"Blessed is the nation..."

(Depoe Bay, OR)

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.  The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; from His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works." (Psalm 33:12-15)

Please pray for the leaders of our nations.  Pray that we would turn back to God.

Where's the Spark?

The desktop image is not mine. I just thought it made an interesting image.  Yolanda at Giving it a Shot has admitted to a lack of creative energy lately.  I have to confess that I think I'm going through the same thing.  I guess during these times we have to just hang in there and know that it will come back in due time.

Southern Oregon Covered Bridge

(Grave Creek Covered Bridge - Josephine County, OR)

Windows of Hope

I'm thankful for windows. Without windows life would be restricted and confined. It's hard to imagine life without windows. They have a way of giving us hope. But there is only One who can truly give us hope and it's everlasting hope.

Old Assembly Line

A few weeks ago I spotted these cars as I was leaving the parking lot of one of my customers. I've never noticed them before. The fact that they all look similar caught my attention.

They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore

Last Friday afternoon I noticed this T-Bird as I approached the Cruise In Country Diner.  The new owners opened about a year ago after a re-modeled with a classic 50's & 60's theme. 

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Patiently Waiting

I went to the University of Portland yesterday afternoon. While I was rolling out of the parking lot I noticed this dainty motorcycle parked by itself waiting patiently for its owner. This scene put an emphasis on the fact that school is out and the campus is pretty quiet. It seems like time slows down when things are less hectic.

Oregon Sunset

(Rockaway Beach, OR)

Don't Worry Le Happy

Once a week I pass near this Northwest Portland restaurant.  We haven't eaten here yet but yesterday afternoon I finally stopped to take a photo of the unusual name and building.  Sometimes these small and discrete restaurants are the best finds.  According to the reviews, the food is very good.  If you so desire, you can check it out here.

Where's That Clam?

Another image of the clam diggers on the coast.  All under the watchful eye of a seagull.

Mother & Daughter

(Our oldest daughter & our granddaughter)

Happy Mother's Day!

Amazing Design

When I see things like this I know there's a Designer. It's too complicated to happen by accident.

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First Date Flashback

I had one of these when my wife and I were dating and first married.  Mine wasn't rusty and it was a convertible.  The first time she got in it on our first date she asked if it was a Karmann Ghia.  That wasn't a cool thing to ask a Porsche owner, but I forgave her. We still laugh about that car mix up.

While riding home on my motorcycle yesterday afternoon I stopped by the road to take some photos of this landmark.  The car marks the entrance to the property of a guy and his son who restore old Porches. There isn't a sign for the business so the car looks out of place near the road. Too bad it has to rust away.

Windshield Art

Yesterday afternoon I hesitated before getting out of my car in a parking lot during a combination of heavy rain and hail. Then the thought came to me that maybe I could catch an interesting shot of the hail bouncing off of the hood. By the time I got the camera ready the hail stopped but I took a picture anyway. The cold rain-hail combination made an unusual coating on the windshield which gave the lines on the truck and building a twisted look. I think there might be a filter in Photoshop that also does this.

Mud Puddle Reflection

I wonder if carrying a camera makes us more aware of our surroundings.  Some would look at this and only see a mud puddle while others would see the reflection. Puddles can evoke various reactions from people. Kids might ride their bike through it while adults would probably avoid it.  To some they're a natural playground and to others they're a nuisance.  One thing I do know, this time of year I get a little tired of their main ingredient... rain.

Coastal Flora & Woolly Things

After a little morning sprinkle.  Discovered while on a walk with our granddaughter.

And this little guy was crossing the road. 

 

It was a challenge to lie down in the road to get a close shot while holding off our 140 lb curious dog, Zoey.

Clamming on the Oregon Coast

We went to the coast for the weekend. On the way into town Saturday morning I stopped by the pier to take some photos and found some people clamming.

 

Low tide makes sandbars in the bay.

Here's a guy with his limit of Cockle Shells.  A little flour and egg and they'll have fried clams for lunch!

A Day at the Office for Tillamook's Finest

A typical afternoon in Tillamook, OR

Country Road

The opposite of intense traffic.

Deserted Street

(San Juan, PR)

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Smokin' Special

I just missed catching the chef put the evening special on this sidewalk smoker.  It not only increases productivity of the kitchen, it's also a "smokin'" advertising campaign.

Open Door

With every new opportunity a door is opened. It's our choice to either walk through the door or stay where we are. If we choose to walk through the door we usually don't know where the opportunity will lead. Ultimately we must either trust in ourselves or the One who opens the door.

Afternoon Still Life

Hummingbird Silhouettes

The last two evenings while eating dinner, we've noticed our hummingbird feeder outside the window doing a booming business. Saturday we saw as many as six hovering around the feeder.

We'll have to ask our neighbors if they took their feeder down, because we're getting more action lately.

Soft Morning Layers

(Lake Lytle on the North Oregon Coast)

Playing Chess on a Rainy Weekend

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Humid Afternoon

(San Juan, PR)

Portland's Benson Bubblers

Yesterday I was in the South Park Blocks area of downtown and decided to take some photos of these iconic drinking fountains known as Benson Bubblers.

There are 52 four-bowl fountains in various locations around the city.  They're made of copper but years of weathering has given them that antique patina finish.  The following is some information about their history.


"In 1912, Simon Benson, a local businessman and philanthropist, donated $10,000 to the City of Portland to purchase and install 20 bronze drinking fountains, now known as Benson Bubblers.

Local folklore tells us that Simon Benson donated the 20 bronze drinking fountains as an effort to keep loggers out of the saloons at lunchtime. Others say that Benson was inspired after seeing a little girl crying at a 4th of July parade because she couldn't find a drink of water. Either way, the Benson Bubblers have become a historical and enduring legacy here in Portland." (Courtesy of portlandonline.com)


The fountains run from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., daily. They flow 365 days a year unless we have a freeze, in which case the water bureau shuts them down.  

So if you're ever near Portland and you're thirsty you know you can always get a cold drink of water here! 

Dominoes Anyone?

(San Juan, PR)

There's no telling how long these tables and chairs have been in this Caribbean city.  It looks like they've been used quite a bit and weathered many tropical storms. 

Oregon Crab Pots

(Newport, OR)

Can You Spot the Lizard?

(El Yonque Rainforest - Puerto Rico)

Saturday Walk

Our granddaughter and I went for another walk yesterday afternoon.  Except for a multicolored mailbox we found, it turned out to be a yellow theme for the walk.

North Coast Playground

Dodging waves at low tide on the North Oregon Coast.

*****

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Little Pink Speakers

Sometimes do you wonder if spring is shouting to us?  By the way, I don't hear voices... really.

Hospital Waiting Area

Many prayers have been made from these chairs. With God, anything is possible.

Little Beach Feet

Warm sand on your feet, fresh air to breath, the sound of waves breaking on the shore, and maybe a little sand in your cuffs.  A great day at the beach!

Tunnel Reflections

The access tunnel for Multnomah Falls goes under the east bound lanes of the Columbia River Highway in the Gorge.  This couple and their reflections were heading back to the parking lot.