In a Farmer's Pasture........Oh No!

The farmers around the Tillamook area are not too fond of the herds of Elk that come down from the mountains and graze in their pastures. This was a herd of about 60 Elk with 7 Bucks that we saw along Hwy 101. They were a little concerned about us stopping along the road and they moved a little bit further away.  I zoomed in for the extra and the weather was dreary so it isn't the best photo......but you can see a few of the bucks.

We drove over to Tillamook this morning to to attend a memorial service for our next door neighbor at the beach; he was 85 years old and the nicest neighbor. He has been healthy, well mostly, until about 3 weeks ago when he went to the hospital with heart failure and pneumonia...... he was not happy being in the hospital.....he didn't like the suggestion that he would NOT be able to go back home.....he generally was not his normal sweet patient self.......he died 2 weeks ago. His kids did not visit often......he lived alone.....but after his wife died, he and a sweet widow lady up the street became close friends....they enjoyed each others company......ate meals together....did puzzles together....went to church together....went to music events together....they were the cutest little couple. But today her children were with her at the memorial and I could see why they were glad that she was planning to move into the local senior care center.........she couldn't remember who I was and seemed quite confused. So sad. I am so glad they didn't wait to become good friends as most of Ken's friends wanted......they had two wonderful happy years together. 

Memorial services make me evaluate my life and wonder about what my memorial service would be like......would people smile as they shared fun stories about me......would they say I was kind and never said a bad thing about anyone......the sharing today was enlightening and inspiring....I knew Ken was an awesome neighbor for 20 years at our beach house.... I knew he would help us any way he could.....we enjoyed the music that drifted over the fence as he played his Guitar or Ukulele in the summer.... we smiled as Ken patiently took care of his wife in her last year.....but I didn't know how much he did for many neighbors for many many years. He was a lifetime resident of Tillamook area. He will be missed.