Everybody Loves A Chick

What is cuter than a little bouncing chick? A fluffy, grey and white bouncing chick! Yesterday was another great kayak day and so we loaded the boats up for another adventure, this time over on Wickiup Reservoir just a few miles south of home.

Sunny skies with a few cottony clouds, a gentle breeze, snacks made earlier and our sunscreen and cameras made our trek an easy and sweet one.

We drove to an area of the reservoir that was a connecting river channel between Wickiup and another lake, a great place to begin since it was easy access with the trailer. The area held a small meadow that the Deschutes River meandered through, tall green grasses swayed in the breeze as the red winged black birds hung on for support. Kevin and I had made an attempt at paddling UP the stream and decided rather quickly to abort that idea; the current was a bit stronger than we anticipated. We let the current turn us around and then we were off. There is not a lot of vegetation alongside this portion of channel; it consisted mostly of very sandy soil or round river pebbles, the water was fairly shallow and one could see the bottom 90% of the trip. The pine trees and old aspens hung back along the ridge

line mostly, making it seem almost barren. Still, there were lots of places to pull up on a shoreline and take a brief respite. After first launch, our speed was pretty brisk for 6 or 7 hundred yards, then turned into very calm waters and easy cruising. Lots of land-side fishermen and women casting in to try their luck. We saw quite a few trout underneath us, I could have sworn they looked up and laughed at the beach casters.

The weatherman said it would be close to the 90's and I don't think he was too far off. I was glad I had brought frozen drinks from the night before. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches probably don't sound all that great but after a few hours of heat, exercise and fresh air, they tasted pretty darn good! We had pulled up on a beach where a few aspens and poplars were grouped together to make a great shaded area. And thanks to a beaver from a few years previous, we had a nice fallen tree bench to sit on.

After lunch break was over we hopped back into the kayaks, spying huge bird tracks in the sand as we trudged back down the beach. These turned out to be either a great blue heron or possibly a sand hill crane, both of which frequent the local lakes and reservoirs. "Big Bird" indeed.

Off down the far side of the smooth channel, we coasted around a point that led to a smaller, winding stream. Nooks and crannies are what make the kayaking fun, being able to go into shallow and tight areas that other watercraft cannot. We could see by looking down at the plants waving fronds that there was a strong current coming from around the bend. Paddling around the bend, the water was no deeper than one foot in some places with sharp drop offs leading to 3 and 4 feet deep. Heading around one more bend we heard the roar of a falls, this turned out to sound much bigger than it was. We couldn't paddle all the way up due to several tree stumps placed across the six foot wide creek. Kevin latched onto one of the roots of the stumps, handed his oar back to me and hauled me up next to him so we could both sit there and enjoy the sounds and the view. It wasn't a big falls, probably 2 or 3 feet high at the most, but we were the only people there, no other ugly human sounds to spoil the ear fragrance. Soon we let go, turned ourselves around and floated back out the way we came, letting the stream push and spit us back out into the lake. It was time to head back and we were in no hurry. No appointments, no weather making us fear rain or lightening. It was on the return trip that we stopped at another sandy point to beach and stretch our legs a bit. That was when I heard the distinctive sing-song of either a plover or a killdeer; both of which inhabit the areas and like to roam the waters' edge. I've seen killdeer and I think this was a plover, it was rather small and I thought it was a chick at first. But this bird began it's diversionary dance, the injured/broken wing gig to take us away from its young. That was when I began to look for the chicks and spied movement off to the left of Mother. Little gray fur balls were blowing amongst the beach grasses. They skittered and chirped to mama, all the while they were running they were staying in contact with Mother, never getting outside of earshot. These little grey and white fir balls were hardly bigger than a golf ball with legs on them! And as they would run, every two or three steps they would aim their tail in the air and bounce. I don't know how they ever get away from a predator--other than flying--if they count on their fleeing gait. Step-step-bounce-bounce a grey fluff goes through the reeds.

For those of you who are curious and smart: where did I get the photo of the plover chick if I didn't have my camera? I would like to thank Chris Thody of the Tern and Plover Conservation

Partnership (Wayne Hathaway photographer) for granting permission to use this image.

Summer Fun and Visits

When summer was first arriving here in Central Oregon (and that's how it is always described by other writers and those of note) I was pretty sure that it was going to pass me by without my having had one adventure or family get-together before fall and winter set in again.
How wonderfully wrong I was! We have had the pleasure of my daughter and grandsons' visits several times and the last one we all shared the visit with my brother and sister-in-law Cathie, who came up from Rio Vista, California. Lots of firsts at this mini family reunion and so much fun. Cathy celebrated her second year cancer free with a jump into a kayak on the water, as well as my brother Pat, the "Oh I'm not getting in one of those things" brother. Not only did they man the boats, but Sara and I did as well with each one of us hosting one of the boys. We didn't venture far from the shore line but just enough to give Evan and Eric the excitement of kayaking--they loved it! The BoyZ were so busy this time that they totally forgot about..THE MOUND. That's good, because when they come next week they'll be able to get down and dirty, jump in the pool and slide down on the park set, too. I am hoping this warm streak stays through for the next visit. Sara is going to go hiking for one of the days so the BoyZ will have Beema and Kpaw all to themselves. Or is it the other way around? Kpaw is excited to have the little guys, too, I can tell when he starts to talk like this;

"Ay, maties, we'll be walkin' the plank with ya thar if ya aren't lissnen to yar elders, arrrrghhh!"
Guess I better make sure all the swords are dull and the yard arm is broken so thar won't be no hangins.

Arrrggghhh!

Schumachers' Preserve for Tots and Critters

Here is a shot of the latest project Kevin has been working on; actually, he's been working on this one along with the other projects he's completed this year; Kevin has been quite the busy rascal!
It all began with a swing set for The BoyZ. Who are The BoyZ? Well, Evan and Eric, our favorite grandsons, of course. In anticipation of the first visit where they could actually play outside, Kevin began construction on a huge play set that consists of two swings, a slide and a 'climbing wall'. That swing set now boasts a gigantic black "Captains' Flag" (it is really a pirate flag but Evan and Eric call pirates captains and pics to follow soon).
Out on the other side of the garage is a little boys' dream; a humongous (is that big enough?) dirt mound with plastic shovels and rakes and hoes and even a big yellow Tonka truck. Their mother tells me that long before they pull up into the driveway, Evan and Eric are talking about "playing in the dirt" and going to the park at Kpaw's and Beema's house. It has been so much fun to show the little guys something new every time they come to visit. The last visit Kpaw had a little three-ring pool set up and ready to go. When they boys came in the house, I took Evan over to the dining room window and told him to look outside. "Ohhhhh! A pool, Beema!! It's a pool for me!" The exclamations, the excitement, the absolute happiness of a 3 and 4 year old are priceless joys.
And this is my opportunity to save and savor all of that.
Now, back to our little chippie there. We seem to have two sizes; large and TINY. The big guy is probably about as big as a cell phone and the TINY guy, who's name now is Tiger, is half that size. They scoot and scamper all about the front deck and all over the property looking for the seeds and peanuts that Kevin puts out for the critters. Tiger has burrowed his way under the house somehow and made himself a little home over in the master bedroom corner. I guess we'll leave him there as long as he doesn't chew himself into the house, he's rather warm and protected where he is.
So yesterday as I was standing on the front deck with Kevin, he was enticing Tiger up close by rattling a peanut. Tiger wasted no time coming in for a treat that is almost as big as he is. I stood very still as he came up and took that peanut right out of Kevin's hand, it was just too cute. And off he ran, rattling down the stairs to his secret lair to stash another prize.
Happy summer!

Mothers Day

Mothers Day.

Brings lots of thoughts and lots of memories and a lesson or two...

I learned a long time ago how unimportant many of the days are that society deems crucial to celebrate. When I became a Navy bride in the mid '70's, I learned quickly to appreciate the days and the times I had WHEN I had them. I learned in my first year of Navy bride hood that holidays like Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving only existed on the calendar. My very first year of marriage there was only my father and me and having just lost my mother eleven days after my wedding, dad and I found that having each other was what counted.
At my age now I don't remember a lot about that time but I do know that where I stand today on the importance of family was outlined in June of 1975.
My husband-to-be came home to California from the Virginia coast shortly before he was to leave on an 8 month Med. cruise. In a two month time span I managed to put together a small wedding event. We were married in the backyard of my childhood home, primarily because my mother couldn't travel anywhere. We stood underneath the tree I had climbed since I was 8 years old and said our "I do's" after dad walked me across the back patio deck that he had built a few years prior. The gathering was small with a few of my cherished friends and family.
We spirited away on our honeymoon (a cabin at Soda Springs donated by one of my best friends' father--thank you Debbie and Colonel Wiley!) and upon our return it was the next day that mom passed away, on my 21st birthday. The day after that my husband left for his long cruise.
I remember simply daily survival and numbness, I don't remember Thanksgiving. I couldn't tell you what we did. I just remember that having my dad around was pretty special.
Christmas came and that brought my husband home as well.
The years went on and as they did holidays would coincide with a mini-cruise, duty nights on the ship or just plain work. The Gub'ment stops for no personal celebrations. We were fortunate enough for daddy to be available when our two children were born; although there was a tentative duty trip for daddy when Number 2 was to arrive. Daddy was headed out for a recruiting session with a young applicant and the parents when #2 woke mommy out of a sound sleep at 4:00 a.m. with back cramps! I took my bath (sheeesh, I even shaved my legs! got my clothes together and drove myself to the hospital). When the nurses said "you're dilating and you're not going home" I called daddy and said, "We're having a baby today!" he canceled his work day. Much easier done on land and out in the boonies than on a very busy ship even in port.
Birthdays came and went, anniversaries come and gone and finally some time around 1995 when the kids were 5 and 6 years old, daddy moved away to Long Beach, California courtesy of U.S. Navy transfer papers. We were living in rural Montana. I stayed behind with the kids in the home we owned and shared my life with other single wives and kids. And believe me, there were quite a few of us. I was a stay-at-home mom and so were my closest friends. We were all the kids had left. So we had dinners at each others' homes, we went on picnics and hikes and celebrated the kids' birthdays the best way we knew how. I remember the Christmas of '95 and the wonders of technology. Our neighbors Terry and Jeannie had loaned us a telephone with speaker capabilities! We would now be able to share our Christmas with daddy long distance! Daddy was able to hear the rustling of ripped papers and the squeals of the kids as they opened their presents and we all were able to share our excitement and via telephone. At least we had that.
That was just one segment of the years of learning that have finally brought me to the place I am now.
The other day my daughter called and wished me happy Mothers Day. It wasn't THE day and she spoke of feeling guilty about not sending a card and that she had been waiting for "a present to come and it wasn't here yet and mom I feel bad". My words to her? "Why on earth would you feel guilty? I get you and the grandsons next weekend! It doesn't matter that it isn't on THE DAY". Besides, I had to work on Mothers Day so I would have been a little sad if they were in the area and I couldn't share that day ON THE DAY that is marked on the calendar. These times make the times I do get to share moments so much more precious.
In my life I have some great mommies I include in my Mommy Circle:
My wonderful mother-in-law Dorothy, my beautiful daughter Sara/mommy of two fabulous boys, my spiritual girlfriend Gracie who is so like me she's the sister I sat next to on the Bus Bench in heaven, my sister-in-law Rhett who I touched base with after a long long lost time and she was my maid of honor and my stepmother Fran who was the only real grandmother my kids ever knew and took over being my friend and mother and Debbie/mother of 5 who was my single wife girlfriend when our husbands were working elsewhere.
These are the people who share my heart and love and I love them. No matter what day it is.

Mileposts and Fenceposts Along the Way

Another round trip to Montana under my belt and I am hoping it is my last time for this kind of trip.

This visit was mainly about seeing my son while his is in the Connections Corrections program. A place that is his last hope, his last chance to make it good out when they let him out.

It is daunting to look at the car and know that for the next 10 or so hours I will be sitting in the front seat. I can almost visualize every section of the landscape after three times.

My favorite place isn't anything fantastic or grandiose by any means, but there is just something that is pristine and quiet and calm about my little canyon.

This canyon is rather narrow, just wide enough for the two lane road that winds through with a little extra on one side for a narrow creek lined with willows and poplars. The highway cuts through barren rolling hills that are covered in bright green velvet grasses that wave with the breeze. Patches of bright yellow heart leaf arnica and wild sunflowers interspersed with purple and white lupine dot the sides, they cling tenaciously among some of the barren and rocky spots. I have stopped the car on the side of the road just to get out and listen to the wind brush through. It brings back great memories of living in the hills in Idaho. I can smell the dew-drenched sagebrush now...

The rest of the trip is varied; driving along the Columbia River has it's own beauty as well. Cutting through the rolling green hills (in April) with a few steep, drop off cliffs on the driving side, you can look across and watch the tugs straining to push their barges east and west and when you get to the dam the spray can sometimes get blown across the highway. The rolling hills on the far side are dotted with snow white wind turbines. The first time I saw them I thought they were actually kind of ugly, but now I think they're beautiful in their own way. And this trip I had a real surprise! Coming down into "my little canyon" I happened to look up and zipping over the top rise was a bright yellow crop duster! He was quick on his turnaround, almost too quick before I could fumble my camera out of my purse and snap a shot of it retreating...

Other than going through flats and plains and finally hitting some pine trees around Spokane, the trip is beautiful and quiet. I measure the miles in minutes and speed. Many times you can set your cruise button at 80 or even 85 but when you get to the curves it's best to slow down a bit. I have noticed that there are a lot of car and semi truck drivers who don't seem to know where the dotted line is and they want MY lane. I have also discovered that I can finish off one bag of sunflower seeds per direction, they seem to make the time go by faster.

The visit with my son went very well, I didn't have to see him in jail clothes or try to talk through a glass partition. We were able to sit next to each other in a nice dining room area. In- state visitors get one visit per weekend but since I had come from so far (over 700 miles) I was allowed both Saturday and Sunday visits. Michael looks good, clean and healthy. He is getting counseling. And as a mother, I am praying that this will all work. I had to go; for love and support and because he is my son. Nobody should have no one.

The Bare Naked Snowman

Sometimes I feel like I am going through a drought about things to write and sometimes my ideas do not coincide with my opportunities for writing. But it seems I always have something to say after the grandkids have visited. I wrote on my Facebook page today asking if anyone knew what it was like to live through a tornado sucking all the wind and energy out of your house. I sort of liken it to the moment the grandkids and mommy and daddy walk out the front door to go back home.

Sudden.

Instant.

Quiet.

And I'm not sure why it is particularly noticeable this time. It is possible that I am noticing the changes every time I see them now. Herewith comes the Bare Naked Snowman story...

It was snowing to beat the band, and finally after a winter of blah snowfall; we were getting cotton ball flakes, big beautiful ones! The weather for the last two weeks had been in the high 40's to high 60's with one 70 degree day thrown in for a spring tease. Great weather, unusual weather for the high desert here. But predictably unpredictable. And of course, the two days that The BoyZ were here it was just the unpredictable part that played out. But that's okay. They don't get snow in Corvallis, or at least not snow you can play in. As it snowed and built up quite a layer on the deck, Grandpa "Kpaw" shrugged into his winter coat, plopped on his camo fedora and went out to shovel. Evan and Eric are just the right size to fit in the living room window and watch the show, so as they stood on the window sill (mind you this is only 6 or 7 inches from the floor) Kpaw promptly tossed a load of snow at the window. Ear piercing squeals and belly giggles ensued. When he was done shoveling, Kpaw set the snow shovel down against the front of the house and began to round out a snow ball. He set the palm-sized ball upon the railing of the deck and fashioned another snow ball just a hair smaller than the first and set that atop the bottom ball. Another ball took shape even smaller than the second and that one was placed on top of the middle ball. Grandpa rubbed his hands together and came inside saying, "Look guys, Kpaw made a snowman for you!" And then a quiet little voice pitched, "Kpaw, it doesn't have any eyes." So Kpaw found some sunflower seeds and went back outside to give the little bare naked snowman some eyes. Back into the house to take off his coat and hat, Kpaw heard this, "Kpaw, it doesn't have a nose or a mouth." And then we heard the scream! "Kpaw! Kpaw! The birdths are eating the snomans' eyes! The birdths are eating it's eyes!" Kpaw threw open the front door and shooed all the birds away so he could save the poor tiny almost-bare-naked-mutilated snowman from further decimation and destruction.

Once again Kpaw found a sunflower seed for a nose and took a permanent marker out to draw a mouth for the not-so-bare-naked snowman. Kpaw was satisfied with the dressed out snowman. Inside the door and taking off his hat and coat, Kpaw heard the little voice once more. "Kpaw, it doesn't have any armth" and that's when Kpaw concluded, "That's okay because he tucked them all inside to stay warm!"

Over the hill

I took off Saturday morning and went over the snow mountain to see Sara and the grandboyz, daddy Bret had to work this weekend. I can't believe how much Evan is talking since we saw them at Christmas! "My mouth likes jelly, Beema" was the latest.
Shortly after I arrived at Sara's and dropped all my baggage, mommy and daddy went out for a few hours alone while I watched Evan and Eric. We had so muchfun! Evan and Eric have these air blast dart guns and we spent an hour shooting the front door and and the ceiling, they would just squeal and giggle when the suction tip would stick to the ceiling or the door and when it didn't, we all chimed in with "Oh darn!" The energy that these two little boys have is incredible; they are ALWAYS moving something or changing direction, thought processes don't even get completed before something else occurs to them. Ahhh youth. And so when one grownup is worn out and tired, think of...food! "Hey, are you guys hungry?" "YESSSS! Peanut butter and jelly! Peanut butter and honey for Ewick and peanut butter and jelly for me. My mouth likes jelly, Beema". Grandma made it through lunch when mommy and daddy came home so they could get the boyZ ready for a nap.

We had a great visit and Sara and me were able to get in some shopping trips. I hate clothes shopping and will only go when I absolutely have to. It's just no fun to go by yourself. Besides, Sara has such a fashion sense, it's a good thing my personal dressing assistant is my daughter because I wouldn't be able to afford her. She picks outfits for me and is completely honest about how they look and work for me. I see fashion disasters at the store everyday and wonder, "Don't these women look in a mirror before they go out the door???"

Saturday night after the Evan and Eric went to bed (Evan got to sleep in mommy and daddys'

bed because of my visit even though I offered to sleep on the couch), Sara and I opened a bottle of wine, two boxes of Valentine chocolates and some other various nibbles and began to watch "Julia and Julie". It was nice to rest and relax, the both of us. Somewhere in the middle of the movie, we hear this, "Mommie, come in and watch with me". Yes, it was Evanfromheaven's little voice. He had been awake all this time waiting for mommie to come in and be with him. Mommie invited Evan to come out and be with us and so he wriggled inbetween the both of us with Teddy his bear and shared some snacks with us.

Life is good.