Her Passion, My Passion

I encouraged her to take a photography class in high school...

she doesn't go nuts like I do, but she does have a love for it.

When the opportunity arises, it's something we like to share

together on days that aren't full.

Still Spring

Although people say it's "unofficially" summer here (after Memorial Day), it's still spring (Until June 21st)!

Wondering Mind

Well, it's 4 for 4! I am trying real hard to make my walking a habit. As I walked today, I got no farther than a half block and our neighbor was outside talking with another walker while working in her yard. Her dog, Princess, (is anything but) was outside with her. Princess is a Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24) of all devil dogs with gnashing teeth, and a vicious bark that can strike instant fear in a person. I kept thinking to myself, "I don't have a stick to beat the demon if I'm attacked." I began to look for pickup trucks parked in driveways that I could at least hop into the back of if she did come my way. She was behind a rot iron fence with her owner saying "Now Princess, don't bark!" But, quite frankly I didn't feel any safer. I soon was past the evil one and was on my way.

It was another very nice morning to walk and I looked for the crow that I have seen the last 3 mornings that has landed in the same tree about the same time I'd pass. But, no show today so on my way. No more than I looked down my path, a black cat appeared. All black cat, mind you. Isn't funny how childhood superstition stays with the a person. I began to walk on the opposite side to detour the cat as he, in no way, was crossing my path! Whew, he ran back into the yard where he belonged.

About the photo above...wondering minds. You see during my walk, my mind went from childhood superstition to childhood vacations. I was remembering when I was a kid, my mom, sister and I joined friends at their aunt's vacation beach bungalow for a mini vacation during summer. The bungalow was located right at the beach and we'd walk through about a block of driftwood/logs (left from the Columbus Day Storm...another story) and over little grassy dunes to get to the beach. The sand was warm, but sometimes it would get very windy and a bit chilly. We'd build (on a much smaller scale) driftwood huts, much like the one in the photo, to protect us from the wind. It was nice to revisit that childhood memory.

My Guy!

Two for two!!! After getting Cliff's lunch together for work, and helping Lace get hers while rushing to get to college in time for finals, I was out the door before the both of them this morning. Be committed! Be consistent! Just do it! I'm talking about my daily walk. Two days in a row! Woo hoo! And, before my Tia Chi class, at that! It was a bit breezier this morning and the air was a little cooler. Just right for a nice brisk walk. I was about to round a corner when I heard a pickup coming from behind. I didn't look, just got out of the way (I walk in the street because walking the sidewalks has little dips for the driveways and my ankles don't like it). The service truck slowed down and I looked to my right as the gentleman rolls his window down...he yells, "I'm not the pool guy!" Referring to my yesterday's encounter. I yelled back, "But, you're my guy!"

"Nothing you could say
Can tear me away from my guy
Nothing you could do
Cause I'm stuck like glue to my guy
I'm stickin to my guy like a stamp to a letter
Like birds of a feather We..... stick together
I will tell you from the start I can't be torn apart from my guy."

We are so corny!

Daily Walk?

Daily walk! Do you take one? I know people that are faithful in their walks...3-6 miles a day (I look up to my sister, Darlene, and my friend, Cherie). For me, that extra roll around the middle that isn't very attractive on a person, or an upset digestive track is what it takes for me to be motivated. So, I was out the door this morning, starting with a 1 miler. I chose sweats and a tank for my attire. It was breezy, yet warm and it was soon apparent that I should have chosen shorts instead, but I decided to just buck up! I often pray when I walk...and watch the birds (a mama crow feeding one of her young)...and an occasional "hi" if anyone else is out and about. I had my sunglasses on while walking toward the sun, and saw a neighbor that Cliff knows well, driving back toward his home. I waved with the kind of wave that you do to people you know well. However, as the pickup approached closer, My sight became clearer, and I realized I didn't know this guy at all. In fact I didn't recognize the pickup either, but I had already waved with that all knowing, "I know you well" kind of wave. The guy as he got closer to me had a look on his face like, "I don't know you". So, I walked even faster as he pulled into a nearby driveway. Oh, just let me get around the corner before I embarrass myself even further. But, I wasn't fast enough and the "pool guy" stepped out of his service truck with a "Hi! You look great!!!" Whoa, now I was liking that a bit. Looking great? I just wanted to soak in the compliment for a moment as they come so far and few between these days at 52. My immediate response was, "Thank you (with a little beaming light of delight inside of me as he took notice), have a great day!" But as soon as that little delight button was pressed, my survival instincts button blared with "What are you, crazy? The pool man, at least 10 years your junior, whom you know nothing about...he could be an ax murderer, a sex offender...get out of here and start walking like you've never walked before." Okay, so I have a little overactive imagination. But, let me ask you...would you have taken the compliment without concern? Had I not gotten the compliment, my day would have been much like others past. :0)

Like Uncle, Like Nephew!

Corry took this picture of Maycin (Corry's shades), with his cell phone, last Saturday just before Ashlee and Maycin flew out of San Francisco. I miss the little bug-a-boo!

Ma & Pa

Last year about this time, Cliff, Lacee and I were on a mission...to produce, act, and film a short movie for our church youth film festival (to fund youth camp). We got the idea from a Vernonia High School classmate of mine whose church had film festivals 6 years past. It was a fabulous idea...our festival proved to not only to be profitable, but down right hilarious! Everyone walked away fully entertained. It's funny, the Hollywood crowd think they have all the talent! I'm not boasting about ourselves, but all the others that submitted a film last year truly were creative and full of surprises. Now everyone is stirring up their creative juices once again, and I expectantly wait to be fully entertained June 22nd. I can hardly wait! Our Ma & Pa film this year? Boy, it's a toss up between hair brain and drain brain...but I will give you a hint, Cliff did it well as Pa!

(PS The photo is of me and Aspen from last years Life with Ma & Pa)

Thank You!

Because our weather is turning pretty warm (upper 80s and low 90s) it's time to change our dinner menu! So, tonight we had BLTs with milk shakes. That is something my mother would prepare on hot days, and I remember thinking it was a treat! Tonight I was in charge of the bacon, lettuce and tomatoes while Lacee made the shakes. I began to gather my sandwich and drink... "Thank you, Lacee, for making the milk shakes!" She then replied, "Thank you, Mom, for birthing me!" Okay, it was an unexpected reply and it truly made me laugh, but at the same time I thought to myself, "Thank you, Mom, for birthing me!" Everyday can be a Mother's Day if we just listen.

Pigeon Point Light Station

Although this is no longer in service, it serves as a reminder of beacons past. Now is the age of sonar and satellite. It's black and white appearance give us a reminiscent feeling...what a beauty to marvel at...what stories it could tell of saved lives because of it's light...(much like the light of Jesus that saves us, but His light still shines!) Cliff and I were delighted to find this on our travel between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. It's a must see if you are ever in the area. We also saw a whale traveling north (on the tail end of migration season here) at this location. Very beautiful decking on cliffs above gave a great view of the sea behind PPLS.

30th Wedding Anniversary

Cliff and I were married 30 1/2 years ago, November 27th 1976! What an adventure it has been. Somehow it seemed that we worked a bit harder than some to keep our relationship alive, fresh, and fun. Perhaps there were a few out there that had it in the back of their minds that "It will never last," but our tenacity strengthened our determination. Cliff and I, although there were many times it didn't feel like love, we were committed to each other. And, what we have learned is that, that is what love is all about...action and commitment, not so much how you feel. So, with each wedding anniversary, there is great joy in celebrating another adventurous year together. This year we traveled from Cambria, CA up the Coast to Half Moon Bay for 4 days and then returned home for a day to wash and pack again for a 3 day camping trip to Bass Lake in the Sierra Nevada's. It was truly a time of refreshing our lives and rejuvenating our relationship. I recommend it to every married couple...get away!

Honest They Are!

I was occupying my grandson by showing him the pictures on this site (while his mother was getting ready before leaving to go to the "play-park"). I showed him his mother, aunt and uncle with the wax lips. He asked, "Where am I, Nana?" I told him that he wasn't born yet. Then he asked, "Where are you?" I told him that I wasn't in that picture, but I would show him a picture of Papa and Nana when they were younger, so I scrolled down to the next photo. Maycin said, "Whoa, Nana! What happened to you?" Now I wasn't sure if he was talking about the photo he was looking at or if he was talking about how I look today. I certainly had a good laugh and poor little Maycin stood there asking, "What?"

Wax Lips!

Remember them? You might be able to find them in a novelty store, but you don't see them in local grocery stores anymore. This was taken about 15 years ago when our kids were young. It was their first wax lip experience (We found the lips in a small gold rush town called Sutter Creek). I can't say they liked them, but it did make for a cute photo.

Then 1977

Yep, that's us back in the summer of 1977! I remember it well. We were living in California at the time and we were in Vernonia for a visit. Cliff and I drove to Beaverton to Playless and bought a Kodak Instant Print camera like the one this picture had taken. The clerk in the store took this picture to show us the quality and it's instant results. We were sold! A couple of years later, we were unable to buy the film the camera used, as Polaroid had the rights/patten and Kodak could no longer sell it's product. We still have the camera yet today!

Tai Chi

This morning I was excited and I didn't want to be late. As I drove myself out to a country church, I imagined what it was going to be like. I arrived a little early and there was only one other person there. As I approached a woman sweeping a concrete area, I asked, "are you the Tai Chi instructor?" She was a short, mature, Japanese woman with a soft smile, and assured reply. "Yes, I am". I had been invited by a friend to join her and others that congregated every Tuesday morning for their Tai Chi class. Here I was (as short as I am) towering over this little woman, and even though it crossed my mind to feel out of place, I quickly grabbed that thought and hurled it out of sight. I was soon joined by another Japanese woman, and another, and yet another. I began to think, "have I come to the wrong class", as my friend had not showed. Then several other Japanese women arrived...one little Japanese man... I introduced myself and felt quite at ease even though my friend had not yet arrived. The instructor was firm, in that Tai Chi movements are not easily learned and that I might just like to watch since the class was advanced. But, I had come to try at least. Finally, my friend had arrived, and the instructor directed us in a circle on the concrete where she had swept. It was quiet except for the wind shushing through the leaves of the trees and the occasional bird chirp or call. Then we began the soft martial art primarily practiced for it's health benefits including a means for dealing with tension and stress. Though it is soft, slow and flowing, the movements are executed precisely! I soon found how precise when my little neighbor lady next to me told me gently with a soft quiet voice, "move over and watch her feet!" Meaning the instructor's feet. I soon began to feel the flow and the relaxation of the movements. I almost wanted to sleep! Yea! Really! Had I known all the movements and not have to watch the instructor, I would have had my eyes closed. My friend told me that she prays during her Tai Chi exercises. I hope to master it someday and do the same. I was, however, encouraged by the rest of the class as they assured me that I had done a great job my first day and was invited back.

In 1904 "Yamato Colony" near Livingston, CA (not far from where I live and where the church was) was an effort to establish a Japanese community of farmers. Sadly, during World War II, the farmers had to hire a manager to continue production of the farms during their incarceration into concentration camps. Today many of the farms have been turned over to the next generation. These are the women I hope to know and call my Tai Chi friends.