Pens ...

... Made by Me - (Actually, I selected the wood, turned, and finished. The pen hardware is from a kit.) -

The wood for the above pen is Burl Maple and the pen kit is the Streamline American Screw Cap pen kit.

- The wood for the above pen is American Chestnut, which is almost extinct. In the eastern states, the American Chestnut was attacked by the Chestnut Blight, when some orient chestnut trees were imported. By 1910 the eastern states American Chestnut trees were all dead. The pen kit is the Wall Street II pen kit. - The wood I used is over 200 years old and came from the Whitmer farm.

- The wood for both pens were given to me by my brother, Frank. Thank you Frank.

- I think Christmas has come early for me.

Big Deal ...

... for Salem, but not for Iowa :)


Snow has started to come down . Yes, I used the flash to get the reflection of the snow. Enjoy!

Grandkids Do ...

... The Strangest Things -



- Grandpa does not teach these things. Enjoy!

It's Beginning ...

... to Look a Lot Like Christmas -


- Christmas decorations have started to sneak into the house. Having only three Christmas Stockings on the fireplace is kind of sad.

- Our plans are to get our Christmas Tree on Black Friday. Yea!

Someone is ...

... Going to be 22 in a Couple of Hours -


Nancy and Erica - Erica is modeling her ear warmer and wrist warmers that Nancy crocheted for her birthday present. To help them smile, I told them to think about a piece of chocolate in their mouths, and they could taste it as it melted. They laughed at me. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA!

Fall Leaves ...

... around the Portland Temple -


- Leaves are changing colors around the Portland Temple. Enjoy!

Fall Rain Brings...

... Mushrooms in the Yard -

- Enjoy!

Flowers ...

... on the fall -


- Nancy and I took a little walk two Saturdays ago, October 2nd, and I found this flower saying, "Take my picture before I fade away." I did. Enjoy!

A Spider Came ...

... A Knocking -

- Nancy found this spider in the sink. I slide the quarter close hoping the spider would crawl onto it, The spider just froze so I could not see it. My guess is in came through the recessed light fixture above the sink. Maybe we have these all through the attic? Enjoy!

A present for ...

... Lexus Cook -


I home teach the Cook family. I have had the opportunity to make a pen for three birthdays, and magnifying glass for one, and I gave Lexus a choice, either a pen or a bracelet. My only two talents. She asked for a bracelet, and her favorite colors are purple and green. This was her gift, and I gave it to her this week on her birthday. The true color did not come out. The larger purple beads are a softer reflective purple, while the smaller ones are a dark purple. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Lexus!

Happy Birthday!

- Kimberly is deep in thought about her camera.

Times Past ...

- Enjoy!

Nice ...

... View of Thomas Creek from the Shimanek Covered Bridge area -


- Enjoy!

Where ...

... Do Our Children Play and is it safe? -


- If you look close, you will see a rope swing attached to railroad bridge. You can click on the image to take a closer look. Enjoy!

Grandkids Need ...

... More Toys -


After Nancy and I dropped Laura and Stephanie off at the airport, we went to Ikea. Lach help me pick out new toys to bring home. Friday was the first day the toys were put to use. We babysat Laura's two wee ones while she is playing in Utah. Enjoy!

Have You Wondered ...

... What Supports the Train Tracks? -


- Do you feel safe? Enjoy!

In 1966 ...

... The Shimanek Covered Bridge was built -


- This covered bridge spans the Thomas River. I thought it was strange that a covered bridge was built in the 60's. When I got home, I went to Google. This is the fifth covered bridge on this spot. The first was in 1861 and re-built in 1904. The 1904 bridge was washed out in 1921. The replacement lasted until 1927. The 1927 replacement lasted until the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. What you see is the replacement bridge for the one damaged in 1962. This one was damaged in the 1996 flood, but only needed repairs. Enjoy!

Gilkey ...

... Covered Bridge at Thomas Creek -


- This bridge was built in 1939. Enjoy!

After 42 and a half ...

... Years, We Have an Empty Nest -

- We dropped off Laura and Stephanie at the airport. Both are off to Salt Lake City to have some fun. Laura comes home on Monday, and Stephanie flies to Scotland on Tuesday.


- We went to Ikea after dropping off our daughters. I told Nancy that we should get a new set of silverware (actually stainless steel). Something new in the empty nest. She thinks I am crazy and our kids will agree. We also got some kids toys to help entertain our grandkids when they come over.

What looks ...

... a little different -


- I saw these sheep a little late to stop, but I could not resist to turn around and take a picture. Enjoy!

A muddy ...

... creek in a beautiful setting -


- This creek may be muddy because of the recent rain. This is Crabtree Creek. Enjoy!

Nice ...

... setting for the Hoffman Covered Bridge -


- This bridge spans the Crabtree Creek. Enjoy

A bug came ...

... visiting the sunflower -


To have a closer look at our bug, click on the picture for a larger view.

Sunflower Seeds are ...

... starting to form -


- Have you taken the time to look inside a sunflower blossom? Click on this picture to have a better view. Enjoy!

This little bug ...

... has taken up residency on our sunflower bud -


- The bug has been on the same bud for two days in a row. Enjoy!

Nice ...

... Sunset over Salem -


- This picture was taken a week ago while I was at the football game watch my grandson.

It is a sad ...

... Day when my two daughters get on my case -


- What case? Well, they say I have not blogged like I should. They complained that my last blog was an ugly spider. What can I say? I thought it was a cute spider. With that said, I am now sad, and it is a sad day. :)

Helped Dennis fix a neighborhood issue ...

... and move a 300 lb bush and root ball full of dirt -


- With the right tools I was able to strip out 200 lbs of dirt from the root ball. Along the journey, I found this bug living in the root ball. It was Dennis' pet spider. I took a few pictures and then did the right thing. I squashed it like a bug that it was. I got it down to about a hundred pounds and was able to put it in the truck for hauling to Rick's burn pile.

- Did I mention that Dennis loves spiders. Not really, he does not like bugs. Enjoy and click the picture to enlarge. :)

Labor Day at ...

... the coast with the Haws Family -

Top: Derek and Erica.
Bottom: Derek and Erica making their sand castle which was an iPod

This visit to the Haws beach house and walking in the water was very nice. I should have taken more pictures, but you know me when there is a puzzle to work on. Enjoy!

Flower ...

... and bugs for you to enjoy -


- Click to view a larger picture. Enjoy!

Friday is ...

... Ice Cream Friday, but I am posting it a little late -


- Last Friday, Nancy and I checked out the fundraiser card Larry J sold us. Buy one middle size and get the second one 50% off. We have to do this nine more times to pay for the card. Enjoy!

Why ...

... would I post an over-exposed spider? -


- My little coolpix camera would not focus on the spider but the plants behind. So I used the flash. I was going to discard the picture, but noticed the web design. Click on the picture to enlarge. Enjoy!

Sky Watch Friday ...

... from Minto Brown Park, Salem, Oregon -

- Enjoy! -



- Click here to see other Sky Watch Friday posts.

Bowling ...

... for Derek's Bachelor Party -

- Fun was had by all. Enjoy!

Fresh ...

... Blackberry Cobbler -

- Out of the oven. Berries were picked in the afternoon and turned into a cobbler for dinner dessert.

- Of course, add a little ice cream. Just a note, this dessert was sugar free.

- Laura and Stephanie

- Nancy, Derek, and Erica

- Larry and Laura

- Mike and Madison

- Landon and Larry (Larry had a busy day at work)

- Little Mike and Alivia

- Lach and Laird

- The end of the cobbler dessert. Enjoy!

Minto ...

... Brown Park -

A magnificent dead tree. Perfect for the Osprey to watch for his next meal.

- Did you say what Osprey? Enjoy!