Thanksgiving 2011

Photo by Pokie Lie

As I grow older (Hey, I do not say that I am old) and the health issue is on my side, this Thanksgiving 2011 is more meaningful than ever. It reminded me twenty-four years ago when I had a similar issue. Let’s just say that I have the third chance to further enjoy this world and the families that I found along my life. After all, Thanksgiving is all about family. The weather is perfect, meaning it was blustery, windy and miserable outside, but inside was warm and cozy, so is my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

In search of the migrating birds



Tualatin River



On a cold and dark Saturday morning, we ventured to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge that was suggested by my co-worker Rod Lemeni. The key of going is the threat of rain is gone, but we have to deal with a rather cold day. This place is actually just 7 miles from where we live, but we just do not aware that it exists until someone pointed to me. “Enjoy the day, courtesy of the creator” that was what I read the other day.

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

11-11-11

Look at 11-11-11

November 11, 2011 at 11:11:11 A.M.

I always wanted to know where I would be on November 11, 2011 at 11:11:11 AM, so today we ventured around town, still looking for the last autumn color. After breakfast at Bob’s Red Mill and buying vegan hot dogs and getting some fresh tofu, I was at Providence Hospital. No, I did not check in ! We brought cookies for the nurses and the physical therapists who took care of me last April. I was happy to see the ward has been redesigned and everything looks spiffy and modern. It was certainly good to be back to make a closure.

Look at 11-11-11

Around the House

Obsidian Street, looking east.

It’s not raining and it’s a good thing. Today is DA WIFE’s birthday, November 10th, 2011.
Happy Birthday Pokie! I came home relatively early and there was plenty of sunlight when I got home, the colors of these leaves come calling me, so off I went and got a few images. This season the leaves stay in the tree two weeks longer than usual, this is due to the warm weather in October and rainy season earlier in which the trees have a lot of sugar content.


Autumn4

Autumn Series No. 3

Teal Boulevard, Nov. 6th 2011

I went back to Teal Boulevard again this year to see if I could capture more images for my final installment for the Autumn Series 2011. It’s not raining, so off I go. Notice the words “no rain” here. A dry day is a good day from these days forward until next July of next year. To my astonishment, I was able to capture a few images to complete my series, the leaves were not turning fully this year as compared to last year, but it still gives me colors that I really want. I hope you enjoy the photographs.

Autumn Series no.3

Amtrak 40th Anniversary

Millikan Way MAX Station

On a foggy Saturday morning, I decided to go and see the exhibit of the Amtrak 40^th anniversary. I drove to Millikan Way MAX train station and go downtown and with just one transfer I was there. I thought it would be good to fill my Saturday morning. It seems that I never have enough of train. I told Da Wife that we would take the train from Portland all the way to Chicago as my retirement gift, I do not when will that’s going to be. I know I will torture her since it is a slow going compare to just fly, but the destination is the journey in itself.

Portland Union Station

A typical exhibit

Autumn texture and color study

Color Study #4

It was wet in the back yard; it means the rain came last night. This morning was dark and I thought I did not have a chance to take some more images of the fall colors, but I was wrong. When the weather improved just after lunch, I took my camera and drove to the same intersection where I captured some images way back in 2007. I was looking for the “Necklace 2007” and maybe more of that, but to my disappointment, things have changed so much, nothing is permanent. Here are some more of the study images that I captured. I hope you enjoy them.

Autumn 2011 part 2