The weather let up in time for Cindi and Jean’s flight to make it in with little delay. During their visit, we all took a trip down the Willamette River on a paddle boat and had a great time (not to mention a little champagne!)
Nermal even dressed up to play Santa for our Christmas celebration
It started snowing the week of December 15th and continued on through Christmas. It did warm up briefly enough to start melting but then the temperature dropped down again below freezing, and everything turned to ice. This caused a LOT of tree limbs to start falling, leading to down power lines throughout Colton and a loss of power to the Elwood area for 2 1/2 days. Luckily, Brad was ready (and even anxious) to get the backup generator set up – and the fire department had nearly a month’s worth of calls in one week! In one day, Brad and Jodi went on a house fire call in Estacada, down power lines on Bauer Road, a chimney fire on the far side of Colton, and more power lines down on both Shibley and Elwood (blocking both our routes out to the highway). JB Ranch had quite a few branches down around the property, and a few fences needing to be fixed.
The Kittens had a chance to go outside and play in the snow. But once done, Nermal likes to return right back to the warmest spot in the house…the top of the pellet stove!
Brad & Jodi have been hanging out at the Colton Cafe, especially for Friday night dinners and weekend breakfast. The Cafe features paintings for sale by local artists. A few months ago, Jodi noticed that one particular artist signed his work as “redneck”. His theme seemed to be around old shops with even older cars and gas pumps. During casual conversation with one of the waitresses, she mentioned that “Redneck” was actually Dennis, one of the regulars, and made introductions. From there, an idea for a shop with a tractor was born, and artwork was commissioned! A few weeks later, this was hanging in the Cafe, custom made for Jodi & Brad!
One of our Lieutenants, Dave, is planning to build a new house. But first we had to help get rid of his old one! Brad and Jodi spent half the day Saturday practicing forced entry, rapid egress, and just had some fun tearing through walls.
Breakfast thanks to Kent
Jodi & Brad breaking through the walls
Oh, and Jodi driving Engine 125!
And Sunday was spent practicing exterior attack, then burning down the house!
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