Pretty Evening Storm ....

Last night was neat. After driving down to Gordy's to get chicken-fried steaks for the Grandma's, we sat on the porch and watched the first thunderstorm of the season roll in. There was an amazing rainbow, and the clouds were very beautiful:

The Back Road Home .....

On the way home from town today, I stopped to take a few pictures of the cows and the mountain peaks. Below is Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters; below that is Paulina Peak. Below that are the cows.

Hi Everybody,

Just thought I would take a moment to say hello, and kind of summarize what we've been up to.

Last weekend we went to the valley to "do the cemeteries". I felt the roots of family love all around me, from my family who were all there to those in the graves we were putting flowers on. Many of my ancestors came by covered wagon over the Oregon Trail to settle in the Drain/Yoncalla area. I am working to pull as much information as possible together all in one spot under my Genealogy/Pioneer Research page. My Cousin Amy and I are working on a project to compile everything into notebooks for family members on my Mom's side of the family, so that information can be added easily. Our goal is to have them ready by our annual Thanksgiving gathering.

I have created two new websites recently and they are found on the sidebar: Kathy's Picks: Beautiful and Delightful Homes and Gardens, and Central Oregon. We have been traveling frequently to the valley recently and there are many new pictures under the McKenzie River Valley and My Photography. The recent blog posts have been expanded in those sections.

I have one more website I want to begin, and that is on my friends. Some have been lifelong, some are still in touch, some are not, and some have reappeared recently. Everybody is important and has a place in my heart ... and I have lots of pictures and memories that I want to put all in one place, just like I did for my church family and my daycare.

Cary and I will undoubtedly be going on drives around home and I'll be adding to the Central Oregon website. One nice thing about living here is that there are rivers, lakes and campgrounds from 5 minutes to 30 minutes away. We are very lucky to have access to so much beauty and recreational opportunities.

On the home front, we had our house painted and have begun working on the yard. Work is slow, due to the economy and the banks not lending any money, so we will have more free time this summer than we usually do.

I really appreciate all of you who read my blog, and I hope that you find something pretty or useful that makes it worth your while.

Love,

Kathy

McKay Crossing Campground:

On the way home form Paulina Lake Lodge, we stopped at McKay Crossing Campground. It is so pretty there, with waterfalls and large campsites. For more information on McKay Crossing, please check out the Central Oregon link on the sidebar.

McKay Crossing Campground, La Pine OR ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 

McKay Crossing Campground, La Pine OR ~Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

McKay Crossing Campground, La Pine OR ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 McKay Crossing Campground, La Pine OR ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 McKay Crossing Campground, La Pine OR ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 McKay Crossing Campground, La Pine OR ~ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Paulina Lake Lodge:

Yesterday afternoon, we took a drive up to Paulina Lake Lodge, our first time this year. We had a nice visit with Todd, Karen, John, Leah, Kenny and Becki. It was really neat to see the completion of the new deck and expanded dining area. Yeah, Todd and Karen, way to go!












For more information on Paulina Lake Lodge, please go to the Central Oregon link on the sidebar.

Happy Birthday, Casey M.!:

We are so proud of you, nephew.

Love ya,

Uncle Cary and Aunt Kathy

Grandma Johnson:

Our Grandma Johnson died in 2003, and I miss her so much. She was a wonderful person, always there for you and always making time for you. We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's house a lot when we were little. I learned about sewing, canning, how to make bisquits without using a measuring cup, pressure cookers, home decorating, fishing, camping ... you name it, she knew how.

Born in Oklahoma to Samuel and Beulah Ford Summers, on May 30, 1918, Grandma grew up poor. There were times when her family lived in a covered wagon (I guess it would be like living in a camper to us), traveling around and cutting wood for people. She left home young, becoming a nanny to others. Grandma met my Grandpa when she was 15 and he was 22. They were married and lived in rural Summer, Arkansas, living with Grandpa's mother. My Dad, Ralph was born when she was nearly 17 in that home.

When she was 11, she aquired a sewing machine and taught herself how to sew. Grandma was an excellent seamstress and designer. She made my prom dress and wedding dress ... along with quilts and everything in between. She had a lot of patience, and encouraged me with my projects.

Grandma Johnson was a natural born teacher. She graduated from 8th grade, but didn't go to school after that. I always thought that she should have been a school teacher, or an architect, (she was always drawing house plans and was great at math). Grandma's house was the place to go for the weekend when a grandkid was ready to be potty trained. There was a little doll who peed and a potty chair ... and it only took a couple of days before we had it down pat!

Boy, could she cook! Grandpa got a good breakfast of bacon, eggs, bisquits and gravy everyday, and a good, hearty lunch to take to work at the mill. We had frequent Sunday dinners that she put together effortlessly, it seemed, of ham, mashed potatoes and her special green beans.

Grandma, you were such a blessing to all of us, and we miss you very much.

Love,

Kathy

A Fresh Coat of Paint!

When we were gone this weekend, Rusty and John finished up painting our house. Yeah! This is even better than getting new tires on the car, let me tell you. Now we are working on the front yard, and eventually will figure out what to do with the back.


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