Good bye LB

Onward and upward! I have officially graduated from LB with three associate degrees- General Studies, AAOT and Associate of Science with emphasis on Journalism. I loved every minute of these past two years. I have met many wonderful people, learned a lot and had a wonderful time as a student. Last night was the icing on the cake.
Walking at graduation was a wonderful experience. The wait was long but actually went by relatively fast. I ended up being the very last graduate to enter the hall, which was kind of fun. The reading of the graduates' names didn't take nearly as long as we all figured it would.
One of the things I loved about the evening were the bagpipers. I've always loved their sound. My father played the bagpipes but I never got the chance to hear him play. My brother told me tonight that he heard him play them one time.
My hubby, both daughters and grandson were all there to share the moment with me. So was my brother who told me after the ceremony that our parents would be very proud of me. That made me feel wonderful- my father died when I was only 3 1/2 years old. Mom passed away about a year and a half ago. I am only the fourth person of my generation on Mom's side of the family to receive any type of college degree.
Now, I am officially a graduate. I will be working this summer- if you can call it that- writing for the Scio and Jefferson newspapers. Considering how much I love to write, do I really need to consider it work? Well, I will be bringing home a paycheck, so I guess so!
I want to thank my family for all of their support throughout these past two years. I honestly couldn't have done it without you! Of course, that includes my darling grandson, Sebastian. He spent many mornings asking why he couldn't go to school with Grandma and offering to help me with homework! Did I mention that he is four years old? And, a special thanks to Rob for encouraging me, advising me and sharing his vast wealth of knowledge. It's been a great ride. I can't wait to see where my next adventure leads.....Go Beavs!

Rob Priewe and me after graduation at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in Albany. The amazing evening saw about 350 graduates receive diplomas.

JN134 Final project- The parade didn't pass them by

Trent Parker, two, of Scio, watches  the parade passing by fair goers on Saturday, May 19, during the Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair in Scio. Young Trent rode with his father, Jared Parker, in a vintage fire truck owned by the Scio Rural Fire Protection District. This is Trent's second time riding in the parade with his dad. His twin sisters, Melanie and Emily, seven, rode in the bed of the fire truck along with several other volunteers' children and Bella the fire dog.

Elizabeth Badger, 10, of Smith River, California hands a sticker to Alex Swenson, six, of Harbor, Oregon during the annual Azalea Festival in Brookings, Oregon. The festival is held every Memorial Day weekend. While Alex liked the sticker- a ninja- he is much happier when parade participants toss candy his way.  The hour long parade drew throngs of viewers along Chetco Avenue before it turned up the Oak Street hill and finished at Azalea Park.

On Saturday, May 19, Sparky, the fire pup, greets parade goers of all ages during the Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair in Scio. The parade route passes by the ZCBJ Hall, seen here, on its way down Main Street and past the reviewing stand. Sparky, who asked to not be identified as anything other than Sparky, is the daughter of volunteers for the Scio Rural Fire Protection District.

Dad Adam Thompson holds back son, Kyle, three, as the parade approaches  the Thomas Creek Bridge in downtown Scio. Older brother, Josh and neighbor, Dar Sanders, anticipate the candy they are expecting to fly their way. The parade is the highlight of the Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair in Scio. The fair, held the third weekend in May, kicks off the fair season in the Mid Willamette Valley.

Two year old Brian Downing stands in the street near the end of the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair  on May 19 in Scio. With candy already in his bag, Downing waits for more to come his way.