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.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
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...
"The audience understood that the stream there will be teeming with love."
wait, what?
love.
I meant life.
hmmmm...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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!
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.
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.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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!!
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!!
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