Author: Marlys Lawry Page 8 of 53

What if you could count to 100?

Not too long ago, I ‘endured’ the tiniest little bump in the road, something not even worth mentioning.

OK, OK … if you must know, it was an inefficiently run meeting.

 

Photo by Knut Troim on Unsplash

Road trips, pumpkin patches, and a background check

Much-needed rain is falling softly from the skies that hang low and gray. I’m sitting cross-legged in an over-stuffed chair near the fire and hugging a mug of Chai latte.

We’ve been gone from this oh-so-comfortable home these past two weeks. A road trip through Idaho to Utah, and then over Oregon’s Cascade Range to the Land of Grandkids.

 

All photos: Marlys

Are you a bricklayer or bridge builder?

Our dry creek was begging for a bridge. So Dan and I built a whimsical little structure out of scrap lumber, attaching the cross pieces at uneven angles. Just for the fun of it.

 

The dry creek is officially bridged (photos: Marlys)

What if you could reach for the impossible?

My friend, Sandy, with her gift for storytelling, is currently working on a documentary about my friend, Charity, titled “Reach for the Stars.”

Goosebumps are the first sign I’ve found a story I want to tell.

– Sandy Cummings

 

Photo by Sandy Cummings

How long is your growing season?

“Bend’s growing season begins June 30 and ends July 1,” the old farmer said with a twinkle in his eye, referring to our hometown. We were purchasing fruit at his Eastern Oregon orchard, and we laughed because it was close to the truth.

 

Life’s trials … or how to keep your balance on a motorcycle

We attended a full day of observed motorcycle trials this past Saturday. Dan rode his vintage Bultaco and was the best rider out there, if you want my unbiased opinion.

The only thing is, he wouldn’t let me bring my pom-poms.

 

Best rider, in my humble opinion (all photos: Marlys)

What if you could be a seed-starter?

Back in elementary school, I tried growing an avocado tree from a pit balanced on the rim of a water glass with the help of toothpicks. Not sure what happened to that seed, but there was never an avocado tree in our backyard.

It was Maddie, our 12-year-old granddaughter, who inspired me to try this fun nature experiment once again.

 

Photo: Marlys

Good friendships are like eating breakfast

Longtime friends of Dan’s own a historic cabin on the Metolius River in Camp Sherman. It comes with an invitation for Dan to use it any time.

A few Saturdays ago, we helped these friends with a couple projects: an outdoor covered porch and an indoor rod-and-curtain-hanging endeavor. (And when I say we helped, I mean mostly it was Dan while I cheered him on.)

 

How to manage significant goals

Our almost 19-year-old grandson, Titus, and his girlfriend, Jane, spent the weekend with us. They had a goal of climbing South Sister, which is the third tallest mountain in Oregon—right behind Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson.

 

Jane and Titus on the top of South Sister looking north toward Middle and North Sister

What do you want your home to be?

There are a dozen items that still need to be completed — touch-up paint, a step from the mudroom down into the garage, a gas line to the outdoor fire pit.

But we’ve moved into our refurbished home and all boxes have officially been unpacked (although we may or may not have stuffed things into the closets and pantry so it appears we’re settled in).

 

My grandmother’s treadle sewing machine and Dan’s rocker, a gift from a brother-in-law

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