Mom Tales

This week when I went to visit my mom, I asked, "How are you feeling?" She replied, "With both my hands!" It's nice to know her sense of humor is still intact.

A Visit from the Bones

Things have been pretty boring here in D-town lately. So, we decided to invite a friend over. Mr. Bones was a bit shy coming out of the box. And he didn't really want to Skype with Aaron and Kim. But once we gave him some dinner, he livened up and was chatting away on the cell phone and computer at the same time. He called up some of his family to tell them to stop by and soon we were entertaining Uncle Bub and Aunt Elsie. Uncle Tex dropped by to play a few tunes on the guitar and Jeff enjoyed chatting with The Captain. Things were going well until we accidently popped in on the Captain in the bathroom.

All the ensuing chaos drove Mr. Bones to drink and he found our stash of rum and downed it.

You can guess what happened next.

We sent the relatives home and tried to get him to settle down but he took off on Nate's bike, just as Nate was coming home. The ensuing crash looked bad, but he was okay. Nate carried him up the stairs piggyback and helped him climb into bed. Finally, he drifted off to sleep and then it was back to peace and calm for all of us once again.

Exotic Pests

We found out the problem with the raspberries and it is not happy news. I took a specimen into the county Master Gardener program and spoke with the horticulturist that was there. He immediately figured out it is Spotted Wind Drosophila. This is a brand new problem in Oregon and he directed me to the Oregon Department of Agriculure webpage (http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/IPPM/index.shtml) where it is front page news. It's a new fruit fly that attacts healthy, ripe fruit, unlike other fruit flies who only attack decaying fruit. There's not really any control for it. I'm glad I'm not a commercial grower. They are currently monitoring it and asking for specimens if it is found so my raspberries got sent to the state. Guess we'll just have to see what happens next year.

A little of this and that

First, here's another great book - "Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder. Another non-fiction (my favorite these days) about a young man from Burundi who witnesses the genocide there and ends up in America and with the help of random people, furthers his education and goes on to be successful and goes back to help in Africa. A moving story and one that helped me understand some of the Hutu/Tutsi conflict that I've never figured out. Also, a book to make me appreciate all the blessings I have.

My friend, Kim, has started a blog. You can check it out here: http://www.kimberly-brandt.blogspot.com/ It's called No Particular Place to Go. Kim and I walk and talk most every Sunday, and we don't have any particular place to go either.

The raspberries are gone for the season. Sadly, I discovered worms in them. I think they are raspberry fruit worms but the master gardener I'm meeting tomorrow should help with the identification. We decided the prudent thing to do was cut them all down early so last weekend the guys helped me cut them back. We're hoping to stop the lifecycle and get them back healthy next year but it broke my frugal heart to toss the loaded branches away. Not much jam this year.

Luckily, I am still getting my CSA box. I love the variety and exposure to fruits and vegetables I might otherwise avoid. I can't wait to see what arrives today. Last week I made fresh salsa with the peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes and coleslaw with the cabbage, and the tiny grapes and yellow raspberries were just fun to try. Here's the link to their website: http://www.denisonfarms.com/ The CSA newsletters button has the list of what we get and recipes from each week.

Today is Tuesday, which oddly enough makes me think of Rosana. Back in the day, I would stop by her house in Salem after tennis most weeks. So, she would always be asking "are you coming over to play tennis this week?" As much as I dreaded those visits those days, I miss them now. She always wanted to see what I was wearing (one tennis outfit was a particular favorite) and ask what was new, and then often snuck in the request to go somewhere to get something. But no one really before or since, has seemed so interested in ME and my family. It was frustrating and time-consuming and I was often irritable but she was always, always happy to see me. I miss her knarled, athritic, old-lady hands squeezing mine so tightly.

Which brings me to the last tidbit, because I KNOW Rosana would love this picture. She loved MEN and who doesn't love a man in uniform? Here's Nate in his EMT outfit he wears to class. It's kind of like that "first day of school" picture. Except, now it's college and it's the second week of class.

Good reads

It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything. I could tell you all about our great trip to Australia but it's almost too much to post here. It was great and we'll leave it at that. If you want lots of details, I'd be glad to supply them.

Tonight I am thinking of two great books I've read this week. This year I've had a hard time finding any decent books. I used to always finish books, no matter how bad but the last several months have seen me giving up on quite a few books I couldn't bear to finish, even by established and familiar writers. So, I was especially thrilled to find some great reads this month.

The first is fiction: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It's set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s and is about women and class and race and so much more. I loved it!

The next is nonfiction: Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. This is fascinating reading for anyone who has a child or cares about children. It is evidence based information on child rearing and common misconceptions about praise, lying, early language, teenage rebellion, race, and so much more. I think it should be required reading.
I've already passed on my copies, but if you see one, pick it up. Now I need some more great books. Any suggestions?

Things I'm loving this week

Today I was in Portland, picking up some very special chocolates for a very special wedding that is coming up VERY SOON! As I drove across the St. Johns Bridge for the FOURTH time, having a bit of difficulty locating the very special chocolate's place, I was struck by the beauty of the bridge and then began to think of all the things I am particularly enjoying right now. Near the top of my list would be fresh Oregon PEACHES. August means peaches and they are ready now. I love them any way but they are doubly good with some cool vanilla yogurt. Yum! Next is my farm share! This comes every week from an organic farm in Corvallis. My friend Kim is gracious enough to bring my box to Dallas. Here's what it looked like tonight - fresh purple potatoes, carrots, onion, red pepper, strawberries, plums, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and Romaine lettuce. It's different every week and comes with a newsletter with recipes. I can't wait for Tuesdays to see what we get!

And last but not least, my family! I have the greatest family all the way around - terrific kids of my own, fabulous in-laws, and super extended family, but what I am thinking of tonight specifically is my siblings. Here's a picture of us last year at the place we just got back from staying at, and it was so nice to all be together again. I love that all six of us get along, enjoy each other and are willing to get together at least twice a year. I love that we communicate with each other, and support each other. We all have very different gifts and opinions but we share the same heritage (and nose!). Together, we have 20 kids and they are equally terrific.

A-n-d I love you all!

Iron Mountain

Today I returned to Iron Mountain. If there is a sacred place for the Scott Family, Iron Mountain would be it. We have all climbed the steep trail numerous times and the ashes of my dad and a sister-in-law are scattered there. My mom climbed it well into her 80's and we coaxed our kids to the top when they were small. Rare was the annual trip to Clear Lake that didn't include a trip to Iron Mountain. I have not been back for several years but today was the day to return. Our friends and next-door neighbors had never been there so I went along to provide the expertise. The trail was alive with wildflowers. I had forgotten how beautiful they are. I love the flowers and their names. After awhile, they all seem to have personalities to me. The shy wild ginger, with its shiny leaves hiding the odd looking flowers underneath, the brash indian paintbrush, the ubiquitous lupine, the cheery wooly sunflower, the delicate bluefield gilia, and it's outrageous cousin, the scarlet or skyrocket gilia. I love the deep indigo larkspur and the paler blue flax, the bright columbine, the aptly-named cat's ear, and the varied penstemons. Their names came back to me from the past, some more difficult to remember. One name escaped me completely until we returned home. I could only remember how I loved the name and the flower. It was the delicate white sitka valerian. We climbed up and up, gratefully stopping to admire the flowers when our pulse pounded. The top had changed; no more lookout station, only a platform and fully occupied when we arrived by a large group of giggling teenage girls. The peak was surrounded by clouds today, no view to be seen, but the rapidly swirling clouds were entertainment enough. After lunch we headed down and then around the cone peak trail, enjoying more flowers along the way. The day was cool and perfect for hiking. I was grateful to get the chance to return to a well-loved spot and share it with others. And I was reminded once again of my parents and their legacy of love of this area, love for all of God's creation, and most importantly, love for their family.

Our Sailing Trip

We are just back from a great sailing trip in Washington's San Juan and Canada's Southern Gulf Islands. Luckily, I kept a journal or I wouldn't remember everywhere we went. Here's a short synopsis of our travels. I didn't take any pictures but Richard took over 300 so I may add some pictures once I get copies of his. Jeff and I traveled with my sister Rachel and husband Richard, for the third summer sailing trip. We chartered "Kerendi" a 38 foot Pearson, from San Juan Sailing in Bellingham, Washington. That's it on the right. Here's where we went:



Saturday, June 20 We left Bellingham after noon and sailed across Bellingham Bay and up Hale Passage and over to Sucia Island. We took a mooring ball in Echo Bay. After dinner, Rachel and I took the dinghy over to the island and hiked around to Shallow Bay and Fossil Bay and then came back to the boat for the evening. We had Canada Geese begging for treats at our boat! Weather was cool and overcast.



Sunday, June 21 We woke up early and planned to dinghy over to the island for more hiking when it began to rain. We tried to wait out the rain but it continued so the guys put on their storm gear and we headed out. We motored out of Echo Bay and toward Stuart Island. We sailed some but it was slow going as there was not much wind. We motored up Boundary Pass and into Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island where we moored again for the night. We all went ashore and went for a hike on Stuart Island. There is a school there in the middle of the island, as well as a cemetary we visited. We hiked to the northern tip of the island to Turn Point Lighthouse. It was a beautiful light station and gorgeous view. The weather was perfect, cool and sunny and it was a delightful hike, about 6 miles out and back. We returned to the boat for a late dinner and then bed.



Monday, June 22 We left Stuart Island and headed north to Canada. We stopped in Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island to clear customs. We docked temporarily and all enjoyed a shower at the Poet's Cove marina. We walked around the resort and then decided to press on. We had a nice sail over to Prevost Island and anchored in Annette Inlet. Several times today our engine overheated but we were able to sail okay. Rachel took the kayak up the inlet for a tour and we celebrated Richard's birthday with warm brownies and good conversation.



Tuesday, June 23 We were up early to use the tides and currents to our advantage. Rachel and I both took the kayak out for a short ride before we left our anchourage. We headed for Saltspring Island and the town of Ganges. Not much wind meant we mostly motored. We docked at Ganges Marina before 10 am and went to explore the town. They had a Tuesday farmer's market that we shopped at for fresh strawberries, peas,and carrots. We wandered around town checking out the bookstores and chocolate shop and got Canadian money at the bank. We relaxed back at the boat and took showers at the marina. In the evening we headed to Hastings House for our splurge of a dinner out. It was a fantastic dinner in a gorgeous setting. Then it was a walk back to our boat for the night.



Wednesday, June 24 We slept in a bit and woke to pouring rain. We left the marina but the first stop was the public dock to pump out our holding tank. We headed out of Ganges Harbor and across to Galliano Island. We mostly motored but had to sail again once the engine overheated. We made it to Montague Harbor and picked up a mooring ball. We took the dingy to check out the marine park there and back to the marina to try and contact the charter company about our overheating problem. Cell phone service was nonexistent so communication was tricky. We set out our crab pot but didn't catch crab but had a nice dinner on board. The wind picked up and the boat swung around a lot but we relaxed in our cozy home and played scrabble and cards.



Thursday, June 25 We got up early to go with the current and left Montague Harbor and headed south in Trincomali Channel. We had some rain and the wind was in opposition so we mostly motored. We went around Saltspring Island and toward Cowichan Bay, which is on Vancouver Island. Once again the engine overheated but we sailed on. The wind picked up and we had to reef the mainsail and reduce the jib but we managed to make it to the dock. We got moorage at Dungeness Marina in Cowichan Bay and called the charter company to get some help with the engine. They told us a mechanic could come by in the morning. We explored the cute town of Cowichan Bay and the Wooden Boat Society and Maritime Centre. We had ice cream at the Udder Guy's and had a great fish and chips dinner at the Rock Cod Cafe. Rachel and I found a laundry to wash some of our clothes and we relaxed at the boat.

(Here's a map of the area and I drew a line where we went but it's hard to see)

Friday, June 26 We waited for the mechanic to come and got some breakfast buns from the True Grain Bakery and Mill. The mechanic found a problem with the coolant and fixed it so we were ready to roll once again. We headed south on Satellite Channel and down Shute Passage and then Prevost Passage and across Haro Strait to Roche Harbor. We tied up at the customs dock and cleared back in to the US and then anchored out in the harbor. We took the dingy ashore and went exploring. We checked out the hotel, church, sculpture garden, and hiked to the mausoleum and then back to the resort for ice cream and looking at the many boats at the marina docks. We took our dinghy back to our boat and enjoyed a nice dinner on board.



Saturday, June 27 We were up early and sailed out of Roche Harbor and along Spieden Island. We went up Spieden Channel and around the north of Orcas Island. The weather was nice with favorable winds so we sailed on and made it to Bellingham Bay by midafternoon. We picked up our nephew Jon at Fairhaven and took him for a sail around Bellingham Bay before heading into Squalicom Harbor and the charter boat dock. We refueled the boat, emptied the holding tank and tied the boat up at it's proper place. We spent one more night on the boat before heading home in the morning. It was a great trip and we'll treasure the memories. We saw many seals, porpoises, otters, bald eagles, fish and beautiful scenery. We met some kind and interesting people and relaxed and learned and practiced some new sailing skills.

Thirty years ago today . . .

We got married! Gosh, we were young! And 30 years is a long time! Can't believe how the time has flown. Three states, six homes, three kids, and two dogs later we are still together. Happy Anniversary to my sweetie!

Graduation

We made it to graduation day! Here's the proud graduate and his proud parents. It is the end of an era, too, as it marks the end of 20 years of Humphrey kids in the Dallas School District.

We're proud of Nate and there is no question he is wrapped in love from both sides of the family. He was the grateful recipient of a handmade quilt from Aunt Rachel, in the tradition of Grandma Betty, and a handmade afghan from Grandma Pat. Both beautiful works of art and the result of many hours of labor. Thanks everyone for making it a special day for Nathan!