Who's up for a game?

The mention of pool on the Watertrough Saloon's sign made me remember something I had forgotten--this photo of the pool table at the Helvetia Tavern. Leland says that it costs a quarter per game there, too, just like at the Watertrough. I haven't played in years. How about you?

Rolling fields, lone tree, plus the latest on Mama

The fields alongside Helvetia Road, between Highway 26 and the Helvetia Tavern, are beautiful to me. I took this photo on Jan. 12 after I had been out there for lunch and a break from the hospital. Leland cooked it and served me--sweet.

Mama's anti-nausea medicine seems to be helping a great deal, finally. She said it has been wonderful not to feel so bad most of today. She managed to eat a bite or two of toast for breakfast and a little bit of canned peaches and fresh watermelon around lunch time. A physical therapist evaluated her and encouraged her to walk using a walker. My brother rolled her wheel chair right behind her and I rolled the IV pole in front of her as she made her way slowly for maybe a total of 15 feet, with a rest stop in the middle, sitting in the wheel chair.

One other wrinkle--the neurologist visited, and after Mama mentioned again that her left ear still hurt some, she decided to give Mama some steroids today and tomorrow, to see if the inner ear nerve is inflamed. Wouldn't if be great if she could be helped that simply.

Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts.

ABC Wednesday – I is for Ironing Board

Looks like this couple decided to take their ironing board on vacation. So far, they made it a little over 75 miles from Portland. I'm guessing this looked like the perfect spot for a rest stop, alongside state Highway 18 at Grand Ronde. Be sure to notice that part of an iron bedstead behind them. I couldn't resist this as today's photo--I'll get back into the metropolitan area tomorrow.

P.S. Go to Mama and Me from PDX for lots more about the Helvetia Tavern. Thanks.

Satisfy your hamburger craving at the Helvetia Tavern

Just to set things straight from the get-go, that’s my younger son Leland’s hands sliding onion rings onto a platter. The fact that he cooks at the Helvetia Tavern, located in Hillsboro which is part of the Portland metropolitan area, in no way influences what I’ve got to say about the hamburgers, French fries, onion rings and root beer I’ve enjoyed there. It’s all just doggone good and photogenic, to boot.

We’ve been there four times in the last five months, that’s how much Mama and I enjoy it. In May we took Milton and Kay, our long-time Mississippi friends-like-family who drove all the way up here to visit the two of us. In June we took our newly-made Pacific Northwest friends-like-family Danielle, Pat and Meehan. The other two times, we just took ourselves right on out Highway 26, took at right at Helvetia Road, then a left into the parking lot. Satisfyingly yummy for the tummy!

For those of you who’d like another opinion, here’s the Citysearch Editorial Review:
Country roads and fertile fields surround the green-and-red-frame tavern with rural beauty; inside, there's a homey, cabin-like feel and a baseball-cap collection covering the ceiling. Weekdays, Hillsboro techies sup here; weekends bring in cyclists, families and couples. Known for their burgers, the joint churns out a two-patty jumbo version with cheese that shines. A special house sauce known as "goop" seals the deal. Be sure to get fries; they're hand-cut and better than average.