Category Archives: Photography

Kathy, Project 365, Tim

Essential Allergies

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While we were down in Portland, my allergies returned full-force, and I was somewhat miserable. It is hard to laugh as much as I like to laugh at (or in some cases, with) my brother when my sinuses are so congested.

Three little vials of essential oils.

Three little vials of essential oils.

Back at the tail-end of the last decade I became desperate, as my allergies had seemed to worsen by about 10% each year. So (after much ‘encouragement’ from my lovely wife) I went to an allergist and started allergy shots. After a year or so, the shots were pretty effective, so I kept up the treatment regimen for nearly three years.

I probably should have continued. Only a few years later, I am back where I started.

So Kathy turned to the interweb. As it turns out, many people get relief from a wide range of ailments by inhaling the aroma of various essential oils. No, I’m not making this up. There is a whole industry offering these oils which can be topically applied, inhaled, and in some cases, ingested.

Kathy and Sarah are either praying or snorting essential oils. You decide which.

Kathy and Sarah are either praying or snorting essential oils. You decide which.

My wife picked up a few samples from a friend, and we’ve been trying a blend of lavender, peppermint and lemon oils, several times a day. I have to admit, they do temporarily clear out the sinuses, and there seems some mild relief from the worst of my allergy symptoms. Kathy likes the smell of the oils, and the ritual of pouring out the drops, rubbing our hands together, inhaling the scent, and ultimately rubbing the residue on our necks and upper chest is very entertaining.

I’m a skeptic about these things, but I must admit that desperation makes me very tractable. Further bulletins as events warrant.

Project 365, Day 70
Tim

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Aunts and Uncles, Project 365, Silliness

My Brother’s New Career

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A while back I had the opportunity to attend my brother’s retirement party as he finished his Army career — full-circle from where it started, in Williamsburg, Virginia. I was so proud of him that he had served his country for so many years, having earned the rank of full Colonel.

But what does a man do, when he finishes one career, but is still young and healthy and full of drive and purpose? He starts another career, that’s what he does. So my brother went back to school.

My brother and his beloved bride, at Pioneer Square, in Portland.

My brother and his beloved bride, at Pioneer Square, in Portland. Mark’s forward momentum got the better of him, in this photo.

First, he completed an Executive MBA program, and then he jumped into a Masters in Accounting. Few of us suspected, however, that this was all a clever blind. Unbeknownst to us all, he has craftily embarked on a new career as an interior decorator.

I got a strange call from my brother a few weeks back.

We think this was one of Gandalf's early attempts at an out-of-scale wizard's staff.

Mind you, the call wasn’t as strange as this strange piece of kitchen decor. We think this was one of Gandalf’s early attempts at an out-of-scale wizard’s staff.

“Hey, Tim, Liz and I are coming out to the West Coast for our 30th Anniversary trip — we’re thinking of renting a house in the Portland area. Would you like to come down and spend a weekend with us?”

Naturally, I jumped at the chance, but I was a bit suspicious. Why would my brother want me and Kathy around for his 30th anniversary? Surely he and Liz would rather spend time with each other? I sensed an ulterior motive; warning bells rang.

Kathy and I managed a visit to Powell's Book store, so the weekend was at least partially redeemed, whatever surprises my brother has for us.

Kathy and I managed a visit to Powell’s Book store, so the weekend was at least partially redeemed, whatever surprises my brother had for us.

We drove down to Portland and found the house, and I immediately realized why we had been so ‘casually’ invited. My brother has obviously been moonlighting as an Interior Decorator, and he wanted to showcase his latest client’s home.

Apparently Mark likes crude woodcarving 'art' -- I'm thinking he maybe carved this piece himself.

Apparently Mark likes crude woodcarving ‘art’ — I’m thinking he maybe carved this piece himself.

He blathered on about Accounting for an hour or so to put us off the scent, but I saw right through his clumsy attempts to conceal his real purpose.

“So, you see, when you subtract liabilities from assets, whatever is left over is the value of the company,” Mark droned. “Say, speaking of value, what do you think of that cool wall hanging over there?”

I was afraid to look inside this weird lacquered hanging box, but I half expected to see my brother's initials carved in a corner, somewhere.

I was afraid to look inside this weird lacquered hanging box, but I half expected to see my brother’s initials carved in a corner, somewhere.

I don’t know how to tell him this — but I think he should have stuck with his ‘cover’. After all, a Masters in Accounting program is a perfectly good start to a legitimate career, even if it isn’t as glamorous as being a computer programmer. Maybe he could grow a beard, or something.

This one looks like someone randomly threw spaghetti, paint and plaster onto a canvas. Maybe Mark felt like having some pasta, that day?

This one looks like someone randomly threw spaghetti, paint and plaster onto a canvas. Maybe Mark felt like having some pasta, that day?

I hate to be the one to hurt Mark’s feelings — he is very sensitive, as ‘artistic’ people often are. Of course, I know that he deeply respects my credentials as an art critic, so I need to be careful not to crush his dream. Maybe he’ll read this blog post and get a hint … but I’m not very hopeful. Subtlety has never been our family watchword.

Project 365, Day 66
Tim

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Project 365, Sarah

Time for Tomatoes

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This is the time of year when a man’s fancy turns to …

Tomatoes.

Last year I waited too long to start my seedlings, but this year I was ready. I start with peat disks in early February, and then later transplant them into larger pots when the roots begin to fill the peat.

Sarah and David helped me plant this batch of seedlings. Loop

Sarah and David helped me plant this batch of seedlings. Loop

Hopefully by July or maybe August I will have a dozen healthy, tomato-producing plants. It is always a race against the Fall, with tomatoes in Washington. They need sunshine, and we don’t get enough until August. Then hopefully we get a crop in September, before the cold nights of October put an end to the growing season.

I’ll keep you posted.

Project 365, Day 64
Tim

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Project 365, Thankfulness

A Thankful Commute

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I’ve been thinking, lately, about the many blessings from God that I take for granted, and even (in some cases) despise. One of them is the bus and train that bring me to my office in Seattle and (hopefully) home again.

When either the bus or the train is late, and I miss my connection, I’m quick to fuss and berate the mass transit system. When I have to stand more than ten minutes, waiting for my bus, I am quick to complain. If I have to stand for the 20-minute bus ride, I am quick to grumble against the swarms of other passengers. When I think about how long it takes me to get to and from work, I’m quick to consider myself a martyr.

Faithful number 217, with a driver who almost always greets me with a cheerful "Hello!"

Faithful number 217, with a driver who almost always greets me with a cheerful “Hello!”

But do I thank God for the men and women who drive my bus and operate my train? Am I appreciative of the relative ease with which I am transported? Am I grateful for the pre-paid transit pass that my employer provides, so the entire trip costs me not a penny?

Not very often, I’m afraid. So, let’s make a change.

The north end of my Sounder train, shortly before it whisks me home.

The north end of my Sounder train, shortly before it whisks me home.

Thank you, God, for the faithful bus drivers who get up at all hours to drive my bus. Thank you for their patience and care in dealing with the maniacal drivers, so I don’t have to. Thank you for the many people who labor on the buses and trains to make sure they don’t break down. Thank you for my employer, who foots the bill for my transit pass. Thank you that I have a job to which to commute, and thank you that the other passengers are generally courteous.

Thank you, God, for loving me and for providing a way for me to get to work.

Project 365, Day 62
Tim

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Daily Life, David, Project 365

Project 365

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Finished making Tim’s breakfast and lunch for tomorrow. Kids are all in bed. College kids are presumably off being smart, wise students in Tennessee. Kitchen looks beautiful – and I didn’t DO ANY DISHES.

Today was a full one with lots and lots of math; more math than anyone wants to do in a normal day. Also quick coffee a friend (love you, Julee!). More math. Computer club for David at the YMCA. More math for Sarah. Can you tell we were catching up on math today? Ultimate Frisbee league game for Daniel. Small Group dinner and wonderful time of prayer after with 3 other couples. Narnia movie for the younger kids.

And that’s all I have. So here’s one picture for our Project 365 and a happy goodnight to all.

I love this kid! He is a wonderful son. Blessed to have him in our family!

I love this kid! He is a wonderful son. Blessed to have him in our family!

Sometimes our Project 365 is just a paragraph and a picture. I guess I can be okay with that. I like to over think, over write, and over complicate things at times. Tonight I can be content with a simple approach.

Project 365 – Day 61
Kathy

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