Just another lovely day in Oregon

Oh, happy day! It is another lovely day in Oregon, with plenty of "Oregon Sunshine".

 

 Do I love cool weather? yes. Do I love rain? Yes not any longer. Not after 20 straight days of it. Not after sloshing around in it for what seems like forever with no let up in sight. Look at the Wonderground forecast for this month:

One day! ONE DRY DAY!!!! That was ALL. It set a record. Not since 1904 has there been so many rainy days.

However,

Things are not all that bad. Look what my #2 daughter brought home last evening. They are so beautiful. Just like looking at sunshine. There are lots of buds that will open as the first ones fade. I'm sure I'll be enjoying them for a long time. I've put them with some of this year's Easter eggs. Just consider that a preview. I'll be posting them in detail later next month closer to Easter.

I'm joining:

Inland

We live in Portland which is about 70 miles and the coast range from the ocean, so no we're not affected. We were in Seaside last weekend. Yesterday there were 3' waves where we were, but a warning continues in effect for the coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Concepcion CA to the Oregon/Washington border.

Crescent City CA and Brookings OR sustained some damage in their harbors, and even in tiny DePoe Bay, where we visited a few weeks ago, currents were sufficiently enhanced that mooring lines and cleats were snapped; freeing some vessels and damaging docks.

Most of northern Oregon and Washington coasts have thus far remained essentially undisturbed - as one officer noted, "We get winter storms that're way worse than this".

Naturally, however, half a dozen guys have been swept into the sea; one of whom has not been recovered. This happens fairly regularly during coastal winters, though not usually in numbers. It appears that the tsunami warnings brought out adventurous souls hoping to photograph the events - which are actually better photographed from high ground.

Whenever the sea level drops noticeably, it's a good idea to head in the opposite direction. It's never wise to go down and investigate.

Our friends granddaughter is teaching in Japan. She is in Nagoya and felt the quake, but was not much affected. Their grandson is on his way there, aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. 

I continue to offer prayers for all affected by this disaster.

 

Japanese mosaic of Madonna and Child, 

in the Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth 

(a gift from Japanese Catholics to the church).

The Oregon Capitol, Salem

Oregon's present Capitol has its origins in two fires. On December 30, 1855, fire swept through a newly occupied Statehouse, completely destroying the structure. The Holman Building, in the business section of Salem, served as a temporary Capitol from 1859 until another one was completed in 1876. On April 25, 1935, fire again destroyed the elegant Statehouse patterned after the U.S. Capitol.

Francis Keally with the New York firm of Trowbridge & Livingston designed the current building, which was dedicated October 1, 1938.

Quick Getaway

Last week Polly and I drove over to the coast. I had read about a sale at Mon Ami's Paris Flea in Florence, Oregon. It was spur of the moment, which is always such fun. We found a few nice things, had some great food, met some nice people, didn't see any whales at the whale watching place, saw beautiful cliffs, waves, skies, and rainbows.

Beautiful rocks exposed at low tide

Seagulls skimming the waves

 The weather was typical for this time of year. That is to say psychotic. One minute bright sun, the next, driving rain. Exciting to say the least.

Crab Pots

All along the coast we saw crab shacks boiling up the day's catch. We settled for fish and chips. Polly doesn't care for crab and I as much as I like it, I find  a whole crab way too much for one person.

Before

After

We had brunch at a small cafe across from the marina in Newport. Have you ever seen a bigger pancake? Everything was delicious and house made. 







All Photos belong to Polly