Guest Post – D.L.Finn – Miracles & Ghosts Past – A Christmas Collection Two #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 127 Comments

 

I am very happy to have as a guest, Denise Finn. As most of you know Denise is a prolific writer of children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She has a new book just in time for the holidays and she’s going to tell us all about it.

 

Thank you, John, for having me on your amazing blog to kick off the release and blog tour of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. I’m so grateful for your support!

I started a train story for another short story collection, but never finished it. Giving it another look, I decided to bring it into the Christmas season, and immediately found Rita’s story. I’ve been wanting to write a train story because I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl. I’ve been on many trains and plan to make this ride Rita took to Reno in the winter. I’ve watched that train cross over the summit many times from the overlook over Donner Lake. I have not only wondered about the view from the train, but also the history it carries. Now, I don’t know if they’ve ever made a murder mystery ride, but it sounded fun to me and became my idea for the story. I also like to use local settings when I can, and “The Christmas Train Mystery” was perfect for that. I almost ended it at one point where it would have been a short story, but that turned out not to be the end when a ghost and an angel got involved.

BLURB:

Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.” She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

 

EXCERPT FROM: The Christmas Mystery Train, 1986

Rita smiled as she tucked the train tickets in her purse.

The woman in the small booth grinned. “Happy thirtieth wedding anniversary to you and your husband. You’re going to have a great time!”

“Thank you, Patty. I’ve always wanted to go on the murder mystery ride and can’t believe they added in a special holiday one.”

“This is the first one, and it’s almost sold out. Enjoy!” Patty waved as her phone rang. She shut her window and answered the phone.

Rita unlocked her husband’s new red BMW M3. Her sensible gray, six-year-old Mercedes-Benz 300D was in the shop getting a tune-up. Their son, Kevin, picked up his dad to take him to work in his fancy blue Corvette that morning. The men in her life loved their cars, and she loved them, even though they weren’t always easy to deal with.

Rita was careful backing up. Morris wouldn’t be happy if his baby got scratched. She hurried to her salon appointment to get her hair highlighted with blond and red streaks, as Morris liked. Next on her list was to have his car washed and vacuumed, and finally grocery shopping. She made sure to park at the far end of the parking lot so no one would scratch the car. She had learned her lesson when someone had taken a key to her door at the mall last week. Her fault or not, she was blamed.

“No point in getting you a new car with how you care for this one.” He’d folded his arms.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”

“I hope so. We have an image now to keep up, but I suppose they can fix this when it’s in the shop for maintenance. It helps Kevin, too, as he moves up the ladder. Soon he’ll be a partner like me.” He pointed to his puffed-out chest.

“Yes, he is exactly like you.” Rita plastered a smile on her face.

He beamed like he was a lawyer lighthouse. “Yes, I’m very proud of my boy. Plus, he is marrying into one of San Francisco’s prominent families. Think of how that will help our firm.”

“I’m sure it will.” Rita hid her misgivings.

The girl was a delicate beauty but aloof and rude to people beneath her. A habit her husband had developed lately too. It was ironic because he would have been one of those people as a child. He grew up in a poor but loving family. Fifteen years ago, when his parents died two years apart, Morris blamed their poverty, not the cancer or heart attack. From that day forward, his focus was on making sure he didn’t end up like them. He stopped responding to his brother’s calls and put all his energy into work. It was like none of them or that life had ever existed, no matter how many times Rita tried to remind him. She sighed loudly and pulled into the Fabulous Forties, where the wealthy lived.

Universal Purchase Link

 

FUN FINN FACTS

  1. I’m a big fan of train rides and have been on amazing ones like the Skunk train out of Fort Bragg, CA. Many more to explore!
  2. Must-watch Christmas movies and shows for me are: It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

 

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

 

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To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 109. With etes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “shakes.” That is our prompt today. Also if you would like a Kindle copy of Eternal Road it will be free on Amazon in the US from October 2 through October 5th. I’ll publish a link and reminder nearer the event.

Shakes by John W. Howell © 2025

“You have the shakes. How come?”

“I’m not sure. I just can’t seem to get warm.”

“Have you eaten anything that may not agree?”

“You know I did have some fish last night. Maybe that’s it.”

“You can never be too careful.”

“Yeah I know. I thought it was fresh.”

“Were the eyes clear?”

“Yes and it was nicely chilled too.”

“Well, maybe that is not the reason then. Could be the weather.”

“It does seem colder for sure.”

“I think we are getting ready for winter. So how can I help you?”

“Just talking helps. I think the shakes are gone.”

“It’s pretty dangerous getting chilled. Especially up here.”

“I think I’m going to be okay.”

“That sounds great. How about a swim.?”

“Good idea. That will get my blood rolling for sure.”

“We can go visit the rookery and check out the chicks.”

“They are probably pretty big now. They are over five months old. We gotta watch out for the Mama’s though.”

“I know. Nothing riles a penguin Mama like the thought of a chick being disturbed.”

“Last one in is a rotten egg.”

 

I will be on a break from Friday September 26th until Thursday October 2nd.

 

Top Ten Things Not to DO When Visiting the Zoo

~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments
Image by si_kor from Pixabay

 

This post ran on April 7th 2014 annd was co-authored by Marie Ann Bailey and me. Since the last few days of summer still allow a zoo trip, hopefully, this will be useful.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Visiting the Zoo

10. When visiting the zoo, do not try to get the chimpanzees’ attention by throwing popcorn at them. If you do, at best, they will simply pick up the popcorn and eat it and continue to ignore you. At worst, they will reciprocate by flinging some dark, smelly stuff back at you, causing you and the family to have an uncomfortable ride home, with your shirt covered in chimp poop.

9. When visiting the zoo, do not think that just because the Siberian Leopard kitten is fast asleep, you can simply reach through the bars and scratch its adorable furry little head. If you do, at best, you might merely bruise your arm as you jerk it back when you hear the kitten’s mother roar. At worst, the kitten will wake up and decide to play tug-of-war with your arm while mama gets closer and closer, snarling the whole way.

8. When visiting the zoo, do not throw things into the elephant exhibit just because you think it is fun to watch elephants pick things up with their trunks. If you do, at best, you will be reprimanded by the zoo staff and told to leave the zoo. At worst, you will be tasked with cleaning up the elephant exhibit, which could be a lengthy process since the elephants never forget a litter bug and might think it is fun to pick you up with their trunks.

7. When visiting the zoo, do not try to mimic the Lemurs as they run through their exhibit, catapulting themselves through the air and landing upright on trees. If you do, at best, your efforts will result in some embarrassment and a rash on your bark from you ungracefully sliding down a tree that you tried to leap onto. At worst, the tree you leapt onto will turn out to be inside the Lemur exhibit, causing the Lemurs to see you as a predator and mob you until you are rescued by zoo staff.

6. When visiting the zoo, do not sneak in a pair of roller skates because you made a bet with your best friend that you can get through all the exhibits within an hour. If you do, at best, you will only draw the ire of the other zoo visitors, as they have to jump out of your way to avoid being run over by you. At worst, you might take one of the downhill paths too fast and find yourself nose-to-nose with a rhinoceros in its wading pool at feeding time.

5. When visiting the zoo, do not tap on the glass of the Goliath birdeater exhibit, thinking you can coax the tarantula to where you can see it better. If you do, at best, the tarantula will just hunker down even more, and zoo staff will be compelled to ask you to leave. At worst, before making you go, the staff will insist that you clean the cage of the birdeater, blindfolded with peanut butter on your fingers.

4. When visiting the zoo, do not try to entice a crocodile to open its mouth by holding food out over the fence. If you do, at best, the croc will simply ignore you since it probably is more interested in the Pekingese that someone snuck in. At worst, the croc will leap up and forward to get your hand as well as the treat in it, causing you to dislocate your shoulder as you try to get out of the way without falling over the fence and into the croc’s open mouth.

3. When visiting the zoo, do not think yelling at bears is a good and effective way to get their attention and make them active. If you do, at best, you will simply annoy the other zoo visitors until someone wads up a paper bag and stuffs it in your mouth. At worst, after stuffing the paper bag in your mouth, the other zoo visitors band together and toss you over into the bear exhibit, causing such a commotion that the bears then wake up and become active, thinking you to be a member of a rival clan.

2. When visiting the zoo, do not think that you can hide out until after the zoo closes because you always wanted to see the zoo at night. If you do, at best, you might become very bored very quickly because most of the animals are also done for the night and curled away in their beds. At worst, you try to entertain yourself by climbing trees, pretending to be a monkey, until you realize, much too late, that you’ve flung yourself into the lion exhibit, and since they hunt at night, they are all wide awake and waiting for you.

1. When visiting the zoo, do not try to pretend you are a member of the zoo staff just so you can arrange a close encounter with the zoo’s mascot, a yellow reticulated python named Lemondrop. If you do, at best, you will be found out because you have to keep looking at your badge to remember the name of the staff member from whom you stole the uniform. At worst, you get your close encounter with Lemondrop, who turns out to like you so much that the python can’t help but take you into its burrow to give you a big hug.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Sculpture Garden – Great Hills Brass Concert

~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

We are headed to the Lakeway Sculpture Garden to attend the Great Hills Brass ensemble concert sponsored by the City of Lakeway Arts Committee.  We are catered by the Launderette of Austin, and our entertainment is The John Wilson Orchestra.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Seven

~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

At seven in the morning, no one wants to be forced to fix a coffee machine. This morning is no exception. The hatch is open, and a confusing maze of wires and lights makes me wonder why it’s open in the first place. The machine asks if a song would help calm my nerves. “Yes, Hal, a song would be nice.”

The machine starts singing, ” Daisy, daisy give me your answer true.”

“It was then that the decision is made to go to Starbucks. Before leaving, somebody activated the Westchester Chime sequence of the front doorbell. This, of course, triggers the baying of Igor’s hounds in the form of Twiggy and Tempeste. A ham hock toss into the soundproof room followed by a slam of the door brings peace back to the valley. Looking at the security camera,  a very large bear is seen standing on the porch. “What do you want?” is the message through the intercom. “Envelope for Howell,” comes the reply. “Just leave it.”

After a long silence, it is clear the bear is not going to leave the envelope. With a sigh, the standby process is begun.

The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away.  The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opens.

A bear is wearing a pork pie hat. “Sign here,” he says, and passes me a clipboard. My signature is placed next to my name, and the bear hands me an envelope. “Haven’t we met before?” My question causes the bear to scratch his head. “Have you been to Jellystone Park?” My response is negative. The bear holds out his paw. “Here’s your tip. Not all pick a nick baskets are created equal.”

Before the bear can react, the front door is slammed and the envelope opened. It is from Linda Hill.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “seven.” Use it however you’re inspired to. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2025/09/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-20-2025/

Seven by John W. Howell © 2025

“Was that Yogi the Bear?”

“If you say so.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have a use license, so since you are not writing this post, you can say whatever you want without setting me up for a lawsuit.”

“I’m not sure that’s how it works.”

“Well, anyway, I don’t think we could consider this blog a commercial enterprise, so it may be a moot point after all.”

“What side of the law  book did you get up on this morning?”

“I’m just saying.”

“I hope we are by that stuff.”

“Yes, we are. What do you want to talk about?”

“Seven.”

“Seven?”

“Yup. Seven VooDoo Rangers.”

“Where’s the Uber?”

“Over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion

“What is that?”

“It’s a Volvo 122. I would say a 1964.”

“Well, it looks like the driver is ready, so let’s go.”

“We have one stop first.”

“I hope it isn’t a wax job.”

“No, it is a stop at IKEA.”

“IKEA? What for?”

“The car needs a new engine, so we will pick one up.”

“All put together?”

“Are you kidding at IKEA?  We have to hurry; it may take a while.”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/GoodNews

~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments
– supplied by Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

 

Today’s Good news comes from the Good News Network.

Aboriginal Elders Lead Prescribed Burn–and Rare Orchids Appear by Thousands

By Andy Corbley –

Recapturing ancestral responsibility and restoring endangered orchids are the themes coming out of Australia’s scorched grasslands.

Burned by the cataclysmic bushfires of 2019, a national park called the Barrington Tops exploded in rare veined doubletail orchids, and now the traditional owners of the lands perform prescribed burns to aid these flowers in flourishing under duress from invasive species.

“During the… wildfires, fire jumped up here on the plateau,” Luke Foster, from the country’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), told ABC News AU. “And in the burn footprint the following season, we had 4,000 [orchids] pop up right where the fire went through.”

Prior to 2023, it had been more than 50 years since the plain experienced a cultural burning, when slower, cooler fires are allowed to spread across the landscape according to elders’ deep knowledge of the terrain.

Birrbay, Warrimay, Wanarruwa, Gaewegal, and Guringay peoples all consider the Barrington Tops, called the Biyan Biyan Plain in their language, to be their traditional lands, and elders of these groups speak of a time when it was used as a place for gathering.

Warrimay elder Michelle Perry has been collaborating at the request of the DCCEEW to help lead the burning in aid of the veined doubletail orchid. According to Perry, Aboriginal groups have been conducting these burnings for millennia to prevent larger, more destructive wildfires from breaking out.

“There was a sense that they [our ancestors] were giving approval… it was just a sense of, ‘Yeah, they’re caring, watching.’ It has been one of the best things that’s happened for me and my family,” she told ABC.

So far the collaboration between the DCCEEW and some 150 different traditional owners has lit controlled fire to the Barrington Tops three times, and research is ongoing to study its effects on the orchids.

Ms. Perry relishes each chance to forge a greater connection to the land, and focuses on sharing and instilling that sense of connection into the younger generations of Warrimay and others.

The good news in this story is nature has a way to replenish treasured flora. Today’s JohnKu talks about how nature works. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Orchids by John W. Howell © 2025

Endangered orchids,

Rise from the flames to glory . . .

Nature sleeps till called.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Critique the Dining Room

~ John W. Howell ~ 94 Comments

“Twiggy, today is the day for the new carpet and table in the dining room.”

“How do you know that?”

“I heard Mom telling Dad.”

“And we should care, why?

“New stuff is always exciting. Come on, let’s check it out.”

“Okay. I think Bunny has had enough of a nap.”

“The carpet is so nice. You can rub your chin on it.”

“Don’t let Mom see you doing that. Where’s the table?”

“The delivery guy is due any time.”

“I can’t wait to see his face when we bark him to St. Louis.”

“That is always good for a laugh for sure.”

“I think I hear something.”

 

“Too bad we had to spend time in the yard. We missed the whole bark-a-thon.”

“The table looks great. I’m sorry, we couldn’t get in the way while it was being set up.”

“Well, at least we can enjoy camping out here. Man, I’m bushed.”

“I know what you mean. You know, I have a funny feeling.”

“What kind of feeling?”

“Like there is a big cat around here somewhere.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger point Prompt – “Appointment”

~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Today, we randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 209. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and my finger landed closest to the word “appointment.” This is our prompt today.

Appointment by John W. Howell © 2025

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, but my tooth is killing me.”

“Let me ask the dentist if he can see you.”

“Tell him it’s an emergency.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Excuse me, sir.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t have an appointment, you are at the end of the line. Look around. There are several waiting to see the dentist.”

“I understand, but I’m in pain.”

“We are all in pain. So that doesn’t make you special.”

“Let’s see what the dentist says, shall we?”

“Just like the privileged ones. Don’t take responsibility and push good citizenship off on someone else.”

“Man, you got up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“It just burns my butt that you think you can walk in here and jump to the head of the line.”

“Okay. I think you can just settle down.”

“Yeah, right. How did you get a toothache anyway?”

“I was eating some chicken, and I guess I bit down on a bone or something.”

“Which tooth is it?”

“I’m not sure. I have so many. Wait a minute. You’re not the dentist, so why all the questions?”

“I’m just trying to figure out if I can help. Open your mouth.”

“What? No way.”

“Come on.”

“There.”

“I see the problem. You have a bone caught between two teeth. Here, let me pull it out.”

“Whoa. That feels better.”

“Where did you get this chicken anyway?”

“It just fell in.”

“I take it you didn’t tuck it under a log.”

“No, I was too hungry.”

“See. That’s what you get by not following alligator rules. The prey must soak until tender.”

“Okay, I get the lesson. Now I’m outta here. Thanks for the help. See ya later, alligators.”

“Sir, the doctor will see you now.”

“That’s okay. Tell him to see the next in line.”

 

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Signing Up With an Online Dating Service

~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments
Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay

 

First posted on April 21, 2014 by Marie Ann Bailey and me. I don’t know why we posted it back then but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe it is still a good idea although neither Marie or I use dating services.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Signing Up With an Online Dating Service

10. When signing up for an online dating service, do not use your old high school senior photo in your profile. If you do, at best, your future dates might forgive you for being somewhat more overweight and wrinkled than your photo suggests. At worst, you might get sued by future dates for emotional and psychological trauma especially those who thought they were going to date an 18-year-old.

9. When signing up for an online dating service, do not say that you live in a foreign country because you want to appear exotic. If you do, at best, your future dates will be relieved to find out that you actually live within driving distance of them and they don’t have to pay exorbitant sums of money for a first date. At worst, your dream date who really does live in the country you claim to live in will out you to everyone else in the service and you will have to change your profile and your identity and actually move to a foreign country.

8. When signing up for an online dating service, do not claim to be a great cook when you still can’t make a decent peanut butter and jelly sandwich. If you do, at best, your future dates will prefer to dine out anyway and will never find out your lie. At worst, your dream date will wind up in the ER after you actually try to prepare a romantic, home-cooked meal for your first (and now last) date.

7. When signing up for an online dating service, do not inflate your educational background so you can appear to be more intelligent than you apparently are. If you do, at best, your future dates will not be interested in your opinion on the Dunning-Kruger effect anyway and you’ll be saved from having to present yourself as an example of it. At worst, your profile will be tagged as someone who suffers from the Dunning-Kruger effect (overestimating your abilities) which you will find frustrating since your last name is not Dunning nor is it Kruger.

6. When signing up for an online dating service, do not minimize your educational background to appear to less intelligent than you really are because you are afraid of intimidating anyone. If you do, at best, your future dates won’t be interested in degrees anyway just as long as you can enjoy conversations with each other. At worst, your future dates will look like the cast from “Duck Dynasty.”

5. When signing up for an online dating service, do not claim to be fluent in any language when all you can say is “Hello” and “Goodbye” in that language. If you do, at best, all your future dates have the same native tongue as you, but no foreign language fluency so they get excited when you say “Bonjour” and “Adios” in the same sentence. At worst, your dream date will be fluent in the language you claim to be fluent in (let’s say, French, for fun) and invite you to a romantic getaway to Paris where the best you can do is say “Bonjour” to everything anyone else says to you, with the result that two hours into the romantic getaway, your dream date leaves you at a café with just your French-English dictionary to help you find your way home.

4. When signing up for an online dating service, do not claim to not have cats when you do just because the dream date you picked out is allergic to cats. At best, you never get together with your dream date but the second best date not only asks you out but also happens to like cats (and then you live happily ever after). At worst, your dream date comes to your place for coffee and, within five minutes, develops red, itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing fits, and a facial rash, even though your cats are not in your house because you had them boarded. All of this results in you being on the hook for your dream date’s trip to the ER and allergy medication as well as the boarding fees for a date that went nowhere.

3. When signing up for an online dating service, do not use a glamour photo for your profile, even if your friends insist it will get you more dates. At worst, all your future dates also use glamour photos so no one can complain when none of you look glamorous in real life. At worst, see the worst case scenario for #1 and then double it.

2. When signing up for an online dating service, do not present yourself as a social butterfly when in fact you get panic attacks when you have to speak to more than one person at a time. If you do, at best, your future dates will be flattered when you say you prefer evenings alone so you can get to know them better. At worst, your future dates will think your Howard Hughes profile is creepy since they assumed you loved the party life and eventually leave you to your evenings alone as a party of one.

1. When signing up for an online dating service, do not pretend to be anyone but who you really are. If you do, a©t best, you will find someone who will actually like you for yourself and you will make some new good friends. At worst, you’ll be stuck with a revolving door of dates but no relationships. (On the upside, that could be fodder for some good stories.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Activity Center – Art and Craft Show

~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Today we are headed for the Lakeway Activity Center to check out the art and craft show. We are catered by APT 115 of Austin, and our entertainment is Simon and Garfunkel.

Menu

  • CHEESE AND CHARCUTERIE  – Cornichons, Pickled Watermelon Rind, Baguette

  • FOIE GRAS TORCHON – Gala Apple, Black Truffle Hone

  • SWEET POTATO PANCAKE – Creme Fraiche, Herbs

  • VICHYSSOISE – Scarlet Crab, Brown Butter, Arugula

  • GARDEN SALAD – Rose Vinaigrette, Black Sesame

  • COLUMBIA RIVER KING SALMON – Sea Bean, Beurre Rouge, Pecan Crumb

  • DUCK CONFIT – Hoisin, Bok Choy, Orange, Fennel

  • HANGER STEAK – Texas Wagyu, Sweet Potato, Salsa Verde

    Picture of an old time school bus

    Let’s go.

    Welcome to the Activity Center.

    Here we are. Looks like a lot to see.

    Turnout looks great.

    Paintings and figurines.

    Some bright colors.

    Smiling face and abstracts.

    Note cards and art.

    A lemonade stand.

    Craft Jewelry.

    Another smiling face and more abstract art.

    Ceramics.

    Some music to help appreciate the art.