Yesterday we went into Portland for Thanksgiving dinner. 30 folks gathered in a rather small space to partake of some traditional food, turkey, mashed potatoes, yams and some that was not so traditional, polenta, Fruit salad, and vegetarian dishes which were a total mystery to me and, therefore, not tried Then there was desert. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, carrot bars, a cake that contained no dairy, mincemeat pies, and whipped cream which makes everything taste better.
I left a little early to drive to ARC and make a blood product delivery to OHSU hospital. It was my first time there but it turned out to be easy. There is a booklet that drivers can take that show step-by-step instructions (with photos) on where to park, where to enter, elevators, where to put the boxes, etc. It makes the job less stressful for the first time volunteer.
A ARC vehicle is used for these deliveries. Last night I drove one of the new Ram City Vans. Short, sort of tall mini vans that are ideal for city driving. Once I figured out the unique features of the vehicle, it was fine. It was fun to drive something different. I delivered 4 boxes and picked up 17 so it was a short but worthwhile trip.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Monday, November 25, 2019
Tom Turkey
A new creation of mine. He looks harmless, but how does he taste?
During his creation.
Ready for greeting folks at our door.
Morning Fog
Early morning walks allow me early morning views. The sky gradually lightening. The awakening of the earth. The fog playing hide and seek games with the trees.
It's there and then it's not.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
ARC
I finally received my ARC ID Card. It allows me access to areas of the headquarters that require a swipe of the card to get in without an escort. I'm not fully aware of the reason for all of the security but it's there regardless. There is a security person at the front door and but all he requires is a signature on the register to get a "Visitor" sticker. The ARC blood donation center is located in the building so many "civilians" come through the doors every day.
My ID card allows me to breeze right through the front door and just show my card or even go around to the doors in the back. That's where I will go to pickup the Biomed (blood products) deliveries. It is also where the ARC vehicles are parked.
Part of the learning curve with ARC is learning the various "arms" of the agency. As far as I can tell, each one operates independently of the others. So each has their needs for volunteers and and the job requirements vary. I am still working out if I want to limit myself to one or "move around".
The latter sounds more interesting but requires more of a learning curve. I have yet to make a delivery of blood but I'm trying to set up a date. I have a super busy day tomorrow installing fire alarms. I might need to wear my Superman suit.
My ID card allows me to breeze right through the front door and just show my card or even go around to the doors in the back. That's where I will go to pickup the Biomed (blood products) deliveries. It is also where the ARC vehicles are parked.
Part of the learning curve with ARC is learning the various "arms" of the agency. As far as I can tell, each one operates independently of the others. So each has their needs for volunteers and and the job requirements vary. I am still working out if I want to limit myself to one or "move around".
The latter sounds more interesting but requires more of a learning curve. I have yet to make a delivery of blood but I'm trying to set up a date. I have a super busy day tomorrow installing fire alarms. I might need to wear my Superman suit.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
DAT
Yesterday afternoon I attended a class/ training session at ARC (American Red Cross) headquarters. ARC has many programs. All of them are beneficial to people and all of them are free. Blood products are the only items that ARC sells. Everything else, assistance, counseling, blankets, etc. are all free. So the American Red Cross depends on donations. Nationwide 92 cents of every dollar goes toward services. In the Pacific Northwest it's more like 95-96 cents. It's pretty amazing and it's because of dedicated volunteers and employees who are careful with resources.
The class yesterday was DAT (Disaster Action Team). The DAT team goes out to homes that have had a fire or flood that has left the family with out a home. A call comes in from the fire department and the team responds. They meet with the family, counsel them,and determine their immediate needs. They may need a bed for the night. They may need food. The team can help them get through this horrible period with the resources available to ARC. It sounds like a great and wonderful program. I will tell you about it when I go out on one of these calls.
The class yesterday was DAT (Disaster Action Team). The DAT team goes out to homes that have had a fire or flood that has left the family with out a home. A call comes in from the fire department and the team responds. They meet with the family, counsel them,and determine their immediate needs. They may need a bed for the night. They may need food. The team can help them get through this horrible period with the resources available to ARC. It sounds like a great and wonderful program. I will tell you about it when I go out on one of these calls.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Clematis
Clematis is a vine with over 300 varieties and more being developed every year. Randa and I visited the Rogerson Clematis Garden on Sunday and while is definitely not the right time of year, it was still interesting. The greenhouse is manned by volunteers every Friday all year. Wandering around the garden, we were surrounded by vines now dormant but promising lots of blooms come summer. We are looking forward to returning here next summer.
We did learn several information bits while we were there.
CLEM a tus is the pronunciation that this garden uses for this flower.
The garden captures seeds from the actual plants by putting mesh bags around the flower remains where that seeds exist. These hairy mops are actually the seeds with their tails.
We did learn several information bits while we were there.
CLEM a tus is the pronunciation that this garden uses for this flower.
The garden captures seeds from the actual plants by putting mesh bags around the flower remains where that seeds exist. These hairy mops are actually the seeds with their tails.
We did find a couple of blossoms.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Saturday, November 9, 2019
American Red Cross
When someone says American Red Cross, what do you think of? Disaster relief, maybe blood drives. You would be right. But ARC is much more. As I spend more time volunteering at ARC, I discover more facets of the organization.
ARC does send teams to sites of major disasters. Several teams went down to California to help fire victims. One of the volunteers I worked with a couple of weeks ago had been on a team after Hurricane Katrina. ARC does conduct blood drives at various locations and businesses. Blood donors are always welcome at the Headquarters in Portland as well. The blood is processed at the Portland lab in the building where it is tested, sometimes separated into plasma, platelets, etc. Then it is stored until needed. I think I mentioned that 75% of blood used in the Pacific Northwest is supplied by ARC. This is the only service/product in which ARC charges a fee. All other services are FREE !
A major program that is going on right now is the installation of smoke alarms in homes throughout the country. If you are interested in getting or replacing your smoke alarms or helping to install smoke alarms in homes of your townspeople, call your local ARC facility or Google it for further information.
Another program that I am going to explore next week is the DAT (Disaster Action Team). DAT teams respond to local emergencies 24/7. These are normally home fires but other events could be storms or floods. The team provide a person to talk t0, a shoulder to lean on. They can fill a need for immediate shelter or supplies. They can help the victim connect with long-term recovery services.
There is a meeting on Tuesday evening that I will attend that will explain more about the DAT program and whether I am qualified to become a DAT volunteer. Stay tuned.
ARC does send teams to sites of major disasters. Several teams went down to California to help fire victims. One of the volunteers I worked with a couple of weeks ago had been on a team after Hurricane Katrina. ARC does conduct blood drives at various locations and businesses. Blood donors are always welcome at the Headquarters in Portland as well. The blood is processed at the Portland lab in the building where it is tested, sometimes separated into plasma, platelets, etc. Then it is stored until needed. I think I mentioned that 75% of blood used in the Pacific Northwest is supplied by ARC. This is the only service/product in which ARC charges a fee. All other services are FREE !
A major program that is going on right now is the installation of smoke alarms in homes throughout the country. If you are interested in getting or replacing your smoke alarms or helping to install smoke alarms in homes of your townspeople, call your local ARC facility or Google it for further information.
Another program that I am going to explore next week is the DAT (Disaster Action Team). DAT teams respond to local emergencies 24/7. These are normally home fires but other events could be storms or floods. The team provide a person to talk t0, a shoulder to lean on. They can fill a need for immediate shelter or supplies. They can help the victim connect with long-term recovery services.
There is a meeting on Tuesday evening that I will attend that will explain more about the DAT program and whether I am qualified to become a DAT volunteer. Stay tuned.
Pepsi Art
Is this ART?
Actually it is a faded poster in front of a convenience store in Milwaukee, Or.
Cool though isn't it?
Sunday, November 3, 2019
New Home Sales
Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful Indian Summer weather that we have been having for the last week and drove out into the country. Actually, because we are nearly on the edge of town, the country is close by. There are still some trees with fall colors. Still some fall flowers to enjoy as well.
We stopped by the TMK Creamery, a small family-run operation that is just in it's infancy. They have enough cows to produce milk to make a couple of types of cheese both of which were very good. We will return another day when that cheese is in stock to purchase. We did taste some yummy cheese curds. Have you tried deep fried cheese curds? Zowie ! tmkcreamery.com
We next drove to Bauman's Farm and Garden just south of Woodburn. Lots of flowers, decorations, and produce to enjoy. Left with a small succulent plant to pot. baumanfarms.com
On the way home we decided to stop by a new housing development in Canby. The builder is Lennar Homes. The model homes were quite nice, one was two story and one was single story. It seemed like all the other new home areas until we meet the sales representative. Lennar has started building homes in one corner of the prepared area and will work their way from one end to the other. The whole development has been laid out and each lot has an assigned home style. So if you want a particular floor plan, you have to buy that house on the lot that has been assigned to it. Also, and listen to this, you can not buy that house until it is built. You can put your name on a list for that property and when it is ready Lennar will tell you the price. So if you want a particular house in the far side of the area, you may have to wait for a year or two ! Can you imagine? If that wasn't enough, the interior fittings are already decided right now. So this is the carpet. This is the counter top. Seems like it would be a hard to be a sales person for Lennar Homes. They must be salaried.
We stopped by the TMK Creamery, a small family-run operation that is just in it's infancy. They have enough cows to produce milk to make a couple of types of cheese both of which were very good. We will return another day when that cheese is in stock to purchase. We did taste some yummy cheese curds. Have you tried deep fried cheese curds? Zowie ! tmkcreamery.com
We next drove to Bauman's Farm and Garden just south of Woodburn. Lots of flowers, decorations, and produce to enjoy. Left with a small succulent plant to pot. baumanfarms.com
On the way home we decided to stop by a new housing development in Canby. The builder is Lennar Homes. The model homes were quite nice, one was two story and one was single story. It seemed like all the other new home areas until we meet the sales representative. Lennar has started building homes in one corner of the prepared area and will work their way from one end to the other. The whole development has been laid out and each lot has an assigned home style. So if you want a particular floor plan, you have to buy that house on the lot that has been assigned to it. Also, and listen to this, you can not buy that house until it is built. You can put your name on a list for that property and when it is ready Lennar will tell you the price. So if you want a particular house in the far side of the area, you may have to wait for a year or two ! Can you imagine? If that wasn't enough, the interior fittings are already decided right now. So this is the carpet. This is the counter top. Seems like it would be a hard to be a sales person for Lennar Homes. They must be salaried.
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