EVENING DRIVE: Woodland-WA

July 10th: We had planned to drive to Rainier-OR, to collect the mail following our business at the Scan & Print Office … but, instead we ended up back at the motel cooling our heels for a couple hours.

The drive to Rainier had been officially scrapped.

At one point Holland asked if I was miffed that we hadn't gone to pick up the mail, and I laughed and said, "Nope. I'm understanding your routine now - you like to get stuff done and out of the way early in the morning … and be home by 1:00 in the afternoon. I pretty much know that if that time comes and goes and we are hunkered down, we're not going anywhere until morning." He quipped, "That's not so." And I laughed some more, and said, "Yes, it is" with a wink.

He must have been annoyed with that interchange, because around 8 PM, he shut his laptop down and said, "1 o'clock my ass … how about we go for a drive?" I blinked my eyes, and asked, "You want to go for a drive, now?" And then I couldn't resist … I threw a little sass into the mix … "are we going to be driving around until 1 AM? Goodie - I like long drives" ;-)

Holland just rolled his eyes and said, "Com'on smartass; let's go. Baby needs her drive; I thought we'd go down to the river and watch the sun go down - then explore a little more on the way back; bring your phone in case you see something you want to get a picture of."

I laughed all the way to the passenger side of Beast Betsy.

The evening air was balmy.

It was a fun drive.

We revisited his past fishing haunt, and enjoyed a golden slipping of the sun below the horizon.

We took a different route back to the motel - this route was scenic, and we both were glad we turned right instead of left :-)

There appears to be a lot going on with this couple … roosters & gargoyles ;-)

Watching the sun set at Martin's Bar County Park; Woodland-WA

St. Helens-OR, across the Columbia River.

'West Coast Training' Yard; #3805 Dike Rd, Woodland, WA.

West Coast Training~Heavy Equipment Yard; Woodland-WA:

 (https://education.costhelper.com/heavy-equipment-schools.html)

Austin Point County Park; Woodland-WA

Osprey nest with 2 nestlings.

Ospreys:

(https://www.daysatdunrovin.com/ospreys-101-nesting-mating-chicks/)

Holland has the eyes of a cat, and in the twilight duskiness, he spotted a bridge spanning the Lewis River; it took my eyes a little longer to see it.

The Lewis River Railroad Trestle Bridge was built around 1908, and is a 265.0 ft swing span bridge. The bridge was constructed as part of a railroad project to directly connect Portland, Oregon with Seattle, Washington.

Neither the swing span, nor the tender house, has been operational for some time.

This train bridge is referred to as 'The Ghost Bridge', because there have been many deaths on the tracks as people try to cross the rails - or climb to the top of the bridge to jump off as a summertime lark. No matter how fast you may think you are … you cannot outrun a high-speed train; and jumping into a river filled with debris is a foolish undertaking.

Railroad Trestle Bridge~dubbed the 'Ghost Bridge' - located at Dike Road and Kuhnis Road; Woodland-WA

Tender House center top of trestle bridge.

History of Woodland: https://www.pacific-hwy.net/woodland.htm

I'm happy my husband is relaxing more in this marriage, and is back on track with the building up of US.

I'm glad he is understanding that annoyances aren't always negative: sometimes annoyances can spur people into action … which can in turn, lead down enjoyable paths ;-)

We will both be annoying each other for the rest of our lives ;-)

SKIN

July 10th: I was up before Holland this morning, so I tackled skin protective measures first thing:

Covering the button shank metal & protecting my skin against allergy rash.

Weighing the glued patch for adherence.

Then when Holland woke up and was awake enough to accompany me on another {'skin' related} venture, off we went :-)

About 5 years ago, I drafted and printed a medical paper concerning my life decisions should I end up in the hospital during a crisis, or fatal situation: I have a standing DNR Order on file at the Peace Health Hospital in Longview-WA.

I live with life-threatening issues.

I am comfortable in my skin.

But I am also aware that at some point my spirit will step out of my skin - and my new husband will be faced with medical dilemmas - Holland knows what my wishes are … and I don't want him to have to wrangle with doctors, nurses, or ER personnel to have my decisions carried out.

DNR Update …

Since remarrying I have been trying to get my Life Decisions updated, but have not been able to until this afternoon. Holland noted that online information about the local Scan & Print Business can also give a Notary Stamp: BONUS :-)

I keep this paper in my purse at all times; and Holland knows where it is,  if he has to fetch it in an emergency situation.

Basically all the general information remained - the only change that was modified before heading to the local Scan & Print Office was that Holland is now the only Contact Person mentioned. He knows my wishes, and will honor them if and when the time comes to do so (I have talked extensively to him about my wishes). The previous contacts were Bob's siblings, and my granddaughter; these people are no longer in my life on a steady basis, and it is pertinent to the present that changes be made, so that my new husband is placed first and foremost in crucial decisions that will directly affect both of us.

Especially since the asthma flareups, and angina episodes have been so concerning over the past months.

I do not want Holland to go through the hellish nightmare I went through with Bob when doctors, kids, his mother and his sisters wanted to overstep his DNR wishes: I want Holland to do as I wish - and this paper will help him do that.

There will be no ER forcefulness; no doctor override; and no familial kidnap plans to bully and ignore spousal authority.

And a Notary Stamp to make it {Official}.

This update was an important undertaking.

I'm glad this was finally taken care of, this afternoon :-)