said: "I'm going to marry that little girl someday!"   This would have been the school where he found me and claimed dibs. It's funny how 11 years makes such a difference when you are young but not when you are old. 
  
  I loved going to school. I remember walking up the long hill from school to home, by myself. Guess what? It is barely a slope, and certainly not a hill. Also, it is only about a half block away from my old house. On Halloween, we were dressing up at school. I wore my costume to school, because that is what we understood we were supposed to do. But, no. We were supposed to bring our costumes to school and put them on for the party. Once again, I was embarrassed. Oh well. 
  
  I graduated from kindergarten at Oak Heights School.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is my doll Sherry. I got Sherry for my birthday when I was 5. I loved Sherry very much. So did my little brother. He was really a pretty easy going guy at the age of 2 1/2, but he would fight me for that doll. I had to hide her under my shirt just to avoid conflict. My mom and dad decided to buy him his own doll. It was a jester stuffed doll, and little bro named him Pinocchio. He loved Pinocchio so much that he eventually loved him to death. After a couple of years, Mom and Dad had to get another, similar jester doll that was subsequently named Pinocchio. I think he still has that one. We are kind of a sentimental bunch in our family.   
  
  On our drive back home, I was telling my Cary all about my time living in Sweet Home and the above memories. I started feeling really bad about Sherry.  I built her a new body about 25 years ago, but currently she was just shoved in the toy box in the spare room. Yesterday, when I was at Bi-Mart, I found a cute doll with extra clothes and accessories on sale. I bought it, came home, dressed Sherry and put her in the cute little doll bed pictured above. I held her and kissed her, and felt really bad that she has been hanging out naked with her arm falling off in a dark toy box. Now she is all spiffed up, as you can see. I showed her to Cary and he said, "Do you still have her original clothes?" I said, "Heck no! She doesn't even have her original body!" Then he said, "What are you doing, holding and kissing that doll?" I said, "Trying to make up for 45 years of neglect." 
  
  Welcome back, Sherry. Now I just need to go retrieve Tippy from the (clean) garbage can in the storage unit that holds all of the old stuffed animals.
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 19, 2012
• 8:28

  Book Blurb Friday #47: The Glory of True Love

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  Disclaimer on this post ... this story is not real, it is part of Book Blurb Friday where some of my blog friends and I join up each week with Lisa Ricard Claro, look at the photo that she posts, and then write a 150 word book blurb to entice people to buy a book off of what we write.  It is probably a touchy subject on what I wrote this week, but this is the story that came to mind.  To me, these people looked happy and in love, and they are surrounded by water, and that is how I came up with the following blurb. 
  
  
  Check out Sioux' Page.
  "The Glory of True Love"by Kathy Matthews
  Now that he had found his Liz, Frank Braxton has everything.   Since he had spotted her at church ten months ago, Liz rarely left his side.  When she had to go to work for the day, he used to call and tell her how he wished he could carry her around in his shirt pocket, so that she would always be with him.  The glory of true love was definitely a healing thing. 
  
  The lovers are on their honeymoon.  Their family and friends have pitched in to buy them a special cruise trip to Italy. Neither Frank or Liz are very comfortable with the idea of being on the open ocean.  Everybody reassured them that of course nothing would ever happen, and that modern day ocean-liners were super safe.  Indeed, they were having a wonderful time.  Then disaster struck, and Frank is not about to let true love go. (150)
  
  I found this John Prine song, The Glory of True Love, on YouTube:
  
  
  
  
  Please join me in keeping those effected by the Italy sinking of the cruise ship lifted up in your prayers.  What a sad, sad thing.
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 17, 2012
• 9:37

  Hello!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hi Everybody,
  
  Wow.  It takes so much time sorting through all of those photos, and then time to find the exact ones that I want to put into posts.  Thank you for your patience, I am sorry that I haven't gotten back on track yet.  I'll be by to visit and return emails soon, thanks for leaving your comments. 
  
  
  We have a huge snow storm coming in today; and our roof isn't fixed yet.  Up to 18" of snow is predicted, with high winds.  AHHHH!  Panic in the gray room now.  Our house is still out of sorts waiting for repairs, and it is really bugging me.  Oh, well, there isn't a lot that I can do about it right now.
  
  I'm going to do some errands and then come home and prepare for the possible loss of electricity.  At least if we lose power, I can put the freezer food in coolers on the back porch and hopefully they should be okay.  I'm getting all my cast iron camping pots and pans cleaned up too, just in case we need to use the BBQ for a stove.
  
  
  I hope that you are all doing well, and thanks so much for stopping by to see what's up. 
  
  Hugs,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
• 8:49

  The River Walk Area of San Antonio, Texas:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hello, Friends!
  
  San Antonio, Texas was named after St. Anthony.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The River Walk is a city park in San Antonio.  I have had such a hard time choosing which photos to put on here of the River Walk itself.  I took so many! Some of the pictures turned out awesome, some not so good, especially the ones that I took at night.  I've decided to not try and go in chronological order on this post, so don't worry about things being shown in the daytime and then nighttime.   
  
  I went on two boat tours, once with us girls (on Saturday night) and the other time with Cary during the day on Sunday. Later Sunday evening, Cary and I caught a river taxi which is the same  (you can buy a 24-hour pass) and had an off-the-beaten path tour of our own because we didn't get off when we were supposed to.  We learned a lot about San Antonio from the two captains that we had on that adventure. 
  
  
  We were staying at the Grand Hyatt, which is next to the Convention Center, the star on the map on the bottom left hand side of the map.  The horseshoe part of the river is where the action is; full of walking paths, bridges and places to eat.  See that little star on the bottom right hand of the map above?  It says "Locks and Dam".  This the smallest locks in the United States, and here are some pictures that I took on our last night on the River Taxi.  The captains can adjust the water level of the river at the dam so that they can cross over it back and forth.  We met a woman captain and got on to her boat, as our first driver headed up toward the Pearl Brewery.  Just scroll over to better study the map.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  There was a short wait to get aboard the tour boat.  You buy your tickets near the River Center Mall; they cost between $6.00 and $8.50, and I feel that the tour was really worth the money.  The tours run from 9:00 a.m - 9:00 p.m.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This the River Center Mall.  It has 1,000,000 square feet and has lots of stores, restaurants and a Macy's where I bought my new boots.  They have music playing outside, often live.  There is also a Hooters, where Cary kept taking the grandsons so that they could get their pictures taken with the nice ladies.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Our tour boat captain was Doug.  That pretty lady is my step-daughter Cheri.  Cary and I ended up with Doug too, so I got to hear his spiel twice and most of it sunk in.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The gals are hamming it up and were having so much fun!  Kylie, Halie, Cheri, Bev, Jen and Susan are glad that we all got good spots to sit. I sat behind Susan, and we were at the back of the boat.  I was on a mission to take pictures.  There was a motorcycle group sitting next to me, and they were really nice folks.  One guy made sure that I got my answer to how they got all of those Christmas lights on the trees.  They used climbing ropes.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  We were lucky that the river had water in it.  This is the first year that they didn't drain it during the week of the Army All-American Game for cleaning purposes.  This is what the river looked like when we were there two years ago: 
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This year:
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  We were also lucky that they still had the Christmas lights plugged in, as it was the last weekend for that.  The colored lights made everything that much more magical.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  There was so much to see from the vantage point of the boat!  Here are a few of the historical buildings seen from The River Walk:
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe Mission Bells wall represents the four Spanish Missions that are located in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, plus The Alamo.  In 1718, Representatives from Spain, along with Franciscan Monks, built their first mission in San Antonio.  Over the next thirteen years, there were five total.  To learn more about those who helped to settle San Antonio, please check out my friend Little Nell's (from Sepia Saturday) husband's blog, The Lanzarte They Left.
  
  We didn't make it over to Mission Park.  There is so much to see and do in San Antonio, that we barely scratched the surface of the downtown area, let alone the rest of the area.  Maybe someday we will be able to go back and take tours, go to the historical museums, parks and experience more of San Antonio.  I hope!
  
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Tower of the America's is the second tallest free standing building in the U.S., second only to The Stratosphere in Las Vegas.  You can ride an elevator to the observation deck on top to take a look around San Antonio.  It was built for the 1968 World's Fair, and is located in HemisFair Park, behind the Convention Center.  We ran out of time to go to the park, but here is a super link if you want to learn more about it: The Texas Explorer.com: HemisFair Park.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  St. Joseph's Church still holds services in German.  Please scroll over to read more about it in the photo of the plaque below.
  
  
  
  
  The Courthouse made for some pretty pictures:
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThere are so many bars and restaurants along the River Walk.  I'll be highlighting some with reviews and stories, but here are just a few of them:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Lone Star.  We were not treated well at this joint.  I'll talk about it later.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe Original Mexican Restaurant.  Our group ate there the night before we arrived, and they were not too happy with it either.  I'm thinking that if you are in a large group, you have less chance of good service.  They all add on a 20% guaranteed tip, regardless.
  
  
  One of our boat captains mentioned that the owners of this restaurant were the ones to think of beginning the water taxi and tours in the 1980's.  Great idea, you guys!
  
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThese guys were taking our picture as we were on the boat, so I took theirs.  That guy is cracking up at me.  I love this picture!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This place was really neat.  We just had a drink, but the atmosphere was great and the bartenders were nice.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMore about the River Walk Itself:
  
  
  The River Walk is one story below street level.  This means that you can get to most of the shops and restaurants by car or walking down the sidewalk, or you can walk along the San Antonio River and get there that way.  The river is spring fed, and I think that I learned that it surfaces around The Witte Museum.  The river is a real river, and in the shallow parts of the downtown area, it is only between two and five feet.  The main stretch of the river is about 15' deep.  There are waterfalls that circulate the water for oxygen, and this is also a way to keep the spring water as San Antonio's source of drinking water.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe River Walk is essentially a much needed form of flood control.  There are gates that come down from some of the bridges, and ramps that flip up from the bottom of the canal to block the water during times of heavy rain.  Before this system was developed by Mr. Hugman in the late 1920's and implemented by the city beginning in 1939, flooding was an unfortunate and expensive hazard of doing business downtown.  Over time, the hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and theaters have located in the coveted riverside area.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This building was named after the man who designed the canal, Mr. Hugman.  He moved his business there to show that he believed that the flood control would work, and others soon followed.
  
  And finally, the city was working on widening a sidewalk, and I loved how they got the Bobcat up and down to the river:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  There is so much more to tell, but I'll break down the rest into separate stories.  Lots of ghostly vapors and faces showed up in my photos, so stay tuned for those.  There will be reviews on where we ate, where we stayed and much, much more over time.  I need to stop now, because I am afraid that this 5 hour post will crash on me if I don't.
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  Links:
  The Riverwalk History at San Antonio Riverwalk.com
  Wikipedia
  The Texas Explorer.com: HemisFair Park
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 16, 2012
• 6:39

  Some San Antonio Art:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis red sculpture was given to the City of San Antonio in 2002 by the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs.  It is called "The Torch of Friendship", and is located downtown.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Grand Hyatt had some interesting art.  Some was functional, and some was purely decorative.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsEven planters were turned into works of art when covered in mosaic tiles.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsWalking around on the River Walk, there was art all over the place:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 14, 2012
• 18:19

  Horse Drawn Carriages in San Antonio, Texas:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It is so weird to think that I took these picture only last Saturday, one short week ago!
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
   
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 17:55

  Taylor Swift: "Ours"

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  I just heard this song for the first time the other day, and I love it.  I really like the words: "Don't you worry your pretty little mind; people throw rocks at things that shine."  I wonder why people are like that anyway.  Beat 'em when they are up, beat 'em when they are down.  How I wish that we could just always be nice to one another.  But, if you have something good going on, the song's message tells us, recognize it and enjoy it.  The video's ending is a bit of an awesome little surprise too.   :>) 
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:49

  The Alamo at Night:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I asked the security guard if there were ghosts at the Alamo.  He firmly told me, "No Mam."  But, I'm not so sure...
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Here we are, the group that trekked over to the Alamo after our rather poor service at the Lone Star.  (I'm sure that there will be a blog post about that coming up pretty soon.)  The other group members had gone over to the Alamodome to watch the Combine football game.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsKylie, Cary, Halie, Cheri, Bev, Hal, Susan and Jennifer
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  To see the blog post about when Cary and I visited the Alamo in the daytime in January of 2010, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  The slide show below is also of the 2010 visit.  This will not be working after March 12, 2012, because Slide.com will be deleted by Google.  Dang.
  
  
  
  I took the suggestion of Little Nell and entered this post into Written Inc.'s Thematic Photography #178: After Dark.  Please click on the link to see some other great nighttime shots.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 13, 2012
• 8:49

  The 2012 Army All-American Game Experience:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Last Saturday, our family and friends were privileged to attend the 2012 Army All-American Game to watch our grandson Tyler Matthews (#12) and the other fine young men who were selected to participate from around the U.S.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Cameron, Tyler and Kylie after the game.
  Prior to the game there were several ceremonies, ranging from medal of honor soldiers to the swearing in of new recruits.  At half-time the awesome All-American marching band played, consisting of invited high school students from around the nation.  Throughout the game, players were declaring where they would be attending college.  Tyler has chosen to attend TCU.  I compiled the photos that I took of game day into chronological order.
  So, here it is, my first You Tube video!  Actually it is a slide show, and I wish that I knew how to add music, but outside of misnaming the hotel (we were at the Grand Hyatt, not the Hyatt Regency) I am pretty proud of it.  At least You Tube won't be going out of business like Slide.com did and this won't be deleted anytime soon.  I hope not anyway!  Oh, I had to give Google my cell phone number so that they could text me a code in order to accommodate my 25 minutes (usually you can only post 15 minute videos).  I hope that you will enjoy this, it is long.  [Well, if it doesn't play, go to the top of the page ... a minute ago it said it is too long.  I give!  I'll try to fix it later.]
  
  
  
  
  Here are some more links to info about the game:
  
  Army All-American Bowl, You Tube 2
  Army All-American You Tube 3
  Rivals.com Link Containing Tons of Links
  
  Tyler signs his autograph as proud Grandpa Cary stands by @  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Grandpa Hal, Grandma Bev, and Aunt Cheri @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Gr.  Hal,  Gr. Bev, Aunt Cheri and Gr. Susan @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Halie and Grace @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Randy, Cameron, Tyler, Jen and Halie @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Halie, Grace and Garrett @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  What an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime day.  We sure are all so proud of you, Tyler.
  
  There has been a lot of football on here lately, hasn't there?  I will begin getting things back to normal as soon as I can.  I have many San Antonio photos, and now that I have figured out how to make slide shows again I'll be posting those.  I also promise to get back to my Book Blurb Friday's and my Sepia Saturdays as soon as I can ... as well as catching up with all of you.  Hugs!
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 11, 2012
• 8:18

  Back from Texas!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hi You Guys!
  
  I missed you lots when I was away.  We got home yesterday morning from our trip to San Antonio, Texas where we were gathered with family to watch the Army All-American Game last Saturday.  If this is your first time to Oregon Gifts, our grandson, Tyler Matthews, was one of the quarterbacks playing on the West Team.
  
  I'm going to keep this a short post, except to say that we had a wonderful time.  The weather got cold and rainy on Monday, our last day, but otherwise we were blessed with sunny weather with a light breeze. 
  
  
  I ended up taking around 1200 pictures, so I am still working through the developing and editing of them right now.  You'll probably guess what I be posting about for awhile!
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Thank you to San Antonio for not draining the river while we were there!  (This is usually the week they clean everything up, but they decided to not to this year.)  We took a couple of boat tours and also used the river taxi to get around on our last night.  I was able to capture a lot of neat photos and learn more about the city.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I hope that you are all doing well, and I will catch up with you as soon as I can.  I plan on posting frequently for the time being so that I won't forget things, so please scroll down to older posts or check in as often as you can if you don't want to miss out.
  
  
  Hugs, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 03, 2012
• 8:17

  Congratulaions On Winning the Rose Bowl, Oregon Ducks!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Source:  Google Images and Oregonsportsreport.com
  Yesterday, the Oregon Ducks played the Wisconsin Badgers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and they won 45-38.  Though the Ducks have been invited many times to the Rose Bowl, this is the first time that they were victorious since 1917. 
  
  We are Oregon fans are awful proud of our Ducks!  Here is link to a neat photo essay of the game; if you want to check it out, just "CLICK HERE".  
  
  Cary and I enjoyed the game from the comfort of our living room, and were happy to have the construction fans and dehumidifier turned off so that we could actually hear the t.v.   Things on the roof repair are progressing smoothly, thank goodness.
  
  Did you wonder why the Rose Bowl was not played on New Year's Day this year?  The parade and game were delayed to January 2nd instead.  One reason for this is because college teams do not play on Sunday, as Sunday is reserved for the NFL.  
  
  So, we are almost done with football this year.  Almost.  There is now a countdown to playoff games for the pros and the Superbowl to look forward to for most people.  But our family and friends have a very special game coming up on Saturday:  The Army All-American Game in San Antonio, Texas.  The Army All-American Game is like the Superbowl for high school kids.
  
  
  Photo Source:  Either Jen Matthews or Army All American Bowl's FB Page"Tyler Matthews, #12"
  Loyal Oregon Gifts readers know that our grandson, Tyler Matthews, (formerly of McPherson, Kansas, and a Texas Christian College recruit) will be playing quarterback for the West team in Saturday's game.  Currently the the West and the East are practicing hard to pull their teams together and are getting ready for the big game. 
  
  Cary and I are so excited to be able to go and watch the game in person, and spend time with the family.  We will be sitting in the area reserved for family, so look for us if you get the chance.  The game will be shown on NBC Sports (formerly known as Verses).  It begins at 12:00 Central Time (I think that makes it 10:00 PST) on Saturday, January 7th.  I hope that you can get it where you live, and will get a chance to see Tyler play his first nationally televised game.
  
  
  Source:  Army All-American Game Facebook Page
  
  So, even though I grew up in Eugene and will always be a Duck, I am also wholeheartedly supporting the TCU Horned Frogs team and their newest quarterback, Tyler Matthews.
  
  
  
  Go Ducks!  Go Frogs!  Go West!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 02, 2012
• 8:36

  Lookout Point and Dexter Lakes:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  If you have been reading my blog over the past week, you are probably thinking, geeze, she sure did take a lot of pictures on that Christmas trip to Eugene.  I did!  We only stayed one night, but the weather was warm and gorgeous and prime for photography.  This set was taken from the car window as Cary was driving on Friday, December 23, 2011.  It is amazing to me how I can get some really nice shots at 60 miles per hour by using the "Advanced Sports Shooting" setting on my camera.
  
  Lookout Point Lake:
  
  We pass three lakes (two of which are actually reservoirs) along the side of Hwy 58 as we go back and forth over Willamette Pass.  Odell Lake is a natural lake.  Lookout Point and Dexter are reservoirs.  The Middle Fork of the Willamette River and Deception Creek combine to fill up the miles long Lookout Point.  This year the water is lower than we have ever seen it before.  Dam engineers plan on working on the dam itself this season.  It is probably the year that we really need it to be full because we are not getting our usual Oregon rain or mountain snow.   Now we'll probably have a drought, with no water built up in the huge reservoir.  Oh, well, what can you do?
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  See the river winding through on the other side of the railroad tracks?  Usually, it is way underwater, and when the lake is full it goes up to the tree line.  Lookout Point is interesting to me.  It seems to go on forever.  For some reason, there is rarely anybody using it for anything.  Once in awhile there will be a fishing boat out there, but it isn't used for water skiing very often. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Dexter Lake:
  
  Dexter Lake begins where Lookout Point ends, and the small towns of Dexter and Lowell sit along it's banks.  This is where you will find people fishing, water skiing and holding drag boat races.  Dexter Lake has several parks on it, including a rest area with a handicapped fishing area at the restored historic covered bridge. 
  
  These pictures show homes on the Lowell hill:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  During the 1950's when these dams were created for flood control, the town of Lowell was moved out of the valley and up to higher ground.  There are farming communities lying underneath all that water.  I am having a hard time finding out about them, so if you have any info about that please let me know.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you turn right at the covered bridge, you can get to Fall Creek, Jasper and Springfield in a quick and easy manner.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you don't turn at the bridge, you will pass by the town of Dexter on your left, go through Pleasant Hill and end up on I-5, at Eugene.  The picture above is of the Dexter Lake, past the covered bridge.
  
  
  The Dexter Lake Club was used in a scene in the movie Animal House, featuring Otis Day and The Knights.  I went to You Tube to find a video, but the ones offered were just the music, except for this one.  KG and Meg, whoever they are, did a wedding video integrating Otis Day and his band at the Dexter Lake club, singing Shamalama Ding Dong.  I just thought it was super neat; so congratulations you two, I hope that you are still very happy!
  
  
  
  Links:Lookout Point Lake and Dexter Lake
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• January 01, 2012
• 13:03

  Oregon Gifts of ...

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 12:43

  Trapper Creek at Odell Lake, Oregon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On December 24th, Cary and I stopped by Shelter Cove Resort, located on the west side of Odell Lake, right off of HWY 58, coming from Oakridge to the Willamette Pass Ski Area.  I will have the blog post about the resort finished pretty soon.  This post is about Trapper Creek, which is on the road to Shelter Cove Resort.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It begins 3.9 miles upstream, where two spring-fed tributaries join together to create Trapper Creek.  It is the largest of the tributaries that flow into Odell Lake.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Trapper Creek is 68* in the summer, and gets down to 39* during the winter. 
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  At one point, during the 1920's I think (but for the life of me, I can't find a photo of it yet) there was a sawmill on Trapper Creek.  There were also logging and railroad camps in the area.  Now there are several cabins close by, including a 1926 cabin that was built by a doctor who worked for the railroad.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Trapper Creek is home to Brook Trout.  It is also the only known spawning area for Bull Trout on Odell Lake.  There are projects to protect the Bull Trout, and links to more information about those projects are listed below.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was cold and beautiful the day that we were there.  I love these photos, where the small waterfalls are frozen over.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Right before the bridge crossing Trapper Creek is Trapper Creek Campground.  It was full of snow, so we couldn't go in.  Some of the links below tell all about it, and it sounds like a very nice place to visit.  The roads are paved, good water comes from a deep well and it even has flush toilets.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  During the winter months, this area is great for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and it offers a snow park for sledding.  The Willamette Pass Ski Area is only a short drive away.
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A short distance down the road from Trapper Creek is Shelter Cove Resort. If you get the chance to visit Odell Lake, winter or summer, please jump at it.  I think that you will enjoy it very much.
  Kathy M.
  Links
  Explore Central Oregon: Odell LakeHoodoo: Trapper Creek CampgroundWikipedia: Odell LakeReport on Critical Habitat for Bulltrout on Trapper CreekTrapper Creek Restoration Project Report
  WildFish Habitat Initiative: Trapper CreekKen Brauner.com: Odell Lake Christmas Card
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 31, 2011
• 8:08

  Winter on the North Fork of the Willamette: Oakridge, Oregon Rest Area

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Last Friday, the day prior to Christmas Eve, we were headed to Eugene.  Stopping at one of our regular stops, the rest area south of Oakridge, I walked to the boat ramp and snapped a few pictures of the silver frost.  Here they are:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is a link to the same area that I took in the fall of 2010:   Oakridge Rest Area: North Fork and Willamette
  
  Enjoy your New Years Eve!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 30, 2011
• 9:34

  Getting Organized For 2012 Projects:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It is after Christmas, time to clean up around this joint and to reorganize the place.  I have given so much time and effort to Christmas that I wanted to get the rest of our home in better shape.  I did round up most of the decorations, but have not even touched the tree.  It is artificial, so no harm in that. 
  
  I cleaned up our guest room and it is very nice now.  We can access the inversion back board now, which is cool.  Cary used it the other day, but I haven't yet. 
  
  Yesterday, I started working on our office.  It is still a disaster on the floor, but I cleared of the table and began organizing my writing projects.  Here is what I have going so far:
  
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On the left is my stuff for The Early Oregon Series.  This pile includes our family history and Sepia Saturday articles. 
  
  In the middle is the information that I have gathered and written about Oregon, travel, and research for my epic novel. 
  
  On the right, is the dry erase board with my To Do lists. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I just put it there for the photos, it isn't filled out yet.  I work well with lists, and this will help me get things checked off and remember what my goals are.  It is big and where I can see it everyday.  It is funny that I didn't put a category for blog!  (I added it a couple hours after posting this.)  I guess that is because you can't pull me away from it.  Also because I like the creative flow that I have going on with it now, though my blog is really the base for everything else.  It is my major organization tool.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This morning, I printed off all of my Book Blurb Friday posts, after putting them all into Word.  I have missed a few weeks, but we just finished Week #44 today, so there are a lot of them.  Some would actually make good books, I do believe.  I am new to creative writing, so it gives me a bit of confidence to look at my work.  I appreciate Lisa Ricard Claro for holding Book Blurb Friday for us.  I view it as my weekly homework assignment. 
  
  I am also going to take my Sepia Saturday articles and Oregon articles and put them into Word and get ready to make books out of them, somehow, someway.  Even if they just go out to family for Christmas gifts. 
  
  Come to find out, it is extremely easy to copy and paste off of Blogger.  Way too easy, if you ask me.  And, that makes me very uneasy.  I do have somebody who is visiting my blog numerous times a day from Iowa, looking through old posts and new, but they have never left me a comment.  I hope that they just like my work and are not doing their own copy and paste work from Oregon Gifts.  Because even if you can do that, it is illegal to without permission.  This is my work, after all.
  
  Anyway, the house was shaping up very nicely and I am very happy with figuring out the next steps of what I am supposed to be doing with my life.  I recruited a manager (my businessman husband) and we are brainstorming ways to make some money off of my photography!  I am really excited about that and appreciate Cary's willingness to help.  Thank you, my blogger friends for your encouragement in this area too, I really appreciate it. 
  
  What I really want to do is write and sell books, but I think that I can incorporate that with my photography.  I'll keep you posted on the progress as time goes by. 
  
  You noticed that I said the house "was" clean?  Well, last night, we noticed that our roof is leaking and staining the ceiling.  We have had a lot of rain the past few days, and I had to take everything off of the walls.  We have a repair person coming over to day to help us figure out what to do. 
  
  So, beginning with Sonny's vet bill, Christmas, the new fridge, the upcoming trip to San Antonio, and now the roof ... December has been a very expensive month for us.  We are definitely no longer the rich relatives. (That was supposed to be funny, we never were, but the Lord has blessed us in many ways and we are very grateful for that.)  Hope that I can sell my photos in one manner or another!  And, my books, when I get them written.  I am not discouraged, though I do need to get to work, and I am.
  
  So, that is what is up around here.  We are looking so forward to seeing the family next week at Tyler's Army All-American game.  Please watch the game if you can!  I'll keep reminding you peeps about that on here, just in case somebody misses when I post about it.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Take care, and have a wonderful New Year's Eve and day and year.  Please leave me a comment on how you plan on meeting your goals this year, if you want too. 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• December 29, 2011
• 17:12

  Book Blurb Friday #44: "Turtles Can Wait"

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

   Photo Source: An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
  "Turtles Can Wait"by Kathy Matthews
  Lily T. Hunter was now ten.  Just in case you are wondering, the "T" stands for "Turtle", named after that little girl in The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven, her Mom's favorite books.  Lucky for those involved in her naming, Lily really did enjoy finding turtles in the pond on her grandparents property in Central Washington. 
  
  This morning, Lily packed her lunch, her turtle hunting gear and the digital camera that she had gotten from Santa.  She kissed her Grandma goodbye. 
  
  As she walked down the trail to the pond, Lily breathed in the scent of the pretty flowers on what she thought of as the "Fairy Bush".  She stopped, sat down and crossed her legs crisscross applesauce.  She also took out her camera.  Lily had seen fairies here before, but had never asked to take their picture.  There's a first time for everything, and the turtles could wait.  (150)
  
  
  Man, this one fell right into place.  I might even write it.  Enjoy your New Years Weekend, and Go Ducks!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  Oh, there seem to be a few questions about crisscross applesauce.  It used to be called, (politically incorrectly) as sitting "Indian Style".  Here is a video on how to do it the right way:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:41

  Wicopee Fields, Willamette Pass, HWY 58, Oregon and The Frazier Slide:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  On the Willamette Pass (Oregon Highway 58) south of McCredie Hot Springs, (also see The Hotel Mcredie Hot Springs) there is a sign on a gravel road that says Wicopee Fields.  There is no hyphen between the two words, so I always assumed there were some fields there, but not so.  In trying to come up with some historical information about this area, there isn't a lot easily found on the search engines.  I did learn that Wicopee is the area with the marsh, and that Fields is 6 miles further up at the end of the gravel road, with a small campground.  Slide is one mile before Fields, and the names Cruzatte and Natron are also associated with the area.  The Union Pacific Railroad has trains going through here, and it is a favorite area for train enthusiasts/photographers.  I did run across this well written story about the experience of three men who camped in the campground and got "stabbed" (don't worry, in this case that just means blocked in by a train), and it tells you exactly how to get there and what is up the road further than where we went.  Here is the link, when you are done here at Oregon Gifts:  "Stabbed at Fields" .
  
  Several years ago, we drove down to see what we could see, but there didn't seem to be much there.  Last Saturday (Christmas Eve), we gave it another try and came up with some beautiful photos.  There is a marsh on the left hand-side that was covered lightly in ice. There is a program reintroducing "chub" fish into this marsh and in other places around Oregon.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Across the road from the marsh there is a nice little parking lot with a fire pit on the beautiful Salt Creek.  Somebody told me a rumor once that there were around 50 little hot springs around here somewhere, but I haven't learned anything more of about that.  If you have, please leave a comment (under "Anonymous" if you want to).
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On January 19, 2008, there was a major mudslide that effected the railroad tracks, known as The Frazier Slide.  The Wicopee Fields road was used as an access road to get the mess for clean up.  This link shows a bunch of construction photo links of the slide: Train Orders.com.  Here are some neat pictures of it after they had gotten the trains running again: Train Web.com.  I also found these videos of when the slide was happening:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Train Wreck:
  
   Source: Steam Freight Cars.com
  That is how it goes on here sometimes, one thing just leads to another.  I wanted to know how Wicopee got it's name, did people live there, was there a store, all that kind of stuff.  I still have a lot to learn about Wicopee Fields, but I found that there was a huge train wreck in the area during the late 30's.  What a mess that was to clean up!  1938-39 Train Wreck at Natron/Wicopee Photos
  
  Here is a link with some geographical information and surrounding areas:  Traveling Luck.com.  If you have anymore info that you would like to share, please leave me a comment. Or, if you enjoyed this post, please leave me a comment, because I love your feedback. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 27, 2011
• 9:07

  Matthews Christmas 2011:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLast night, we joined Cary's brother's family over at my MIL Darlene's for a very fun Christmas celebration and a Mexican dinner.  Here are a few of the family photos of the evening.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is the family that had a major hand in creating this group;  Casey, Larry, Julia, Jimmy Beverly and Shelly:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsJimmy, Shelly, Casey and Beverly
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsBev and Todd's family includes:  JB, Megan, Tess, Holly, Troy, Brittany and Matt
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsShelly and Brian's family includes Treavor, Jeffrey, Jason, Christian and Isaiah
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsJimmy and Samantha's family includes
  Maykayla, Logen and Ethan
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCasey and Savanna flew in from Italy earlier that day ... their sweet kiddos are Courtney and CJ
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLarry, Darlene and Cary
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLarry, Darlene, Cary, Julia and Me
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsGrandma Darlene with many of her great-grandkids.  There are nine more from Cary's side that live in Washington and Texas, plus my Casey in Eugene.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsGrandma Darlene and Jason
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsSomeone is practicing his stretches.
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCourtney
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsKathy and Cary, BFF's.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Holli and CJ
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsJulia asked for two carats, but got two carrots instead!
  Now it is back to work, with Christmas being over with for this year.  Hope that you have all had a wonderful holiday season so far. 
  God bless,
  Kathy M.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:21

  I Dream of Eugene: 5th Street Market in Eugene, Oregon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  I grew up in Eugene.  I loved growing up in Eugene.  And, I love going back to visit.  I think that I'll start a new series about it called "I Dream of Eugene".  This is the very first installment; thanks so much for joining me.
  
  On our most recent visit, we stopped by the 5th Street Market.  Of course, I had to take a bunch of pictures, because everything was so pretty.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  5th Street Market has been around since1976, when local vendors rented space for $2.00 per day to sell their wares.  It has since grown into a beautiful and unique courtyard shopping center, filled with art, shops and great food.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCary was the king of the food court on Saturday. 
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsWe ordered breakfast from the El Pato Cafe, along with good coffees.  The market hosts 5 cafes and two restaurants.
  There are 15 specialty stores, ranging from imports and sewing notions to an area old-time favorite florist, Rhythm and Blooms:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsWe will be back another day, and maybe sometime we will be able to stay at the brand-new boutique hotel recently built in part of the parking lot.  The hotel and market are all within walking distance to Autzen Stadium, the Home of the Ducks, if you are in relatively good shape.  To learn more about the hotel, here is a link to their website: Inn at the 5th
  Inn at the 5thHope that you enjoyed the tour.  Happy New Year to all of you! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 25, 2011
• 7:57

  Christmas Eve Eve in Eugene, 2011:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsOn Friday morning, Cary and I drove the quick two hour drive over the mountain pass to my Mom's house in Eugene.  We spent the day visiting, eating and opening gifts.  Here are a few of my favorite people in the world, in no particular order, lol:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy sister, Angie.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy son, Nigel and nephew, Ethan.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy best friend husband, Cary.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy Mom, Grandma Jody.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy daughter, Kristin.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy daughter, Kari.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsNigel and LaBraun.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsOur grandson, Casey.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHe is so handsome!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsEthan.
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Kari and Casey.
  We had prime rib for dinner, and it was delightful.  So is Akrian, the only little one in the group:
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy brother-in-law, Joe, Kristin, Nigel and Casey.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Akrian, Ethan and Kristin.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsAlex, Ethan's girlfriend, Ethan, Akrian and Casey.  Is it only me, but can you see through that little boy's head?  Odd picture.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Aunt Julie arrives with the rest of the gifts.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsAkrian is wondering about when we get to open our presents.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsEverybody gets to work.  Kari is happy with the clippers that Mom got for all of us.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsAlex, Kristin, my sister Julie and Kari.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsAkrian, Mom, Kristin, Julie, me, Kari and Angie.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe Girls.
  We all had a great time.  Cary and I stayed overnight at the Hilton and went sightseeing on the way home yesterday.  Many more pictures will be shared of the return trip soon.  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 23, 2011
• 8:41

  Merry Christmas to You!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "The Nativity"  ... The Christmas story from the Bible, beautifully illustrated by Julie Vivas:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I got an early Christmas gift in the mail this week ... I was the lucky winner of these three wonderful books from Lesa and her friends over at Baja Greenawalts Cozy Book Nook.  Thank you, ladies, I love my new books!
  
  Here is wishing you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas weekend, from my Best Friend Husband, Cary, and me.  Heart ya! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 7:51

  Book Blurb Friday #43 : "Riverbend"

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
   "Riverbend" by Kathy Matthews
  Riverbend City Councilor, Bonnie Marshall-Cooper, looked at the new paint job with appreciation.  It had been a long and difficult fight to help the owners of Sidelines get permission to paint over the 100-year-old original brickwork. 
  
  The main opposition had come from that crotchety old bitty, Councilor Frances Worthington.  Mrs. Worthington feared that other business-owners would follow suit, and soon the historic downtown area would resemble a coastal resort community rather than a high-mountain skiing town.  She was not used to losing fights. 
  
  Bonnie, basking in victory, turned to get back into her car.  She was startled to feel the gun in her side and the gruff voice in her ear. "You are coming with me, bitch.  We are making sure that you won't make any more of your fancy changes around this town!"  
  
  In Riverbend, you never cross a Worthington.  Bonnie’s real troubles had just begun. (147)
  
  Thanks, Lisa, for choosing one of my favorite recent pictures for this week's Book Blurb Friday!  Here is the link to the post about Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill:  "just click here".
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Merry Christmas!
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 22, 2011
• 20:54

  SkyWatch Friday: December Sunset

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  It hasn't been unseasonably warm, overall, but it sure has been unseasonably non-snowing.  I took these pretty pictures last week in the backyard.  If one didn't know better, you might think it was summer around here.  But, it isn't.  It was -9* this morning.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  To see beautiful skies from around the world, just  "CLICK HERE".   
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Merry Christmas!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 20, 2011
• 8:31

  Dana's New Do:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Yesterday, Dana took a much needed trip to the groomer.  Here is her before picture:
  
  
  And here are her "after" pictures:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  What in the heck kind of dog is Dana?  She is an Old English Sheepdog/Brussels Terrier mix.  She is four-years-old, and we got her as a puppy.  Dana came down with parvo only days after we brought her home from the pound, but since we caught it in time she has been fine ever since.  Except for her hips.  She just looks kind of funny, lol.  She is also a super smart and good girl.  We love her lots!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 19, 2011
• 8:54

  New Fridge!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  First, congratulations to Carolyn H. for winning the beautiful necklace ... check out the details here:  Shabby Apple.com Give-a-Way post.
  
  Now, on to the story about the new fridge:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We went to bed on Friday night, knowing that we would have to go and buy a new fridge in the morning.  It has been an expensive week, with Sonny's vet bill and needing a new fridge.  When it rains it pours, it seems, right at Christmas and our trip to Texas.  Anyway, this is what our house usually looks like, but as you will see, it got torn apart for the new arrival.
  
  We went to Gary and Sandy's Appliance in La Pine, where we have bought our washer, dryer and dishwasher.  They are great, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. 
  
  I had a black fridge in mind, since I had chosen black for the dishwasher last year.  We walked into the store and I headed straight to the one that I wanted.  I said, this is it!  Sandy said, sorry, you can't have that one, it is too big.  Dang.  She said, you can have this white one though.  Cary said, is this the one that you want?  Yes, I wish it were black, but yes, I love it!  (I thank him for being so generous and getting me the one that I wanted, because it did cost more than a standard fridge).  So, we paid for it and rushed home to get the old fridge ready to take outside and clear a path for the new one. 
  
  We put the stuff that was in the freezer portion of the old fridge into coolers with blocks of ice.  The food was mostly leftovers, and we gave it to the people who do our security at work ... what they aren't going to eat, they will feed to their dogs.  Those are going to be some happy doggies.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When Gary arrived with the new fridge, he had to take off the front door of our house.  The old fridge went through easily.  Dang, I need to clean that fake plant!  Do you know an easy trick for doing that?  Take it outside and spray it with Windex.  Saturate it and let it dry and, wah-la, you are done.  I learned that when I was cleaning houses in Sunriver, by the way.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  You should have seen how dusty it was underneath our old fridge.  We probably burned out the motor because of that fact alone.  We had the motor replaced a couple of years ago, and it was 11 years old and the plastic inside was breaking, so it was still time for a new one.  I promise not to let that happen to the new fridge.  The new fridge is a Maytag.  I was very surprised that it only has a one year warranty though.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsWe got to work tearing apart the living room/dining room and kitchen to make a pathway for Gary to be able to maneuver the fridges in and out.  We worked hard and fast.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  He had to remove the doors of the new fridge before bringing it inside.  Gary really worked hard for his small delivery fee that day.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here it is, without the doors on.  Cool!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We are loving it!  It had to sit for 24 hours before we could put food into it.  We hardly had any food to put back in, thank goodness.  I am so happy that this had not happened right after a major grocery shopping spree.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I have never been so excited over an appliance purchase before.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We took some uncooked stuff out of our other small freezer, filled up this one, and are now ready to go.  We even have room for ice cream bars, and the ice maker works great.  Life is good.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 15, 2011
• 14:44

  RIP: Our Sweet Sonny

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   "Four years ago in Feburary, doing what we do best around here...Dana, me and Sonny."
  Well, we are a sad lot over here in Mayberry right now.  Our sweet dog Sonny, an 8-year-old  lab, went to doggy heaven yesterday very unexpectedly.  He hadn't been feeling well, and I took him to the vet in the morning.  X-rays revealed a large tumor in his lung, so we felt that it would be best to let him go, and our vet very much supported our decision.  We are all so sad and miss him very much.  We got Sonny in 2004, and he has been with Cary and me since the beginning.
  
  I think that with this happening and with getting ready for Christmas, I may be hit and miss a bit for awhile on here.  Love to all, and remember to scroll down and see the bunch of stuff that I posted earlier this week ... including the contest.
  
  
  Take care,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 13, 2011
• 8:42

  Hi Guys!I have posted ...

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Hi Guys!
  
  
  I have posted a whole bunch over the past few days ... please scroll down so that you don't miss anything.  My regular readers, please don't miss the Bargain Book Bonanza post with the Jennifer Weiner info.  Also, everybody, make sure to sign up for the give-a-way, you have until Sunday evening.  Thank you,
  
  
  Kathy M.
• December 12, 2011
• 9:18

  Shabby Apple Give-a-Way!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Congratulations to my Johnson cousin Carolyn H. in Oklahoma for winning the drawing!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I numbered everybody by the order in which they left their comments and then plugged them into the random number generator, which is just like the computer drawing a number out of the hat.  #5 came up first, Carolyn's number.  Sorry that I forgot the "l" on your name, April, I did this when I first woke up.  Thanks for participating, everybody.
  
  Remember, all of you can save 10% off of any Shabby Apple purchase for three more weeks by using the code below. 
  
  
  
  
  
  The Oregon Gifts hit counter just rolled past 90,000 and I think that makes this a great time for a give-a-way!  Entering is super easy, just leave a comment on this post saying that you want to, and follow me if you are not already doing so.  Your opportunity to enter will close on Sunday, December 18, 2011.  
  
  Just click here to go to Shabby Apple!
  Chelsea over at Shabby Apple contacted me last week, and suggested that I offer one of their lovely necklaces as the prize.  I chose this beautiful cameo called  "Lost in Wonderland".  It is part of Shabby Apple's vintage jewelry collection and is valued at $52.00:
  
  
  
  Have you discovered Shabby Apple yet?  If not, Shabby Apple is an online boutique that offers an amazing selection of  Women's Clothing,  Girl's Dresses,  Jewelry and Accessories, plus lovely Arts and Crafts for your home.  Please browse their site and if you choose to purchase something, here is the code for a 10% off coupon that is valid for 30 days from today: "oregongifts10off". 
  
  This give-a-way offer is for U.S. residents only, sorry about that.  I think it has to do with shipping charges.  If you are on Facebook, please check out Shabby Apple's page there and give them a "Like". They also have a blog, An Apple A Day.  Thanks, and best of luck!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  P.S. - If you are not used to leaving comments, you can click the "Anonymous" option, write your comment and then sign your first and last name. 
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 11, 2011
• 17:51

  Kid Rock: Care

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  I just got through watching part of CNN's award show honoring regular people who are heroes.  Kid Rock sang this song, and it gave me goosebumps.  It really touched me.  I found this neat video on You Tube, and when the live one gets uploaded, I'll add it on to this post.  (Done!)
  
  Jesus did big things with great love.  Mother Teresa taught us to do small things with great love.  I think that we can all do that, reach out to others and show that we care.  We can risk a little rejection, and open up our hearts, our schedule and our wallets.  The least that we can do is care.
  
  Kid Rock is giving back and helping to rebuild the city of Detroit.   Thank you, Kid.  I love your song.
  
  God bless, 
  
  Kathy M. 
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 10:20

  Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill in Downtown Bend, Oregon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsYesterday, we drove into Bend for lunch and decided to go to someplace we had never been to before.  There was one empty parking space in front of this brightly colored sports bar named Sidelines.  So, there we parked and went inside.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsIt was jammed packed, full of life and energy with folks of all ages. Kids are welcome during the day, but it really is a bar atmosphere.  There were t.v.'s all over the place, showing soccer, football and basketball games.  Sidelines reminded me of a mini Heroes Sports Bar in Wichita, Kansas (post link).
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsI had the "California" omelet, which had turkey and other good things inside.  It was delicious.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCary choose a "Cobb Salad" and loved it.  The food and beverage prices are super reasonable.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We enjoyed all of the sports memorabilia throughout the joint.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Of course, Grandpa Cary plugged the Army All American Bowl 2012, which will be played in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, January 7th.  He wrote down all of the information on a napkin, told our waitress who told the bartender.  Cary suggested that they made sure to show the game on their t.v.'s and root for our personal favorite quarterback,  grandson Tyler Matthews, who will be playing on the West team.  Everybody mark your calendars, and if you guys can watch the game then please do! 
  
  
  
  Link to the Army All American Bowl 2012 Website
  Go, Tyler!
  
  The service was great too; they are a very friendly group of peeps.  Here is the website link for Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill.  We had a great time, and will definitely be back.
  Kathy M.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:26

  Weekend Reflections in Downtown Bend, Oregon:

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  Tags:    [edit]

   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is a Weekend Reflections post.  Please "CLICK HERE" to see other cool reflections of all kinds from around the world, after you are all done here at Oregon Gifts.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 10, 2011
• 11:08

  Bargain Book Bonanza: Featuring Jennifer Weiner, and Storm Country, The Anthology

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Last week, I was at the Sunriver Library, and was thrilled to find such wonderful bargain books for $1.00 each.  There was one tall bookcase with two sections, and a wooden locked box in which to deposit the money.  It doesn't get much better than that! 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I have already finished reading "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner, and am now on "Other People's Children" by Joanna Trollope.  This is the first time that I have read any of Ms. Trollope books, and I am enjoying it very much.  The Scrap Craft books are wonderful, and they show you how to easily make quilts and other great items.
  
  I love reading Jennifer Weiner's books!  This was my third one, and I have asked for more for Christmas.  They are fun, there is often a bit of a mystery to be solved, and they are just plain awesome with well developed characters.  I hate finishing the books, because then I have to say goodbye to my new friends.  So far, I have read "Goodnight Nobody", "Little Earthquakes" and now, "Best Friends Forever". 
  
  So, I decided to look Jen up on the internet.  Sure enough, she has a website, a blog, and is also on Facebook.  I am now an official follower.  There is an excellent article that she posted on her website that encourages writers and/or those who want to become writers.  She also talks about how to find a good literary agent, and how to go about getting published.  Though the article was written in 2002, it is a must read, which you can easily do by "CLICKING HERE FOR THE ARTICLE". 
  
  If you are interested in checking out Jennifer Weiner's blog, just "CLICK HERE FOR HER BLOG".
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I was so excited to receive my autographed copy of "Storm Country, The Anthology" in the mail recently.  The Missouri Writer's Guild compiled this book after the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri.  The book is definitely a bargain at only $13.95, and $10.00 of that goes toward restocking the libraries of Joplin schools. (The $3.95 is for postage and handling.)  Last week, the first $3,000 was donated!  To find out how to get your own copy, please go to this link:  "Storm Country is Now Available".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  One of my favorite blog buddies, Lynn Obermoeller, has a story in the book about locating her friend Geoffrey in the aftermath of the storm.  She is the one who autographed my copy of the book.  Lynn also lives in Missouri, and has three blogs,
  
  Present LettersLynn, What's for DinnerLynn, What's for Dessert
  
  This is a Baja Greenawalt Cozy Book Nook Bargain Book Bonanza post.  Do you love books?  Those ladies over there really do, and so do I.  Check out their fun blog by "CLICKING HERE".  Have you found a great deal on bargain books lately?  If so, please consider posting about them and linking up to Bargain Book Bonanza.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 09, 2011
• 9:43

  Sepia Saturday #104: Flora Fletcher Hedrick and The War Letters

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  Hello, Friends!  This week's Sepia Saturday theme seems to be mother and child, dressed in Navy uniforms. They were not really Navy uniforms, that is the Princess of Bavaria and her little boy, but it makes a nice introduction into what I wanted to post today.  Oh, boy.  Do I have a story of a Navy mom, who also had a son in the Air Force during World War II.
  
  
  Flora Fletcher Hedrick
  Once upon a time, there was a family named Fletcher, from Mercer County, Illinois.  Three Fletcher brothers and their families crossed the plains in a covered wagon during the year of 1864, and settled in the Silverton and Salem, Oregon area.  One of the youngest of the wagon train party was a baby named Ellsworth E. Fletcher.
  
  Ellsworth E. grew up, married, and had three children.  The children were Lorraine, Flora and Ellsworth.  They were a tight-knit family, and Ellsworth E. wrote in his diary every single day for a long time, lucky for us.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Hobert, Flora and Danny
  Flora grew up and became a school teacher. She met my great-uncle Hobert Hedrick, and they had two little boys, Danny (b. 1925) and Lyle (b. 1926).  Flora was my great-aunt.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHobert, Flora and Danny are on the left.  It looks to me as if Flora was pregnant with Lyle in this photo.
  
  Then, for a reason unbeknownst to anybody but him, Hobert left, pretty much abandoning Flora and the boys.  Hobert divorced Flora and later married Velma and had two more children, Mom's cousins Judy and Bud. 
  
  My great-grandparents, Ben and Litha Hedrick, were fit to be tied over the divorce.  Everybody loved Flora and the boys, and they kept in close contact with them.  At one point, Flora, Dan and Lyle moved to Drain so that they would know their grandparents, Aunt Florence (my Grandma T.), Uncle John and Uncle Homer, and their other Hedrick relatives.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Flora taught school in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  At one point, she was teaching at Ainsworth School on Council Crest in the Portland area.  Flora also kept a diary of her boys for quite a while.  Sometimes the three lived with Ellsworth E. and Lorraine.  Flora's mother died when the boys were around three and four.  Dan and Lyle grew up to be fine, hardworking young men.   Flora was a loving and dedicated mother.  
  
  
  When World War II came along, Dan was in the Navy, and Lyle and my Uncle John were in the Army.  Coming from a writing family, the letters flew back and forth on a frequent basis, and Grandpa Ellsworth Fletcher kept his daily diary.
  
  
  Very sadly, near the end of the war, Danny's ship was bombed by the Japanese, and Danny died.  This devastated the whole family.  My Mom remembers being a little girl and they were listening to the radio when the news came on about that ship being hit.  She remembers Grandma T. (who had a special bond with Danny) saying, "That's Dan's ship!".  Unfortunately, she was right.
  
  Flora had a difficult time figuring out the details of what actually happened.  Finally, she received this explanation:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Later on, Lyle compiled all of Grandpa Ellsworth's diaries,  Flora's diary entries, and all the war correspondence.  He transcribed them and put everything in chronological order.  He essentially made a book of a 1265 pages, and was hoping to get it published.   Lyle wanted others to know what it was like for families during war.  He submitted the manuscript to several people, but nobody wanted it at the time.
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  One day, my Mom and Grandma T. drove to see Lyle.  Lyle showed them the manuscript and let them borrow it so that Mom could read it.  Mom and Aunt Sondy made a copy of it behind Lyle's back.  They were afraid that he would say no if he asked!  Later, after Lyle died, they made copies for us kids and for Judy and Bud and others.
  
  The War Letters is simply amazing.  I have had my copy for several years, but am just getting the time to really sit down and read it.  I will read it in order someday, but went through and read all of Uncle John's letters, and am trying to figure out how to organize it in my mind.  My thought is to tell about the main family members of the Fletcher-Hedrick family and highlighting their lives.  A couple of weeks ago, I posted some about my Uncle John Hedrick, and you may " CLICK HERE" to read that post.  In that post, Uncle John is writing to his sister-in-law, Flora. 
  
  
  Also, speaking of other posts, I featured Sepia Saturday earlier this week on my blog, and gave a shout out and links to some of my Sepia Saturday friends' blogs.  Please "CLICK HERE" to see that, and if you are a Sepia Saturday participant, please give yourself the award! 
  
  Have a wonderful weekend, everybody! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 08, 2011
• 8:25

  Book Blurb Friday #41: "In The Back Alley"

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Rosa stood on the street, contemplating the stairs of the back alley.  At 76, she wasn't sure how much longer that she would be able to use this particular route to access her back door with a bag of groceries.  On one hand, it was a short-cut, saving her from walking the rest of the way around the block to the front door, but those damn stairs were taking a toll on her knees.  
  
  A moment later, a young girl came running down the steps, hysterically screaming "HELP ME!!!", placing Rosa smack-dab into the middle of danger and drama that she would have never previously believed possible. 
  
  Kathy Matthews' first novel of kidnap, intrigue and survival in a small Italian village is a fascinating must read.  You won't be disappointed! (131)
  
  Thank you to Ashley Ortiz for her wonderful photo, which really was taken in Italy.
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 07, 2011
• 9:34

  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: The Movie in Full

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  One of my favorite books of all time is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.  I was in junior high the first time that I read it, and have re-read it several times over the years.  I think it is time to read it again! 
  
  The story is about a young girl, Francie, and her family.  They were living the life of the broke.  Many things happen to Francie throughout the book, but she keeps her head up and comes out a winner. 
  
  A couple of weeks ago, I was looking up something on You Tube and stumbled across the full movie of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  It is in twelve parts, and I have assembled the links below in order, if you would like to watch it.  The movie is just like the book, something that I always appreciate.  Enjoy!
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  Source:  Google Images
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 1 of 12
  
   A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 2 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 3 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 4 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 5 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 6 of 12   
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 7 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 8 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 9 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 10 of 12 
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 11 of 12
  
  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Part 12 of 12
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
    
• December 06, 2011
• 8:32

  This and That Tuesday: Sharing the Love

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  Wow!  Thank you to Melissa from over at Melissa's Imaginarium
  for giving me an award yesterday!  There were not any rules attached, which are the kinds of awards that I enjoy the most.  Melissa just gave links to several of her blogging friends, and I am going to do the same.  I have featured many of the people on my blog list at the top of the sidebar every now and then, so feel free to visit their awesome blogs when you get a chance. 
  
  Today, I would also like to suggest visiting some of my Sepia Saturday friends, and encourage you to become part of this group if you love old pictures and stories of the past.  It is a very enjoyable blogging community to belong to.  Here are just a few of the regular participants: 
  
  Little Nell @ Hanging On My Word
  Bob @ Bob's Home For Writing
  Karen @ 21 Wits, by Karen
  Alan @ News From Nowhere
  Tickelbear @ Ticklebear
  Nancy @ Ladies of the Grove
  Postcardy @ Postcardy: The Postcard Explorer 
  Liz @ Attics and Old Lace
  
  Some other goings on in Blogland:
  
  Baja Greenawalts is having a contest ... 
  Just "CLICK HERE" to find out the details.
  
  
  Natasha over at 5 Minutes Just for Me has been busy expanding her blogs and weekly parties.  Natasha holds a Friday Pinterest meme for those of you who are involved with that, or would like to be.  For Christmas information and traditions, please visit her at Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive, 365.
  
  
  And, of course, there is my ever favorite holiday blog, Jessa Irene's Holiday Haven ... just "CLICK HERE" to visit her.  This month, it is all about and everything Christmas.
  
  
  
  Looking for some great deals as you get ready for Christmas?  Frugal Living Northwest is an incredible website that is worth looking into.  Just "CLICK HERE" to see for yourself. 
  
  Okay, there you go!  Posts like this take forever, with all the linking up, but I wanted to let you know about some of my other favorite bloggers.  Melissa, see what you started, lol!  Take care, everybody, and have a wonderful week. 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 05, 2011
• 9:08

  Leather and Lace:

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  This song is one of my old time favorites.  It blends the strengths and weaknesses of a woman and a man, as it examples the bringing of them together to compliment each other all into one spot: into a relationship of marriage.  
  
  Stevie Nicks (of Fleetwood Mac) and Don Henley (of The Eagles) collaborated to write this as a wedding song for Waylon Jennings and Jessie Colter.  After all of their hard, work they got a beautiful piece of music and a hit single, but the intended couple did not end up using it.  I'm not sure they ever ended up getting married, which is probably the reason for that. 
  
  I was having a hard time last week.  I needed to clear my head and get an attitude adjustment, so I went on a drive.  I rediscovered the Sunriver Library, which is quite a wonderful little spot.  First off, I bought ten awesome books for a dollar each from the Friends of The Sunriver Library bookshelf.  That began to cheer me up. I am currently enjoying "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner.  I'll need to make a Bargain Book Bonanza post about my score sometime soon. 
  
  The Sunriver Library even has a little "living room", with leather furniture and a huge gas fireplace.  The whole library is set up like Barnes and Noble, Borders or other cool bookstores.  It was very quiet, until the second graders from across the street showed up to listen to a story and check out books on their teacher's library card. 
  
  Eventually, I sat down after grabbing several photography books on Oregon and began flipping through the pages.  I recognized these as books that my Grandma T. had copies of.  Mom has them now, I think.  The surprise was that they were photographed by Ray Atkeson, the guy that I did a report/post on last month.   Please "CLICK HERE" to see more about this remarkable man.  I can't believe that I did a whole report on him and didn't realize that I had seen his work all over the place for years.  I learn something new everyday, especially that I barely know anything at all.
  
  Anyway, back to the song.  On the way home, Leather and Lace came on the radio. I am glad that I heard it at the time I did.  It spoke to me somehow.  It humbled me a bit out of my self-righteous state of mind, reminding me of the differences between men and women, and to periodically show a bit more compassion.  I still copped an attitude for a couple of more days, but am trying to move forward and be a blessing instead of a critic.
  Which songs have spoken to you lately?
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 7:44

  Christmas Decorations for 2011:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  I finally finished decorating the house yesterday.  I might still make make a few changes, but am so glad to be done.  The tree was not cooperative this year and that part was frustrating, though I suppose it wasn't the tree's fault that the stand was damaged.  What you don't see are bungee cords, strings, two belts, an anchor and a brick trying to make sure that the whole thing will not tip over, fully loaded with precious ornaments!
  
  Our tree is a 9' artificial pre-lit tree from Costco and we have had it for around 5 years. I always considered fake trees unworthy to an Oregonion, where many grow trees for a living and ship them across the nation.  I felt that way until I moved to dry Central Oregon and into homes with forced air heat.  No matter how hard that I tried, it was dangerous to plug in our Christmas tree on Christmas morning, so I finally gave up and Cary bought me this fancy artificial one.   It doesn't have the great smell, but it isn't a fire hazard either. 
  
  It is very pretty, but I swear, it takes me longer to figure out how to plug in the lights each year than it does to put the decorations on it.  Almost.  I tie ribbons onto the plugs to find them easier, but even that doesn't always work out.  Oh well, all is well that ends well.
  
  
  The table is simple, and I'm sure that I'll feature a tablescape or two this season.  In the meantime, the vintage tablecloth is a treat to look at.
  
  
  If I can figure out how to capture the true magic of our tree through better lighting, I'll post some more photos.  It really is pretty.  The ornaments are old friends, reminding me of the loved ones who made them or gave them to our family over the years.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Nigel made this one when he was a baby, with the help of our friend and sitter, Mama Bott.
  
  
  
  
  
  A low light shadow shot of some of my Santa collection; the fancy ones are from my step-mom, Jill.
  
  
  
  More pretty pictures of the tree with the flash off.
  
  
  
  
  This one is kind of blurry, but it is the window behind the couch.  We have been having some very pretty days outside lately.
  
  
  
  In the evenings, I light the candles that are dispersed throughout the snowman collection.  I am considering stringing miniature white lights throughout the scene, but I might just leave it as is.
  
  
  This is in the corner between the couch and loveseat.
  
  
  How are you guys doing on your seasonal decorating, if you are?  This year, I kept it simple and less cluttered than usual.  One reason for this is that I don't have my hutch in the living room anymore.  The other reason is that I decided that I don't have to use everything that I have, just the stuff that will look the nicest.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 02, 2011
• 20:36

  Alleyways in Downtown Bend, Oregon: October 2011

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Last October, Cary and I were wandering around Downtown Bend, Oregon, and I took these shots of power-lines in the alleyway:   
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  To see beautiful sky shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:59

  Book Blurb Friday #39 "Elevation: 9000 Feet" and #40 "Wrestling With The Big Sausage" :

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hello!  It is Book Blurb Friday once more.  Last week I was still doing Thanksgiving stuff instead of writing my book blurb, so this week you get to read two of them.  I am noticing a theme running through both of them, all the women seem to want time alone.  That is kind of weird, because I am getting lots to time to do the stuff that I want to do right now, so I'm not talking about me.  I don't think.
  
  Oh well, these may not be the best short stories that I have ever come up with, but I gave it a whirl.  When you are done with me, please visit the other story tellers over at Lisa's Writing in the Buff.
  
  
  "Wrestling with The Big Sausage"
  Source: Sandra Davies @ Lines of Communication
  Wanting some time to herself, Marisa decided to go fishing on her father's boat.  The day was beautiful and the lake calm.  She packed a nice fried chicken lunch, her fishing gear and her book and walked out to the dock.
  
  The boat was a handcrafted beauty.  A master boat-builder, her father had labored over it for a whole year.  They kept it at the family cabin on Lake Provalone, in Italy.   
  
  For those of you dear readers who may be unaware, Lake Provalone is where the huge fish known as The Big Sausage resides.  As you may guess, Marisa will be coming into contact with T.B.S. on this little outing ... but will she end up in the water with him, or not?  If so, will handsome Mario rescue her, or not?  If your inquiring mind would like to find out, it is time to buy this book! (150)
  
  
  "Elevation: 9,000 Feet"
  Source: Lynn Obermoeller @ Present Letters
  For the past 15 years, best friends Justine and Daria make plans for a week together, alone.  That means no husbands, children, and no ties to work. The other rule is that they have to choose someplace that is at least 9,000 feet in elevation. 
  
  This year, they are planning on going skiing at Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon.  Past vacations have included: Crystal Colorado, "Quinto", a campground in New Mexico, and Bryce Canyon National Park. 
  
  This year there is a twist.  Daria is done with the friendship.  She has designs on Justine's husband Frank, and plans to kill Justine, making it their last 9000’ foot vacation. 
  
  Will Daria's evil plan succeed?  How will she accomplish making the murder look like an accident? Or, will fate step in and change the direction of events?  You are sure to enjoy reading this thriller of deceit, lies, and a friendship gone bad. (150) 
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• December 01, 2011
• 8:54

  Sepia Saturday #103: Sacred Heart General Hospital Nursing School

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  
  It is that time of the week again, time for Sepia Saturday!   I try to join in each week, sharing a bit of history with you about either my family or parts of Oregon that interest me.  This week, it was very easy for me to be on theme as the theme is nurses on the go.  My Mom, Jolene Johnson, is a registered nurse who graduated from nursing school at Sacred Heart General Hospital in Eugene, Oregon in 1958.  After a decade or so of working at the hospital, she transferred to the company's Home Health Department, where she worked until her retirement.  After retirement, Mom went on medical mission trips to Guatemala eleven times with Cascade Medical Teams.  Currently, she is a parish nurse at her church.  Once a nurse, always a nurse, it seems to me.  Thanks, Mom, for all you have done to help others throughout your life. 
  
  Below, the lovely ladies are proudly holding their diplomas.  In the midst of studying for her nursing license, Mom (Jolene) got married and had me.  I enlarged these so you can see them better, so please scroll all the way over to the right so that you can see Mom:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I always loved her cape.  I'm sure it is still hanging in her bedroom closet.  Those nursing caps and uniforms were a sign of honer, but those caps must have been a pain to stay on.  The bobby pins that held them down were white, the uniforms were white, their shoes and stockings were white.  Now when you go to the hospital, everybody wears scrubs and you can't tell who is who!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Everybody signed their names on the back of the picture above.  Of course, this was Mom's copy, so I don't see her signature:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  As I was looking around the internet for a bit of information and photos about historical Sacred Heart, I really didn't find much.  I did find this neat collection of sepia photos of nurses around the Pacific Northwest though:  Flicker Page: PNW Nursing Photos.  
  
  Over time, Sacred Heart General Hosptial became part of the PeaceHealth Medical Group.  Here is a page on their website sharing the first 75 years of the company's history:
  PeaceHealth Celebrates 75 Years: Historical Timeline
  
  I also came across this interesting bit of information about The Nightengale Pledge , which is essentially the nurses oath.  
  
  The Nightingale Pledge was composed by Lystra Gretter, an instructor of nursing at the old Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and was first used by its graduating class in the spring of 1893.  It is an adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians. 
  
  
  
  
  "I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."
  As a side bit, I also found a voice recording of Florence Nightingale on You Tube. Pretty neat stuff: 
  
  
  
  I hope that you enjoyed this bit of Oregon history, along with a bit of my family history.  Happy Sepia Saturday!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 29, 2011
• 8:37

  Eugene Skyline From the Fourth Floor:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Last Wednesday afternoon, Cary and I went to Eugene and checked into the EUGENE HILTON AND CONFERENCE CENTER.  They placed us in a room on the fourth floor on the back side of the hotel.  We have stayed there before where we were facing 6th Street, and this was much quieter.  We enjoyed the view, and I took a bunch of pictures from our little balcony.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 28, 2011
• 7:55

  Custom Christmas Cards, Set #2:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Here is your chance to purchase a set of ten beautiful handcrafted cards for only $40.00, plus postage! I'll take my name off the front, and write whatever you would like in its place, leaving the inside blank for your handwritten message. Cards will be mailed back to you super quick. If you buy less than ten, then they are $4.50 a piece, plus postage.  Here is the link to Set #1:  
  
  
  "B-1" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews"B-2" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-3" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-4" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-5" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-6" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-7" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-8" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-9" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B-10" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  If you would prefer other photos that I have taken and posted on my blog that is cool too.  No people though!  Except for this one...
  "Boy"Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Larger photos are also available.  To order, please email me by copying and pasting this address: oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy@hotmail.com, indicating
  re: "Card Order" .  Thanks!  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 27, 2011
• 18:07

  Custom Christmas Cards, Set #1:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Here is your chance to purchase a set of ten beautiful handcrafted cards for only $40.00, plus postage!  I'll take my name off the front, and write whatever you would like in its place, leaving the inside blank for your handwritten message.  Cards will be mailed back to you super quick.  If you buy less than ten, then they are $4.50 a piece, plus postage.  
  
  "A"Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "B"Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "C" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "D" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "E" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "F" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "G" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "H" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "I" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "J" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you would prefer other photos that I have taken and posted on my blog that is cool too.  No people though!  Except for this one...
  
  "Boy"Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Larger photos are also available.  To order, please email me by copying and pasting this address: oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy@hotmail.com, indicating
  re: "Card Order" .  Thanks!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:58

  Thanksgiving Trip 2011:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Cary and I left for Eugene on Wednesday.  We kind of snuck into town a day early for some time to ourselves.  Our first stop was to take a look at McCredie Hot Springs on the way.  We took some pictures and enjoyed the beauty, but we didn't get in them.  Here is a link to the post that I made yesterday about this pretty place: "The Hotel McCredie Hot Springs"
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Driving into Downtown Eugene, we saw the Occupy Wall Street folks camped out under the bridge.  I'm sorry, but I still don't understand this whole thing:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We checked into the Eugene Hilton, which is located smack in the middle of downtown.  It was very nice and for some reason, VERY CHEAP, at only $87.00 a night.  The room was standard, and very comfortable.  We enjoyed the balcony with it's view and fresh air.  We were on the 4th floor, which gave us a nice view without being up too high:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We walked across the street and ate at The Sixth Street Grill.  Cary had fish and chips, and I had the BEST hamburger that I have ever eaten.  Toppings included grilled onion, two kinds of cheese, bacon, fresh avacado, lettuce and tomato.  Yumm!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The next morning I took photos of the sunrise, and then I walked around the hotel lobby and took lots of pictures of the Christmas decorations:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There was a cool artwork display featuring paintings by Anne Teigen.  Here is one of them; I may do a blog post on her sometime:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We packed up, and were out of there by 8:30 Thursday morning.  We drove to Springfield, picked up my son Nigel and his girlfriend Alicia and took them to breakfast at Shari's.  I can't believe that I didn't take any pictures of them; sorry you guys.  We had a nice visit, took Alicia back home because she had to work, and then drove over to the church.  Here is an earlier photo of this lovely couple:  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thanksgiving Dinner:
  
  For years, we have been gathering for Thanksgiving dinner at the Fellowship Hall at my Mom's church.  This year there were between 45 and 50 of us and it was a smaller group than usual.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Alex, Ethan and Nigel
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Nanny and Brooklynn
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Uncle Frank and my cousin Scott
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My sister Julie.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My oldest, Kari.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Uncle Chunk, Cary and Uncle Frank solve world affairs.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Rachel and Kinsey
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Kristin, Nanny and Kari
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My Mom likes the cards that I made for her.
  My friend Patty and her family surprised us by stopping by to say hello.  That was so neat!  Patty and her family used to live across the street when the girls were babies, and we have reconnected on Facebook:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Me and Patty
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Patty, Sarah, Greg and Christopher
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Nigel, Kari, Patty and Kristin
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews My sister Angie and my Aunt Mardy.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My BIL, Joe.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My cousin, Amy.
  
  
  I took many more pictures of our gathering and posted them on Facebook.  The settings on my camera were messed up, and my inside shots didn't turn out as well as I wanted them too. Dang! We had a wonderful time; we all appreciate and look forward to our Thanksgiving dinner.  
  Cary and I drove home that afternoon.  The road over the pass didn't have very much snow, but it was very icy.  Our trip was great, but we were happy to get home.
  I hope that you guys all had a wonderful time on this long weekend too! 
  Kathy M.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 26, 2011
• 9:39

  Sepia Saturday 102: The Hotel McCredie Springs

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  Welcome once again to Sepia Saturday!  I may be stretching this a bit to claim that I am on theme this week, but I have included a sign and a business.  To see what others have written this weekend after Thanksgiving, please "CLICK HERE",  after you are all done here at Oregon Gifts.  Thanks!
  
  
  
  
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.comOregon Hot Springs Map Courtesy of The Oregonian
  
  The Hotel McCredie Springs
  "Frank Warner"
  
  
  In 1878, a trapper named Frank Warner discovered a series of hot springs as he hiked an Indian trail on Salt Creek in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  Frank staked a claim and built himself a cabin, living there until the early 1900's.  He probably would have stayed there, living happily ever after, if the U.S. Forest Service had not come into existence and kicked him off of his land. Dang! It was public domain at it's best; such a piece of property was claimed for public use instead of private.   (I don't know if the picture above is of Frank's cabin, but it could be.  It was in the group of McCredie Hot Spring historical photos that I am using courtesy of The Lane County Historical Society.)
  
  "John Hardin"
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
  If you were pretty smart and a developer from Eugene, you could still figure out how to get your hands on that land though.  This is exactly what John Hardin did in 1911.  Knowing that the law allowed you to file a mineral claim if there was salt around, he did just that, on land at Salt Creek near the hot springs.  Come to find out, Mr. Hardin never did intend to become a salt miner, he just wanted to build a resort.  It seems that he leased the land from the Forest Service and got to work.  By 1914, the hotel was completed and open for business.  
  
  "Walter 'Judge' McCredie"
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
   Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
  Two years later, in 1916, John Hardin let go of the resort and a certain baseball player named Judge, from Portland, eventually took it over. (One account says this happened in 1916, another states 1926.)  
  
  Source: Judge Walter McCredie
  Quite a character and owner of a semi-professional baseball team (The Portland Beavers), Walter "Judge" McCredie bought the hotel with the idea of using it as a baseball camp.  Judge brought his baseball team members up frequently to relax, soak in the hot water, and to just enjoy themselves.  The name McCredie Springs stuck. 
  
  
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
  
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
    Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
   Source: Lane County Historical Society.com  Source: Lane County Historical Society.com
  You could get to the hotel by car, but by 1923 the train was an easier option. The resort was a favorite of those living in Eugene and Portland, and was at its most popular during the 1930's.  The train stopped up to five times daily to drop off and pick up travelers.
  
  "The Madam" 
  By the 1940's the resort had changed hands several times, and began to fall out of favor as a destination resort.  In the late 1940's it was managed by a madam, and actually became a bordello.  There were three shifts of prostitutes working daily.  The woman gave the Forest Service and local sheriff fits, but they failed to close down her operation.  She threatened them with guns, and would always seem to make bail and get right back to work.  When her work was finally complete at the resort in the 1950's, she left without any trouble. (I still need to research her and learn more of her story, which shouldn't be very difficult and quite interesting.)
  
  "George Owen"  A man named George Owen took over the resort next.  Poor George would be the last owner.  The hotel burned to the ground in 1958; and then a major flood in 1964 wiped out the bridge that crossed Salt Creek; how you got to the lodge.  After the flood, the Forest Service took the lease back from George Owen.  They burned the remaining buildings, removing nearly every remaining trace of the establishment.  The pools are now primitive soaking pools along the river.  (I paraphrased much of this information from Jeff Birkby's book, "Touring Washington and Oregon Hot Springs" c. 2002, p. 90-91.  Jeff has a whole chapter full of interesting facts about this cool spot to visit.)
  
  
  "Present Day" Cary and I like to stop there and stretch our legs when we travel to Eugene.  I have done several posts with photos of the river before, and you can see them if you would like by  "CLICKING HERE"  and by " CLICKING HERE: "Naked in Nature",  and here: "Road Trip, May 2010.
  
  The area was flooded again in 2010, and the river has changed course.  It wiped out some of the pools.  We stopped there on Wednesday, and I was very surprised at how different things are now.  There are three main pools, and two are super hot.  The big pool is not as muddy as it used to be.  Here are some of the pictures that I took that day:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I found this live video of Salt Creek and McCredie Hot Springs on You Tube ... 
  
  
  So, there you go for this week's little story about some Oregon history.  Happy Sepia Saturday! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 23, 2011
• 7:08

  Happy Thanksgiving 2011:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews ~ Postcard Source: Bing Images
  Hello, Friends! 
  
  I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, and that the weather won't get in the way of your get together.  We are trying to make sure that it won't get in our way as we go over the mountain and through the woods to go to Eugene.  Here is the link to last year's family celebration, if you want to check out what we do on Thanksgiving: "Thanksgiving 2010".
  
  For those of you who visit Oregon Gifts from other countries, I wish you a happy day tomorrow, even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving. 
  
  Thanksgiving is a true American holiday in the sense that it celebrates the day when the Pilgrims and the Indians joined together for a feast so long ago.  For some wonderful Thanksgiving decorating, food ideas and history, please click on this link and visit Jessa Irene over at Holiday Haven.  You won't be disappointed!  There is one post in particular where Jessa Irene sums things up very nicely for us: "Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas and Tips"
  
  God bless, and I'll be back on here soon.  I think it is safe to say that I'll be late with Book Blurb Friday and Sepia Saturday this week.
  
  Thanksgiving is also very close our grandson Casey's birthday.  This year, he will be eleven.  Wow!  I love this recent picture of Casey and his dog Boomer that my daughter Kari took:
  
  
  Source:  Kari's Facebook Photos
  Hugs,
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 21, 2011
• 7:56

  Bits of Blue Among the Snow:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  I took these on Saturday, around the yard.  It was so pretty outside!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is a Blue Monday post.  Blue Monday is a delightful linky party hosted by our lovely Smiling Sally.  To show off your pretty blues, or to see what others have posted, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:34

  Homemade Beef Jerky and Easy Steak Stir Fry:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Homemade Beef Jerky
  To tell you the truth, I didn't set out to make beef jerky.  I spotted the bowl of stir fry sliced veggie's for $3.99 and that inspired me to make stir fry.  I asked the guy in the meat department what kind of steak that I should use for stir fry, and he directed me toward the London Broil Top Round Steak, which happened to also be on sale.  The family pack that I bought was close to $11.00.
  
  I thought that if I marinated the steak first that it would have more flavor, so I gathered what I had on hand and got to work. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Beer?  Yep.  Beer is a cheap meat tenderizer and the alcohol burns off during the cooking process.  Into my covered container, I poured in the can of beer, one can of beef broth, 1/2 cup of soy sauce, some Worcestershire sauce, sliced green onions and a couple of tablespoons of minced garlic.  It looked like this:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I then took half of the steak in the package and sliced it thinly:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   And then I soaked the sliced steak in the fridge for overnight:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I cubed the rest of the steak to use later.  I was going to use it for beef stew sometime and actually froze it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The next day, I thought, hey, I wonder if I can make jerky out of those sliced pieces of steak?  Why not give it a try?  I could still use my beef chunks and the remaining marinade for the stir fry.  So I arranged all the sliced steak onto one tray and dehydrated it on high for around 6 hours until it was done.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Man, it tastes so good!  Some of the larger pieces still had a bit of moisture in them but I didn't want to keep the dehydrator on overnight, so I stopped the cooking process.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I placed the jerky in a freezer Ziplock and put it in the fridge.  I'm sure if I would have cooked it for longer it would have been fine in a canning jar in the cupboard though:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Easy Steak Stir Fry
  Next, I took the cubed steak out of the freezer and plopped it into the rest of the marinade.  I let it thaw throughout the afternoon, breaking it up and stirring it when I thought about it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When it was time for dinner, I took out some oil and the bowl of prepared stir fry pieces.  I had veggie oil on hand; other people might prefer olive oil.  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I heated up a thin coating of oil on the bottom of the pan and then added the marinated meat.  I cooked it for about 10 minutes by itself before I added the veggie's.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After the meat had a good head start, I added the veggies and some of the marinating sauce, and cooked until the vegetables were done:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Ti-da!  It was very good.  If I would have thought about making rice in time, I would have.  But for Cary and I, this was a tasty dinner just as it was:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you have any questions, just leave me a comment and I'll answer you the best that I can. 
  
  Enjoy, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 19, 2011
• 9:03

  Sepia Saturday #101: J.C. Johnson and Sallie Paralander Hunton Johnson of Summers, AR

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Here is this week's Sepia Saturday theme.  "The Greatest Chevorlet ... A Six in the Price Range of the Four."  To see what the other participants of Sepia Saturday posted this week, please CLICK HERE.
  
  
  I really didn't know what that meant, so I Googled the phrase, and came up with this informative link that explained things nicely,  Auto How Stuff Works: 1929 Chevolet Series.
  
  They are discussing this neat car ...
  
   Source: Auto How Stuff Works: 1929 Chevolet Series
  And now, this post will change course and tie into one of  my favorite topics, my family.  This week, like last week, I am featuring my Dad's side of the family in Summers, Arkansas.  My great-aunt Mabel Johnson Henderson is shown below next to a 1955 Chevy:
  
  Source:  Suzanne Henderson's Facebook Photos
  Aunt Mabel is the oldest child of my great-grandparents, John Chapman (J.C.) "Chat" Johnson and Sallie Paralander Hunton Johnson.  
  
  Source:  Carolyn Hawley Facebook Photos
  J.C. was born on March 8, 1879 and died on April 23, 1933.  He died before my Dad was born, and I just don't have too many stories about him so far.  One thing of note, J.C. was the Justice of the Peace of Levying Court in Wedington twice, serving a one year term in 1918-1919 and then again during 1927-1928.  
  
  Sallie was born on December 1, 1880 and died on November 21, 1962.  Here is some info about her ancestors.  (I'm trying to gather as much information all into one spot to make things easy for family members.)
  
  
  Source:  www.geni.com
  Here are some pictures of her with my Ralph (my Dad), Delmar (my Grandpa) and Agnes (my Grandma):
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsGreat-grandma Sallie Johnson with baby Ralph
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsGreat-grandma Sallie Johnson with young Ralph
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsSallie, Delmar and Agnes Johnson
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Delmar with his mother, Sallie
  
  The couple was married on September 2, 1900, in Washington County, Arkansas.  J.C. was 21 and Sallie was 20. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Mattehws
  
  J.C. and Sallie began their family, and are pictured below with Mabel and George: 
  
  Source: Carolyn Hawley's Facebook Photos
  They had five children who lived, Mabel, George (Joe), Carl, Delmar and Chloe.  I featured them last week, and you can "CLICK HERE" to go to that post.  Here is a picture of them, minus Chloe who was not born when this picture was taken:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Source:  Suzanne Henderson Facebook Photos
  
  The babies who died were:  
  Roby Lee Johnson (July 2, 1901-July 29, 1901)
  Clara (Clarie) Johnson (June 2, 1902, stillborn)
  Noel Neice Johnson (January 11, 1916 - April 26, 1916)
  Owen Franklin Johnson (March 21, 1918, stillborn)
  
  On November 14, 1912, J.C. and Sallie bought 40 farming acres for $1,125.00:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews (scanned from Washington County, Arkansas Courthouse Records)
  
  Here is another deed regarding Sallie's purchase of more property, using the 40 acres to secure the debt:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews (scanned from Washington County, Arkansas Courthouse Records)
  I still have so much to learn about these great-grandparents of mine.  I do know that besides being a wife, mother and grandmother, Grandma Sallie was a quilter, and part of the Weddington Quilting Club.  Here is a cool photo of the ladies of the club in 1966 (Grandma Sallie died in 1962, so she's not pictured.)
  
  
  Weddington Quilting Club, Source:  Suzanne Henderson's Facebook PhotosI was fortunate to inherit the wedding quilt that Grandma Sallie made for my Grandpa Delmar and Grandma Agnes:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Don't worry, we didn't really eat at this pretty table.  I wouldn't get this quilt dirty.  It is around 76-years-old now.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is Grandpa J.C.'s Obituary:
  
  
  
  
  J.C. Johnson "John Chapman Johnson was born March 8, 1879, three miles south of Wedington and lived there to the age of 54 years, one month, 15 days, when our blessed Master, who doeth all things well, saw fit to call him to rest on the morning of April 23,  1933.  
  
  On September 2, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Hunton.  To this union were born nine children, four of whom have proceeded him in death.
  He is survived by his wife and five children:  George, Mrs. Mabel Henderson, Carl, Delmar and Chloe, and three grandchildren.  He also leaves three brothers and two sisters besides other relatives and many friends who morn his departure.
  He professed faith in Christ in his earlier days and joined the Methodist church, but through neglect he drifted from God, but later in life there came a message from the Father above, calling his prodigal son to come home.  He accepted this great invitation, which was proven by the many wonderful testimonies that were witnessed during his illness.
  Funeral services were held at the Baptist church of Wedington conducted by Brother Dees.  After two songs.  Death is "Only a Dream"  and "Swing Open the Gates of Heaven." which was his favorite song, a wonderful message was delivered from the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes.  Pyeatts funeral service took charge and he was laid to rest."
  
  I noticed that Grandpa J.C.'s favorite hymn was Swing Open the Gates of Heaven and I found a beautiful version of it on You Tube.  It seems to have several interchangeable titles; I hope this is the one that was his favorite:
  
  
  ">[www.youtube.com]
  
  And here is a copy of Grandma Sallie's funeral program:
  
  Source:  Suzanne Henderson's Facebook Photos
  
  Source:  Carolyn Hawley's Facebook Photos
  So, this is what I have so far.  I hope that you enjoyed it!  If you are a relative with anymore info, please let me know.  Thank you so much to my cousin's Suzanne and Carolyn for their help.
  
  Kathy M.
  
  Here are some other links to posts about this side of my family:
  The Johnson's of Summers, Arkansas
  Grandma Agnes Johnson
  1975 Bi-Centennial Trip to Summers, Arkansas
  Ralph's Baby Book and The Book From Aunt Maude
  The Johnson Children of Summers, Arkansas
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 18, 2011
• 8:32

  Winter's First Snowfall in La Pine:

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This morning, we woke up to this!  Our first snowstorm of the year.  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was a predicted storm, and not a surprise.  I should not have procrastinated about bringing in the lawn furniture.  Still, it helps to show how much snow has accumulated.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oh, remember Peggy, the stray cat that I was willing to help out from yesterday?  She's not a stray.  She's not even hungry.  Canned cat food is just her crack.  She was begging for food yesterday when I got home, so I gave her some dry food.  Just took one look and walked away!  She must live next door; here is her path:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  And here she is eating poor Mange's food.  As if Mange doesn't have enough problems:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsPeggy, you are mooch!  Go back home. 
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  To see some cool looking sky shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:53

  Book Blurb Friday #38 : Fairy Tales Do Come True ...

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The sunset on the Biloxi beach was breathtaking.  Vicki took off her bikini and followed her husband Terry into the warm water of the gulf.  They swam out to where it was chest high, stood up and smiled at each other.  Today was their 20th wedding anniversary.  Three children later, they couldn't believe their luck in choosing one another as lifetime mates.  It had always been true love between the two.
  
  Damn it!  It was that stupid dream again.  Vicki awoke and wiped away her tears angrily as she realized that today would have been their anniversary.  Why did that jerk have to go and leave them anyway?  Here she was, dealing cards at The Beau Rivage casino, and doing her best to raise the kids single-handedly.  
  
  Maybe fairy tales sometimes do come true, but in her case they sure hadn't.  Vicki was due for a new prince charming.  (150)
  
  
  
  Thank you to Joe Claro, Lisa's husband for this week's fantastic photo!  BBF is fun, and you can play too.  Pretend that the picture of the river is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa Ricard Claro gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  
  Thank you very much for your continued prayers for Lisa's nephew Daniel and his friend, who were burned in a house fire last week.  The other day, Lisa posted this update on her blog about the two teens:
  
  "Great news about Daniel! He's off the respirator and is eating JELL-O and chicken soup. Yay! He is still quite sedated, but his prognosis is excellent. The worst part for him now is the changing of the dressings which takes about 90 minutes and is excruciating. He will be in the hospital for many weeks while his healing is monitored and it is determined if/when skin grafts should be done.
  
  The young lady is still in ICU and on a respirator. She has contracted pneumonia which is complicating her chance for recovery.
  
  Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!"
   
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 17, 2011
• 8:50

  What's Up, Chick?

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  Hello, Friends!
  
  I realize that I haven't been on here and just written a journal entry for so long.  I have been busy doing forest posts, blog maintenance and meme's, but no Chatty Kathy posts.  That is what this one is going to be.
  
  
  New Phone:
  
  So, what has been new around this joint?  Well, I was talked into getting a smart phone, for one thing.  (Yes, I have the GPS feature turned off for when/if I take a picture from it so you can't track me down.)  It was proposed to me like this, from my best friend husband:  "Either you get one, or I will."  Of course, I had to pick me.
  
  Do I love my new phone?  Yes and no.  It is too hard for me, but I am trying.  The thing is, if I stumble across something that it does that I like (and there are so many of those), I can't seem to figure out how to make it do the same thing again.  The first two days I didn't know how to answer it.  I had to call people back, lol!  You see, I have to slide things now instead of clicking on them.  Speaking of sliding, I no longer have a hard keyboard, and that is very hard for me to get used to.  I have had my share of frustration over the past week with my new baby.  I mainly just wish my 53-year-old eyes and short-term memory were better, and that is really not the phone's fault.
  
  Here is the phone that I got.  Due to the fact that we are still in contact with a provider other than AT&T or Verizon, an I-Phone wasn't an option.  This phone seems to be their answer to an I-Phone though.  I do like that this phone is flat, and that it has a full 4" screen.  When I am doing the dishes, it fits well on my shoulder without slipping away ... an important feature for me!  (I know, I am easy to please, trying to celebrate the joy in all things small or big.)  Also, it was free to us, so that part is super good too.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  New Books:
  Early last summer, we were up The McKenzie, and stopped in Harbick's Country Store.  While waiting in line to use the restroom, I spotted their book rack.  Having a bit of extra money in my pocket, I treated myself to four of William L. Sullivan's books.  I knew of him, a writer just a few years older than myself who lives in Eugene with his wife Janelle.  I brought the books home and put them with my research books thinking that someday they would be of help when I got down to working on my "Early Oregon Series" blogs.  Turns out I called that one right on.  I began reading them this week, and to me, they are fascinating and are filling in a bunch of empty spots in my knowledge of Oregon.  
  
  
  I have a couple of Bill's hiking books, but these are the ones that I bought that fateful day:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Listening for Coyote, which I am currently reading, he hikes alone 1361 miles through the wilderness of Oregon in his own plotted out "New Oregon Trail."  This book is so fascinating to me, and Bill's style of writing is very engaging.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This book, Oregon Favorites: Trails and Tales is brand new, the copyright is 2011.  It is full of color photos about places to go and see and a bit about each suggestion.  NICE!  I can't wait to sit down and read through it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I read part of Hiking Oregon's History first.  It answers so many of my questions and has a lot of interesting bits of history, including info on road building over the passes that connected the different regions of Oregon.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Cabin Fever is the story of Bill and Janelle building a log cabin by hand in a roadless part of the Oregon Wilderness by the coast.  Their family spends most of the summer there each year.  I look forward to reading this book very much. 
  
  Needless to say, this is enough to keep me busy for awhile.  If you would like to know more about William L. Sullivan and his books, here is the link to his website: Oregon Hiking.com
  
  
  New Cat:
  
  Well, what else?  I think that we may have another stray cat about to join the family.  This one is totally healthy, and she is pretty hungry.  Cary doesn't know about her for sure yet, but I've already named her Peggy. Like the customer service guy on the Visa commercial.  Maybe she'll come inside sometime and enjoy it; Mange never has gotten the hang of being indoors. 
  
  I'm off to get my snow tires on this morning and do payroll, so I'd better get going.  Oh, do you like my new look?  I hope so, I do.  Have a wonderful day, and I'll be back tomorrow with Book Blurb Friday. 
  
  God bless,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 16, 2011
• 11:26

  Watery Wedensday #162: The Oregon Coast Aquarium 2009

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  For the past week, I have been reorganizing parts of my blog.  On the sidebar there are many more links for you to explore, especially under the headings "I Love Central Oregon" and "I Love Oregon".  This is one that I just went through and added this morning, a post with photos taken at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in 2009.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To see a few beautiful pictures and more regular ones that are in the post please "CLICK HERE".  
  
  This is a Watery Wednesday post.  If you want to see some beautiful shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".   You can add your own beautiful watery photos too.  Thanks!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:39

  Country Wedding Tablescape:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  This past summer, my cousin Jen married her true love, Nash.  I did one post about the wedding then (please "CLICK HERE and scroll down" to see it).  That post mainly featured the guests.  This post concentrates on the decorations and table settings.  I hope that you will enjoy this sunny summer scene as winter is now upon us.  Maybe it will inspire you for future summer happenings?
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsBunting was used to mark traffic areas.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsEach table had a floral centerpiece, buttons, candles and jam.  I loved the canning jars.  It was simple and pretty; but there was so much attention to detail.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsEach guest had a place setting.  The apple served as the spot where our names were placed.  The canning jar glasses and the homemade jam were party favors sent home with us.  So thoughtful!
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHere was where the bottled water and pop was placed, with some snacks.  There was a separate bar located on the side of the garage.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis was the or-devours serving table, set up at the end of the old truck.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The cake was beautiful, with a big button "S" on top.  Buttons were all over the place; Jen has spent a long time collecting them.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis was so sweet, and thoughtful too.  The pictures were of Jen's Grandpa Lee, who had passed away several years ago, and family from Nash's side.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCan you see the button garland hanging from the trees?
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThese little fans on the back of each chair were also souvenirs made from wallpaper samples.  The other side has the name of the bride and groom and the date.  Too cute!
  
  The Bride and Groom:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsJen and Nash
  
  There were many things that I didn't get pictures of for some silly reason, but they are worth mentioning.  The gift table greeted us as we walked in, and there was a 4' wire white birdcage for the cards.  On another table closeby, there was a large mailbox with hundreds of pretty postcards and lots of pens beside the guest book.  After signing the guest book, we were encouraged to write a special message to the newlyweds and drop it into the mailbox.   Everytime I turned around, there was another special detail that was there to bless the bride and groom and/or the guests.  Never have I felt so welcome at an event as I did at this wedding.  Thanks, you guys, you did a wonderful job.
  This is a Tablescape Thursday post.  To see many more beautiful tablescapes,  please pay Susan at Between Naps on the Porch a visit when Thursday gets here by "CLICKING HERE".
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 14, 2011
• 8:07

  Pringle Falls Experimental Forest in La Pine, Oregon:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Just outside of La Pine, Oregon on Burgess Road, on your way toward Cascade Lakes Highway, there is an experimental forest right before you get to Pringle Falls.  This summer, my husband Cary and I stopped there to look around, and then drove up to the top of the mountain behind it.
  
  The Pringle Falls Experimental Forest is one of several such research forests in the state of Oregon.  It was developed in 1931.  Here is a cool map of where these special forests are located.   I obtained it from this link provided by Oregon State University:  "Bole Decomposition Rates of Seventeen Tree Species in Western USA"
  
  Source:  Oregon State University Research Paper
  These are the photos that we took that day. It was pretty, warm and peaceful.  If you happen to be driving by, why not stop and take a look for yourself?
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  #1:  The Multi-Age Forest:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  #2:  The Same-Age Forest
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  #3:  The Turn-of-the-Century Forest
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To learn more about this cool place, please click on the research paper below.  I have posted more links at the bottom of this post, but this link is very thorough and full of history.  It was written in 2007 by Les Joslin:
  
  Ponderosa Promise: A History of U.S. Forest Service Research in Central Oregon
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  My handsome driver took me up to the top of the hill behind the forest.  The road was pretty good, since it was summer and dry.  The area seemed pretty undisturbed, like we were the only recent folks to travel on it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I thought that we were looking at Davis Lake down below, but looking at the map it could have been Wickiup Lake instead. We stopped at the top, and then turned back around.  Our cell phones worked, but we were at the end of our drive that day and didn't feel like exploring further.
  
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The marker says Road 500.  This area is just plain old.   I kept thinking of Indians and hunters and people being buried there for some reason.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was so quiet, and very pretty.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There had been deer around, but we didn't actually see any; just their evidence. 
  
  If you get the chance, stop by and take a look at the markers.  That part is visible from Burgess Road, and is very accessible.  For further information, please check out some of these links:
  
  Link to an OSU Powerpoint Presentation about the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest: Ponderosa Pine Management
  
  Forest Service: Experimental Forests, Pringle Falls
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 12, 2011
• 7:48

  Sepia Saturday #100: Johnson Children, Summers AR

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  Today marks Sepia Saturday's 100th week!  Yay, and congratulations to Alan, Kat and the rest.  This is such a fun group of people to be a part of.  I am so happy that I discovered Sepia Saturday in February.  If you have old pictures that you would like to share, please do.  Just "CLICK HERE" to learn more, or to see what others have posted.
  
  
  This week, I am just sharing some photos of my Dad's side of the family, the Johnsons of Summers, Arkansas.  The only thing that has to do with "100" might be the second photo, which is around 99 years old, if I have done my math right.  I thank my cousins Suzanne and Carolyn for the use of their Facebook photos for this post.  The slide show I made myself, awhile back.
  
   Source:  Suzanne Henderson Smith PhotosThis picture is of my Great-Grandmother, Sallie Hunton Johnson, my Grandpa Delmar's mother.  I made a post in March that has my Great-Grandpa John Chadwick Johnson's obituary and a photo of the family home:  The Johnsons of Summers, Arkansas.
  
   Source:  Suzanne Henderson Smith PhotosMabel, Delmar (my Grandpa), George (Joe) and Carl Johnson, c. 1912.  Summers, Arkansas
  Source:  Carolyn Hawley Photos
  My cousin Carolyn has the baby christening dress that the Johnson babies wore, framed on her wall.
  
  
  Source:  Suzanne Henderson Smith Photos
  This may have been taken in 1975, when my family went back to Summers to visit everybody.  Here, the kids are all grown up, and have a baby sister.  Standing up in the back are Carl, Mabel, and Chloe.  Sitting down are George (Joe) and Delmar.
  
  I have posted the slide show below a couple of times, so some of you have seen it before.  I spelled my Grandpa's name wrong all the way through it ... but until I met my cousins, I always thought it was spelled with an "e"!  This slide show has some of these guys in it, but the real topic is my dad, Ralph Johnson:
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 11, 2011
• 15:04

  Book Blurb Friday #37: Love Among the Pines

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  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   Thank you to Lisa for choosing one of my favorite photos that I have ever taken for this week's photo prompt.  If you enjoy the photo of the river below, you will probably also like the original post for additional pictures:  The Donald G. McGregor Memorial Viewpoint.
  
  
  First, though, I do have a prayer request:
  
  
  Source:  Eloise Wilkin
  Before we get started, I would like to ask you for prayer for Lisa's nephew Daniel, 17, and his friend.  A few days ago, Daniel's home caught on fire.  He got out, but his friend was trapped inside, so he went back in to help her out.  They both escaped through a second story window, and are severely burned.  Please keep them and their families lifted up and remembered in your prayers for a long time to come.  Thank you.
  
  Here is the book blurb for this week:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "Love Among the Pines"byKathy Matthews
  
  Tom Davis met Delores Lacey when they were both hired to work on the film "Rooster Cogburn" in Central Oregon.  The year was 1975.  Tom was a set carpenter, and Delores was a costume designer.  Tom still enjoys carpentry, and Delores will never quit sewing, unless her eyes give out. 
  
  Sitting around the wood-stove on cold winter evenings, the couple enjoys reminiscing about their glory days, when they worked alongside John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn.  They loved one spot on the Big Deschutes outside of La Pine, Oregon especially so.  As the film was winding down and their love was burning bright, the young couple were married there.  Cast, crew and family members who could attend, did.  Not surprisingly, few many family members were absent!
  
  This book is a rare and wonderful glimpse into the making of a popular movie that sparked a true, forever, life-long love.  (149)
  
  
  Source: Stare Dobre Czasy
  Though the story above is something that I just made up, "Rooster Cogburn" really was partially filmed in Central Oregon in 1975.  The movie was a sequel to the 1969 "True Grit".  John Wayne played Rooster, a Federal Marshall who had been stripped of his badge for his drinking.  One day, something bad happened in a town in Indian Territory and Eula Goodnight, (Katherine Hepburn) hired Rooster to set things right and find out who killed her father.
  
  Source: Smithsonian National Photo Gallery
  
  BBF is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture of the river is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:39

  Friday Morning Sunrise:

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The sunrise this morning was so pretty! 
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  For more beautiful sky shots worldwide, please "CLICK HERE" to visit other bloggers to see what they have captured.
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:01

  New Kitchen Curtains and Easy Tablecloth Tutorial:

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  Yesterday was a productive stay-at-home day.  I made a couple of double batches of playdough, installed a Magic.Jack on our computer to have a phone number for my gifts business, and made new kitchen curtains and a tablecloth.
  
  I had some fabric that I had bought a couple of years ago that looked pretty, and went with the rose and color theme of our living area.
  
  
  This is what the kitchen window looked like before:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is what it looks like now (sorry it is blurry ... I need to figure out what is going on with my camera):
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is how I made them.  To make  your curtains more ruffly than mine, measure your window across and then double it.  I was just using what I had on hand, so I took my piece of fabric, which was 1 1/2 yards long.  I folded it in half, and cut it down the middle.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Then I got out my little ironing board and heated up my iron.  Your iron can be your best friend when you are sewing.  It can even save you from having to use pins in many cases.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Next, I worked on finishing off the edges.  I do this before I sew anything.  I turned folded on the white line (where there was one) and ironed that down flat.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Then, I folded the fabric again and ironed some more.  I did this on three sides, but not along the top.  I could have though.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It is just that along the top, I folded it down more, around three inches.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Then I sewed around the edges, except for the top.
  
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After the edges were sewed, I attached the two pieces together.  Actually, you can make that the first step if you want to.  Just make sure that you do it before you sew the top down, or your curtain rod will not be able to go all the way through.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After you sew the pieces together, make sure that you get that iron out again and iron the seam open and flat.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Fold everything on the top back down along the line that you ironed before.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Judge how much of a top ruffle you want to have.  You will sew along the top and then along the bottom of that 3" fold; just make sure that you have room to put your curtain rod in the middle.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is what it looked like when it was all done, before I hung it up.  The new curtain is as along as the couch, but that still isn't twice the width of the kitchen window.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Ti-da!  All done.  Much better, at least I think so.  On to the next project.  I had taken these portable drawers out of the guest room the other day.  I needed a place to hold my empty canning jars, and they fit the bill.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  They really hold a lot!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I took the piece of fabric that goes with the new curtains and ironed/folded twice around all of the edges and then sewed them down.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is the nifty little tablecloth.  It will also fit on the kitchen island or the dining room table if they should ever need dressing up a bit.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Notice our over the counter medicine center, along with Kleenex...all ready for cold and flu season!
  
  This was an easy peasy project, and was fun to do.  It helped me get my feet wet and stirred a bit of motivation for more sewing to come.  If you have any questions, please let me know. 
  
  God bless, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• November 08, 2011
• 6:26

  Guest Room Remix:

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  Yesterday, I got going on a project that I have been wanting to get to.  When we got the carpets cleaned, I threw a bunch of stuff into our guest room, and some of it was still there.  Since I had to clean that room anyway, I decided to take this opportunity to move the furniture around and make it a more functional space. 
  
  These are the "before" pictures.  When I set up the space before, I placed the bed by the door.  Kind of weird, but I was trying to create an area at the end of the bed for play.  The games are in the closet, and that little bench is full of large Legos and other toys.  It just happened that if we did have company, mainly adults stayed in this room and the kids play in the Mom Cave across the hall.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The bed generally has lots of pillows and there used to be pictures above it, before I got started:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Sorry that this is blurry, but this is the closet.  It has a bench full of games, and craft and gift wrapping supplies also inside.  The inversion bed was in the corner, waiting to fall down.  That dang thing is really heavy and awkward, and we haven't been using it because it wasn't in a good spot:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  During.  I had to move most things out of the bedroom so that I could move the bed around.  This morning I need to finish getting everything else put away, there is still some stuff in our dining room and kitchen.  Dana wanted to help, but instead became rather confused.  It is hard for her to lead and herd me around in situations such as this:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "After".  I put the bed on the wall where the dresser originally was.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The closet is on the other side of the side table.  (It is where the inversion bed used to be.)  I still need to reorganize the closet.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The inversion bed is now set up on the wall where the bed used to be.  Oh, my, those blank walls bug me more than the mess in the dining room does!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I still have fine tuning too do, but I am pleased with my efforts.  It is only going to take me a little bit more time to finish things up.  I think that the room will be much more pleasant for our company now, don't you? 
  
  Hope that your day is wonderful, and that you are able to do something creative and fun. 
  
  God bless, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 07, 2011
• 8:13

  A Pat on the Back: Showing Our Appreciation and Encouraging Others

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  We all like to be appreciated.  When my step-daughter Shanna came to see us for an overnight visit on Friday, she brought me a bouquet of flowers.  Shanna said, "These are for you, Kathy.  Thank you for all you do for all of us, for our family."  That touched my heart so much that a few days later I am still wimpy about it.  Shanna had given me a pat on the back.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Earlier in the week, somebody that I wouldn't expect to be observing me gave me a compliment on how I was handling a certain situation.  It surprised me, but I appreciated the compliment very much.  I had been given an unexpected pat on the back.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This week, somebody that I do not like at all, but who we are stuck with for a while, gave us two presents.  One gift was something for our home.  It was also an unexpected gesture.  I can't figure out if that gift was given out of appreciation, out of manipulation or out of guilt (for stealing some of our stuff).  
  
  Even though the gift is a beautiful item, I am giving it to our niece just because it bugs me to look at it.  Still, the point is, it could have been given to me as a pat on the back, but I am not appreciative of the gift.  Have you ever done that, given away something because you don't like the person who gave it to you?
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  On Saturday, I was visiting with my BFF Nancy on the phone.  She was encouraging me to move forward with my gift business.  I had made big plans, announced them publicly, did a little bit and then stalled again.  I am very grateful to how hard she listens to me, digests my issues and then comes back with thoughtful encouragement the next time we talk.
  
  These events got me to thinking about how important it is to encourage others and to show our appreciation for them.  What do those two words actually mean, anyway?  I went to Dictionary.com to find out:
  
  "en·cour·age"
  1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.  2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.  3.to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.
  
  "ap·pre·ci·a·tion"
  1. gratitude; thankful recognition: They showed their appreciation by giving him a gold watch.  2. the act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value.3. clear perception or recognition, especially of aesthetic quality: a course in art appreciation.  4. an increase or rise in the value of property, goods, etc.5. critical notice; evaluation; opinion, as of a situation, person, etc.
  
  I like to be a blessing, and I see showing appreciation and being an encouragement as actions.  I try hard to bless others, unless it becomes apparent that I am in an nonreciprocal relationship.  After I have tried hard enough and long enough,  I pick up my toys and go home,  most likely to never return.  Perhaps I need to work harder on forgiveness?  Actually I am getting better at forgiveness and letting things go, but I still think it wise to stay away from hurtful situations.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  As I was thinking of what to put in this post last night, the old church song, "Make Me A Servant" came to mind.  I changed the word servant to the word blessing though. 
  
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    
  It goes like this:  
  Make me a blessing,Humble and meek ...Lord let me lift up,Those who are weak.Make me a blessing,Make me a blessing,Make me a blessing today.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  So, I just wanted to throw this out here today.  Thank you for being my blog friends; I appreciate you all so much.  I hope that sometimes my words and photos are an inspiration and that you leave here a bit happier because you visited.  Oh, If you like church songs and prayers, you might enjoy by Praise and Worship blog; it is easy to get to by just "CLICKING HERE".
  
  God bless.
  
  ~ Kathy M. 
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 05, 2011
• 22:08

  Return to the Mountaintop:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary and Will both grew up in Southern California.  Their schools used to play each other in sports.  Cary was a Fillmore Flash and Will was a Buena Bulldog.  Cary was glad that Will brought some warm clothes and boots for his stay as he works on the Alta Rock Geothermal Project.
  
  It was pretty cold on Friday when Will stopped by to say that we could retrieve our trailer from Paulina Mountain the next day.  So, on Friday, we drove 20 miles up the hill to do just that.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was cold.  It was pretty.  And there was ice all over the landing.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  One pond was still unfrozen, though it might be frozen solid by now.  The landing above is at around 6000' and our house is at 4200'.  It has been snowing here all day, but we haven't got much accumulation yet.  Maybe by morning I'll be able to show you some pretty snow pictures.
  
  Here is the link to the first post that I wrote about this subject a few weeks ago:  The Newberry Geothermal Project.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 21:44

  2011 Nike Uniform Designs for The Oregon Ducks and The TCU Horned Frogs:

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  If you go to the Nike Campus in Beaverton, Oregon and walk past this fantastic water feature on your way to the Tiger Woods Center ...
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  ... and go into the Tiger Woods Center ...
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  ... you will see this sculpture of Tiger Woods.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Walk in a little further, and you will see some pretty cool uniforms that Nike made for several colleges, including for two of our favorite teams ...
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Oregon Ducks:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  and the TCU Horned Frogs:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Or, at least that was the case last July.  
  If you would like to see more about our visit 
  there, please  "CLICK HERE" to check out more.
  
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post.  To join in and/or see other cool shadow shots from around the world, please CLICK HERE.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 11:02

  Happy Birthday to Grandma Darlene:

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  Yesterday was a special day.  Cary's mom, Darlene, turned 82 and my step-daughter Shanna came down from Washington to spend the evening with us.  We ate pizza, cake and listened to Tyler's last high school football game on Shanna's phone.  It was an awesome visit.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary shaved his beard off this week, and I'm still getting used to looking at him.  He's handsome, but it sure is a different look.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These were the flowers that Shanna and her family bought for Grandma Darlene.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These are the flowers that Billy and Vicki sent from California.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  And, these are the ones that we got for her.
  Happy Birthday!
  Please click here to see a post that I made a while back featuring Cary and his family 60 years ago.  There are two slide shows included.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 04, 2011
• 8:16

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy is Three Years Old: My Blog is my Music

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   In November 2008, my little sister suggested that I make my own blog, after I had so much fun reading hers,  Chubby Mommy Running Club.  I also enjoyed Robyn's Living Oprah (the lady who watched Oprah each day and followed every bit of her advice and then blogged about it), and Ree's  Pioneer Woman.  All three of them ended up on t.v. in one form or another over the past three years, but believe me, that was not my goal.
  I did want people to read my blog, but I didn't know anything about blogging.  That was certainly apparent in the early days.  I give great thanks and appreciation to my close friends and relatives who tuned in to see what Cary and I were up to, and to see their own pictures in family gatherings and birthday posts.  I appreciate that they let me use their pictures, though come to find out some people wished that I would not have.  One person said "don't ever" and I minded him.   The rest, it took me a few years to figure it out by a change in their attitude toward me.  Sorry.  Directness works better over all.
  Still, I was very excited about the opportunity that blogging gave me as a resource to organize my thoughts, photos and interests.  I went crazy making blogs!  Some have become inactive, but when you have 49 blogs, that is bound to happen.  I don't have any advertisers (though I am not against that one bit), and I don't owe anybody a thing, except to stay positive and to not be mean.  This gives me freedom to blog as I wish.
  One day, Becky Povich discovered me, and turned me on to the blogging community at large.  She introduced her friends to me, two of them now being my sweet friends Lisa Ricard Claro from Writing in the Buff  and Lynn Obermoeller from Present Letters .  A new level of blogging had begun for me: friendships and relationships.  Repeat commenters.  People who actually enjoyed my blog who were not related to me.  I started to feel accepted. 
  
  The next step in my blogging journey was discovering meme/linky parties.  Boy, did I go full force on that trip for about eight months.  I am glad that I did, because I met so many really neat people (many who are now listed on my sidebar under the general category of the type of blog they have).  Our insurance company will probably be grateful for all of the pictures I took of our things, if push ever comes to shove.  Tablescapes, room remixes, vintage items, red things, sky watches, watery things, table tops, vignettes, tea times, Mary Engelbreight items, outdoors, blue things, old pictures, reflections, bargain books, book blurbs ... you name it, I was on it.  Now I have settled down to just a few each week. 
  
  I did get more visitors and followers by participating in the linky parties, but I have stuck with the ones where I feel included in the group.  I enjoy getting to really know the others who share the same interests as I do.  Remember to acknowledge your visitors and those who comment.  Pay them a reciprocal visit when you can.
  
  I would leave somebody out if I tried to highlight all my favorite blog friends, but please know that I appreciate each of you who stop by to visit and get to know me.  Thank you so much, I love ya all. 
  
  So, over the past three years, what have I learned about blogging?  
  
  Be true to yourself.  Write about things that interest you.  Your voice and your personality will shine through. There are so many people in the world, that eventually those who enjoy your blog and will find you. 
  
  Don't worry about the numbers and getting "official" followers.  If you are going to run your blog as a platform and want advertisers, then I guess that the follower number is important, but it isn't for me.  At least now.  It was too important before, and I got my feelings hurt when people would drop me, so I took off the widget for about a year.  I just put it back on this week, at the bottom of the page. 
  
  Offer something of value to others.  I like to think that my bits of history and geographical reports will come in handy to somebody someday.  My Sepia posts have brought me together with long lost relatives from many sides of my extended family.  My photos of the coast, campgrounds, Freemont Street in Las Vegas, and the Alamo may have been helpful to others who were wondering about them and looking them up on the internet.  Some of the posts with the most hits are about Heidi and Billy the Exterminator, just because people wondered about those topics. 
  
  Do something for your own personal growth with your blog.  My attempts at writing essays and fiction book blurbs stretch me, and have given me confidence to go forward with my writing. 
  
  Offer variety.  Not everybody cares about my ancestors, but they like it when I offer up personal, chatty posts.  Or, they like to see how to make split pea soup or learn to make a fleece blanket.  I'm eclectic by nature, so it shows in my blog. 
  
  Watermark all of your pictures, not just the ones that you consider to be your "best".  Things have changed over the past three years.  People steal whole blogs now.  Google takes your photos from your blog or Picassa account and puts them under "Google Images" for anybody to take.  Give it a try, with your own name and see what comes up.  Unless you sign your name, somebody else might!  On the other hand, give people credit and link back to their website if you use one of their photos, asking them first if it is a personal blog.  I feel bad that I didn't know about doing this when I first started and Live Images didn't do the work for us back then.  (I process my photos through Picassa 3, which is a free program, and use the text feature to write my name, and the year that I took the picture.  Easy peasy!)
  
  When I thought of making this post, I remembered a Jimmy Buffett song called "Making Music for Money".  His agent suggested that if he wanted to be played more on the radio that perhaps he should write more standard songs.  This song is his reply to his agent, where he says he needs to make music for himself.  And look at all the people who follow Jimmy Buffett now, because he was true to himself.  He never sold out, he never gave up, even though he still rarely gets played on the radio unless he's with Alan Jackson.
  
  My blog is my music.
  
  
  
  Please check out how I have reorganized my sidebar.  It will be much easier to find older posts now.  I have put my interest area, my blog posts about it, and then link lists of blogs with similar interests.  Enjoy, and please keeping coming back to see me! 
  
  Kathy M. 
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 03, 2011
• 17:26

  Book Blurb #36 : "School Schedule"

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  School Scheduleby Kathy Matthews
  Katie Erickson always seemed to be on school schedule.  She couldn't believe that she was returning to school again, at the age of 40.  It seemed to be a pattern in her life.  Get divorced, go back to school.  Last time she went to Business College.  This time she was working on her bachelors to become a teacher.  One observant friend told her that if she got remarried and divorced a couple of more times, she would end up with a Ph.D. before she died.  Whatever. 
  
  
  Glancing around at the fall day, Katie was reminded of that old show called "Up The Down Staircase".  Would being a student/single mom be a struggle?  She wasn't concerned.  The past twelve years of marriage had been the real struggle. 
  
  
  It was uplifting to be doing something good for herself, to invest in her future.  Katie was now leaving the past far behind her. (150)
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.  Thank you to Lisa's daughter Christina for this pretty photo.
  
  It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
   
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 9:19

  Sepia Saturday #99: Uncle John Hedrick

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  This week's  SEPIA SATURDAY prompt is guys with musical instruments (on closer look, one of the group is a woman).  I found the photo below in my Grandma Florence Hedrick Traylor's photo album.  Though the studio imprint says Cottage Grove, I think that this was taken on the steps of the Drain Normal School.  Nobody jumps out at me, but my Mom is taking a look to see if my Uncle John or Uncle Homer are in this band.  Mom just happens to be the "Jolene" in the letter below.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  So, here is my post about my great-uncle John that I have been promising.  Uncle John is the eldest of Ben and Litha Letsom Hedrick's three kiddos.  Uncle John was a sweet, gentle all around nice guy.  They said he took after the Letsoms rather than the Hedricks, like Uncle Homer.  Grandma was a blend of both sides of the family.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Uncle John lived in Hardscrabble, Drain and then in Eugene for most of his life.  After the war he worked as a radiologist until he retired.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  During World War II, Uncle John was stationed in Brazil.  Here is one of the letters that he wrote to his sister-in-law, Flora Fletcher Hedrick in 1944.  Flora was married to John's half-brother, Hobert, and they had two boys, Lyle and Danny.  The couple later separated, and Danny died during the war.  Years later, Lyle transcribed all of the war letters that the three boys had sent back home, as well as other letters and family diaries.  I'll tell you more about that at another time.
  
  I just picked this letter from Uncle John out randomly.  Times have changed ... people were categorized by slang and nationality; I think that is just how things were before we tried so hard to be politically correct in the way we speak.  I hope that nobody will be offended; this is just such an interesting part of history that I wanted to share it with you:
  
  
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Uncle John married Aunt Signa Woods Hedrick.  They never had children.  Aunt Signa was quite fascinating to me.  She was a telephone operator, and when I was around eight or nine, they had four phones in their home.  One of these phones was a pink Princess phone, and oh, how I wished that I had one of those for my very own!  Aunt Signa had pretty bad asthma, and there were always several little inhalers laying around.  I never knew anybody else who had even one of those.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Uncle John and Aunt Signa drove Cadillacs and had a little white poodle named Sugar.  After Sugar died, they got another one, and named her Sugar Two, aka:  Twoey.  
  
  After Aunt Signa died, Uncle John met and married Aunt Mary.  They were a great match, and seemed to have lots of fun together. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The first picture below is of Aunt Mary and Grandma T.  The second one is with Uncle John too.  These pictures were taken in the mid-80's.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Uncle John died around 1990.  He was a writer, loved his extended family, and was a very nice man.  I do miss him.  Mary lived another ten years after the died.  She was super nice.  Now, throughout our home are furniture pieces and reminders of Uncle John.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• November 02, 2011
• 8:41

  Peter Skene Ogden Trail, La Pine OR

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On Sunday, Cary and I went on a drive.  I can't believe that though we have passed the turnout for the Ogden Group Camp hundreds of times, we had never turned in and drove the half mile to a huge dirt parking lot.  That parking lot happens to be the trail-head that will eventually take you up to Paulina Lake.  Heading downstream, Paulina Creek will end up feeding into the Little Deschutes River.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is a nice little wading area at Paulina Creek for the kids, or for fishing.  Cary saw a big trout in the clear and cold water when we were there.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Just cross the bridge by foot, horse or mountain bike and keep going.  We haven't done it yet, but around 3.5 miles upstream (it sounds like at about one mile past McKay Crossing Campground) there is a rock-slide swimming area.  Though you can ride your bike uphill, you will need to take an alternate route downhill.  The guide sites tell us that there is a parallel path for this purpose.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was just so pretty.  I want to go back next summer and take this hike up to the water slides. This spot is very easy to find.  From Bend, head south until you get to the Newberry Caldera sign.  Turn left on Paulina Lake Road.  Drive towards the mountain for a couple of miles, until you notice Paulina Creek.  Turn left at the bridge and wind your way back to the parking lot.
  
  This is a Watery Wednesday post.  To see more pretty watery shots from around the world, please  "CLICK HERE" to see more.
  
  
  
  So, who was Peter Skene Ogden?  Here are a few facts about this old fur trader/explorer ... said to be the first white guy to find Paulina Lake:
  
   Source: Wikipedia,com
  
   Source: The Oregon History Project
  Peter Skene Ogden was born in 1794, in Quebec.  He died in 1854, and is buried in Oregon City.  Mr. Ogden was a fur trader and an explorer.  On his travels across America and British Columbia, he discovered many places, including the Central Oregon area.  Some reports tell us that he was a rather violent person, and his company transferred him to avoid murder charges on at least one occasion.  Still, he got a lot done, was brave and smart, rescued people from massacres and he is honored for his work.  Ogden, Utah was named after this man.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 31, 2011
• 8:35

  Blue Monday ~ Spots of Blue From Our Sunday Drive:

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  Yesterday, Cary and I went on a nice Sunday drive.  I kept my eyes out for blue, and this is what I found.  Some of the blues are harder to find than others ... think of it as a Where's Waldo search!
  
  A bunch of birds were gathered together in the middle of Paulina Lake.  There is something blue on the shore:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Here is a map on a sign at Paulina Lake Campground:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This marker is on the tree for snowmobilers near the bridge at Peter Ogden Trail, near the beginning of the Newberry Crater Caldera:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  These people were enjoying the Big Deschutes River near the Donald G. McGregor Memorial Viewpoint at La Pine State Park:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a Blue Monday post.  Please visit Smiling Sally by  "CLICKING HERE" and seeing fun blue things from around the world.  Consider joining in on the fun and posting your blue pictures too!
  
   
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:01

  Donald G. McGregor Memorial Viewpoint at La Pine State Park, Oregon:

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  After a weekend of watching/listening to football and having friends Tom and Cheryl over for dinner, Cary and I decided to get out of the house for a bit yesterday afternoon.  It was partly cloudy and sort of muggy, getting up to 62*.  We drove up to Paulina Lake and I'll do a short blog post on that part soon, as well as our stop at the beginning of The Peter Ogden Trail.
  
  We hadn't been to La Pine State Park in a while, so after leaving the mountain we headed there.  It was so funny what we discovered inside the park not far from crossing over the bridge: The Donald G. McGregor Memorial Viewpoint.  I don't know how we missed it prior to this.  I think that the short driveway was snowed in when we drove past it before on our way to the campground.  Turning right at the sign and going down a short drive to a small parking lot, we found the most beautiful treat.  You can see where it is on the middle of the map below: 
  
  Source: Oregon State Parks.org
  After getting out of the car and walking a tiny bit, this was our discovery:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This memorial was dedicated in 1973 to Donald G. McGregor:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is a picnic table, a hiking trail and the most incredible scenery.  That is our car in the background, where the parking area is.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsWow!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There was a great view of Paulina Peak, the place where we had just came from:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is the Big Deschutes River.  I had to mentally track where it came from, and to my best guess it arrived here from the back of Wickiup Dam, past Haner Park and Pringle Falls, making its way under the bridge at La Pine State Park and wrapping around to this viewpoint.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary is taking a look at the view.  A lady and her dog came jogging by and I asked her where this trail ended up.  She said that if you stayed on to the north, it would eventually take you to Fall River.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHere is me, Grandma Kathy posing for the camera.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There are some really cool trees there too; I love the Ponderosa Pines.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  In trying to find out more about Mr. McGregor, I discovered this newspaper article about him.  It talks about the park that they named after him at Lost Creek Dam near Mt. Ashland, and mention the La Pine State Park Viewpoint near the end:
  
  
  
  Source: Newspaper Article About Don McGeagor
  So, if you ever get the chance, this is an easy and pretty sight to see.  If you enjoyed this post, I think that you will also like the one that I made about  "The Big Tree", also located in La Pine State Park.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 30, 2011
• 7:46

  Book Blurb Friday #35: "Let's Go to Church"

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  "Let's Go to Church"by Kathy Matthews
  Anna knew that the time had come to turn her life around. 
  Getting saved at the age of eleven was one of the highlights over Anna's past ten years.  A rebellious teenager after her parents' divorce, Anna hadn't been walking with the Lord for quite a while. It certainly showed.  Her marriage of six months was in shambles, and there was constant arguing in front of the baby.  
  Anna talked it over with Ronny, who agreed give church a try.  They decided to visit at least ten different ones to see if they could find a church that is a good fit for their little family.  This book is the diary of their search for a church.  
  A great book; parishioners and church staff alike will learn a lot from it.  How do you find the right church?  How does your church appear to newcomers?  An insightful and informative read! (150)
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.  Thank you to Ashley Ortiz for this beautiful photo.  
  
  It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:51

  Easy Chicken Enchiladas:

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  I had a hankering for chicken enchiladas the other night. Well, really, I had a hankering for oyster stew, but when I went to the store to buy fresh oysters, they were all gone. The meat man said that he had just thrown them away that morning because nobody had bought any for quite a while. Maybe I was lucky; you know how fickle oysters can be. Therefore, changing horses in the middle of the stream and not for the first time ever, I decided to make enchiladas instead. They turned out to look like this:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We got this handy-dandy George Foreman broaster thingy for a wedding present a bit over 7 years ago.  I don't know if they still sell them, but this is one of my favorite kitchen appliances.  I should have washed up the outside better, but didn't think about taking pictures until it was very hot:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I sliced up four boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cooked them until they were done in a can of chicken broth, Italian seasoning, pepper, garlic powder and soy sauce:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  The other things that you will need:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Pour the large can of cream of mushroom soup (Campbell's is the best) into a bowl.  Add the package of mushrooms, one bunch of green onions (sliced) and half of the can of olives.  Mix well:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On the tortillas (this were thick ones, called gorditas), place strips of chicken, a dollop of sauce, and a few slices of cheese.  Roll it up the best you can, and place it in a baking dish that has a bit of the chicken broth from when you cooked the chicken (so the enchilada won't stick to the bottom of the dish):
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  After your pan is full of enchiladas, pour half of the large can of enchilada sauce over the top of the tortillas.  You might want to ladle the sauce instead, if you don't want a big mess like I ended up with:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  You should be able to make one more pan with the above ingredients, if you add some more olives.  Cover the dishes with aluminum foil, place them on cookie sheets to keep your oven clean and bake for 45-55 minutes at 375*.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Enjoy!
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 28, 2011
• 7:59

  Getting Busy With Other Stuff:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Hello, My Friends,
  
  How are you?  I hope that you are doing well, and have a busy and fun Halloween Weekend planned.  We usually don't do anything for Halloween, though Cary always has great costume ideas, just in case.   We usually don't get any trick-or-treaters  except for perhaps 3-5 great nieces and nephews if they happen to be in the neighborhood.    I buy a bowl of candy just in case, and buy the kind that we like.  No getting stuck with cheap suckers for us!
  
  I am trying to force myself into productivity, and yesterday that did work for me.  I made 27 cookie-mixes-in-a-jar.  Yay, it is a good start.  I am trying to get a bunch of stuff ready for a craft sale in the first week of December.  
  
  
  I received my laminator in the mail from my girls, and am so excited.  I have several projects in mind and will post them as I complete them.  
  
  
  I may need to slow down on some of my posting until I get this new "job" incorporated into my schedule.  I feel so bad that I haven't visited all of you who have visited and commented here over the past week.  I'll be by soon to see your great work.
  
  
  I guess that is most of what is up around here ... just been busy and am trying to make myself busier.
  
  
  I do have a question for you though.  We no longer have a home phone, and I need a phone number for my gift business.  Do any of you use Magic Jack or Vonage or something else?  It has been suggested that I get a prepaid cell phone, since I wouldn't be using very many minutes.  I could use our work as a message phone, but I'm afraid that would throw folks off.  Any other ideas or solutions for me, you guys?
  
  Thank you for your help!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  Well, that was real nice, Blogger.  Thank you for erasing the majority of my Chicken Enchilada post. Oh, that is so frustrating, to get up early and work on a post for an hour, publish it and then most of it disappears.  I give.
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• October 26, 2011
• 10:38

  Blogger is Weirding Out on Me!

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  Hey Peeps,
  
  I have been busy reorganizing my sidebar so that you can find my past posts in an easier manner.  I have been working on the categories, especially making a link list called "Visit Central Oregon". 
  
  Well, this morning, I searched my own blog for "Sunriver, OR" to get some more of my own posts for the project.  Guess what I found?  Somebody else's blog post!  She seems like a nice lady and lives in Wilsonville, Oregon.  How in the world did her post get into my blog?  I don't even know how to get rid of it.  Here is the link, maybe you will enjoy their trip to Crater Lake and The Wildlife Safari:
  
  [oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com]
  Have you guys ever had something like this happen to you?  How did you handle it?  I wrote to her and let her know that her post was on my blog as well as her own.  I think it was just a weird Blogger fluke.
  Have a wonderful day.  I'll be by to visit you soon, those who have left me comments over the past few days.   Take care.
  Kathy M.
  
  Okay, I figured out how to get it off.  I had a post that I had begun but not posted, and hers must have somehow slipped into that spot.  I erased the whole post and it is gone now.  Weird.
  
• October 25, 2011
• 7:11

  Visit Central Oregon: Sparks Lake and Photographer Ray Atkeson

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLast month, on my drive down Cascade Lakes Highway, I stopped by the side of the road and took some pictures of Sparks Lake and Mount Bachelor. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There was a roadside marker at the turnout, and it spoke of Ray Atkeson, a famous photographer.  In 1987, Ray was awarded a laureate, the first photographer to ever receive this honor.  Ray seems to have loved Sparks lake as his favorite place ever.
  
  Source:  Ray Atkeson.comTo learn more about Ray, please "CLICK HERE" for the Wikipedia article about his life, after you are done here at Oregon Gifts.  There is also a beautiful website about his work and life at "RAY ATKESON.COM".
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Please slide the bar at the bottom of your screen over to read the rest of these plaques.  Thank you! Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After Ray died, a memorial hiking trail in his name was created on the 400 acre Sparks Lake.  The hiking trail is reported to be an easy hike, and is a 2.3 mile loop.  The first half mile is wheelchair accessible.
  
  I am sorry to say that I didn't drive down to the lake itself the day that I was there.  You need to follow the signs to the boat ramp, and it was getting late in the day and I was alone, so I just went to the first campground where Soda Creek is instead.  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews(Please "CLICK HERE" to read more about the interesting flood of 1966 that effected Soda Creek.)
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  That is Mt. Bachelor in the background.  There are also beautiful views of South Sister and Broken Top available.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are some more links that will give you great pictures and info about Sparks Lake and the Ray Atkeson Memorial Hiking Trail:
  
  [www.rayatkeson.com] [www.explorecentraloregon.com] [www.mtnview-living.com]
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 22, 2011
• 8:08

  Sepia Saturday #97: Some Early Oregon Schools

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  This week's theme for Sepia Saturday happens to be schools.  Old schools happen to be one of my many interests, especially the old schools throughout Oregon.  
  
  On February 12 of this year, I did a post about McNeil/Panther Creek School, where my great-grandfather Albert Traylor and his cousins attended. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  To learn who is in this photo and to read the rest of that blog post, please "CLICK HERE." 
  
  My grandmother, Florence Hedrick Traylor and her brothers, John and Homer Hedrick attended both Sunnyvale School and the Drain Normal School; going on to graduate from Drain High School.  My great-great aunt, Aurilla Hedrick Putnam, was one of the first teachers at the Drain Normal school.
  
  
  The Drain Normal School:
  
  Drain Normal School ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Sunnyvale School:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I'm guessing that if Grandma was around 10 or 11, this one was taken in 1922 or 1923.  I sat with her before she died in 2000 and we wrote down everybody in this photo that she could remember.  I tried to get the spellings as close and I could.  Amazing that at almost 88, she still remembered everybody!
  
  Back Row:  Teacher, Mildred Church, Ruel Elliott, Jess Woody, George Cary, John Hedrick, Dwight Rossiter, Harley Swearingen, Homer Hedrick Lois Rossiter, and Teacher, Helen Smell.
  
  Row Three: Gertrude Hubbard, ______, Luce Snell, Florence Hedrick, Winifred Morningstar, Anna Baker, Amy Cary, Edna Baker, ____ Elliot (?), Venus Lakey, Mary Cunningham.
  
  Row Two:  Mildred Snell, Lucille Swearingen, Esther Snell, Irene Snell, _________, Vera Kersterson, Letha Hubbard, Alda Swearingen, ________, Katherine Cunningham, Bruce Cunningham.
  
  Row One:  Louis Lakey, Charles Ross, Floyd Ross, Otis Swearingen, Claude Snell, Buck Hubbard, Paul Lakey, Horence Cunningham, Richard Snell, Austin Rossidger
  
  
  Drain High School:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I need to ask Mom to make sure, but I'm pretty sure that in the picture above, Grandma is in the third row up, at the end, and Uncle John is the row above her close-by and wearing the cardigan.  He must have liked those, because he is wearing one below too.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Okay, now we will switch gears.  Another one of my projects includes researching the Mohawk Valley of Oregon, with hopes of someday writing a book or two about it and other early Oregon towns and cities.  I just found a great link that will help me with this, and am going to put it on here so that I can find it later.   If you want to check it out, please CLICK HERE (Louis Polley).
  
  Here are a few photos of some of those early Oregon schools.
  The three pictures below were taken in communities in the Mohawk Valley of Oregon.  All three come from The Curtis Irish Collection, a Mohawk Valley historian.  To read about the info that Curtis has gathered over the years, please CLICK HERE.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is of the Stafford School in the Mohawk Valley, and was taken in the 1870's.
   
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Upper Mabel School was built in 1878.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This one was taken at the Wendling Booth Kelly Camp 35 School.  By 1945 the logging camp schools were all closed.
  
  To learn more of schools in the Mohawk Valley, check out this link by CLICKING HERE.   Also, to learn more about The Mohawk Valley and other cool info about early Oregon, please check out Steve Williamson's website by CLICKING HERE.
  
  I hope that you enjoyed your visit!  I didn't go too much in depth, but this gives me something else to work on as time permits.  Happy Sepia Saturday, my friends.
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• October 21, 2011
• 13:59

  If you have a Smart Phone and post pictures to the internet from it ... BEWARE

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  Well, if this isn't some scary news from my friend Barb K.  (Thanks, Barb!)  After watching this short video, you might want to change the settings on your Smart Phone, if you take pictures on it and upload them to share them with friends and family on the internet.  
  
  
  
  
  I still have a dumb phone and don't know how to get the pictures off of it if I do take one.  (Call me a slow learner, but now I'm glad.)  I use a regular camera for my blog and FB, so if I have taken your picture, your location has not been disclosed somehow through me.  I'm just sayin'.  
  
  Just thought that you might want to know about this.
  
  
  Have a great weekend, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 8:04

  Book Blurb Friday #34 : "Just Around the Bend"

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  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.  Thank you to our dear friend Becky Povich for this beautiful photo.  
  
  It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  Here is my take on this week's picture:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy:  Source ~                  
  "Just Around the Bend"
  by Kathy Matthews
  You are certain to enjoy this delightful story of four sisters born to counter-culture parents during the 1970's.  Meeting up for a week after their parents’ death in June 2010 to settle affairs and clear out the family home, the girls reminisce about living the hippy life and then transforming into themselves.  Follow them throughout their lives, as they hold fast to their parents’ truth, that in this world good lays "just around the bend".   
  
  Get to know (and love) each sister: 
  
  ~ Spring River Johnson, a pretty and temperamental woman; used to getting her own way.
  
  ~ Summer Fields Johnson.  A warm and sunny person, Summer is happily married with five kids.
  
  ~ Autumn Leaves Johnson, is even-tempered and prone to new beginnings.  Autumn is a college professor at Berkley, divorced with two children.
  
  ~ Winter Rain Johnson, with her cool exterior and radiant beauty, is a wealthy divorcee.  (150)
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 20, 2011
• 14:13

  "Red Solo Cup" by Toby Keith:

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   Photo Source: Frugal Family Living
  
  Today, I heard one of the silliest drinking songs ever for the first time.  Who would think of writing a song about a plastic cup?
  
  
  "Red Solo Cup"
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 19, 2011
• 20:50

  Autumn Aspens Yellowing on the High Desert:

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These were taken on Tuesday, in our yard.  I loved the primary colors that nature offered up that day, and I hope that you will too.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  For some beautiful sky shots of all sorts from around the world, please "CLICK HERE", when Friday gets here.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:17

  Watery Wednesday: Kylie's Heron

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kylie L.
  
  Last January, our granddaughter Kylie came to visit for a week.  The week that she was here was beautiful, sunny, and not too cold.  I just ran across this picture that Kylie took near Sunriver of a heron.  Way cool!  She took it with my older Samsung digital camera; it still works well when the batteries stay inside.
  
  
  Kathy and Kylie's Field Trip:  Fall River Campground
  
  
  
  
  This is a Watery Wednesday post.  For beautiful water shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:11

  This and That Wednesday: "Casey", "Kristin's Fundraiser" and "A Clothesline in the Dining Room"

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  "Casey"
  Source:  Kari W. Facebook Photos
  This is our grandson Casey's second year playing football.  He is really getting the hang of it now, and is doing great!  Casey, my oldest girl Kari's son, will be 11 next month, and is just the coolest kid.  His baby blue eyes sure do jump out at me in this picture.  Way to go, Casey, we love ya lots.  Thanks for being such a nice kid and a great helper.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These are my girls, Kari and Kristin with me in August.  Kristin is beginning her fund-raising efforts for her third trip to Guatemala next February on a medical mission trip.  Next Tuesday in Eugene there will be a Papa's Pizza fundraiser, where pizza sales throughout the day will go toward her trip.  So, if you are in that area, stop by the Papa's on Coburg Road!
  
  
  "A Clothesline in the Dining Room"
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Yesterday, I went to Bi-Mart and bought a clothesline with some of my birthday money.  You may ask why I spent birthday money on a clothesline.  Well, I have decided to get going on vending my crafts, and I think that this type of clothesline will be a great display asset.  I can just see it covered with baby blankets, bunting and other homemade items, can't you?
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The base of the clothesline fit perfectly into the patio umbrella stand.  This base is very heavy, and doesn't need water or sand to keep it steady.  Now my clothesline is portable, and I can put it anywhere that I want to.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  So, I put it in the dining room.  My husband was rather confused.  I can read his eyes pretty well after eight years.  His eyes were saying, oh, great, how long is this going to be in here?  For as long as it takes, baby.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  See all of those plastic lines?  They need to be covered with yarn and fabric.  And I can't lower them and still have them tight.  So, that means a lot of reaching up over my head.  Good thing that my shoulder feels better.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I gathered some cheerful leftovers of yarn, a pair of scissors, and got to work.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On my first rung, I used the whole ball.  That isn't necessary after all, and it slowed me down.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   For the next rung, I just cut a long piece of the yarn instead.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I think that I will need to have a taller step stool as I progress!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is how much that I got done last night.  It is actually going pretty quickly.  I have found that the yarn looks nice, but doesn't take up very much visual space.  I intend to cover the top brackets with fabric pieces.  I was going to spray paint the stainless steel base, but then decided not to on this first one.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  I will post an update when I get this all done.  I have never seen anybody decorate a clothesline before, have you?  I feel pretty pleased with myself on this dandy project.   Plus, if I am in a small vending booth, I will really be able to maximize my space.  Cool. 
  
  Now I need to get to work making more things and finishing up the ones that I have.  My girls have ordered me a lamenator, and I have the feeling that piece of equipment will change my life.  I am so looking forward to it. 
  
  Today, my MIL Darlene and I are going into Bend for a bit of shopping, and I hope that we make it to the fabric store.  I want to spend more of my birthday money! 
  
  Have a great day, my friends. 
  
  Hugs, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 18, 2011
• 9:23

  Soda Creek: Restoration Results After The 1966 Flood

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  Last month, on my drive along the Cascade Lakes Highway near Bend, Oregon, I stopped at Soda Creek Campground at Sparks Lake.  Soda Creek is beautiful and pristine, with a view of South Sister ...
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews... and Broken Top.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Unless you knew (and I did not, until I read these plaques), you would never guess that this stream had been reconstructed by people and computer programs in 1996, after a devastating flood in 1966 ruined the original Soda Creek.  On October 7, 1966, a glacier from one of the unnamed lakes on Broken Top melted into the lake, creating the tidal wave that flooded Soda Creek in a severe way.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I became fascinated with learning more.  There is some info out there, but this article from The Ore Bin, a publication of the State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries does a great job of summing things up.  I enlarged these for easier reading; just slide the bar at the bottom of the page to see the rest:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  There you go!  I hope that this helps, if you have been searching around for info on Soda Creek in Central Oregon.  If you enjoyed this post, you might like to see this one too:  Cascade Lake Highway Photos.
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 16, 2011
• 7:30

  Hey, Peeps.  Sorry that I've been so ...

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  Hey, Peeps.  Sorry that I've been so quiet around here lately.   My shoulder is hurting me, especially when I sit at the computer.  I'll be back posting away as soon as I can.  I'll leave you with darling pictures of the prettiest bee you have ever laid eyes on,  Miss Tatum:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Take care, you guys, and have a great Sunday. 
  
  Heart ya, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 15, 2011
• 8:41

  New: Pay It Forward!

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  Well, heck!  I made this whole post without realizing that I was a day late in signing up!  Oh well.  This is still worth it.  I just won't bother with my putting my follower widget back on.  Please feel free to visit and follow the Pay It Forward link to see blogs that others enjoy.
  
  
   Source: Pay It Forward Blogfest
  The same people who brought us the "A-Z Challenge" have organized "Pay It Forward", a blogfest where we highlight some of our favorite blogs that others may not know about.  Or, you can include those blogs that are famous but who new bloggers may not know about yet.  I'm doing a combo of those two groups.  After you are done with your post of features, then you link up to the "Pay It Forward" homepage so that others can learn about your blog.  And then follow, follow, follow.  Easy peasy! 
  
  It is hard to choose and to not make somebody feel slighted.  I read the blogs all the time on the top of my sidebar, because they are active posters and have shown an interest in me and my blog.  So, please check them out when you get a chance.  I have featured many of them over the past few years, so I will highlight these peeps below for now:
  
  The Bloggess.  Jenny is famous, and so funny.  She has no idea that I exist, though she is friends with my sister Julie (Chubby Mommy Running Club).  Jenny's posts are peppered with the "F" word for emphasis, just in case that type of thing throws you off.  Jenny lives in Texas with her husband and little girl.   Check out Julie's entertaining and informative blog too, on keeping fit in a fun and social arena.
  
  The New Sixty is written by my friend Arkansas Patti, a newer transplant from Florida to, yes, Arkansas.  Patti gives us several awesome essays each week. based on her own experiences.  She is an excellent writer, and is funny and though provoking.  Plus, she answers everybody who leaves a comment, which is so nice.
  
  Grace, over at Liberal Sprinkles, searches the internet for the most fascinating things to be found.  Videos, books, art, ... whatever catches her fancy.  
  
  Deb, over at What's In My Attic is new to me.  I love her blog, it sort of reminds me of mine.  It is a must see.  Her photography is beautiful, and her insights are great.  Deb shows us around her pretty town.
  
  Sepia Saturday is one of my favorite weekly memes.  Alan Burnett gives us an old photo as a writing prompt, and we can choose the same theme or make up our own.  I am getting a lot of my family history written and organized since I have joined this group.
  
  These are just a few of my favorites, and I hope that you will visit them as time permits.  Now I'll post my followers widget again where it is easy to see. It bugs me, that thing, and I pulled it a long time ago.  It seems that I would get three or four followers and then somebody will drop me. Today, I am at an even 100.  There have been some sweet souls who have followed me lately by signing up on the top of my toolbar, which makes me happy.  Thanks, you guys, for going out of your way.
  
  To join this Play It Forward Blogfest, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  Have fun, and I hope that you meet a lot of new people!
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 14, 2011
• 8:25

  BBF #33 ~ The Flintsones: Retiring in Style

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  Today's prompt for Lisa Ricard Claro's Book Blurb Friday reminded me of our favorite prehistoric family, The Flintstones.  If you are around my age, you probably looked forward to watching them on t.v. in the 1960's like I did.
  
  
  
  Thank you to our friend Lynn Obermoeller from over at "Present Letters",  Lynn, What’s for Dinner? and Lynn, What’s for Dessert?  for this cool picture:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "The Flintstones: Retiring in Style"
  by Kathy Matthews
  "After working hard for 35 years at the rock quarry, Fred Flintstone had finally reached the age of retirement.  Hanging up his hard hat and putting down his lunch pail on his last day; he never looked back.  Now was the time to do all those things that he and Wilma had been dreaming of. 
  
  Pebbles was grown and married, Dino and the cat were long gone.  Fred and Wilma had given up their beloved home in the suburbs, and downsized to a retirement condo in the hills. 
  
  They couldn't beat the view, there was no lawn to water or mow and it was brand-spanking new.  Plus, upon purchase, they had received an incentive lightweight sporty vehicle, the much coveted "Rockis".  It was so much easier to drive up that hill than their old dinosaur of a car. 
  
  You will love this entertaining story of The Flintstones happy golden years." (150)
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 13, 2011
• 9:07

  Kathy's Comfort and Joy Nest, and Killing Flies

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  Tags:    [edit]

  I usually get up around six and hit it hard for the next six to eight hours.  Then I get to rest before making dinner.  My siesta time usually begins around 2:00 or 3:00.  There didn't used to really be anything on t.v. that I enjoyed at that time, but now Dr. Phil comes on at 2:00, so I guess that I'll start watching him.  I always like to have a book handy too.  My sister Angie gave me this one for my birthday and I just started reading it.  It is Serpent Box by Vincent Louis Carrella.  I'm not too sure what I am in for yet with this one.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is a picture of me yesterday, in my comfort and joy nest.  If you remember, two weeks ago we got the carpets cleaned, and I moved around the furniture in our living room/dining room.  This remix is the best one that I have ever done, I think.  I am still very pleased every time I look at it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  For as long as they last, I have my birthday roses on the coffee table.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  And, my Jimmy Buffett cup half full of Merlot wine.
  Right now, my everyday wine of choice is
  "Two Vines" by Columbia Crest.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is how my nest looks without me in it.  For the first week after we moved the furniture, I had a sore shoulder and neck.  I thought that I had hurt myself as I was moving things around.  (Cary and the carpet cleaner guys helped me with the big stuff, but I worked on the rest of it myself.)  Finally, it dawned on me that my neck was hurting because of the angle of how I was now looking at the t.v. 
  
  The solution was to prop myself up in a different manner.  So now, the nest really does look like a grandma's spot.  You can see  my pillow, my corn bag, my remote control, my book, and my flyswatter.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I had made a bunch of these hot/cold corn bags last year and gave many away as Christmas gifts.  Dang, these things turned out to be really neat.  I put it in the microwave for 3 or 4 minutes and put it on the back of my neck.  After the first evening, my muscles relaxed, my neck popped, and I feel much better now.  Cary was really cold the other day and I let him use it, and he enjoyed it too.  The heat lasts a long time.  To see the post on how to make these, please "CLICK HERE ".
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I'll get to the fly swatter in a minute.  I just wanted to let you know about our separate remote controls first.  It used to be that Cary always kept the remote by him.  It is a guy thing.  He likes to use "the flicker" as much as possible; switching between shows when the commercials come on or when he wants to check on a game for a second.  There I would be, settled in my nest, and he would get up and do something else, forgetting to hand me the flicker.  For years, I had to get up and retrieve it, if only to turn down the volume when a commercial came on.  This always disturbed my peace, as I would then need to re-situate myself.  
  
  One day, I got one of my brightest thoughts ever, and went into the bedroom and got the remote from there.  Yay!  Now we each have one, even though we are sitting only four feet apart from each other.  Happiness is having your very own flicker, don't ya think?
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is Cary's, next to his phone.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  For the past couple of weeks, we have had a huge fly problem.  These pesky guys hang out on the front door screen, and around the entry area.  Every time we open up the screen door, at least a few flies sneak into the house.  I don't know where they came from or why they are there.  The meat bees are mostly gone now, since it has been getting cold at night.  Thank goodness for that.  The flies are also beginning to die off, but they are still irritating.  The fly swatter has been my best friend lately.  You will notice evidence of death below the fly on the door frame, where I killed his uncle.
  
  Yesterday I went to Bi-Mart, and among other things, I bought some fly catchers.
   
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I think that I got ripped off on this one.  It cost $7.97 for this clever fly trap, with one packet of non-toxic fly attractant included.  I also bought a box of extra packets, which cost $5.88 and ended up having only 3 more packets inside.  As of this morning, not one fly has been trapped, even though I have placed this high-priced contraption in the kitchen, in the living room, and outside the front door.  I should have bought fly strips instead.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The flies are supposed to flock to the great smelling attractant and then drown.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I also bought this trap for $2.99.  It came with no attractant.  You just fill it up with water and the flies are supposed to go in and drown, as with the trap above.  I figured that since the flies can drink the cat's water on the front porch, that I should add one of  those high priced packets of attractant into this trap.  As of this morning, there was not one fly inside.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Now, this four-year-old $.99 fly swatter does work.  Of course you have to stand there and not miss, but it is effective and cheap.  Even though it involves hard labor and tenacity, I still count it as my most effective choice for killing the flies. 
  
  Today I have to go back to Bi-Mart because I forgot to buy coffee.  I think that I'll pick up a cheap fly strip and hang it outside the front door.  Ugly but effective. 
  
  So, there you go!  Now that I am done, I feel like this is a Seinfeld episode sort of a post: a half an hour about not much.  Thanks for hanging in there to the end, you guys.  What is your favorite way to rid your home of flies?
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• October 12, 2011
• 7:39

  Tyler Matthews Army All-American Game Presentation:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

   Source:  U.S. Army All-American Bowl Facebook Page
  Source:  U.S. Army All-American Bowl Facebook Page Halie, Randy, Tyler, Jennifer and Cameron
  Yesterday afternoon, in the gym at McPherson High School in McPherson, Kansas, our grandson Tyler Matthews was the guest of honor as he was presented his jersey to play in the January 7, 2012 Army All-American Game.  Tyler is a quarterback.  We were unable to be there for the ceremony, but we will there for the game.  Congratulations, Tyler!
  
   Source:  U.S. Army All-American Bowl Facebook Page
  
  
  
  I copied and pasted a couple of great articles from Rivals.com and KAKE.com.  I hope they won't mind.  Please check out their websites when you get a chance. 
  
  U.S. Army All American Bowl Press Release Link
  
  Rivals.com Article:
  October 11, 2011
  <h1>Matthews to live Army Bowl dream</h1>
  Brian Perroni
  Rivals.com Football Recruiting
   0 0 Email0MORE ARMY BOWL: 2012 All-Americans | Tour home
   
  McPherson, Kan., quarterback Tyler Matthews has a special place in his heart for the United States Army. His father is an Army veteran and served in Iraq and many other family members have also gone through the ranks.
  
  
  Tyler Matthews is excited to represent future Big 12 member TCU in the Army Bowl.On Tuesday afternoon the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior was honored with a ceremony at his school officially inviting him to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. It is not something that Matthews takes lightly as he knows the prestige that comes along with such an honor.
  
  "I'm very proud to be involved with an event with the U.S. Army with all the men and women that are serving our country," Matthews said. "It really is a huge honor. I'm really excited for it. It's going to be a great time and I'm looking forward to it.
  
  "They told us a little about what it meant to be selected. I know they said they took into account who we are both on and off the field. It means a whole to know that our character was part of why we were chosen. It is more than just football. That is something that I am definitely proud of."
  Matthews knows the history of game itself as well. Having watched it both on television and in person he knows that only the best players in the country are invited to play in the annual contest.
  
  "It's a huge honor to be a part of an event with all the great athletes that have taken part in the present and the past," he said. "My sophomore year I actually went to the combine down there. I got to watch the game in person. That was awesome back then. I looked up to those guys and I never even imagined I would get to play in the game one day. It was kind of a dream come true."
  
  Matthews has seen many of the games alumni go onto very successful college and NFL careers and says it means a lot to him to be able to participate in the same game in which they took part.
  
  "I know guys like Adrian Peterson and Tim Tebow have played in the game in the past," he said. "Knowing that they played in the same game that we're all going to be playing in and knowing that they're successful is really neat for sure.
  
  "I also know a few guys personally who have played in it. The Browns - Arthur Brown and Bryce Brown - I know both of them. Bubba Starling played in it last year. I played against him. I looked up to them when they were playing in high school and I didn't ever see myself getting the same honor that they got being able to play in the Army game."
  
  Matthews made an early commitment to TCU and remains strong in that pledge. Despite the game taking place in their home state the Horned Frogs have only had one signee play in the Army Bowl prior to this year. Two others in addition to Matthews - Edward Pope and Ethan Perry - have also been selected to this year's game and the talented quarterback sees it as a chance to make fans of the program proud.
  
  "I love getting a chance to represent TCU," he said. "Representing them in any way positive that I can is a big deal to me. It's exciting and I hope they're excited. Obviously with them going to the Big 12 it's a really exciting time for TCU. I'm going to go down there and represent TCU in a positive way and have fun doing it. It'll be cool knowing that (Pope and Perry) are there too and we'll be playing together."
  
  
  In addition Matthews is also close to another quarterback taking part in the game and looks forward to spending time together off the field and a friendly rivalry on it.
  
  "Gunner Kiel just got named to the game and I'm really excited about that," Matthews said. "He and I are really good friends. We've been at the Elite 11 and a few other things together and we've stayed in contact. We text all the time. That's going to be really fun to get to hang out with him all week and in the game with him."
  
  Matthews and the West team take on the East in the 12th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.  Source:  Rivals.com
  
  ====================================
  KAKE: Army All-American Bowl Selects McPherson's Matthews Article:
  
  October 11, 2011
  
  Tyler Matthews of McPherson High School, McPherson, KS, has been selected to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining an elite group of All-Americans. Those selected will play in the game on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The annual East vs. West match-up will be televised live on NBC at 1:00 p.m. EST and will feature the nation’s top 90 high school football players.
  
  “Tyler is a talented athlete whose leadership and teamwork qualities have made him a standout at McPherson High School,” said John Myers, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “Only the strongest wear the Army colors, and Tyler possesses similar mental, emotional and physical strengths to Army Strong Soldiers. We are proud to honor all of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl players and congratulate each of them on their selection.”
  
  Matthews was selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which consists of All American Games’ network of regional directors and Rivals.com. U.S. Army All-Americans are eligible for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, the Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year Award, the American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year Award, the Pete Dawkins Game MVP Award, and the Felix “Doc” Blanchard and Glenn Davis Awards.
  
  As a result of Matthews being selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, his head coach Tom Young is invited to travel to San Antonio and attend the U.S. Army Coaches Academy, an elite three-day learning experience featuring NFL and NCAA coaches, as well as participate in game-week activities.
  
  For more than 11 years, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been the nation’s premier high school football game, serving as the preeminent launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars. Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Lattimore, and Andrew Luck all made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans. The 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a crowd of nearly 38,000 to the Alamodome, and was the most-watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL playoffs.
  
  The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,391 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.
  
  The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned and produced by All American Games, a New Jersey-based sport marketing and event management company. The U.S. Army is the title sponsor of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and American Family Insurance is the principal secondary sponsor.  Other national sponsors include Rivals.com, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Russell Athletic, Adidas, Gatorade, Schutt Sports, NCSA, TapouT, Oakley, NewTek and Football University. National sponsors of the All-American Marching Band include NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, Drum Corps International, Jupiter Band Instruments and DeMoulin Uniforms."  Source:  KAKE.com
  
  ====================================
  More links to this story:Scout.com
  Rivals.com ~ Game RosterGo Army.com ~ Player Bios
  ====================================
  If you enjoyed this post, you will probably want to check out this one too:
  
  Source:  Nike's "The Opening" Brochure
  During the week of July 5-9, 2011, Cary and I were privileged to attend "The Opening", watching quarterback grandson Tyler Matthews (#43 the first day, and #15 on game days) play with 150 of the best high school football players in the United States. The event was held at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. I hope that you enjoy the pictures ... some are better photos than others, but I tried to capture as many kids as I could.
  
  
  There are approximately 500 photos in these slide shows. They are of the players, the fans, our family and everybody/everything that caught my eye. They are in chronological order. No names are on the pictures, even if I do know who people were.
  
  
  As time permits, I will also be writing blog posts about my experience as a spectator. Since I still have a lot to learn about football and this is not a sports blog, I'll write some human interest stories as seen through my eyes. That said, Tyler Matthews, YOU ROCK!!!!
  
  
  PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK: [oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com]
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Some up and coming football stars last July:
  Jake Rodreigues, Christo Kourtzidis, Kolby Listenbee,  Zach Kline, and Tyler Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 11, 2011
• 7:34

  It Was a Happy Birthday!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It is true, yesterday was my birthday, and it was a very nice one.  I received many phone calls and texts, tons of Facebook messages, several emails, a snail mail card from the bank and a special virtual card from Gloria.  There sure are so many ways to communicate these days.  Thank you, everybody!  I know that I am very blessed to be loved or liked by so many.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I had a good bone-in ham that I had bought on Friday, and decided to make us a good dinner.  My BFF April, her daughter Tatum, my MIL Darlene, and Aunt Nona joined Cary and me for dinner.  We had the ham, slow cooked green beans, shrimp salad, mashed potatoes, squash, beets and bread and butter.  April brought a strawberry cheesecake from Costco, and you know how yummy those are!
  
  Oregon Gifts of  Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I can't believe that I forgot to take pictures of the food and of my guests!  Cary gave me roses, and I received some other beautiful gifts.  I just decided to put together the party yesterday morning, and I am so glad that they were able to come and celebrate with me on short notice.  I could have gone out to dinner, but I wanted to be a blessing and do something nice for them.  We eat out way more than we have others over for a home cooked meal these days.
  
  
  
  In the spirit of giving back on my birthday, if you like the photo above, you can copy and paste it for your own personal use.  (You cannot use it to sell though.) 
  
  God bless, and thanks for stopping by to see me today. 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 09, 2011
• 7:06

  Neighborhood Deer and 80,000 Visitors:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  On Friday morning, I was on my way to Bend to pick up our nephew, who was dropping of his truck to be fixed.  A few miles from home, on the road where I turn to connect to the highway, were all of these deer.  
  
  I pulled my car over, rolled down my window and zoomed in to capture them eating their breakfast. The deer were not one bit alarmed by my style of shooting, and stayed there for quite several minutes.  It was a pretty sight to see.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This post is post number 1468!  Sometime today, Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy will turn over 80,000 visitors on the hit-meter.  On my Google stats, there are over 102,000 visits.  I don't really know how many people have visited over the past three years, but I appreciate every one of you who have.  Truly.  Thank you!
   
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 08, 2011
• 8:54

  Sepia Saturday #95: Melinda Miller Applegate and The Applegate House

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  
  It is that time of the week once more, time for Sepia Saturday .  This week, Alan has chosen a sepia photo of women marching for social justice; making their voices heard in government.  
  
  Yoncalla, Oregon.  Source: Wikipedia
  For this post, I chose the setting of Yoncalla, Oregon. The little city of Yoncalla, was the first city council in the United States to be made up of all women.  But, you know me, I always seem to think outside the box a bit and come up with something on the fringes of the suggested topic.  I decided to tell you about Melinda Miller Applegate and her interesting personal protest in 1852.
  
  As I was looking through the books that I have on hand that might have something to do with women protesters, I noticed a book on my shelves that is a personal favorite, "Skookum:  An Oregon Pioneer Family's History and Lore" by Shannon Applegate, c. 1988. 
  
  
  
  
  Married to Melinda, Charles Applegate brought his family to the Oregon Territory in 1843.  On that trip, his brother Linsday's son Elisha, and his brother Jesse's son Edward, both perished as the group crossed the mighty Columbia River.  After that, Charles, Jesse and Lindsay, surveyed and created the famous Applegate Trail.  This became a safer, southern route of The Oregon Trail that did not mess with the Columbia.
  
  The family eventually settled in the Yoncalla/Drain area in Douglas County, Oregon and were friends and kissin' cousins with my family, The Hedricks (Hardscrabble), The Letsoms (Yoncalla), and The Putnams (Tin Pot/Putnam Valley).
  
  Thumbing through the book, I noticed the picture below, of Melinda Miller Applegate, wife of Charles and mother of Lucy (1830), Susan (1831), Ellen (1832), Julia (1833), James (1834), Mary (1836), Lisbon (1837), Irene (1842), Albert (1843), Harriet (1845), Thomas (1847), Jane (1848), Frances (1850), George (1852) and Milton (1854).  That is fifteen kids, folks.
  
  Source:  "Skookum:  An Oregon Pioneer Family's History and Lore" by Shannon Applegate
  Melinda's parents were James Miller (b. 1784, d. 1846) and Susannah Basham (b. 1796, d. 1842).  Melinda Miller Applegate was born May 27, 1812 in Powell Valley, Claiborne County, Tennessee.   Melinda married Charles Applegate in Cole, Missouri on July 30, 1829.  She died on January 29, 1888 in Yoncalla, Douglas County Oregon.  Source: Find A Grave Memorial
  
  So, what was Melinda Miller Applegate's great protest?  Her house.  It seems that Melinda felt that 15 children was enough. When Charles got to work on their home, he built what was essentially a huge duplex.  A wall in the middle separated the men's side from the women's side.  The only way that you could go in to either side was through the front door of each separate side.  Their last baby was born in 1854, two years after the house was built.  It seems to have worked!
  
  There were probably other reasons for this division than not wanting more children, however.  The Applegate home was an early destination point in the region.  The men's side was often full of men discussing politics; it was more like a lodge and meeting place. The women's side was for more womanly pursuits and interests.  Eventually, the kitchen was moved from the women's side to a new addition off the back of the home for greater convenience.
  
  
  
  
  Source:  "Skookum:  An Oregon Pioneer Family's History and Lore" by Shannon Applegate
  
  
  Source:  "Skookum:  An Oregon Pioneer Family's History and Lore" by Shannon Applegate
  
  
   Source: The Applegate House Website
  The Applegate home has been refurbished, and is now an arts and education center.  For more information about The Applegate House, please "CLICK HERE". 
  
  So, there you go, my friends.  A tiny bit of Oregon history, with a few leads to find out more about the settling of Oregon and the interesting Applegates.
  
  Oh, Horace and Aurilla Hedrick Putnam (my great-great aunt), in their large home on The Putnam Ranch, also had a separate staircase with a divided upstairs (only the upstairs) in their home.  This was to divide the sleeping quarters from overnight lodgers and ranch help from the family.  It makes me wonder if others did that too when designing their homes back then.  But only Charles and Melinda were noted for having no access except for the front doors to either side of their large home.
  
  Take care,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 07, 2011
• 6:22

  Book Blurb Friday #32 and #31: The Sasquatch Chronicles and Tambina Island

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  This week I have two stories, because I didn't get last week's done on time.  On Fridays, my friend Lisa Richard Claro gives us a picture prompt and 150 words of our choice to make up a book blurb to encourage buyers to get our books.  I have actually not written more than 150 words toward any of my stories yet, but I am thinking about it.  I worked hard on these two, but they don't seem to really flow.  I'll chock them up as practice.  The first picture is one that I took: 
  
  
  The Sasquatch Chronicles
  In the 1970's, at the base of Paulina Peak in Central Oregon, there was a little green a-frame. Ted and Lisa had recently acquired the cabin, and were looking forward to enjoying their first winter there snowmobiling and skiing.
  
  One evening, as Ted was stacking wood, he looked up and noticed the sky.  It was beautiful, sure, but also rather spooky.  A large bird was hovering overhead, and the clouds seemed to be full of faces.  It was as if a rift had opened up overhead to show an entire other dimension. 
  
  Suddenly, a huge crash in the forest accompanied by a lousy smell made Ted jump and drop his armful of wood.  As he looked toward the sound, Ted froze.  Standing a mere fifty feet away was Bigfoot. 
  
  This true story chronicles how the young couple learns to co-exist with Sasquatch over the next decade near Sunriver, Oregon. (149) 
  
  Note:  The setting and the green a-frame are real.  During the 70's and 80's there were several Bigfoot sightings around here, but I haven't heard much about that lately.  I took this picture this summer during our thunderstorm season when the forest fire smoke was thick.  It does look a bit spooky to me!  If you would like a tour of the a-frame, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  Thank you to Anyes at Far Away in the Sunshine for this beautiful picture:
  
  
   Tambina Island
  Carol held the old postcard in her hand, studying it carefully.  She was due to be released from prison in sixteen days and when she is, Carol will be heading to Tambina Island to begin her new life. 
  
  During her 20-year-sentence, much had changed.  Her mom had died, and had left her $50,000.  Carol had changed the most of all.  She was definitely no longer the 17-year-old girl with addiction issues; the person who had wiped out a family of five while driving under the influence.
  
  Though she would never forgive herself, Carol had overcome most of her obstacles.  Determined to give back and atone for her mistakes, Carol couldn't wait to be living on the island and beginning her dream of opening an orphanage for tsunami victims. 
  
  After being cooped up for 20 years, living far away in the sunshine sounded mighty nice right now.  (146)
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the pictures above are the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 06, 2011
• 11:11

  SkyWatch Friday: Paulina Peak Clouds and Mt. Bachelor

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  This morning we went up the hill behind us to bring our travel trailer back home.  (To read more about Tuesday's mini-adventure on getting it set up, please "CLICK HERE").   I couldn't help but notice this cool looking wall of clouds hanging out right where we were headed, and took the next seven pictures of them from our work:
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If that cloud bank wasn't there, you would be able to see Paulina Peak from our gravel pit.
  
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On the way up to where the trailer was, it was fun to catch the very first snowfall of the season on camera:
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I was pretty excited to get these pictures of Mt. Bachelor at the nine mile marker on the way back down the hill.  Mt. Bachelor is the one with the snow on it.  It is just one of the highest peaks of the long Cascade Mountain Range.
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  When Friday gets here, please "CLICK HERE" to see beautiful sky shots from around the world.  Please consider joining in and showing us your own pretty sky photos too.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 05, 2011
• 7:54

  Did You Know ...

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Newest Update:  Slide/Google replied to my email today, and it sounds as if they won't erase anything (I hope that is what this is saying), but will not accept any new slide shows or fix any bugs:
  Hi there,
  
  Thanks for contacting the Slide Community Support Team! In light of our recent announcement on the Slide blog ( [www.slide.com] ), we will no longer be creating new features for Slideshows and Guestbooks or fixing existing bugs in these products.  Instead, we will enable users to either download their photos or export them to a Picasa account in the coming weeks.  Please stay tuned to Slide.com for future updates. If you wish to download your photos now, please follow the steps below.
  
  1. Log into your Slide.com account. 
  2. Locate the Slideshow containing the images you would like to download.
  3. Hover your mouse over the "Options" link to the right of your
  Slideshow.
  4. Click "Download images" link
  5. If prompted, select the location for the zip file of images to be
  downloaded to.
  
  Thanks again for all of your support, and we apologize for any
  inconvenience this may cause.
  
  The Community Support Team
  
  
  Original Post:
  
  
  I have 82 slide shows with Slide.com.  I found the news below by accident, when I went to make a new slide show.  No email or warning came from Google, who recently bought Slide.com.  Now I have a couple of weeks to transfer things over, but it is not clear if the whole slide show will be transferred, or just the images.  Will all of my slide shows be totally deleted?  I sure would like some answers, do you guys have any for me?  I'm going to try and find out more info, now that I have their email address.  
  
  I sure hope that Google won't shut down our blogs some day in the same manner as they are handling their Slide.com closure.  I'm just sayin'.
  
  
  IMPORTANT UPDATE: Slide.com will be shutting down on March 6th 2012. As part of the shutdown we have disabled the ability to create new slide shows and guestbooks, and will be disabling the ability to edit slideshows on November 6th 2011. Please make any necessary edits prior to this date. Thanks for using Slide.com!
  Update on Slide's products and our commitment to our users:
  August 25, 2011:  We wanted to give you all advance notice that in the coming months, a number of Slide's products and applications will be retired. This includes Slide's products such as Slideshow and SuperPoke! Pets, as well as more recent products such as Photovine, Video Inbox and Pool Party. We created products with the goal of providing a fun way for people to connect, communicate and share. While we are incredibly grateful to our users and for all of the wonderful feedback over the years, many of these products are no longer as active or haven't caught on as we originally hoped.
  
  
  Most importantly, we wanted to take this opportunity to reassure you that we're committed to helping our users preserve their data as easily as possible. We recognize that many of you have stored valuable content with us and want to assure you that, wherever possible, you will have ample time to download that information or transfer it to another service.
  For example, on Slide.com, we will enable users to either download their photos or export them to a Picasa account. We are working to release this export feature over the coming weeks and, once added, users will have several months to take advantage of transferring their photos.
  Thanks again for all of your support, and we appreciate your patience as we continue to share more details in the coming days and weeks on how to access and save your content from specific Slide products. If you have any questions or feedback, don't hesitate to contact us at feedback@slide.com. Or visit this page for any additional updates.
  
  On a brighter note, Kathy B. over at Spot On Cedar Pond  just introduced me to the coolest resource blog ever: Chickens in the Road.  Check it out when you get a chance; I know that you will not be disappointed!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 04, 2011
• 8:23

  Newberry Geothermal Project: End of the 2011 Season

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Source:  USGS.gov
  Several companies are involved in drilling for renewable geothermal energy currently in the Newberry Caldera south of Bend, Oregon.  One of the companies is Davenport Power, and you can read more of the ins-and-outs about it at their website by "CLICKING HERE".
  
  One of the other companies involved in geothermal drilling is Alta Rock Energy.  To read about their work, please "CLICK HERE".  Will at Alta Rock made arrangements to borrow our travel trailer for a few days as he stays on site to drain the water from the holding ponds for the winter.  Yesterday, Cary and I drove up the 12.5 miles of gravel road to the landing where Alta Rocks ponds are.  There is a locked gate at the 7.5 mile marker, so you won't be able to see anything unless you have permission and make arrangements to do so.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary and Will
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Owen, the geologist.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We set the trailer up on the landing.  The landing is a huge nicely graveled parking lot with a few pieces of equipment, an outhouse and two huge holding ponds.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The two pools hold 1.5 million gallons of clear, pure water that has been drilled out from deep in the earth.  The water was not very warm as it came out, and it is really cold now.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Each pool is lined, and is 10' deep in the center.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  The water needs to be pumped out before it freezes, ruins the liners and takes forever to thaw next spring.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is rubber fencing surrounding the ponds.  One purpose for this is safety for people and wildlife.  If a deer or elk got into the pond, they would have a very hard time getting out.
  
  So, where will the water go?  There are pipes laying around the parking lot, and on our way back down the hill we met up with the guy hauling irrigation sprinklers.  The water will be pumped out, watering the trees and parking lot.
  
  It was an interesting little field trip, and we'll go back up in a few days to bring the trailer back home.  A couple of years ago, Cary, Mom and I went on another field trip, taking the same road but following it all the way back around toward HWY 97 past Lava Butte near Bend.  To read about that, and see some pretty fall photos, please  "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 02, 2011
• 8:47

  Bend, Oregon: Fall Festival 2011

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post ... the first several photos have some shadows in them at least!  To see more cool shadows from around the world, please "CLICK HERE" to visit Tracy over at Hey Harriet and my other blog friends too.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:16

  Weekend Reflections: Window Shopping in Downtown Bend, October 1, 2011

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Yesterday morning, Cary and I went to Bend for breakfast and then wandered around the downtown are.  The Fall Festival was going on, and we took in some of it.  One of my favorite things to do when we are downtown is to take pictures of the window displays, festival or not.  You never know what you will see when they are developed.  I hope that you enjoy these as much as I do!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a Weekend Reflection post.  To see beautiful reflections of all types, please "CLICK HERE" to visit James and others from around the world.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• October 01, 2011
• 19:26

  Living Room/Dining Room Remix:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Hi!  Sorry that I have been gone for a few days.  On Thursday, the Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaner guys came over to clean our carpets.  I spent the first part of the week getting everything moved out of the way so that they could work without tons of clutter.  I decided to rearrange our great room when it came time to put things away.  I cannot believe what a difference it has made!  The rooms seem huge, especially the living room.
  
  Living Room, Before:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Living Room, Now: 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This table is now situated to the right as you walk into the living room.
     Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsOregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews This is the entry area.
  Dining Room, Before:
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Dining Room, Now:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I created a little sitting area for reading or hand-sewing.
  
  Kitchen, Before:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This kids' table was underneath the lip of the kitchen island.
  
  Kitchen, Now:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Now there is shelving with cookbooks, jars of spaghetti sauce, and dry goods in canning jars in the spot where the table used to be.  There is even room for a rug now, and it really gives us so much more room, as the dining room is widened outward.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Thank you to Nicholas and Erik for their professional job of cleaning the carpets and the couch and love seat.  They were all really dirty, more than we had realized.  They were so nice, and even helped me move the couches and t.v. into the new spots.  You guys are great!  If you live around here, I highly recommend them. 
  
  Take care, and thank you so much for your visit!
  
  Kathy M.  
  
  This is a Metamorphosis Monday post.  M.M. is hosted by Susan from over at Between Naps on the Porch.  When you are all done here, please check out the creative work of others over there!
  
  
  
  P.S. -  The t.v. stand is the bottom of our hutch.  I took the top part of the hutch and placed it on the dresser in our master bath.  Non-traditional, but very pretty!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
  
  
   
• 13:38

  Hi you guys ...Sorry ...

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hi you guys ...
  
  
  Sorry that I haven't been on here; I've been totally caught up in cleaning and rearranging the living room and dining room for the past several days.  I'll post and visit you as soon as I can.
  
  Hope your weekend is going great.
  
  
  Hugs,
  
  Kathy
• September 29, 2011
• 8:27

  Go RAYS!!!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Source:  Ray's Facebook Page
  Source:  Tampa Bay Rays Facebook Page
  What a night last night was for baseball.  They are calling it historic.  To make it short and sweet, from what I understand, the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers were in the play-offs for sure.  If the Boston Red Sox won the game over the Balitmore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays won over the Yankees, then the Red Sox and the Rays would play one game to see which one of those teams would go into the playoffs. 
  
  It was a tight game between the Red Sox and the Orioles, and that was the game that we were able to watch on t.v.   To make matters worse, there was a long rain delay.  The score was 3 to 2 for a long time, and Boston lost the game with two outs at the bottom of the 9th inning.  So, Boston will not be going into the playoffs.  
  
  The Yankees were ahead by 7 to 0 over the Rays for the whole game.  At the end of the game, by some miracle, the Rays caught up and then won!  Good job Rays.  I wish that I was able to see that whole thing.  Some people, even NYY fans are saying that the Yankees threw the game and allowed the Rays to win so that they wouldn't have to face Boston.  Well, if that was the case, which I highly doubt, it was all for nothing anyway, since Boston lost.
  
  Who would have gone to the playoffs if the Rays and Boston both lost?  I don't know; I haven't looked it up.  But now, those who are in the American League playing in the 2011 playoffs are the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers. 
  
  Below is link to an article that tells you everything, including the status of the National League peeps.  I'm not a sports reporter, but last night was a big deal and lots of fun.  Plus, I love Johnny Damon, who has a HUGE heart and has played for Boston, NYY, the Tigers and now for the Rays.  You rock, Johnny!  And, Evan Longoria was last night's hero.  There are so many quality guys on this team.  Gotta love 'em.  Maybe after they win the World Series, they will get a new stadium.
  
  
  "Historic Night of Baseball"
  
  Source:  "Nate"
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 28, 2011
• 16:39

  Sepia Saturday: Beauty and The Bull AND Phil Loves Marilyn

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  Alan's picture this week for Sepia Saturday is of a lady on the cover of a magazine riding a rocking horse.  I found this photo of a pretty young woman riding a bull:
  
  Source:  Lane County Historian, Vol. 44, No. 2, Summer 1999
  The post below was originally posted in January of this year, but I thought that my Sepia Saturday peeps might enjoy it this week.  It is on theme, I do believe, of beautiful vintage ladies! 
  
  When you are all through here at Oregon Gifts, please "CLICK HERE" to see neat old pictures from the past.
  
  
  On Sunday night, January 26th, we went to the little Central Oregon town of  Chemult, which is about a 45 minute drive from our home.  We were going there to meet Kylie's train (which turned out to be 6 hours late, but we didn't know that was going to happen), and we got into town at 9:00.  Only a couple of places were open, The Pilot Travel Center (thank God that it is a 24/7 joint), and the Chalet.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you have ever been to the Chalet, you would know that the owner, Phil, loves Marilyn Monroe, and has a great collection of Marilyn looking gorgeous.  If you have never been, well, I took some pictures so that you can see it for yourself:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMarilyn gives Phil a kiss.
  
  
  Now, let's take a little stroll down Marilyn Monroe Blvd.:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Of course, Ms. Monroe is the original Blonde Bombshell (I think), but there is also a microbrew of that same name made right here in Central Oregon, by the  Cascade Lakes Brewery.  I didn't have any of that though; I stuck with my Merlot.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These are actually life-sized cardboard cutouts of Marilyn:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This vintage metal shampoo sign was cool:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are some photos of photos/posters that were on the wall:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Another great poster; it is easy to see why the guys loved her:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  More wall photos:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I really liked this one:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  What a vintage find:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Phil's friend is getting a little fresh here:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My Best Friend Husband is more respectful.  Of course, he knew that this would eventually end up on my blog:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I want to give a shout out to Connie at the Chalet, for staying open later for us, and for visiting and listening to me chatter on about my book idea.  She was a goldmine of information, and is setting up a railroad friend of hers for me to interview.  Connie got me going again, yay!  Plus, she remembered my Grandma and Grandpa's little store on old River Road, and it was so neat to talk with her about that, and about everything else.  Thanks, Connie!
  
  Last, but not least, this picture of Cary and Marilyn was taken at the wax museum in San Antonio, Texas a couple of years ago:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews 
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:38

  This and That Wednesday:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hello, Friends!
  
  What's up?  Well, around here, the main excitement is getting ready for the carpet cleaners.  It actually is exciting, because that job has been put off for way too long.  They will be here in the morning, and I have been moving things out of the way in preparation.  This led to me deciding to rearrange the living room furniture after they are all done cleaning.  If I'm lucky, they will help me move the couches right then and there, and Cary can help me with the t.v. when he gets home.  
  
  So, I have been deep cleaning as I go along.  I seem to have bothered my shoulder with all of this work, but it is worth it.  It seems funny that I have removed so much from the living room and it still looks very full.  Yesterday, I set up the little vignette below.  I haven't put up pictures and wall hangings prior to moving the furniture before, but I think this will work out nicely.  This little end table will go between the couch and love seat:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I want to use the bottom of the hutch as a t.v. stand, and needed to find a new place for the top of it.  There really was only one spot that could support it safely, and that is the dresser in our master bath.  I am very pleased at how this room has turned out.  It is non-traditional, but this has to be the best and prettiest bathroom that I have ever had!
   
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  So, this is my view as I am soaking in the tub.  It makes me happy to have all of this cheery ME stuff!  To see the post when I reworked the bathroom this summer, please "CLICK HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I'll show you the living room and dining room when they are all done.  It is nice to get the house clean before winter hits.
  
  My son Nigel called last night and told me that when he tested for his Microsoft Word and Office exam in the Job Corps a couple of months ago, he got a score of 1000 out of 1000.  Yesterday, he received a certificate and a letter of congratulations for being number five in the whole nation to accomplish this!  Way cool, Nigel, we are so proud of you. 
  
  Have a wonderful day everybody, and God bless ya! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:58

  Cascade Lakes Highway: Photos of Wickiup Lake, Devil's Lake and Soda Creek

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  These were taken last Friday, as I looped around Cascade Lakes Highway in Central Oregon.  I will give these areas their own blog posts soon, but I wanted to include these teaser pictures for this week's edition of Watery Wednesday.
  
  
  
  Wickiup Lake Near South Twin Lake:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Devil's Lake:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Soda Creek, Near Sparks Lake:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  That is the South Sister in the background.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you enjoyed these pictures, I think that you will also enjoy this post on Elk Lake, and this one on Lava Lake
  
  
  
  For many beautiful water photos from around the world, please visit T. Bruce over at Watery Wednesday!  Please consider joining the rest of us by submitting your watery pictures too.  It is easy, free and we would love to see them.  To get there, just "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 27, 2011
• 7:05

  Tell It Like It Is Tuesday: Making an Impact

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Today is Tuesday, where I tell it like it is.  
  
  This week's topic is change, dealing with it, and making an impact with your life.  The future is not ours to see, and as the song goes, whatever will be will be.  We can try to make the best of whatever is though, as changes that come our way.
  
  
  
  We never really know what is going to happen.  We can make plans, follow them, accomplish things and then everything seems to go to hell at one point or another.  People die, people get divorced, people get into accidents that cause life altering injuries.  People throw fits, get entangled with drugs and alcohol, and spend time in jail.  Over the past two weeks, I've seen all of these events happen to one person or another.  Some of the people I know personally, others are as we say on Facebook, friends of friends.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It is kind of funny, but the most positive thing that I pulled out of the above events came from the person who died.  I attended his memorial service on Saturday.
  
  
   
  Bud was my first husband's brother-in-law; my girls' uncle.  Though I didn't get the chance to spend much time with him or know him very well, I always enjoyed being around him.   Everybody did.  There were around 250 people gathered for his service in the small community where he lived most of his life.
  
  Bud and Mary Ann's grandson spoke at the service.  One thing that he said really made me think.  He said, "My Grandpa knew how to raise kids and grandkids.  He had remarkable patience.  He spent time with us, and taught us what he knew."  If we all could only have or be grandparents like that!  Bud handed down a legacy of love.
  
  The life that Bud and Mary Ann created was truly based on the American dream.  They married young; each others first love.  The two recently celebrated 52 years of a wonderful marriage.  They settled into a delightful small town, where he ended up retiring from the company where he worked his whole life.  They had a girl and a boy; each growing up to be happily married with two kids.  They all lived close by each other; sharing camping, fishing, hunting, enjoying car shows, childcare, and their lives.  This is a family who was totally invested in one another.  To me, they are a family who did things right.  A family where things worked out.  An old-fashioned family, and an example for others.  Rest in peace, Bud, and thank you for the impact that you have made to those you touched.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Change is going to happen.  Whatever will be will be.  I guess it is a matter of making adjustments, offering forgiveness when needed, setting boundaries, and lending a helping hand.  Comforting the hurting; loving those around us.  
  
  Last week held many surprising and unforseen events.  The story that got to me the most was the story of a co-worker of my sister, who went on a hike with her boyfriend and slipped down a ravine 150' and broke her neck.  Her boyfriend hiked out for help after going down to check on her, and the National Guard brought in a Black Hawk helicopter to rescue the lady.  (Please keep her in your prayers.)  Never for a minute when they left the house that morning, did that sweet couple imagine that their day would end like that.  We just never know how our lives are going to change.
  
  So, today, please be kind to others, be encouraging, and try to celebrate the good things in each other.  Forgive, love, and hug those who come across your path.  Thank you.
  
  God bless,
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 26, 2011
• 8:04

  Cascade Lakes Highway: Lava Lake and Lava Lake Resort

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  Cascade Lakes Highway:
  
  
  Last Friday, I drove the Cascade Lakes Highway, beginning in La Pine and ending at Mt. Bachelor.  One of my stops was Lava Lake, a place where I had not stopped to visit before.  I drove through the campground and the resort.   There is also another lake right next door, Little Lava Lake, but that road looked a bit isolated, so I didn't venture down there by myself.  I'll need to go back there sometime when Cary is with me.  Here is a link to more info regarding Little Lava Lake (Visit USA.com).
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Lava Lake Resort has a lodge, dock, two boat ramps and an RV park.  They also offer showers and a dump station. The campground has 43 campsites, and Little Lava Lake has 17.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I'm sorry to say it, but during my brief visit, I didn't feel as welcome here as I did at Elk Lake.  The signs were bossy, like, stay off the grass, 15 minute parking only, and if you are not staying at our RV park, don't come past this point.  How would I know if we wanted to stay at the RV park if I couldn't check it out?  I didn't go inside the store.  I couldn't find a website that belongs to the resort.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor were beautiful from Lava Lake.  South Sister still has a bit of snow on it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  That is Mt. Bachelor.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsI mislabeled this photo, it is Mt. Bachelor, not South Sister.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is South Sister and Broken Top.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsIt is a beautiful and peaceful spot.  The speed limit is 10 mph, so this is a fishing and swimming lake only.  If you would like to read a great report about the age of the lake, the kinds of fish that live there and more, please check out this comprehensive website: Explore Central Oregon.com: Lava Lake.
  
  Source:  Trip Check.com
  I think that there is enough blue in this post to qualify it for Blue Monday ... especially the pretty sky that day.  To see more beautiful blues, please visit my friend Smiling Sally over at Blue Monday by "CLICKING HERE".
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:07

  Felt Fish:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Yesterday, I made fish.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I improved my system as I went along.  This was the first one.  I sewed around the edges on the machine and then stuffed it and hand embroidered the edges.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Then I remembered the whole bunch of eyes that I had bought at Bunny's garage sale last year.  So, I put in the eyes and machine sewed and then hand embroidered.  I used variegated thread for these two fish.  I do not find them very professional looking, so these three will not be for sale.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  THEN, I decided to skip the machine sewing and just hand embroidered the edges before stuffing the fish.  Plus, I changed to solid colors of thread instead of variegated.  The rest of my fish turned out so much nicer.  I am in the process of giving each fish a tail bracelet like the purple one has.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsAren't they cute?
  
  Hope that you have a wonderful week!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 25, 2011
• 7:30

  Cascade Lakes Highway: Elk Lake Resort and Campground

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Cascade Lakes Highway:
  
  
  
  
  On Friday, I went on a drive down South Century Drive and Cascade Lakes Highway.  I started out at Highway 97 and Burgess, at an intersection known as Wickiup Junction.  I stopped at many lakes, resorts and campgrounds along the back way to Mt. Bachelor, and then followed the signs to Sunriver on my way home.  It was such a beautiful and peaceful day, with not much traffic.  You will be seeing many posts of that little drive throughout the week.
  
  One of my stops was Elk Lake, and these are the pictures that I took there, mainly from the parking lot.  This is a photo of the South Sister as you turn to go into the resort:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsElk LakeElevation 4893Elk Lake was named by J. Roy Harvey, first supervisor of The Deschutes National Forest.It covers approximately 390 acres.It's maximum depth is 75 feet.The lake has no surface outlet.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Elk Lake Resort is very welcoming and inviting.  I did not stay and explore that day, but was here several years ago with Cary.  It is a popular destination spot for the Bend, Sunriver and La Pine locals.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is a store, restaurant, bar, marina and cabins.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  They provide live music on the weekend during the summer and fall.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  They are open during the winter too, when snowmobiling is the fun thing to be doing.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To learn more about Elk Lake Resort, please "CLICK HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The marina was beautiful!  The water is so clear and the boats, kayaks and canoes were pretty on their own. No water skiing is allowed on this lake.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There are several campgrounds around Elk Lake.  This one is right next to the resort, and is operated by Hoodoo.  You just walk next across the parking lot to get to the resort, but it has its own day use area and boat ramp.  Plus many campsites, of course.  To find out more about Elk Lake Campground, please "Hoodoo.com: Elk Lake Campground".   To learn specific info about Elk Lake itself, please go to VisitUSA's page by "CLICKING HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Source:  Trip Check.com
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post, because there are many cool shadows in these pictures.  Please "CLICK HERE" to visit Tracy over at Hey Harriet and the many friends who post there to see awesome shadow shots from around the world!
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 23, 2011
• 8:02

  "The Big Tree" in La Pine State Park, Oregon

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsRight down the road from us is a wonderful place called La Pine State Park.  In that park, is the biggest Ponderosa Pine tree in the state of Oregon.  It is commonly known as "The Big Tree" or "Big Red".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A few years back, my daughter Kari, grandson Casey, and granddog Boomer went to take a look at Big Red.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  A bit past the big tree is the Big Deschutes River, with a nice picnic and swimming spot.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews "Admiring A Great Tree In Oregon" is a link to a newspaper article with more facts about the tree.
  
  I decided to make this a SkyWatch Friday post.  The sky is so blue and pretty in these pictures, and you can tell how nice and warm it was on that day.  By the end of next month, it will be so cold around here, and the snow will begin coming down.  To see more beautiful photos from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".  Feel free to add your own and join in.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:12

  New Facebook Changes: Top 6 Things You Need to Know Link

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hey, peeps!  Many are complaining about the new changes that Facebook has implemented over the past couple of days.  Here is a helpful article that helps outline what the changes are and how to work with them:
  
  New Facebook Changes: Top 6 Things You Need to Know
  
  
  Also, if you want to keep others from reading your live feed on the sidebar, you can copy and paste this:
  
  "Please do me a favor and move your mouse over my name here, wait for the box to load and then move your mouse over the "Subscribe"  link and wait again. Then un-check the "Comments and Likes".   I would really rather that my comments on friends and families posts not be made public, thank you! Then re-post this if you don't want your every single move posted on the right side in the "Ticker Box"  for everyone to see. I'm posting this not only for myself, but also so that my friends and family will know to ask others to do the same if they would not like their every move on Facebook published. Thanks!"
  
  Hope this helps a bit!
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 22, 2011
• 13:46

  Book Blurb Friday #29 & #30 : "Sister-Wives" and "Vacation Gone Bad"

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "Sister-Wives"
  "On a pleasant fall day in Ogden, twins Tasha and Tiffany Peppertree, 26, nursed their babies outside on the patio; enjoying their lattes and each other.  
  
  Never separated and extremely close, they were delighted with how their lives had turned out so far.  Meeting Dan was their luckiest day ever, or so it seemed.  Handsome, kind, and rich, he was the father of their newborn babies.  In fact, Dan is Tasha's husband as well as Tiffany's. 
  
  Dan is also Abbie's husband, and the father of her three.  After ten years of marriage, Dan had decided to bring home the twins last year; wasting no time in getting them pregnant.  He expected Abbie to open their home and accept everybody into the fold graciously.  Instead, feelings of jealousy and anger flared up frequently, turning Abbie bitter. 
  
  This interesting story follows the polygamous Peppertree family through their first several years.  An entertaining and fascinating novel!" (149)   Thank you to Ashley for the cool photo!
  
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "Vacation Gone Bad"
  "Youth minister and part-time pilot Jordon Shepherd had finally finagled some much needed vacation time away from First Baptist Church. The plan was to take his beautiful, hardworking wife Faith with him to an exclusive nudist resort on an island off the south coast of New Zealand.  They were taking a chance here; if anybody from church knew where they were going, things would certainly hit the fan. 
  
  Jordon and Faith felt that since we are all born naked, that God himself wouldn't really mind.  After saving up for three years to take this trip, they flew their own small plane to the resort.  
  
  Things went bad from the minute they landed.  Terrorists had occupied the island, and burned everybody's clothes.  They plastered their captive's faces all over the news, demanding ransom.
  
  The Shepherds were not sure which was worse, possible death or the church finding out where they were."  (150)  Thank you to Kay Davies for this cool photo!
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the pictures above are the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 21, 2011
• 8:22

  This and That Wednesday:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hello Friends!  Happy Wednesday to you.  So, what's up?  I've been busy making things again.  Here is what I have been working on over the past week.  (This is a long post, so please scroll all the way to the bottom to leave your comments.)
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Eleven little preschool pillows and three kids' scarves.  Plus, I finished the edging on four little heart pillows.  Yay!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  At the fabric store, you can usually find panel sets that are meant for sewing into a book.  Instead, I decided to make little pillows out of them. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Four are stories from the Bible, and the others have to do with colors.  I chose the appropriate color for the back of each color pillow.  These are kind of neat, because they also have the color and words in Spanish and French, as well as in English.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I still need to finish trimming these pillows, and to add a few more rows to this little scarf.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It takes a bit more time to stitch around the edges, but it adds value and just looks nicer.  It is kind of peaceful to do the hand-stitching as I am watching t.v.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When these are all done, I'll get them ready for sale and put them into my vintage store trailer.  (I keep saying that to make it real to me ... it is kind of a way of goal setting. The more I get it into my mind that it really is going to happen, then it will, don't ya know.)
  
  Meat Bees:
  Meat Bees Source ~ Flicker
  The meat bees are terrible around here!  They showed up a bit late this year, in the month of August.  At first, we were able to co-exist, but now we can't even sit outside on the front porch.  I was stung on the back of my knee a couple of weeks ago, and it still itches.  Lots of my friends and relatives have been stung too.  Some swelled up black and blue.  I swear that last week the dogs were also being stung.  They were making crying noises that I hadn't heard before, so I brought them right in.
  
  Meat bees like to gather around water and food.  I guess that  sometimes we are considered food.  When I feed the cat her canned food, she has about one minute to eat the gravy before those dang bees begin to show up and join her.  She won't come inside, and I have had a hard time figuring out how to make sure she gets more of the good stuff.  She has dry food available, but it just is not her first choice.  Yesterday evening, I fed her in the garage with the doors closed.  That seemed to help a bit. 
  
  It has been getting into the 30's a night the past few days, and that seems to be helping the situation.  I miss being out on the porch in the afternoon sun!
  
  Freak Accidents
  This is a weird little story.  Larry is a friend of mine that I used to work with years ago.  I am friends with his ex-wife and kids on Facebook.  The other day, his son wrote to tell us that Larry rode his motorcycle to Reno with his father and brother for a guys weekend.  They were at the airshow on Sunday when devastation hit.  The three of them were unharmed, thank goodness, and I am very sorry for those who were hurt or killed in that tragic accident.
  
  Later, they were back at their hotel (not sure which one) and were riding in the elevator.  Suddenly, the elevator malfunctioned and dropped several floors, slamming everybody in a heap.  Both Larry an his brother have some pretty hurt knees.  Glad that nobody was hurt seriously. 
  
  But still, what are the chances of those two weird things happening to the same group of people in one weekend?  Have you ever had an elevator do something like that when you were riding in it?
  
  Un-Newsworthy?
  There has been something really big going on in North Dakota since June. There was a huge flood in Minot that caused a lot of devastation, and there are tons of people still trying to clean it up.  At the same time, a bunch of oil has been being drilled in mainly North Dakota, in an area called "The Bakken" (here is a USGS Release about this "The Bakken").  
  
  People are swarming there to work.  There are "man-camps", farmer's fields full of R.V.'s and tents trying to accommodate the influx of people.  Have you guys seen or heard anything about all of this on the news?  Why is it being kept so quiet?  The flood part was mentioned at the time it happened, but the rest of it seems to be circulating by word of mouth.  Some of our friends have taken their equipment back there to work.  Do you guys know more about this?  Who decides what is news and what is news but should be kept quiet?  I'm just sayin'.  We watch a LOT of news around here, and I'm just not hearing about this great adventure.  On second thought, maybe it is just like the rest of the news; it is on there for a bit and nobody except for Anderson Cooper does a follow-up. 
  
  Well, that is enough for now, I've got to get going and give you guys a chance to do something else.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.  I hope that your Wednesday is grand!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• September 20, 2011
• 8:54

  Telling It Like It is Tuesday #2: Taking Pictures

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Well, here it is, Tuesday already.  Time for Telling It Like It Is!
  
  I have a lot of things that I could tell, but I will play it safe this week by letting you know about my picture taking.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Mattehws
  This is my main camera.  It is a Sony Super Steady Shot.  It is full HD, takes movies and does tons of stuff that I haven't learned how to do yet.  My old camera, the one that got me going on taking pictures, is now my back-up and is a Samsung Digimax A7.  I carry both cameras in my purse at all times.
  
  Like my McGyver contraption that I made for the lens cover?  I made that in June, and am pretty proud of it.  I know that it looks dorky, but it works.  I was forever losing the lens cover, because as soon as you turn on the camera it shoots off to who really knows where.   When we went to the Quinalt Casino as part of our Washington vacation, I took a look at that green thing and figured out how to put it to good use.  Plus, I can EASILY identify my camera now.  
  
  At my daughter Kristin's birthday, I was showing my handiwork to my first husband.  I said, see what I did with the card holder thingy from the casino?  He said, I think that you should just call it a lanyard.  Okay!  When I first made it, Cary said, What are you doing?  Then he just stared at it, not saying much, lol.  Still, he probably thought that it was a pretty good idea, since he always had to help me find the lost cover. 
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Mattehws
  This is the camera bag that I use for my main camera.  It is soft, and keeps my camera protected but doesn't take up so much room in my purse as the real camera bag would.  I don't drink whiskey, but I like that little bag.  Sorry that the picture is blurry; that came from holding my old camera too close.
  
  
  Now we will begin the official interview, between me and me.  
  
  How long have you been taking pictures?
  
  
  Well, I got my first camera when I was ten; a white Instamatic with gold felt trim.  I loved it.  Later, I moved on to a Vivatar Instamatic, and then to a 35 mm Konica.  I loved that camera, and used it for years.  I still have it, but the pictures don't turn out anymore.  I should get it looked at, I suppose.  It worked well for years, even after falling off the top of the car when it was inside the diaper bag that I left on the roof.  Cloth diapers rock as padding, by the way.
  
  
  When did you begin to take so many?
  
  
  That would be around the time when I got my first digital camera.  Then, when I had a forum for them, my blogs, I really took off.  I began my blog career in November 2008.
  
  
  Have you ever taken any photography classes?
  
  
  No, not yet.  And really, most of my "good pictures" are mainly by luck.  If something looks pretty or interesting to me, I will take the photo, and then crop and develop it into something better later on.  Photography is still a hobby for me.  I don't know enough to take indoor pictures or pictures of people for an important event.  I do pretty well with outdoor shots now though, at least on my camera.
  
  
  How many hours do you put into a special event on your photos, anyway?  
  
  I kept track when I took pictures for The Mountain Star Relief Nursery's ten-year anniversary.  I was there for a couple of hours and took around 200 photos.  The next day, I developed the pictures, put them into a slide show, and wrote a blog post.  I spent almost 9 hours on that little job, and they really did appreciate it.
  
  
  
  Is there anything that bothers you about takings pictures? 
  
  Now that you ask, there is.  It does bother me when I take tons of photos for somebody, and never get an acknowledgment or a thank you.  This happens often at family events, after I post everything on Facebook.  It also happens when I take pictures of local businesses and then send them copies of the pictures.  I do it all for free just because I think the pictures will be neat, and email them the link of the blog post and to the slide show.  It is irritating (and a bit rude), since I do put so many hours into my work.  Out of the four shops that I have done so far, only one has sent me an email telling me thank you.
  
  Please throw your family photographer a bone once in a while, peeps.  They are giving you a gift of love.  And businesses, if somebody is going out of their way to promote your business for free, please tell them thank you.
  
  
  It also irritates me when people use my photos without permission.   That doesn't happen very often, thank goodness.  I now watermark my new photos with my name and the year that I took the picture.
  
  
  Do you have any advice for those just getting into digital photography?
  
  
  Buy the best camera that you can afford, along with good computer processing programs.  I use Picasa now, and it is free.  Someday I should buy Photoshop and learn how to use it.  Practice all the time, taking tons of photos of all sorts.  It doesn't cost anything but time.  For printing photos, use the best photo paper; it makes all the difference.  I prefer Kirkland from Costco because it is excellent and cheap.  150 sheets of 8"x10" is around $14.00.  I like to get my ink there too, in the extra large sizes.  It lasts so much longer.
  
  
  Is there anything else that you would like to share? 
  
  Taking pictures is very important.  I have a huge library built up now, and have big plans for using the photos someday.  One way that the pictures come in handy is when somebody dies.  I have made funeral collages for my FIL Troy, for Grandma Pearl, and for our friend Howard. I had taken pictures of Amy and her Dad at a birthday party and then he died shortly thereafter.  I was happy to make a collage for her, and it meant a lot.  You never know when pictures of somebody will be important.  
  
  Also, some of the places that we have visited have now been burned by wildfire, and I am glad that I got photos of what they used to look like.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is one of the photo collages that I made for Grandma Pearl.
  
  Thanks for visiting and leaving your comments today.  If you have any questions, please let me know!  
  
  God bless,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 19, 2011
• 8:13

  One More Trailer Post: "2002 Prowler" and "1999 Komfort"

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  This is the last in my mini-series of travel trailer posts.  At least now they are all in one spot!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsOkay, now I know that I have shown you the picture above a couple of weeks ago.  We have just gotten the above trailer from my MIL.  Though it is 9-years-old, it has been barely used, and still has that "new smell".  We used it for the first time when we went camping up The McKenzie River, at Holiday Farms RV Resort, Rainbow OR.    
  
  I know that some of you are like me, and enjoy seeing what is inside of travel trailers, and how they are all set up differently.  This one is 29' long, and we could easily live in it with the dogs, if we had a house for all the rest of our stuff!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis picture is of when you walk through the front door.  The carpeting is off-white, so we have covered up as much of it as we can.  This rug covers a heater vent, so I have to scoot it over when we turn the heat on.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A real living room!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis chair came with it, but I added the pillow.  I love to bring in things to make it feel comfy and homey.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsWe bought this coffee table at a garage sale for $5.00.  What a score; it is solid maple and is just the right size.  The coffee table is easy for me to lift and maneuver onto the bed when we have to pull the slide-out in for driving.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsA bit of decoration and live plants make me happy.  My sister Julie hand-painted these pots.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCary went down to the Pilot Truck Stop in Chemult and bought this little T.V./DVD player.  What is neat about it is that you can plug it into a cigarette lighter or, in this trailer, use if off of the regular battery if you don't have any electricity.  That means, if we are camping out in the woods, we can watch a movie without having to plug in the generator.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsI brought in the little chair that my SIL gave me last month, and put my favorite M.E. throw on it.  It fits perfectly to scale, just like the coffee table and swivel chair.  There is the dining area also, that turns into a bed.  (The couch slides down into a bed too.) 
  
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLighting is so very important to me.  There is lots of lighting built-in lighting throughout this trailer, but I prefer lamps from home for reading, crafting, or playing games.  Outside the window is our little RV yard, where the vintage Shasta is. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHere is the kitchen area, and a view of the entry.  We have two very nice sinks, a great stove and fridge/freezer.  In the background are the t.v.'s.  The big one has a VCR built in, though it is a regular t.v. which requires electricity or a generator to use.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHere is our bedroom.  All homey with regular bedding from home.  The quilt came with the trailer ... Darlene might want it back when she sees this!  I love it though.  The bed was pretty comfortable, but I added a memory foam mattress topping to it.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsLast but not least, here is the bathroom.  Sorry that the picture is a little blurry. It seems as if my "regular" setting is doing that right now.  Anyway, there is a good sized shower, and lots of storage.  I appreciate the counter-top space, the skylight and the two big mirrors very much.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  That concludes this tour.  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you would like to see how our 1999 Komfort travel trailer looked last year, before I took everything out of it, please click on "OUR FORT" to check out last summer's post about it.  We are now using it as a security trailer down at work.  It is smaller without a slide-out, but we both love that little trailer, and have had a blast in it over the years.
  
  Here are two more related posts (both are underneath this one, unless you just happened to land on this post through a search engine inquiry). 
  
  
  Vintage 1967 Shasta Travel TrailerCamping in the 1940's
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 18, 2011
• 10:22

  Vintage 1967 Shasta Travel Trailer:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Last year, we were fortunate to purchase this darling little trailer from the original owners.  It isn't for sale.  We've had people leave notes on our door wanting to buy it, but sorry, we are keeping it.  We have just gotten a 1967 Chevy pickup truck, and eventually we will give everything matching paint jobs.  I plan on using this little trailer as my crafts store eventually.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  It came with the operating manuals for the appliances and, with this owners manual.  Please email me if you would be interested in a scanned copy of instructions for the stove, fridge, or bathroom.  I just thought that this manual was so interesting:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I would love links to your website, if you are a collector or restorer of old trailers. Please leave me a comment or email me at oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy@hotmail.com   Here are a few sites that I have found so far:
  
  Classic Shastas
  The Shasta Project
  Wikipedia: Shasta Travel Trailers
  Take care, 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 17, 2011
• 8:02

  "Camping In The 1940's" - Sepia Saturday #

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  This week's Sepia Saturday theme is more-or-less travel.  Alan's photo is of an old train station.  I chose to do my piece on traveling with a trailer and going camping.
  
  Up until now, I have been able to identify the people in my Sepia Saturday posts, but not today (or not so far).  These photos came from the same photo album that last week's Guam photos are in.  They were my late father-in-law's, Troy Matthews.  This group of camping photos was in the section labeled 1946, though they may have been taken a couple of years after that.  Cary didn't recognize them as any of his relatives, though my mother-in-law probably does know who they are.  I still think that they are neat, and hope that you enjoy them.
  
  On the back of one of the pictures, the only one with writing on it, it says, "Do you know who we are?"  Nope!  But it looks as if you guys are having a great time camping in the desert, someplace in America. 
  
  Christine H. left a comment that she thinks these were taken in Joshua Tree National Park.  Thanks, Christine!  Here is a link to begin learning more about that place: Joshua Tree National Park, California   Also, the trailer very well could be a 1946 Ken-skill Teardrop.  To learn more about one being rebuilt, and viewing how the inside is set up, please check out this link: "BY CLICKING HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHere is the happy group of campers.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsPretty snazzy little trailer, you guys.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsIt is all set up now, for one of the couples.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe guns are ready to go, just in case.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsSettling down for a sip of coffee.  Or maybe a sip of whiskey?  It is camping, after all.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These guys have their tent set up.  I'm guessing that they are the ones with the kids.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A close-up view of these handsome peeps.  I like the cowboy.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   There was a cabin on site...
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews and, an outhouse!
  Well, I don't know what happened to my well thought out ending to this post, but it is gone.  Thanks for coming by to visit!
  
  
  This is a Sepia Saturday post.  To see more really cool old photos from around the world, and to learn their history, please "CLICK HERE".  You are very welcome to join in and post your own too.  This group of people is very interactive, and if you love history, you'll love Sepia Saturday!  I sure do.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 16, 2011
• 21:02

  Old Growth Forest Trail Shadows: Cougar Reservoir, Oregon

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  If you enjoyed this post, there is a first part of it that shows the lagoon seen from this trail.  Here is the link for it:  Lagoon at Cougar Reservoir.
   
  It is that time of the week again ... time for Tracy at Hey Harriet's Shadow Shot Sunday!  To see more beautiful shadow shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE for SSS #174".  You can join in to, if you have some neat shadows to share.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:16

  Sewing Causes Writer's Block?

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  I can write, kind of, and I can sew.  When I am in the writing mood, it is a struggle for me to change gears and begin to sew.  Once I am back into sewing, it is fun and I like to produce many projects in the same time frame.  Over the years, I have found that I had better do it that way, while I am still in the mood.  This year, I am plan to launch the business parts of Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy.  My plan is to vend at a couple of holiday bazaars this season.  In that way, I can let people know about my handcrafted products as I get my little "store" trailer ready to go.  I'll be open by appointment after that, if all goes well.  If you want more history on this ongoing plan, you may enjoy this post:  "My Store ... The Beginning".
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  HOWEVER, when I am into sewing, it seems as if I cannot write.  Or, at least do creative writing.  I don't know if this is a left brain/right brain type of thing or what.  Today is Book Blurb Friday, and I cannot for the life of me think of a story to go with my friend  Kay's picture of the guy flying the plane.   If you would like to visit Lisa over at BBF, please "CLICK HERE" to see what my writing friends have done with their book blurb stories. 
  
  So, instead, I'll show you what I have been working on this week, besides all those cards in the post below.  I have been making pillows and hearts.  And, I gave Cary a massage (that is story behind the massage table in the picture below).
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHere are the autumn pillows:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  They all have the same fabric on the back:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are the hearts.  They are hand embroidered around the outside:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Thanks for stopping by to take a look! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 15, 2011
• 7:32

  Cardmaking: Resourcing Old Calendars Into Cards

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  My friend Lynn O., over at  "Present Letters" sent me a nice card and a great handwritten letter the other day.  Just because she felt like it.  Thanks, Lynn!  It was such a surprise and real a blessing, that I decided to make some cards and begin sending handwritten letters too. 
  
  Yesterday morning, I got the idea to make cards from an old ME desk planner that I had saved.  I was going to give the cards away, blank, donating them to the ladies in our local county jail.  My idea was that these cards would either brighten their day and they could keep them, or they could send them out to somebody who was upset with them.  I ended up losing my inside contact person (yay!), so I decided to keep the cards and use them myself.  I could still donate them to county, or give them to the assisted living home in our town, but maybe next time.  I feel like blessing those that I know right now.  Because these cards are made from ME's artwork, it didn't feel right to sell these particular ones. 
  
  Lynn wrote so much on her card, that she ran out of room and continued on a legal pad.  That gave me an idea to make a card with more writing space for those of us who like to write a lot.  What I did was put the greeting part on top, and when you open up the rest of the card then you have a front and back of white writing space.  Kind of clever, don't ya think?
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is how I made the cards.  I had already cut out pictures from the ME Desk Calendar  I assembled the cards as I was watching t.v., and then went to my kitchen island to spray on the sticky adhesive.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsI have a favorite box that I use, so that the spray doesn't get all over the place.  This tacky spray works just great for my purposes.  But you had better be sure when you lay something down that is where you want it.  No re-do's with this stuff.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I have a stack of old pamphlets that I use.  I lay down a new sheet each time that I need to spray the sticky spray on the back of a photo, drawing or piece of paper.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsI do one or two cards at a time.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I ended up with 19 cards from the calendar.  These were not all done yet, I decorated them a bit later. 
  
  The cards below I made with the same technique, but I used my own photos.  They are not quite done yet either, but I wanted to include them in this post.  I made 30 cards yesterday.  Dang!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Below are some of the ones that I made in January.  They are all gone now.  Lynn bought some, I used some, and I gave some away for gifts.  I think that I like them better, but then again, I'm not through decorating the three above yet.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  So, there you are.  These were all easy and fun to make.  Now I just need to sit down and write some letters and send them out. 
  
  I hope that you all have a wonderful day! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  P.S. - Lynn, congratulations for getting your story about Geoffrey published in the  "Storm Country Analogy"  about the Joplin tornado!  Way to go, my friend. 
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 13, 2011
• 8:32

  Telling It How It Is Tuesdays:

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  Blogger Karen Walker over at  Following the Whispers
  has a weekly post that she calls "Telling the Truth Tuesdays".  I really like that idea, and I don't have a regular thing planned for Tuesdays on my blog, so I decided to do something similar.  I'm going to call mine "Telling It How It Is Tuesdays".  
  
  One thing that I have noticed around here lately, is that I haven't been really writing very much or telling you very much about me.  Some of my oldest friends have told me that they enjoy those posts the most.  Pictures are so easy for me to take and post, but writing takes much more effort.  Kathy Johnson at Catching Happiness and Arkansas Patti from The New Sixty have also been inspiring me with their stories and thoughts and ideas.  So, let's give this a try.  I'll make this first one a short interview of my basics, since I need to go to work in a few minutes.
  
  
  Q.:  "What kind of work do you do?"
  
  A.:  "Currently, I work part-time in the office at our company.  Cary gave me the title of General Manager, which I guess I am.  We have a sand and gravel pit, concrete redi-mix, septic tanks and supplies and dump and mixer trucks.  I have been working there for six years now, since a year after we were married."
  
  
  
  Q.:  "Have you always done office work?" 
  
  A.:  "Not always.  I seem to go back and forth between office work, Early Childhood Education, housekeeping, crafting and now blogging.  I have had my own childcare businesses, housecleaning business and craft business.  I have still to make money on the craft business, but that is coming up next."
  
  
  Q.:  "How many children do you have?"   
  
  A.:  "I have three grown children, three step-children and ten grandchildren.  We also have two dogs, Sonny and Dana."
  
  
  
  Q.:  "How many times have you been married?"  
  
  A.:  "This is my third marriage.  I was married young, and had my girls.  Later, I married again and had my son, and help raised three step-sons.  That was a very hard marriage for me, but I learned a lot. Single for five years following that, I met Cary and we have been married  for 7 years now, together 8."
  
  
  
  Q.:  "Tell us about your educational background."  
  
  A.:  "I have a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, that I finally was able to complete after my second divorce.  After I graduated (the weekend before I married Cary), I worked at Head Start for a year.  I loved going to school, and will probably be on school schedule forever ... fall is the season of new beginnings for me."
  
  
  Q.:   Any advice or words of encouragement for your readers? 
  
  A.:  Things can change at anytime.  I have not always been married to Cary, traveling around and taking pictures and being so happy.  I have worked very hard, and have invested in myself.  I feel very blessed right now, and as if the years of hard times are now being rewarded somehow.
  
  Follow your heart and your dreams, and don't let anybody squash you down.  Abusers, verbal or otherwise, including control freaks, do not belong in my life, and really, not in yours either.
  
  I have made tons of mistakes in my life, but things have still turned out good in the end.  I wish the very best for each and every one of you.  Don't give up hope.  Pray for the truth to be revealed for all to see; that is one very powerful prayer that works, though it isn't for the faint of heart. 
  
  
  Q.:  "What are some of your favorite Bible verses?"
  
  Answer:  These are some of my favorites, especially the first two.
  
  Isaiah 58: 7-11    
  
  
  "I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor and destitute.  Clothe those who are cold, and don't hide from the relatives who need your help.  
  
  If you do these things, God will shield his own glorious light upon you.  He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then, when you call, the Lord will answer, "Yes, I am here." he will quickly reply.  All you need to do is to stop oppressing the weak and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!
  
  
  "Feed the hungry!  Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like and ever-flowing spring. Your sons will rebuild the long-deserted ruins of your cities, and you will be known as "The People Who Rebuild Their Walls and Cities."
   
  Psalm 40: 1-4 
  
  "I waited patiently for God to help me:  then he listened and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path; and steadied me as I walked along.  He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God.  Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him.  Many blessings are given to those who trust the Lord and have no confidence in those who are proud or trust in idols."
  
  
  And then, some others:
  
  1 John 4:16-17
  
  "God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too." TLB
   
  James 2 3:17-18
  
  "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." TLB
  
  Colossians 3: 13-15
  
  "Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this brand new life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don't worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
  
  Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your heart and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful." TLB
   
  Philippians 4: 4-9
  
  "Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
  
  And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing:
  
  Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.
  
  Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you." TLB 
  1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
  
  "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him now matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him." TLB
  
  1 Corinthians 13:13
  
  "There are three things that remain -- faith, hope and love --and the greatest of these is love." TLB
  
  
  Ephesians 3:17-19
  
  "And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself." TLB
  
  Hmm.  I had no idea that this post was going to turn out like this.  Well, have a great day, my friends.
  God bless,
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 11, 2011
• 20:29

  Blue Monday: Newport, Oregon 2009

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Source:  Calendar Scan
  A couple of summers ago, Cary and I went to Newport for a couple of days.  The weather was beautiful that first day!  As I was sorting through my pictures for Smiling Sally's Blue Monday post, I found these pretty ones, full of blue.  I hope that you enjoy them too. 
  
  The artwork above is borrowed, we are old, and the rest are blue!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To see other fun blue things, please "CLICK HERE" to visit Sally and my other friends ... please feel free to join in on the fun, the more the merrier!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 10, 2011
• 11:49

  The Little Cabin In The Woods:

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  A couple of weeks ago, my Mom painted her cabin, with the help of my Little Bro and John.  It turned out so cute!  Ten years ago, my son and I moved to Mayberry and lived in this sweet home for around 18 months.  Here is a before picture, and a links to prior posts about the cabin:
  
  
  The Queen of Small Spaces: The Cabin
  Work Week at the Cabin
  When I posted these pictures, it reminded me of the kids fingerplay song, Little Cabin in the Woods ... here is a cute You Tube video on that:
  
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I took the photo above last week at The Rustic Skillet  (please "CLICK">[oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com] HERE " to read all about that cool little restaurant.)
  
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post.  To see beautiful shadow shots from around the world, please visit Tracy over at Hey Harriet by "CLICKING HERE".
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:22

  Sepia Saturday #91 : Every Picture Tells a Story in WWII Guam

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  This week's Sepia Saturday theme is more or less to choose a picture that is worth a thousand words (or somebody on the campaign trail by train).  I chose the first part.  This is my attempt, and of course, I couldn't stop at just one.  My late father-in-law, Troy Matthews, was a Navy See-bee during WW2, and was stationed in Guam.  Here are a couple of photos from his collection that depict village life when Troy was there.  Some of the photos were probably taken by him, others by the guys he was with, and some may have been bought in the village.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you enjoyed this post, here are two more about Troy's time in Guam:
  
  In Honor of Troy Matthews: 1945 WWII Guam Photos
  Agana Bridge: Then and Now
  
  This is a Sepia Saturday post.  To see more really cool old photos from around the world, and to learn their history, please "CLICK HERE".  You are very welcome to join in and post your own too.  This group of people is very interactive, and if you love history, you'll love Sepia Saturday!  I sure do.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 09, 2011
• 8:07

  SkyWatch Friday : The Crescent Moon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These were taken last Friday evening in Rainbow, Oregon which is located in the McKenzie River Valley. 
  
  Happy SkyWatch Friday!  To see beautiful sky shots from around the world, please " CLICK HERE ".
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:27

  Book Blurb Friday #28: "Look In The Mirror"

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews"Many of us grew up being told that sticks and stones can break our bones, but words can never hurt us.  Words do hurt.  Being treated as garbage when you are really an angel, can eventually destroy a person emotionally, mentally and physically.  It is time to help set our angles free from the torment of bullies.
  
  "Look In The Mirror" is a must read for parents and educators.  This insightful book, written by renowned psychiatrist Kathryn Matthews, Ph.D, offers concrete help to those seeking to combat childhood bullying and verbal abuse.  
  
  It is written as a series of case studies highlighting the families of four victims and four perpetrators.  Concentrating on a community approach, each chapter stands alone for use in class and training sessions, with suggested discussion questions included.  Proven techniques and helpful solutions to stopping abuse are offered.  Easy and effective tools for blocking abuse are given."    (150)
  
  
  I didn't have a good ending line, but when I did my word check, it was at exactly 150 words so I left things as they were.  This is not a real book, but that is what Joey's photo inspired me to write.  There must be some similar books out there on this subject though.  About 20 years ago I read the book called "Verbal Abuse, How to Recognize it and How to Respond", which was quite helpful.  Even phrases such as "Knock it OFF!" were taught for victims to not put up with crap and learn to take their power back.
  These days, there is cyber-bullying, cell-phone bullying and of course, school bullying is everywhere.   What do you guys think about this subject, and how have you dealt with it or seen others do that was effective?  I would really like to know.
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above (this one was taken by Lisa's son, Joey) is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE   to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• September 07, 2011
• 8:26

  The Rustic Skillet: Rainbow, Oregon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When we are in Rainbow, Oregon on the upper McKenzie River, we always go to our favorite little diner, The Rustic Skillet.  In fact, this is usually where we eat most of our meals.  Sometimes, on the way back from Salem, we will drive an extra half hour out of our way just to visit with our friends there. This place runs like a well-oiled machine, and the staff never tells you no.  You can order a huge variety of fantastic dishes for very reasonable prices, and their service is wonderful.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Tom is the daytime cook and the owner.  He has the knack, the touch and a love for preparing great food. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  You can eat inside or outside.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is our friend Sage, our server.  She is the best!  We have gotten to know each other over the years and we just love her.  Sage can wait on the whole restaurant by herself, if need be.  The other servers are great too.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There are always daily specials that are yummy.  The just move the sign from table to table as you sit down, so that you can really study the offerings.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsSage helps Cary with his order.  He had a hankering for fresh trout, and she suggested trout and eggs.  There are all kinds of neat books by Rick Sieber's for sale, as you walk in the door.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A newer addition over the past year are the toy dinosaurs to keep you company as you eat.  I really liked the shadows that they made on the windowsill.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  You can read fun stories on the placemats as you wait for your food.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary's trout and eggs.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My cheeseburger with fries.  Delicious!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Take a look at these homemade pies.  They also bake their own bread.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  And, you can order a cocktail and have a glass of wine or a beer, if you are so inclined.
  
  So, if you are ever in the neighborhood, please stop in and have yourself something good to eat.  Tell them that Cary and Kathy from La Pine sent you!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:07

  Watery Wednesday: View of the Cougar Reservoir Lagoon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Last weekend, we were not far from Cougar Reservoir, so we drove the ten miles in from the McKenzie Highway to take a look.  This is a beautiful and quiet place to boat and camp.  It never seems to be very busy on the lake.   
  
  To learn more about Cougar Dam, I did a blog post about it's ins and outs, and you can read more about it by "CLICKING HERE".   I love the McKenzie Valley so much that I devoted a whole website to it ... it needs updating, but is still full of info: The McKenzie River Valley of Oregon.
  
  Anyway, we parked at the parking area for Terwilliger Hot Springs and walked down the beautiful trail by the lagoon.  This is what I think of when I think of Oregon:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These next three, I am proud to say, are all straight from the camera ... I didn't even have to crop anything out:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews(1)
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews(2)
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews(3)
  A few more of the lagoon and surrounding trees:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you enjoyed this post, I think that you will also enjoy this one:  "Old Growth Forest Trail Shadows: Cougar Reseroir, Oregon".  This post is a Watery Wednesday post.  Please "CLICK HERE " to see more beautiful watery shots from around the world.
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:18

  PLEASE KEEP THIS TRUCK MOVING ...

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  PLEASE KEEP THIS TRUCK MOVING ON !!─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ▄ ▌ ▐ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▌─ ─ ─ ▄ ▄ █ █ ▌ █ ░ ░ ...FIRES IN TEXAS VICTIMS..... ░ ♥░ ░ ░ ░▐▄ ▄ ▄ ▌ ▐ █ █ ▌ █ ░ ░ PRAYERS COMING YOUR WAY.. ░ ♥░ ░ ░ ░▐█ █ █ █ █ █ █ ▌ █ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▌▀ (@) ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ (@)(@) ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ (@) ▀ ▘HOPE EVERYONE STAYS SAFE AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL
  And prayers are going out for all of our friends who were/are effected by the hurricanes, flooding and other fires.  We are praying for you and feel so bad for your troubles.
  
  God bless,
  
  Kathy M.
• September 06, 2011
• 14:47

  Holiday Farms RV Resort, Rainbow OR

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This Labor Day Weekend, we went up the McKenzie and stayed at the Holiday Farms RV Resort.  We have stayed at the Holiday Farms cabins and neighboring campgrounds several times over the past 8 years, but this was our first time in the R.V. park.  The park was built around 4 years ago, and it is very beautiful.  They left so many old trees, and have created a true park-like setting.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We were not planning on staying there this time either, but on our way to the campground, we decided to see if there was an opening.  We got the last one with full hookups, which also included cable t.v.  We were glad about that part, and were able to watch the TCU/Auburn on Friday night, and then the Oregon game on Saturday night.  Both of our teams lost, but TCU played great, at least.  The price to stay $35.00 per night, plus tax.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The office and the bathroom/shower facilities were very nice, but there is only one shower for the whole park.  I guess that people with their own R.V.'s can use their own because you are provided with water and sewer hook ups.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Our trailer is the the third one on the right.  Nobody was across the street from us, nor on our right side.  The neighbors were very polite and quiet.  Even their dogs were quiet.  Well, we did have these wild people show up with four dogs and four kids (one who was a screamer) and we cringed, but they were only using the dump station.  I was thinking, oh, my, there goes our peace and quite ... but it turns out it was only for 20 minutes or so.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We moved our picnic table behind our trailer and made it look pretty.  I like bringing flowers from home.  It makes me feel better.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  As I mentioned, the grounds were absolutely gorgeous.  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Creeks and ponds were just right there for all to enjoy.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There was a park with horse shoe pits, and a place for the kids to run around.  Though, I don't remember any play structures.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you wanted, you could reserve the fire-pit for $15.00, and have a great big bonfire in the evenings.  I guess that helps the camp to pay for the firewood.  There were no fire pits at the RV sites, but some brought their own freestanding ones and that was okay.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Amazingly, there were no mosquitoes.  I didn't ask, but I think they might spray for them.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Across the drive from the park and the big fire pit there was the Beaver Trail that will take you on a gentle hike around another huge shallow lake.  There is also a small fire-pit and viewing area.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was so pretty!  I felt right at home.  This is my original neck of the woods ... the valley, not the high desert where we live now.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  God's Country.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The faries liked it there too.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  And then, if you wanted to walk to the Holiday Farms Restaurant/Bar and the cabins, they were only 1,000 feet down the driveway.  Too cool!  The first night though, we had to use our cell phone lights on the way home to be able to kind of see our way home.  I wish that there were solar lights or something along the road.
  All in all, we enjoyed our visit very much, along with our "new to us" trailer from Cary's Mom.  We will certainly be back to stay in the future. 
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
• September 01, 2011
• 8:40

  Sepia Saturday #90: Sisters Martha and Talitha Letsom

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  For this week's Sepia Saturday post, I have chosen to highlight two very special sisters, Martha and Talitha Letsom (aka: Litha Letsom Hedrick ... my great-grandmother).  I don't have time to research all the dates right now, because I getting ready for a camping trip to celebrate the holiday weekend.  I'll check back and read your comments and visit your sites when I get back, for sure.
  
  When you are all through here at Oregon Gifts, please "CLICK HERE"  to visit other great old photos with neat stories over at Sepia Saturday.Hope you all have a wonderful Sepia Saturday!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I am guessing that these photos were taken around 1878, if Litha was around 5 at the time.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The girls grew up in this home with their parents, John and Sarah, and their brothers and sisters:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Talitha is my great-grandmother, my mom's Granny.  Martha is her sister, my great-aunt.  Granny Litha was born in 1873 and died when I was 4 years old, in 1962.  I need to learn more about Aunt Martha.  Their parents, John Letsom and Sarah Harrer Lewis Letsom, are shown below, with a bit of family history following.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  1912:
  "John Letsom, who came to this state in 1850, is one of the few surviving representatives of the early pioneers of southern Oregon and  is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Douglas county, residing on a ranch six miles northeast of Yoncalla.  As an agriculturist he has won  a gratifying measure of prosperity, owning three hundred acres of valuable land in Scotts Valley.  His birth occurred in Shropshire, England, on the 13th of March, 1828, his parents being Thomas and Margaret (Davis) Letsom, both of whom  were Natives of Wales.  The came from England to the United States in 1845, and after two years' residence in New York City, removed to Wisconsin, purchasing a farm near Racine, on which they spent the remainder of their lives.
  
  John Letsom was a youth of seventeen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin in 1845 but did not remain  in that state, returning to New York where he obtained employment as a die sinker in a steel toy factory.  In the spring of 1848 he formed one of the first parties to leave for the California gold fields and made the voyage by sailing vessel around Cape Horn, reaching his destination at the end of six months.  During the following winter he worked in San Fransisco and in the spring of 1849 began mining on Stanislaus River, remaining there through the summer.  In the fall he formed on of a company of about fifty men who banded themselves together for cooperative mining, but the venture proved unprofitable and Mr. Letsom left the gold fields.  In the spring of 1850 he came north, to Oregon, spending the following summer and winter in Milwaukee, Clackamas County, where he worked in a blacksmith shop.  In the spring of 1851 he went to the gold fields of Yreka, California, and there spent one year.  In the spring of 1852 he came to Douglas County, locating about six miles northeast of Yoncalla, where he took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres and where he resided for five years or until he had proved up his claim.  During this time, he had married the widow of S.M. Lewis, formerly Miss Sarah Harrer, who was a native of Arkansas and who had three living children by her first husband.  It was in order to give these children the advantages of a an education that in 1861 Mr. Letsom took up his abode in Yoncalla, where he remained for about 10 years.  On the expiration of that period he removed to the place whereon he has resided continuously since -- a fine ranch six miles northeast of Yoncalla.  He owns three hundred acres of valuable and productive land, and has long been numbered among the best known and most highly respected citizens of southern Oregon.
  
  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Letsom were born five daughters and four sons.  The six surviving members of the family are as follows: Thomas, who is a resident of Portland, Oregon; Mary, who is the widow of F.M. Goodell and now resides with her father; Lewellyn, living  in eastern Oregon; Martha, the wife of J.W. Harris, of Chelan, Washington; Evan [Kit], who operates the home farm; and Talitha, who is the wife of B.E. Hedrick, of Douglas county.  The wife and mother was called to her final rest on January 19, 1898."
  
  The above article is from page 340 of the book "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912, Volume 4".  The book was written by Joseph Gatson and George H. Hines.  Thank you to Bill Hedrick for giving me the link to this information:  The Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 7:27

  SkyWatch Friday: Terrebone to Madras

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  In June, on our way to Washington, I took these pictures out the window of the scenery from Terrebone to Madras, on HWY 97 in Central Oregon.  I haven't been that way since, but recently wildfires burned for three plus weeks in this very area.  I'm not sure if the land looks the same from the highway or not, but it was very pretty when we went through.  Several times this week, this very highway was closed a few miles north, on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation  due to a still raging wildfire.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Smith Rock State Park is in the distance.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Terrebone, Oregon
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Going down the valley toward Madras.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Beautiful farmland on the high desert.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Madras, Oregon.  The city of thrift shops, for one thing.  I've never seen so many in one place.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Mt. Jefferson
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  Please "CLICK HERE" to see beautiful sky shots from around the world, when Friday gets here.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 31, 2011
• 7:25

  This and That Wedensday:

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  I want to let you guys effected by Irene that I am praying for you.  I am concerned about Gloria and her son (it looks as if there was tons of wind damage where she lives).  Also, my son's extended family lives in Vermont and upstate New York ... and those floods are horrific.  I'm grateful that more people didn't die in that huge storm, but feel bad for those who did, and for their families.   This is going to be another huge clean-up effort, isn't it?  I certainly hope that the new storm just fizzles out and gives peeps a break.
  
  The wildfires around here are super bad, especially over at Warm Springs.  There are a couple of huge fires in the same general area that have burned over 132,000 acres and are keeping the highways closed. 1500 firefighters are working very hard to get a handle on them.
  
  Here are a few things that we have been up to the past couple of days.  Our friends Pam and Gary moved to California, and we stopped by to say goodbye to them on Sunday at their going away party.  We'll miss you two!
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On Monday, John and Shanna (my stepdaughter) and the boys stopped by on their way home and took us out to pizza and then came to our house for a great visit.  Yesterday, they came to work to say goodbye.   It was wonderful to see them:
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Shanna and Cary
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Collin, Chase and Johnny
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews The background was great, but there were too many shadows to see everybody's faces well.  Dang.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Poor Johhny was trying to not block me, but his legs were getting tired.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews And there was bit of an issue with his arms on this one.  Not a bit wrong with that handsome face though, Johnny.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We had a frost warning for last night.  I put the hanging baskets under the lawn chairs and the table, and covered them up with beach towels to keep them warm.  This is the second time this summer that I have pulled this trick, but the first time was when heavy hail was predicted.  It was 36* when I woke up, and I hope this helped the flowers, who will be gone soon enough. We are really enjoying them, so I want them to last as long as possible.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  We had some volunteer pansies this year, by the table.  At the end of the season, I think I'll try to plant all these flowers by the pansies and see what happens.  Maybe next spring some will grow back?  It won't hurt to try.  
  
  Well, that is the news for now, except that I have been cooking a lot and dealing with all of those onions.  I have barely made a dent in that onion basket!  Lots of dehydrating and making of onion rings are going down in this grandma's kitchen.  
  
  Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends! 
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• August 29, 2011
• 7:12

  Buying Food in Bulk and Some Storage Ideas:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know that when I feel worried about the world, I feel better when I buy food.  This has turned out to be a good idea, I think.  I was reading my friend Gloria's blog, The Little Red House With The White Porch and she lives in the path of Hurricane Irene. (How are you, Gloria?  Please let us know!)  When she went to the store to pick up a few last items, many shelves were practically bare.  And that is exactly what I fear will happen around here if some sort of disaster strikes.  Except that our disaster will probably be wildfire and I don't know how much food I can put into the car with my dogs, computer, pictures, etc., but that is a different story.  We have a pickup too, so I guess that would help with a few clothes or something.
  
  Anyway, back to the topic.  Last week, Kylie and I went to one of my favorite stores to buy food, CASH AND CARRY in Bend.  They used to only sell to restaurants, grocery stores and other food service outlets, but now they sell to anybody ... even me.  Thank goodness.
  
  We bought a lot of food and brought it home.  Then I needed to figure out what to do with it all.  The dry foods are the easiest to figure out, if you have a lot of canning jars or other good airtight containers that mice or bugs cannot get into.  I have been planning on canning, but that is still a bit intimidating for some reason.  Still, I am good at buying canning jars.  Bi-Mart keeps them in stock year round now, so I try to pick up a boxful of one size or another every week or couple of weeks, especially when they are on sale.  The average price is $8.99; sometimes less and sometimes more.  I am partial to the quart jars because I like to use them for my cookie mixes, but have been buying other sizes too.  If I do want to use all of these jars for canning, I'll just dump out the popcorn and rice and put them into something else.  Even big Rubbermaid totes will do fine, if you have the room for those.  
  
  The food on this table (not counting the containers) was only $82.83.  I was curious to see how much 25 and 50 pounds of stuff really was, so here we go:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Ahh!  The harvest table.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Fifty pounds of popcorn.  You may be asking me why I would want to buy so much.  Well, the bag was only $20.89 (or .42 lb) at Cash and Carry, I love popcorn, and it will keep well.  I am thinking of selling the smaller jars after decorating them with fabric and raffia with a matching gift bag in my little store. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is fifty pounds of rice ($17.99, or .36 lb) and fifty pounds of onions ($11.25, or .23 lb).  There were really 17 more onions, but we used one and I dehydrated the other 16.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  These two jars contain 16 dehydrated good sized onions.  Pretty cool, huh?  Our house smelled like onions for a day, but that was okay.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I put the 25 pounds of quick oatmeal into Ziplock freezer bags, because I have room for them and will be using them in my cookie mixes.  At Cash and Carry, it cost me $15.00 for 25 pounds (.72 lb).
  
  The 25 pounds of sugar cost me $17.62 (.72 lb).  I put most of it into old spaghetti sauce jars.  I also bought 50 pounds of flour for 16.09 (.32), but I left it in a Rubbermaid tote in the garage for now.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I also bought 5 dozen eggs for $6.00 (.10 each).  I boiled up 4 dozen, and we made egg salad and pickeled eggs.  The pickled eggs will last for a couple of weeks in the fridge.  I just put pickle juice over the eggs ... beet juice works well too.  
  
  I have a bunch more food in the fridge that I need to deal with, and my freezer is full so I have to figure out something else to do with it.  I think that I will dehydrate some broccoli and green onions, and more of yellow onions.   Though buying this way is less expensive, it does take a lot more time to make things convenient, but the work is easy. 
  
  Best of luck!  I'd love to hear about how you guys do this sort of thing, so please leave me a comment or an email if you want to.
  
  
  ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Cash and Carry, Ziplock Bags, Ball Canning Jars, Rubbermaid ... none of them even know about me ... I only wish this were a paid advertisement!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 28, 2011
• 7:43

  Shadow Shot Sunday #171: Last Night's Sunset

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  As our friends on the East Coast are dealing with the hurricane, and friends in the mid-west are in the middle of a drought and horrible heatwave, those of us on the West Coast seem to have gotten off rather lightly all summer long.  Except for wildfires.  About an hour away, they are raging.  There is one around Madras, Oregon, that is supposed to be settling down after three weeks, but this week Warm Springs Reservation began burning big time.  To make matters even worse, they have closed sections of Highway 97 due to fire around the towns of Maupin and Grass Valley.  The smoke has blanketed Bend for days. What a mess.  
  
  Still, all that smoke with a bit of thunderstorm clouds thrown in made for the most striking sunset here in La Pine last night.  I am so glad that I got off of the couch and went outside to photograph it.  I hope that you like the pictures too.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This one is a good one ... can you see the bird above the tree near the brightest area?  I'm thinking that it is a Bald Eagle, but it could be a hawk of some sort.  Or, it could be a seagull, though that doesn't seem as cool somehow.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I took these two standing by a tree and shooting through the branches.  Such different effects.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post.  To see more beautiful shadow shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE" to visit Ms. Tracy over in Australia at Hey Harriet.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 27, 2011
• 7:12

  Sepia Saturday #89: Some Sepia Posts That You May Not Have Seen

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  This week on Sepia Saturday, Alan has given us free choice on what to post.  Well, of course it is always free choice, but I try to follow the theme if I can.  Anyway ... I was posting sepia posts before I knew about Sepia Saturday, and here are a few that my Sepia Saturday friends may not have seen yet, nor my newer readers. 
  
  I hope that you have a few minutes to explore these neat posts.  There is a lot of information here with some fun bits of history.  To read other great Sepia Saturday posts from around the world, "CLICK HERE" when you are all done at Oregon Gifts. 
  
  "Bend's Water Pageant on Mirror Pond" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  * Please click here to go to the post about Bend's Water Pageant on Mirror Pond.
  
  "Bob Ross Revisited" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  * Please click here to see the post on Bob Ross Revisted.
  
  
  "1945 WWII Navy Sea Bees Guam Building Projects" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  * Please click here to read the post about the 1945 WWII Navy Sea Bees Guam Building Projects.
  
  "The Agana Bridge Now and Then" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  * Please click here to read the post about The Agana Bridge Now and Then"
  
  "Postcards to Litha Series" Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  * #1 and #2 - Please click here to view the post about Postcards to Litha
  
  * #3 - Please click here to read about The Wenatchee Apple King in the Postcards to Litha series.
  
  * #4 - Please click here to read about The Willamette River in the Postcards to Litha Series.
  
  So there you go, friends!  Thanks for reading these, or if you couldn't get them all read today, please come back and finish up when you have more time.  Happy Sepia Saturday!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 26, 2011
• 10:30

  To all my friends and relatives in ...

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  To all my friends and relatives in hurricaneland ... I'm praying for you to stay safe and that your homes will be fine when you get back.  Just hoping it won't be as bad as they think.  God bless. 
  
  Love ya lots!
  
  Kathy M.
• 7:33

  Book Blurb Friday #26: "The Good Doctor"

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  The Good Doctorby Kathy Matthews
  "Dr. Sylvia Charleston was a child prodigy with a kind heart.  Growing up on the mission field and then graduating from medical school at a young age, Sylvia worked for twenty years in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  Saving her money and sacrificing over the next twenty years, when Sylvia turned 40, she moved to Guatemala to set up her dream practice of helping the underprivileged.   Dr. Charleston's home-office and surgery center was like a mansion to the locals, built with the best materials.  
  
  Sylvia soon partnered with CMT of Oregon.  Teams of medical professionals visit her small Guatemalan town each spring, and stay for two weeks.  Other team members visit village homes and install safe stoves and cover their dirt floors with concrete slabs.  
  Learn more about this remarkable woman with heartwarming stories of the bonds and friendships that Dr. Sylvia Charleston has made over the past 15 years."  (150)
  
  
  This week's photo was taken by my friend Lynn, over at "Present Letters".   You sure do take awesome photos, Lynn!  
  
  I just made up Dr. Sylvia Charleston, but CMT (Cascade Medical Teams) and HELPS International are real.  They go to Guatemala for two weeks each spring to hold medical/dental/surgery clinics and to install ONIL Stoves.  The construction teams also pour concrete slabs on the dirt floors of people's one-room homes. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My mother, aka: Grandma Jody, has gone for the past ten years to serve.  My nephew Ethan has gone the past three years, and my daughter Kristin has gone twice and plans on going again next year.  This is such an incredible gift that CMT is giving to the Guatemalan locals.  To learn more, I have photos and links on my "Outreach" blog.
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture on the top of this post is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE  to read what everybody else wrote!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• August 25, 2011
• 7:22

  Viewpoint at Newberry Crater, Oregon:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On Tuesday, we took Cary's cousin Gary (who was visiting from California), on a drive up to Paulina and East Lakes.  This was Gary's first time to see them.  On the way up, we stopped at the viewpoint and took a few pictures.  The day was so beautiful, and the sky was so clear.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews There was a great  view of the Cascade Mountain range, including of Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and The Three Sisters.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After leaving there, we continued our drive.  These were taken at East Lake Campground:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Cousins:  Gary and Cary.  Too sweet!
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I did another post that includes the viewpoint in May 2010 ... there was still snow on the ground then.  To see that post, please click here:  "Today's Trip Up to Paulina Lake".
  
  For more information about The Newberry Caldera and the Paulina Peak area, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post!  The person who began SkyWatch Friday, Klaus, has recently passed away.  Please say some prayers for his friends and family, who are missing him terribly.  To see beautiful sky shots from around the world, PLEASE CLICK HERE  when you are all done at Oregon Gifts.  Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 24, 2011
• 7:28

  Recent Reads: "Family News", "Little Earthquakes" and "Hold Tight"

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  Source:  Live Images
  It is book review time, once again.  I enjoy finding used books at great prices, giving them a read and then telling you about them.  Some are older books, and some are newer ... it just depends on what I find.  These are the three books that I have read over the past few weeks, and each one cost me $1.00.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "Family News", by Joan Barfoot, was published in 1989.  It is about a more-or-less non-traditional family (at that time, anyway).  Susannah is a bold and strong woman who decides to make a baby with her boyfriend of long ago, Teddy.  The story is about their daughter, Lizzie, them, their friends, and Susannah's estranged family.  They live their lives, change and grow during the six months that the story is told.  It is a good book, and the author gives the main characters their voice and viewpoint in different chapters.  I liked it fine, and if you run across it sometime I recommend it as a satisfying choice.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This Jennifer Weiner novel was written in 2004.  This is only the second book of hers that I have read, but I will be scooping up each one that I find from now on. They are fast and easy to read, with terrific insights.  I loved "Goodnight Nobody", and she has many more.  Here is a link to info on all of her books her other books: "CLICK HERE".
  
  "Little Earthquakes" is about four women who meet as they are having their first babies, and it follows them and their families through that first year.  Each character is so well developed, along with their husbands, mothers, mother-in-laws ... lovable or not.  This book is so well done that I do believe that most pregnant women could benefit by reading it.  Little Earthquakes is a term that somebody in the book calls the effect an addition of a first baby makes.  I really got into the story and each individual character, and I loved the book.  Read it if you get a chance!  If you have recently lost a baby though, parts of it may be difficult ... though it is honest and well written.  The focus of this book is on the healing power of friends, family and love.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I have read many of Harlan Coben's books, and he never disappoints me.  His books are not always super deep, but he does his research well and the books are action packed and full of original ideas. 
  
  "Hold Tight" was published in 2008, and is about how parents worried about their kid begin spying on him through his computer and cell phone.  This book takes us into the world of prescription drug use by teens and the use of technology by everybody.  There is a dangerous bad guy, protective parents, medical emergencies, with twists and turns at every corner.  It is a quick and easy read, and takes your mind off of your everyday issues.  I recommend any Harlan Coben book for a nice escape, including this one. 
  
  I am currently reading a three complete novels in one book by Anne Tyler.  I am nearing the end of "The Accidental Tourist".  Next comes "Breathing Lessons" and then "Searching for Caleb".  I don't remember what happens in "Searching for Caleb" at all, though I do think that I have read it before.  I am relishing The Accidental Tourist though, even though this is probably my fourth time reading it over the years.  I love Anne Tyler's books, which help me remember that every family is unique and a bit odd.  
  
  So, if you have read any of the books mentioned here today, please leave your comment and tell us what you thought about it.  
  
  Have a great day! 
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 23, 2011
• 8:58

  Kathy's Picks: Beautiful and Delightful Homes And Gardens

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  Hi!  Many of my newer blog friends may not know it, but I also have another blog named Kathy's Picks: Beautiful and Delightful Homes and Gardens.  On that blog, I offer a variety of different home-related, decorating and gardening ideas.  Today, I am featuring Shanna's landscaping and yard.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My lovely step-daughter, Shanna, does all of her own landscaping design and yard work.  Everything is so beautiful, and she works so hard to make it that way.  Wow!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews The Backyard:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The prince of the household enjoys his perch.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Shanna enjoys her coffee.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The guys enjoy hanging out in the backyard too.
  
  Now for the food part.  Shanna made us an Italian style potato salad, and it was really good.  I loved the tiny potatoes, they were so cute.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I know, I know, I take pictures of everything.  It is all good practice.
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here is the recipe from the back of the tiny potato package:
  Italian Style Potato Salad Serves 4-6Ingredients:* 24 oz. Golden Temptation "1 bite" potatoes* 1 tsp. salt* 1 generous cup of green beans, cut into 1" pieces* 1 generous cup of carrot coins* 1/2 medium red onion, cut into wedges* 3/4 cup light Italian dressing* 1/2 tsp of Italian herbsDirections:* In a large saucepan filled with water, add potatoes and salt. Cover and bring to boil on medium high heat; simmer for 13-15 minutes.
  * While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the green beans and carrots.  Place a steamer in a small saucepan with water.  Bring the water to boil and add the carrots.  Simmer for about 2 minutes and then add the green beans and continue to simmer for about 2 more minutes.  Remove from heat, drain and add vegetables to a cold water bath.  When cool, place vegetables on a paper towel to remove excess water. 
  
  * When the potatoes are done cooking, drain and add dressing while they are still hot.  Let cool.  Add the green beans, carrots, red onion and Italian herbs and toss.  Serve cold or at room temperature.
  Enjoy!
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 7:28

  Watery Wednesday:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  In the west hills of Bend, there are some pretty fancy neighborhoods.  Some are gated, and some are not.  One is gated with a very beautiful park that sports a great swimming pool.  You needed a key to get inside.  The pool is gated too.
  
  The houses are very, very nice, though many of the lots looked a bit small to me.  But that is just me.  This is a whole different type of experience than living in rural La Pine, wouldn't you agree?
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Now, to get to the Watery Wednesday part!  While I was there, I also took pictures of the pool.  Not very many people were there that day.  
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There were nice bathrooms where you could change into your swimsuit.  There were picnic tables (I guess there is not a "no food allowed" rule at this pool).  They must trust you to use good judgment or something.
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The pool itself was a generous size.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Some folks were racing.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I spotted a bit of synchronized swimming.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  That pool and neighborhood came with a view of the mountains too.  What a nice place to be on an August day.  So, that is that!  I hope that you are having a wonderful end of the summer and are getting in your share of swimming.
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  This is a Watery Wednesday post.  I you would like to see cool pictures of all sorts of watery shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE" when Wednesday gets here.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 21, 2011
• 9:46

  This and That Week in Review:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Well, let's see.  You have seen a lot of what I have been doing by the most recent posts, but I just feel like writing this morning so I'll tell you more. We have been really busy around here, and believe-it-or-not, even though I got so much done, I wasn't feeling well through most of it.  It was some kind of crummy virus thing that did not keep me all the way down.  I kept pushing through it, but I wasn't always very nice about it.  Just ask my dogs, who were yelled at more than normal, and my husband too.  Sorry guys.  I don't know why I felt as if it were necessary to redo the bathroom when I didn't feel good, but that was how it was.  We are enjoying it, now that it is all done.  I've decided that my next step in the bathroom is fish.  Live ones.
  
  Source: Wikipedia
  On Sunday, my MIL Darlene came over for dinner.  Cary and Kylie made us tacos, and they were delicious.  After dinner, we sat around and watched "Benny and Joon" with Johnny Depp.  I love that movie.  Have you seen it?  Well, if not and if you see it at the mark-down DVD basket at Walmart, I suggest that you snag it.   
  
  I didn't take a picture of dinner, but this is how Cary makes his tacos: 
  
  Brown one pound of hamburger with chopped onions and drain off the excess grease.  Add a packet of taco seasoning, but don't add any water.  Add a can of Green Giant "Mexi-corn"  and heat everything up until hot and blended.  
  In another pan, heat up some cooking oil and deep fry enough corn tortillas for everybody.  Put them on a plate with paper towels to get rid of some of the oil.  Top the tortilla with the hamburger/corn mixture and add your favorite taco toppings ... onions, cheese, olives, sour cream, avocados and taco sauce.  Yum!
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Our grandson Casey came over on Monday and stayed over night.    He is always so nice, and is such a big helper.  We ran errands the next day.  I bought him some school supplies, including a neat binder that had file slots built right into the cover.  Hopefully it will help him remember to turn in his homework (he does it, but it somehow doesn't always make it to the teacher's desk).  I made a big pot of Macaroni and Cheese, much to everybody's delight.  Kraft even.  I guess that we were into comfort food this last week.
  
  
  On Tuesday evening, we went to Darlene's and visited with Cary's cousin, Gary from California.  Gary had taken all of his family's home movies to Costco and put them all on one DVD.  They were from the late 40's and early 50's, and he even included some cartoons.  It was so neat to watch them, even though they were silent. I loved seeing Cary as a baby, and then at 18 months or so ... he was so cute and looked like this picture below back then.  I didn't take any pictures that night either.  Dang.  I guess when I don't feel well, I don't take very many pictures.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  My late FIL, Troy was in many of the movies, and Darlene was in a few of them.  How fun to see them all so young.  In one of the movies, both Darlene and Troy had on boxing gloves and were messing around.  He kept bugging her, and she hauled of and really threw a strong punch; good thing Troy ducked!  That lady was strong, and a good fighter.  This is what they looked like in the movies:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I brought over dinner that night ... didn't take a picture of that either.  Sorry Gloria!  This is what I made.  I took a bag of raw frozen chicken wings and legs and put them in the crock-pot with BBQ sauce for around four hours on high.  The sauce was too thin, so I added a couple of cups of brown sugar, a cup of ketchup and some Worcestershire sauce.   I cooked up a bunch of frozen corn, drained it and added butter.  I brought a can of beets, a can of olives, green salad and garlic cheese bread.  It was a hit!  And, I fit all of  that  into this cool hot/cold zippered bag:
  
  
   Source: Picnic Fun.com
  
  The rest of the week just kind of flew by.  I spent a lot of time reading on the patio, and as I felt better, cleaning the house.  Kylie is a big help at work, and has been busy with her cousins, new friends, and some babysitting too.  It is great having her with us, but we worry when she is not right beside us.  Good thing for cell phones.
  
  I talked with my son Nigel and he is doing well.  I love that boy.  I had a nice long chat with my BFF Sue Ann ... it had been a year since we had talked.  I have a bit more catching up to do with my others, but I feel as if I am getting on top of my correspondence.  Yay!  When I am feeling low, getting in touch with my peeps: family, old friends and new friends really helps.  Tomorrow, I'll see my mom, brother and sister-in-law too.  I am so thankful for reliable cars, and for enough gas money to do all of this running around.
  
  
  Yesterday, I was able to join some of my family having fun hanging out and doing a bit of swimming.   
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  We are trying to figure out what to do with ourselves today.  One idea is to go up to Paulina Lake with the boat.  That would be fun.  Summer is winding down, and we haven't done that yet, nor have we camped this year.  We are breaking tradition these days, it seems.  Really, we have just been busy with other things, and that is cool.
  
  Oh, last weekend, at Kristin's birthday party, I was given my Grandma J.'s pressure cooker (my sister Angie gave it to me).  Thanks, Angie!  It is old and I'm a bit afraid to use it, but I'll use it somehow ... maybe for a plant or something.
   
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Well, I hope that you all had a great week, and that the upcoming week will be wonderful for you!
  
  ~ Kathy M. 
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 19, 2011
• 7:57

  Shadow Shot Sunday #170: Kylie in the Loader

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  Part of our family business includes a sand and gravel pit. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  In the sand and gravel pit, there are pieces of heavy equipment, and a wash plant.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The wash plant takes the raw material, called pit run, and sorts it into different sizes of sand and gravel with the help of a lot of water.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Part of our family includes a beautiful and smart granddaughter, who came to work with us for the summer.  Her name is Kylie.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This was Kylie's second day of running the loader.  She has a knack for it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Herb is a great teacher.  He is the one in the yellow loader.
  
  These photos were taken my sweetie, Cary.  Great job!  They hold some subtle shadows,  so I am using them as this week's Shadow Shot Sunday post.  
  
  
  To see lots and lots of shadow shots from around the world, please visit Tracy over at Hey Harriet by "CLICKING HERE ".
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 18, 2011
• 18:19

  Book Blurb Friday #25 : "The Rancher's Wife"

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Supporting Jack's dream was not always easy for Sadie.  When Jack turned 60, he proposed that they sell everything and buy a cattle ranch in Central Oregon.  Sadie had her doubts, but she agreed to it.  They left Colorado and all of their family; the grand-babies and her ailing mother.  
  
  Now, barely four years later, they had 300 head of cattle, 200 acres of land, and were turning a profit.  Jack was so pleased!  "Was" is the key word now.  Jack had dropped dead of a heart attack last Friday.  Sadie was in shock, wondering what to do next.  The kids were assuming that she would sell and return to Aspen, which did seem logical.  Inside her heart, though, was a desire to keep the ranch and work it herself.  
  
  This wonderful and inspirational story describes one woman's decision to take risks and move forward when most are entering retirement. (150)
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  Thanks for choosing my photo this week, Lisa!  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry.  To read more stories that have been written about the photo above, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 6:38

  Sepia Satuday #88 : Oregon Trees

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The photo above is of my grandparents, Floyd and Florence Traylor.  It was taken by their friend Howard, on a hiking trail at Mt. Hood.  Along with his wife Pauline, the four of them were out looking for huckleberrys that day.   If you have a minute, please enlarge the photo a couple of times by clicking on it, and see if you can find any "hidden" peeps in the snow and rock pile behind them.
  
  Grandma and Grandpa T. enjoyed going on weekend drives in the forests of Oregon.  Grandpa was a logger, and he would scout out good spots during the week and then take Grandma to see them.  Today is my Grandma's birthday.  If she were still here, she would be 99 years old!  Happy Birthday, Grandma, I miss you a lot.  I miss Grandpa too, but he died when I was young, so I mostly miss not getting to have him around longer.  He was a really good guy.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I've shown you guys this picture before, but I labeled it this time.  I have seen it around on the internet, but it is of my great-uncle Hobart Hedrick, Grandma T.'s half-brother.  He is standing by his name, at the top of the tree.  Now, that is one huge tree!
  
  This week's Sepia Saturday theme is trees.  I wanted to share a bit of the OSU Extension Service bulletin from 1957 (originally printed in 1949).  As always, you can enlarge these to read them better.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There are many different native trees in Oregon, but I've picked out a few of my favorites here:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  This is a Sepia Saturday post.  Please "CLICK HERE" to see wonderful old photographs and bits of history from around the world. 
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• August 17, 2011
• 9:15

  Colors and Hand Painted Goblets:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  A couple of weeks ago, when we were in Bend for the car show, I took these pictures of a pretty window display and I thought that you guys might enjoy them too:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The colors are cheerful.  I bet those would be fun to make.  Have you used glass paint before?  Is it easy to apply?  I  hand-painted some bottles last year, but I didn't know about glass paint yet.  I'm sure that if mine got wet, the paint would wash right off.  I'm thinking of spraying clear sealant on them to save my efforts though.  What do you think would work?
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To read about that little project, please click on this link:  [oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com] ">[oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com]
  
  
  
  To read about the finished product, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
• August 16, 2011
• 9:01

  Kristin's Birthday Party:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  My baby girl, Kristin, turned "29 for the first time!" this past weekend.  Kylie and I drove to Eugene to help her celebrate.  The party was an open house, from Noon to 10 p.m.  Kylie and I arrived at 10:30 and then left for the two hour drive back home at 4:00.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews The house was decorated with beautiful flower arrangements that Kristin had received as birthday gifts, and festive balloons.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Matt and Becki, Kristin and Grandma Jody
  I brought Kristin's baby book and three photo albums of when the girls were little.  Kari, Kristin and Rick were my first little family.  Before we headed out to the party, I posted on Facebook an album for Kristin that included Nigel and Cary too.  In Kristin's baby book, we found this letter from my Grandma J., who was visiting in Arkansas when Kristin was born.  It is so sweet!
  
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There was lots of yummy food.  Kari barbecued us some cheeseburgers, but I didn't get a picture of that.
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  And, of course, there was a birthday cake.  Kristin's friend Sandy brought it.  It was really yummy.  She used a white cake mix, substituted sour cream for water, and added maraschino cherries and chocolate chips.  Delicious!
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are a few other pictures that we took that day:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Me, Grandma Jody, Kristin, Kari and Rick
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Me, Kylie, Kristin Kari and Grandma Jody
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Kristin, Kylee and Kylie
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Casey, Kristin and Matthew
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews My brother and sister in law, Charlie and Cathy
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Shannon
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews The boys played with Legos.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews  How RUDE!!!  Grover was banished to the kennel.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews And so was Boomer.
  It was a really fun day and was so good to touch base with everybody.  I always come away from my family with a major hit of  love when we get together.  It is fun to tell stories and do "remember when?"  We sure did miss having Nigel and Cary being there with us though.
  
  
  Happy Birthday, Sis, love you lots!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
  
• August 15, 2011
• 7:53

  Master Bath Remix: Before and After

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  I woke up yesterday morning and decided that this was the day to remix our master bathroom.  It really needs to be painted, and I wouldn't mind updating the light fixtures, but this was about reorganizing and making it prettier by using what I had. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My inspiration piece was this quilt that my Grandma J. made and gave me when I was 15.  I used it on my bed for years, and it has been through the washer and dryer.  It is getting a bit tattered and worn, but I still love it.  There are all the states and the state flowers on it, hand "embroidery" painted.  It is funny, because this was one quilt that Grandma was never too thrilled about making when she was done with it.  I think it is awesome!
  
  These before pictures are like the fat girls in bikini's; frowning and with no make-up on.  In other words, pretty awful. 
  
  Before:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews After:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Before:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The dresser has been a mess for months.  The pictures were half done for just as long.
  
  After: 
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Before:  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To tell you the truth, the dirty clothes don't always overflow as shown here ... but they were yesterday morning.
  
  After:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It is warm and inviting now.  The colors are bright and cheery. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Those little plaster figures were Cary's Grandma's, and they remind us of her.  I also have lots of old family pictures of my family hanging on the walls.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is the little alcove where the toilet is:
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I'll keep working on the bathroom over time.  I am happy with the results of my couple hours of effort though.  I can't wait to see what you guys have been working on!
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  This is a Metamorphosis Monday post, hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  Please "CLICK HERE" to see other transformations that peeps have been working on!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 6:54

  August Moon 2011:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Saturday night, the moon and the sky were beautiful.  I wasn't able to figure out how to capture them well on camera, but these still made for some interesting photos:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This last one is probably the best of the bunch.  It isn't zoomed in and is clear:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  If you guys have any pretty moon pictures from over the weekend, please leave me a comment and I'll head on over to take a look!  I hope that everybody has a wonderful week.
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:36

  Enjoying the Patio:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A month ago, I did a post about getting out the lawn furniture, going to Bi-Mart and buying some hanging baskets, and then setting everything up on our front patio.  I have been using this little outdoor room often and am enjoying it a lot.  I usually read my book sitting out there in the afternoons.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  In the late afternoon, the front of our house is in the shadows.  That makes for some pretty shadow shots, and you know how I like those!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The flower baskets are flourishing.  They attract bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.  The meat bees (yellow jackets) showed up in full force yesterday for the first time.  I'm going to have to figure out what to do about that now.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I didn't even plant the baskets ... or hung them up.  I just sat them around empty spaces, and they do help to create a bit of privacy from those driving by.  Plus they look and smell great.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Our yard attracts others too.  Deer come to visit frequently.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews This one is just leaving.  I hope that he looks both ways!
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The bird feeders are a favorite spot to visit.  They are right across the grass from where I sit.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Blue Jays are the bossiest.  We also have doves and many small birds.  The corn on the cob is for the deer and the squirrels.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The squirrels are so fun to watch.  We have three regular squirrel visitors.  They fight, scold, and chase each other around.
  
  So, if you have been thinking of making yourself a little outdoor space to enjoy, I encourage you to go for it.  It doesn't need to be fancy or cost a lot of money, but it nourishes the soul and gets you back in touch with a bit of nature.  Hopefully, you won't get too many meat bees!
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• August 12, 2011
• 7:09

  Book Blurb Friday #24 : "Layers and Shadows"

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  Tags:    [edit]

  
   "Layers and Shadows" by Kathy Matthews
  Dr. Torri Vender is a child psychologist in Washington State.  
  
  Adopted from a Romanian orphanage at the age of 7, Torri has always desired to help children who have been traumatized in one form or another.  She loves her job, is happily married, and has a good life.  
  
  Things begin to change, however, when Torri and her husband Dan stop by Italy for some alone time before going to Romania to adopt a child of their own.  On their second day in Italy, Torri is slammed with horrific memories of her early years, and is hit hard by her first Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder episode.  She becomes paralyzed with fear about continuing on to Romania, and visiting her homeland.  
  
  Read this fascinating true story of how Torri comes to terms with her past, and heals as she helps to heal others.  (140)
  
  
  The photo in this blurb has been provided by Sioux Roslawski from over at "Sioux's Page ".   Please  "CLICK HERE" to visit Sioux's blog.
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry.  To read more stories that have been written about the photo above, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
• August 10, 2011
• 13:09

  Stuffy's II In Kelso, Washington: A Bit of Nostalgic Grace

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  As we were driving back from Bend today, we were listening to a Jimmy Buffett CD.  I have always enjoyed the song Pencil Thin Mustache, and the phrase that Jimmy sings about, "nostalgic grace".  My friend Gloria has been encouraging me to make the post on Stuffy's II that I promised last month, so I decided to blend everything all together, and this is how it turned out.  The video is funny and so is the song.  But it seems to be mostly about a guy having a difficult time getting laid, so if that offends you, then you might want to skip it.  I always thought it was about Boston Blacky and a two-tone Ricky Ricardo jacket.
  
  
  
  Pencil Thin Mustache by Jimmy Buffett:
  
  
  
  Link to Stuffy's II
  In July, we went to our grandson Johnny's baseball playoff game in Kelso, Washington.  Taking advantage of the break between games, our son-in-law John led us to the local's favorite, Stuffy's II.  The decor was filled with nostalgic pieces that had been collected over a long period of time.  Located in the center of Downtown Kelso, it is a great place to visit.  And, if you are like me, to take pictures.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews Cary, John and Johnny
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Huge chandeliers hang in the dining rooms of this family style restaurant.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary, Johnny and Shanna are ready to order.  The portions are humongous.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  From floor to ceiling and on the many windowsills, there were neat collectibles surrounding the tables.  I put the photos into collages so that they wouldn't take up so much room, though I wish that I could show them all as extra large pictures.  Some are great shadow shots, so I may be showing those again later.  You can click on these collages to make them bigger.
  
  I put this in two of the collages, but it got cut off.  I just thought it was really pretty, so here is the full photo.  I think that I'd like to do my bathroom in these colors someday though:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The cinnamon rolls at Stuffy's II are made from scratch, and are reported to be the largest in the world!  At least, that is what their website says.  They did look yummy.  This is a full sized pie safe and there was only room for a few of them.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Look at these hashbrowns and gravy.  They took up the whole plate.  Johnny ordered a milkshake, and this was only the glass ... more was in the serving container.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Silly guy!  He ordered the kids fish and chips.  Yumm!  I guess that I concentrated more on the decor than on the food.  If you get the chance to go there, please do.  You won't be disappointed.   If you would like to know more, please check out the website for Stuffy's II by "CLICKING HERE".
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
• August 09, 2011
• 18:31

  Note Songs Is Having a Party: Get Out Those Chickens!

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  Source: Sheila at Note Songs
  I haven't made a tablescape for awhile, but when I noticed that Sheila from "NOTE SONGS" was holding a Rooster and Chicken party, I wanted to link up my two Chicken Tablescapes for all to see!  When you are done with looking at mine, please head on over and see the pretty things that others have created.
  
  
  Please "CLICK HERE" to go to see the post on my Tablescape #3: Chickens."
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  For the second chicken tablesscape that I made, please  "CLICK HERE to see the pretty one with the yellow vintage quilt."
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Thank you so much for stopping by to visit me.  I can't wait to see all of the other pretty tablescapes and chicken displays that you peeps have made. 
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 8:29

  Drake Park and Mirror Pond in Bend, Oregon:

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  Drake Park and Mirror Pond
  
  Drake Park is located on 13 acres in Downtown Bend, Oregon, on the banks of the Deschutes River.   There is plenty of parking along     Street, but you can also park downtown and take the short walk to Drake Park.  The trails are paved and very nice.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  The first city park in Bend, Drake Park is named after Alexander Drake, a developer who platted a neighborhood in 1910 around the area where the park is located.  This neighborhood is now a historic district, filled with beautiful residential homes and businesses.  In 1920, the land for the park was purchased and the town folks got busy making it beautiful.  You can read all about it below:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  The park is full of trees, grass, trails, and easy access for water activities.  There are a lot of duck and geese.  Pretty to watch, but the geese have become quite a problem over the last decade.  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Their poop and other sediment is filling up the bottom of Mirror Pond, and plans to dredge there are discussed from time to time.  As for the geese, there were simply too many of them.  A couple of years ago, it was decided to kill off the over-abundance of geese, and give their meat to feed the homeless at Thanksgiving.  That caused quite a debate, and many were not happy about the decision.  I bet that those who got roast geese for dinner were not complaining though.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Deschutes is dammed at Newport Avenue and creates the lovely Mirror Pond.  The lucky people with some of the million dollar Bend houses, get to live right on the river.  I would love that! It is very pretty to look at those houses and the reflections of the trees and sky.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The red buoys and water fencing mean stop and get out!  Take your canoe or other floating device with you.  Otherwise, you will go over the dam or may just get caught inside it.  It happens every year.  
  
  Drake Park is full of a beautiful variety of trees.  Bend used to mainly be a mill town, back in the old days.  In the park, there is a display that talks about that history, which can be read from this plaque:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews This pondo looks like it has been through a lot.  But, it is still with us!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  There is a "highweel" on display by the historical plaque.  It was used to haul timber in the early 1900's.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I love those big old Ponderosa Pines.  There is magic in them.
  
  There are many events held at the park; some weekly, some annual and some no longer exist.  The weekend that I took these pictures, there was a car show.  To read more about the car show, please "CLICK HERE".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews (This one is for you, Patti!)
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  In December, there is a lighted canoe parade at Mirror Pond.  We got there too early last year, but thought that we were too late.  It was so cold outside!  I took the pretty picture below, and then we left.  I still wish that I would have gotten pictures of the parade ... hopefully this year I will.
  
  
  Mirror Pond, Bend Oregon, Dec. 2010
  
  Oregon Giftrs of Comfort and Joy ~ Bend's Water Pagent on Mirror Pond
  Back in the day, there was an annual Mirror Pond Pageant.  I made a cool post about all about it, and you can find it by  CLICKING HERE.
  
   Source; Bend Farmer's Market
  In the summer, you can find fresh food several times a week at the Bend Farmer's Market.  Just  "CLICK HERE"  to go to their website.
  
  Source: The Duck Race.com
  Also, in September every year, the Rotary Club does a Duck Race fundraising event at Mirror Pond.  To learn more, please just "CLICK HERE".   This year it will be held on September 11th.
  
  So there is a start to learning about Drake Park and Mirror Pond.  It is a wonderful place to visit, so if you find yourself in Bend you just might like to do that sometime.
  
  
  ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Here is a cute You Tube video of family at enjoying the river at Drake Park:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• August 07, 2011
• 12:59

  Our Date in Bend:

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  Yesterday, we woke up thinking that we would be going to the dump and working in the back yard.  Boy, were we wrong!  We figured out something much more fun to do instead.  Downtown Bend was having a car show, so we hopped into our own and headed toward it.
  
  First we went to Corey's and had a hamburger.
  
  Then, we walked to Drake Park, on the lovely Deschutes River.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  At the far end of the park, there were hundreds and hundreds of classic cars.  It was so fun.  Everybody was so cheerful and friendly.  The cars were pretty, the sun was warm, and it was a super nice way to spend the afternoon.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary admires a beautiful Ford Fairlane.  
  He used to have one like it.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When we were in high school, my BFF Keri had a yellow Mustang much like this one.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This car is named Merlot, and has the most beautiful deep purple paint job.  I just knew that I needed to get my picture taken with it!
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary spotted the car-wash saleslady and just knew that he had to get his picture taken with her.  She told me that I was a really nice wife to let him do that.  I said, I know, and thanks for letting us take your picture.  As we walked away, I asked him how come he gets his picture taken with Jerry Rice and the car-wash saleslady, and I think I'm doing good to get mine taken with a car named Merlot?  I guess it is because he asks! 
  
  We walked around there for quite a while.  I made a slide show of many of the cars, which is at the bottom of this post.  Here are a few more:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  The woman who owns this beauty lives in Centralia.  She said that even though she lives there, she hasn't been to The Olympic Club yet.  I told her that she would love it!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We walked back to town.  Bend has some really cool old houses, such as this:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  We had some time to kill before they started their cruise, or dragging the gut as us old fogies used to call it.  So, we decided to go to a movie; something that we haven't done for several years.
  
  [www.imdb.com]
  We decided to see Cowboys and Aliens.  We used our movie gift certificate that we had been carrying around for a couple of years.  Thank goodness it was for $25.00!  $7.75 each to get in, $8.00 for popcorn, $4.75 for a pop, $5.25 for a bottled water.  We still pitched in $8.00 of our our money!  We enjoyed the movie, but Cary said that we could have waited to watch this one on video.  It was good, but somehow kind of predictable.
  
  Returning to the downtown area, we enjoyed the cruise and visited with some old friends.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Then we ended our awesome day by coming home and watching the Mariners win over the Angels at 5-1.  It doesn't get no better than that!  I hope that you guys had a wonderful day too.  If you want to see some cool photography pics about our day yesterday, just click home or read the box below.
  
  Take care, 
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:10

  Shadow Shot Sunday #168: Tables, Chairs and Purses

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  Yesterday, while waiting for our movie to start, we went to the Mexican restaurant next door to the theater, and sat down at the bar to order.  I looked up, and noticed a very cool shadow shot reflecting off of a long mirror hanging over the bar.  If you look closely at these photos, you will notice that the wooden table, chairs and the light fixtures are inside.  The black tables and chairs are outside, with the pretty shadows.  After zooming and cropping, it is very hard to tell that I took the picture by looking at a mirror.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  
  These were taken yesterday too, through the window of a designer store in Downtown Bend, Oregon.  I love the rich colors of these little tiny purses as they were lined up so nicely on the windowsill.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post!  If you enjoyed it, please "CLICK HERE" to see shadow shots from around the world, over at Tracy's "Hey Harriet!".  I think that you will also enjoy the Weekend Reflections post that I also made this morning: Window Displays in Downtown Bend, Oregon.
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:42

  Weekend Reflections: Window Displays in Downtown Bend, Oregon

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Hi!  This post is linked to Weekend Reflections...to see lots of cool reflection shots, please "CLICK HERE".  I think that you will also enjoy my other post of this morning: Shadow Shot Sunday: Tables, Chairs and Purses.
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 05, 2011
• 7:30

  Sepia Saturday #86: The Statue of Liberty

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  This is a Sepia Saturday post.  Please "CLICK HERE"  to see great old photos, and to learn interesting historical tidbits from around the world.
  
  
  The Statue of Liberty
  It is time for Sepia Saturday already!  I was really excited to see that Alan had prompted us to share photos about statues this week.  I have been wanting to share our family visit to the Statue of Liberty way back in 1975.  Though these aren't really sepia photos,  I hope that you will enjoy them.
  
  In August of 1975, the year before I graduated from high school, we went on our big family vacation to the East Coast and then on to  Arkansas.  We stayed in Maryland with my aunt, uncle and cousins the first week, and toured all over.  One day, we went to Gettysburg.  Coming from Oregon, I remember thinking how small the New England states are.  You could drive through 5 of them in a day and back, easily. We spent a couple of days in Washington D.C., enjoying all of the sights, including a tour of  The White House.  I loved the The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History the most.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is so blurry!  I wonder if the acid from the photo albums did this, or if that is just how those Instamatic cameras were?
  
  On our way to the West Point Military Academy in upstate New York, we stayed overnight in  Brooklyn, NY , and took the subway and then the ferry to Liberty Island  to check out the Statue of Liberty. 
  
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The day was hot, muggy and smoggy.  The humidity was horrible.  The camera wasn't digital.  But the memories of that day are still pretty fresh.  
  
  
  The Statue of Liberty was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same man who built The Eiffel Tower in France.  To read more about the statue, you can start here: The Statue of Liberty.  There are more documents and links that follow our family photos, if you want to learn more.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here, we are on the ferry, just leaving The Battery and on our way to Liberty Island.  This was everybody in our group, except for my little bro, who must be the one taking the picture.
  
   
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My Dad in his finest 70's outfit.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It was so hot inside!  My sister Julie and I are working our way up to Lady Liberty's crown in this picture.  In the one below, the sign tells about how much hotter it is inside than outside.
  
  The quarters are tight and the stairs are steep.  Uncle Frank got behind a lady in a mini-skirt, and she kept turning around and glaring at him.  He finally told her, "I can't help it lady!"  He still laughs about that to this day.
  
  The crown was closed right after 9/11, and didn't reopen until 2009.  Here is an article about that, with some neat photos included: "CLICK HERE".
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are some views from the crown.  To give you some sort of perspective, the tablet is 23 feet, 7" long, and 13 feet, 7" across.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Rob, a fellow Sepia Saturday participant, did a post on Lady Liberty's arm and torch, if you want to take a look after you are all done here: "Arm of Liberty".
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is when we were leaving and returning to the mainland.  It is so funny to think of the days when we had to limit our picture taking because it cost so much to develop them.  If I were there today, I would have taken around 100 photos!  I'm sure glad that my parents took these.  I have some more from my camera, but I couldn't find them.  When I do, I'll add them to this post.
  More info and links:
  Source: Satue of Liberty @ Fun Facts.org
  Source:  Google Maps
  Source: The Mitchell Archives.com Source: Sleep New York.comSource: The Crane Insider BlogWikipedia: The Statue of Liberty and it's History The National Park Service: The Statue of LibertySleep New York.com
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:35

  Book Blurb Friday #23 : When It Rains, It Pours ~ One Woman's Guide to Self-Reliant Living

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  This is a Book Blurb Friday post.  What is Book Blurb Friday?  Lisa Ricard Claro, over at "Writing in the Buff" holds a fun exercise in writing for us each week.  We (and you too!) have 150 words to tell a story that goes with the photo that she provides, pretending that it will be on the inside jacket of a bestselling (hopefully) book.  Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, travel ... it is your book, just write it!  This week, Lisa chose one of my pictures.  Thanks, Lisa.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   "When It Rains It Pours:  A Woman's Guide to Self-Reliant Living" 
  The heavens have opened up; seemingly weeping as the rain pours down in buckets.  This surprise mid-summer thunderstorm has the dogs very worried and they weave in and out around her legs.  The power just went out, and Erica is in the middle of coloring her hair.  She lives in the country, and without electricity, she has no running water until it resumes and the pump turns back on. 
  
  Resourceful Erica stands underneath the gutter near the front step, and lets the rain rinse out her hair.  The dogs peer at her through the screen door, whining loudly as they worry for her safety.  “Quiet!” she tells them.  
  
  After the storm subsides, Erica becomes even more determined to prepare her home for times of disaster, or at least for times without electricity.  Read about Erica's journey in self-reliant living, in this step-by-step guide from a woman's point of view.  (150)
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.  When you have a minute, please go over and check out what everybody else has written.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 04, 2011
• 7:15

  Garrett's New Boat:

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  Yesterday, we were blessed by an unexpected visit from my step-daughter Cheri and her family.  They stopped by my MIL Darlene's, where we visited and then went out for pizza. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Gage inquires of Ginni's health.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Grandpa Cary makes an announcement.  He said, "Garrett, my boat has been sitting behind the garage for quite awhile. Would you like to have it?"
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Garrett listens intently to this surprising turn of conversation.  He says, "Sure!"
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Grandpa Cary mentions that the interior needs a bit of work, but the rest of it is in great shape.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  "That's okay, Grandpa, I'll fix it up." says Garrett.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Gage is thrilled about this new boat idea.  Cheri and Scott are biting their tongues.  I'm not quite sure that thrilled was what they were feeling.  But, they are nice folks who go with the flow.  They will help Garrett make his dream boat a reality.  (In truth, this was just a random shot that caught them off guard, but it fits with the story, so I'm using literary license and my imagination.)
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Gage and Garrett hop into Grandma Darlene's golf cart and head next door to check out the boat.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Nice!
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Gage dreams of next summer, when he'll be riding along out on the lake in his brother's new boat.  His dad said, "Be careful, Gage, don't sit on a nail."
  
  
  We can't wait to see how the inside of this cool boat turns out.  
  Isn't this kid cute?
  The End.
  
  
  Scott, Cheri, Cary and Darlene
  
  
  Scott, Cheri, Darlene, Me and Ginni
  
  
  Thanks for the pizza, Grandma Darlene!
  
  
  Thanks for the boat, you guys!
  Thanks for taking the boat, you guys.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 03, 2011
• 8:56

  Cultus Lake, Oregon:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  In July, 2011, my best friend husband and I took a drive and checked out several high lake campgrounds along the Cascade Lakes Highway. That highway links you up to Bend at one end, and the Highway 58 Cutoff Road near Crescent at the other.  You can also access Cascade Lakes Highway at La Pine and near Sunriver.
    
  Cultus Lake is one of the lakes that we went to.  Cultus Lake is 210' deep, and was formed by a glacier. The photo below shows Cultus Mountain, which divides Cultus Lake from Little Cultus Lake.  I took pictures of Little Cultus also, but haven't posted them yet.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cultus Lake is a great spot for fishing, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing and camping. It even offers a very nice resort complete with cabins and a private marina.  Located off of the Cascade Lakes Highway, 8 miles north of Crane Prairie Reservoir, Cultus is a nice place for the kids.  At the main day use area, the water is rather warm, and stays shallow for a long ways out.  The campground has 55 sites, and is operated by Hoodoo.  To learn more about the "public" side of this lake, please check out these links after you are done here at Oregon Gifts.
  
  * Hoodoo.com: Cultus Lake Campground
  * USFS: Cultus Lake
  * Campsite Photos.com "Cultus Lake"
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is the Day Use Area.  You'll need a forest pass to park here and to use the public boat ramp, just so you know.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cultus Lake Resort:  The Lodge and Store
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I love how they have made their lodge look so pretty.  Nice grass and flowers, you guys!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cultus Lake Resort:  Private Marina
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cultus Lake Resort: The Cabins
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  To learn more about the resort itself, here is the link: "Cultus Lake Resort"
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cultus Creek greets you on your way in and out.  Yes, you can fish in it!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I hope that you enjoyed this little drive by tour.  This is a Watery Wednesday post!  To see more beautiful water shots of all sorts from around the world, just "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  The slide show below includes photos of Browns Mountain Boat Landing, The Big Deschutes River leaving Crane Prairie Reservoir, Little Cultus Lake Campground, Cultus Lake and Cultus Lake Resort, and Rock Creek Campground on Crane Prairie. These pictures were taken on July 16, 2011 in Central Oregon by me, Kathy Matthews. The handsome model is my best friend husband and driver, Cary Matthews.
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 02, 2011
• 7:39

  Hanging Out With Teenagers: Getting My Groove On!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Our granddaughter Kylie has been spending time with us this summer, learning to manage the office and getting reacquainted with her La Pine cousins and making new friends on the softball field.  It has been such fun hanging out with her, and learning about what she likes.  
  
  We actually enjoy many of the same things, but, being a grandma, no matter how "with it" that I like to think that I am, there is a whole world out there that I have been previously unaware of.  Especially in the world of music.  I believed that I was well-rounded in this area, and I really do enjoy many types of the stuff.  Hanging out for all those days on the Nike football field last month, I even began to enjoy the rap music that was playing all day long.  Good thing that I am rather adaptable, or that stuff would have driven me crazy.  Some of the words were pretty nasty on those songs, but the beat was great.
  
  Anyway, Kylie and I were listening to the radio on the way home from Bend the other day, on her station, and she introduced me to a group called LMFAO; a group that Kylie has recently seen in concert, and that plays techno music.  They do a dance called "The Shuffle" and have a couple of videos on You-Tube where they show you how to do it.  It is all fun stuff.  We won't go into what their name might actually stand for, and the second video it a little tiny bit off color, but I think they are funny.  If you think you might want to check them out, here are two of their videos:
  
  "Party Rock Anthem" 
  
  
  
   "LMFAO Teaches Us How To Shuffle"
  
  
  
  Don't ask me why, but I just had to throw these guys into this post.  It must be the party on part.  Did you know that Wayne and Garth guys have a Facebook Fan Page?  Well, they do.
  
   Photo Source:  "The L Magazine.com""Party on, Wayne!"  "Party on, Garth!"
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• August 01, 2011
• 8:29

  The Week In Review in Pictures: July 25th - 31st

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  It was another busy week!  Oregon Gifts has officially surpassed 70,000 visitors and this is post #1392.  Yay!  Thanks so much for keep coming back to see what is happening in Mayberry, everybody.
  
  We were visited by this big guy from across the street:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Did you know that antlers can grow between a 1/2" and an inch per day during antler growing season? 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We have enjoyed many visitors to our patio this week.  Birds, squirrels, hummingbirds, and our friend Louise from Utah:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We took these photos on Saturday morning as Louise was leaving.  What a great lady she is.  Louise and Cary went to high school together and have kept in touch all these years.  Cary and I were still in our p.j.'s and that is why our hair is all bushed out, lol.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Later that morning, we drove for 3 1/2 hours to my cousins Jen and Nash's wedding.  It was so wonderful!  I'm going to do a tablescape post on Thursday to show you more details, but wanted to include some people pictures right now:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThe setting was delightful.
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Jennifer was a beautiful and very serene bride on Saturday:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCongratulations, Jennifer and Nash!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Brooklyn was a show stopper in her own right.
  We had so much fun visiting with everybody:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  My daughters, Kari and Kristin
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Me, Cary, Mom and Nanny
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Me and my cousin Kristi
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Mom ~ Grandma Jody
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Krsitin
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Casey!
  We stayed for around four hours and then turned around and came back home.  I laid low yesterday, read my book, talked to my BFF Nancy and rested.  I did some evaluating, and have decided that I need to move forward with my writing, as soon as possible.  I'm going to start with children's picture books and am thinking of using my photos to make educational resource materials.  Summer will be through before we know it, and I am anticipating a busy winter!
  
  We'll see what this week brings.  I hope that you guys have a wonderful one!
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
  
• 7:46

  Blue Monday: Blue Boat and More!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis Captain is searching for help.  He still can't figure out how he ended up in a hotel parking lot in Ocean Shores, Washington.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThis blue house and it's neighbor are looking pretty nice, in Aberdeen, Washington.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsThese two have seen better days.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Near Oregon City, Oregon, there is a wonderful place called Merrywood Tree Farm.  Visiting there for my cousin's wedding on Saturday, I took a few pictures of the tractor and trailer full of hay ... and of the boys who found it great fun to run and jump.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Happy Blue Monday!  Thank you for your prayers, Smiling Sally is doing much better these days.  To see many more blue photos, or to join in, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 28, 2011
• 17:01

  Book Blurb Friday #22: "Twenty" and "Who Is Watching You?"

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hi!  I'm still playing catch-up on my book blurbs.  What is Book Blurb Friday?  Lisa Ricard Claro, over at "Writing in the Buff" holds a fun exercise in writing for us each week.  We (and you too!) have 150 words to tell a story that goes with the photo that she provides, pretending that it will be on the inside jacket of a bestselling (hopefully) book.  Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, travel ... it is your book, just write it! 
  
  Here is Book Blurb #1:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsTwentyby Kathy Matthews
  "Twenty years ago, Dr. Emily Baker gave up her newborn baby girl for adoption.  
  
  Twenty days from now, Emily's twins are due to be born, and she is searching for a nanny.  Beautiful twenty-year-old Clarissa Robertson is her number one choice so far.  
  
  Emily is clueless, but Clarissa is a narcissistic-sociopath filled with jealousy and rage, hidden deep beneath her lovely exterior.  Clarissa is also Emily’s firstborn child. 
  
  Finding Emily through the adoption agency and the internet, Clarissa has placed herself into the perfect opportunistic situation.  As a payback for her own perceived abandonment, Clarissa has a dreadful plan in mind for her siblings when they turn twenty months old. 
  
  Twenty, twenty, twenty.  Emily has nearly two years to figure things out and to save her babies from Clarissa’s intentions.  This chilling psychological thriller will keep you thinking about those you surround yourself with ... and not trusting the wrong ones."(150)
   
  Sorry guys, I know that this one is a bit creepy.  It is just what popped into my mind, lol!  The photo in both of these blurbs have been provided by Lisa's daughter Christina.  Please "CLICK HERE"  to read the stories that other participants wrote about the girl with the amazing blue eyes.
  
  
  And, here is Book Blurb #2, one that I missed awhile ago:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Who Is Watching You?by Kathy Matthews
  Who is watching you?  How is technology digging deep in secret ways to invade your privacy?
  
  Learn about “E.T. Vans” in every neighborhood, listening to our private conversations.  Of insurance investigators bugging your home to debunk your workers compensation claims.  Satellite cameras can focus in on your backyard so that insurance companies can cancel your policy if they disagree with your housekeeping.  Is your county using Google Earth to spot you building something without a permit?  What about those cameras at intersections resulting in tickets for talking on your cell phone or entering the intersection as the light turns yellow?  On-Star and cell phone GPS systems pinpoint your every move.  These are the common devices, but new ones are being developed or improved upon daily.  
  
  A must buy, this book gives you the latest about the sneakiest! Learn to fight back, and how to block most surveillance without using tinfoil. (150)
  
  The photo in this blurb has also been provided by Lisa's daughter Christina.   Please "CLICK HERE"  to read more stories about the woman with the bright green eye.
  
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.  When you have a minute, please go over and check out what everybody else has written.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:26

  Sepia Saturday #85: People With Cars

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hello, Friends!  I have been away from Sepia Saturday for a couple of months now, and have missed everybody very much.  I am making an attempt to slip my way back in with a few fun photos today.  This week, the subject is people posing with cars in the background.  I went through some of our family pictures, used "Picnick" on them, and came up with these:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Jody's my mom.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The bottom caption is kind of hard to read, but it is us grandkids with Grandma T. and Aunt Mardy.  I am the tallest kid, in the brown dress.  Thank you for stopping by, and I hope that you all have a wonderful week.
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  This is a Sepia Saturday post.  To see some great old photos from around the world, please " CLICK HERE ".  Remember, you can post your favorites there too!
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 26, 2011
• 8:03

  Week in Review: An Eclectic Bit of Rambling from Mayberry

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is a long post.  If you want to leave a comment,  you will need to go all the way to the end.  Thanks!
  
  Months ago, I signed up for Fedjit Live, opting for the free version that lists the City, State or Country of where you guys are visiting from.  It is interesting; there are countries that I have never heard of before.  It also shows if you were searching Google for a phrase or item and ended up being led to one of my blog posts.
  
  There are very popular posts that are mainly so because of the title of the post itself.  This is especially true for "Heidi 1937", "Billy the Exterminator and Vex Con", "Preparing for Winter Fun", "Info and Links Regarding the Joplin, MO Tornado of Saturday Night" and "The Letter R".  The SEO (search engine optimization) picks up those key words, and when somebody searches the net for those titles, they lead them to my blog.  Cool.
  
  One search the other day absolutely cracked me up.  Somebody who had been here before or knew a tiny bit about my blog searched for "tyler letsom, ramble ramble"  and wa-lah!  They found me.  Tyler is a Matthews, the Letsoms are my Grandma's people and I suppose that I do ramble.  I notice that I really ramble in person as I tell a story.  I start out with the title, fill in the backstory and then get to the main point.  It drives some people crazy, but I certainly do appreciate those friends and listeners who are patient and can sit through the whole thing until I am done. 
  
  Last week was busy, filled with family, helping out Cary at work, and blogging/organizing my photos.  Kylie came to visit for a few days, and last Wednesday, she played softball with our nephew Jimmy's team.  Though she hadn't played since she was in first or second grade, it all came back to her.  Kylie is a jock just like the rest of the Matthews.  I knew that I was marrying into backhoes, but didn't realize that I was marrying into athletes!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Kylie practices hitting as Nick pitches to her.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Ethan and Jimmy during warm-up.  Ethan had a busy day that day ... he mowed a lawn and filled in three pits that consisted of hauling and dumping thirty wheelbarrows of rock.  He made $18.00 for his efforts.  I think that I have found the guy to pull our weeds.  At 13, he is a super worker.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Seth and Fred.  Watching Seth play is like watching a pro-player.  Fred is the manager of the team, and he really knows what he is doing.  They were behind 15-0 and he brought them back to win.  It was really fun to watch everybody, and I hope we go and do that again soon.
  
  Speaking of baseball, Johnny's team did go on to regionals and worked their way up throughout the tournament, but sadly will not be going on to the world series after all.  Johnny won the home run tournament though, and hit 4 out of 10 balls out of the park!  Way to go, Hollywood, and way to go Black Hills.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Gage turned 5.  I am going to make him a book for his birthday ... a book about him.   I need to get going on that!
  
  
  Source:  Tom Hauck. @ ESPN RISE
  Tyler had another great week last week, playing at ESPN's Elite 11 in Malibu, at Pepperdine University.  It sounded like everybody had a great trip and enjoyed the California sun.  Here is the link to the article about him and others: "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  Source:  Kari's Facebook Page
  If it seems like I haven't posted much about my girls and Casey, it is because I haven't seen them since Memorial Day.  They are doing well, and have been attending weddings and family reunions like crazy.  I'll be so happy to see them next weekend though.  Kari and Casey are in the top picture, and Kristin and Casey are in the following one:
  
  Source:  Kristin's Facebook Page
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   We had some young deer come to visit.Then they left.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On Saturday, Cary, Darlene (my MIL), Kylie and I went to lunch at Paulina Lake Lodge. Afterward we drove around looking at the campgrounds on Paulina and East Lake.  The weather was pleasant, the wind was down, and the lakes were very full.  So were the campgrounds.  I didn't feel like taking any pictures that day, so I didn't.  I'm thinking that my catalog is pretty full of the pictures of the places where we usually go to, and unless I see something unusual or extremely beautiful, I'm going to slow down a bit.
  
  Here is one of Paulina Lake Lodge from last year.  We did sit on the deck and to eat our lunch on Saturday.  The food was very good.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The view wasn't bad either:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  On Sunday, I went ahead and made an attempt to make things look better on our front patio.  This is the year of making the best of our leftovers in lawn furniture.  I think that we are going to have to bite the bullet and buy some new stuff next year.  Even the umbrella droops. This is not a fancy home and garden post, but it is more of a how if you spend $100 on hanging baskets you might be able to spruce things up a bit.   I didn't even take any "before" pictures, it was that bad.  Of course, the lawn itself always very beautiful.  Cary sees to that.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  When seat cushions go on sale at the end of the season, I think I'll spring for some.  The metal chairs from Bi-Mart have really lasted; I think that this may be the fourth year we have used them.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  We are now officially collecting windchimes.  Kylie and I each chose a new one from Bi-Mart last week.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Our teak chairs are too wobbly to hold much weight these days, and have been relegated to plant stands.   
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I kept the handles on the baskets on purpose this year.  That way, if we leave for vacation or it is going to freeze, I'm just going to take them inside and put them on my kitchen island.  I have those glass self-watering bulbs that I can stick in so that they will still get watered.  It has just been that kind of year.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Cary's arm was feeling better yesterday, and he took the opportunity to use the New Holland skidsteer to clean the weeds out of the gravel area in the front.  It is amazing how much he can get done on that thing.  Good job, BFH!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The neighbors horses were saying hello to me as I was taking these pictures this morning.  So I took their picture.  Well, that about wraps it up for now.  I hope that you all have a wonderful week!
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• July 24, 2011
• 8:02

  Crane Praire Reservoir: Browns Mountain Boat Ramp

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  On July 16, 2011 Cary and I went on a short drive that included a stop at Browns Mountain Boat Ramp at Crane Prairie Reservoir.  The boat ramp is located on Road #4285 close by the small dam that eventually empties Crane Prairie into Wikiup Reservoir.  
  
  To get there from Highway 97, turn onto Burgess Road at Wikiup Junction north of LaPine, and take that road all the way to the end.  Turn left onto Road #42 (South Century Drive) and drive past the Crane Prairie Resort entrance toward Cascade Lakes Highway.  After a couple of miles, on your right, you will find a gravel road, Road #4285.  Turn onto it and drive a mile or so until you find the sign for the boat ramp.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is a very nice little spot to put your boat in and do a bit of fishing.  There is a nice bank on the south side of the landing where you can place your lawn chairs and hang out.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  For my post that tells you about North Twin, South Twin and Crane Prairie Resort, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  Here are some other websites that will tell you more about Crane Prairie Reservoir:
  
  Deschutes River: Crane Prairie to Wikiup
  
  
  U.S. Forest Service: Crane Praire Reservoir Info
  
  
  Going Fishing: Crane Prairie Reservoir
  
  
  This is a Watery Wednesday post!  To see and/or submit watery shots from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 23, 2011
• 7:30

  Shadow Shot Sunday #166: Zoo Shadows

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

  Tags:    [edit]

  Welcome to Shadow Shot Sunday!  A couple of weeks ago, when Cary and I were visiting Portland, we went to the Oregon Zoo.  Currently, there is a slide show at the top of the page with all of the photos that I took there, and I have made a previous post about our visit, and the link to it is here: The Oregon (Portland) Zoo!
  
  Today, though, I pulled out some interesting shadow photos for you to see.  It was a bright and sunny morning the day we went, and that made for a wide variety of possibilities!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
    Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  To visit others from around the world and to take a look at some remarkable shadow pictures, please visit Tracy at Hey Harriet's Shadow Shot Sunday by "CLICK HERE".  You'll be glad that you did!
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 22, 2011
• 9:08

  Retro Flashback #1: "Jennifer Tomkins" by The Street People AND "Baby Island" by Carol Ryrie Brink

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  This was one of my favorite songs when I was in 6th grade.  Does anybody else remember it?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And this was one of my very favorite books.  I am pleased to find it available at Amazon.com and I think I'll buy myself a copy.  I haven't read it in forever.  Have you?
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are some links to other retro posts:"Lance Link"Melanie: "I've Got A Brand New Pair of Rollerskates""The Pink Stingray"
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 7:32

  SkyWatch Friday: Clouds Over Warm Springs, Oregon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  On Tuesday morning, we drove to Sandy and then back.  On our way home, driving through the Warm Springs Reservation approaching Madras, I became fascinated about the cloud bank ahead.  It was 10:30 in the morning when I began taking the pictures through the windshield at 60 m.p.h.  They are not technically the finest photos, but I love clouds and enjoyed the show, and hope that you guys will like them too.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  For really wonderful sky photos from around the world, please "CLICK HERE".  And, if you have some of your own that you want to share, please join up!
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 21, 2011
• 18:29

  Book Blurb Friday: "Charlie's Angel" and "The Rainbow Writer"

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  I've been behind on my Book Blurb Friday posts, first because I was gone and then, second, because I was so far behind.  This week I have done two, and I'll try to catch up on the others that I have missed as time permits.  Oh, Lisa is having a great contest too, so make sure to check out the details by reading her post about it when you are all done here.  Thanks!  CONTEST DETAILS HERE!!!!
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews "Charlie's Angel"by Kathy Matthews
  In 1998, three teens perished in an automobile accident in rural Kentucky:  Josh Rebar, Charlotte “Charlie” Bonaparte (Josh's true love), and his wannabee girlfriend, Natalie Ruskin. 
  In their grief and love, Charlie’s parents spent money they did not have to preserve her likeness in a detailed and beautiful headstone.  They had no idea, and did not intend for Charlie’s spirit to be “frozen” in concrete and suffering a very boring afterlife.  To make matters worse, that aggressive Natalie was forever chasing Josh, parading around with him in front of Charlie, trying to win his heart.
  In 2002, Ariel Foreman began to visit Charlie as she left flowers for her grandmother in the same cemetery.  A supernatural bond formed between the two girls, as they puzzled over how to free Charlie’s spirit.  Tipping over the headstone seemed the only option.  Would it work?  Would Ariel be caught ... fined for criminal mischief?  (150 words.)
  
  This photo was courtesy of Sioux, over at Sioux's Page.  Please CLICK HERE to read how others interpreted the photo into their own story.
  
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   "The Rainbow Writer"by Kathy Matthews
  Tillie Americus was an avid photographer.  Taking pictures was her passion.  Over the years, her work had improved and she was now featured in galleries.  Her framed and matted photos sold for thousands.  Still, in her heart of hearts, Tillie longed to write books.  She just couldn’t seem to get around to it.
  Then, one day, in her great-aunt’s attic, she found the rusty old typewriter that Aunt Isabel had cherished, “The Rainbow Writer”.  Prior to her painful arthritis, Aunt Isabel had written many published novels on that typewriter during the 50’s and 60’s. 
  Tillie took it home, cleaned it up with rust remover and machine oil, and sat down to give typing on it a whirl.  Four hours later, she had finished a perfectly good short story.  Pleased with herself, Tillie and The Rainbow Writer soon became constant companions.    
  Ever since, many wonderful bestsellers have come from Tillie Americus.  (150 words.)
  
  The photo in this blurb has been provided by Lynn Obermoeller from over at "Present Letters".   Please  CLICK HERE  to read the stories that other participants wrote about the typewriter photo.
  
  
  I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• 6:26

  Care Packages For Our Soldiers: What You Cannot Send to The Middle East

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  Source:  C. Matthews Photos
  
  Several years ago, our nephew was stationed in Ethiopia on a peacekeeping/village support mission building schools and that sort of thing.  He wrote home to say that when he and those he worked with went outside, the little village kids swarmed around them asking for candy.  
  
  After hearing this, his Grandma and I teamed up and prepared a couple of jammed packed boxes full of candy, stuffed animals and the like.  I made 30 of the little purses above, (hanging around that sweet child's neck) and filled each one with candy.  I had leftover Christmas felt, so that is what I used.  I also braided yarn for the strap.  As I sewed each purse, I prayed for the child who would receive it.  Apparently, they were a big hit.
  
  That was a fun thing to do.  I'm sorry to say, that is the last care package that I have sent overseas, even though I do have people that I should be sending something too.  Now, another soldier friend of ours is going off to war.  I have learned of what you cannot send to somebody in a care package going over to Iraq or Afghanistan, and I thought you guys might like to read it too.   Some things on the list I would never consider sending anybody, but I guess the military has to spell out all the rules, just in case.  Here they are:
  
  Prohibitions 
  
  
  [] Musical letter or cards that play a sound when opened
  
  
  [] Pork or pork by-products
  
  
  [] Perishable infectious biological substances (what???)
  
  
  [] Perishable non-infectious biological substances (again, what???)
  
  
  [] Radioactive material
  
  
  [] Fruits, animals, and living plants
  
  
  [] All alcoholic beverages
  
  
  [] Material used in the production of alcoholic beverages (distilled materials, hops, malts, yeast, etc.)
  
  
  [] Coins, bank notes, currency, platinum, gold silver, precious stones, jewelry, and other valuable articles
  
  
  [] Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotape, etc. and horric comics and matrices
  
  
  [] Any matter depicting nude or semi-nude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials
  
  
  [] Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the person use of the addressee are permissible.
  
  
  [] Firearms of any type
  
  
  [] Express Mail Military Services (EMMS not available)
  
  
  So there you go; I hope this helps.  I'm just wondering for those of you who send care packages frequently ... what do you put into yours?
  
  
  God bless, 
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 20, 2011
• 7:48

  Best Friends Forever Rock: My Visit With Nancy

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A couple of weeks ago, I was blessed to spend time with my BFF Nancy, staying overnight in her lovely new home.  It was a feeding to my soul to spend time with one who has known and "got" me since 1983. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  She's so cute.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is the view of the pond outside her back yard, and some pretty rose bushes too.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After Cary's and my busy day of going to the zoo and watching football, Nancy drove over to the Nike Field after work to pick me up.  We went to  her house and relaxed for a bit and had a chance to visite with her son Nigel.  A bit later, we drove to the neatest little Vietnamese restaurant and brought home some delicious food.  I knew that I would regret not taking photos of the restaruant and their lovely garden, but I was actually "pictured out" by then.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The food was sooo good!  So was the wine and the company.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Here are two happy friends, glad to be together again.  Nancy was so tired from work, and I was so tired from walking a 100 miles and being sunburned.  Still, we stayed up late, talking and talking ... catching up, counseling each other and listening and learning, as only the best of friends can do.
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I really appreciate the many times that Nancy took time to come and see me over that week we spent in Beaverton.  We only missed getting together on Thursday, because Cary and I were in Kelso watching Johnny's tournament all day long.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  So, here we are.  Here is to us, Nancy!  Thanks for everything.
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 6:43

  Watery Wednesday: Summer Storm, Cultus Lake Scuba Divers and Crane Prairie Water Falls

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It has been a wet week!  On Friday, we had a thunder and lightening storm that gave us nearly 2" of rain during it's two hour show.
  
   Source: Byways.org
  On Saturday, Cary and I took a drive along the Cascade Lakes Highway.  I swear, Central Oregon must be the "other" land of lakes.  One place we went to was the back dam at Crane Prairie Reservoir.   I spotted these beautiful rapids on the way to Brown's Mountain Boat Landing:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  After leaving there, we explored Little Cultus Lake and Cultus Lake.  Though I'll be doing separate posts on those lakes soon, I wanted to show you the scuba divers at Cultus Lake. They were near shore, and it made me wonder if they were going through a practice or the certification process.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  I hope that you all enjoy your Watery Wednesday!  For many more beautiful water shots from around the world, please  CLICK HERE!              
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 18, 2011
• 14:45

  Recent Reads: The Lovely Bones and Everything's Eventual

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  Source:  Bing Images
  I have decided that I really like my low-cost method of building our home library.  Once a month or so, I go to the thrift store or library sale, and spend around $10.  Since reading and watching baseball are my mainstays of relaxing, I figure that is pretty darn cheap.   After my shopping spree, I come home, put my new-to-me books on the shelf.  When it is time for a new book, I see which one jumps out at me and go for it.  
  
  Here are my latest second-hand book finds that turned out to be wonderful new friends.  The first one, The Lovely Bones, was written in 2002 by Alice Sebold. 
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  It does deal with a serial killer.  It is told through the voice of  Susie, the young girl who died.  It is not gross, and it is not scary.  There is intrigue and suspense, but it isn't like Silence of the Lambs or anything.  There is abundant insight regarding family and friends; their feelings and the impact that Susie's sudden death has made on each of them.  I really like the fresh view of Heaven and life-after- death thing that Alice Sebold gives us.  I found myself thinking, well, that makes sense.  It could be that way.  
  I guess that there is a movie from the book, but I haven't seen it either.  (I am so out of touch with movies these days that it is unreal.)  For those of you who have read the book and seen the movie, what did you think?  
  I recommend this book.  I want to keep it forever and ever, but I am going to loan it to my BFF Nancy first.  It sure was worth the $2.00.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  This book cost me .75, and I had never even heard of it either.  Oh well, all in good time, I suppose.  I did take about 10 years off from Mr. King, and he wrote a lot of books in 10 years.  I don't think he can help it, anymore than I can help taking pictures. So, anyway, Everything's Eventual is a collection of short stories that Stephen King wrote over time.  
  
  His introduction alone, "Practicing the (Almost) Lost Art" is worth the full price of the book.  This comes from page xvi, and I quote (duh!):
  
  "I've continued to write short stories over the years, partly because the ideas still come from time to time -- beautifully compressed ideas that cry out for three thousand words, maybe nine thousand , fifteen thousand at the very most -- and partly because it's the way I affirm, at least to myself, the fact that I haven't sold out, no matter what the more unkind critics may think.  Short stories are still piecework, the equivalent of those one-of-a-kind items you can buy in an artisan's shop.  If, that is, you are willing to be patient and wait while it's made by hand in the back room." ~ Stephen King
  
  
  Stephen talks of how many forms of writing have been lost over time, including plays and many magazines.  But, apparently, poetry never goes out of fashion, or good novels.  He wrote this book in 2002, and discusses how well things first went with his online publishing of "Riding the Bullet".  It is always interesting when Mr. King writes right to us, his dear readers; as if he is sitting across the restaurant table explaining his thoughts.
  
  Not only do we get a great story in each chapter, but after each short story is done, Mr. King gives us writing tips, and how he came up with his idea for the story itself.  I love it.
  
  I just figured out what I was doing in 2002 ... I was a single mom, working part-time, going to school full-time and reading school books instead of books for fun.  I missed a whole bunch of good new books, apparently.  Glad I get to read them now!
  
  
  Take care,
  
  
  Kathy M.
  
  If you enjoyed this post, you will enjoy Baja Greenawalt's blog!  Just  "CLICK HERE" to get there.
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:08

  The Oregon (Portland) Zoo!

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  On Wednesday, July 13th, Cary and I visited the Oregon Zoo in Portland.  We got there as it opened, and stayed for a couple of hours.  There is a lot of walking involved, but it was really neat.  It only cost $10.50 for adults to get in, plus they charge more for parking (though the nice lady didn't charge us for that because we happened to give her exact change and she made an administrative decision).
  
  
  If you want to see the big cats, they sleep in until early afternoon.  I didn't get any pictures of them.  Sorry. The bears were pretty sleepy too, but at least we could see them.  
  
  
  I hadn't been to a zoo for years and had forgotten that it really is a magical place.  The little kids were all so excited, and it was fun to listen to their random comments.   One little boy was telling his mommy that he wanted walnuts and cake for lunch.  Sounds good to me! 
  
  I do wish that the outside windows were cleaned each day (where the penguins and polar bears were), because it would have made for better viewing and better pictures, but I worked with what I had.  Here are several of the pictures that I liked.  I put them all into the slide show below, and will pull some out for stories and linky parties later on.  
  
  
  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit, and I really hope that you enjoy this particular post. 
  
  
  ~ Kathy M.
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 15, 2011
• 20:09

  Mother Teresa's Rules:

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  "It's My Job"Jimmy Buffett
  
  
  
  "Anyway"by Mother Teresa
  
  People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centered
  ...love them anyway.
  If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives
  ...do good anyway.
  If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies
  ...be successful anyway.
  The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow
  ...do good anyway.
  Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable
  ...be honest and frank anyway.
  People love underdogs but follow only top dogs
  ...follow some underdog anyway.
  What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight
  ...build anyway.
  People really need help but may attack you if you try to help
  ...help people anyway.
  If you give the world the best you have, you may get kicked in the teeth
  ...but give the world the best you have
  ... ANYWAY.
  When I looked for Mother Teresa's words on the computer, I found the following website.  I hope that they don't mind that I borrowed Mother Teresa's advice from them.  There are more versions of what Mother Teresa has to say on here:  Paradoxical People.
  
  A few other sayings that wander in and out of my brain:
  
  "Nobody ever said that it was going to be easy."
  "Life's not fair, but God is good."
  
  "Good, better, best.  Never let it rest ... 
  until the good is better, and the better's best."
  
  "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness." 
  
  "I am not a s**t magnet." 
  (Guess who made that one up?)
  
  "Don't make somebody your priority 
  when they only make you their option."
  
  "Create in me a clean heart, O' Lord
  Renew a right spirit within me."
  
  "As you wish!"   and  " "--true love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a nice MLT. Mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich; when the mutton is really lean."
  From The Princess Bride
  
  
  Source:  Bing Images
  
  "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:  that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too.  A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no person could have dreamt would have come his or her way."
  
  William H. Murray
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 12:23

  This Week's SkyWatch Friday and Shadow Shot Sunday:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Isn't this cool?  I took it last week in Tigard, Oregon.  The hotel that we were staying at is the light colored building reflected in the mirrored building next to it.  Even though I took it, it takes my breath away.  I hope that you really enjoy it too. 
  
  
  Thank you to everybody who has been visiting me and leaving lovely comments.  I'm sorry that I am behind (I was gone nearly a week and am still playing catch up).  I'll be by to visit you soon!  
  
  This is a SkyWatch Friday post.  Please CLICK HERE for beautiful sky shots from around the world.
  
  
  
  This is also a Weekend Reflections post, my first time!  Please "CLICK HERE" click here to see beautiful reflections photos.
  
  
  
  This is a Shadow Shot Sunday post too.  It is now linked up to Tracy at Hey Harriet so please "CLICK HERE", if you want to check out cool shadow shots worldwide.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• 8:09

  Photos of Nike's "The Opening" - ESPN Rise, July 5-9, 2011 in Beaverton, Oregon

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Photo Source:  Pages 2 and 3 of the Nike Program Guide
  Last week, Cary and I were privileged to attend Nike's "The Opening", watching quarterback grandson Tyler Matthews (#43 the first day, and #15 on game days) play with 150 of the best high school football players in the United States. The event was held at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. I hope that you enjoy the pictures ... some are better photos than others, but I tried to capture as many kids as I could.
  
  This is a long post, with approximately 500 photos divided up into slide shows. They are of the players, the fans, our family and everybody that caught my eye. They are in chronological order. No names are on the pictures, even if I do know who people were.  You can click on the slide shows to enlarge them.
  
  As time permits, I will also be writing blog posts about my experience as a spectator. Since I still have a lot to learn about football and this is not a sports blog, I'll write some human interest stories as seen through my eyes. That said, Tyler Matthews, YOU ROCK!!!!
  
  Where We Stayed:  The Embassy Suites in Tigard, Oregon
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  
  
  Photos of the parts of the Nike World Headquarters Campus in Beaverton, Oregon that I got to see.  That place is HUGE!!!
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
  
  
  Wednesday, July 6th Football Photos:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsNFL Wide Receiver Jerry Rice and Cary
  
  
  
  
  Friday, July 8th Football Photos:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews"The Field Generals"The teams were named after the 
  Nike shoes that they were wearing.
  
  
  
  Saturday, July 9th Football Photos:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Our new friends from Georgia, D.J. White's Family (#23)(Z., please email me; I lost your address!)
  
   
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 13, 2011
• 9:07

  Watery Wednesday: Last Week's Watery Photos

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  Cary and I did some more running around two states last week.  Here are some neat watery Oregon shots that I wanted to show you.  I hope that you enjoy them!
  
  The fountain in front of the Tiger Woods Building at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.  The ball turns as the water flows through:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A waterfall sculpture at the Portland Zoo:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  A drive-by view taken from a bridge crossing the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This one was a drive-by too, of the marina at Detroit Lake, Oregon:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  The Northern Santiam River, in Oregon, rushes by in the background behind the trees:
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  This is a Watery Wednesday post!  Please  "CLICK HERE" to see cool watery shots from around the world.  Or, post your own.
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
  
• July 12, 2011
• 16:07

  Johnny's All-Star Tournament:

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  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   It was a cold and windy day in Kelso, Washington last Thursday.  Cary and I drove from Tigard to attend our grandson Johnny's baseball all-star game.  The Black Hills Team ended up winning that tournament and the one after, and took state.  Next, they will be playing in the regional tournament; and if all goes well, we may end up seeing them on t.v. in Virginia sometime soon.  But, one step at a time.  Meanwhile, we had so much fun that day.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Kathy and Shanna
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsHandsome Johnny, is at pitcher and all-around great player.  Last year, when he was nine, he hit it out of the park twice!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsJohnny now has the nickname, "Hollywood".  Some of us think that he looks just like his Grandpa Cary.  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Our team won!  I asked the boys for their autographs, and they were quite excited about that.  One was nervous about signing it right, wondering if he could go by his initials or if he should spell his name out.  I told him, "Honey, either way is fine.  I'm so lucky to get your autograph that I don't care how you sign it!"  That made him feel good.  I guess that I was interrupting the coaches' after-the-game review, and I did feel a bit embarrassed about that.  Sorry!
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsMy prized souvenir of the day!
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Near the end of the first game, Cary caught a foul ball with one hand.  Good thing it was his right one! 
  
  After the game, we went to Stuffy's in Kelso for lunch.  I took lots of pictures in there, and will do a post on that joint soon.  It has a lot of vintage items on display, and the servings were huge.  Here is how big their cinnamon rolls are:
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  
  Hollywood Jr., John, and Hollywood.  (We nick-named Grandpa Cary Hollywood, Jr.)  After lunch, we drove back to the ball-field.  It was much windier by that time, and we were cold.  Especially after being inside the warm diner for a while.
  
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsCary warmed up by drinking hot coffee.
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  I ruffled through what was in the car in my overnight bag.  The day before had been so hot, and I was sunburned.  Dang.  I found socks, a cotton swimsuit cover-up and some leggings.  Shanna's friend Karen found a few good things in her car too. 
  
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy MatthewsShanna's method of staying warm was more traditional.  
  We really had fun meeting everybody and hanging out.  The boys did a great job, and it certainly wasn't like watching t-ball.  They were real professionals, and their coaches are awesome.
  Here is the slide show that I put together of the games:
  
  
  
  
  
  At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
   
• July 11, 2011
• 16:19

  Hello, Friends!

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  I've missed you!  Especially since I've gotten home and back to real life and my regular schedule.  I took over 900 pictures (most of them have to do with football and little league baseball and the zoo ... but I got some other totally awesome photos too.)  We had a wonderful time with the fam.
  
  I'm still working on getting everything developed for the family and posted on Facebook.  I'll post some on here in the morning, and then start working on pulling together last week's Nike's "The Opening" and other stories.  There is lots of cool stuff coming up.
  
  Actually, it was nice to get away and be so busy.  I am worn out and sunburned, but am very happy and full of good ideas.  Here are the sunburn pictures:
  
  Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
   Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews
  Dang, I'm so glad that I forked out the money for the new bra.  Now, if I could only get one for my stomach.  At least the straps didn't fall down and my back didn't hurt.   Oops!  Did I really post that, lol?  Well, if you are not a grandma yet, just wait. 
  
  See you in the morning!
  
  
• July 09, 2011
• 7:33

  Tiny Update:

   » ‎ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy

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  Hi Everybody!
  
  We are having a blast on this trip.  Tyler was invited to ESPN's "The Opening" at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, and we have been enjoying this whole event, and watching him play.  We are so proud!  The games will be televised today on ESPNU, if you have time for t.v. on this busy Saturday.  Tyler is QB #15 on the red/white and blue team.
  
  We also spent Thursday in Kelso at our grandson Johnny's baseball tournament; his team is working their way up to the Little League World Series ... they rock.  Johnny is one of the pitchers and an awesome hitter too.  This is all so fun.  I've also been able to spend quality time with my BFF Nancy, yay!
  
  I've taken hundreds of pictures this week (oh, yes, Cary and I did make it to the zoo!) and will be making several slideshows when I get home.  I'll begin posting again on Monday.
  
  Love ya!
  
  Kathy