Sorry it's been so quiet

Well, lately a lot of my work hasn't been on the Internets. So, there is nothing to link up. I have never been a fan of just random spewing of my thoughts online -- I think it's kind of self-absorbed.

This blog was mostly created so family members could see what I was doing, not for the rantings of a stay-at-home dad/madman.

Anyway, I did a follow up to the Greenhalgh-Johnson story -- about the teacher who has lymphoma and got a stem-cell transplant from her sister. Great people and I wish them well.

Community rallies around local family.

Coming up I will be doing more work for Oregon.com so there should be some updates in the next week or two. They gave me about 11 stories -- so I am going to be jetting around the state playing tourist. Fun job if you can get it!

Thanks, stay safe...

Pat

Violet makes her Internet debut!

So I finally finished my coast stories for Oregon.com. The last one being the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Make sure when you visit the article to notice Violet petting a fake cow.

Well, explosions are going to happen soon.

Pat

Two versions of the same story

In the newspaper business, sometimes they have to cut a story down to make it fit. Putting together a newspaper is like a big jigsaw puzzle with stories and photos as the pieces.

Anyway, I did a story on this great family from Silverton. The mom has Lymphoma and the dad is staying up at OHSU with her to help give her care. I totally empathize with these folks and hope that after reading the story you will consider giving them even a modest amount. They are very friendly and kind people.

Stayton Mail version here.

Silverton Appeal version here.

Stay safe,

Pat

P.S. I will be posting updates on them as I get them. As a freelancer I am never sure if I am going to be following a story all the way or not. But I am going to keep track of these folks.

Turner Training Fire

The Turner Fire District had a training fire last weekend and I was there ... sucking in smoke, getting drenched by water hoses and interviewing volunteer firefighters. Fun times!

Got some great pictures. I will share some once I get some time.

Here is the article that was printed in the Stayton Mail today, with one of my pics.

Stay safe,

Pat

What exactly is a Thunderberry?

Find out in this article I wrote for the Silverton Appeal.

Thunderberries rumble into Silverton.

It was a pretty fun event for the first year.

I keep doing motorcycle articles I might have to get one.

Right.

Make sure to wash Thunderberries before you eat them.

Pat

What doesn't make the paper

Sometimes you really like a picture and it doesn't make the paper. For some reason I liked this shot at the Stayton Intermediate School American Revolution demonstration I covered. The expressions of the kids in the background are priceless.

Thought I would share it.

Don't walk in front of a loaded cannon...

Pat

Tillamook Air Museum

Yes, I am still writing stories from my vacation in May. I know, I know -- SLACKER!

Here is the latest article I just finished on the Tillamook Air Museum. Very cool place if you are into airplanes and history.

Violet calls planes, DADO! So she had a field day at museum when we visited.

Stay safe!

pat

Senior Life

Um, I am not sure anyone is reading this, but it's a useful tool for when I have to do invoices.

So, I am going to keep updating this.

Here is the latest Senior Life and I have two articles in there. I didn't take any pictures for this one. I really like the cover shot -- that's why they have professional photographers!

Stay safe,

pat

American Revolution Stayton Style

Last week I got to hang out with a bunch of fifth-graders who had an assembly showing them what it was like in the American Revolution.

One of the things I learned is you never walk in front of a loaded cannon. :)

I didn't know it was loaded.

Really.

Well, here is the story I wrote, I interviewed some kids -- which is always a good time -- and talked with the teacher and the dudes dressed up as soldiers from that era.

Stayton Intermediate School under attack!

Stay safe -- don't walk in front of loaded cannons.

Pat

More about Lamb and Wool

Got a chance to do a story on the kids that were selected as the Marion County Lamb & Sheep Court. They get to go around to fairs and events and promote -- you guessed it -- sheep.

So here is the story, I think they are going to put up a photo too, but you never know.

Last week they used four pictures and put one online.

Stay safe,

Pat