Lisa's LissLife: 2009

Saturday, July 4, 2009

A Few of My Favorite Things

Once my brother did a sermon on the 4th of July about the things he loves about America. that got me to thinking about what I would put on my list. I thought I would list some of my thoughts, and you can help by adding some of your own things by commenting. To Timothy I say sorry for the flagrant idea theft.

Things I Love About the USA! ( In no particular order!)

Mighty Mississippi River
King Cotton
Krystal Hamburgers
Pulled Pork Barbecue sandwiches
Broadway
Thin Man Movies
John Adams
Abigail Adams
Bill of Rights
NCAA Basketball March Madness
St. Clare Church (Portland Oregon)
Mt. Hood
Jonathan Apples
Michigan Blueberries
Fireworks on the 4th
John Phillip Sousa's marching music
That Barrack Obama was elected
Outdoor School in Oregon
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Rogers and Hammerstein Musicals

I could go on and on. It may seem like I am more interested in eating than any thing else, but many of us are blessed to have enough to eat in this country. We even feed students free breakfasts and lunches, and a free public education is provided for all. I know fireworks originated in China, but I enjoy watching them . The fact that St. Clare is one of my favorite things speaks for the freedom of religion we enjoy in this country. With all the freedom we enjoy in this country we have many problems to iron out, but let's just take this day to reflect on all our many blessings!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Bubba Sleeps It Off

Bubba Liss Pie absolutley hates rain! The poor feline lives in the wrong place for that. Every winter he gets SAD, ( Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder)he refuses to go out. He sits and looks out the windows, and mutters. Yes, he can mutter! He occasionally will mutter things to the birds outside, and he mutters a "God Bless You!" to us when we sneeze. But , I digress.

Anyway, the Bubster adores hot weather. The hotter the better! The dog days of summer should be renamed the cat days of summer! When the weather reaches the nineties, which it rarely does, Bubba is in cat heaven! He goes outside, and refuses to come in even for water. He lounges around and sunbathes!

It's tricky to get him in at night, but necessary. I realize that some people leave their cats out all night, but we have coyotes that come out at night. They would make short work of Bubba.

It has been harder and harder to get him in at night. We usually shake our keys, and he comes running, as he does when he hears up get out of our car. He is so obedient that he will come in, but then he finds us a drag, and wants to go back out. He whines, and cries, and goes to stand by the door, and when that fails he runs all around the house at full speed. I find that kind of diverting, but the crying gets to me. So , last night I let him go back out as it wasn't dark yet. I told him , very sternly, to return at nightfall.

Well, midnight... no Bubba. One o'clock .... no Bubba. I got no sleep, I kept getting up and checking for Bubba. I think I disturbed Jim's sleep by doing this. Then... at three o'clock I decided I wouldn't get up again until the paper came. I actually fell asleep, but was awakened when the paper hit the door. I went and looked for Bubba and he was AWOL still!

I can't tell you how distressed I was! There has been a local cat that has gone missing, and they keep posting pictures of it! PACOG got up to get the paper at six, and there was the Bubster. We were so relieved, but still he is grounded let me tell you!

After keeping us up all night he spent the day napping. Jim speculates that he might have been at a Kitty Rave last night, and is sleeping it off! I think it was a Kitty Kegger. ( That's got a ring to it, doesn't it?)

Well, Jim and I are tired, but Bubba is now well rested.Check out the pics following!

Bubba Sleeps It Off

Bubba at ten am. Bubba at half past eleven. He has moved !

Bubba at 1PM. He's made it all around back to his original position.

Bubba Sleeps It Off

Bubba under the bed after ministered to.

Here is Bubba at 2:00 PM, when we came back from running errands. You might notice the bed is unmade. When I first got married I would come home from work to find the bed unmade. This would perturb me as we had a rule, which I instigated, that the last one out of the bed would make it. Jim explained that the bed was unmade, because Bubba had just gotten up. He hadn't had time to make it. (Actually, according to the rules, I guess that Bubba should have made it!)Anyway, three years later and I am reluctant to disturb the Bubster when he is sleeping. He looks so darn comfortable!You notice that he has made his way around to his original position. Now here is his picture at 3:00 PM, the flash woke him up. He cracked off some big yawns , which I couldn't capture.Since he was awakened he decided to get up and get a snack, and a cuddle with his dad. His dad found a sore place on his coat, and we ministered to him and put an antibiotic salve on there. The next pic is Bub at 3:20.....under the bed.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Stairway Garden

One of the reasons we love living in cool, rainy Oregon is the summer. Everyone comes out of their homes, looking a little pale, and takes advantage of the mild, sunny weather to enjoy the pleasure the mountains, lakes, and forests afford.

One other pleasure most Oregonians enjoy is gardening. Just because Jim and I live on the third floor of a three story condo unit there is no reason we shouldn't enjoy our God given right, as transplanted Oregonians, to plant!

Stairway Garden

Jim took a fancy to the hanging tomato planters. Take a look way up, up! he cleverly attached a swinging hinge where he can push it out to soak up more sunlight, and swing it in to water.

Stairway Garden

We have a private stairway with four landings. We have our vegetable containers planted amongst our flowers on the landings.

Stairway Garden

I am very proud of my hydrangea. I have never been able to grow one before. This Lime Rickey does well all year.

Stairway Garden

We are growing cukes, and basil, I talian Parsley, and chives.

We really love our lettuces! We can just go out and pick some when we want some, and not have any go to waste in our fridge.

Stairway Garden

I am most excited of my summer squash! PACOG grew it for me. I have never been able to grow it in containers. It would flower, but never make. Apparently, the trick is fertilizing . Look at these pretty squashies!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Happy Anniversary

Today I had a nice,nice surprise! There was a floral delivery for me! Our 3rd anniversary is the 17th. My first thought was... Jim is awesome! He picked out my favorite flowers: hydrangeas, calla lilies, and peonies. I carried calla lilies at my wedding. My second thought was... why did Jim spend so much money? That's not necessary!Well, the lovely bouquet was from our money managers. My next thought was... maybe we pay them too much!

Monday, June 8, 2009

A Charming Home and Garden in Portland, Or.

Marie is a wonderful hostess and sets a wonderful table. Good friends enjoyed sharing the evening in wonderful surroundings.

A Quaint Portland Home and Garden

My friend, Marie was a stewardess on an airline for several years. Her husband was a pilot. When they went on vacation they would buy one thing for the house, and one for her table.

She has beautiful furnishings! This is a brass camel with a double mirror coffee table. It is so unusual!

She sets a beautiful table! A good time was had by all!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Saturday in Lake Oswego

Foothills Park has rolling lawns, and paths.

You can stroll, barbecue, chase a frisbee, sunbathe, or enjoy the view. The Willamette River, with interesting sculpture, standing like sentinels.

Saturday in Lake Oswego

This is the Willamette River. On one shore is the park and across is Milwaukie, Oregon, a suburb. The homes are right on the river. Lovely!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Saturday in Lake Oswego

So today we went downtown. Notice the beauty of Mt. Hood gazing serenely down over the hustle and bustle , and traffic of downtown Lake Oswego. Check out the charging station. If you are driving an electric vehicle you can plug in and charge up.

Sculptures in Downtown Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego is so beautiful that it is almost an embarrassment of riches to have wonderful, thought provoking, sculptures scattered all over the city. We shopped at the Farmer's Market today for some organic veggies, and treated ourselves to a walking tour of downtown where I shot many of the sculptures. Below are some of my favorites. I took many, many more, which I might share later. Here is some of the art from downtown. The first one is a fountain at the Farmer's Market. I took so many pics that you will have to push older posts when you come to the end to see them. Do it as those are some of the best.