Thursday, May 24, 2007

Ahhh - I finally got to sail

I had not been on a sailboat since the mid-60's - but as I live on a river and love water - figured it was about time to go sailing.

All it took was a few friends suggesting that it was time for me to join OWSA [Oregon Women's Sailing Assn.] - and so I joined.

Last night I went out on my 1st Wednesday nite fun cruise - and it was fun - just like advertised. There was the captain and 4 crew. We all got a chance to do all aspects of crewing.....There was a nice wind which picked up when the cold front moved through. Of course the cold front also brought cold pounding rain with it....and we got wet....especially me as I had been determined it would NOT rain so had left my rain jacket home and took a sweatshirt....but after the front moved off it was not so cold but the wind died and we motored back to the moorage..

I had kayaked across the river to Hayden Island to the boat so had to kayak against the current to get back home- which I did very rapidly as it was nearing dusk and I did not feel like digging out my light from where I stashed it in my bag....made it!

Next week - new crew - different boat...I can't wait....

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Neighborhood Emergency Training [NET]

We now have at least 5 people in the Bridgeton area who have completed [NET] Neighborhood Emergency Training. [Called CERT in other places.]

The 8 weeks of classes were jammed packed with info as well as a final exercise. The classes often included hands-on training like carrying people, traige, checking for injuries, etc.

The final exercise consisted of practicing realistic triage [thanks to many great "injured" volunteers], using fire extinguishers to put out a real [but controlled] fire , getting "people" out of rubble, and searching a "damaged" building.

I was physically and emotionally drained by the end of the exercise....but glad I went through the course as I now have a much better idea of what to expect in any kind of emergency and how best to handle it - even with limited experience.

BUT - I plan on taking part in the many preparedness exercises that happen so that we can get more and more practice at doing what we just learned..

If you are interested in doing the NET training - you can go to the website and register for the Fall course. You must be at least 14 and live or work in Portland. http://www.pdxprepared.net

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

We are courteous on the road : -)

A recent survey finds that:

The most courteous drivers can be found in Portland, Oregon; Pittsburgh; the Seattle-Tacoma area; St. Louis; and Dallas-Fort Worth...

And the worst? Miami, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. I learned to drive in NYC - but it was a few millenia ago when people were a bit more courteous there - or probably just that there were not so many of us then....

I've lived in and driven in both Boston and D.C. for years and they are BAD! In D.C. I stopped yelling at the other drivers as some were pulling guns or running cars off the road when they did not like what you were dong - like following the speed limit.

I do find tailgating cars in Portland - but I see that almost all have Washington plates....

And what I really like about this area is that most everyone is courteous - not just drivers - but people in general no matter where you see them...and that's really great!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Summer Art Camp [for kids]

A friend from my art group [Diane] is again doing a summer art camp for kids...
Each week is a different art form...silk painting, mosaics, puppetry and more.

The first session is July 9 - 13.....

For more information go to http://art-waves.org