An Update

Jill has been in the hospital for several days. She will likely remain there for a few days to a week more.

The prognosis is encouraging: her tests have gone well, and she is responding well to her medication.

Posted by her son.

A Stroll thru the park

Taken at the mirror pond north of the downtown Civic Center.

Left Behind

Someone is missing his shirt.

Yum

Local strawberries are late this year due to our cool spring but they finally starting to ripen. This variety--Bentons--are a favorite. This is one of my favorite fruit stands, Olson Farms, just off Highway 22 east at the Joseph St. exit. They hope to have enough ripe in the fields today for U-Pick, $1/pound.

Court St. Footbridge

Thanks to a reader, Stephanie, for mentioning this bridge after seeing a previous post. I have driven past this area just one block over thousands of times and didn't know about it. This footbridge spans Mill Creek where the creek splits Court St. leaving it dead-ended on either side to motor traffic.

Peony Farm

A beautiful sunny day at the Adelman Peony Farm on Brooklake Road NE with eight acres of scrumptious colors, and Mt. Hood in the background.

Flag Day and Father's Day

June 14 is designated Flag Day in the U.S., to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. June 15 is the U.S. celebration of Father's Day (traditionally the 3rd Sunday of June). With this photo I honor both. This is the pall flag presented to the family by the military chaplain at my father's burial, after a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps by a veteran bugler. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. He received his discharge shortly after VJ Day and thankfully returned home to live a long life. (The flag is held by my oldest brother and shows my youngest brother's reflection on the metal plate.)

June is Rose Month

This is a great time to visit the Rose Garden in Bush Pasture Park. The display of vintage roses right now is exquisite. The one thing I wish I could capture and post is the incredible fragrance that fills the air. The garden includes Mrs. A.R. Tartar's donated collection of old roses that survived the journey over the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s.

Beginnings

Located where Mill Creek flows under Broadway NE. The brick building mentioned is across the street and is more recognized as Boon's Treasury (a tavern, now McMenamins) named for John D. Boon who served as Oregon Territorial Treasurer and as Oregon's first State Treasurer.

Here is a photo of the house referred to as the first built in Salem, before it was moved to the Mission Mill Museum.

Footbridge

I found this nice little footbridge that crosses Mill Creek at the end of 1-block-long Knapp St. and connects to Church St. between D and Union. Both the bridge and Knapp St. are pretty well hidden when the trees are in full foliage.

No Eiffel

This utilitarian-design fire tower stands in a parking lot on the state grounds at State St. and Airport Rd. of the Dept. of Forestry buildings. I was not able to find anyone that knew why it is here. One person suggested it was moved here from it's original location when replaced or no longer needed; another that it had been used as a fire lookout when this area was on the outskirts of town. It is being used as a communications tower, holding several satellite dishes and radio antennae. Anyone know?

Lost and Found

Sheep, Dogs and Kids

The Oregon Dog Trials featuring sheep dogs was one of the fun activities at the Marion County Lamb and Wool Festival in Turner over the weekend.

The friendly dogs, primarily Border Collies, seem to really love the 'work' and they are a joy to watch.

In a private garden

Leaning Tree

This huge oak tree is on the grounds of the Mission Mill Museum.

Among the Towering Trees

Just off a busy street in a private garden. Who could resist this invitation to relax a few moments in the shade of Douglas fir.

Field of Camas

Camas grows wild around the Pacific NW and blooms in early spring. Finding a field in full bloom is a delightful sight. It's edible bulbs were a source of food for local Native Americans and are purported to have contributed to the survival of members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800's.

These were found behind the Dept. of Forestry building on State St.

Veterans

At any gathering honoring their comrades, local veterans can always be depended upon to show up, especially Vietnam vets on their 'hogs'. The occasion this day was to honor the fallen at the Afghan-Iraq Memorial.

Painting Blooms

One more pic before we leave the Iris Gardens behind as Rose month is upon us. The artist is Peggie Mojé.

CDP Theme Day -- Local Shop

This is my favorite 'corner' store. Run by the Zielinski family, the store offers Oregon-grown fruit, vegetables, nuts, berries and vegetables in season, and regional gourmet items. They are open year-round and always have the freshest vegetables available.

Starting late May and continuing throughout the growing season, the Shortcake and Espresso Stand opens with strawberry shortcakes and Tillamook ice cream. Marionberries, raspberries, blueberries and peaches are added as they come in season.

And they make fresh donuts throughout the day. I especially like the strawberry flavored and in the fall, cider!

E.Z. Orchards