My father-in-law passed away Saturday evening. Until three weeks ago, I knew him as a healthy 61-year-old runner and outdoorsman. But I’ve learned that aggressive pancreatic cancer can take down even the healthiest of persons. We had no idea that within several weeks of being diagnosed, he would be gone. We were all ready to fight the cancer battle.

We are still in a state of shock, not even able to find the right words to express the situation. I guess we should be glad we had the couple of weeks to spend with him in the hospital. We were able to laugh and cry together. I guess we should be glad we were able to say goodbye. We are thankful for these things.

It all still feels like a bad dream. Sometimes I think Will is on vacation or just gone for a little while. I guess when I think of it that is true. It won’t be long until we are all united again.

We were talking with the chaplain at the Peace Harbor Hospital after Will’s last surgery, and Sue asked, how do people without faith cope with these situations? How do you deal with it, when you think this is it? We all thought it must be so much more difficult thinking this is the ultimate end.

We attended church yesterday, rejoicing that Will has gone home. At first I felt strange thinking we are all smiling and in a good mood, even though Will has just passed away. But then it passed and I was so thankful for my faith in God.

I’m sure the memorial service on Saturday will be a glorious presentation of Will’s life. He is a true example of how a person should lead their life: a faithful husband, trusting father, true friend, missionary, and disciple. As my mother said, he is on loan to us from God. I’m sure he and God are rejoicing now and for eternity. As Sue says, our tears are just for us. We are singing halleluiah! for Will.

I am glad I got to know Will, even if only for three short years. He was so open and inviting, with loving hugs. He taught me things I didn’t learn as a child, like how to fish. I will always remember being on the open ocean with him and Jeff. I’m sure that right now he is fishing on the open ocean in Heaven. His smile and laugh is embedded in my mind, bringing a smile to my face just imagining it.

I take comfort knowing that Jeff will be a wonderful husband and father because his dad was such a good example. I have no doubt or worry for our future.

I was at Borders the other day looking for a book on healing, when I ended up in the diet and nutrition section. There are so many different books on diets! Wow! So, I looked through them. After my father-in-law's shocking diagnosis of cancer, I have decided that I need to stop putting off getting healthy and do it. I'm tired of being overweight and tired of waiting for the right time to lose weight. I have learn the past few weeks that the present is the best time for most things. Life is precious.

So, I picked up two books I thought were interesting: The Maker's Diet and a diet started by a cardiologist. I really thought the Maker's Diet sounded great, using the Bible to guide our eating. It also talking about treating the body in a holistic way. So, I bought that book and started reading it. I found it's principles very logical and without argument. But it was a little extreme for me, now. I need something I can do and succeed at.

My mother-in-law had a book on her kitchen table by Bob Greene on the Best Life Diet. I started reading the book while I was there. I thought this diet sounded like something I could do and do well. So, I looked up his website, The Best Life Diet and signed up.

I like how his diet has 3 phases, with the first phase consisting of being more active and getting into the right way of eating. It's really pretty simple but just takes getting the mind into the right state.

I will update you on my progress. I'm not supposed to weigh-in for 4 weeks. That will be hard! But I'm sure I will see and feel the results before that.

It's amazing how good coming home can feel. Greeted by my animals so happy to see me, they expressed their love and need in their individual ways. The dog with his wagging tail and happy face, urging me to chase him around the yard, and looking hopefully at the lease hanging on the back porch. The cat took several minutes before she was ready to express herself but once I had settled myself in at home, she jumped on my lap, full of purring and love. Somehow she knew I needed extra love tonight or maybe it was her need. But she sat content, purring and rubbing her head on me. We were both content.

Animals have that sixth sense to feel how we humans are feeling. They tend to know something is wrong. I know if I cry the dog is curious, wondering why the tears and even looks sad himself. The cat is good at bringing cheer or laughter with silly antics. Even the bird can liven spirits with her strange dance and head bobbing. She's even good for a cuddle.

I'm headed to the Oregon Coast again today, to visit my family and spend time with my father-in-law. I have a good attitude today, better coping with the issues at hand. I'm calm in that I have trust in God that things will work out.

I watched "The Bucket List" last night, thinking I would end up crying because it deals with issues my family is facing now but I didn't cry. It was light-hearted mostly, with a good lesson at the end.

Well, off to the coast! Perhaps I will be able to try out the new camera while taking a break from the hospital. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. The Bible gives us some wonderful verses for coping and having continued faith.

On Tuesday, I traveled to Hillsboro to Pacific University's Health Professions campus for an open house. I had never actually been to Hillsboro. It didn't take very long to get to Portland area but it took awhile to get from I-5 to Hillsboro. It didn't help that it was rush hour, in Portland!

After the open house, we were hungry but not starving. We enjoy eating at the McMenamins restaurants in Corvallis, with good food, beer and a nice atmosphere. We had passed several McMenamins restaurants along the way. So, we decided to stop in McMinnville to eat. We tried to find the Hotel Oregon restaurant but were unsuccessful. After stopping to ask for directions, we realized that we had passed it!

Located in the historic district, the Hotel Oregon is a massive building. It's antique looking, with a Victorian decor and also a touch of McMenamins style. The pub area where we ate was so spacious, with a huge bar and private booths. As usual, the food and beer was excellent.

Read my full review: McMenamins Hotel Oregon

It's fun to travel to new places in my own state. It was a nice distraction from reality for me.

I am ready for the weekend and the sun! During the week, I work in an office, where the windows have been boarded up because of construction hazard. They are building a new hospital tower just outside our windows. It gets really depressing when you can't look out the windows, especially when I want to know what the weather is doing.

On a personal note, my family heard some bad news this week, as someone in the family was diagnosed with cancer. It was a tough thing to hear, especially since he is so healthy, fit and active. I hope that it turns out to be something he can just kick without expending too much effort. With his will, I am sure he will beat it. Also, with all the family praying, God is on our side.

When I heard the news, or rather overheard the news, it felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I sat there motionless and numb. Then, when I actually was told the news, it took me a day to process it and realize what it meant. It's going to be tough for awhile but I think our family can deal with it. Unexpected news is something we can never prepare for or know how to react to. You just have to go with the flow until the mind has time to process it, at least that's how I deal with it.

So, it's time to have a good weekend. I'm glad the sun will be out. The sun just makes it better, if even by a tiny amount.

I wanted to announce that I won the Editor's Choice for one of my latest Oregon Travel articles. Here is the link:
Jackson-Frazier Wetland Park

If you have a chance to visit the Willamette Valley or Corvallis, be sure to visit this amazing park hidden within the city limits. It is peaceful and interesting to hear the birds or the frogs, and be surrounded by nothing but nature.

It's official - I am now the Feature Writer for NW U.S./ Alaska Travel at Suite101.com! It's been a long time coming! I will continue to write articles for weather and climate.

Here is my profile, which will be changing:
NW US/ Alaska Travel @ Suite101.com

Check back for new articles and blogs!

Yesterday was beautiful - warm and sunny! We spent most of the day in the yard, weeding, planting, shoveling and mowing. We woke up early and attended the early service at church. Waking up earlier made the day go by slower, feeling like we got much more done. I was able to plant a few new plants and tend to the garden.

I took a break, sitting under the plum tree in the backyard, in partial shade. It was so lovely and relaxing. I had my notebook with me, in order to do some writing. The sun was so bright it made the white paper gleam in my eyes, causing me to squint. I couldn't seem to think of anything to write. Sitting in the yard in the sun just mesmerized me. Spirit laid in the grass next to my chair, peacefully naping.

On Saturday, I took Spirit to the Jackson-Frazier Wetland area just down the street. It was an amazing place! Volunteers had built a 2/3 mile boardwalk through the marsh and swamp area. It was so beautiful, surrounded by birds and wildlife. I tried to take pictures but it did not do it justice. I will write an article about it later, so make sure to check it out.

I just woke up a little while ago in a fog. My husband has been getting up early to do a morning workout in the park for his Tae Kwon Do class. Last night, I had said I would get up with him and then go walk the dog and do things around the house. Well, I guess I am just not a morning person. The alarm went off this morning and I didn't know what time it was. I guess he had left and I had fallen back asleep. I can't remember. I guess I was tired. But I have successfully woken up with him once this week and stayed up. That is a triumph on my part! Now, if I can just do it again.

The weather has been so cold and cloudy, even rainy. It doesn't make me want to do much of anything. It would be nice to have a day or two of sun. I did try to do some yardwork last night, pulling and cutting some grass out of the flower beds (I think the grass gets another point!). But the grass was wet and it was cold outside.

My husband and I were discussing the weather forecast yesterday and the different meanings of "chance of shower" and "partly cloudy". I guess since I write for Meteorology & Climatology I understand it a bit differently, or I'm just more optimistic about the weather. I'm happy to hear about a forecast with a chance of showers rather than rain because it means more often than not, most of the day will be clear or at least dry. It does however mean there are more clouds than a forecast for sunbreaks. I guess we live in Oregon. You'll have to read my latest blog at Suite101.com under Meteorology & Climatology, as I investigate if summer really starts in Oregon after the 4th of July. It was fun to research.