 |
| Logan with full-body cast |
So, what have you been doing since June, Carol? Hmmm...think I mentioned the train trip to Fairbanks and then the trip to Portland to help keep an almost-two-year-old-in-a-full-body-cast out of more trouble, but don't think I shared any photos, previously, of those events.
 |
| Hunter on Alaska Railroad trip |
 |
| Hunter under arch of antlers in Fairbanks |
Then there was the Plein Air Retreat with a group of fun and talented folks who sit with Mother Nature and create beautiful paintings. So appreciative of the opportunity to join and learn from them, but I was not feeling well and, unfortunately, missed much of what was offered. I did do enough to know that I want to do more, however.
 |
| Talya's demo in progress |
 |
| Tempting painting location in Hatcher Pass |
Family joined us July 4 weekend -- rainy and buggy, but any family time is good time. Even Willie and Henry, Sara's pet Nigerian Dwarf goats, were with us, so we were six adults, three boys, five dogs, and two goats. The Willow parade was the star attraction on July 4; Jon's family tested their travel trailer out in Willow and liked it.
 |
| Ben with Jenga blocks |
Our dogs were boarded out for a couple of weeks while Keith and I went to Oregon and Minnesota. Although temperatures Outside were way too warm for us, we had a great visit with Amy's family in Portland, enjoying time around their home as well as outings to nearby parks, playgrounds, Oregon Health and Science University, and Reed College. Vegetation in Portland is so beautiful! What a busy and active life our family there lives -- and they all seem to be happy doing what they are doing! Nice to see.
 |
| Keith in Portland |
 |
| Amy showing OHSU campus |
 |
| Logan and Quinn at Reed |
 |
| Portland - City of Roses |
 |
| Tram at OHSU |
 |
| More beautiful roses |
 |
| Watching golf from deck |
On to Minneapolis for a brief stay at the beautiful home of Jerry and Roz, my brother and sister-in-law, in Victoria. Had an interesting tram tour of Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen and a fun evening of looking at old family slides -- more fun for Jerry and me than for Roz and Keith, I'm sure. :-) We enjoyed fine dining, watching golfers play the 16th hole, good visiting, and the elevator that took our way-too-big suitcases to and from our suite on the lower level.
 |
| Jerry & Roz in Victoria |
 |
| Colleen's water feature in Ada |
 |
| Ruth Jensen Goltz |
Drove to Ada, Keith's home town in northern Minnesota, where family was gathering to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ruth Jensen Goltz, and to reconnect after many years of not having seen one another. It was a fun time -- four generations of relatives visited, laughed, reminisced, and ate lots of delicious food; it was an "eat, drink, and be merry" sort of get-together with lots of space for both activities and conversation groups. The weather really cooperated!! Hats off to our sister-in-law, Colleen Goltz, who had the major responsibility for it all. Things came together beautifully and it was great to see the four Goltz "boys," who were raised in close proximity to their three Johnson cousins, pretty much pick up where the seven of them left off when last seeing one another many years ago. I highly recommend getting together when there's not a memorial service or funeral involved! Since many in this group had fine cameras and photography skills, I neglected to take photos; did snap one of Ruth, however, showing that she is looking younger than her 90 years! She lives a healthy lifestyle when it comes to food and exercise -- and the mind and body are going strong. She still mows her lawn on a riding mower, drives with her recently renewed driver's license, and is very capable and involved.
 |
| Gail at our grandma's home in Duluth | |
On to Duluth, where my sister Gail and her husband Bob live, with a son, daughter-in-law, and new granddaughter now residing on the other side of the Hartley woods. We loved the cooler temps in Duluth and enjoyed, as always, time with Gail and Bob. We owe them some serious landscape work, but that didn't happen. Instead, we shopped a little, saw some of the tall ships come into the harbor, dined well on meals created in their wonderfully remodeled kitchen, and enjoyed meeting Edie Genevieve, all of three weeks old. What a joy she'll be to the Duluth clan. The time went quickly. Visited my grandmother's home in Duluth, as well as cemeteries in both Duluth and Ada.
 |
| Brown stone in Duluth |
 |
| Goltz stone in Ada |
It was a great chance to visit, reconnect, explore and discover -- and yes, it's also good to be home. Picked up the dogs first thing, then went on the Willow Garden Tour. The lunch stop was on Nancy Lake where friends shared their great pavilion on the lake. We visited Cindy's and Kay's gardens, but didn't make it to the others. These Willow gardeners are one dedicated, hard-working, and successful group. You don't know where to begin taking photos at Cindy's "Mary Louise Gardens" since every direction you look is a fantastic showcase of big, beautiful, healthy plants! Kay's gardens have a welcoming charm and character, nestled in the woods off Hatcher Pass Road. These folks work so hard and get such fantastic results. They must LOVE it when the garden tour is over and they can get up off their knees -- from weeding and praying. I still have "plant the veggie seeds" on my "to do" list. Think it's a little late for that!
 |
| Beauty everywhere at Cindy | s |
 |
| Multiple garden areas at Cindy | 's |
 |
| Lots of charm at Kay's |
 |
| Lunch break at Nancy Lake |
 |
| Tractor talk maybe? |
So, that was then. This is now. Ben and Noah are with us for a week while their folks are caribou hunting. School starts for the boys in two weeks. Hunter is playing tackle football frequently each week, and the Portland grandsons must be doing OK -- at least there's been no news to the contrary. Keith and the dogs were busy with field trials this weekend and the grass seed is being watered regularly from above. Loons call to us most nights and two beautiful Trumpeter swans spent a morning on the lake recently.
 |
| Noah doing some goat sitting |
Oh, fired a bisque load earlier this week; a yarn bowl and four French butter dishes bit the dust, which is disturbing. I'm trying to determine the cause of that.
 |
Disturbing sight on top shelf;
preheat time too short |
 |
| Mugs are fine |
 |
| Goblets, toothpick holders, etc. |
 |
| Yarn bowls and serving bowls |
I said on Facebook that I'm "back on track." That means studio time preparing for the recent firing, and now for the glazing of work promised for August deliveries. You'll see more of these pieces yet this month, then another cycle will begin. Looking forward to lots of studio time in the fall; feels like it may be here soon. The real pottery season is about to begin.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
