Adventuring

If I hadn't of left my batteries in the cup holder in my car as I hopped into the car pulling the boat, I would have pictures of Dan, Demeri, Aaron, and me clambering into a boat, cruising around the Key Peninsula, exploring, trying edibles, climbing trees, bouncing in trees, sitting in trees, playing on drift wood, trying more edibles, chasing grass hoppers. I would have pictures of the undulating wake that reflected purples and blues and blacks and oranges and reds and pinks of the sky. Day's last gasps illuminating Mt. Rainier in deep hues of splendor. and orange good night kisses as the vibrant orb of energy tucked itself in under a cotton sheet of white and a comforter of pine.

But I left the batteries in the cup holder in my car as I hopped into the car pulling the boat, and so instead I spent the time living and seeing these things without a lense. I remember these images and share them with you so that indeed they are not fleeting and indelibly imprinted upon my mind as they are in my heart.


I haven't laughed that much in a long time.

In Waltz Time...or Weather and About Time

I needed today and I had it and now I am happy.

This morning I had a meeting over at Kopachuck and Ranger Matt and I played with rocks on the beach for a couple of hours...I mean...uh...we worked on a geology program. But really we *did* work on a geology program- a program that involves playing with rocks on the beach. It was totally cool. Not only did it only start drizzling as we were packing up our rock key, but I had fun *and* I learned built lots of new knowledge on my Wyoming-learned knowledge of rocks. Andesitic volcanics of 40-60 mya. Good times.

THEN I went to Penrose and Ranger Dan and I talked about several of my other programs amid the daily work of the park. Continued laughing and learning and being productive. It was drizzling/raining this afternoon and we NEEDed the rain. It was parched and now all of this green will sip greedily on the seeping gifts...the water cycle is just so neat. Weather.

As I drove home, it rained and my new windshield wipers worked hard and it rained. Actual drops of water that pooled on the windshield until those wipers earned their keep. I stopped several times to photographically document the fog; the juts of land in the distance across a sea and a sea of fog; the vibrant red of the blackberry stem as surface tension sported it's best moves. As I hopped back in my car after the second stop, I looked ahead and saw hints of light blue sky. For the last thirty minutes of my commute home I watched this thick fog push south and break up; watched the sun stretch it's limbs across the sky as if suddenly woken from a fulfilling rest; watched the firs and moss dance with this new exuberance of the late afternoon.

THEN I got home and talked to my mom who is visiting me!

THEN I checked my various electronic means of correspondence and heard from many wonderful people and promises of reunions past and reunions future combine with reunions of present and I’m so lucky.

THEN I made a fire and had homemade soup…well…homemade vegetable mush and milk. Which was really good.

THEN I finished this blog and read myself to sleep.

I’m not finished yet! As my truck meandered 106 and my eyes hopped between the out-coming sun and the oncoming street, I began to think (dangerous, I know). I thought of my favorite places I remember. In Pittsburgh. Across the country. In Washington? The NPR that had been background noise suddenly asserted itself to my conscious thought. Now I have never been a big fan of “There Are Places I Remember.” It was my choir’s senior song. I sang it at my high school graduation. I still, or therefore, have never been a fan. But the instrumental arrangement began right as I thought the words “places I remember.” I would say creepy; I would say beautiful; I would say that although I have never liked the song, I will not be able to now deny its place in my emotional repertoire.

*******

The driver seat of a 2003 Honda Accord when the other three passengers are two pretty girls and a plastic goat

The passenger seat of a tan Mazda 626 when the driver is a pretty woman and when Sister Act rings at the top of our voices


The middle bench of the white van full of gear and people and nature as mindy smith begged jolene as the fog hung over the pines and the passion and the beautiful sad

The Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mother

In front of the fireplace on Bayberry Lane by the creepy or interesting or emaciated iron dogs, surrounded by musical instruments singing to their heart’s and my heart’s content

The imagined sandbox-owl-puzzle-rolly-slide memory

The kitchen of any dear friend. Especially on a Tuesday

The Maple with the salmon stream seat

The 34th story co-ed bathroom where the smokers open the window and I go in after the smell is gone and just look out

The burn forest at the top of Clark’s Fork Canyon and on Mt. Rose and that place on Ellinor where I decided I didn’t want to ever get down if it meant going down that snow right there

The third beach at Penrose

Schenley Plaza watching D&Ks; eating Chinese and discussing FP; eating pancakes; looking at moon and stars. with no shoes. Definitely no shoes

The Top of the escalator at seatac that brings loved people to loved mountains and hugs

That corner of the friend’s couch with the big green and tan pillows with the concentric circles; or the plushy purple ones; or the neat orange ones I want to steal from the room with all of the stuff and next to the big kitchen; or the breaking Indian ones with the red one and the pink lights, or the one with a big stuffed wombat; or the ones that I haven’t met with

or where the heart is.

Decision 1: Ice Cream

Last night I read "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" by Sarah Vowell...and then fell asleep on the couch. I am going to preempt my exhaustion this evening and write this *before* I start reading.

Had an interesting day today full of apathy and emotion, hot sun and freezing house; anger and exuberant joy. I feel at the same time slightly conflicted and very peaceful. I have made some decisions and now hope to implement those in my life. In the following days perhaps I will document how those decisions are playing out. For now, decision 1: ice cream.

Interesting amphibians meander sourly over rough& relentless years- joy on every landing.

Talk About Stuff

19 kids for a Junior Ranger program today. That was by far the highlight of my day; everyone was there about ten minutes early, and so while we waited until 3, I learned everyone's name. Ranger Joel rolled up on his bike just in time to watch me name everyone for him, and so that became somewhat the talk of the afternoon...which was cool. I know all of the parents appreciated it; I just knew I wanted to know everyone's name! We played some games and talked about some of the neat things in the park. I had tons of fun, and I think the kids did too.

Most of them were from one big group (of 120) camping at the park, and so everyone was busy at dinnertime, and unfortunately, there wasn't an audience for the evening save Joel and wife, Mona. Instead, I had talked through my program with the rangers and then had a really good and productive conversation. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed (if you couldn't tell by the two-sentence blogs), but I think it'll look up soon. I guess that's as much as I'll say here.

Tomorrow we are having a staff party in my front yard...that I found out about today :0). Which means tomorrow morning I will be cleaning and mowing and chopping the 3 tomatoes that cost me 7 dollars.

Gas ranges from 4.09 to 4.39 (I think Happy Hollow needs to 'get hip' to the competition...) What is it like around the country?

I had some really interesting discussions today- about our human impact. Mona said that National Geographic had an article about the footprint of burials, which I got excited about because of J&B's friend. I am still deciding if these conversations are productive beyond pure intellectual fulfillment. I always feel both full and empty afterwards, for on one hand I am excited that people are talking about stuff, and on the other- it's so scary and daunting it would be easy to sink into a depression and give up. When *my* energy is shot it is a telling tale...REDUCE people! Hmmm...I meant to use people as a form of address, but perhaps to use it as a noun...

There are several things I will still kick and scream about and I hope one of them is giving up. We can't ignore this stuff. Put whatever you are passionate about into the "this stuff" category. Whatever you are passionate about. Talk. talk about it. listen. listen to everyone else's "this stuff." It is entirely unproductive to utter "don't they know?" 'cause I'm pretty sure they don't. Maybe we've never been around someone with your perspective. Yes, we are padded with ignorance in our cushy lives, but I have a feeling that if we challenge each other, we will meet the challenge. TALK ABOUT STUFF.

I will not dumb it down. I may articulate it in a clear and understandable way. But I will not dumb it down because I still want to believe the average person is not dumb. we may be ignorant. but that we can fix. Talk about stuff.

and if I ever refuse to listen to your "stuff," remind me of July 26th's uneloquent rant, 2008.

We have such power of communication: human power and technological power. Please talk about stuff.

A wise person once said...

I promise I'll post more soon, I must first find the energy.

The highlight of today was quite exciting! Today I met the Governor, Christine Gregoire. I don't know if I'm allowed to talk about political views, so I'll just give you the facts: She has been a huge supporter of Parks. and was very nice. She came to talk about her efforts to restore the health of Puget Sound and encourage the 4 million people that live on the Sound to join her. and I shook her hand. three times I think. and all these little kids were around and they knew a lot about the Hood Canal too. and I met her. and she asked me about my school, etc. and loves Parks. and is adorable.














On a serious note;
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/07/25/obit.pausch/index.html

Watch his lecture if you ever have an hour and sixteen minutes.



Should I go back to school?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/19/AR2008071900962_4.html?sid=ST2008071900998&pos=

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Moore-Trashed-PacificNov03.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVwuPSLx2Xc

*Sigh*

WONDERFUL day of resting, reading, gardening, walking, running, birding, sitting, eating, talking. I sent in a job application, finished the Return of the King, spent two hours finding the back patio under pine needles and invasive weeds, and went for a run at the Wetlands. Met Don and Barbara there and we spent a relaxing sunset talking, taking pictures, watching the swallows and blackbirds, and, um, relaxing. Sleep now beckons, and so I listen.

M'Haus

Good day. Worked on an application in the morning/early afternoon, then read, then joined Don and Barbara in Belfair. We went to Belfair and then grocery shopping. I cooked dinner and we had a wonderful late-evening in my house. As one friend pointed out today, I'm lucky to have family that loves the outdoors.

and music.
and people.
and life.

Mama N

Friday-Saturdays feel like a full week and indeed I am ready for my weekend! This afternoon I gave two Junior Ranger programs and this evening I led another evening program at Penrose. Fun all around, but I'm drained now. A good walk with Barbara and Joe out to the "Third Beach" at Penrose, where, as soon as you exit the trail and hit the beach, you see Mt. Rainier. There was a family on the beach from Switzerland and so we spoke for a while about traveling and german etc.

I think the three of us are all looking forward to resting. and groceries!

Today was so busy and full that I cannot fathom recounting any more...but it was a good day.

One Tree's Trash...

...is an Earthworm's Treasure. Debute show of a new program: went well!

In other more exciting news, Don and Barbara are here for five days! Wonderful day of talking and catching up and their poor ears are nearly off what with my living alone. Am excited to show them around and explore the area more and gather their sage advice regarding...everything. Needed a head shot for a potential newspaper article, so here goes (thanks to don for photography):

Muscles for Mussels

Got new perspective today: went in the boat out on the canal with Stacy and Clyde. The task was to scrape the mussels off the buoys so that they would float higher. The buoys; not the mussels. It was a wonderful "escape" for the morning, as we got to cruise down the canal and see the fronts of the houses. Seals swimming around nearby and wonderfully fun coworkers were highlights. This evening I met some friends at The Global Bean and listened to Stacy play violin. We are playing together tomorrow night at a program here. Tomorrow Don and Barbara arrive!

When in Doubt

Beautiful day of work at home; still freezing in my house but I keep convincing myself that it is this way so that I truly enjoy the warm outdoors. An evening of stupid confusion about the next year of my life...and picture taking. not confusion *about* picture taking. Just an evening of picture taking. When in doubt, take pictures. and read LOTR. Nothing like chopped off heads to make you feel better about your lot.

The weather. is. beautiful.

Tuesday starts with T!

I began yesterday by going for a run. Determined to discover just how far Happy Hollow (gas station) was from the park, I returned home about 50 minutes later, after running the 6 mile round trip…a feat that should not seem extraordinary to an ex-x-country-runner, but that is still present in my aching muscles. Upon return I dunked in the canal- providing me with an excuse to lay around in the sun for a while.
In the evening I went over to Stacy’s where we were, as Jamie would call it, “culinary.” We were quite successful until we burnt the garlic bread…and grated the black parts into the trash can. This trick I learned from Jacques Pepin.


Crashed at Stacy’s so that we could take Twanoh for a walk in the morning. I woke up early and walked around her garden, taking pictures, playing with Twanoh, and enjoying the green grass under my bare feet. We had breakfast, and went to Banner (state forest). Then shopping, chatting, and I returned home and was productive. This word “productive”- I think this is interesting and shall continue to explore its meaning and use in my life.

The park aide here, Wayne, stopped by about an hour ago, as I was sitting down to write this entry. We ended up having some great conversations that we are excited to continue.

I feel silly thinking about all of the things I have learned out here- was I really that naïve? I always fought the adjective “sheltered,” but I wish someone would have shaken me and taken me out of this stupid college environment sooner. Does anyone else see the irony? I don’t use sheltered in terms of the things that college can un-shelter you from….there are people. Everywhere. Living there lives. I want to know how they all do it. I want to say that I was craving this, but was I? I think so. I hope so. None of this will make sense tomorrow and I am being purposefully vague…I have no idea what I am trying to say other than I am glad I am out here. I don’t want a “told ya so.” I don’t know if it is a blessing, or if it is of my own doing, or if it is because of my blessings that I could pursue this of my own doing.

Responsibility.

What is the responsibility of a college student? Is it to get a degree? Is it to learn as much as possible? If so; about what? The area that you are studying? The different kinds of cheap light beer? How to schmooze? How to listen? How to learn? How to interact with people? How you interact with people? How to decide for yourself what the responsibilities of a college student are?

Is it universal?

TGIF

Worked a short day of work at Penrose this afternoon, and then came back and finished The Two Towers. Took a short walk, called gma and Kelly (happy b-day!), and began reading a new collection of stories. Judging from the 2-hour nap I just took, this week was a long one. Up long enough to blog, and now off to sleep!

ZzZzzZZzzzZzz

Junior Ranger Program at Kopachuck, then to the Community Fair to work the Parks booth, then back to Kopachuck for an evening program. Returned late, made a real dinner (after stopping to finally buy food), and am finishing a documentary on Wyoming. Excitingly anticipating a day off.

Tenacious Travelers

Took my new camera out this morning for just several minutes to play before I had to go to a meeting and prepare and give a program. Fancy this: I am actually reading the manual. I am pleasantly surprised by my little Canon a720 IS, and have had some success so far. Then again, it's not that hard to take a good picture of these mountains... I am playing around with the manual settings and have met mild success with the Macro setting...it only seems to work when I am not taking a picture of a flower. Anywho, I love it. Add "take pictures" to the list of "blog, play guitar, read." I have given up these things from my list "keep journal, work out, sleep." But who cares when I have mountains!

After a good meeting at the Salmon Enhancement Group, I went to Belfair to work on my program and then came home and continued working on it until 7 when I got a late start rallying the troops in the campground. I had lots of kids tonight, and so I catered it more toward them. Afterward, we played/sang and hung out. Enthusiastic and interested kids with supportive parents. Sweet.

I have a feeling my body will make me catch up on sleep tomorrow, no matter what my alarm says, and so I am mentally preparing for my 12 hour day of work (as are my saturdays) and for a very unproductive morning. I am excited to work at Kopachuck tomorrow; I haven't spent much time over there, but I love what I've seen at the park. I'm also working a booth at the Community Fair for several hours in between programs. Maybe I can beg my way onto the Ferris Wheel before my evening program :0).

Again, I leave you with my tinkerings:

People and Plants

Today I gave my first walk: the topic was ethnobotany and it went pretty well. I am not satisfied yet, which is how it should be. It was a lot of fun, but I'd like to add in some more interaction with the plants we talk about. Picking berries seemed to be the highlight, and I had a little girl who pointed out every cedar tree we passed (it was awesome).

I also ate stinging nettle off of the stalk. I was telling Aaron (park aide) that I had heard such and such about eating nettles raw, and so we decided to try it. I actually spit it out, but we discovered that indeed the leaf, when folded in on itself, does not sting you. After killing the poison with our saliva, we discovered the leaf didn't even sting our hand. This will definately be added to my program. "This is stinging nettle, people eat it." chomp. And it's true; the stinging nettle is edible, but it is a good idea to cook the poison out of it. A raw leaf was put on the toungue to stop nose bleeds. The fibers in the shoot were used to make string and twine. The leaves are cooked and used as a substitute for spinich. and we just think that it is a nuisance.

Still continuing the debate about school...mama was there (on the phone) to calmly and cooly stop me from entirely freaking out. I'll figure it out.

11:11!

For now I am going to go read a book and revel in the fact that I don't have to work until 11 tomorrow. Which means I should rise early and do things, but which actually means I will catch up on some much-needed sleep. Which means I won't freak out about school. Sweet!

I leave with a random collection of pictures I took today:

and Sets in the West

Beautiful day of nature and music. Spent the morning doing bookwork outside, then went to Penrose where I walked the trails and then worked on my program. Janet's husband came out and brought his guitar and we spent the evening playing outside the office. Wonderful day. Just great. Any day that calls for hiking the trails and paying close attention to plants... If anyone had forgotten, this is my job.



Drove home as the sun set behind the mountains and wished someone was there with whom to share it. My commute is gorgeous.






*check July 1 for new pictures

Too Many Scotchies!

A wonderful two days filled with travel, conversation, laughter, sunshine, bandanas, music, sand, river, fjord, ocean, sound. Yesterday we drove to Cape D; took some really neat pictures and hung out on the beach. Actually went in the water long enough to dunk and run out sopping wet. Stayed long enough to (almost) dry off, and then headed back home where we made dinner and continued some great talks. Today we ventured to Seattle, stopping briefly to buy a memory card for my in-transit camera. Bremerton-Seattle Ferry, and spent a few afternoon hours walking around the market. I tried fish and chips for the first time, while my dear little british friend poured malt vinegar all over and continually expressed her joy over this bountiful and beautiful meal. Caught the ferry back to Bremerton, where we enjoyed to port for a few minutes before delivering Rachel to the shuttle in Gorst.

I think I will probably go back to Pittsburgh in the fall. I have to figure out how I will take classes, but I will probably go back.

not because I don't love it here. I do love it here. On Sunday, Rachel referred to joining me at work as seeing me in my "natural habitat." I am quite happy, and I think I have learned enough to make this coming school year good. I will do it differently and it won't...suck so much.

In other news, after saying goodbye to Rachel, I returned to my house to find my new camera waiting for me on the doorstep. A day too late for a day of photography perhaps, but I am excited to take it out tomorrow morning/evening and play around with it. Perhaps I will actually have pictures up!

It was a wonderful and exhausting several days, and as my fingers continue to misspell words and my eyes droop, I will bid you adieu and take up the cause of sleeping.

Symbiosis

AWESOME DAY. Worked at home in the morning as Rachel slept in, attempting to recover from her 45 minutes of sleep the night before. She actually woke up bright eyed at 9 and we worked/read/talked through the morning. In the afternoon we head out to Penrose which was also wonderful. We hung out on the spit that had been uncovered because of a very low tide today; several kids were out there and so I showed all three the neat creatures revealed as the water receded.

We then had a wonderful picnic lunch. Gathered the camp hosts and went on a hike in the forest to the "third beach." Unfortunately, it was too overcast to see Rainier over the water, but I made up for it on the way home by taking a several minute detour and finding a good view of her.

This evening we returned at dusk, made dinner, and have now been sitting and talking for several hours. So far, we've tackled personal journeys, past friends, changes, school plans, passions, creativity, family, self perception, the english language, group dynamics in study abroad, the AIDS epidemic & infectious disease, plants, academia, constructive use of free time, and of course...boys. but sparingly.

Wait...what?

I am working on my notes from last night in reflection of the program. Talking about the life cycle, and the nutrient cycle that occurs when the parents guard their redd until they are so weak that they die. When I turned to my work computer after changing the music, I looked at what I had written.

"The audience understood that the stream there will be teeming with love."

wait, what?

love.

I meant life.

hmmmm...

One Scoopasoup

I have a Rachel! and I have had an absolutely fantastic day of deep gutteral cackles with tears at the eyes and warm hugs that I so dearly needed. Both exhausted after late night forth-of-Julys, we had some near hysterical moments in the car and arrived at Belfair sleepy and not quite ready to work. We ate lunch under a tree as light rain fell from the overcast sky, and then I gathered my things and met a group of kids at the ampitheater for a Jr. Ranger program. The weather cleared up and it went well; I had a great time running around being a moth, feeling the cold water of the stream, smelling the leaves and tasting the berries of Indian Plum, hearing the swainson's thrush, feeling the bark on the Doug fir.

Rachel napped after lunch for a few hours...in the back of the Honda. During that time I worked on the board for my campfire program. When Rachel woke up, we wandered down to the day-use to eat a quick dinner and watch the kite surfers jump across the capped waters of the canal. We set up for the program and reviewed my notes. At 7:30 I had a pretty good sized group and we began. The program, I feel, went spectacularly well for the first time giving it, and quite well overall. I definately felt that the focus of the program was right: just simply understanding the life cycle and how incredible it is so that we can draw inspiration and further understand the wonderful resources at the park. At the end we briefly touched on what was our human impression, but I think the program spoke for itself. Several families stayed afterward and asked me questions and talked with me. A high school science teacher (and father of a 7 year old) had wandered up during the end and we spoke for a while about education and sharing the natural world with kids. I hearby deem tonight a success.

And it was super fun. I love being able to interact with an audience who is responsive, and I tell a couple of short stories in the beginning that are fun. Animation and passion will carry an interpretive program far.

After I had finished talking with most of those who had stayed after, one of the volunteers at the park requested the anthem, told about it by Stacy. So again, with a few people standing around, I sang. and again, the whole campground heared me. That song has a lot of power.

AND a six year old asked for my number. "...but I look 8, don't I? You know, I'm 76 pounds."

Highlights of the night:

grilled cheese and tomato soup
"you're batshit insane" ~ a friend
"you do a lot of things that don't make sense to me" ~ Rachel
"thanks for the pick...and the number" ~ the 6 year old on his bike after pretending to not intentionally ride past
"that's one scoopasoup too much" (say it aloud several times and see if you're not laughing too. if you aren't...then rachel and I have indeed reached a higher level of consciousness.)

I love this job! I love this girl!

Purple Mountain Majesties

Today I worked on several programs at home. Full day, and then Stacy and I gave a campfire program in the evening. The set list:













1. Man of Constant Sorrow/You Are My Sunshine
Stacy: violin & voice, me: guitar and voice
2. America the Beautiful
violin, whole group singing
3. Ashokan Farewell
violin
4. You're Cheating Heart
me: guitar and vocals
5. This Land is Your Land
violin, guitar, and group
6. Red River Valley
violin and group
7. The Star Spangled Banner
me: voice
8. A fiddle song of sorts
violin
9. Home on the Range
violin, guitar, whole group singing
10. Amazing Grace
violin, guitar, my voice

It was wonderfully fun. At the end, we took requests, so I played a few more, stacy played a few more. Then we let the kids play the instruments; it was spectacular to share music with everyone who came.

Look at #7 again. I can't believe I gave them that option. After Stacy and I finished rehearsing and I was getting ready, I thought about the anthem. Neither of us had planned on it, and I wondered if I could sing it. I tried it once (chest the whole way...none of that soprano nonsense) in my house, and then boom, I said they had options and suddenly I was singing the national anthem.

That was one of the most adrenaline pumping moments I have ever experienced. One of the most fulfilling and fantastic and humbling and out-of-body moments. We were in the campground, so not only could those that came to the program hear, but you all know how loud I am... As I began, everyone started to stand up. "home of the brave" was followed by whistling. I just...I...I don't have any words left. I didn't know I had that to give.

After the program, I went down to the beach with Stacy (while she watched for people lighting fireworks in the park) and watched fireworks shoot from around the canal. After a sort of stressful morning, playing music and watching the sun set over the water were just the things I needed (plus hearing from several people from home!).

I'm never really a "4th of July" person, but I am a community person, and a family person. Today I reflect on how I've spent 4ths before; I remember the time we rushed to get to Mt. Rushmore in time to see the fireworks; the time we sat outside the school in Grinnell; the time we tried our own at the Rudisaile's, the time AG friends went to UD for the show; the times we went with family and friends; and last year when I stood three stories above the sidewalk, on a roof surrounded by friends, and watched fireworks from all over the steel city. PA, DE, WY, SD, IA, and now WA.

Tonight I think of all of my friends and family. The Sisson and Watkins and Halloran. The Avon Grove, the Pittsburgh, and the Washington. The Providence, the Boulder, the Binghamton. The homestead, the 6th grade sleepover, the college dorm room. The one that's on a plane in about three hours to come see me. The ones who've done that already. those that I haven't met yet. Those with whom I speak english, and spanish, and german. Those who showed me music in the first place, and those who continue to give me inspiration. Those with whom I sing, I play, I listen, I share, I learn, I write, I laugh, I cry; those who I love.

ummm...

Mid-Session Review meeting today; seemed to go well. This afternoon I spent several hours with our new camp hosts, talking about Junior Ranger programs, the flora of the area, what the heck I'm doing in the fall, the Austro-Hungrian Empire, what the heck I'm doing with my life, nationalism, the invention of the lightbulb, trench warfare, writing footnotes with a typewriter. Returned to Twanoh and played some music, did some dishes. Stacy and I practiced this evening because tomorrow night we are giving a music campfire program in which we are playing some guitar-violin duets (with some vocals) and then we are each doing several songs of our own. Finished a letter and wrote a second, as I listened to a new CD made by a new friend. I have been listening to a lot of different female artists; the more I listen the more comforted I am that there is not one expected "voice" and I am really enjoying the individuality that each one brings to the music. Tomorrow will be a long day and so I am off to bed. and by bed I mean to read about the adventures of our heroes frodo and sam. i really like sam. and his elven rope. bizarre dreams lately. maybe I shouldn't read spooky things before I go to bed.

Friends and Woes

Ethnobotany is a rather neat subject. Estuaries are an absolutely integral part of our ecosystem. Salmon are tenacious. Cherries are delicious. Friends bring happiness and loneliness. My dreams are frighteningly realistic and uncreative.

Worked at home and at Belfair today. Stopped at the library and checked out some interesting books on ethnobotany for my guided walk. Caught up with three friends from three different states. Not that each friend is from three states, but rather that each friend is in one state, a different state, the total number of states being three in which they are in.

Last night I had a dream that there were snakes in my house. In my dream, my image of my house was scarily accurate, which makes going to sleep tonight of concern to me. Maybe I should not read the Two Towers before I go to bed tonight...I'm not so much a fan of Gollum either.

Tomorrow will be long, but hopefully I will have good things to report at the end of the day. Fingers crossed!

A Rose by Any Other Name...

...would still be 6.4 miles; From 800 feet to 4300 in 2.9 miles. It was an altogether nice climb today; Janet and I made plans to climb Ellinor but for lack of an ice ax, we climbed Mt. Rose instead. Very little snow, and a lower peak, but it was great for me because I hadn't done the hike before. The trail that we hiked had been a fire line for a burn in 2006 and so we were hiking in some interesting burn forest. I think that forest succession is really cool and it brings memories of Wyoming back, so I was excited to hike through. We also got a little alpine meadow for which I have been pining. When we reached the summit, we looked across a plain of cloud cover. By the time we had finished our lunch, we could look across at many Olympic peaks and see the teal-green Lake Cushman below. My ankles and knees hurt now; it was a pretty quick elevation gain, which means a lot of pounding up and down. Still, I feel like I actually did something productive today, which is always nice.

This will be an interesting week, what with HarborWW, the 4th, and another Saturday of programming. Rachel gets here on Saturday!!

I purchased a camera today, finally. I am not as enthusiastic about my purchase as I was while planning it a month ago, and alas I caved and bought something cheap…but I will have pictures!!