Furlough Day

Friday was my first furlough day from my job. I have to take three more of them before the end of June. It was an interesting feeling to not be in paid status with my job for the first time in almost 37 years. Maybe a little bit like a 1 day retirement. So Marlene and I made the best of it, and did something I've been wanting to do for a long time..we went on a visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville. This museum's biggest claim to fame is that it is the home of Howard Hughes Flying boat, otherwise known as the "Spruce Goose" Completed in 1947 The "Spruce Goose" was over six times bigger than any other aircraft that was currently in existence, with a wingspan of over 319 feet.

In addition to the Spruce Goose there are over 60 other aircraft at this museum. They span a period of time from the first world War up to current times, with Sopwith Camels and F-15 jets touching wing to wing. There is also an entirely separate Air and Space Museum, which we didn't see during this trip.

After our visit to the museum we went on for a short visit to Spirit Moutain Casino, where Marlene won a $350 jackpot!

All in all it was a pretty good Friday the 13th....

Day Off!

Both Mush and I have taken tomorrow off. Mush has to take at least 4 days off without pay at the governor's request to help balance the budget. I have some extra time I have to use or I will lose it. We are both very excited to have a play day. The plan is to visit the Evergreen Aviation Museum. It contains an Aviation Museum, a Space Museum and an IMax. We both have wanted to see the Spruce Goose, so it will be fun. Stay tuned to the blog to see if we actually are able to play!

It Has Been Months

It has been months since either Mushbigdog or myself have been on the blog. It is the dial up blues. It takes so long for us to do anything on line with a dial up modem. Verizon came through the neighborhood in the fall and put in the DSL, but still hasn't offered us the VIOs or whatever it is called for our neighborhood, so stay tuned. We are well, we had a great fall and holiday season. We had a wedding at our house on Pearl Harbor Day and a wedding reception for Mush's oldest daughter in January. We continue to be very busy, but miss the blogging and hope to get back to it. Mush is testifying at the Ways and Means Committee in the Oregon Legislature today and I am hoping to watch him testify. The dogs are great and thriving, at last weigh in Heartman was 180# and Sailor was 176#. They are about the same height at the shoulder and make a striking pair. More to come....