Lessons learned in Oregon

Oregon is a state that loves to recycle. Everything from grocery bags to electronics. For the most part those are great things we should all learn to recycle more and leave this world better than we found it (probably not possible at this point). I did learn that many people in Oregon are vey liberal. One of the very cool things I experienced is something I have thought should be done for years. I have seen grocery stores take perfectly good food off the shelves and throw it away. For a few years I was able to pick up some of that produce to feed to the pigs and chickens. I was amazed to see so much of that produce was almost perfect, maybe some brown spots or perhaps it had just "aged out" and had to be thrown out. Over the years the grocery stores would not allow me to get it for my critters but would throw it away. One manager told me I could go climb in the dumpster if I wanted to (I chose not to do that). I have tried to donate food to food banks around this area and found they are not allowed to distribute any food that is close to being out of date. (I know that I have eaten lots of stuff out of date over the years.) I learned that the stores in Eugene and Springfield were changing that stigma and donating their older food to a group called "waste to taste", and another branch that makes burritos for the homeless. In the waste to taste movement people in the area make an appointment to go into the "store" and pick out whatever they want. The people do not need to give their name, address etc. They just show up and get whatever they need for the week. I was happy to see this because so much less food is going to the landfill and people are not being shamed to accept a little assistance. The other part of this group the buritto brigade makes between 600 - 800 burritos every weekend and distributes them to areas where the homeless are more likely to be. The burritos are wrapped in foil and just left for them. They also have a lot of "Little free pantrys" I haven't seen many of those around here, but I know they are in the Liberty/Kansas City MO area. I love when people reach out to share good things.

My trip home

 I still have photos to share as well as thoughts but I want to get my thoughts about my trip home down before I forget everything.

I was scheduled to leave at 5 in the afternoon so needed to be there by 4.  I had carefully packed and weighed my luggage.  I went to lunch with Jim, Betty and Marge then on to the station.  I talked Marge into staying at home, I just didn't want all the crying at the station.  The train was late getting to the station and even later leaving ...3 hours!!!  Betty insisted they wait with me, silly woman!  

When I finally got onto the train I was seated across the aisle from a 30 something woman and her 2 chiweenies.   I did not even know that was a breed of dog until then.  She talked to them as if they were her babies and even had a baby buggy for them.  She was traveling from Seattle to New Orleans. 

Thanks to leaving 3 hours late, my layover in Sacramento was only a couple of hours.  I was fortunate enough to have no seatmate for all but 1 hour of my return journey.  I thought about flying home because the train takes so long but I really wanted to complete my journey as planned.  I am so happy I did.  I saw so many things I apparently missed on the way out, or maybe it was because I was sitting on the other side of the train on the way out.  In Sacramento I was amazed at the number of homeless camps, I saw them all along the tracks, some with fires burning (it was early morning when we got there).  There were some very large old buildings next to the station.  They were obviously abandoned and most of the glass was broken.  It was sad to see such destruction.  

About an hour east of Sacramento I saw a small town that looked like something out of the old west.  All of the buildings had that false tall fronts.  I wanted to go explore the town, but you can't leave the train to go play!  

I have really enjoyed people watching on the train.  My most interesting person on the return journey was a 30 something woman from the San Francisco Bay area. She said she had never been more than 50 miles from the place she was born.  She had never seen snow, had never seen a forest and had never driven a car.  She was traveling to Chicago for her mothers wedding.  Her Mom was obviously very young when she was born and I don't believe she knew her father.  She talked a LOT about her fear of flying (she had never done it) and that her mother had paid for her journey.  She was proud to tell everyone that she was going to "make" her mom pay for new clothing and lots of snacks for her journey back to San Francisco.  

Another of my favorites was a very tall thin woman who got out of the train whenever she could for a smoke break.  (I was amazed at how many people still smoked).  I asked her about her trip.  She said she began her journey on the east coast in Pennsylvania and journeyed to the San Francisco Bay area.  She got off the train and stayed in a hotel for one night.  From there she got back on the train to go back to Pennsylvania.  She said she simply wanted to see the USA in a way she could not see in any other way.

I left Oregon Tuesday afternoon and got back to Omaha on Friday morning (5 AM)    I am so happy to be home.  When I got home I took a nap then called Shannon to bring Buddy home a few hours later.  He was so excited he wiggled and moaned for about 10 minutes.   he was so happy to home (at least I think he was happy)  

Family dinners and lot of laughter

 I have been terrible about taking pictures of my family.  I have had so much fun being around them and basking in the love that I just don't think to take any pictures.  

Yesterday Marge and I went over to Betty and Jim's house for the afternoon.  Betty, Marge and I cooked together.  We laughed, told stories and managed to put a meal together.  Marge had wanted me to make Kuba, a Czech dish I remembered from our childhood.  It is made with barley and dehydrated mushrooms.  It has been years since I had it, and longer since I had eaten it.  Marge didn't remember it at all, I didn't ask if Betty did.  We also made a dish we all love, sourkraut and pork with dumplings (there is no way I can spell the Czech name we all know it by.  Oh my goodness it was so good.  

Joe, Theresa and Tammy came over while we were cooking and had dinner with us.  The chatter was deafening at times, with lots of good natured teasing each other.  I don't remember the last time I had such a fun day.  I wish it could have lasted longer, but we were all tired and needed the day to end.  

Marge and I drove home in a pretty impressive rain storm.  We got stuck in traffic probably due to the Oregon ducks football game in Eugene.  It took a very long time to make that 20 minute drive.  Thankfully I don't mind driving in rain, or in ducks traffic!

This is Joe.  He is Theresa's husband.  Until this trip I have not really had the opportunity to get to know him.  I am so thankful for the time we had together.  He is such a nice guy and so full of knowledge.  I loved talking with him and knowing him better.  I wish we lived closer ..  I really enjoyed him!

Theresa is my oldest niece.  She is the sweetest and kindest person I know.  I don't have enough words to describe her.  She is amazing.  She is also a great cook ... I was treated to lunch at her house one day.  It was amazing. 

Thats my family ... Betty has her arm around Joe's neck ... She actually does love him bunches.  

 

Tammy and I 

My trip to sisters part 4

 I wish this silly page would let me post more on each page .... that is the reason there are so many parts to this story!  😒

This was my first view of the 3 sisters mountains.  I am in awe of the snow capped mountains.  It is hard to imagine how tall these mountains are and how cold it is at the top.  

The drive on this highway is amazing.  I wanted to pull over everywhere just to look at the mountains, the trees, and the sky.  This is beyond amazing how beautiul it is. 

There are several dam sites above Eugene and Springfield.  This one was very cool to see.  The amount of soil need to hold all that water back is mind boggling. Looking down to the building and equipment needed is almost breath taking.  If this dam broke, not only would all of those buildings be wiped but so much devastation to the cities below.  I believe I was told the water for the cities comes from the dam sites on this mountain road.   

More views from driving

This pointed mountain just amazed me.  I loved watching it, wondering how far away it was and how in the world did it get hat point?

This ski lift made me shiver ... how frightening that would be to go up the mountain in just that little chair.  I also wondered where they ski down the mountain.  Is it only underneath the lift?

This is the lodge at the bottom of the ski lift.  I would love to see inside.  I am sure it is beautiful inside.  Can you see yourself sipping a cup of hot chocolate watching a roaring fire after spending the afternoon outside playing in the snow?

The end of our journey this day was this beautiful covered bridge.  

It is in such great shape.  We got here close to dusk.  There were lights inside the windows that made it look magical.  There is a sign on one side of the bridge announcing it is a one lane bridge and the cars on the far side must yield to the highway side.  I was awed by the bridge, and the history behind it.  

My trip to sisters part 3

 

These are lava beds along the McKenzie river.  I was in awe thinking that they were created by a volcanic eruption so many years ago.  What an amazing world we live in.  How awesome that God created all of these sights.  

My trip to Sisters, Oregon part 2

 One of the most beautiful places I have seen is Clear Lake, OR.  I was totally amazed that you could actually see all the way to the bottom in the entire lake.  It was created about 3000 years ago by a volcanic eruption.  The eruption blocked the area and submerged the forest.  I read that the water temperature is near freezing year around (I didn't test that).  No motors are allowed on the lake, only row boats.  It is a favorite area for scuba diving, and I understand my own nephew Tim has dived there.  

As a kid, I remember a picture hanging on Mom and Dads wall.  It was a lake in the mountains with trees reflected in the water.  This view of clear lake reminds me of that picture.  I think I could look at this view for hours and not be bored. 

Sahlie falls is totally amazing.  Yes I have seen water falls before but this one was so beautiful set among these giant trees.  The walk down to the falls was short with just a few stair steps along the way.  I could see that in the winter that short trail would be treacherous.  I wonder if the falls freeze in the winter but I don't think it gets that cold here.  As a kid from the midwest I am used to winters getting down to -20 degrees sometimes.  I don't think it gets nearly that cold here.  You can't see it in the photo but those trees behind us are loaded with pinecones.  Some of them are huge, I wanted to gather up a bunch of pinecones and take them home with me for crafts.  I just don't have enough room to take everything home that I want to!  

My trip to Sisters, Oregon part 1

 I have been here in Oregon for 6 weeks, and will be leaving for home next week.  I haven't been able to do much in the way of sightseeing so Jim and Betty decided I needed to go to the mountains for the day.  We left Springfield around 10 AM and headed to the McKenzie river.  First stop was to get a cup of coffee for Jim, He is seldom without a cup of coffee in his hand.  

The road is beautiful, the trees are amazing.  Our first stop was Leaburg.  This small town was devastated by a forest fire in 2020.  My nieces brother in law lived there in a log cabin.  That, along with every structure (as far as I know) was destroyed by the fire.  The town is coming back to life.  A new library is up and running.  A community flower area is being built.  There is a general store in the process of being built and quite a few modular homes in place.  The trees are going to take years to grow back, but I did find some holly growing wild out by the community outhouse.  

I was a typical tourist along the way gawking the huge trees and the devastation caused by the fire.  It's hard to understand the destruction unless you see it.  Betty said the residents of this city ran across the bridge to an athletic field when the fire got to close.  They were afraid the fire was going to jump the river and take them out.  I can't imagine the fear those people must have felt. 

The difference between Oregonians and Midwesterners

 I am Midwest born and raised.  I had some wanderlust when I was young but ended up back in Nebraska, then to Iowa.  All of my "raisin" is influenced by the way of friendly Midwest ways.  

My beautiful niece Theresa is born and raised in Eugene Oregon.  She has learned everything she was influenced by mostly in Oregon with a small bit of Midwest from her visits to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  This woman is the sweetest, kindest, most considerate person you could ever want to meet. 

A few weeks ago I went to Theresa and Joe's house for lunch.  We had a wonderful afternoon with an amazing lunch and great conversation.  When I decided it was time to leave I announced my intention and Theresa and Lisa (my great niece) started gathering up whatever was on the table and got ready to see me off.  I was out the door and on my way in less than 1/2 an hour.   

If this lunch had taken place in Nebraska or Iowa the host would have recognized my need to leave, then start up an entirely new conversation.  Needing to take my leave I would move toward the door but would need to look at something that was forgotten all day, and another conversation.  This would continue for a good hour or more.  My host would walk me out to my car, then remember something she/he wanted to send home with me.  Another conversation would take place, maybe going back into the house, or out to the chicken coop to look at something.  Along the way we might need to take a look at the garden and perhaps pick a few vegetables.  By the time I actually get in my car and head for home a couple of hours has passed, and it is likely getting dark outside.  Midwestern people are way to cordial and time thieves.  (LOL)  My sister Betty has lived in Oregon for 60+ years .... she is still a midwestern girl at heart.  (I wonder how I am going to be able to get on the train on time when I leave!!)

Shopping bags ... no problem.

 Going to the store in Oregon is a little different than in the Midwest.  You have to think ahead and know how much stuff you are going to buy.  In Oregon shopping bags are not included so you must bring your own.  Marge has a bunch of them in her car, she remembers to take them in with her.  I didn't remember this the first trip to Walmart (to be honest, I didn't remember for any store ... and I am 3 weeks into this adventure).  I came out of Walmart with all of my stuff in the cart and no bags.  Apparently the security people must be used to that because no one stopped me.  Try that in Omaha and security is going to be all over you in a heartbeat.  The really nice thing about no shopping bags, I don't see plastic bags in the trees, stuck in fences and all over the ground.  I love how clean everything is out here.  

I love this Dolly Parton Quote

 If my attitude needs more adjusting, I visualize God holding me upside down and shaking all the negative stuff — fears, doubts, insecurities — right out of me. Try it. Ask God to turn you upside down! It’s a surefire pick-me-up.

Adventures in getting around the city.

 Marge can't drive [because of the medication she is on] so handed me a set of keys when I got here and said I could use her car whenever I wanted, as long as I was here to drive her to appointments.  I have set out on my own a few times, but seem to get turned around even with my maps feature on, telling me where to go.  My first time driving alone I turned the wrong way down a 3 lane one way street.  YIKES it is a very busy road and thankfully God was watching out for me that I didn't get into an accident .... the cars were stopped at a red light and I was able to quickly pull into a driveway and get off that busy road.  I almost needed to go change my pants after that mistake.  

I just can't seem to get my bearings ... as far as knowing what direction I am going.  Yesterday I followed the maps feature and got exactly where I wanted to go after dropping Marge at PT ... but coming back I again got turned around and maps got me into the wrong lane and I could not get back to the place I dropped her.  Thankfully I was only 10 minutes late picking her up and the weather was amazing so she was OK with that!

The weather here has been pretty amazing.  There is a chill in the air, so I know that fall is coming soon but it is beautiful now.  I loved seeing all the orchards here.  I guess I forgot how much fruit is grown in this valley.  I remember years and years ago when I lived here we found an old abandoned orchard. We were allowed to harvest whatever we wanted in that orchard.  That was the beginning of my canning experiences.   

More adventures

 

Poor Marge is hurting from the Physical Therapy.  She was doing so well, then it set in!  She is getting better but she is hurting.  

We still try to get out and have some fun.  Today we took a drive to a farm.  Marge needed to spend her farmers  market money before it expired.  I had a great time buying some fruit and goodies.  Marge and I ate just junk this afternoon/evening.  My tummy is not real happy with me ... hopefully I eat more healthy tomorrow.  

Marge has two little ankle biter dogs.   The one on the left is Baby and she is a dear head Chihuahua.  Marge has had her for 13+ years.  The one on the right is Tara, she was adopted by Marge just a year or two ago.  She is an apple head Chihuahua.  When I first came here they were both leery of me and tried to stay far from me.  Both of them are warming up to me, Baby even comes up close to me wanting to bet pets.  They sometimes even want me to pick them up for short periods of time. 

 

Adventures in Oregon

 I have been in Oregon for 1 1/2 weeks now.  Marge had her surgery and came out of it like a rock star.  We were supposed to be at the hospital bright and early on Monday morning.  We got there and got her checked in and prepped for surgery. The rest of the family started trickling in, first Betty and Jim with Tammy then Theresa.  We sat in the waiting room for hours waiting for news that she had come through surgery.  We had a wonderful time visiting, laughing and enjoying each others company.  Theresa, being the ever thoughtful person she is brought snacks and bottles of water, that was amazing!   As it happens so often with surgery she got pushed back and didn't get finished until around noon.  Marge was kind of groggy but came around when we all went into her room and kept her awake with our chatter.  Apparently the staff of the hospital noticed us laughing and talking.  They told Marge about us several times.  

She was able to come home Monday evening and has been recovering very well.  She is walking without her walker or cane while in the house.  She doesn't like going to Physical therapy, but is doing it anyway.

Yesterday we drove into Eugene and went to a  store I have wanted to visit for years.  Mountain Rose Herbs.  It is a beautiful store.  It is full of essential oils, herbs, Tincher's, teas, just everything you can imagine in a herb shop.  I spent a lot of money in there, but probably less than I thought I might.  I might want to go back again before I go home.   

I am in Oregon, finally

 The train trip from Sacramento to Eugene, OR was uneventful.  The trip was about 12 or 13 hours, but it went pretty quickly.  I was so excited to see my family.  After all it has been 18 years since we have seen each other.  The closer we got to Eugene the more I started to recognize little towns (names) along the way.  We passed a town I thought I knew.  I looked out the window and a woman was in her yard and waving at the train.  I was sure she was waving just at me!  That little town turned out to be Oakridge.  The rest of the trip was spent calling everyone to tell them I was almost there.  I was so excited to see my family.  

We finally pulled into the station at Eugene.  I looked out the window but didn't see any of my family.  I went out to the platform to look for them.  A nice young many helped me get my heavy carry on out of the train.  I might still be there struggling with it if he hadn't helped.  Still no family!!  I walked along with the rest of the crowd wondering what happened to my family.  Finally I see a woman I think might be my niece.  We look at each other wondering if we have found the person we are looking for.  It was my beautiful Theresa (we haven't seen each other in many many years).  We hug and hug some more than start walking, she has no idea why the rest of our family is not there.  

We walk a bit further and I finally see my big sister Betty, husband Jim and daughter Tammy. They have signs they have made for me, but forgot to hold them up for me to read.  We are to busy hugging, laughing and crying.  The only person missing is Marge.  We have no idea where Marge is.  About 15 minutes later she pulls in, she got lost!!  

We all came back to Marg's house.  We talked and laughed and just enjoyed being together again.  After that we went to a Mexican restaurant and ate as much as we could hold.  It was a wonderful reunion.  

You would think that after such an eventful day we would have gone to bed at a reasonable time, but that is not in our DNA.  We talked until well into the night and didn't wake up until I believe around noon the next day.    

A new adventure away from Pooh Acres

 My sister called and said she needed to have her knee replaced.  After thinking about it a while I decided that I would travel to Oregon to help her.  I thought about it a lot and decided I would book a train trip and see the country.  I spent several months preparing for this trip, and deciding what I was going to do. I'm sure my friends were tired of hearing about my pending trip. I finally left Omaha on September 17, heading toward Denver and then the Pacific Northwest.  

My friend Melissa dropped me off at the Amtrack station around 10 PM.  The train was due around midnight but was a little late.  I was guided into the train car and thankfully got a window seat all by myself.  Everyone was pretty quiet on the ride into Lincoln.  It seemed like most people were sleeping.  We pulled into a small town east of Lincoln about a while later and onboarded a few people.  The woman seated in front of me turned around to talk with me.  She was quite a Chatty Cathy.  I learned she was going to the Denver terminal then North to go back home.  She had been visiting her parents in a small town for the last few weeks.  Her Dad is dying from cancer and she wanted to be with him as much as possible.  She lugged a huge suitcase with her (the stop was so small she could not check her luggage).  She got into her suitcase several times to pull out a Mountain Dew, or a sandwich, or a candy bar that her Mom had packed for her.  Apparently that huge suitcase held mostly food for her trip.  I had planned to sleep until daylight when I could see the scenery, but she wanted to talk, so talk we did.  

Along the way we picked up more people.  A woman who was always suffering from "I need a cigarette" got on.  She tried to get off the train at every stop to have a smoke.  The conductor got very frustrated with her and stopped opening the door on our car so she could not get off.  I learned along the way that this woman spent most of her life addicted to drugs and alcohol.  She lost custody of her children when they were quite young.  She has been estranged from her parents and siblings for many years.  Thankfully she has kicked the addiction and was traveling to California to meet her brother.  She was very nervous.  When we got to Sacramento, I had a long layover and she had to wait for her brother.  We spent some time one on one talking and I had the chance to pray with her and hopefully help her feel a little calmer before the big meeting. When her brother got there they hugged, cried and talked like nothing had ever happened.  She looked back at me, waved and gave me a big thumbs up sign!

Another woman I met on the train is Tess.  She is a little older than me and has been widowed for 10+ years.  Her husband left her with plenty of money so she travels a lot.  She loves traveling by train for short trips, but flies for longer trips.  We spent hours talking about all kinds of of things, especially being widows, and our relationship with God.  We exchanged contact information.  I believe we will stay in touch with each other.  At my stop, she was going on further, she asked if we could pray together.    It was so wonderful to meet another woman I felt I could talk with and share my sorrow of loosing my Phil.  She understood and shared her sorrow with me.  

Friday afternoon we arrived in Sacramento, and an 8 hour layover.  I had planned to call and meet with one of Phil's friends.  They had been friends since grade school and I had talked to him on the phone many time when he and Phil were chatting.  Phil had been trying to witness to Alan for months.  Not long before he died he went to the Bible book store and bought a book on the gospel of John and another on Romans.  He had intended to send both of these books to Alan but never got around to it.    That was the perfect reason to meet up with Alan while I was so close to him.  Alan picked me up and took me back to his apartment.  It was good to finally meet him.  I must say his driving scared me more than a little.  I don't think I would like to drive in Sacramento!

My train left the station in Sacramento around 11 PM.  I was finally on my way to Oregon to see my sisters, nieces and nephew.  I was to excited to sleep ... ready to get to my family.