Helen and Phil's 50th Anniversary Party, Marlboro MA Nov. 12, 2016

The big day came for the big party.  Breakfast was had at the hotel, we retrieved the cake from the bakery and guests from around the country arrived.  Helen and Phil had yellow tee shirts for everyone to wear.  Things got going with a cocktail hour and open bar.

The party then went across the hall to a larger ballroom for dinner and dancing.  Great fun was had by all.

And there was a photo and video of all the women who had Mae as one of their names.

A great time was had by all.  I missed their wedding 50 years ago because I was at tech school for the US Air Force at Keesler AFB, but I certainly was very happy to be part of the anniversary.  They certainly know how to throw a party.

There are many more photos on a separate blog for the party:

http://helenandphils50thanniversary.blogspot.com

Back in Oregon, then to Massachusetts Nov. 9 - 11, 2016

Even though it is November, I still continue to see color as I take my daily walks.  Portland has a wet but temperate climate which allows this.

 On Thursday, Patty and I flew to Boston for Helen and Phil's 50th Anniversary.  We met up with Ashley and David (Ashley is Helen's granddaughter) and drove into Marlboro.  On Friday, when I went out for my early morning walk, there was both still some color but also many trees without leaves.

Great fun was had in the events leading up to the anniversary party, including a magnetic sign put on Helen and Phil's car to toot and wave.

Laurelhurst Park and Hoyt Arboretum, Nov. 7 and 8, 2016

On Monday, Patty and I went for a walk in Laurelhurst Park, then west through some neighborhoods.  We ended up passing Alma's chocolate shop and stopped next door at City State Diner and Bakery for some latte, coffeecake and scone.

On Tuesday, we went to the Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Forest Park.

We then continued on to Hoyt Arboretum on the Wildwood, White Pine, Redwood and Holly trails.

After hiking for a couple of hours, we stopped at the New Seasons store on Division and bought salads for lunch.  After lunch, we took Mr. Shadow for a long walk.  Along the way, we saw this notice telling the occupants that the illegal camping on the street will be removed - but it does not tell the location.

And then it was home to watch the election returns.

Halloween week, Oregon and Vermont Oct. 31 - Nov. 6, 2016

On Halloween, the weather was pleasant enough for hiking during the day.  Patty and I went through Laurelhurst Park and some neighborhoods.  In the park, we came across this massive leaf, one of several from a nearby tree.

As we continued on, we came across this cute set of Halloween decorations.

Since Ann and Terry have been taking ballroom dance classes, we took this photo and sent it to them.

We started the night with our first Trick or Treaters around 5:00.  We went through a case of 54 small bags of potato chips, then a bag of 36 candy bars and finally opened a bag of 100 candy bars.  We estimate that between 125 and 150 kids came by our home.  Martha had dressed up as a black cat and the kids liked this.

On Tuesday, we again had good weather and went out hiking in and around Laurelhurst Park.  There is still much colorful foliage to be seen.

On Wednesday, we went out for a walk before Patty went to her volunteer shift with Providence Hospice. The foliage is till quite colorful in Portland.

After Patty left, I continued on and came across this dead squirrel.

I gathered some donations for Goodwill and delivered them.

And on the way back home, came across more color.

Wednesday night I caught the 11:30 p.m. flight to Chicago and Thursday morning, caught the 6:20 flight to Burlington.  I picked up a rental car, drove the hour plus to Johnson State College, did some work for a couple of hours and had lunch with Renate; she filled me in on all the developments in the Business and Economics Department.  Then I drove the hour plus to Lyndon and crashed at my hotel there.

Friday morning, I was up early to do my online classes, drove the hour to Montpelier and spent several hours voting on the award of credits for the Assessment of Prior Learning program.  I had read all eight portfolios in the past two weeks and felt very comfortable with all of the votes.  Then it was back to Lyndon State to teach my tax class with the students at LSC in the room with me while we were digitally connected with the students in Johnson.  Then I took it easy Friday evening at my hotel.

Saturday morning, it was cold, about 24 degrees and my car had frost.

I had gloves, winter hat and a sweatshirt to go with my jacket, so I was comfortable on my morning walk to McDonalds for breakfast and to use their internet.  On the way back, I came across this sign. I have seen these brown signs for many parks, historical sites and recreational areas - but this was the first one I have ever seen for tubing, in this case, on the Passumpsic River.

When I was ready to go at 10:00, there was still frost on my windshield, but no ice scraper; I had to let the car run and the defroster take car of this before driving to Johnson State.  On my drive, I encountered rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow, so I was glad to arrive safely.  

Once there, I had lunch, then met with a tax class student for a couple of hours.  When I finished for the day, I drove the 90 minutes into South Burlington to Bob and Marianne's home.  I had planned to take them out to dinner in exchange for having me stay overnight at their house.  Instead, they had made dinner for us to eat there, including first this excellent bottle of wine and then a bottle of their homemade wine.  It all made for an excellent evening.

And as if dinner and a place to sleep were not enough, they also gave me three bottles of their homemade wine and packing materials - so I repacked my suitcase with the three bottles of wine.

Saturday night was the end of Daylight Savings Time, so we set the clocks back an hour before bed.  Sunday, we were all up early.  I had a little bit of apple cider and a piece of homemade banana bread.  After our goodbyes, I made my 7:15 a.m. appointment with the Red Cross Blood Donor Center and gave three units of platelets.  I arrived at the airport early, turned in the rental car and checked my suitcase. I went for a walk in the neighborhood of the airport.  While there was little or no foliage left in Lyndon, Johnson and Montpelier, and points in between, there was still some very colorful foliage at the airport.

My flights to Washington DC and on to Portland were uneventful.  I got home before 9:00 p.m.  And so ends another week.