My Books and I Will Be at an Event!

This year is the year I am determined to do more out in the world projects with my writing and not just in my head imagining and writing in the corner of my favorite coffee house. So, to go along with this I will be working an event at the NIWA table on April 18, 2026. The event is The Salem Paper Arts Festival in Salem, Oregon. The day fair runs from 11 am to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. At that time you'll be able to find some of novels for sale. Then the great event, the one I'm looking forward to, is The Evening Ball (runs 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.). This ticket event ($45 a ticket) allows you to attend this costume/formal ball. That is the part of the day you will find me at the NIWA table, and of course I will be dressed up. These book experiences are being held at The Grand Ballroom and Lodge located at 187 High Stree NE, Salem, Oregon. I hope to see you there!

Ice Storm

Yesterday we had an ice storm the likes of which I've never seen in my years of living in Northern California and Oregon. Our yard now needs major clean up and we count ourselves lucky that we only lost 8 feet of wooden fence do to a fallen limb. One neighbor's roof was damaged. Another had damaged cars that were buried under limbs. Trees and limbs are everywhere. A cable line even fell across our driveway. I was so glad my car was in the garage and that it wasn't a power line.

We did lose power and were originally told we would be without until Sunday or Monday, but fortunately it came on early this afternoon. Glad we have a fire place, but not so happy with having an instant heat water heater. Ice showers are not fun.

Here are some photos and a video.

Lilac tree bent over from ice storm.

Ice Storm February 13, 2021, Oregon

Apple Tree after ice storm.

My Other Job

For years I have kept this blog exclusively focused on my writing, random thoughts, fun things, and areas of concern in the world. Very little have I written about my various careers. Right now, given the Covid-19 Virus and our changing world, I feel perhaps my other skill areas are important to share.

Heather H. Lewis, Financial Advisor

Currently I am employed as a financial advisor with Castro Monroy Group in Salem, Oregon. So if you are currently concerned about your financial situation, you aren't alone. My colleagues and I are here, and are more than willing to do our best to help you at this volatile time. We are working remotely, and conducting meetings via phone or video. So if you feel the need, please reach out. There is no cost to meet and consult with us. We offer personalized service, and many products that are stable in this current environment and with solid companies that survived even the 1929 market crash. We carry very strong and competitive life insurance products, if that is a current concern you have.

Also, you should know I am a former teacher, and am passionate about educating people, as well as have a strong desire to see a vibrant and successful middle class, so I'm willing to work with any client, with which I can legally work (that means Oregon residents right now), no matter their income level.

So if I can help you in anyway, please e-mail me at my work at HL@castromonroygroup.com

Oregon State Fair 2017

Yesterday, Friday, was the first official day of the Oregon State Fair. As it is the $2 a person day as well, I headed out there.

Most of the features like the carnival and the vendor booth are as they always were. The Oregon Lottery booth changed things around and instead of giving scratchers out, gave out $2 in free Keno play.  When passing by another booth I was given a free vegetarian cookbook.

Dwight Yoakam performed the opening show for the fair this year. New to the concert stage was a video screen projecting the show. While others may like this feature, I found it distracting from the event. If I want to watch something on a screen I can do that at home.

Dwight Yoakam, Oregon State Fair 2017

Dwight Yoakam, Oregon State Fair 2017

For me the highlight of the fair was the Fire Show they had at 9:40 p.m. in the food court stage. Several performers played with fire on everything from stick to wing shaped objects. I sat close enough I could feel the heat at times.

Fire Show Oregon State Fair 2017

Fire Show Oregon State Fair 2017

Fire Show Oregon State Fair 2017

Fire Show Oregon State Fair 2017

Fire Show Oregon State Fair 2017

Fair is going on through Labor Day, so if you haven't gone yet, you still have a chance. Also, this coming Tuesday is another $2 day.

P.S. Be aware that if you do go, you may find creatures like these wandering around.

Dragon Running Loose at Oregon State Fair

Fair Season: Marion County Fair

Fair Season is upon us. Just this Saturday I attended the Marion County Fair in Salem, Oregon. The weather was pleasant as I walked around and enjoyed the many exhibits. I was pleased to find a whole wall of animal rescue groups lined up including OSCAR (Operation Safe Canine Animal Rescue) and Operation D.O.G as well as the county shelter seeking volunteer dog walkers. Then there was a section where the local writers were sitting and selling their books, which included a sci-fi series, historical romance, and kids books.

The best part though, as I discovered last year at the Oregon State fair held on these same grounds, is the evening concert was free with admission. This Saturday I got to enjoy a concert by Diamond Rio for the cost of my entry to the fair, $9. As I listened I realized I knew almost all their songs. I snapped a few pictures.

Marion County Fair 2017, Diamond Rio

Marion County Fair 2017, Diamond Rio

Marion County Fair, Diamond Rio

The evening was capped off with a spectacular moon view over the sky chairs. I did my best to capture this image, but at night, without a tripod, the photo came out a little fuzzy.

Moon at 2017 Marion County Fair Grounds

Now I must save up to go to the State Fair so I can enjoy some other top name bands.

Plane Photos

By now, if you have paid any attention to my blog, you will have noticed I like to have a window seat when I fly in a plane. One of my main motivations is I enjoy taking photos while hovering miles over our planet.  Of course, given airplane windows are double paned  and often have dings in them, the photo quality isn't the best. Then of course, there are the times

when the window seat one gets is by the wing and you end up with the wing dominating all you photos.

Regardless of all this, I just did a flight from Oregon to New Jersey and back. Hogging a window both directions, I took several photos along the journey. Here are a few of them I thought you might like.

Sky and Clouds

Mt. Hood

Great Lakes

Midway Airport

Chicago

Airplane hanging from airport ceiling

Books for Sale in store in Salem, Oregon

My novels are now for sale at The Fussy Duck in Salem, Oregon. So if you live near that area, and aren't into buying books on-line, here is your chance to get copies at a store. All these copies are signed too!

The Fussy Duck is located at 3170 Commercial St. SE, Salem, Oregon. The books can be found in Booth B19. The workers there can help you find them if you don't want to spend time searching through all the wonderful antiques and other unique items for sale.

Of course, if you can't get to the store the books are all available on lulu.com and amazon.com as paperbacks and kindles. Enjoy reading!