Hi!
I had a wonderful Beatle Birthday. It was a nice celebration with family, plus we made a quick trip to Portland to see our son. It has been 19 months since I last got a hug from him. It was a ten-hour drive, and we only had one day to visit, since I had to get back for an appointment. It was worth it, though, and we packed a lot into that one day. We had a nice lunch, swam in the river, and enjoyed a tasty shrimp-and-steak dinner his girlfriend and friends prepared for us. It was nice to see where he lives, works, and just visit!
After that end-of-July vacation, I was getting back into my routine when a busy period came up. We got in lots of family time. Started with taking the younger grands to the fair and watching them dance with their dance school, and then watching them do more rides.
The younger ones stayed with us a couple of times, and that meant back-to-school shopping and, of course, ice cream and finding those squishy toys they all love.
We also attended a party for my sister-in-law’s 70th birthday, and the next day we had a celebration at our house for our grandson, who turned 18.
Things were about to calm down as school started, but one of my grands got sick and couldn’t go to school after the first day. She stayed here, and after a doctor’s visit, we found out it was strep throat. So she hung out here until she was better and could get back to the first week of school.
Then it was quiet. I worked on the poetry I’ve written this year on my computer, then finished my newsletter when I got a message from my youngest daughter, Danielle, that she had to evacuate her home. She works from home, and her husband was at work. So I hung out with her and her kitties. My cats weren’t big on socializing with them. Luckily, they got the fire under control after a few hours, and she was able to return home. She found that the fire line they bulldozed was at the top of her property. They live at the bottom of a slope. That was way too close. My other daughter, Desiree, who runs a preschool, had to shut down as they were in the warning zone.
So that was an eventful day for everyone. They did arrest the person who started it; it sounds like he burned down his own house, and it spread to 13 acres. It is definitely fire season here, but when it’s intentionally set and not from lightning or an accident, then it makes it all the worse.
That is just part of living in the forest and foothills, and more so the last few years. We started a firewise group in our neighborhood, and we have two-way radios to communicate. Everyone has cleared around their houses, and we’ve discussed putting sprinklers on our roof. Plus, we’re lucky to have some of the best firefighters around and the planes nearby. Although I prefer not to test out all the precautions we’ve taken to stay safe.
This week, I’m becoming a dance grandma, picking the younger ones up from school and getting them to dance. I will be brushing up on my ballet bun skills.
Right before this all got started, I got my book to the editor too. Whew!
So that’s where I’ve been. Now I can finish my blurb and set a release date.
I’m hoping to be back on schedule; I’ve missed visiting everyone!
Here are some pictures from the last few weeks:
Embrace your inner child by looking through their eyes. Denise
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