I realized while surfing the net that we all take certain things for granted. One of the items we take for granted is concrete.

Oregon and Washington State have decided they will no longer aid and abet this trend of failing to recognize the Superstars of the concrete industry. I found this article on www.constructionpros.com.An important component of the building process, often unsung, will be honored at this year’s Excellence in Concrete awards.

Presented by the Oregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association and the Oregon Chapter of the American Concrete Institute, the April 11 awards ceremony will recognize architects, engineers, contractors, finishers and ready-mix suppliers that have excelled in the use of concrete in Oregon and Southwest Washington construction projects.

The nominated projects have been narrowed down to three finalists in thirteen categories.In the bridge category, the finalists are the Collier’s Promenade Bridge/Spring Creek U.S. Route 97, Depot Street Bridge/Rogue River Bridge replacement, and the Vancouver Land Bridge.

In the commercial category, the finalists are the Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Medford, Market of Choice and Stoller Winery.

I was so inspired I decided to write a poem.

Ode to Concrete
I think that I shall never see anything as lovely as concrete
Concrete gives me a place to walk
Concrete offers a curb to sit and talk
White concrete is way less hot than the black top
All though I never thought of it before
I want to thank them men who pour!

For those of you who are thinking, Wow! she missed her calling, I know what you mean. That is my only poem and was brought on by the awards ceremony.