Going Back To School!

I’m so excited I can hardly wait – I’m going back to school! Just for ten weeks. But they will be the best ten weeks of class, I’m sure. For awhile I’ve longed to study with a Portland photographer who teaches a series of classes in my community. Up until now it’s not worked out. But I’ve signed up, paid my tuition and classes begin TONIGHT!! Two nights a week I will listen and learn and experience the world of photography in new ways – ways I’ve not yet known or understood. I’ll learn the basics of digital photography tonight to better understand how it all works. Then we will move on to advanced digital photography skills, continue with classes focusing on composition and advanced lighting. More classes may follow in the fall sessions. I think you may be the first to benefit from what I’m learning. I’m sure my photography will improve and a new world will open up for me. This will either expand my horizons or freeze my brain. I’m thinking it will be the former!

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~

Railroad Reflections

Thinking back to our day aboard the Mount Hood Railroad brings so many treasured memories to mind. The sights and sounds of our day together on the rails will stay in our hearts and minds forever.

We were seated in the ‘Katherine’ car, vintage 1911.

There were wonderful things to see during our lunch layover – railroad and logging memorabilia, gift shops, a museum and a historical home.

This was just one caboose among several on display near the station.

We’re anxious to return for other excursions aboard the train. Plans are in the works for special trips with our grandkids. We are making reservations for the trip on Thomas the Train later this summer and, hopefully, we will go on the Polar Express just before Christmas.

This old luggage and freight cart by the vintage depot caught my eye. I would love to have one filled with wonderful flowers and interesting things in my garden!

Even the iron fences and gates identified the fun we were having!

Soon I’ll share more photos of our trip and a glimpse of the wonderful time we had together riding the rails one sunny Saturday in Oregon.

Life's Railway

Life is like a mountain railway,

With an engineer that's brave.

We must make the run successful,

From the cradle to the grave.

Heed the curves, the hills, the tunnels,

Never falter, never fail.

Keep your hand upon the throttle,

And your eyes upon the rail.

You will roll up grades of trial,

You will cross the bridge of strife.

See that Christ is your conductor

On this lightning train of life.

Always mindful of obstruction,

Do your duty, never fail.

Keep your hand upon the throttle,

And your eye upon the rail.

You will often find obstructions,

Look for storms of wind and rain

On a fill or curve or trestle,

They will almost ditch your train.

Put your trust alone in Jesus

Never falter, never fail

Keep your hand upon the throttle,

And your eye upon the rail.

As you roll across the trestle

Spanning Jordan's swelling tide,

You'll behold the Union Depot

Into which your train will glide.

There you'll meet the Superintendent,

God the Father, God the Son,

With the hearty, joyous plaudit

'Weary pilgrim, welcome home!'

Blessed Saviour, Thou wilt guide us,

'Til we reach that blissful shore,

Where the angels wait to join us,

In God's praise for evermore.

Song: 'Life's Railway'

Words by M.E. Abbey
Music by Charles D. Tillman

Chug Chug Toot Toot, Off We Go!

This morning we are on our way out of town. We are taking my dear little mother on an excursion – a train ride through the Hood River Valley in the north central part of Oregon along the Columbia River.

The Mount Hood Railroad is a working railroad. On weekdays it hauls freight to and from the apple and pear orchards of the fertile Hood River Valley. But on weekends you will find a different scene. An excursion train carries people through the gorgeous countryside to enjoy the beauty that can only be found here.

The valley runs from Hood River, on the shores of the Columbia, to the base of Mount Hood. As we travel we will enjoy the splendors of the scenic Columbia Gorge while climbing through the spectacular Hood River Valley. Today we will travel through thousands of acres of pear and apple blossoms and listen to live music in the park while we eat our picnic lunch during the layover in Parkdale, at the base of the mountain.

This century old railroad dates from the early 1900s. The Excursion Train is comprised of enclosed coaches, a concession car offering light food and beverage, and the air-conditioned dome car. We will sit back and relax as we enjoy the great views and visit with my dear mother and my cousin and her husband.

And as we travel along the river, through forests, meadows and numerous fruit orchards, a live narration will explain local history and key points of interest.

Our excursion today is a gift from my sweetheart and I to my dear mother for her eighty-sixth birthday that we celebrated in February. Not long before her birthday I heard that she had always wanted to make this trip and I thought it was time to see her dream fulfilled. And what better time of year to enjoy the beauty of Spring? The photos I’ve included are from the website. But when I return I’m sure I will have more photos than I can possibly share with you. An open-air car is available for brave souls who like the breeze in their face and for photographers who want to capture the views without dealing with the reflection from windows in the passenger cars. The weather is supposed to be perfect – sunny and warm. So, today, dear friends – we are riding the rails!

Easter Revisited

I’m a bit behind schedule posting this week. I had hoped to share some of our Easter activities earlier in the week but I have been struggling to get my scanner to cooperate with me. My daughter left her camera here Easter evening – quite by accident. What’s a mom and grandma to do when a camera filled with wonderful pictures of the grandbabies doing all kinds of magical things just happens to be left with her for a few days? She ‘pirates’ the pictures, of course! Well, I have such sweet photos printed out but my scanner doesn’t seem to want to recognize something in my computer. So, until I can figure this out and share the cute pictures I’ll share those I took and tell you about our day.

Sunday morning my sweetheart and I headed out early to pick up my dear little mother. We drove south a few miles to a care center where I serve as chaplain to lead an Easter Sunday Morning Service for the residents there. We had such a good time singing together and rejoicing in the Resurrection of our Savior. My sweetheart shared a short devotional message. Before we left we spent time visiting and praying with those who were in attendance. It was the highlight of our day, for sure.

Once home again we quickly changed our clothes and checked the turkey that had been cooking on the Traeger grill during our absence. And we added a ham next to it. Soon our family began to arrive and it wasn’t long before our little house was filled with love and laughter and such fun. Each family brought food to make a wonderful meal to enjoy together. But it wasn’t long before my grandkids began to ask, ‘When can we go in the hot tub’? You see, I had told each family to bring suits and towels if they wanted to relax and enjoy time in our hot tub. No need to ask twice – the kids were ready! I took a few pictures of our four oldest grandchildren enjoying the water – and each other – but I didn’t realize I didn’t take any pictures after one more grandson joined them. The photos I ‘pirated’ are so cute. Mr. H., our youngest grandson (nineteen months old) met and fell in love with our little Joey, the puppy. It was love at first sight and Mr. H. followed Joey wherever he went. I will have to share those pictures later when my scanner decides to cooperate with me.

The afternoon was spent in relaxed conversation and the joy of a family together – my sweetheart, my dear mother, our son, daughter-in-law and their three boys, our daughter and her three children, my cousin and her husband and me. A lot of people in my small house. We seem to have a problem. Our grandchildren are growing but our house is not! Don’t you think someone could invent elastic walls that would stretch as the need arises? Or, could we build walls with slide-outs? The kind found in RV’s.

In addition to our Resurrection Day celebration we celebrated the life of my sweet father who has been with Jesus for a bit more than six years. This year his birthday was on Easter. He would have been eighty six. We remembered how he loved to have his birthday on Easter Sunday each time it happened that way. The last time was his seventy-fifth birthday and he shed many tears of gratitude to his Savior for giving him life. Most of all for the new spiritual life he had found in Christ so many years before. We reminisced and remembered and laughed as we talked about our memories of Dad. And, in honor of him, I made a banana cream pie – his favorite!

Sometime during the afternoon our daughter snuggled down in the recliner with my puppy and together they enjoyed a Sunday afternoon nap. (She doesn’t usually look in on my blog so maybe she won’t see this!)

I’ve been told our grandchildren are asking when they come back again. Not to see us – they want to play in the hot tub! Such is life when grandparents have a fun ‘toy’!

No matter how many people were crowded into our little house, the important thing was that we were all together. Together having fun, enjoying each other and just resting in the love we share.

Jesus Saves

Hear the heart of heaven beating,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

And the hush of mercy breathing,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

Hear the host of angels sing,

"Glory to the Newborn King."

And the sounding joy repeating,

"Jesus saves."

See the humblest hearts adore Him.

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

And the wisest bow before Him.

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

See the sky alive with praise,

Melting darkness in its place

There is life forevermore,

"Jesus saves.”

He will live our sorrow sharing,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

He will die our burden bearing,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

"It is done!" will shout the cross,

Christ has paid redemption's cost!

While the empty tomb's declaring,

"Jesus saves."

Freedom's calling, chains are falling,

Hope is dawning bright and true.

Day is breaking, night is quaking,

God is making all things new.

"Jesus saves."

Oh to grace, how great a debtor!

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

All the saints who shout together.

"I know that Jesus saves."

Rising up so vast and strong

Lifting up salvation's song,

The redeemed will sing forever,

"Jesus saves."

Happy Resurrection Day!!

Song: ‘Jesus Saves’

as recorded by Travis Cottrell

Artwork from art.com

Out and About

A couple of Fridays ago I shared that my dear little mother, my cousin, my dear friend and I were going out for the day. We drove a ways to the estate sale that was held by a dear friend of my mother. What a sale it was! Things to see, treasures to buy and, most of all, help and support to give to a family struggling with the loss of their loved one. Several treasures came home with me.

I bought several of the Bill Gaither and Friends Homecoming videos and DVD’s – for one dollar each. And there were a few CD’s I just couldn’t leave there. I have been enjoying them a lot.

This very special silver serving piece belonged to our friend’s mother. I loved it the moment I saw it – especially the roses on the handle.

I found some wonderful holiday tablecloths – I’ll show them soon. They need a little cleaning and pressing before they make their blog debut.

And my dear cousin found this piece for me. See the holly? We live on Holly Street so I love to find things with holly on them.

This handmade beauty will add to my collection of crocheted pieces and vintage linens. It is in the center of my table to help celebrate Spring.

After helping our friends and shopping at the estate sale we stopped for lunch nearby and enjoyed a bit of unrushed time to be together, talk about our morning and plan the next stop along the way. We had passed a new Goodwill in the neighborhood so there was no doubt that we would return to check it out. When we did I found a Beth Moore devotion book and a pretty pin.

The following day my dear mother and I, accompanied by my sweetheart, stopped at a local sale that is held twice a year in a big barn. This season’s sale featured Spring, Easter and lawn and garden furniture and decor. Of course I forgot my camera in the rush to get to the bargains. I bought this sweet little basket. See the little bunny peeking out?

We had such fun together! It was another of those not-to-be-forgotten days. It was so much fun that we have planned more special days together. And when they happen – you’ll be one of the first to hear all about them.

Please stop by again soon. You are always welcome here – the door is always open!

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~