Congratulations, Matt Linden, for trying on the Mr. Mom hat! His blog is sooooo worth following. The adventures of this fine Dad while "wife" as he calls Holly (my niece) went back to work, will totally make you smile. Enjoy! www.thedawgrun.blogspot.com

Growing as a family.....seeing one another's reality.

Yawn! It took a nap or two to compensate for the three hour time difference between Kentucky and Beaverton. I can never sleep on lay-overs in the airport....people watching is way too interesting.....and I can never sleep on the plane for fear my head will bob over on the sardine packed in next to me.....or worse yet, I will be seen slack-jawed in public with mouth wide open catching a few Zzzzzzzzzzzzs. So, I'm catching up on my beauty sleep!

Over the two week wonderful visit to see Scott, Shannon Mason and Mitchell, I wondered if children ever see their parents as real human beings....or through the lens of childhood experiences and expectations. I know it took me a loooooong time to see my own parents as real human beings with needs, experiences, hopes and dreams of their own, separate from what I thought they should be. Perhaps the reverse is true.....do parents ever see their children as real human beings separate from themselves....competent, talented, successful, loving human beings who contribute to society without your help. They don't need Mom's input anymore. Somehow in the journey we take together, we learn to know each other well....honoring the individual path, loving the memories and making more as time goes on. Family is such a schoolroom for life.....teachers and students abound!

It's A Boy!

Congratulations Amanda and Josh Blankenship....it's a boy!

Grandpa Bolles could have said this......

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. " ~H.L. Mencken

Most family events as I grew up were accompanied by heated political discussion, remarks and all out shouting matches with his brothers and sisters. Although many of the arguments were not logical or factual...nevertheless, they were lively. Mom, on the other hand, just stayed out in the kitchen and cooked, trying to stay out of their way. I could hear him dancing in heaven at the results of the last election.
I think I took after Mom at Thanksgiving time....making sure the cranberry salad was not left in the refrigerator by mistake, and the turkey was stuffed with sage dressing, apples, onions and parsley. As they got older, the discussions were gentle...shall we draw names for Christmas, how many kids would participate in the "fish pond" fracas and who will make Aunt B's Watergate salad or Grandma's plum pudding? Although my ears love a good hearted discussion of politics....pundits be damned....pass the turkey!

The Last Stand......

Always the entrepreneurs, this picture was taken many years ago when Mark and Scott decided to earn a little money for Christmas.....and thus, a late season lemonade stand was their imaginative solution. So, when you feel the economy has gotten you down....there is always, always a way! They both have moved on from the homestead driveway to better solutions.

Next stop......ye olde Kentucky home!

I'm packing my suitcase in wild anticipation of visiting the kids in Kentucky for Thanksgiving. Kentucky is beautiful....dry stacked limestone fences that have been in place for hundreds of years, horses that prance behind painted rail fences, rolling hills and quaint history. This year will be the first time I get to visit two grandsons that are both in college...one a freshman and one almost a senior. How the heck did that happen.....I remember when they were born....not so long ago. They have always been fun, playful, smart and handsome.....lucky me to be their granny on this journey. I have visited Scott and Shannon in many places, Alabama, Texas, Italy, Idaho.....but my favorite trip is always to Kentucky, great food, great friends and lots of fun and activity. Thanks for the invitation....I can hardly wait.

The Bread Pudding Secret Recipe.....

It is beyond me why Scott, dear son that he is, will not give me his bread pudding recipe. There is no other bread pudding that comes close to this delicious dish that he makes every Thanksgiving. Shannon is on my side and we scheme to find the recipe.....which is safely locked away with his cuff links and other finery that we are not allowed to sniff out! Soon, I'll be visiting them again for the fun-filled, feast of Thanksgiving and the manipulation will be ramped up a notch or two. However, learning from our history together, I will not be privy to his specialty. Sure is fun trying though and if any of you want to aid me in this adventure....please do!

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live." --Jackie Windspear

Mystie, Chad and Gracie...definitely a way of life!

Back Again!

I said goodbye to "Betty Boop", one of Mark and Jerri's three dogs, kissed Grandson Wyatt goodbye, hugged M & J who are about to embark on a wild moving spree and be out of their house by Nov. 7 and soon move into their new home on the Snake River complete with house, barn, river beach and greenhouse! We'll all come and visit and bring our river rafts next summer!


Thanks for all the cookies Mom!

Stopping to see Mom is always a treat.....and she always has goodies made.....this time pumpkin bars and coconut ranger cookies. The coffee pot was on and we had our visit and the greeting from Miss Daisy, her little dog.

Happy Birthday Neal! Thanks to Lane and Wilma Blankenship for having a great son (and putting up with him all these years.) Good to celebrate together.

Live with lots of love and laughter!





The fall colors of the Columbia Gorge were exquisite.....what paradise we live in. It was good to be back in Beaverton in my own bed. I'll be home for two weeks, and flying off to see Scott and Shannon for Thanksgiving in Kentucky. Life is good!