SCOUTING HOWARD PRAIRIE

Yesterday Lisa, Ron and I drove to Howard Prairie Lake to check out next week's accommodations for the family reunion. We especially wanted to see where the schooners/trailers were located. Everything looks just great. The trailers are not all in the same spot, but close enough and there appears to lots of camping around. Nothing is available on the lake anymore that we can see. Maybe if we go up early next Friday something might open up. I look so forward to next weekend.

OUR LAST FOUR DAYS WITH MOTHER

Well last Thursday night we took Mother and Lisa to a musical at the Cabaret called "Smokey Joe's Cafe". It was all the great music of Leiber and Stoller, great tunes mostly written for the Coasters. We heard "Poison Ivy", "Love Potion # 9", Elvis tunes "Hound Dog" and "Treat me Nice" and many other classics.

On Friday we drove back north to Portland (Lisa joined us). We stayed with Ron and Amy. Rick and May are in Nicaragua vacationing. Lisa's friend, Amberly, from USD is now living and working in Portland. After a barbecue at the house Lisa and Amberly left and we visited on the deck.

On Saturday we looked at Lexus SUV's because I would love one. We'll see. Amy was craving chili and asked if I would mind making some. Of course I didn't and we had a chili dinner. Ronnie also showed us movies in his wonderful home theater.

Sunday we had to take Mother to the airport early in the morning for her return to L. A. After church Ron and I looked at houses for the millionth time in Camas, Washington across the Columbia River about a ten minute drive from the kids' homes. We do this nearly every time we are in the area. I am so uncertain about moving. I do love Ashland so. In the afternoon we returned to meet Lisa, Amberly, Ron and Amy at the Portland Grill again. This fabulous restaurant and bar is atop a 30 story building and it is my favorite place to dine in Portland. We were there with Patty and Scott a few weeks back and it is still great. Don't miss Ronnie's favorite dessert.

We returned home on Monday to our simple life. Luckily Lisa is still with us. She heads back to Italy August 18th. So life is still good.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY THIS WEEK

Saturday evening I attended a dinner in honor of a Domincan brother, Brother Daniel, who came to Ashland 30 years ago when we did. Then, as always with Dominicans, he was moved after 5 years. He has worked so many different places.

His latest work has been in Africa. So while he was passing through town we all gathered together. I just loved his African outfits. He is a very special man. It was so good to see him again.

Then Sunday night Ron and I took Lisa to see the "Taming of the Shrew", one of my favorite Shakespearean plays. It took place at our outdoor replica of the Elizabethan Theatre. It was absolutely wonderful. They wouldn't allow photography. But I did capture a couple of shots of the dancers in the Greenshow which precedes the main play. We had a lovely weekend!

SURPRISED THE BOYS ALSO

Here are the surprised guy friends.

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Fourth of July was extra quiet around here. It was quite warm and Mother is visiting so we laid fairly low. Ron barbequed and Mother made her delicious potato salad. I took a little ride and watched the fireworks at 10:00pm from my car.

However the 5th was a different story and the 6th was even better. Lisa flew in on Thursday night at nearly midnight. She had a great idea to surprise all her friends who flock to Ashland for the 4th of July weekend. I invited them all over on the pretense of missing Lisa and wanting to do one of our traditional Friday night pizza dinners. (Lisa's original return date had been set for the 15th.) Anyway Natalie and Elisa were the most surprised as you can see in the snapshots. Natalie actually broke into tears. She also surprised Matt, Josh, and Nate.

We did have pizza and fun conversation. It is heaven to me to have the house full of young people once again. Of course with Lisa here life could hardly be better. I do so look forward to spending the next six weeks with Lisa before she returns to Italy to teach.

RICK AND MAY VISIT ASHLAND FOR THE WEEKEND

This past weekend we were blessed with the presence of Rick and May. I am certain the main incentive for the trip down was to see their Grammie. But, whatever, we were so very happy to have them. We mostly sat out on the deck and visited.

May is looking so adorable with her little tummy. We are all overjoyed for both Rick and May. She is as healthy as can be, eating well and exercising. She has always taken such good care of herself and Rick and now she does so for the wee one.

It was a lovely weekend and we are so grateful that they came down. I am even including a picture of Mother and Ron on the front porch just after Rick and May left. We are getting ready for the 4th.