Summer finally made it to Oregon.....

We had the coolest and wettest spring on record here in Oregon. This past week we finally had some temps into the 90's although it is suppose to cool off a bit for the weekend. The garden has finally perked up and the plants are enjoying the sunshine. We have been eating lots of fresh strawberries and raspberries. The blueberries are ripening and we have had a few cherries also.

We seem to be going through one of those phases here on the Pennington homestead where it seems that everything breaks at once. The lawn tractor has been giving me trouble and will need maintenance and a major overhaul of the mowing deck. Up in the pump house we had a pipe break. Thankfully the system worked as designed and shut the pump off before any major damage occurred but on investigation it was clear that we needed a new pressure tank. Also in the pump house one of the tanks that treats the well water is clogged and it looks like it will take some work to get it back on line.

Inside the house our clothes dryer needed repair AGAIN. Same problem with a faulty Kenmore design. Lorelei helped me pull it apart and replace the offending parts.
I replaced the faucet in our bathroom and we bought a nice one at a yard sale that will go in the boys.

This years allergy season has been a rough one. The late start of the warm weather has pushed the season well into July. Normally by the 4th we are starting to feel better but not this year. I seem to be particularly sensitive this year with Lorelei and Cody suffering also. The farmers are just now starting to harvest the wheat and grass seed, so another week or so and we should start to feel better.
We have taken a break from photography the past few weeks but I had to get out for an hour or so and get a few shots. Our place is awesome this time of year with flowers blooming everywhere.

Daisies up on the knoll near our campsite.


A Pacific Madrone leaf. These broadleaf evergreen's shed their old leaves and bark in the summer and grow new ones that stay green all through the winter.



A caterpillar I found.


I think this is a Chinese Lantern? Lorelei knows all the names.


I have no idea what this one is but they grow amidst the fields of Daisies. Maybe someone can identify?


A close up of the aforementioned mystery flower.


Ok, I should know this one but I don't and the resident expert is asleep.


In animal news, Queenie is doing well. The younger chickens have been assimilated with the two older ones and should start laying any time now. The bird houses outside in the grape arbor are full of babies. Lorelei and I sat outside last night watching the adult Wren's and Swallow's busily flying in and out trying to satisfy the ravenous youngsters. Whenever the adults leave there is a chorus of cheeps coming from the houses until the adults return with more food.

We haven't seen Adam for a few weeks. He is busy working. Jon is enjoying some time away from school and running. Cody has been doing lots of reading and playing Lego's.

That's about all for now.

Glynn Jr.

Jon's graduation.........

Last Thursday was the Amity HS Flunk Trip. This is a trip payed for with fund raising and donations for the seniors who do not participate in a "Senior Ditch Day". Lorelei and I got to go with the group of about 50 seniors and a few teachers and we had a fun day! We started out with Laser Tag and pizza and then headed over to OMSI to board the Willamette Jet Boat Cruises boat for a tour of the Willamette river. It was 50 degrees and pouring rain as we boarded the boat.
This is NOT a leisurely sight seeing tour. These boats are big and fast and apparently they have made a reputation by seeing how much water they can manage to splash over the sides and front of the boat. So not only were we being rained on from above, we continually had walls of water from the front and sides, until all occupants of the vessel were completely saturated. I planned accordingly and had full rain gear but it was a challenge keeping my camera dry. The kids had a blast and many were shivering by the time we got back to the dock.
Now you would think that a company that makes a reputation practically drowning it's patrons, would have somewhere for them to change after the event??? NOT. So we made do and gathered all the boys around the corner while the girls changed on the bus and then the boys had their turn.

Below: The tour on the jet boat took us up very close to the Oregon City Falls.


After the jet boat ride we headed to Claim Jumpers for a great dinner.
Below: Corina, Lorelei and Jon.


Then on Saturday was the big day and Jon graduated from high school.

Below: Jon and Corina


As Salutatorian Jon gave a speech and what an awesome speech it was. Jon is a natural in front of an audience. He spoke of life, family and his Lord and Savior.








My dad and Franci flew in for the graduation. Adam was here from Portland and brought his roommate John. We had a great time celebrating Jon's accomplishment.

In other news, this has been the wettest June on record here in the Northwest.
The garden is a mess with wilting, yellowing tomato plants but we are getting some strawberries.
The kids are all out of school and we are celebrating Cody's birthday this weekend. He turns 12!
Our allergies are acting up and for the next few weeks we will be suffering as the pollen increases.

That's about all for now,

Glynn Jr.

Busy....Busy....Busy.....

Well.....not sure that I can completely catch up on the news since last time but I will try and make a dent. Our beloved dog queenie has survived a bout of salmon poisoning (she dug up and ate some trout remains) several weeks of care and antibiotics brought her through. We are so glad that she is feeling better.

A few weeks ago we traveled to Portland and attended Adam's graduation. He got his two year associates degree from Portland Bible College. He has decided to take next semester off but he is staying in Portland for now.









Of course you all know about Jon and his state championship in the 400m a couple of weeks ago. It was a very emotional weekend and we were so happy for him. He has had adversity every year at the state meet and for him to finally reach the #1 spot on the podium was awesome!



Well.... other news that's been keeping us busy. Jon graduates from HS next Saturday. The senior awards night was this past week and Jon received several honors and scholarships.
The most noteworthy is a two year full academic scholarship to Chemeketa Community College in Salem. He also received $500 from two local funds to help pay for his books. Jon will be graduating Salutatorian of his class. Lorelei and I will be going on the "flunk" trip with the seniors next Thursday and somehow I volunteered to be the photographer for the graduation ceremony.

Not to forget Cody. The band had their final concert of the year on Wednesday. Cody and the whole band were awesome. Cody is counting the days until summer vacation. He has done well in school this year (6th grade).

Lorelei has been working full time the last few weeks and will be until the end of the school year.

It's been unseasonably cold and wet so far this spring. The garden is a mess and the rest of the yard is not much better. Not sure how I will catch up on it all.

That's about it for now,

Glynn Jr.

Mother's Day weekend

Adam and his girlfriend Pam spent the weekend with us celebrating Mother's Day.
On Saturday we went up to the lake and caught some fish! Everyone said they were bored because it was TOO EASY to catch the fish. OK I give up.....






We brought home a bunch of fish!


On Friday we had one of the more impressive sunsets that we had seen for a while. Luckily we always keep a camera in the car.




Below is a shot Lorelei took a week or so ago. We get some cool cloud formations this time of year.


And here is Lorelei with her three awesome sons.



All the pictures for May are HERE