I love books. I love to read. I love physical books, audio books, electronic books and I usually have more than one of each format going at a time. I keep track on my reading on Goodreads. I’ve found it to be super useful for tracking my books, remembering what and when I read, and … More Books 2024

January was a tough month with some very hard news for our close family friends. It was a joy to have Zane’s best friend live with us for a while though, and we are thankful that health has been and is being restored to our friend. February brought an amazing bucket list event for Melissa … More 2024 Blackett Year in Review

So, I obviously missed doing a 2023 review so I’ll do one now, as much for my benefit as anyone else’s. 2023 had some pretty cool things going on. In January of 2023, Westside Church, where Melissa has worked since 2002 (apart from a break when the kids were little) became Westside Church and Community … More 2023 Review

I woke up with a strange tummy ache and soon after threw up. It was early and G&B were meeting us to walk us to the train station. The bakeries weren’t open yet, so we decided to eat at the airport. We said our goodbyes to Graeme and Becky with tears and words of love. … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 23 – Paris, France – London Heathrow – Gresham, Oregon, USA Day 24/25 – Bend, Oregon USA

Another yummy bakery breakfast and coffee before heading off to Monte Marte and the Sacre Coeur. The church itself is just stunning and quite unusual looking with its 3 domes and white stone. Outside the church is an absolute circus. Vendors, street performers, lines to get in. It really affected Becky and she was just … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 22 – Paris, France

We had our usual breakfast at a boulangerie. It was an Indian boulangerie, so we had a mix of pain de chocolat and samosas, as well as great coffee. Then we were off to catch our River Seine boat for a one hour trip up and down the Seine. It’s such a great way to … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 21 – Paris, France

I finally gave up and got my phone out and just wrote down a bunch of thoughts. Messed around on social media, looked at photos. Put the phone away and tried to sleep again. The last time I looked at the time was 445 am. Woke up at 630, 730, and finally at 9. Running … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 20 – Brussels, Belgium – Paris, France

In the morning, we got up and found a Moroccan bakery, got some treats and then found a coffee shop. Turns out it was very much a Muslim men’s coffee shop and felt a bit uncomfortable, but it was fine. Then we were off on the walking tour that G&B’s neighbor put together for us. … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 19 – Brussels, Belgium

Jude had a tough coughing session at about 5 am. He got back to sleep though – it was cool and better sleep. European pillows are very squishy though. Up for our last free breakfast. Becky had a rough night. Zane is not feeling great, Jude is on the mend. Got our bags and caught … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 18 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Brussels, Belgium

Woke up and went to our lovely breakfast again. Jude is feeling rough. We were trying to decide what to do – options: canal paddle boat, war museum, Van Gogh Museum. Graeme discovered a little town outside of Amsterdam that has windmills – Zaandijk. Everyone was a bit weary of cities, so we hopped on … More Eurail Trip 2023 – Day 17 – Amsterdam, Netherlands