Qué es esto?

Spotted this downtown in front of Arts & Antiques. I called later to find out where it had come from or how it was used, but the lady working at the time did not have any information about this interesting piece. She said she would try to find out if I wanted to check back.

Boys and their toys

This fellow was all over the Willamette River on his jetski, between Riverfront Park on the East and Wallace Marine Park on the West. He looked a little reckless to me but I guess he was pretty good steering clear of others also enjoying a day on the water. And I'm sure there are lots of ladies who like this sport as well!

Another backyard visitor

First time I've seen a buck in our yard, though the last couple mornings we've had a doe with twins. He may have had something to do with that.

A Touch of New Orleans

I saw Samantha Brown touring New Orleans on the travel channel and thought I recognized a building, at least the style of it. This is Jonathan's Oyster Bar, downtown on Liberty and State Sts. I took this photo a while back before they changed the name, but thought I'd post it anyway because I love the red geraniums hanging amid the white wrought iron and there weren't any the last time I was by.

Picnic in the Park

Family, a beautiful afternoon, nothing like a picnic in the park. Caught this shot at Riverfront Park. The only reason this is so green is because it is watered. Most lawns and around our house are crispy, dried brown.

Bite of Salem

This weekend through Sunday is the Bite of Salem in Riverfront Park downtown. Various local restaurants are serving up their dishes. And there is live music, beer and wine gardens, and carnival rides for the kids. I loved the lady's flower dress in front of the Hawaiian Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies booth.

I had a Chicken Caesar Wrap from the Sassy Onion (review by EatSalem). I scored it an 8/10 (needed a little more Caesar and fresh grated Parmesan). DH had a burrito from Jr's Taqueria (review by EatSalem) and rated it a 7/10.

Admission is free though they ask for a $3 donation. Proceeds from the Bite benefit Salem's youth, including the Boys and Girls Club, many youth oriented events, and numerous community, musical, and athletic programs.

Above and beyond the call

Since we had an electrician schedule for Friday to install a ceiling fan above our dining table, I thought we should probably go buy one. While at Lowe's I was looking for the required bulbs for the fan light but the shelf was bare except way at the back, like 6' back, on the 3rd shelf up. A young fellow came around the corner wearing a 'Lowe's' vest so I asked if he could help us. Well he cleared off a bunch of other bulbs, then climbed up and crawled on his stomach back the wire rack and got the box of 60W that I needed.

When he got down, he rubbed his chest and said he had his dog tags under his shirt and he must have laid on them as he was crawling.

So let me introduce Greg. He is in the Oregon Army National Guard, 162nd Combat Engineers. They are headed out this weekend to fight forest fires in northern CA. And they leave in January for Iraq. He said he volunteered.

Most Americans, no matter their opinions or feelings about this war, support our troups. I told you I would pray for you, Greg, and I will. For your safety, to return home intact. Thank you for choosing to serve. Thank you for fighting the forest fires. And thank you for the light bulbs!!