Monday, September 29, 2008

A Long Walk Home

Over the weekend my sweetheart asked me to call our auto mechanic to schedule regular maintenance for my car. Yesterday morning I called soon after the business opened and was told that he could work on my car right away. I wondered how to get home after I dropped the car off. He offered to bring me back home. No problem. He's a friend from church. I quickly got myself ready to go and then I had an idea. A good idea! It was a gorgeous, sunny morning. I decided to take my camera and walk home. It's quite a ways to walk but I didn't plan on breaking any records getting back. As I slowly made my way home I enjoyed capturing bits and pieces of the town where I live so I could share them with you. My first stop was at the new, little bus 'mall' where people come and go through the day. Being careful not to photograph people who might not want to be in my photos I positioned myself and waited for just the right moment. One of the latest additions to the little bus mall is this clock tower area.I always enjoy the sweet clock at the top.Large planters around the mall are filled with gorgeous flowers. Fall colors attracted my attention. A single flower. . .And bunches of flowers.Just a block away, more flowers. This time on every lamp post through the downtown area.Across the street you is another gorgeous display.Local businesses sponsor the flower displays in the downtown area. Automatic watering was added a year or so ago. The flowers are there from early Spring to late Fall. Looking down the street you can see how they add beauty to the whole area.Holly Street! My street. My house is on Holly Street quite a ways farther. (I couldn't get a photo of whole name without standing in the middle of a very busy intersection!)Another look down the street before I move on.A block away near the door of a long-time business I stopped to look at a small garden area. Photos of the entire little garden were not possible without standing in the middle of the street. I chose not to do that! Beautiful flowers. . .And a silly little creature.Just a few blocks down the street is the beautiful park that is the center of year-round activity. You may remember when I shared about the park here. I briefly talked to city workers who were working on a HUGE project. They were nearly finished wrapping and stringing little white lights through the trees around the park for the Christmas season. Yes, Christmas!!The park was quiet - the gazebo was empty. It's not always that way! You can read a bit about the annual Fourth of July festivities in the park here.As I walked through the park I enjoyed the sun and the shadows created as the morning sun filtered through the trees. Pathways lead you to each area of the park.Across the street, Fall has begun to decorate the trees.Just across the street from the opposite corner of the park you can't miss the office of a local dentist. It's not like any other dentist office I've ever seen. What's unusual? The corner has been turned into a beautiful garden spot for the enjoyment of the community. A garden at the dentist office? No, a dentist office in the middle of a garden! Beautiful Pampas Grass fills the corner by a very busy intersection.

Roses and a variety of other flowers completely surround the building.

They fill the area between the curbs and the sidewalks. Little pathways were placed throughout the flowerbeds to allow access from curbside parking spots to the sidewalk.

Beautiful flowers and trees make this corner special.

Roses, roses everywhere. Yellow roses. My favorite! Pale yellow. . .Bright yellow. . .Pink. Pale pink. . .Bright pink. . .Deep pink. . .Lavendar-pink. . .And red roses peeking through here and there.Right near the front entrance to the dentist office, a bit of whimsy. Garden art! Does it tell you anything about the dentist's hobby?Moving on toward home I stopped at the next corner to enjoy the sight of a steeple pointing high into the sky above the busy world below.Below the steeple, near the entrance to the church, a wooden sculpture carved from a big log, makes a statement. God's hand reaching down to man. Man reaching up to God!Down the street a ways is a little cottage that has been part of the neighborhood for a long time.Look at the sweet, little trim!And a few blocks away, another park. Just a tiny, little park. An odd-shaped little place of green at a point where three streets meet.Big rocks add to the beauty.And a bit of green. Beautiful green.At the corner where two major streets meet, a very big boulder. Comical, in a way. Does it look like a hippopotamus yawning? Or an elephant? I've watched mothers place their small children inside this rock and take their picture!From here I could look down the street and see the corner where I live. There was one more stop before I arrived home. A stop to capture the beauty of this gorgeous Dahlia.It seemed that the walk home was not long. It gave me a chance to see the world where I live up close. And to see things easily missed when traveling by car. More walks through neighborhoods nearby are planned. More chances to enjoy the fresh air, the friendly folks along the way and the special things that make my town a place I love to call home.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Light Of The World

Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' John 8:12

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in Heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross


Song: 'Light Of The World'
Words and music by Tim Hughes

Monday, September 22, 2008

Duck Tales

Last Saturday my sweetheart had a special date. But not with me! He took our oldest grandchild - Miss A. - to the Oregon Ducks football game in Eugene. It was a special day they will never forget. My sweetheart (Papa) and ten-year-old Miss A. together, doing something they loved. He bought tickets for the game from a coworker who was not able to attend the game as planned. At first we thought I would travel with him and attend the game but on Friday it was necessary to change plans. Our daughter, Mrs. M., recently told me that Miss A. has become a real Oregon Duck fan. When I realized I would not be going to the game I told my sweetheart that Miss A. would really love to go with him. He called to invite her and a few minutes later there were two very excited people. One grandpa who could hardly wait to spend the day doing something special with someone dear to his heart. And one ecstatic young lady who was jumping and dancing all around her house!

We have two major colleges in our state. The University of Oregon in Eugene and Oregon State University in Corvallis. They are rivals in sports and loyalty among Oregonians is divided between the two. The Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers are often the topic of heated discussions around our state. Miss A.'s teacher this year is an alumnus of The University of Oregon and, apparently, has decorated the classroom with Oregon Duck decorations and memorabilia. Miss A. could hardly believe her ears when her Papa called to ask if she would like to go to the game with him. Later she told her mother that she was so excited she could hardly keep from screaming! And her Papa was nearly as bad! He and I made a quick trip to a nearby store to choose a new Duck shirt for Papa and one for Miss A. And Duck hats. And 'clapping hands' that made a lot of noise and lit up! The Ducks and Beavers clothing was on sale. Twenty five percent off! And we had to have snacks and treats for the trip. Shortly after he arrived at Miss A's house the next morning he surprised her with her new shirt and hat. It didn't take long before they posed for a picture.

They hadn't been on the freeway heading south very long before they began to see one car after another heading to the game. Some cars made sure everyone knew where they were going and what team they were supporting. Miss A. was in charge of the camera while Papa drove.Nearly two hours later they arrived, parked the car and walked toward the entrance to Autzen Stadium. The home of the Ducks!They found their seats in time to watch the pregame activity on the field below.Their seats were near the end zone where they could see some of the touchdowns up close. Unfortunately, they saw more touchdowns for Boise State than for Oregon.Sometime during the game my sweetheart suggested that the two of them pose for a photo. He took this picture. It is my favorite. I love the look on each of their faces.Two people who love each other dearly and who love to be together. It seems like just yesterday that this dear Papa stood in a hospital room and held his firstborn grandchild - a granddaughter, Miss A. - in his arms. He smiled with such pride then. And he still smiles with great pride when she is near. Now she has plans to enter a drawing to win tickets for two to the big 'Civil War' game in November. The game between Oregon and Oregon State. The Ducks and the Beavers. If she wins, she plans to take her Papa. No one else. Just Papa and Miss A.!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Over The Sunset Mountains

Over the sunset mountains
Someday I'll softly go
Into the arms of Jesus -
He who has loved me so.
Toiling will all be ended,
Shadows will flee away.
Sorrow will be forgotten.
Oh, what a wonderful day!
Over the sunset mountains
Heaven awaits for me.
Over the sunset mountains
Jesus, my Savior, I'll see.

Song: 'Over The Sunset Mountains'
Written by John W. Peterson
My photos: Oregon Cascade Mountains
- Sunset over the The South Sister
- The Three Sisters, Broken Top & Mount Bachelor seen from the air

Friday, September 19, 2008

The Signs of Politics

If you live on a busy corner in your hometown you will have a deep understanding of my thoughts on political signs. My home is on the corner of a very busy street. We are often asked for permission to place political signs on our corner. We are a prime target for such requests. A long time ago we decided not to allow signs of any kind on our corner. It could become too much so we have always said no. And I have refrained from making any political statements or references here on my blog about my own personal view of the candidates and issues during this pre-election season. However, now I feel I must share with you where I stand. To say what is on my heart. And show you the signs that I wish were on the corner of my property. Two signs have been strategically placed on one of the busiest residential corners in our town. Just a block or two away from my home.These signs have attracted much attention. Oh, if I only had them on the corner of my property! No one would have any doubt of my viewpoint! It's hard to miss these signs! I ignored them at first. Didn't stop long enough to pay attention. Thought they were just your average political signs. Couldn't be bothered! But when my sweetheart pointed them out to me I knew I couldn't keep silent any longer! As you approach the corner from one direction, you see this sign.
When you turn the corner heading the other direction, you see this one.
Now my dear blog friends, please don't be offended by my point of view. You may disagree with me but would you please still be my friend?