Theophany (Epiphany) commemorates the Baptism of Christ by St John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It is also the day the Church has set aside to bless the waters in lakes, rivers and streams all over the world. Today's Outdoor Blessing was stormy and cold on the banks of the Columbia River. Afterwards we warmed up with coffee and breakfast at one of the local Astoria eateries.

Smart Siding Construction of Astoria has been working to upgrade the siding and windows on our 1920's vintage 4-bedroom bungalow.  This work will ensure that the envelope of the 100-year-old building, our parsonage, is secure, allowing us to focus on upgrading the interior. The very dedicated crew has been out working even through some extreme North Pacific storms which the parsonage will be able to withstand once the work is complete. Some say "Oregon" is related to the word "hurricane." We do get hurricane-force winds here on the coast from time to time.

God's creation on display today. Not only edible mushrooms like boletes were found but also the attractive and toxic Amanita muscaria, the fly amanita. Not only mushrooms, but a little Pacific chorus frog, the only frog in the world that actually goes "ribbet, ribbet," and a rough-skinned newt, also toxic, mostly a hazard to pets that might want to eat them. God has richly blessed us with this amazing life around the beautiful Columbia River estuary.

A video camera examination wasn’t conclusive, so a diagnostic dig with shovels made clear the problem was a broken pipe; after that excavation with a backhoe created access to repair the break. The repair was made easier by being on our property and in a flat, accessible place, not a steep slope. We will be adding an upstairs bathroom to the parsonage soon.

Several of our parishioners attended the Centenniel Pilgrimage to Fort Ross and took photos. The site is located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The wooden chapel still survives and can be seen in one of the photos, but it is quite small, so the Divine Liturgy was held out of doors.