Paintball Camp

The 11-year-old is enjoying playing Heroes and Villains at paintball camp.

Fling Kids Into Atmosphere For Fun

The kids didn't want to go on the usual amusements, but they did want to do this reverse bungee jump device.

I didn't push this, but they dared each other to go, and eventually worked up the courage. Now they fondly recall the excitement and adrenaline, feeling they triumphed over fear, and enjoyed being tossed way up in the air.

The Corndogs Of Summer Have Arrived

I took the kids to the Rose Festival where corndogs were purchased.

Mission accomplished.

Life Is Hilarious

The kid has graduated from middle school. All school year getting the little bugger out of bed to the breakfast table was a chore and a half.

After one day of sleeping in, the kid gets up on her own volition to enjoy the conviviality of breakfast at the early hour. Go figure.

I get it that as parents we are always wrong. This is yet another example.

Middle School Graduation

Hats off to all the graduates and teachers.

King Space Banana

The banana suit is a classic.

Japan Reinvents Oreo For Excellent Taste

These happy little delicious things have bits of Oreo, chocolate, and green tea cookie inside.

Once again Japan puts the US to shame. We don't study hard, think our chocolate cookies are good enough, and have crappy quality control in our factories.

Why does Japan flaunt its culinary superiority yet again?

I happily surrender to the greater power of a delicious snack item -- omakase!

Wear Orange Event A Lift Of The Spirits

After a rally at the Unitarian Church, we headed to the river for a few inspirational words. On the right is Sharon Meieran, who is running for the Multnomah County Commission and is close to this issue.

Putting one's efforts into fighting gun violence is similar to promoting peace in the Middle East -- we may not live to see the problems completely eradicated, but if we look closely we can observe positive change. This change never arrives with the speed or intensity we desire, but it is there and is significant.

Events like Wear Orange are important in that they showcase all the good work being done by state and national legislators, as well as lift the spirits in the massing of so many like-minded people.

After these events are over I am energized to keep fighting.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer with orange bike pin and bow tie -- yes!

A big thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event!

The Heirlooms And Artifacts Project

The Fifth-grader did a school project exploring his heritage with artifacts and research into our history.

He correctly picked up my reverence for cameras and wanted my mother's 1957 Rolliflex to be part of his project. In his materials he explained the purpose of the dual lenses as well as describing my mother's love of taking pictures.

To be fair, the main artifact in his presentation was a 19th century menorah. More about this in the video: