Icewind's Ramblings

The weather here in Oregon is getting better and summer solstice was yesterday. It doesn’t seem to have the same importance here as Alaska where everything is in full light mode right now.  There were a couple of mentions and the declaration that summer is here but that was about it.  No parties that I saw or happenings around town. It was sunny and 75 degrees today and it is slightly noticeable the days are longer when sunset is about 9 pm.  The trees and flowers are in bloom so it is green and colorful around town.  As I have explored different areas it varies quite a bit. There are many nurseries, tree farms about and many vineyards not far away with many different varieties of wine being made locally.  Wine tastings are held in many places to the west and southwest of Portland. Missing my fishing after surviving another cold dark winter in Alaska but at least I was able to go with my buddy Russ in Campbell River on my trip south.  There are man...

The weather here over the last couple of days has been interesting to say the least.  It has many similarities to Alaska weather in the summer.  Mornings can be chilly requiring a sweatshirt and quickly changing to sunny, warm making one shed the layer of clothes put on.  It has been for a few days with a cold front coming through that it has been constantly changing multiple times a day.  Chilly, cloudy, misty rain, clearing for a hour or so then mid to heavy rain.  There have been a couple of thunderstorms with lightening, thunder, and hail. Working in it has been a mixture of setting up the saws and other construction items to work for a bit then covering up everything with tarps, sitting it out for thirty minutes or so then uncover and continue working.  Some small showers you have a tendency to just work through until you are soaked then you debate whether or not to put on a rain jacket or be wet.  After the fourth or fifth time shedding clot...

Many years ago when I lived in Atlanta I was involved with Habitat for Humanity as the Atlanta Chapter plumbing lead.  I originally got involved because they were going to do the first ever “Blitz Build” of 21 homes in one week.  I was more curious than anything at first to see how they would pull off such an unheard of feat completing 21 homes in a week starting from scratch.  Short version of the story is we accomplished this feat with the efforts of many people, tradesmen, volunteers, and the proposed home owners who did “sweat equity” as part of their qualifications to receive the home.  I did other projects for Habitat over several years both in Georgia and Utah before heading to Alaska.  Alaska had a program but I was so busy I did not remain involved during my time in Alaska but they did build much needed homes there. I give you that background to start this story of my latest project.  During my stay here in Portland I have started contracting ...

I finished another project this week building a sun room for a couple across town in Milwaukee.  They are retired with the husband, Rich being ex-military and we were stationed in the same place though different years.  Great guy, a little battle worn over the years but it was nice spending a few days around him and his wife Angie.  She is a great gardener with a three tier back yard with flowers and gardens on all levels.  It was nice listening to her describe all that she has done and what stage various plants or vegetables were in their growing season. They hired me to build a 12’ x 16’ sun room on a slab recently poured for it.  Rich wants to make it into an outside kitchen for his two grills, one pellet & one charcoal, a smoker, and a refrigerator along with seating area. They also want to replace their deck once they return from a camping trip which they are leaving next week so I will probably get more work shortly to do the deck. This sun ro...

Life Observation # 162 . . .   One of the hardest things in life, letting go of what you thought was real. Ice

For most people Memorial Day is about the first camp out of the season, cranking up the grill or the first get together with friends for the start of summer.  For me it is those things and a day of reflection of the sacrifice that friends of mine has made, brothers whom I have never met but in the fraternity of having served in the military.  Memorial Day weekend starts out with many flags put on graves at many cemeteries, front yards across the country, and readying for many private and public events across this nation.  There are many big events planned during the weekend such as the 100 th running of the Indy 500 where there is much attention paid to what this time means and why it is celebrated and remembered. This Memorial Day was a little different from the last few I have observed in Alaska with a new twist being in Oregon this year.  It was busy but also a laid back weekend with various things going on.  Monday brought a cloudless day with brig...

Yesterday afternoon I was invited over to friend’s house here in Gresham Oregon for some wine, cheese, fruit, and dinner.  It was a nice sunny Saturday afternoon so driving over with the top down, sun on my face it was a beautiful day. I arrived around 4:30 pm and we opened a bottle of wine from our recent wine tasting at Dobbes Family Estate several weeks ago in Dundee.  We started with a nice Chardonnay and then opened a vibrant 2014 Patricia’s Cuvee Pinot Noir named after the wine makers wife.  It was nice at the tasting and even better in a home setting with friends. The cheese tray and fruit tray were out and everyone started to dig in and enjoy the fellowship spending time together.  Colin and Donna-Lee invited me over along with Donna’s half-sister Cheryl for an evening of games, food, and starting the holiday weekend off nicely.  We were going to cook but decided to wait awhile while we worked on the snack trays enjoying the co...

It’s been a long time since I built my first deck when I was living in Atlanta so many years ago.  There have been others over the years but I haven’t worked on one for a long time now.  I guess it is like riding a bicycle; it just comes back to you.  Memory muscle must come into play as you start laying out the design; adjust things as wish list items get added and putting in a few upgrades to set it off.  As you can see my “Where’s the Flamingo International Tour, 2016” has taken a side track for the time being.  Placido Flamingo and I have enjoyed our time with friends here in Portland (Gresham) Oregon and have decided to stay a bit longer before continuing our journey.  Building this deck for my friends Jan and Nate have given me some time to think (about 120 man-hours), sort through some things and enjoy working with my hands once again.   It has been an extremely satisfying experience.   I enjoy working with wood and other produ...

Being on the road, stopping to see friends along the way and lately putting in hard work building something with my own hands has given time once again for reflection, the seeking of my Zen place state of mind and looking at the last several years of my life and what the future may bring. One of my favorite books over the years has been   “Illusions – The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah”   by Richard Bach.    I have read and re-read it over 39 years now and it remains a sort of ‘Life Bible’ for me over the years.  Going back to different chapters in my life and re-thinking the different circumstances, actions, and outcomes to see where I can gain insight, clarity, and sometimes peace of mind. It is a simple book and an easy read with many “gems” on how one should live life and treat other people.    Bach is an aviator mainly writing flying stories over the years with life lessons his common theme.    One of his early well kno...