Christmas Eve Sunrise !

I can see a smiling face in the clouds. Do you?

Christmas 1988

I wonder if I can get them to pose like this again this year? I am so anxious for us all to be together, even if it is just for a day or two.












They were reluctant and silly,
but here are my babies, 18 years later.

Let the Journey Begin!

One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice-

though the whole house began to tremble

and you felt the old tug at your ankles.

“Mend my life!” each voice cried.

But you didn’t stop. You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible.

It was already late enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen branches and stones.

But little by little, as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice which you slowly

recognized as your own, that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper into the world,

determined to do the only thing you could do-

determined to save the only life that you could save.

Dayville Mourns, Heaven Rejoices

My friend, Tamie Jo Hettinga, died last night. She recently turned 49. She is in the black tank top, on the left in this photo. This was taken just a few months ago, in August, while golfing at the South Fork course. Her illness still remains a mystery. She will be missed!

The "Spirit of Christmas", I have to seek it! .

I decorated all 21 of my fence posts with blue spruce and red ribbon. I love using "stuff" I have on hand... I cut red plastic table cloth into strips for ribbon and trimmed branches from a tree in the yard for greenery, and used the twist ties from the Christmas lights to bind them together

Ho, ho, ho.

How do you spell J O Y?

J esus is talking, listen!

O bey His message

Y our story and His story, do tell!

Taken from Skip’s sermon, 12/03/2006

Golfing Turkeys

The forecast was for up to 2" of snow this morning. Wrong. It was blue sky and sunshine, all day, even though it was very breezy and cold, Mike, Dane and I, played golf! We had two foursomes and played a scramble at the local South Fork golf course. Our dinner was casual and un-eventful. I miss Lyndee but am happy that she got to be with family in Tucson. The photo is of Friday morning's sky just before sunrise.

A Dancin' Old Bag...

I couldn't get a good photo of the new dance studio. I lightened it tons just so you could kind of see it. I had four 4th-6th graders at the first class.... Jessica, DarrylAnn, Renee & Mary. I flt awkward and old...

Sharing what I am learning...

"Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace" ,,,

..."once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you,

you will be held ~ as in a vice,

constrained ~ by the love of God."

Oswald Chambers

Saturday Sunrise

Happy Geranium

This is "share" geranium, .... it has been back and forth between my home and Ginny's many times, inside outside, she just keeps on bloomin... Currently blooming in the living room of the Main House where we used to have our TV. This is much prettier.

Yin and Yang

I took this photo yesterday morning. The sky was so dark and the sun peaked through in the opposite direction and lit up the yard and shadowed the hills. It was pretty, but as always, hard to capture.

ELK Meat, what a treat...

Mike and Fritz were "gifted" an elk last weekend and today Terry helped them cut it into steak, backstrap, jerkey meat and hamburger. I did the packaging and labeling and played DJ. I am craving to hear Marshall Tucker Band~ ever since Debbie and I reminisced about them on our RV trip... had to settle for an old cassette recoding of the Eagles.

Fantastic Vacation!

When Lyndee and I left Oregon, I had no clue how I was going to get home. This is how I did it! I purchased this RV. It was wonderful. From Mesa to Tucson, to Sunsites, to the Colorado River, to Beatty, to McDermitt and finally to Dayville... it was a dellightful way to travel and having Debbie to travel with made it extra special.

Chiricahua National Monument

Roosevelt Lake Family Day

This photo is of my nephew, Matt, wakeboarding behind Deb and Mark's "Malibu" boat. He surfs down in New Zealand, but is pretty new at this. Mom rented a houseboat for the night as all the local motels were booked. It was nice to have us all together. We spent many weekends on Roosevelt camping and waterskiing as kids. We did a lot of "remember when" stuff. I am enjoying my time in the SW and don't even have a plan for returning to Oregon, yet. I golfed today. Just walked on as a single and played with a sweet old guy. I have had a bad back for way over a month now and sitting is miserable. Instead of getting better, it is getting worse and I am sick of hearing myself complain. I may break down and visit Deb's chiropractor... As long as I am up and moving I am okay. So, how do I get home without sitting either on a plane or in a car? Lyndee starts massage therapy school tomorrow. :)

Arizona Sunshine !

Lyndee and I spent 22 hours in her little Toyota pickup en route to Mesa, AZ. It went fine, but I was certainly glad to here and out of that TINY front seat. Deb's house is so beautiful, we feel like we are at a resort. We went to Lyndee's school today and she is all enrolled and ready to start next week. We unloaded the truck and have all her clothes unpacked and in the closet. We are going to train Zink to not go into the pool, which is very inviting to a hot golden retriever that loves to swim! It is still in the high 90's here. Lyndee and I both were in shock last night when we rolled down the windows and this HOT air blew in. It was dark and we expected a cool breeze :) Anyway we are so glad to be here and I just love the idea of having no schedule for a little while. Oh, and we had carne asada tacos for lunch. I know I am redundant, but oh life is good!

Thankfulness Equals Wellness

We have been blessed at our Inn and RV park this summer with a good income and the ability to handle it all ourselves without hiring help. I came to the realization of how wonderful that is when I was taking some folks from South Carolina on a tour of our place a couple of nights ago. I am so proud of our business, and the evolution of it. Sometimes it takes putting it into audible words 'til ya get it on a whole new level!

Presently, it is hunting season and the sometimes desolate Highway 26, has been a busy, busy road today! I am trying to stay up for some hunters due in for the Cottage... our new intercom system is working great. I even took a reservation over it yesterday.... "Office to Hilltop... come in please!.."

So, I have been rambling, killing time, and haven't addressed my blog title tonight. It is a statement I made to a golfing buddy last week and it keeps ringing through my mind! It was something I learned lying flat with a hurt back and I hope will remain with me always!

"Thankfulness IS Wellness"!

Zink, Zander, Zoe and Mi Hija make for a Great Afternoon...

Lyndee came home for the afternoon and delivered our John Day Ladies Golf visors for the tournament this weekend. They turned out great! She also shopped at the dollar store and got gift bags and helped me put them together. We took the dogs to the "hidden hole" and had a good dinner and she is already gone... What a sweet, loveable daughter and an enjoyable quick visit :)

Echo Hills

We had a mini-vacation and played in a couples tournament in Echo Hills, near Pendleton last weekend. We lead the tourney by one stroke after Saturdays' play, shot 3 over par. Sunday we shot 4 over par and ended up getting 2nd. My favorite part was winning ladies longest drive! My prize was a ceramic chip & dip plate and our tournament winnings, $125, had to be spent in the pro shop there so we bought our friend Alec a new golf bag and I got a new visor and Mike bought a few misc little things. Barry did a fine job inn-sitting for us and we are considering playing in another couples tourney next weekend at Pendleton Country Club.... if Barry will take on this place one more time :) The photos are of everyone gathering to see tournament results as they are posted, Mike teeing off with our playing partners watching, and Mike coming out of the camper on our way home.

Best Tent Award.. Oh and today is my Puppy "Zander's" 1st Birthday!

I am hoping you can distinguish the tent in the forground of this picture. It looks like a little building. I watched as they set it up and I was surprised by the 20-minute outcome.

There will be six young guys staying in it as they attend fire school today and tomorrow.

Anyway, it is the cutest tent we've had in our campground this summer.

"The Cleanest and the Greenest"

A guest yesterday told us that our RV Park is the "cleanest and the greenest" park he has ever stayed in. What a great way to put it!

We had a nice rain last night and when I got up in the middle of the night the most wonderful cool breeze, tinged with the smell of mint, was drifting in the living room window. There is mint growing along one of the RV park banks and the recent rain had just ignited its' scent. It was a most delightful simple pleasure!!..... took that "cleanest and greenest" statement one step further :)

Never Met a Golf Course I Didn't Like....

I got up at 5 am this morning and traveled to Baker City to play in their ladies' day invitational. Seventy lady golfers from all over our region did the same. It was the first time I had played this course and it was a perfect day weather- wise. I played with a lady from Weiser, Idaho and two from Baker City. My golf game was only so-so, but that is okay! Life is wonderful!

Mother Nature

It may be hard to tell what is going on here....

The wind blew this big branch down from a willow tree and when Mike cut it, it didn't fall but balanced from the ground to the tree like this.

The dogs are interested in what's going on in the grass. I found two baby finches there, but no nest. So, I put them in a basket and put it back up in the tree. They were gone the next morning.... and I saw the mama bird with food so maybe they found their "real" nest somehow....?

Golf, heat, busy inn... life !

Mike played all weekend in the annual "Wapiti" golf tournament in John Day, and because I am on the ladies golf board, I ended up helping with the meals for the players. The Inn & RV Park are full with a (low maintenence) paleontology group from Anza-Borrego State park in California, so we were able to take the camper and spend both Friday and Saturday nights at the course. I came home and watered my baby trees and cleaned the shower house while Mike played yesterday and then went back up for dinner and one too many gin & tonics... Like everywhere, it is super hot here. I am sitting at my computer with a wet towel around my neck and a box fan blowing on me. Thankfully it cools down here at night. The photo is the view from our camping spot....that is our golf cart and Mike on the 18th green. Below is our friend Mike Hyatt, his shirt matched his orange andlime green golf cart.

Ladies Golf Night at the South Fork Course

Deb, Cis, Sue and Niki on the 4th tee box. We played "Bingo, Bango, Bongo" and had Dreamcycle (sp?) drinks when we were done. What a fun way to spend an evening, laughing, golfing and enjoying our beautiful scenery here in Eastern Oregon! There were seven of us tonight.

Yeah, I have something to blog about!

We floated the North Fork of the John Day River today... Lyndee, Zak, Mike and I and Zink, Zoe and Zander ran and swam along with us. The weather was probably low 90's, perfect! We caught a few bass, but mainly lots of relaxation and a chance to meet Zak.
We stopped at Kimberly Orchards and saw KC, Zink and Zander's dad. The dad to all three of Zoe's litters. He is so sweet and always remembers us. They have the biggest, darkest male from the last litter, "Max" wish he would have been there to meet, haven't seen him since he was 12 weeks old, now he and "Zander" are 11 months. I think we all had a great day, Lyndee and Zak are camping out along the river tonight :) Be safe my sweetie..........

Moon Rise Last Night

Cross Country Horse Race

We watched the start of the annual 5 mile cross country horse race this year and I think I was as nervous as the riders! They start at two minute intervals and as the waiting horses/riders circle in the field awaiting their turn I could feel their energy and excitement. There were seven entrees this year and I believe only five finished. It is a rough and rocky ride and they run full speed ahead and cross the John Day River en route. I understand one horse shattered its leg and had to be put down. That part is always hush hush with the promoters. I didn't mention it in my reporting to the local paper. I felt like my name would be "mud" (or worse) if I had. This photo is of Pat Horlacher of Corvallis, Oregon. He has won the race two previous times but finished fourth this year. He sure looked like a winner as he took off. The winner was Debbie Kobb from here in Dayville and she ran the course in only 12:18. Fearless, tough, crazy... lots of words for those few who choose to run this one of a kind race.

Cherries are Ripe, Right on Schedule...

We have three cherry trees, a Bing, a Ranier and a Sour Cherry... they are always ripe right around the 4th of July. The staircase to our deck leads you right through them so you can graze as you go up the stairs. Unfortunately it is a race between the birds and our guests as to who gets them first. They are messy and sticky on the staircase. The good and the bad always seem to go hand in hand :)

My Kids Smilin' in Costa Rica!

Pride of Ownership

I just can't capture the whole RV Park or the peacefulness of it in a photo.

I have a group of five Airstream RV'ers, three motorcyle tent campers, a couple in the Inn pulling a raft behind their SUV- en route to a river float in Idaho, an elderly group of three loving the upper deck of the Inn and the ripe cherry trees, a single gal here for the Cattleman's Convention, and a few other RV'ers that just happened upon us. Over and over again tonight I heard "what a lovely place you have here"... Mike mimics that statement sometimes, but we both know it is the thing that feeds us and keeps us working hard to make this little oasis the special place it is! It has been a very long hard week trying to keep it going by myself, but I retire tonight patting myself on the back with a "job well done!"

Zoe, Zander and Zink.... We went to our "Hidden Hole" today. These have got to be some of the luckiest dogs to live and play here :)

Mom... Zoe - 5 1/2



Zander 10 mos.











Zink -2 1/2
Zink dives down and picks up huge rocks off the river bottom and brings them to shore and then goes back in for more. Oh these dogs are such a delight and good company in the absence of Mike and kids.... It was a much needed escape for me from this busy inn... just an hour of sun and water can rejuvenate me.

This is the basket I recently finished and donated to the Hospice Auction

Last fall I made the frame out of our grapevines, added the antler and couldn't find any good willow or birch to weave so I let it sit unfinished, all winter. I finally completed it Saturday, June 1st while I sat in the yard tending to the Saturday Market, and after a request for a donation to the John Day Hospice. I decided to take a photo so I could remember it. What I like about it is the weight and balance it has when picked up by the antler. There is such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when ya hold up that finished project. I suppose it is like that for most creative accomplishments... like Aunt Bea and her handmade quilts, and the saddle maker down the street... how dare I put myself in their artistic company!

I Pray When I Putt - I Wonder if Anyone Noticed.?

I am sitting here relishing in the fact that Mike and I won a two -day couples' golf tournament.... It was a "Chapman" format... we both hit off the tee, then hit each other's ball, and then played alternate shot into the hole with the better ball... anyway we shot 69 both yesterday and today and ended up winning by one stroke. The couple that we always go head to head against, shot a 64, 75 .... I played with confidence and surpized myself a few times! (long, staight dirives are SO fun) Mike and I "pulled our cart in the same direction" all weekend... from running the inn to a team on the golf course... my mommy would be proud.... anyway, about my blog title... I was re-thinking some of those four-foot testy putts I had to make today and realized that I actually close my eyes and selfishly ask God to give me wisdom as I line up my putts... everyone has their own brand of pre-shot routine... mine is a quick "help" in prayer!! And, ahh now that it is over, it is a feeling of thankfulness! How lucky am I !?!

Six, Six, Six

Get Right

(with God)

or

Get Left

(Behind)

Simple Pleasure

Hanging out my sheets for the Inn is one of my favorite things and folding them in the evening is such a pleasure. Everyone who has ever attempted to help me will tell you I am very picky about how I fold them. Every sheet turns out the same size once its folded... a twin or a queen, a flat or a fitted.

It is 80' today and a nice breeze and a neighbor just came and paid to use our big commercial dryer. That's almost criminal, not to mention wasteful, in my opinion. Thanks Grams for passing on your love of line dryed laundry.

And Then There Was Light.... Sunlight !

After whining about the non-stop rain I had to at least post a thank you for the blue skies yesterday.... and again this morning. Waking up to sunshine is simply wonderful - and appreciated.

I am so, so, so, so sick of rain!

.....Need I say more ?!?!