Pooper Friday!

Seattle is getting it's two weeks of summer finally. I just wish I could be out enjoying it. I am enjoying the warm evenings and the gorgeous early mornings. I wish I had more time in the mornings to be in the garden, that would be perfect. I set the sprinkler out again last night on the back lawn under the pine trees and just like before, the little Bush Tits came in and loaded down the branches that were getting wet. The were just loving it. So was I. My face was hurting from the permanent smile it put there.

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, a Bush Tit is a small grayish brown bird that travels in flocks from 10 to 50 birds. They go from tree to bush to tree looking for insects. I've seen them completely engulf a suet feeder in the middle of winter. It's quite the scene. I can usually hear them coming before I see them. They rank up there with Chickadees and Hummingbirds for me, as far as backyard favorites. I think it's because of their relative non-fear of me characteristic. Now to just get that patio done so I can take up residence there every night for the rest of the summer.

We have another wedding to attend tomorrow, one of Nicks co-workers. It's local, so it's easy to get to and easy to get home. We've been asked to bring D70 along with us, so there maybe some photo's to post later.

Today the shareholders approved the merger, finalizing the merger with the new company. The old company is taking us to Marymoor park for live music, bar bq and a 'special surprise' this afternoon. I'm really not up to it, so hopefully I'll get there and enjoy it or I can get there and disappear for the rest of the day. I'm still not settling down much, things are just up in the air still.

Yesterday I found out that the new company is ranked pretty low with HRC in the telecommunications industry. They don't offer domestic partnership benefits and they contribute to interest groups that seek to bar equal rights for same sex legislation. Greeeaaat!

Oh here's something good...This morning my pregnant co-worker blew out a tire down in the shopping center. She didn't mentions it to me, but to one of my other male co-workers. He told her to call Les Schwab. Our manager called her boyfriend who also works here, and get this, he said he didn't want to get dirty. Mind you, all this is going on with out my knowledge of the flat tire. I happen to over hear her saying something on the phone to her fiance' about it. I got up and went over to find out what was up. Turns out she has a full sized spare and the car is a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. I told her I'll just put the spare on, VW's are snap. Apparently Les Schwab would do it for $75 or her roadside assistance would be $50. None of the other guys here that were asked were really willing. I just thought it was funny that with out knowing these other variables, that the queer one in the group was the only one to go down there and get a little dirty to do a 15 minute tire change. Kind of a WTF moment if you ask me. I told her she should of just told me right away. She didn't know how to change her tire either, so she got lesson in "How To" Greenie style.

That's all I got folks. Have a splendiferous weekend.

I think I have Adult A.D.D.

I don't know what it is exactly, but for what ever reason, I cannot keep my focus on any one thing for more than 5 mins. I'm all over the map with things and it's getting a bit irritating. I can't even sit still or sleep through the night

I know that part of it is the transition of my job and the company merger that is finalizing this Friday. Things around here are very quiet and unsettling. I found out this week that I'm not getting laid off during the September 15 layoff, but that I could be working until March 2006 at this point. This is all information received prior to the actual merger, so things could definitely change one way or the other.

This is fostering a lot of distraction for me, and on top of that I'm trying to figure out what I should do after I lose my job, but I can't figure it out because I can't focus to save my life. I can't even read blogs like I normally do, I click and go and read through part of it and I'm off and on to the next thing. I've hardly read any other blogs at all.

All I really want to do right now is be free of work and a schedule. Is that so wrong? I am craving the outdoors a lot and the early morning drives to work really feed that craving. I just want to stop along the way and take pictures or keep driving past my building up to the mountains and see what I can find there.

After work yesterday, I went out with the D70 for a little walk and took some photos for about 40 mins before going home. It was pretty hot yesterday, for the Seattle area. I know that there are others in the country who are dying from the heat, so I won't dwell on any discomfort, but let's just say that things were sweaty and droopy and I didn't bring my Tundra Teste Cooler with me. It didn't stop me from getting some shots (see above also) though and it felt good to be out.



The only thing that I seem to be able to really focus on and work at is the patio. However, last night it was too hot when I got home. Nick insisted that I not work on it last night and he was right, I was too tired and needed to take a break. I did lay two more rows of pavers before he got home, so I did make some progress. It's coming along don'tcha think?



I'm sure I'll settle down here pretty soon. I hope. This feeling of distraction and uncertainty is wearing me out. I know everything is going to work out, I know I can get through this, but right now I'm standing in the middle of it and it's uncomfortable.

Before the day ended, I saw the evening sunlight coming through on the front garden. I knew I had only minutes before it was gone. I got out there just in time to get these shots.

A Reminder...

Yesterday, I was reminded of a few things, not that I necessarily up and forgot them, but just a gentle reminder that there is this other side of me that I don't indulge enough.

Reminder number one:



Reminder number two:



Reminder number three:



Three reminders that I, Greenie, am an uncle and that I love my niece and nephew. I am the reluctant uncle, but nonetheless, I am their uncle. These are my little brothers two heathens, as our father would call them. Yesterday, they resembled nothing of the sort. They did however exude perfect child like qualities: cuteness, shyness, energy and laughter, a few tears. Certainly nothing heathen like though.

Poor Harlow, she was so worn out last night. It was great.

Pooper Friday!

WTF?!? Blogger is a BITCH!!! I keep saying I'm going to switch to another provider and even PAY$$$ just to have the convinience. But just like the wanton whore she is, Blogger know's how to start behaving, luring you into a false sense of hope that she's going to be a good little girl, change her ways. "Please don't leave daddy, I promise to behave". My problem is I'm so damned soft hearted and oh ya, CHEAP!

Greenie Update

I can't believe that the month of July is almost over. As stated previously, this month was/is totally booked with activities and events. (1 wedding down, 1 to go) All this activity is making the month fly by, but having the blog and flickr has helped to savor some of the really great moments. It feels less like a blur at this point, however the trip down home feels like it was months ago now.

So here's a little update on the state of things in and around homo central.

For the last week, each night after work, I've been digging our patio area out. I finished the excavation portion on Tuesday and last night I started hauling crushed gravel in for the base. I still need to compact it and get it level; possibly fill in any low spots. I'll then pick up some framing material to hold the tumbled cobbles in place. After that, all that's left is to pick up the pavers that are going in and start laying them. I can't wait to have it done and have an actual sitting area in the garden. I know Nick is eager to create a living space with furniture and accessories.



Nicks birthday was this month and for his birthday, I bought him a Buddha fountain that he's been admiring since last summer. It's about a 5 foot tall wall relief of a sitting Buddha with a large, and can I just say insanely heavy, rectangular basin that it sits in. As soon as the patio is in place, I intend to hire a team of oxen to drag it up the hill to the back and then I suppose I'll need to enslave the entire Hebrew nation to move it into place and set it up. For now however, it rests in the driveway out front. I'd like to see someone try and steal it, just try you silly fools. It will be a great focal point for the new patio space, once it's in place.



For the last several months, I've been waiting and waiting, like forever, to learn what my future is with my company. This month has been a whirlwind of activity here with FCC, SEC and Department of Justice approvals rolling in. The final shareholder votes will take place at the end of the month and sometime around the first of August, I will be working for another company. I learned yesterday, that my position is not slated for termination in the first round of layoffs in September, but at this point in time, I will be employed until the billing conversion is completed sometime around March 2006. This is of course, good news for us. Having me employed a little longer certainly takes the pressure off Nick. This also buys more time to try and come up with a long term solution for me as well. Unfortunately, that does not include the coffee shop/cart. Someone bought it this month. It's been officially taken over by new management.

I've been going to this same cart every morning, well almost every morning since I moved here. I developed a 'friendship' with the morning girl Shari and I've come to look forward to our daily banter. She's no longer there, and it's as if she was never there, because there was no warning, no nothing. I just drove up one day and her car wasn't there and instead there was this totally different chick. I was devastated as I returned the following morning to find the same chick there again, only this time I drove through slowly and never stopped, I just kept on going. THAT'S when I knew it was over, this relationship I had was gone. I was devastated, sad, I mourned all the way to work, even swearing not to buy from this new chick. I of course came to my senses, acknowleged with Nicks help that they were nice, and that it's not their fault. They are trying to be good coffee people and let's face it, I'm a real bitch without my coffee and that drive to work is just not the same with out my 16oz triple (sometimes quad)nonfat sugar free English Toffee latte. So I succumb, and I try to be pleasant about it. I feel bad now, because the new coffee gal (not chick), she's seems to know that I'm not pleased, and you can ask Nick, I can't hide my displeasure over anything. She always seems so pensive when I pull up. Gawd I'm such a bitch, I suppose I should bring her flowers from the garden and make amends.



On to other news, the Water Garden Seminar went off with out a hitch and I got great feedback afterwards. It was a lot of fun. This weekend, my brother, sister-in-law and niece and nephew are coming to see us one last time and for the first time before they relocate to Arizona. He's in the military and is taking a new post there. I think the hope is that from this position he will be in, he won't have to be deployed on long term missions like he was in Iraq. That's a good thing, now if we can just turn down the heat in Arizona so they all don't melt when they get there.

That's all the news there is to print, I'm Greenie and this has been your Greenie Update.

The Hindu Wedding

I never realized that there were wedding traditions out there that could be longer and more involved than a Catholic Wedding, but there is and it's Hindu Baby! There is a lot of chanting, invoking and vow taking, with a lot of sprinkling of water, throwing of rice and burning wood with oil in Hindu weddings, and that's not mentioning the getting up and down too.

Now traditionally, the bride and groom do not 'meet' until 2 weeks before the actual wedding date, which is set by a Hindu priest based on some elaborate schema or alignment of the moon or when it's convenient, who knows. It's at that time that the preparations for the wedding begin. Can you imagine trying to have a wedding in two weeks? The only thing I could conceive of, is that this is only possible due to the fact that they live and die in the same village with all their family and friends. No one has to make elaborate arrangements for the wedding party to get into to town or have a place to stay etc.

Kathryn and Suresh have 'known' each other for some time now, I think a little over 3 years. At least that was when we first met him. Nick and I took a little vacation to New York City to see Kathryn and of course the city. We made arrangements several months ahead of time, and about a week prior to our arrival, Kathryn was mugged on her way home one night. As a result, she suffered some terrible injuries both inside and out. It seemed our arrival was well timed and that having two tall men coming and going from her apartment with her and meeting her in the evenings to walk home with her provided some much needed comfort. But often when we would meet up with her downtown, there was Suresh. We all would go to dinner and walk around town, attend her art gallery openings. It was a great visit. Later we would question Kathryn about this Suresh fellow, but she would simply down play it with, he's a friend, and it's just good timing for her right now, nothing serious. Nick and I would later lay in bed and say things like, "He's totally smitten with her." And he was, you could tell. He was so attentive and she clearly loved that. So it was no surprise, but great news none the less, when we received an invitation to this event.

Anyway, I understand that some things for this wedding were to be as dictated by 'tradition' and it left things in a bit of a panic clear up and until the day of the wedding. If you asked me, I would of never known because 1) it all seemed so planned and 2) it was so unique that I had nothing to base inadequacies against. There was so much to stimulate your senses.

Traditionally, at the start of the wedding there would be a very formal meeting of the two families and then a traditional ritual performed by the brides mother when the groom was presented to the threshold of the house. Many of the details were omitted or simply modified for the service simply because of time and other constraints. After the mother-in-law would have performed her ritual, then the bride would be presented and there would be the exchange of garlands between the bride and groom. These would typically be made of marigolds.

This was how the wedding began, with Kathryn waiting in the back as the priest started the ceremony with a prayer to Lord Ganesha, symbolized and represented in the form of the elephant.



After the prayer, Kathryn was presented to Suresh and they exchanged garlands. Instead of Marigolds, they had to use what was available locally. It was amazing how heavy they were.



Now that they are introduced, they are brought into the alter area, the 'mandap', and the Vedic rites begin. Vedic refers to the ancient Hindu Scriptures written in Sanskrit. What follows is so involved and detailed, that I can't possibly write it all down here and feel that I'm doing it justice. I'm going to highlight some of my favorite moments from here.

I loved the part where the father gives away the daughter. I don't know anything about Hinduism, or if I did know anything, I lost it somewhere along the way. What I took from this was that Hindus believe that marriages are predetermine in another existence and that there are 5 demi gods or gods that have to approve or bless the union. I believe they are Earth, Wind, Fire, Sun and Water. If I remember correctly from the ceremony, the first four agreed to approve unions in this manner, but that Water refused to do so, saying that he would not approve of the union until the Father had physically given his daughter away. At that time, Water would give his acceptance.

Here the father is performing the water rite, where the groom holds his hands under the brides. The mother helps to support the daughter and the father takes the bitter leaves and repeatedly drips water over the coconut and leaves in her hands until water begins to pass through and into the grooms hands. This in effect to me was what he meant when the God of Water approved the union. It was very visual and auditory with the chanting. I love that the support of the mother and the father were so integral to the experience.



At some point during the ceremony they become husband and wife officially. It's not like western culture where finally at the end you are announced. When they had become husband and wife and were giving thanks to the gods, at one point they had to step out into the open and offer up to the Sun God. This was one part that gave me a little goose flesh, because up to this point we had been enduring rain, chill and clouds. No sun. Not only that, but this area was so shaded by large fir trees, even if it were sunny, it was still shady here. I kid you not though, when they were stepping out, the sun actually came out and it was so cool. It came through a part in the trees just to the west and shined right on their faces. It was magical.



There were so many steps and symbolic sprinkling involved. A lot of burning of sticks and oil throughout the entire ceremony. Words were spoken in another language, promising to care, love, cherish and protect. More garlands, symbolic tying of scarves to each other, leading each other around the alter of fire all symbolizing the union of these two people and the promise to be there for the other in hard times and good.

Each circle around started here with each prayer (7 circles around with 7 prayers).



Seven Steps:

May the first step lead to food that is both nourishing and pure.

May the second step lead to strength (at the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual levels).

May the third step lead to prosperity.

May the fourth step lead to all around happiness.

may the fifth step lead to progeny (Nobel and virtuous children).

May the sixth step lead to a long life.

May the seventh step lead to friendship through harmony and understanding.

At the end of the ceremony, both the bride and the groom then go around and give hugs to their elders, which included anyone older than themselves. I loved this part.




As a final act of service to one another, they feed each other a rice pudding. I think this actually was out of order, but at least they did it.



Congratulations to Kathryn and Suresh.

Hindu Princess with her nephew

This is one of my favorite shots from the wedding yesterday, which was a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. It was a long ceremony people, but there are a lot of really cool moments to talk about, just not now. I have to get ready to go to work. I'll catch up later.

Pooper Friday!

The other night I was sitting out back with Harlow taking pictures of her. She is my favorite subject. You can see other pics of her on my flickr site.

This week really flew by. I've been so busy with activities, the time really became a blur. Tomorrow I have the water garden seminar and I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure will go fine. Also, our friend Kathryn is getting married tomorrow afternoon as well, so a little last minute wardrobe assembly this evening to see what still fits. I really hate that part.

The departmental picnic went off with out a hitch yesterday, even the weather was perfect. I actually got a little bit scorched during the activities. The Nikon D70 was very busy and caught lots of hilarious behavior, too bad none of it involved management.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Greenie Out!

Lacecap Hydrangea

peaceful

Interesting Article...good timing.

Came across this article at MSNBC.com. It's an article about Gays and Psychologists rejecting the idea of conversion of gays and lesbians back to straightdom.

I posted this first paragraph first thing, but I realized that I had more to say after words. I'm totally moved by so many comments from yesterday. You call me things like 'inspirational', 'patient', 'kind', 'awesome' and I'm just touched by the sentiment. These words are not how I perceive myself at all. I'm always so impressed with the caliber of individuals who comment here and with their individual blogs. You are my hero's and my inspiration. Your support gives me confidence to talk about things in an honest and open format. Your encouragement and love give me hope that we are learning to understand one another, thus promoting some form of change in how we operate as a society. Here are some of my favorite quotes from yesterday:

"Humanity should give more consideration to people who are loving, caring and compassionate to others and spend less time being concerned with their sexual orientation." -swirlybuns

"Whatever it is that makes us "this way" I dont think it matters, all that matters is we make the choice to embrace who we are and find the happiness and love everyone deserves." -jessicarabbit

"It's not the definition, to me, that's the problem. It's the lack of acceptance and the unwillingness to grow." -Mr. Bloggerific Himself

"This is why I can't stand people who say "sexual preference" as if it IS a preference. It's "sexual orientation", pure and simple. I didn't CHOOSE to be attracte to men, especially to Ewan McGregor (YUMMY), I just AM." -misfit

"(i believe that God made you the way you are and He thinks you are perfect.)There is no "right" or "wrong" way to love." -amanda b.

"I believe in choice in all things, except LOVE." Also said, "I hate the hate and the narrow mindedness of it all. Making others hurt is not my thing, I don't think I will ever understand it.
-august95

"Wouldn't your postings all be worth it if even one young and confused person read your posts and felt a little better about themselves?" -sierrabella

"I think it's less important how someone came to be who they are, than that we make sure that we treat one another with respect and dignity." Also said this, "To me, the FREEDOM is key: to either embrace and go with what one's inclination is, OR to say, I want to try to change. If someone tells me, I used to be gay, but now I'm not, OR I used to be straight, but now I'm not, I'm not going to say, No, that's not possible, you must go back the way you were. There are exceptions to every rule. There is a HUGE range of possibilities for sexual attraction and expression. People don't fit into boxes as easily as we might be comfortable with. I know a man whom I think is "naturally" gay, but loves being married to his wife and raising their child together. He struggles, but he has made his choice, freely, and with acceptance of what it costs him. To him, it is worth the cost. It may not be for me or you or the next person, but he gets to say, for him. Freedom.
-susie

"Oh, and by the way...my taco is NOT REVOLTING, thank you very much! I would never say something like that about your corndog!"-Ern-baby

"She fell in love with that PERSON, not that person's gender/sex." Also said, "It's good that we can all talk about this while remaining civil and intelligent; a lot of people wouldn't be able to do that!" -misfit

"I'm mormon and heterosexual, but still able to sympathize with your struggle to accept who you are." -Suzie Petunia

Thank you for contributing to this post so thoughtfully and with a sense of humor. Thank you for embracing my thoughts and me and continuing to feed my hope for mankinds evolution. You are blog-a-rific.

Like this moth, I too had to learn to fly...

I found this white moth the other day, it had just emerged from it's chrysalis and was trying to get it's wings to work. It was flapping them so fast that it was making a slapping sound against my jeans. I sat there for several minutes, even holding it on my finger as it kept trying to make them work. With in moments it was flying and off it went straight up into the tree canopy over my head.

Lately, I feel like I've been just slogging through the days, one after the other. Our schedule is booked for the entire month, well, mostly mine. This week alone I have the department picnic of which I'm one of the commitee members of, then on Saturday I'm doing a water garden seminar for the nursery in the morning and attending a wedding that afternoon. It's going to be a busy month people.

While I have been somewhat occupied with activity and enjoying myself none the less with visits to the folks and Portland, remember, the foot massages? Oh ya, that was some good stuff. I have had time to ponder and think on some matters that I have been meaning to bring here, cuz, you all are real good at pretty much validating my whole way of thinking.

I recently had a passing discussion, and by passing, it was literally in the process of coming and going, on the matter of choice. More specifically, the choice for sexual preference. This is a subject that I know can be difficult for some and because I'm going to be taking the position that the fact that I'm gay is not a choice, sets up the possibility that this just won't fly. I'm sure Tom Cruise can find a logical reason for this, but frankly I'm going to stick with my own reasoning on this one.

This person implied that being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or what have you is a basic choice. I chose to be gay. What I will give you on this matter is that yes, I did decide to be gay in that I chose not to continue to be something I'm not and that's straight. For as long as I can remember, or as long as I was aware of my sexual being, I have been attracted to boys and of course now, men. Growing up Mormon, I knew that this just was not 'right' and that I needed to deny this part of myself as this was my cross to bear in this life in order to achieve eternal life with Heavenly Father. Denying this part of who I was brought on some of the worst bouts of depression, confusion and fear. My poor parents tried to figure out what I was hiding from them and sat me down several times thinking it was drugs or something like that. They have never said whether or not that they suspected it was the fact that I might be struggling with sexual preferences. I have never asked.

To escape my home and my family, for slipping and failing at denying this part of myself, I took off with my then best friend for Arizona to attend Devry Institute in Phoenix. It was a huge mistake, and I found myself even more depressed and lonely. I agonized over what I had done that summer for the first time. It burned in my mind and I was filled with guilt and also longing for more. I missed my family, but I couldn't face the I told you so's and so I ended up moving to my biological Mom's after 3 months in the desert. For the next three years I tried to bury my sin and my feelings, I even had a couple of girlfriends if you can believe that. Eventually I came to a point where I needed to save myself from what I had done.

I had gone home for a visit and had the good fortune to have several friends home visting their families or recently returned from missions. Unknown to me, the then bishop had set up an intervention of sorts with one of my friends. He had arranged for one of our dynamic friends who was fresh home from his mission to share his experiences with this friend in the hopes of changing his mind about not going. What this bishop didn't know was that I was there that night and I was completely moved and inspired by what he had to say. His demeanor, his energy, his passion for what he had done, all of it spoke to me like a clarion call. When he had finished telling his story, he looked at our friend and said, "are you going to go on a mission?" Instead of him saying anything, I immeadiately said "YES!"

This was to be the new me, a fresh start. I did everything I had to in order to be allowed to go on a mission. I had to promise that I would never allow myself to be that person ever again. I agreed to all this, because more than anything in the world, I wanted to be a good person, a normal person, some one who was admired, accepted and part of the whole. Being gay meant that I would not be allowed to participate in all the things that I held dear to my heart, and at that time, it also included my Mom and Dad. My mission was going to save me, transform me. For being a faithful and loyal servant, God was going to take this thing from me and I was going be able to live a just and holy life in the church, in my community. Did you know that when you are a missionary, that you are with another male companion 24/7? That you have to sleep in the same room? That the only time you're allowed to be apart is when you use the bathroom? It's true. I didn't think this through very well did I? Ya, so the mission thing...it didn't do much to alleviate the desire issue, well some times it soooo wasn't an issue. I didn't get along with ALL of my companions. That being said, my mission to this day, is one of the things I look back on with a great deal of pride and a sense that I really did come away from it a better person. It didn't fix me, it did numb some part of it. I did come back to a young woman who waited for me, but she knew I was not the one for her. I was devastated, but now I realize that it was because I knew that she was my one chance to keep denying myself the truth.

Little by little over the course of the next two years, I distanced myself from church, family and friends and more and more I started courting this other side of myself and meeting like minded individuals. I did make a choice to stop being straight. I made a choice to be true to myself. I had to learn some hard lessons, I had to break through some difficult barriers, but in some way, I feel that I have earned the right to be this person, this man that I am today. I've proven to myself that I'm a good man, that I'm accepted for who I am and that's made all the difference.

I realize that 'choice' for me and 'choice' for someone else can be entirely different. I can see where someone would choose to be gay or lesbian because of one reason or another. Some believe that you're gay because of abuse by the opposite sex. In my case, I was sexually molested by a female, but it was not traumatizing so much as it was confusing. I was molested by another child who was 5 years older than me who was being molested by her father. She never hurt me, threatened me or made me promise not to tell. I just knew that I wasn't suppose to tell. I don't believe that I'm gay because of bad female role models, relationships or what ever you want to call it. My closest ties and emotional involvments are with women.

At one time, I thought it would be better to not even exist if I couldn't be a husband, a father. I didn't know better then, as I do now. My point is, I would never CHOOSE to be this person when I knew that I had all those other options, all those other unfullfilled dreams of being a father and a husband. I would never wish for anyone to be born gay, but that my friends is what I believe happened to me. I fought it for my entire life, until I was 30 years old.

You've gotten to know me now through the posts over the last little while. You know how fulfilled and happy I am. How loved I am and how much love I have to give. I can not imagine my life any other way. I could never choose to be straight, just like a straight person could never choose to be gay. It's just not in there. No one made a mistake while raising me. I had no undue influences like another gay person. By all rights, I should be a flannel wearing, gun toting, card carrying member of the NRA, who likes to hunt, fish and work on my rigs. It's just not in there. I love women and I find them amazing, complex and beautiful, but I'm not amused with breasts and I've seen the taco and it's revolting. There, I said it. EWWWW! I'm gay because I was made that way, just like those before me and those that will come after me. No one in their right mind would wish this, but if it's who you are, then you have to embrace it and love it and be happy now, not later. I'm thrilled with the progress for equality and recognition of gays and lesbians in Canada and Spain recently. It gives me hope that more will come.

I want to acknowledge the sound support and encouragement that I have found here from so many of you. I appreciate the validation and love that is always there. Please remember to share that same feeling with those around you. It's contagious and your tolerance and acceptance will rub off on others.

It's Your Birthday....Happy Birthday Boo!

MMMMMMmmmmm! C-A-K-E!!!!!



I could do a dooce.com-like tribute to mark your 37th year, and that would be easy to do. Talking about you and all your wonderful qualities and the memories we have created in just this last year are some of my favorite things to talk about. All I really want though, is to take you away to some tropical paradise and bump uglies and chase you around the cabana. Is that so wrong?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOO, I LOVE YOU!!!

The Survey Says.....

I picked up the is handy lil survey over at the yummy Doc Ern's this morning, who of course got it from the delicious kalki over at klog. It's being conducted by MIT, so go over and make some science of your own. It's pretty painless...really. GO!

Pooper Friday!

In case you are wondering what's up with the look, I've switched back to the old look for now simply because, when I was at my Mom and Dads I noticed that the layout didn't fit their monitor at all. Everything was overlapping and it just didn't look good at all. This layout will fit their view much better.

Anywho, that's neither here no there really...just me giving reasons for things that I really don't even need to. It is my blog after all, but by now, you probably realize that I have a tendency to overly justify my actions here WAY too much.

So let me just stop prattling here and give you Pooper Friday.

Um...I SUCK!

First off, I so am the loser here today. I totally forgot about ONE SPD today. Wasn't I the one that suggested it? Not only that, but I sent out ONE wristbands for the very event no less. Instead, I was up late writing an article for the quarterly new letter last night instead of keeping my obligation to post for SPD. Instead of thinking of the hordes of people who are starving or afflicted with HIV/AIDS, I was contemplating the use of trees, shrubs, grasses and heaths to bring winter color to your garden. I'll publish that to Project Greenthumb for those of you interested in that.

To make matters worse, this morning instead of listening to NPR and being informed of the terrible tragedy occurring in London, I was toodling along in the car with the iPod on, listening to David Sedaris' "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and laughing.

Now I realize that this is nothing to be upset about, it's not a reflection of my sensitivity to the situations. I just wasn't aware of events. Some part of my brain still thinks it's only Wednesday because I had Monday and Tuesday off. However, because of events in London, this morning has been spent talking with our friends there, insuring that they are safe and thankfully they are.

So my apologies to my fellow bloggies with whom I had agreed to participate with on this important cause, one that I am still firmly supportive of and continue to give white wristbands out to share with total strangers when they ask me what my wrist band is for. I'm here in spirit if not in photographic evidence or am I. I forgot, I have my camera phone with me. Give me a few minutes here........



There, that's gonna have to do for now. Thanks for all the participation in this event. If you want to learn more about the ONE campaign then click on ONE anywhere in this post.

Happy Feet

When you go to Portland, Oregon, there is a little well known business there called Barefoot Sage. This is one of my favorite retreats to go to on a wet, rainy, cold fall/winter evening after work with my best gal pal Skanky. We get all cozy on the big over stuffed couches and pillows and just sit back and relax, talk about anything in between the moans of soothing massage and warmth. Nick insisted that we try and get in this weekend while we were down, so we did. It was so nice.

click on image to see the slide show


Earlier that same morning we went to the Beaverton Farmer's Market as was our tradition when I lived there. We used to go every Saturday morning. This was just a great way to start the day and it was just like old times. I miss my girls. I'm glad that we got to have this day together.

click on image to see the slide show


On Sunday, we headed up river from Portland to my home town of White Salmon, Washington. My folks and many of my family still live here. It's a beautiful place to live, and I often wish that I could go back. There is a song by Wynonna Judd called:

"Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)"

Old tin roof, leaves in the gutter
A hole in the screen door big as your fist, and flies on the butter
Mamaw baking sugar cookies, we were watching cartoons
Heard her holler from the kitchen which one of you youngin's wants to lick the spoon?
Yellow jackets on the watermelon, honeysuckle in the air
Daddy turning on the sprinkler, us kids running through it in our underwear
Old dog napping on the front porch, his ear just a-twitching
Fell asleep on Granddaddy's lap to the sound of his pocket watch ticking

[Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
It doesn't seem like it was all that long ago
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
You can dream about it every now and then
But you can't go home again

Me and my best friend Jenny set up a back yard camp
Stole one of Mama's Mason jars, poked holes in the lid and made a fire fly lamp
Me and Billy Monroe sneaking down by the river
And I'm still haunted by the taste kiss I was too scared to give him

[Repeat Chorus]

There's a black-top road, a faded yellow centerline
It can take you back to the place, but it can't take you back in time

[Repeat Chorus]

Old tin roof, leaves in the gutter
A hole in the screen door big as your fist, and flies on the butter

I love this song not just for all it's charm, but for the perfect sentiment about going back to a place that's not really there anymore. It will always be the place I'm from, a part of who I am. It's fun to visit and see the things that have changed, which aren't a whole heck of a lot. One of the things I love to do is to drive out to my favorite areas. I took Nick out for a drive on Monday evening. My city boy doesn't like to be out in the woods where there are bugs and dirt, and I like to take him to all those places. Is that wrong? I think he's glad we went; we got to see a bunch of deer and a momma with her twin fawns.

click on image to see the slide show


Best of all, I got to be with Mom and Dad. I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving. That's way too long and I hope to change that. Mom was working the graveyard shift while we were there, so we got to see here during the day before she had to head into work. We got some good one on one time though.





It was a great weekend over all, a lot of driving and not a lot of sleep, but a great weekend. I'm home now, tomorrow is work and I'm so glad it's a short week. I'm exhausted.