Pumpkin Time

Do you believe that fall is just around the corner? Now this is my wife's favorite time. She loves the leaves turning, getting costumes and candy for the kids. We always make it to a pumpkin patch. Below is a list of places where you can get your pumpkin.



■Bella Organic Portland Pumpkin Farm, September 3-October 31, NW Portland

■Fazio Farms, dates TBD, NE Portland

■The Flower Farmer, September 24-October 31, Canby

■Kruger’s Farm, September 23-October 31, Sauvie Island

■Lake View Farms, North Plains

■Lee Farms Pumpkin Patch, Tualatin

■Liepold Farms Harvest Festival, October 1-31, Boring

■Philip Foster Farm Cider Squeeze, September 24, Eagle Creek

■Plumper Pumpkin Patch, September 17-October 31, NW Portland

■The Pumpkin Patch, September-October 31, Sauvie Island

■Roloff Farms, October 1-30, Hillsboro

■Smith Berry Barn Apple Festival, October 15-16, Hillsboro

■Squishing of the Squash & Howloween, October 28-30, Oregon Zoo (Portland)

■West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, October 22, Tualatin

10 Years

Where were you on 9/11 10 yeas ago? I was getting ready for work when I heard the news from my mom. I turned on the TV and couldn't believe what had happen. My work (in California) was in a building that had Stanley Morgan Dean Witter as its main tenant. When I got to work they told me the devastation. Their company occupied an entire floor of one of the buildings of the Twin Towers. Fortunately the floor was under remodeling and most of their colleagues were not there.

I remember thinking, how can a human drive a plane into a building. How can a city deal with so much tragedy? What will this do to our country, make it stronger or divide us more?

You see my wife and I planned a trip to NY months before 9/11. We thought about canceling the trip. I called NY's box office where we ordered our tickets for a Broadway play. I asked them if I should cancel the tickets, she said "NO!" That would only hurt their local economy more. So we ventured out.

With a heavy heart we boarded the plane to New York. It was strange, flying for the 1st time since the attacks. Security was crazy about checking every bag and every person. I thought about the people that were on all 4 planes the terrorists high jacked. What went through the passengers minds, especially flight 93 who knew what was going on with the Twin Towers? I imagined me on that fateful flight calling my wife telling her I would not be home for dinner. When we finally got to New York City, we could smell the awful smell of the buildings still smoldering. The streets were wet to keep down the dust of the dump trucks hauling debris. New York City is known for its rudeness, not when we were there. They welcomed us with open arms. God Bless America was every where. You could see sheets saying things like, "I Love NY, City Of Heroes."

Probably the most shocking thing I saw was the dump trucks lined up. One had the words: Air Craft Parts Only. Something that should never be part of a building. It was an experience that will forever stay in my mind.

I love the slogan, "9/11, Never Forget." That is exactly what we should never do, forget!

Big Boy

Here is a picture of my son on his very 1st day of school. Arbor Custom Homes was so nice to let me take the morning off to walk my son to school. I am so proud of him.

Conversion Is Done



Before



After



Our office has been converted into 4 nice garages. Although not quite as pleasing to the eyes, much more practical. We even have 2 of our brand new homeowners living in their new homes. Congrats!