This began to bloom in our backyard in Mexico just before we had to leave to return North for the summer. In Oregon these flowers can only be raised as "hot house" orchids - never outdoors. How beautiful, and they grow so easily there. It is so hard to make the adjustment when we return NOB. During our drive home, we enjoyed upper 80's to low 90's. When we passed into the Mt. Shasta area (northern CA) it began to rain and temps dropped to 60's. In Oregon it was 50 degrees the day we got home.

We knew that we had many responsibilities to take care of right away when we got back, but we had no idea of the unexpected/unplanned events that we were in store for. The largest was a plumbing crisis that ended up costing over $700. The good news is that it could have been thousands if flooring and drywall had to be torn out and replaced along with some pipes. Another random thing that occurred: the  key to our '04 VW Touareg failed about a week after the beginning of the plumbing debacle. Reprogramming and getting a second key: $250. Not having it fail while on the road returning to Oregon: Priceless! For comparison purposes, below is what is growing in our front yard at home. Lovely, but very different!

Gregg is back into his fishing pastime here, and I am trying to secure garden space in our neighborhood. Today, and for the next couple of days, we are at the beach for some clamming. When we get home it is supposed to be 80 degrees for a couple of days! Excellent weather for Oregon this time of year. Unusual, but not unheard of.