I found my new favorite place!

How did I miss this gem? I have lived in Portland for 8 years, and in this area of Portland for 4 years and I can not even believe that I have lived my life without knowing, or I should say, experiencing this place. You see, Mount Talbert is this dear little area in SE Portland that is a nature park. It is one of the few remaining natural, undeveloped extinct volcanoes on the east side of Portland. If you so desire, you may read more about the area if you click on Mount Talbert above, but I am here to show you pictures of the area. After, of course, my little story: Megan, a friend of mine from work and I went to Hoyt Arboretum last week and I really did enjoy the hike. There were lots of not-well-marked trails, and often we just guessed which way to go. I absolutely LOVE being outside and in wooded areas, so was very glad she asked me to join her. When I got home from work today, I decided it wasn't the day to do my daily 1+ mile in my neighborhood like usual. I yearned to get out into the woods. I knew I didn't want to go far, as even in the summer, it does get dark eventually. I remembered this "butte" that I see often and had seen as an "outdoor destination" on a show about Portland at least 2 years ago. I had no idea what the name was so I went to Google. As I have said before, what would we do without search engines? Anywho, it didn't come up as a hike in the area, but with the terrain setting on the map I figured it out. I then looked up directions and hit the road. This little oasis is a mere 10 minutes from where I live and I was so pleased to arrive and decide my path. All in all, I believe I walked/hiked/talked on the phone (no one ever calls me, actually that is a lie, but rarely do 5 people call me all in the same evening, or in the same hike) for about 3 miles. Here are some photos of the area!

The trees were beautiful!

There were fern plants everywhere. If you know a fern that is lonely, I know a place it can go to be with friends.

These trails were marked amazingly.There is even a map on the incline part of each post that has a "you are here" dot. VERY helpful!

One of the trails I was on was apparently closed, but there was not a sign at the end I started out on. This is what I was greeted by when I arrived at the opposite end.

I saw a deer, my draw of the camera wasn't quick enough to catch it. Here is the proof that it actually exists in the area though!

Hope you enjoyed the little "field trip" via photos as I enjoyed the real thing and will return again soon!

Welcome Back!

Stasia and I met our Freshman year of college and were friends throughout. When she and David got married after our Sophmore year we were all friends and would get together for holidays, movies, games, etc. After we graduated from CU, Stasia and Dave moved to St. Louis so David could attend Seminary . After migrating around the country for Vicarage and schooling opportunities, David graduted in May. Woohoo Dave! And the best part is that he was called to a church back here in Portland! After living minutes (at times one floor) from Stasia for four years and then living thousands of miles apart for four years it will be SO nice to have them back here and close (3 miles from me)!! Welcome back to PDX with your new addition since the last time you resided here!

When they first walked into their own house!

Myles!! So stinkin' cute!

My most immediate task when helping with the move was to keep an eye on Myles. I can handle that kind of task!

The "moving" crew. Though most of us didn't do much moving.

Stasia couldn't find their camera so I was the official "photographer" for the event minus the last picture which their realtor, Erin took.

The United States is the only country with a known birthday. ~James G. Blaine

Happy Birthday America!!

To celebrate I headed to Salem to spend the day with Danielle and Garrett. It was a great way to spend the day!

Dr. Jones checking things out.

Grill master!

Danielle and I.

We spent lots of time chatting, debating, eating, and firework watching. Hope you all had a fabulous 4th!

The sounds of my childhood

When my Mom and Uncle were younger they were both members of the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corp. Mom was in the color guard and my uncle played the drums. I grew up hearing stories and seeing pictures (along with a scar or 2 that my mom has from nails in the rifles if I remember correctly). I also grew up going to drum corp contests in several different locations, but I most remember contests in Denver. When there were contests in Casper Mom would always scope out where the different corps were practicing and then load us up in the car to go listen to practice. When it came to drum corp my Mom didn't and still doesn't know a stranger. Because of her experience she was able to connect to many people using that common thread. After contests we'd go to the "pits" is what I would call them, where all the buses and semi's that were home to the corp members parked during shows and we'd try to track down people Mom knew. I'll never forget wandering around in the dark, in the diesel fumes, and being surrounded by instruments, people, chaos. It was good memory time for Mom. She is still involved with the Troopers as an alum and told me, I don't know how many months ago, that they were coming to the Portland area for a contest. I decided I'd like to go so I bought a ticket and ventured out to Hillsboro this evening for the contest featuring 5 corps. I got to the stadium early so that I could get a good seat (up high so I could see eveything) and sat and read a book while I was waiting. I could here all the corps practicing in the distance and it took me back to my childhood. The Troopers were AMAZING during their performance!

Scoring time. 73.10 (3rd place)

On the field.

Color guard.

On the field again.

Mom-you'd be proud. Sorry for enticing you into possibly going to Denver! And I did go into the "pits" and tracked down at least one person my Mom knows to say hi!

The lost is found!

In honor of Independence Day, and just 'cause I've wanted to tell this story:

There were always many historical re-enactments, etc. at Fort Caspar, a mere 10 minutes from my home growing up. We amost always went and I truly believe part of my love of history came from the experiences I had as a youth and these types of events: battlefield re-enactments (fake blood even made my brother queasy on more than one occassion), making candles in the sand, melting metal to make pellets, drinking sasparilla, and gnawing on sugar blocks in the summer heat.

Twleve years ago (almost to the day), yes, when I was 14 years old (feels like SO long ago) my family and I met a lovely young couple. This wasn't just any young couple. This was a unique couple and I think about them to this day. It was summer time in Wyoming and little to my knowledge there was a group starting a movement west in a re-enactment of the great Mormon migration along the Mormon Trail that crosses right through my hometown. The original migration was seeking religious freedom and the re-enactment group wanted to walk in their ancestors footsteps and feel as they had felt, with of course a modern day twist of pulling into towns with laudromats, RV's and air conditioned stores. Those stretches between all those luxuries though was a world in which their ancestors attempted to survive in. I can't fathom doing it myself and that is part of the reason for my admiration of the aforementioned couple.
You see, they met on the trail and developed a lovely, truly unique relationship that the "normal" couple may never experience. They saw each other day after day in one of the hardest settings they could find themselves in (in this country) and they fell in love. I remember the night I saw their story on the local news. "Mormon Trail couple get engaged using a horseshoe nail." I couldn't believe it!

When the group arrived in Casper we headed down to see the wagon trains and meet all the people. We happened upon this couple and began visiting. My family and Amy and B.C. became instant friends talking about their trip, the engagement and how B.C. had had the blacksmith traveling with them make her engagement ring, etc. It was sad to leave that evening, but we agreed to meet them the next morning as they were leaving town. When they passed us they asked if we'd see them again and we asked if we could meet them at Independence Rock and bring a picnic dinner. They said they'd appreciate that, so we went home and anticipated meeting our new friends again. I recall anxiously awaiting the trip out to the rock. You see, the trip to I.R. was a two day walk for them, through dusty, dry, hot trails, while it was about a 45minute to one hour drive for us (in air conditioning I might add). The rock was the point at which pioneers had to be too by July 4th in order to make it over the passes before winter set in. Hence, Independence Rock.
The next day (June 17th) we got up and started packing dinner. Mom made her AMAZING potato salad, that I have yet to be able to recreate. We got fried chicken, lots of fruit, baked beans, etc. Yes, all for a picnic dinner. When we got to the rock we climbed and waited and watched. While we were up on the rock we checked out all the carvings of names. This rock was used as somewhat of a register for the Oregon, California, and Mormon trail goers to "check-in", "leave their mark", etc. I have relatives that actually have their names carved into the rock, which is so cool!

Once the wagon train pulled in we got down and found Amy and B.C. and feasted on food and fellowship to our hearts content. Every evening the re-enactment group would have a sing-along, we joined in, we also just walked and talked. As it grew dark we knew it was time for us to head home and for them to head to bed. B.C. kept an online journal on the trail (like I said earlier, luxuries, but I still don't know that I could have walked all those miles in their shoes) and he headed in to do that. We still had a lot of food left so we bagged it all up and sent the food, cooler and all, on to the next destination that they were headed to. At some point in time we swapped addresses.

A few short months later we received a wedding invite in the mail. We were unable to attend the ceremony as they were being sealed in a Temple, but the reception to follow was open to all. Unfortunately, we were unable to make it to that either. To this day I think about the experience of meeting and getting to know such wonderful people with fondness in my heart. My mom and I have talked about them as we drive by Independence Rock or when we have a picnic dinner. Why exactly did they leave such in impression in my mind, and for that matter the minds of my family members? I will never know exactly, but am thankful for it! I have many times tried to locate them after they married and moved on, but haven't been too successful.

While I was in college one of my assignments was to do a search online of myself and family members, and check out what I found. I did a search for individual family members and then one for "Feezer family" and low and behold up pops this website with the description : "Brent C (B.C.) Moore Journals- Heritage Gateways." I COULD NOT believe it...his online journal. I started reading away and found an entry about our evening together. My search began again, for them. I looked everywhere, but as you can image there are many people by their names and I had no idea where they were even living. It wasn't until recently when I was spurred on again that I did a search for Amy's name using her maiden name that I found a lead. I felt like such a detective. And you'd never guess where I found them...Facebook! The online networking tool I refused to join forever and finally caved and joined about 9 months ago. Added them as my friends and the rest is history. Found out they are in CA and have four children now. I'm sure they are wonderful parents! Now, since I have found them I can get their wedding present, 12 years late, but still good and very fitting, (that I have been packing around all that time) packed up and sent to them.

Hope my story wasn't too long, but it makes me happy and I like that! I may update you later on what they thought of the gift, etc. Also, the search for pictures taken those days is on!!

Happy Birthday Ava!!

Today was the birthday celebration for Ava, the daughter of a friend of mine Elisa and her husband Frank. It was BBQ time. I ran home from the parade and got ready to go south. Frank and Elisa live right on the river (Willamette). It is seriously in their backyard. So the grill was out the water flowing (it is very calm so from their back patio you can't hear it but you can see it) and the fun was being had. Ava was celebrating turning 3!!

Hot Dog time! She is so stinking cute and she knows it!

Present time.

When I asked Elisa what she needed/wanted she told me I'd be safe with anything princess, pink, or anything girlie in general. I found a cute Disney princesses dish set with plate, bowl, and cup. She got lots of fun and girlie things! Whenever she was opening a gift she'd say "Look! I got this!" She was pleased with all her gifts! Yay for turning 3!!

"Good in the 'hood"

Today was the Annual "Good in the Neighborhood" parade in N/NE Portland. Providence is a huge sponsor for the Festival and always has a large group walk in the parade. Last year was the first year my schedule had allowed me to participate and it was blazing hot (85 degrees when I was on my way to the parade route). This year as one of the Diversity Committee co-chairs for our Laurelhurst site I was there again. It was SO much cooler than last year which was very welcome. We threw lots of candy and unfortunately we always run out before the end. We have said each year that next year we need to remember to get more candy, and each year we do, but as the parade grows larger we still run out. Both years that I have attended I've needed to leave right after the parade is over due to other commitments, but there is lots of music, food, and fun had by all at the festival. Some year I'll get to stick around!

Penny, our EP outings driver was driving the lead van for Providence.

Go ElderPlace!

Getting ready to walk!

Gathering before the parade.

The art of skipping stones

Last night I watched Amelie, a French Film with my friend Megan. It's a film I've often seen in movie rental stores and have always wanted to pick up, but never have. It was an interesting film, and one of the topics that was recurrent in the film was that Amelie, the main character was a skipper of stones. There were countless scenes in which she was picking up random skipping stones. I was amused by this because growing up I recall my dad always picking up stones to skip when we were near a body of water. Numerous times he attempted to teach me, however my stones always sank.

As I drove home last night I was thinking about the skipping of stones, the origination of the activity, and why people partake in the activity. So to Google I went. (What did we do before search engines!) Anywho, according to Wikipedia...

"Stone skipping is a pastime which involves throwing a stone with a flattened surface across a lake or other body of water in such a way that it bounces off the surface of the water. The object of the game is to see how many times a stone can be made to bounce before sinking. In North America it is also referred to as "skipping rocks". In Russian this game is called "baking pancakes", in Ukrainian, it is called "letting the frogs out", in Polish, "letting the ducks out". In Spanish it is called "making white-caps", among other names, in Catalan, "making step-stone bridges" or "furrows", or simply "skipping stones"."

I had no idea that this was an international pasttime, but it is somewhat comforting to know that a person could travel around the world and find a fellow man or woman skipping stones at a tranquil pond.

I also discovered in my Google search that there is a North American Stone Skipping Association (NASSA). Who knew?! According to the website the current holder of the Guinness World record for skips is held by Jerdone McGhee who skipped a stone 38 times (there is currently a contender-Kurt Steiner, who skipped a stone 40 times)!! What I want to know is how a person or a group of persons can count a stone skipping across a peaceful body of water when it skips that many times? I think I'd lose track after 8 or so.

There are several "How to skip a stone" videos and instructions online that I may study and who knows...I may try skipping a stone or two again sometime soon! How about you?

FAFSA

Yes, it stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; and it is a form I had never thought I would fill out again, but I sort of had this thought that smacked me in the head tonight when I was out walking. Yes, if I indeed want to go back to school this coming fall I had better get my rear in gear and complete the needed paperwork, which includes the FAFSA form. Thankfully I happened to look at the website tonight and discovered the deadline (it's been a long time since I've dealt with a deadline like this) is June 30th! YIKES! I really better get going. This form felt like it was the death of me when I was in my undergrad years. Who would have thought that just subtracting your parents from the equation (not because I want them subtracted from my life or anything of the sort) would make filling out the form that much easier? Anywho, the form that seemed to take me days to compile in my undergrad years took me a matter of 45 minutes tonight. And, yes, I reviewed my answers before hitting the "submit" button (for the teachers in the audience).

I know things aren't finalized for my "back to school" adventure, but things are slowly (very slowly) getting done. Now on to the application for the program (yes, I told you it has been going slowly, I'll have you know that it is partially filled out already)!! Wish me luck!

Happy Day Dad!

The timing couldn't have been better for my Mom's convention and Father's Day. Because I flew into Denver to drive to WY I was able to come back to Denver to fly back home to Portland. Because of this I was able to spend Father's Day with my Dad for the first time in years! We headed to the Denver Zoo! And had a great time. Thanks Dad! Hope you enjoyed your day!

Dad and the hyena!
Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!

Flamingos for Mom!

Dad with the camels!
Posing with the Polar Bear!

Department Convention

For the last year my Mom has served as Wyoming's Department President for the American Legion Auxiliary. She spent the year travelling around the state and visiting units in towns of all sizes and in all corners of the great state of Wyoming. The year culminates in a state-wide convention where Auxiliary members traverse to one location for days of meetings. I was unable to make it to my Mom's installation into her office last year, so I trekked the 1000 miles to be there for her convention this year. It was so great to see her and several of the members that attend that I have known for years, but haven't seen in 5 years.

At the end!

Her theme was ducks...they were all over the place!

Because of different circumstances the person who would have proceeded up into the President position was unable to do so, so Mom is serving another year. Who would have known when I couldn't make it to her installation last year that I would be able to see it happen again this year? Congrats Mom!

Views of my home state

I left Colorado this afternoon after going for a ride with my Dad through a beautiful canyon. The drive went well. Before I left on vacation John, one of my co-workers told me that Wyoming is a beautiful state. Unfortunately, being from the state I don't always see and appreciate the beauty, especially when it is ugly and winter time which is when I usually am there (if you visit WY I recommend not going in the winter-everything is gray/brown and ugly, trust me!). However, much to my dismay, as I'll have to admit to John, Wyoming was very beautiful this trip. I attribute it to the thunderstorms and rain produced from them that is keeping the rolling hills green. Here are a few pictures:

Enjoy the little visual trip to my home state! Next time I'll try to get shots of my hometown!

Leaving on a jet plane...

...headed to CO/WY today. Because of storms we were in a holding pattern for close to an hour and then had the roughest landing I've ever experienced. Regardless, I made it and enjoyed the view from the plane while circling Denver. Staying with Dad in Denver tonight and then heading up to booming Wheatland, WY for my Mom's Department Convention for the American Legion Auxiliary.

Strawberries are an "accessory" fruit?!...

...indeed! According to strawberries.com strawberries are an accessory fruit. What exactly does that mean? I was thoroughly surprise to learn the following from Wikipedia: "An accessory fruit, false fruit, spurious fruit, or pseudocarp is a fruit in which some or all of the flesh is derived not from the ovary but from some adjacent tissue. Some examples include cashews and pineappless. A fig is a type of accessory fruit called a syconium. Pomes, such as apples and pears, are also accessory fruits, with the core being the true fruit. "

Regardless of whether strawberries are an accessory fruit they are delicious, especially as they are transformed into freezer jam, which I love to make. Here is the photo sequence of my jam making. It took two nights, but those two nights will be worth it into the coming year as I enjoy my freezer jam on many things, mainly pancakes!

Berries right after I bought them!! One whole flat! yes the people I bought them from were shocked! The berries in the sink soaking!The berries after they've been hulled. I felt like I stood at my sink for eons.

Mashing the berries.

Adding the pectin so the jam, jams!

The finished product! SO yummy!

So you know what I'll be starting to eat again soon? Pancakes!! For some reason I don't enjoy my pancakes as much without this lovely, red, goodness! Pancakes anybody??

Tattoo: a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.

One of the things on my list of things to do before I die is to get a tattoo. I have wanted to do this for several years...since my HS days. I have taken my time and looked at LOTS of designs as I figure I better like something that I have placed permanently on my body. I finally found a design that I like. Instead of irrationally going out and having it tattooed on my body I decided that I would get a henna tattoo done in the design and location I thought I wanted the tattoo. This way I could decide: a) if I liked the design, b) if I liked the location and c) what I thought about size. So today was the day for the henna. Janelle, a friend of mine from work, who is actually an MSW student and completes her hours this coming week and will then leave us, went with me to the Portland Saturday Market (yes they are open Sunday also) for the henna adventure. Janelle had decided she would join the fun. Thanks for accompanying me Janelle!

Below are pictures:

Me getting my henna done!

Janelle getting her henna!

Janelle's finished product. I like it!

My finished product. What do you think about placement/design?

I think I really like it. Now for the real thing...

And they bloom...

I have never had a begonia or a passion flower, but alas, this year I do. I purchased both plants this spring and am happy with my investment. I bought the begonias as tubers and have ben giving them TLC since March when I started them indoors. My first begonia is blooming now and is gorgeous:


I ordered a passion flower plant through a catalog via a co-worker of mine. When it first arrived it was about 3 inches tall and now is at least three feet tall I believe (it is hard to tell as it winds around my railing). I had this gut feeling this last Thursday that it was going to erupt into full bloom (the first and only bloom thus far, but many more buds to blooms to come) while I was at work. When I arrived home it had indeed burst into its full glory. Here is my very first passion flower blossom.I apologize for the fuzzyness of both pictures. The begonia pic was taken at an awkward angle and the passion flower was taken with my cell phone and it closed up before I could even get the camera out. They are still pretty and make me smile though!

My mind at the moment

I have been on a role the last couple of weeks (actually months) and someone asked me today why I was "all over the place". I started thinking and I don't know exactly why, but I have a feeling that it's all the little and not so little things in life that seem to be stacking up. The unfortunate part of it is that most of it is happening in my mind, and thank you, but it isn't "in my mind" in a bad way. I have just had lots of things on my mind and am getting all worked up (in a good way) about them. I was talking to a friend today and I think I've pin-pointed the "beginning" of the sporadic phase I am in. I was debating about applying for another job, and I feel justified in writing this in my blog because the general populous at my workplace is aware that I was considering this. And I wouldn't have left the organization, just change where I was in it. I was hot and cold hour by hour for weeks.

After making a few lists (I make lots of lists), a late night conversation with a friend on a dark freeway and then more thinking (which by the way I was getting tired of doing constantly about this decision I was needing to make) I was again driving and this feeling just, and I say this in all honestly as it is the best way to describe it, smacked me between my eyes. I had this rush of relief that washed over me. I've tried to describe the moment to others and that is the best I can do. After telling the person with hiring responsibility that I WAS NOT going to apply for the position (without really having a substantial reason besides that it just didn't feel right) I couldn't stop smiling. I was elated and knew then that I had made the right decision.

Once that decision process was completed in my brain I was able to focus my energy elsewhere. I have always wanted to go back to school to get my Master's degree and am finally looking at doing that. Still debating about the logistics and have lots of things to figure out, but hopefully by 2011 (yes I need to plan that far out as I am anal about having plans) I will be in a Master's program. And that was a whole other decision that was playing tug of war in my brain. I, at the moment, have settled on getting on MSW (Master's of Social Work) and I've been settled on that for a while now, so hopefully it sticks, as I feel that would be a good route for me.

And then, my little (but bigger) brother made a move to Washington D.C. recently, which just progressed my "all over the place" mindset and actions. The reason you ask? Well, I sort of have this problem that I refer to as wanderlust. I LOVE to travel and see new places. Never have been to D.C., but always wanted to go. I asked him when he was accepting visitors and he said whenever. I have tentatively set a vacation for this coming spring, assuming the fundraising for the trip goes well.

After starting to think about this trip, I decided to crack open an old journal where I had once upon a time recorded my list of things to do before I die (I was spurred on because visiting D.C. is on that list). Got it out, read through it and checked off what I have done! Woohoo for those things and experiences. Then I decided it needed to be bulked up some as there are many more things I would like to do that have come to mind in the last year or two. So I dug in and have a very comprehensive list...2 columns on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper at 10point with a small font. I decided I better get busy if I was going to be successful in checking things off. And thus, here I am with all of this energy and attempting to add spice to my life and complete some of these tasks, experience some of these experiences and enjoy life to the fullest as you never know when your last day will arrive.

I also decided that I would complete a scrapbook--yes Mom...getting started again (hopefully)--that contains all the pictures and commentary on those things on my "List". Some of the items on my list aren't able to be photographed and some I will never tell another soul about as they are that personal to me, but for the photo worthy events I will compile and share via blog with anyone who cares to read and see the story of my life.

Hmmm....long blog, welcome to my brain.

Yummm.....

Celebrating the day of the birth of a friend + Papa Haydn's in NW Portland = Delicious Dessert.

Panna Cotta is described on the menu as: a smooth custard of heavy cream and sour cream, dotted with raspberry sauce and a rolled cookie.

I, of course, omitted the cookie (due to the gluten-free diet restrictions) and was good to go! I highly recommend trying Papa Haydn's sometime, especially on a lovely, perfect weather Portland evening!