Canada

The origin of the name "Canada" comes from the expedition of explorer Jacques Cartier up the St. Lawrence River in 1535. The Iroquois, pointing out the route to the village of Stadacona (future site of Quebec City) used the word "kanata," the Huron-Iroquois word for village. Jacques Cartier used the word Canada to refer to both the settlement of Stadacona and the land surrounding it subject to Chief Donnacona. By 1547, maps were showing the name Canada applied to everything north of the St. Lawrence River, and as the New France colonies grew, the name stuck.

Portland, OR - Lisa on an Electrical Pole

This is from several weeks ago, when they had an expo in Portland encouraging women to go into the trades, such as electrical, construction, welding, etc. Besides really wonderful opportunities for women to get training and apprenticeships in these non-traditional fields, it was really a fantastic opportunity to try some things you wouldn't ordinarily have the opportunity to try. They had project tables where you could make small projects to take home, and other areas where you could tackle bigger things. Here you could try operating a crane, wiring small electrical devices, soldering, welding, building a birdhouse, and the one that caught my eye, climbing an electrical pole! I got about 20 feet off the ground before good sense got the better of me. :) The gal on the left is a lineman (linewoman?) from Portland General Electric who taught me how to get up there. (The photo's somewhat grainy because I had to scan it in from a Polaroid.)

It was a huge expo and it was so incredibly empowering to see all those women working and showing interest in non-traditional fields, sharing their experiences in the field and teaching each other new skills.

Beaverton, OR - Mama and ducklings in our backyard

Beaverton, OR - Squirrels on our balcony

This is a small collection of pics of various squirrels we've seen on our balcony over the months. We leave seeds and nuts for them and the birds (but it's a lot easier to get pics of the squirrels).







Hangin' out at Lickie's place

Beaverton, OR - New Seasons Market

They had the most beautiful sunflowers for sale out front.

Beaverton, OR - Beaverton Transit Center

We saw this mama duck and her 3 ducklings while waiting for the train.

Columbia Gorge, OR

This is an area east of Portland. The Columbia River Gorge is a river canyon cutting a route through the Cascade Mountain Range that is 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep. The north canyon walls are in Washington State and the south canyon walls are in Oregon State. There are many beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails here.













View from the bridge, down the waterfall








Wildflowers everywhere!

Woodburn, OR - Tulip Festival

During this second trip to the Tulip Festival, we caught more flowers in bloom than in the first time. The pictures really don't do it justice, though. You really have to be there to fully experience the wide stretches of color everywhere.