May 31 "Feed the Hungry"

Ross, Debbie, Nancy and I cooked for about 125 people today for our church's out-reach program for the less advantaged folks in our neighborhoods. 120 pounds of chicken cooked this morning, 26 plus pounds of fresh homemade potato salad, green beans with bacon and various desserts. Our team, which included our children in the early years, has been cooking two or three times a year for over 20 years.
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HOT? It was warm in the kitchen. It was so hot that we would go outside and stand in the sun to cool off.

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After five hours in the kitchen, it was time to relax.

May 29 "The field trip"

The Milwaukie Lanes hosted a little road trip through the Oregon countryside. After leaving Phil and Linda's home we headed for the Canby Ferry ( R. J Lee). This is one of the three ferries that are used to cross the Willamette (Will-am-met) River, so for $2.00 you get to ride across the river and save about 20 miles of driving. I showed the captive audience some of the schools I worked in over my 28 years in Canby. I regaled them with geology facts, local color, pointed out interesting sites and generally spouted out information like a fountain, when a sip might have done the trick. But~~ What fun is it to ride down the road and not know the Canby area has a very large part of its farming acreage in various species of nursery stock that is shipped all over the country.

It was a beautiful drive down country roads with Mt. Hood in the background, by our old house in Oregon City and along the Clackamas (Clack-a-mess) River to the Stone Cliff Inn for lunch overlooking the river. Thanks Bill and Vira for lunch.

Carol had mentioned that she wanted to go to Bob's Red Mill (I think she did.). The main store and packaging plant are within 5 minutes of the house. Carol buys Bob's products back in Virginia. Everyone bought a couple of things. I am not sure how Bill fared with the almond butter on the plane.

Phil and Linda hosted a dinner for everyone in the evening. We had a good time with garden tours to see how much the corn had grown since last Monday, rides in the newest hybrid Lexus and watching the ducks fly in and play in the water feature. It was nice to visit with everyone, eat great food and bid farewell to those leaving Saturday.

Life is good.