Enchanted Pumpkin Garden – 2017 – Part 2


The information below appeared on yesterday’s post so if you read that, feel free to skip to the pictures below. If, however, you didn’t read it, you can find it HERE.

This time of the year fosters much fun and merriment related to Halloween and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Carefree, AZ offers a display of pumpkin carvings and pumpkin-based dioramas. Ray Villafane and his crew are carving magicians and once again this year their skill is on display.

There is more background information in last year’s posts. You can find them HERE.

As you will see below, this year’s dioramas are entertaining with their ingenoius scenes and situations. A few are a bit macabre, but overall the display and event are very family friendly. Here are some photographs from the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, 2017 – Part 2


Ray Villafane continued to work on this carving of the day
As guests stroll through the garden Ray Villafane (pumpkin carver extraordinaire) continued to work on this carving of the day.


Keep an eye our as there are pumpkins at nearly every turn
Keep an eye our as there are pumpkins at nearly every turn!


With all the pumpkins in town, sometimes  medical care may be needed
With all the pumpkins in town, sometimes medical care may be needed.


Unfortunate pumpkin has an injured leg
Unfortunate pumpkin has an injured leg.


This individudal had a run in with a Cholla cactus
This individudal had a run in with a Cholla cactus!


There were some who wanted to relax around a campfire
There were some who just wanted to relax around a campfire.


The ol' swimmin' hole was popular this evening
The ol’ swimmin’ hole was popular this evening.


Hard to tell if this pumpkin is having fun or not
Hard to tell if this pumpkin is having fun or not.


Having trouble lifting weights at the gym
Having trouble lifting weights at the gym.


A boxing match was held on the other side of the gym
A boxing match was held on the other side of the gym and…


The fellow on the left is knocked off his feet
The fellow on the left is knocked off his feet.


Pumpkins needed to watch out for the mean pumpkin catcher!
Pumpkins needed to watch out for the mean pumpkin catcher!.


The three witches were working on a brew
The three witches were working on a brew.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 
See previous posts about life in the desert HERE.


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 – JBRish.com



STATUS QUOtes — 20171031

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“The dog that trots about finds a bone.” — Golda Meir

“You don’t tell the quality of a master by the size of his crowds.” — Richard Bach

“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.” — Sir Francis Bacon

“Why do you have to be a nonconformist like everybody else?” — James Thurber

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 — JBRish.com


Enchanted Pumpkin Garden – 2017 – Part 1


This time of the year fosters much fun and merriment related to Halloween and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Carefree, AZ offers a display of pumpkin carvings and pumpkin-based dioramas. Ray Villafane and his crew are carving magicians and once again this year their skill is on display.

There is more background information in last year’s posts. You can find it HERE.

As you will see below, this year’s dioramas are entertaining with their ingenious scenes and exhibits. A few are a bit macabre, but overall the displays and event are very family friendly. Here are some photographs from the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, 2017 – Part 1


Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Sign


Ray Villafane wielding his pumpkin carving wizardry
Ray wielding his pumpkin carving wizardry.


Carved pumpkin closeup
Carved pumpkin closeup


This pumpkin appears to be afraid of spiders
This pumpkin appears to be afraid of spiders (dangling in front).


Bad news about pumpkins in the paper
This fellow seems disturbed about the pumpkins making the newspaper headlines.


Pumpkin piano man
Piano man doesn’t seem to be having a good night!


Halloween couple greets visitors on stage
A Halloween couple greets visitors on stage and will eagerly pose for pictures.


Have your picture taken atop hay bales with a pumpkin man
Visitors can have their picture taken atop hay bales with a pumpkin man.


A pumpkin farrier is shoeing a horse
Western themed pumpkin farrier is shoeing a horse.


Diorama chicks made from gourds
Diorama chicks made from gourds


These pumpkin horses are ready to go
These pumpkin horses are ready to go.


Stagecoach driver gets the team ready to move
A stagecoach driver gets the team ready to move.

Watch for Part 2 tomorrow!

 
See previous posts about life in the desert HERE.


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 – JBRish.com



STATUS QUOtes — 20171030

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“No more good must be attempted than the people can bear.” — Thomas Jefferson

“Sometimes you have to take things on faith, even if you don’t have any faith.” — Patty Flack

“It is dangerous to confuse vengeance with justice.” — Hua Mulan

“The only really good place to buy lumber is at a store where the lumber has already been cut and attached together in the form of furniture, finished, and put inside boxes.” — Dave Barry

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 — JBRish.com


STATUS QUOtes — 20171029

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“By the work one knows the workman.” — Jean de La Fontaine

“There are few things as seemingly untouched by the real world as a child asleep.” — John Irving

“It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man’s oration — nay, it is a very easy matter — but to produce a better in its place is a work extremely troublesome.” — Plutarch

“The day I worry about cleaning my house is the day Sears comes out with a riding vacuum cleaner.” — Roseanne Barr

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 — JBRish.com


Halloween Porsche (October 2017) – Oh My!

Today’s Halloween Pictures

An orange and black Halloween Porsche

Seeing a Porsche in a parking lot in North Scottsdale is not unusual, but seeing one that is orange and black just in time for the Halloween season is something special.


An orange and black Halloween Porsche

Too bad the lighting was so poor. The deep black against the bright orange really produced an eye-catching view!

The photo below, courtesy of tapatalk.com, shows the “real” colors of this beautiful machine!


An orange and black Halloween Porsche

Above photo courtesy of tapatalk.com; thank you!

 


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 – JBRish.com


STATUS QUOtes — 20171028

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“Facts are to the mind what food is to the body.” — Edmund Burke

“Everyone tells you what’s good for you. They don’t want you to find your own answers. they want you to believe theirs.” — Dan Millman

“The influence of the platform is much more potent than that of the pen.” — James Lendall Basford

“There must be a mistake: you’ve accidentally given me the food my food eats.” — Nick Offerman

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 — JBRish.com


Pickleball: Slow It Down

In my last pickleball post, I included a link to an article which explained that there doesn’t necessarily have to be dinking in any given pickleball game. If you missed that essay, you can catch it at this link:

There’s No Dinking in Pickleball

Below is a short video explaining the opposite view, i.e. why you need to use the slow game (which includes dinking).


Top 3 Reasons You Should Slow The Game Down | Pickleball Quick Tip

 

If you are convinced that this is something you would like to learn, Deb Harrison explains the general technique in the video below. At one point, she was a proponent of what she referred to as the “elephant dink.” She has since revised her thinking and is now a proponent of a slightly different dinking style.

Here is a video explaining her revised, new technique for hitting the dink.



NOTE – One of the key points she makes is to ALWAYS FACE THE BALL. This is good advice for all shots as champion Sarah Ansboury advocates.

If you would like to improve your soft/slow pickleball skills, here are three videos by 5.0 player Jordan Briones to help you practice dinking.


Pickleball Dink Drill | Straight On Dinks

 

Pickleball Dink Drill | Forehand Dinks

 

Pickleball Dink Drill | Backhand Dink

 

I hope you have found these helpful and that you are inspired to try to improve your dinking!

More Pickleball Videos

To See additional Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017


STATUS QUOtes — 20171027

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“If you remember me, then I don’t care if everyone else forgets.” — Haruki Murakami

“If you want to know your true opinion of someone, watch the effect produced in you by the first sight of a letter from him.” — Arthur Schopenhauer

“Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away.” — Doug Larson

“When I was kidnapped, my parents snapped into action. They rented out my room.” — Woody Allen

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 — JBRish.com


Exploring Astoria, Oregon – Part 2

As I mentioned in my previous post (see link below), we found much to do during our August, 2017 visit to Astoria, OR. We continued to explore the town and the nearby riverfront. The morning was very hazy/foggy; some of it caused by the abundant wildfires in surrounding areas.

Walking by the river, there were many scenes I found picture-worthy such as this shot of the sun poking out behind the crows nest of a small ship.


Waterfront ship's crows nest with sun

We were interested in a paddle wheeler, the American Empress, that was moored at a nearby dock. We headed toward the ship and met two passengers along the way. They explained that the steamship was sidelined because of the wildfires and was “stuck” in Astoria until the air quality and wildfires improved enough for them to head upriver.


Paddleboat Steamship anchored in Astoria

Even the moss covered pylons against the mossy green and grey of the rocks led to a few colorful snaps.


Moss covered rocks and pilons create a colorful scene

We often enjoy speaking with the agents at the local visitor’s center and I need to brag about the Astoria staff and facility. They had many varied and interesting resources and we enjoyed learning about some of the local favorites uncovered through our questioning of the agents. The bus below was parked outside and little did I know it was the living quarters of someone and not an attraction; sorry!


Fanciful bus outside the visitor's center

Even with the fog, the aura of the waterfront was alluring and picturesque.


The fog created an eeerie waterfront mood

We read about the Astoria Column and the staff at the visitor’s center encouraged us to visit. There is a small parking fee of $5 that covers a year of parking. The car ride was uphill and the road to the tower was curvy. The column was constructed 600 feet above sea level on Coxcomb Hill. It is 125 feet high and those electing to ascend it will need to climb 164 steps.

Once in the parking area, you can look around and notice some of the sights Astoria has to offer. The view below shows the Megler Bridge partially covered by fog.


walking up the hill to the Astoria Column

You can see a person walking to the tower. If you don’t need to park, the visit is free!

Below is another view from the parking area.


Another view from the Astoria Column's parking area

Leaving the car, we hiked up the small hill to the base of the tower that commemorates the major events in Astoria history.


A closeup of the lower portion of the Astoria Column

It took a while to ascend the tower’s steps, but it really wasn’t too difficult (IMO).


Asotria Column circular stairway

The bird’s-eye view afforded by the column’s vantage point was very interesting.


Bird's-eye view from the top of the Astorial Column

There was a young man doing his morning exercises on the grounds and he ran up the tower and handed small, wooden gliders to the visitors so they could be tossed into the wind. He explained that he will later go around to collect them.


Small model gliders flung from the top of the Astoria Column

I enjoyed this view (below) of the tower against the cloudy blue-grey sky.


Partial closeup view of the top of the Astoria Column

I can recommend a visit to the tower if you are in the area. There is a small gift shop and I am sure when the skies are bluer and brighter, the views will be even better.


Moody sky and visitor at the Astoria Column

Here is a short paragraph from the Astoria Column Website Organization’s webpage:

“Standing above the city–600 feet above sea level to be exact–the Astoria Column unleashes an unrivaled view of Young’s Bay, the Coast Range, the mighty Columbia River, and in the distance—the Pacific Ocean. Its light shines each night as a silent testament to the pride, fortitude, and resolve of the people who settled the Pacific Northwest, and to those who live here today.”

This was just a small portion of our day exploring Astoria. JBRish.com will soon have more stories about Astoria and other adventures in Oregon.


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Read previous posts about our adventures hiking and exploring in Oregon:

 

Read more Hiking and Exploration posts HERE


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 – JBRish.com