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Our prayers go out to all those affected by the horrible fires that destroyed so much this year in Oregon, California and Colorado - no words!!!
We took these pictures on 9/9 to show the smoke in our neighborhood from the numerous fires in our area. We were not close enough for concern but still notice some breathing issues from the smoke during the worst two weeks. We were lucky!!
Gabi
AUGUST 2020 - We have a list of things we want to do and see in Oregon. One of the items on the top of the list is to go apple picking and drink fresh juice and make applesauce and apple pies from our bounty!
8/29 - we walked over to the old Orenco area which is just past the bridge we have been watching being built for the last year. The local folk had posted an invite to all the neighbors on All About Hillsboro on FB to come on over and help yourself!
We met some wonderful neighbors, picked red and green *organically grown apples and drank fresh pressed apple juice. It was really nice and we are so glad we didn't miss out on this wonderful experience.
As we left the group invited us to attend the Christmas parade of decorated tractors. I asked if they sing carols and the lady seemed annoyed with the question - how can you hear singing over tractor engines? Who knew - but good point!!!
*Organic apples - at least these organic apples were infested with insects - no pies or applesauce from this day!
Gabi
August 2020
Our son John is a Realtor with Keller Williams and he recently got a membership at Topgolf to share with friends and clients . Everyone loves to go to this premier entertainment destination and it is just a few miles from our home so it's also easy to pop over for quick competition!!!
John took me on 8/26 and his dad on 8/30 - mostly to show off how good he is getting at driving a golf ball. I did enjoy watching my son and the food and service was fabulous! Joe did a lot better at the golfing part than I did but said his shoulder was bothering him the next day! OMG
If you get a chance to visit a Topgolf venue - do it! It is great and they have them in 30 states and 5 countries!
Gabi
August 23, 2020
We love to shop for produce, flowers and all sorts of wonderful treats on Sundays at the Farmer's Market at Orenco Station.
We especially love to get a bucket of tiny donuts - served hot with a choice of sauces! YUMMMM!
The market is small so get to know the guy who roasts the chilis and the lady who brings her local honey but the BEST is the sweet gentleman who sells flowers. This time it was huge bunches of dahlias for $7.00!!!
The market will close until Spring on 11/1 and we will really miss it - but honestly wouldn't go when it is freezing cold! LOL
Gabi
August 2020 - Things are beginning to open up and we are getting out a bit - FINALLY!!
Our sidewalk is bumpy due to tree roots so we drive away from the neighborhood and take walks at least once - preferably twice a day. We are very fortunate to be able to visit Tualatin Nature Park, Orenco Woods Nature Park, Nobel Woods Park, Orchard Park and many trails that run along the Beaverton Creek behind our home any time we want! They always look a bit different based on the season, temperature and of course, our frame of mind!!
If it is raining - very cold or very hot we drive over to Kohls and park in their parking lot - right in the middle - and take a walk around the car! LOL
Joe has been going to the gym for about 30 years - 3 times a week and it is part of his routine that he really missed when we went on lockdown. We were with 24 Hour Fitness and they never came back - at least up here so Joe joined MUV Fitness. It is much cheaper - especially since I did not renew my 'never used' membership and located about 2 miles from our house - perfect! They used a picture of Joe on the treadmill to announce the re opening of gyms in our county and also in their internal newspaper. He thinks he looks old and fat - he is old and definitely not fat! LOL I find that as often as I forget why I went upstairs or downstairs and have to retrace my steps - that I can skip the gym entirely!!!
Since I have not posted for several months - except for the wonderful FB commentary - I have a lot to catch up on - so let's DO THIS!!!
Gabi
IT’S AUGUST AND REALLY VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED!
The Corona virus is rampant and states open and then partially close and then add new restrictions and then allow protests and the Sturgis rally in South Dakota with 250,000 motorcyclists! Kids are going back to school and then they are not - most schools are opting for on-line to start the year. Congress has let the unemployment program expire and is fighting over stimulus provisions. The election is around the corner and protests continue as cities are being destroyed.
This is a very stressful time and many are suffering - REALLY SUFFERING!!! And….there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight - for any of this!!!
At least people are continuing to come up with original material on FB - I think you will enjoy the contributions:
MORE OF JULY 2020
People have a lot to say - lots of time on their hands and a lot happening that we are affected by and have no control over - leading to frustration and depression. It is increasingly difficult to be positive and share 'happy' events and even thoughts but we keep on keeping on - this cannot last forever, can it????
The virus is getting worse in many places and getting better in others. Black Lives Matter have taken a back seat to pure violence. Many people still have not received a stimulus check or unemployment although they seem to be qualified. The big issue now is whether to send the kids back to school in the fall. Baseball, basketball and football are making a huge effort to get back out there - without fans present. And everywhere you look there are conspiracy theories answering questions you never even thought to ask. Don't forget politics with the presidential election coming up in three days - is it OK to mail in your ballot or not??? Which party/candidate is acting irresponsible or is actually irresponsible for all this crap?
The Dawson household is safe, healthy, comfortable and as happy as we can be - LOL
No complaints, answers or even suggestions from us - just observations and something to look back on for the generations that follow. They can be very sure we were a clever, funny lot!! More Face Book entries for your enjoyment:
Gabi
July 10, 2020
We always enjoy spending time at the Portland Rose Garden in Washington Park. We have not been able to visit since the quarantine started and the roses began to bloom and were excited to finally be able to walk among the gorgeous flowers in the immaculate gardens. Unfortunately, the gardens are in rough shape due to limited volunteers and previous closures - but still beautiful and very enjoyable. Roses, like each of us, need attention to be our best!!!
Gabi
JULY 2020
Everyone has an opinion and everyone is FRUSTRATED by the combination of issues we are currently dealing with. You know that old saying about how it couldn't get much worse - oh really?
Some of these FB postings will make you smile and some will make you think or possibly piss you off!!??
Gabi
JUNE 26, 2020
John found out the location of the Willamette Stone when he became a realtor earlier this year and has been wanting to go have a look ever since - today was the day and it was so interesting! Thank goodness for GPS because we would never have found it!!!
With the exception of portions of the eastern United States and Texas, the United States is divided into a grid of six-mile squares called Townships and Ranges, commonly known as the rectangular survey system. The Willamette Meridian is one of 37 Principal Meridians in the United States, each of which is named, that define the rectangular survey system.
The Willamette Stone is the "Initial Point" or Point of Beginning of the Willamette Meridian. All land surveys and property descriptions in Oregon and Washington are referenced to this point. Established in 1851 under the direction of John B. Preston, the first Surveyor General of the Oregon Territory, the surveys completed from this location promoted settlement of the Northwest and began the transfer of land from government ownership to private ownership.
After a short walk down a hill in the park, you can see, touch and read about this important marker.
Gabi
FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020
We drove over and parked instead of taking the train like we normally do - felt safer with less contact!
The arboretum was founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate the community. There are 12 miles of hiking trails and we elected to switch up between stairs and trails to reach the top. We were thrilled to be able to see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier when we got up to Overlook Trail. The Wildwood Trailhead is located here and offers a 40 mile hike that we decided to save for another time! lol
We visit the arboretum each season and it never disappoints! It was especially nice today because there were very few people and it was 72-75 degrees - PERFECT!
Gabi
June 21 - Depoe Bay Whale Watching
We had actually driven down to Depoe Bay during Whale Watching Week in January and were told it is much better to come in the summer when the boats are running, it is warmer, much safer and oh....you will most likely actually see whales. So we had some wonderful clam chowder and checked out the shops.
This time I called and spoke to Renee - who was very helpful and got us scheduled on a 12:30 boat $20 for adults and $18 for honored guests (seniors) and had a perfect Father's Day! The drive through country and forest is breathtaking - about 2 hours with a stop for breakfast sandwiches eaten in the car. We found a parking spot, checked in and bought Joe a Depoe Bay T shirt and then boarded the Morning Star with about 20 others and went 'looking' for whales not actually watching.....LOL!
Several whales make Depoe Bay their home during the summer so you always see whale spouts, some backs and maybe part of a tail or two but not the leaping out of the water stuff you see in Alaska for sure!!! We had a wonderful time - the coast and sea breeze were just what we needed after months in quarantine!!!
We had clam chowder at the Sea Hag and toasted to another great year with Joe - Father of the Year and oh....what a year!!!
Gabi
June 17 - Silver Falls State Park
Oh my goodness what a fabulous day! It was our first day trip as Oregon begins to open and present our new normal and what a great choice. When I got up I had a birthday greeting from my sister in Oklahoma with Dolly Parton singing to me - hello???
We drove down to Salem and took a left - drove 22 miles through beautiful farm land and arrived at the Silver Falls State Park. Kiosk parking fee - but have no idea how much because as we arrived the young men next to us were leaving and gave us their ticket.
The Lodge and Visitor Center were closed but public restrooms were clean and available and after we checked the signs for directions we took off on the 8 mile - 10 waterfall loop trail hike. Almost immediately you come to perhaps the best waterfall and are able to stand above it, under it, alongside it and BEHIND IT - due to the multiple trails winding up down and all around! It is a hike - there are muddy, slippery, steep trails, stairs with and without railings, rocks sticking out of the paths and many overgrown areas crowding the path. BUT OH MY GOODNESS - IT IS BEAUTIFUL - EVERY MINUTE - EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK - BREATHTAKING!!!
We found out that there are 3 parking lots and you can park closer to the middle or end of the loop and not walk the entire 8 miles. A better choice for folks like us - it has been 3 days and we can still barely walk!!! Our son, John really enjoyed the day and kept coming back to check up on us and make sure we were ok! LOL
We plan to return soon and often - a treasure for sure!!!
And, of course, we stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at In and Out In Keizer on the way home - they have opened dine in but we sat at the table outdoors and enjoyed the breeze and amazing clouds forming while listening to Oregonians who had just tasted their first In n Out!!
When we got home I had Sees candy waiting from my daughter Lori and Joe and JJ gave me an oddly perfect gift - a life jacket with waterproof pockets for my cell phone etc.....for all of our adventures when I am constantly worrying about stuff getting wet!!!! Wonderful day - perfect Birthday!
Next time we are staying in one of the cabins!!!!
Gabi
APRIL, MAY AND JUNE- AROUND THE HOUSE
So....we did spring flowers on the front porch as soon as it stopped freezing. Now, we have red, white and blue flowers with tiny flags - really nice and festive and we put up our flag on non rainy days so it looks gorgeous!!
We have been growing blueberries - and tomatoes - 2 of each and they are doing very well! We have tons of tomatoes and blueberries - not sure if we will actually get any as they ripen!!??
We have added bird seed feeders in the front and back and really struggled to continue to show love to our squirrel friends but give the birds a chance to visit. WE LOVE BIRDS and have sooooo many coming daily now that we have the various feeders!
We have had only one visit from a young raccoon and 2 or 3 from a huge owl which totally freaks out everyone else.
The neighbor kids have a strawberry patch between our houses and constantly offer to share. They also built a neighborhood library in front of their house that offers books and puzzles. I thought that was a great add during the quarantine. Families come visit the library every day! They have also made improvements to their fort built around the tree in their backyard - so cool!
We love our neighborhood in Hillsboro - not a bad place to be stuck in a quarantine!!
Gabi
Endless - time with so many restrictions. Not the way we planned to spend our retirement while we can still get around. We are, however, in a much better situation than many and count our blessings each day!
There are many conspiracy theories that claim the Covid quarantine is a political ploy to control and take over our country and/or to take the election away from Trump and the Republicans. Many are refusing to wear masks and we continue to get conflicting information regarding the benefit/risk/danger of wearing them. We are also being told you can and cannot get the virus from folks who are not displaying symptoms and you do and may not have immunity if you have the antibodies. Most have still not been tested and many refuse to believe the numbers of sick and deceased and do not trust the news being delivered.
As this unrest grows so does the confusion regarding 'getting the country back to normal' left in the hands of governors - many who roll out a plan and then immediately cave in and change it when they get push back.
NO ONE REALLY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT HAS/IS OR IS GOING TO HAPPEN - AND IT IS SCARY!!!
Additionally, there have been many protests - some of which have led to riots and looting across the country and the world - surrounding very well publicized cases black deaths at the hands of police. Statues are being toppled, new countries being formed, lots of anger and then much talk and more understanding of where we go from here.
YES, THESE ARE VERY SCARY TIMES!
After the opening up of beaches and bars and then the protests and now political conventions - the virus is increasing by leaps and bounds - there is talk of another shut down and/or more restrictions when people have had enough!
WE MAY BE DONE WITH COVID 19 - IT IS NOT DONE WITH US!! YIKES
You will notice the inclusions from Face Book are getting more political, angrier and not too many are really that funny - well......some are hysterical:
Gabi
May 14, 2020
Things are beginning to fall apart! The curve has been flattened in many places and still getting worse in others. Lawsuits are being filed against governors to allow businesses to get back to business. People are desperate and very frustrated. Decisions are being made and changed before most of us hear about them! Promises are being made and delivered on slowly or not at all. This is a unique and scary time and we are all just doing our best to make the best of it!
Here is some funny stuff posted on FB this week:
Gabi
May 6, 2020
We have been in Quarantine for over six weeks so I will talk about how that has gone for our family. The phrase we are all very tired of hearing....."We are all in this together" is true and could not be further from the truth.
We have been quite lucky actually. Our son is living at home this year so his expenses are very low and we know he is safe but....he just got his Real Estate license and will be working at Keller Williams - just as soon as our governor permits that business to resume. So he is basically unemployed and on hold!
Our income is from Social Security and Pensions so that has remained the same - but we just received the stimulus payout on Monday and J continues to wait to hear from EDD regarding the possibility of Unemployment.
We keep supplies on hand to run the house such as toilet paper and paper towels and food in the freezer for several weeks so we don't have to go out during a storm and drive on icy roads - so it was easy to start making a weekly list. We go to Freddies once a week - when they open - wearing masks and gloves and carefully process our purchases and clean up when we return to minimize our risk. We have never found masks or gloves for sale since this started but my daughter was kind enough to send some and we learned to make some cute bandana masks that work as well as any I suppose!??
We had to cancel my daughter's visit on 4/19 for a week. We were planning to visit the tulip farm several times and the waterfalls out along the Columbia Gorge - especially Multnomah for breakfast!
We had to cancel our 3 week trip to New Orleans, up the Natchez Trace along the Mississippi River for three weeks and back home out of Memphis. Maybe next year?
Every day we take a morning and an afternoon walk, in the neighborhood, a nearby park or nature preserve or even to a closed department store parking lot to walk a large or small circle around the car. It has been very important to us to get out and see the sky, blooming trees and flowers so that we don't feel trapped at home.
Every day we take our temperatures. Early in the quarantine I got tonsillitis and took advantage of an on line visit with a doctor follow up video call - no contact - and it was amazing - got my prescriptions and was fine in a week!
We read, watch movies, TV and Youtube and joke around until we totally get on each other's nerves!
I did my own roots and mani-pedi - not nearly as good as my team - but good enough for staying at home!
We also bought flowers of various types and colors to plant in our porch pots. And.....tomato plants for the back deck. The porch garden has brought such joy to us and to the neighbors as they take daily walks as well as adding the daily chore of caring for them!
We have cooked and baked and eaten way too many snacks and each one of us has gained a few pounds and then had to work to get back to our individual fighting weights. Joe jumps rope several times a day and the boys ordered in some work out equipment for the garage which I make sure I stay clear of!!!
We have ordered pick up from BJs and La Hacienda and have no contact pizza delivered weekly - with wings, of course!
I feel that we have stayed healthy during this time by following the stay home and stay alive plan, social distancing, personal hygiene, eating well, sleeping a lot and my constant attention to keeping my home clean, clean, clean and hopefully virus free.
We are anxious to get out and somewhat stressed about the "new normal" and can't wait to spend some time with friends and family.
There is talk about Oregon staying shut until mid July and then the next day they announce some businesses will open Friday but only if they can demonstrate that testing (which is not available) is complete. This has been a time of confusion, mixed messages and changing facts but at the end of the day WE HAVE OUR HEALTH.
Our prayers go out to those who have suffered illness and or loss. Our thanks go out to those brave folks on the front lines helping us through this pandemic known as Covid 19.
Gabi, Joe and John (JJ)
