Merry Christmas to All in 2007

Left Bob shows our poodle Harry a present from his stocking, as a sleepy, quilt-wrapped LJ looks on, with his newly opened present of U/O Duck pajama bottoms. We weren’t up quite as early for presents this year, (LJ sleeps in a little later now).
We attended Christmas Eve candlelight church services and didn’t get home until 1 a.m. Christmas morning. It was a beautiful service at Resurrection Episcopal church in Eugene, where my dearest friend Lucy sings in the choir. The church’s Brombaugh organ was made locally and has a beautiful sound, and their choir, including Lucy’s perfect pitch, is well known locally.
On the way to church, we reminisced about LJ being baptized at Resurrection at age 7, by his choice. Bob and I were so proud of him then, and we still are, which I’m sure you’ve all noticed in our blogs here.
One of LJ’s friends, Ryan, whose family was out of town today, joined us for Christmas dinner, which Bob cooked, with my only contributions being mashed sweet potatoes, dessert, and clean up duty.
Bob baked a succulent ham, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes, and served all this with French bread from a local bakery. We are grateful for our surfeit of blessings and had a truly wonderful Christmas 2007.
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2008.
Much love to you all,

Lily

Meet Lily, the newest addition to our family. She is a mixed breed, but mostly Labrador Retriever, approximately 2 years old, who found us about 10 weeks ago. After several weeks of posting “Found Dog” notices throughout our neighborhood and in town, having her scanned for a microchip ID, and calling the animal shelter and several veterinarian offices to see if such a dog had been reported missing, we decided to keep her.
We fell in love with her from the first day she showed up hungry in our driveway. Lily is very good natured, knows a few basic commands and minds fairly well. She is exuberantly enthusiastic, and especially loves to play fetch with her bell ball, running full speed across the pasture. We had her vaccinated last week and the Vet determined she is spayed. We feel bad that someone lost such a good dog. But we are glad Lily found us.
For now Lily is an outside dog, to give Harry time to adjust to this usurper in his kingdom. Harry still reigns solo inside, while he shares the outside with Lily, two cats, Rex the Rabbit, a horse and a pony.

Bob, aka Gandalf the Wizard

Every Halloween Bob’s office has a costume contest. This year his department won first prize. They all dressed up as book or movie characters. Bob went as Gandalf the Wizard from the LORD OF THE RINGS.

Bob and Lottie Walk Across the Columbia River

On October 14 Bob and I walked a 10K across the Columbia River with three other couples. The walk started in Washington state. Then we walked on the Astoria Bridge, across the Columbia River, and into the town of Astoria (pop. 10,000). We stayed the weekend just outside of town in a cabin owned by one of the couples who walked with us.
This was the first time I had visited Astoria since the 1970s. The town has always had a lot of history, lovely scenery and riverside character. Now, the mild climate (as compared to Seattle) and beautiful views attract wealthy retirees from Seattle who have infused the place with $$$ and growth. The growth has been responsible (no strip malls or Wal-Marts), so the place retains its historic, riverside charm, yet with a better maintained appearance.
(Rather than coming with us to Astoria, LJ stayed home in Springfield, attending the Springfield High School Homecoming dance; unfortunately, we received no photos from his dance.)


Visit with Nic & Christi Poe
We had such a great time getting reacquainted with Nic and Christi when they visited us in early September. We really enjoyed catching up on their education, careers and future plans. Also, Nic shared his findings about the Poe family history. He gave me contact information for Charlie Poe, who is my father's cousin. I plan to contact Charlie by email, and then in person on my next visit to NC, this coming summer of 2008. Nic also shared his web site about his hike to the top of Mt. St. Helens, see photos of this brave adventure at www.lovethenw.com. The photo here is of Christi and Nic at their home with their kitties, Drake and Dinah.

Oregon Coast & Crater Lake trip in August 2007




In late August the three of us spent a few days at Crater Lake and then headed over to the coast for a couple of days.

Oleesia on Penny

Over Labor Day, nephew Derek Poe and his 4 children came to visit. It is so enjoyable watching his two boys (both ages 13) and girls (ages 4 and 18 mos.) growing up. We’re also looking forward to an October visit with our youngest nephew Nic and and his wife Kristi.

Bob & Lottie's visit to Portland

While LJ was at the coast, Bob and I spent a few days up in Portland. We took in the Dutch Masters exhibit at the Portland Art Museum (the only West Coast appearance of this tour from Holland’s Rijkmuseum). As it happened, an international sports photograph show was on display outside our hotel room in downtown Portland at the same time. So we went from 17th century to 21st century art in only a few short blocks. The outside photos were displayed in 4’ x 4’ illuminated cubes and only viewable at night.

LJ is driving.

The summer went by so fast. As you can see--LJ is driving the Prius, he has his permit, took drivers ed this summer, and will get his license next spring. He and his friends spent lots of summer days riding bikes down to the local creek, playing in the nearby river and jumping from the rope swing. During July, LJ camped out for 5 days at Lake Shasta (southern Oregon) wih three of his friends and the dad of one of the boys. In early August, LJ stayed with friends for several days at the Oregon coast.

Late May to End of June 2007

Be Sure to Vote Online for Springfield, Oregon & Bob
Vote for Bob -- online at
http://www.thesimpsons.usatoday.com.
The “polls” close July 9 and the winning city will be announced on or about July 10.

Twentieth Century Fox and THE SIMPSONS MOVIE have challenged Springfields Across America to Host the Film’s Hometown Premiere. To participate each Springfield submitted a short video, 3-5 minutes long, and Bob plays (silent part) a Secret Service agent to the Mayor (who plays himself). You can see the video online and -- Vote for Bob and our Springfield as many times as you like (lots we hope).

Fox will roll out the “yellow carpet” for the winning Springfield at the July 26 premiere screening event of THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, which will be held in the chosen Springfield. Attendees will get the V.I.P. treatment -- and be among the first in the world to see the long-anticipated movie before it hits theaters. This will be great for tourism in our Springfield, Oregon. The other 13 participating Springfields are in Massachusetts, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, New Jersey, Florida, Michigan, Kentucky, Nebraska, Colorado, Louisiana, and Vermont.

Pictured with Derek Poe (center) and LJ Duey (2nd from left) are Derek’s children: Chris, Shaenin, Oleesia, and Garrett on Memorial Day Weekend in Portland

We spent Memorial Day Weekend visiting Derek and his 4 wonderful kids up in Portland. The boys spent the night with us at Embassy Suites, swam and played together at our motel pool, and went with us to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3--a very fun weekend.

We spent time with the girls too, sharing lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, plus playtime. They got to swim in the pool on Sunday. It was a busy, very fun weekend. Derek is a great dad, which shows in how enjoyable all of his kids are to be around.
Left: Derek & his youngest Shaenin

Below left: Bob & Oleesia, Derek's next to youngest

Cow Pasture Golf

As a fundraiser for Twin Rivers Rotary club (Bob is the president of local chapter this year), we played cow pasture golf. LJ brought along two friends (Ryan & Joe, not shown), so there were five in our group. It was great fun; only the 5th or 6th time I’ve ever golfed. Bob is an old pro, although lately he only makes it out a few times a year. LJ has golfed a few times too.

Late April into Early May

LJ
In the photo LJ and his friend David are in costume for their roles in Little Women. LJ played Mr. March (the father). This play, performed at a small community theater, had a short run, with only two performances; but it’s always fun for proud mom and dad to watch LJ on stage.
Track season is over; LJ continued to better his times in hurdles and the 200 meter sprint throughout the season.
MOM & DAD
Bob & I are working as volunteers at the state track meet this coming weekend (May 18 & 19), being held at Hayward Field* in Eugene. LJ is not involved, but we wanted to be good track team supporters.
Bob just wrapped up the budget process at his job with the City of Springfield. Being president-elect for Twin Rivers Rotary Club here in Springfield is keeping him busy too.
I’m still part-time onsite with the hospital and doing some free lance writing with the school and park districts. And of course playing chauffeur to LJ (orthodontist, play practice, track practice, church, etc.) I do find time to read and watch too much TV, though.
MOTHER'S DAY
Roses, a massage gift certificate, sweet cards, and a lovely dinner cooked by Bob. Then Bob and LJ accompanied me in the Million Moms March (two-mile walk) that took place in Eugene, along the Willamette River. It is an annual event that celebrates Mother’s Day, which (preHallmark) was originally designed as a day for mothers to grieve he loss of loved ones to war and to strive for peace in the world to protect their husband’s and sons from being killed. This year’s walk was dedicated to gun safety in homes and to promoting peace in Iraq.
*LOCAL COLOR
Hayward is the field named after U of O track Coach Bill Hayward, but made famous with the international track community by Hayward’s successor Bill Bowerman. Bowerman coached Steve PreFontaine, and quite a few other world class track atheletes in the late 1960s into the 1970s. One of the students he coached was Phil Knight. Together Knight and Bowerman founded Nike.
A great book, Bowerman & the Men of Oregon by Kenny Moore, interweaves the Nike company story, the Olympics and world politics, as well as the tragedy of Prefontaine’s life and too early death into a compelling read. Moore was a long-distrance runner coached by Bowerman in the 1960s, remains a good friend of the Bowerman family, and he is a well-respected writer (Sports Illustrated, PreFontaine movie, etc.). Bowerman’s home while he coached (where his son Jay lives today) is just around the corner from us.

High School Track Meet

At a recent track meet, LJ heads for the last row of high hurdles.

Below he sails over the hurdles, improving his personal best by 2 seconds and qualifying for the upcoming JV district meet; he runs both high (110 meters) and intermediate (300 meters) hurdles.

Snowboarding, Mt. Bachelor, Oregon

We went snowboarding (Mom & LJ) and skiing (LJ) Easter weekend, April 7 & 8, 2007. April 7 was also LJ's 15th birthday. Bob took the photos at the lift (see further down the page). LJ did jumps for the first time this trip, and he had not skied in past three years -- but he did great. Notice we do wear our helmets.
From her snowboard, Mom took the ones of LJ skiing down the summit.
LJ is at the level of a ski patrol on skis; Mom is a beginner on snowboard. "I would have never done the Mt. Bachelor summit run, if LJ had not been with me and on skis. LJ is a beginning snowboarder too, but he is an ultra advanced skier."






























Summer 2005, Bob & LJ on the Arno River Bridge, a few blocks from our lodgings in Florence, Italy.