Felicity, Bliss...Lake Oswego/Portland

Patricia Holland once said that the ideal situation does not exist, nor should we expect it to.  That's been helpful advice in my life, puts things in perspective. But 10 years ago now,

as part of my "See All 50 States Before Turning 50" quest, I found a place of exceptional beauty, and experienced a sense of elation.  Now, because one of our daughters and her husband and kids have moved there, I go back as often as possible. And I think I'v come as close to "ideal" as possible when I'm in Lake Oswego, Oregon.  Granted, two of my current three granddaughters are there, which is bliss in and of itself, but additionally, I find that I'm very, very content and at peace there.  I have a number of reasons, but these photos do a better job of explaining that bliss than I can. Whether it be the water in the area (Columbia River, Willamette River's Waterfront Park, Lake Oswego itself), or the clean, immaculate landscaping and mutually held interests of beauty in nature, or the hills of forest pines..........I love the place.
Be Well. Do Good.

North Atlantic guest room

Whether sailing off the coast of Maine into whaling waters of the north Atlantic, or in Ireland where the cold Atlantic winds carve a land of harsh beauty, or flying over Iceland and Greenland enroute to native Denmark where my ancestors sailed 5 generations ago from a wonderful restored Danish port in west Copenhagen, or Boston & the coast of Colonial New England with it's rich nautical history, or the Chesapeake Bay area from Norfolk up the James River to Williamsburg and Jamestown, ....
One of my all time favorite places of travel is the North Atlantic.  We've converted the smallest bedroom of our home as a cool breezed summer guest room with a small day bed and some things to remind me of pleasant travels.  We'll soon begin working on a second guest room, the Pacific Room.

Be Well.  Do Good.

Conservation Conference

Participating in a Conservation and Ecology  based learning experience has  been most rewarding. In 1969, Malcolm Forbes bought 185,000 acres of mostly mountain land in south central Colorado, nearly extending to the New Mexico state boarder.  When the State of Colorado would not allow him to use this land for a wildlife refuge, he subdivided 57,000 acres into individual 5-acre plots.  He built a rustic lodge on the property for small conferences and meetings.  He died in 1990.  His children opted to sale the ranch, which they did for $175 million to a conservationist in New York City.  The Forbes children built a small cathedral chapel wherein the ashes of Mr. Forbes are mixed with mortar and remain in the walls thereof.  They took their father's extensive art collection, much of it Seafaring themed.  The new owner renovated the lodge, changing it to a Zane Grey like Western theme.  I'm staying in the renovation area.  This is more like a vacation than a series of classes. I'm extremely fond of this Trinchera Ranch.  Nightly, I have exclusive use to a very nice wood paneled room with fine leather furniture and soft lamp lighting.  Doors are not locked, day nor night, and screened doors allow cool summer night winds to refresh and relax.  The food here is wonderful and plentiful.  I appreciate not only all I am learning, but the way I'm treated here.  It's very, very nice. My roommate, a guy about my age also nearing retirement often used the word "awesome" to refer to his amazing personal and extended families. I hope to long remember how unique his extended family is, pretty amazing. But what I also hope to remember from him is another line: "My job is to play. My job is to be happy. And don't you forget it."
Be Well.  Do Good.

A Gift from Lincoln Center: New York Style Cheesecake

I love New York City.  I love Lincoln Center. I love the culture and ambiance, the concerts, theater, ballet there. (See the movie: "Moonstruck")  I love the Manhattan Temple across the street. I love running in Central Park a few blocks to the east.  I love running along the Hudson River a few blocks to the west. I love Columbus Circle just a few blocks to the south where Broadway begins it's diagonal jaunt into Times Square and Theater District. I love Barnes and Noble across from Lincoln Center.  If I could afford it, I would love to live in the Lincoln Center area, a fine old Brownstone (see a favorite movie: "You've Got Mail") would suit me fine.

Two years ago I learned that the Chamber Society of Lincoln Center would begin something new: monthly live-streaming concerts from one of the Center's smaller auditoriums, "Rose Hall".  LATE NIGHT ROSE was to be the title, it would last 1 hour and begin with a concise pre-concert lecture, include an on-line program with biographies on both composers and performers.  My kind of thing.  I'm not a wine-drinker, but I knew one way to make this a personal, intimate concert evening: headphones with a slice of cheesecake, something I seldom eat, but enjoy greatly.  And so, I've had a great experience these past two years, Thursday nights, once a month.
Live, from Lincoln Center. 7 p.m. in my home, 9 p.m. in New York.
At the conclusion of this years season I wrote a hand-written letter expressing my sincere appreciation for their providing this service.  The letter was passed around among staff and performers and in turn, they sent their own tribute of appreciation to me:  New York Style Cheesecake, shipped over-night.  Since then, we've begun a series of correspondence, via email, and I've made new New Yorker friends: warm and wonderful.

Be Well.  Do Good.

BBC 4 Radio

A few months ago my son-in-law told me of BBC 4 Radio and BBC 4 Radio Extra found on the internet. I knew of the BBC t.v., especially their American PBS daily report.  I like(d) it because it presents no biases, just the facts. No ultra-conservative FOX NEWS, and no ultra-liberal CNBC.  But I knew nothing of this England based radio station(s).  What a rare find.  At night, I often listen to "Book at Bedtime", abridged books, 15 minutes a night.  And I've become a devoted fan, addicted really, to The Archers, a fine, fine story 50 years + old, giving the daily drama of a fiction countryside in England: cattle, sheep, agriculture pursuits that center around the Archer Family and their extended family, friends, and associates. I learn so much as well as being entertained.  With our own children grown and moved away, I suspect The Archers have become a daily family I can visit and participate in albeit "radio drama".  A virtual map and "Who's Who" on their website, allow me to be there, with them, watching them live out their lives.  Simple pleasures for simple minds?
Be Well. Do Good.

Spending Time in the Backyard

3 trees. One for each kid.  We've planted 3 trees for each of our children, where ever we've lived. Flowering Crap Trees to be exact.  The kids have all moved away from home, but when I'm in the back yard, they're with me: Brittany, all white blossoms, stalwart and unyielding to the fierce winds, the eldest of the 3 trees, guarding and protecting the other two trees, just as she always guards and protects her younger siblings. Chelsi, pink blossoms that are clustered together like a bouquet, tasteful in their presentation, just as she is in her grooming and dress, always with jewelry and accessories that highlight her appearance.  Kip, burgandy and bold, even the leaves & bark on his tree is darker and rough textured, a masculine tree that protects and shades us, never ceases to grow, but steadily going on, growing without complaint, just like Kip.
We love & miss our children; I'm reminded of them every time I'm in the backyard.  Maybe that's why I spend so much time there.
Be Well. Do Good.