Merry Christmas - & I wait...

Merry Christmas Everyone…
I am quietly waiting with my morning coffee for Amber to wake up so we can open presents, I desperately want to go jump on her bed and wake her but I know she will be a much happier teenager if she sleeps in. Gone are the little foot steps of that six year old waking me at 2, 3, 4 and 5 a.m. in the morning asking if it was time to get up and open presents and I would tell her to go back to bed it was too early. Now I sit here at 7 a.m. wanting her to wake up, as I am the excited one to open presents and see her excited face. It is funny how life changes as each new season comes and goes.

My Fireplace

Ever since I bought my cute little house 7years ago I’ve wanted a fireplace. I’ve checked into many options over the years but most were spendy or not quite the look I wanted. This weekend I took the plunge and I got a fireplace for the house. I love it. I’ve gotten up each morning and sat in front of it with my morning coffee. My daughter and I finished our Christmas cards in front it. What is it about a fireplace that brings a cozy warmth to a home, a family together and creates a romantic flare to a night with someone special?
There is something to be said about delayed gratification; I don’t know if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had gotten it any earlier. The wait has made it even more special.

My Trip to Yosemite - November 2007

America has 390 National Parks; they were established to preserve what is truly special about America.

I enjoyed a quick trip to Yosemite a few weeks ago. I’ve been to many national parks and each are wondrous, amazing and unique in their own way; places that make you wonder about our place in the world. Yosemite was no different as I drove around with scarcely a person in sight (partly because of the late Fall visit) I felt at times as if I was the only person on the earth.
The grandeur of Yosemite brought me a sense of awe. John Muir once wrote, “As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of this place and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

Special Graduation

Saturday, December 15th I was truly inspired and proud of my dear friend Michelle. With one very talented 16-year-old son, 4-year-old twins, a full time very demanding job with an hour commute each way she graduated from George Fox University with a Master of Business Administration. As I sat in the Wood-Mar Hall Auditorium and looked at all of the families and down at the graduates I teared up a bit. You could feel the love, respect and pride in every person in that room. The sacrifice family members made to support these graduates, the sigh of relief from the graduates as they were finally done with their long journey.

Every teenage should attend a graduation like that. You couldn’t help but be inspired, drawn to do more in life and suddenly want to be down on that stage celebrating your accomplishments.

Mediocrity is not an option!

A Night on Sand Island - Columbia River

I’d never combined kayaking and camping before. The thought of putting a bunch of camping stuff in my kayak seemed ridiculous to say the least. For those of you who know me you know I am all for trying anything new. So lets go for it! With a great group of friends we packed up our tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, food, water, wine and firewood. Firewood? I looked at my friends as they used bung cords to secure firewood onto all of our kayaks. I’m going to sink within a minute I thought… Good God – this is nuts, I could hardly carry my kayak down to the river. With much trepidation I got into my kayak and pushed off very much expecting to sink to the bottom… Although the water line was much higher on my kayak I was safely above water and my worry diminished as we all pushed off the shoreline and headed out of Scappoose Bay and onto to mighty Columbia River. We headed west and crossed the channel where the Willamette River and Columbia join a hard paddle across from St. Helens and we landed on our island for the night. Setting up camp was very typical and with 15 minutes we were sitting around plotting out our next adventure. We hiked all around the island and went for a night paddle. We picked up a gal along the way who paddled with us to the island and stay for and visited. She is a ocean biologist from Seattle. A stranger from the other side of the island joined us and we found out he was a professor at a local college and he paddles out to different islands each weekend to leave the hustle and bustle of life behind. I couldn’t imagine coming out to this quiet little island by myself as he does. One of the things that made this weekend get away fun was being with my great friends. It does amazing me the wonderful people I meet along the way on my little trips and adventures.

Chased by the Brush-Prairie-Beagle Sunday

I joined my friends (Portland Wheelmen) Sunday morning for a 30 mile bike ride in Washington. It was a perfect day the weather was amazing and after the rainy fall we are having here in the Northwest it was a welcome treat to be out on our bikes enjoying the warm sunshine, crisp fall air and vibrant blue ski. I enjoyed a view of Mt. St. Helens on most of my ride. The group dropped me after 7 miles not sure what was wrong with my groove but I was lagging behind at 18-19 mph and the first group was cruising at 20-21 mph. I got caught at a red light and they were out of sight within minutes. Not to worry I had the sunshine, my bike, a map of the route (thanks to Ann) and my goofy thoughts to keep me entertained. Not to mention a flock of Canadian geese circling up ahead. There was a field of them to numerous to count I peddled by in aw as the field looked alive with this movement almost unrecognizable. As I slowed and looked out over this sight I was startled back to reality as a fat beagle ran out along side of me ready to rip my leg off. He kept my pace for a few seconds as I yelled “bad dog, go home, no, no.” Obviously these people don’t know what a leash law is. I winded the little shit after a few hundred feet and I laughed out loud as I imagined the homeowners looking out the picture window of their farm house laughing hysterically at me. Why, because I’d do the same thing, I’d laugh too. I continue down the road with my thoughts. Today’s ride was perfect, I’m giving it a 10!

So what did you do this evening?

No matter what you were doing this evening it wasn't as pretty as what I was doing.

Sauvie Island Kayaking

Kathy, Gordon, Josh & the Gang!!


Spooking but cool!

Yes, that is my little stow-away, Wacky-Jack in the kayak, he thinks he wants to kayak until he gets his boat in the water.

Port Townsend - Kayaking Symposium

I highly recommend the Port Townsend Kayaker Symposium to anyone who wants to get into kayaking. It is a great way to demo different kayaks and to get great training. You may even get lucky and have great weather! Loving my good times, loving my good friends!

Wendy Rolling Over (trying) :)

Judy & Jerry - You Rock!!!!!

Taking Flight

My good friend J~ and I took a drive to Crown Point one sunny beautiful evening. We were chatting about things we want to do. I rambled on about cycling in different country's, traveling the world, getting my masters degree and so forth, he also mentioned a variety of things he wanted to accomplish. One was to fly in a small plane. Well what are friends for but to take each other to the ends of the world and back. He was surprised when I loaded him up in my employers personal plane and away we went for a tour up the Columbia Gorge. I later found out he meant small plane like twin engine, 12 seater. Not a cute little Cessna, single engine. Oh well, we had a blast!

The Boyz

Tommy & Jack!

Reach The Beach 2007

Oregon offers a great ride each year

"Reach The Beach"

it is a fantastic way to get to the coast!

Canada Bike Tour - Summer of 2007

18 of us started out on a bike tour from Victoria BC to Courtney BC. We drove up to Port Angels left our cars and took the fairy over to Victoria. What a blast to travel by bike! It was odd to put everything you really need on a bike, not what you want but what you need. We visited Cowichan Bay, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Denman Island and Courtney. What an amazing adventure! I'll do a bike tour each summer for the rest of my life.

You Own a Car, Not The Road

The Tao of Tea

Anyone who aspires to follow the Way of Tea, guard against jealousy. If you place yourself in the center, to envy others, to tempt others - you will lose the way. Know what you have to do, and as you immerse yourself daily in the way of tea, happiness will come. The more you look up to others, the clearer your own position will become. Remember the humble heart of the tea preparer in the teahouse, for they know the spiritual taste of tea. Know what you know and know what you don't know - only then will the limits of your strength become evident. The Way is never exclusive. It is open to all to follow. (Taken from Tao of Tea)

I experienced something new this weekend… Tea, not just a hot cup of colored water with a light flavor but real tea. Tea with a special friend, tea that warmed my heart and my soul. Tea the way it was suppose to be.

http://www.taooftea.com/index1.php3

Eyes On Nature

Vibrant reds and oranges of trees still glowing in their autumn dress great us all today, shouting out that last week’s winds and rain did not completely spin the wheel of time to winter. After a week of wet it’s easy to appreciate the respite from the rain and to enjoy October’s dramatic shifts in scene. The transition in visual landscape is also mirrored in the acoustic environment. The boisterous laughter of children playing long into the summer’s night is now contained within walls of wood and brick or muffled by the drip of rain. The rustle of steps through dry leaves and the crackle of autumn’s first wood fire yield to the silence of a winter snow. From bright and noisy to cool and subdued—both sound and light shift in hue and spectrum, yielding novelty to season-adjusted senses and allowing us to see and hear anew. Open your eyes wide and absorb the rays of October sunshine and the intensity of sight, then close your eyes and soak in the soothing sound of rain, the quiet of the forest, the serenity of silence. But most of all, enjoy!

Strange Piece of Paradise, by Terri Jentz

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to anyone; I think it appeals to a certain type of person. It was a Sunday morning in June I’d forgotten to turn off my alarm so at 6am it went off and I awoke to Sunday Morning Acoustic on KINK fm. They were interviewing Terri Jentz who was visiting Portland Oregon and would be doing a book signing at Powells Book Store in downtown. She told a little about her book and the tragedy that had taken place the summer of 1977 in Cline Falls, Oregon. I jumped out of bed and found the book at my local library and placed a hold on it through the Internet. Over the course of a month I read the pages, a store of a young cyclist embarking on a journey across the USA by bike, her attack just 7 days into the trip, her recover and her return to the American West.
I visited the Cline Falls State Park where she was attack back on June 22, 1977. It was exactly as she described. I looked at every detail and wondered how she managed to come back to this place. How she stood in the exact place where her life had almost been taken 30 years ago. I was only 5-years-old when Terri was run over by a truck in her tent in the middle of the night, when a man back his truck up and then attacked her with an ax. Terri was a strong smart adventurous young woman with a dream to cross the United States on her bicycle and be back at Yale in time for fall classes. It was a very surreal experience for me to be there. Maybe because I am a cyclist, maybe because I frequent that part of Oregon each year, maybe for a reason I am not suppose to know yet – this story speaks to me.

I Hate the Bassoon

My friend Sherrie asked me a question; it was a simple question nothing out of the ordinary… It was my answer that surprised my friend and even made me step back and think. (So, how do you like the basson?)
My daughter has played the violin for 8 years now. We’ve all come to love the violin, friends, family, all of us. The violin has become a part of our lives and is part of my daughter’s very soul. So this September I was a little taken back when she asked to take up the bassoon. I was surprised and really didn’t give it much thought. Before I knew it she brought home a bassoon from school, was signed up for weekly lessons, her scheduled arranged to allow for orchestra and band classes and a supply list was put on the kitchen counter.
I hate the Bassoon! (That was my answer to the question.)
Do you know what the bassoon is to me? It is a drive into Portland each week fighting 5:30 traffic, it is another $150 a month spent on lessons, supplies, it is more fuel costs out of an already tight budget, it is one more things for ME to do.
Do you know what the bassoon is to my daughter? It is a gift and talent she has, it is an avenue to embrace more music, more opportunities, more friends and events. It is one more thing to do that makes her feel special and one more talent God has given her. It makes her smile, it makes her happy, it fills our home with even more music than before.
I still hate the bassoon but a month later but I’ve come to love the joy it brings her.

Bend, Oregon in the Fall

There isn’t a more beautiful place then Bend Oregon in the Fall. The drive alone is great. As you head up Hwy 26 towards Mt. Hood the fall colors are so vibrant. Since it gets colder on the mountain at night it causes the fall colors to be more dramatic then what we experience in the Portland area.

I was introduced to a new area to mountain bike Phils Trail. I highly recommend you take a loop around it the next time you are lucky enough to visit the Bend area.

While descending down the hill and after I’d relaxed a little I took in the sights and thought how lucky I was to be there, how lucky I was to be enjoying this beautiful day, this beautiful area.

My weekend was full of little realizations of how blessed I am in life. It is funny how being out in nature can bring a deep sense of centeredness to the soul.

Weddings

Everything looked perfect, the church, flowers, tables, and slideshow, music all set perfectly in this special moment in time.

The Bride my dear friend and truly a sweet young lady looked lovely in white.

The Groom, dashingly handsome, and anxiously awaiting to see his lovely bride to be.

For two hours on Saturday afternoon my faith was restored in what marriage can be between two people. Very few of us will ever know the true amazing love these two share, very few of us will ever experience the true depth of commitment and respect I see in these two wonderful young people.
I was truly honored to be there, honored to watch them marry and stand by their side as they embark on their journey together.

Concert at the Zoo (Robert Cray)

I enjoyed the wonderful sound of Robert Cray Saturday nigth at the Oregon Zoo. The summer concert series at the zoo are not to be missed.

Multi-talented Robert Cray is an artist of considerable scope. Considered to be one of the most expressive vocalists and impressive guitarists on the contempoary rhythm and Blues scene, Robert Cray draws R&B, rock, pop, and jazz with equal insight and authority.

The Robert Cray Band was born in the north west of America in 1974 and is now celebrating 21 years in the business. During those years Cray has achieved no less than six Grammy nominations and three awards, obtaining the universal respect and admiration of musicians and audiences alike.

Born: Aug 1, 1953 in Columbus, GA
Genres: Classical Music, Blues Music, Contemporary Blues Music, R&B and Soul Music, Modern Electric Blues Music

Return to the Scene

Today I returned to the scene of my bicycle accident 3 weeks ago. My friend M~ and I road the same route only this time I finished the ride and bought my friend the lunch I owed him. It felt odd to go by the exact spot I wrecked, we chatted and rehashed the details and made a few wise cracks… It felt liberating to finish the ride to finish what I started… Quitting is not an options…

My Special Gift

She’s smart and talented and blessed with a warm humble heart. She is my better half most of the time. She is a mirror and her ways are more mature than her years. She is a gift to all of us. She is strong and exact and I love her to pieces….

We All Fall Sometimes

We all fall sometimes even me, what is important is who is there to pick me up. For me he is many things, he is like my big brother, a cool guy to hang with, a safe friend, an advisor. Over the course of a year he has filled so many voids in my heart and mind. Statements of encouragement, being proud of my good choices, providing logical solutions to my questions…. But on August 5, 2007 my appreciation for what an amazing person he is grew deeper.

We were just finishing up our 45 mile bike ride on the Marine Drive bike path with only 8 miles to go I was anticipating the calorie packed hamburger that awaited me at the end of our ride. I was going to buy this time it was my turn… The sun was getting warmer so I slid my arm warmers off and tucked them neatly in my back jersey pocket in doing this I let my front tire go off the road and before I could react I was flung over my handlebars landing on the back of my head at 18 mph. Don't you hate that feeling the moment you know you're about to bite it, and you're just trying to figure out how to make it less painful? I yelled out my friends name as I hurdled over the bars and didn’t regain consciousness until I felt him by my side assessing the damage. A fellow cyclist stopped to offer help and between the two of them they had 911 on the way and M~ was holding the back of my head. As I started to grasp what had just happened I looked to see if my bike survived the crash. As M~ handed me my water bottle what I saw almost made me throw up. My friend was covered in my blood, his hands, shirt it was everywhere.

If wrecking my beautiful road bike wasn’t bad enough, I’m bleeding all over my dear friend and to top it off when the fire department shows up it is training day so instead of the normal three maybe four good looking firemen that show up on calls I get nine. Oh God let me die now!!! Nine very nice looking firemen all wanting a piece of the action so they can claim it towards their training time. I recall feeling very claustrophobic, I guess we don’t out grow that phobia as we get older or at least I haven’t as I learned being strapped to that board laying on my back where most of my injuries were it was very painful.

I had my first ambulance ride, cat scans, five staples put in the back of my head and three sutures to finish off the day…. I will never look at a stapler the same. The hot shower water later that night revealed the road rash I had on my back and hip. Ouch!!!!

M~ had taken care of my bike and stopped by Emanuel Hospital to make sure I was okay, it was comforting to see him and I thanked him for caring for me and also apologized for ruining our great ride that day.

When it was all said and done when the fuss was over and I knew I was okay I laid there alone in the bright white emergency room thinking of one thing… Jules, oh how I wanted my dear friend. M~ called her and she was on her way to get me. When she peeked her head around the corner and said “Hello” I saw her face and knew that all was well in the universe and all became balanced for me. She took me home, fed me, cleaned me up and stayed with me most of the night.

I am truly a blessed lady, I have the most amazing circle of friends and if I ever doubt my Heavenly Father all I need to do is look into the eyes of my friends and I know he is right here with me, he is in each of these wonderful people around me…

She Sings Like Bird

It is Summer 2007 the Norah Jones concert is sold out. I’ve missed out, I’ve lost my chance to watch one of my favorite singers perform in one of my favorite places the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Damn! Maybe my trusty old friend Craig’s List will have a ticket for sale; someone has to have a ticket they can’t use….

The ad read “She Sings Like a Bird” Looking for special lady to enjoy the NJ concert with. Oh Great! He is probably a complete whack-job. No way, I’m not going to attend a concert with a guy I don’t know, who knows he may chop me up I little pieces and toss me in the Willamette River. Humm,,, Okay fine I’ll reply, I am sure by now he’s gotten thousands of responses and he isn’t going to kill me right there in an area full of thousands of concert goers. After four days with no reply I accept my fate and resign myself that I would not be going to the concert, one final search on Craig’s List for a ticket and a quick check of my emails, nothing.

But Wait??

Simply stated the email read “W~ if you are still available I would like you to join me at the NJ concert” P~
Oh I must be the luckiest lady alive, I bounce out of my cubical announcing to my co-workers I’m going to the concert…. With deep concerns they all take turns terrifying me about the dangers of meeting a stranger off the Internet. Do I heed their warning, NOPE!!! Because I’m going to the concert, yeah!!!!
A few glasses of wine, a perfect gentleman, nice looking, great conversation, more in common than expected, a fantastic concert and an amazing new friend, it was truly a magical night the kind that young girls fantasize about. She truly does sing like a bird.

My First Blog

Here I am with my dear friend we're creating my avenue for communicating with the world. Or we're going to just take over the world, one sorry story at a time.