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.