Recognition Knocking At Your Door

"Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." -Franklin P. Jones

Key to Life

image via crewcuts

When I was five years old,

my mom always told me that

happiness was the key to life.

When I went to school,

they asked me what I wanted to be

when I grew up.

I wrote down "Happy."

They told me I didn't understand the assignment

and I told them they didn't understand Life!

-l'Eco di Bru

Good To Know

image flickr

The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Sometimes, there isn't even any grass. -unknown

The Magic Of A Great Book

In a real sense, people who have read good literature have lived more than people who cannot or will not read. It is not true that we have only one life to live; if we can read, we can live as many more lives and as many kinds of lives as we wish. ~S.I. Hayakawa

Overcoming Obstacles

"Be of good cheer.

Do not think of today's failures,

but of the success that may come tomorrow.

You have set yourselves a difficult task,

but you will succeed if you persevere;

and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles."- Helen Keller

I've Got Nothing to Wear

Work and Play

"There is work that is work and there is play that is play;
and there is play that is work and work that is play.
And in only one of these lie happiness. " -Gelett Burgess

Let's Go To Paris

Jenny: One of the boys I dated,

and they were boys,

suggested that we go to Paris

and I said, I'd always wanted to see Paris.

As if I'd never been!
An Education

Charming Gardeners

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom.”-Marcel Proust

Discovering Yourself

“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been.

You have to leave the city of your comfort

and go into the wilderness of your intuition.

What you’ll discover will be wonderful.

What you’ll discover is yourself.” Alan Alda

Many Blessings

"May the blessings of the air be upon you

A soft breeze to refresh you

A strong wind to lift you up

Great golden wings to enfold and heal you

May the blessings of fire be upon you

A blazing torch to light your path

A flaming sword to protect and defend you

The glowing sunlight to shine on you and warm your heart

May the blessings of water be upon you

A rushing river to carry you forward

The vast depths of the sea to bring you wisdom

The soft sweet rain to wash you tenderly and nourish you

May the blessings of the earth be upon you

A sheltering cave to bring you to birth and securely hold you

The fertile soil to nourish you

The green grass to lay soft under you

May your journeying be blessed

May your beginnings and endings be blessed."

-Marilyn Geist

It Rains Alot in Portland Oregon

photo via flickr

"The rain began again.

It fell heavily, easily,

with no meaning or intention

but the fulfilment of its own nature,

which was to fall and fall." -Helen Garner

Celebrating Birthdays in Portland

This free scrapbook design customized with Smilebox

Touring the Hood River Region

It was a fairly overcast day when we set out to explore the Hood river region outside of Portland. Our hopes were we'd be able to catch a glimpse of Mt. Hood.

Hood River County, Oregon, is located in the Columbia River Gorge in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Positioned at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and the magnificent Cascade Range.

Driving through this area is really lovely. One sees the beauty of the mountains, forests and river. From the highway many waterfalls can be seen but for a breath-taking up close view of an awe inspiring cascade of icy water visit Multnomah Falls.

Just off I-84 you can park and within minutes find yourself at the base of the waterfall.

Multnomah Falls Lodge

Not far from Multnomah Falls you will be able to visit the town of Hood River. Hood River, sitting along side the Columbia River some 60 miles east of Portland on Interstate Highway 84, provides an idylic setting for summer and winter sports. Windsurfing in particular has brought new life to this town. The windsurfing community contributes millions of dollars to the local economy and has helped spawn the growth of other destination-type activities including biking, hiking, fishing, golf, wine tasting and farm and garden tours.

I loved signage on many of the old buildings around the downtown area. A sense of nostalgia of times past seemed to surround the town.

Did you know that Oregon is also known as "Beervana, U.S.A."? Oregon has over 100 craft breweries. The products they produce are known for their world class quality and innovation.

We decided to have lunch here at Full Sail Brewing Company.

We were able to sample some of their locally brewed favorites.

Cheers!

The beer went great with our fish and chips. Sorry no pictures of our food. Guess I was too hungry to stop for a photo op.

After lunch we took a free tour of the brewery. It was well worth it. If you're in Hood River drop by Full Sail for the tour offered daily at 1,2,3 and 4 PM.

Unfortunately, by mid afternoon the weather had gotton worse, grey clouds and rain doused any chance of viewing Mt. Hood. We decided to head back to Portland. Nevertheless, a great day was had visiting this interesting area of Oregon.

Photo via the internet: Mt. Hood in all its glory on a clear day.

Hood River County is known for its unusual mix of geology and climate—Cascade Locks on the western edge of the county sits at just 60 feet above sea level while the county’s south border soars to the 11,235 foot summit of Mt. Hood—Oregon’s tallest peak.

Japanese Gardens of Portland

Since our family has a unique and very personal relationship with the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Antonio, Texas my cousins and I were keen to visit the Japanese Gardens in Portland. What we discovered was a very special place: sacred, spiritual and tranquil. If you are in the Portland area a visit here will delight your senses.

Nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, the Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquil beauty. Encompassing five and one-half acres and five separate garden styles, the Garden includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, stone pagodas and a wisteria arbor.

The Garden is located in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, directly above the Rose Gardens in Washington Park.
Street Address:611 SW Kingston AvenuePortland, Oregon 97205

"There is purpose and value in each day of your life, in each season of your life. Nurture your times of action, of creating, of doing, and value your quieter times of going within. The more you study nature, the more you will learn about yourself. Nurture and trust the seasons of your soul." -From Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie