Rare Days in June

This has been a happy, busy summer so far. I thought I would share several of our goings on.

  First off, we have had exceptionally beautiful weather, with blue skies, cool nights and days in the 70's. The garden is blooming, with the wild roses spicing the air.

A couple of days ago however, 2 man-caused wild fires broke out 6 miles west of our city. Wildfires seem to be the only natural disasters we encounter here in Central Oregon on the High Desert.

 

 As the sun went down that evening we drove to where we could watch the fire and see the sun set in the smoke. Someone said we were in 'a beautiful mess'. That seems a good description of the last several days, as it takes the smoke and hardship to create these dramatic and beautiful conditions and photos.

These photos don't really do it justice, but they are amazing just the same. Now, the fires are contained, and the crews are just mopping up the hot spots. After some emergency evacuations and scares, things are slowly returning to normal. This is very early in the fire season for us, and we have dry, drought conditions, so the coming summer will be a challenge.

 

 Granddaughter Kory and her boyfriend Sam came for a visit. We had a great time, and enjoyed lots of good food, good visiting and good activities. Yesterday we hiked along the Deschutes River for 2.5 miles and enjoyed the beautiful day and being together.

 

You just can't beat that!

 

It seems to be piano recital season, both at Julie's in West Virginia and here in Oregon.

I held my recital at our church last Sunday afternoon. Here are a few scenes from our fun event:

 

 I had two of my students be our program distributors, and they did a fine job.

 

Here are most of the students, waiting patiently (or somewhat impatiently) for their turn to play.

 



 

A good time was had by all.....

 

And finally, we celebrated my in-laws 70th anniversary with a community-wide reception in their home-town.

 

 Wow...a marriage still going strong after 70 years. Now that's something to celebrate!

 

 Our niece Kellie and daughter Tiegan....

 

and some of the men-folk of the family.

 

 

"And what is so rare as a day in June? Then if ever come perfect days."

James Russell Lowell

 

What a nice time we have had, and what a great beginning to our summer.

The insurance man and I are off on a June vacation to the southern Oregon coast, and I will be back here in a couple of weeks. See you then.