October! BC Awareness Month

Hope begins with ME!

I'm spreading the word!  I am a survivor!  A survivor of nearly nine years!  YAY!  Here I am wearing an awareness t-shirt and a necklace my blogger friend, Edi of memoriesforlifesb, made for me!

Why am I showing you my selfie?  Ladies, I want you to remember to test yourself, be aware and get your screenings!  I found my own cancer and would not be here except for my awareness and exceptional medical help.  Please don't think that "It won't happen to me."  No one in my family had, nor have they been diagnosed with, this disease.  I was the first.  It can happen--protect yourself with all the information you can get.

Be Aware!

Be the best person in charge of your own care!

Restful Day

Recently I went to Willamette River State Park with some family . . . had a great day! Sorry some of the pics are blurry, but the memory isn't!

"G'ma!  Look what I found!" 

Laughing at the grands

skipping rocks with my grandsons

Riverside Afternoon

After spending a day in the hospital this week, I was ready for some "outside time".  Hubby and walked down to the Willamette River at Elk Island park and set up our portable chairs.  We sat under a tree, some type of willow, and enjoyed the breeze and the sunshine.  The river level was as low as I have ever seen it, with Elk Island not being an island anymore! We stayed about two hours just soaking in the outdoors on a beautiful day!  Here's a photo recap:

Elk "Island"

Some flowers were still in bloom  . . . . even tho' fall was only three days away!

The water was so calming . . . what a beautiful day!

Take a Closer Look . . .

City scene . . . 

Look closer . . . 

First Autumn leaves turning!

Turning Aside from Summer

It's early September,  and my grands are going back to school as summer is leaving.  Many people like the summer season as their favorite, but not me.  I wait patiently for summer to slip away into Fall! I lived in hot, sun-shiny country for more than 40 years of my life and I don't want to go back to that weather. That's one reason I love the Pacific Northwest--the weather!

I enjoy the cooling days of Autumn, the delight of the color appearing in the trees, the final tomatoes on the vine and just a sigh of relief as I walk through the garden. I don't mind the rain and the shortening days.  I love the fall produce--apples, pears and pumpkins. The fall flowers, mums, and drying hydrangeas are always a fun sign of the coming holidays. And one of my favorites, leaves swirling and blowing across the walk.  Ah . . . I just can't wait for a good Autumn stroll!