Westmoreland Asays

About the time Ian was born, the G20 started performing lousy. The idle was rough, and I had hardly any power (i.e., going up hills was very challenging--I'd floor the gas pedal, but the car wouldn't respond and would even slow down). It had acted the same while I was storing it for the year before we gave up the Corolla, but it magically started running better after I started driving it regularly. But after six or seven months it started acting up again. I had my friend Greg help me give the G-car a tune-up (new spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, and fuel filter), but that didn't help (although the car needed these things anyway). I had a hunch I needed new fuel injectors. And with the help of some buddies on G20.net, I was able to get some injectors out of a low-mileage Japanese engine for cheap and had help installing them in my engine. When I cranked the engine for the first time, I immediately knew we had solved the problem: it idled smoothly at the correct RPMs...

It was the last day of the month. I was out of ideas for a new route to run at lunch time (I do not like to repeat a route during the month), so I decided to run my route along the Willamette Trail and John's Landing backwards; you might be amazed at how different a route feels when you do it backwards. Anyway, as I was turning the corner in the South Waterfront district, a 1960's convertible came into view just as it was pulling out of one of the tower's parking garages, and I immediately knew who it was: Channing Frye. Sure, he isn't the most popular Trailblazer (at least among casual fans), but he possess by far the best personality on the team. So I gave him a shout-out as we passed, and likewise he to me. This is the closest thing to encountering a Blazer that I've ever had, although I was shooting a race last spring in Lake Oswego where I saw Steve Blake and took pictures of his wife at the finish line. But again you're thinking, Who the heck is Steve Blak...

We don't watch much tv at our house; Meg watches some shows while she feeds the beast, I watch an NBA or college football game here and there, and the boys watch a handful of shows on Qubo and PBS Kids. We're more likely to be playing games, watching a movie, or having fun outside. But Aaron and Edward recently got a taste of America's Funniest Videos, and they now look forward to watching it. The video here demonstrates this enjoyment, but it also shows that Eddie doesn't just cringe-and-cry for the camera. Meg also reminded me that at church today Edward shoved four pretzels (not the stick kind--the kind out of the huge Costco bag) into his mouth at the same time. She gently reprimanded him and told him it wasn't funny, but then quickly turned the other direction and tried very hard not to laugh out loud.

From Little North Fork Hike Some of you may have forgotten that I have a third son because I write little--if anything--about him. Well, like Brittney said, Why don't ya do something? Today Ian slept more in one stretch than did I (i.e., he went to bed before me, and woke up after me): he went to bed around 9:30 p.m., and he didn't wake up until about 5:00 a.m.--and he did this all in his own bed. He usually wakes up around 3 or 4--but just once. Aaron was an absolute terrible sleeper as a baby (and even as a toddler--see here , here , and here ), so I'm glad he came first--it has made the latter boys so much easier to manage. Random Observations of the Moment: Ian weighs 15.6 pounds (with clothes). Ian will occasionally smile back at you if he thinks your face is goofy-looking enough. Ian likes to be held--a lot. Ian enjoys his nightly bath. Ian does not like watching the Lakers play basketball--except when they are losing to the Blazers.

About a month ago I bought a 1999 Redline Petty Cash bike in Portland from craigslist. I kept it at work for a few weeks before a co-worker kindly brought it and myself home from the office one day, and then I kept it hidden in our garage for a few more weeks. The point was to surprise Aaron on his last day of school (today)--to give him something that he could enjoy throughout his first summer vacation. He's outgrown his 16" bike, so it was time for an upgrade anyway. After he left for school, I spent my lunch hour putting on some touch-up paint and positioned the bike so he would easily spot it upon arriving home from school. I was surprised at his reaction; maybe because it wasn't new and blue made it somewhat disappointing. But I think he doesn't care any more and is hopeful to grow a few more inches soon, because the bike is a little too big for him now, and that makes it difficult for him to start and stop.

I took Aaron and Edward to watch McNary vs. Roseburg in the Oregon State baseball championship game at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, less than a mile from where I grew up (the stadium wasn't there until after I moved away from home, of course). At the game I saw many old friends (Larry Stewart, Tim Curry), former teammates (Boomer, Lance Guenther), and of course Mr. Backlund. Aaron was pretty good about following the game, but Edward didn't seem to care either way, once he had eaten his candy. I was glad I went, especially because I was able to see McNary win the state championship again. McNary captures the Class 6A baseball crown

Aaron was "promoted" from kindergarten to the first grade today. Click To Play

For all that associate with me on a regular basis, I know this topic is on your minds. But just like when I had Meg dye my hair blond several years ago, most people are reluctant to challenge me on what the heck I'm doing (I think most people are afraid that I'll go WWF on them ). It's the coffee folks--lots and lots of coffee. No, I haven't started drinking the stuff; rather, I thought I would divert the used grounds from the garbage at work and put them in my garden instead. Meg even brought home a huge garbage bag full of them when she stopped by Safeway at the in-store Starbucks; most places will give them to you for free, if you ask. I began spreading them throughout my garden this week, hoping that they will act as a natural fertilizer for our various perennials and vegetables. I expect the plants and worms will enjoy the new treat, but I will have to wait and see what happens. Brigham Young of all persons partly inspired me with the idea re-using the coffee grou...