I would like an Omaha adventure with a side of Funk, please.

Finally, what you have all been waiting for, the Bushtit trip to Omaha. It has taken me a while to write this since our computer is crashing and my laptop is out of commission as well. I did write a couple of B-trip starters here and here but below is the story from beginning to end (if you want to read it). 

Day 1 (March 11, 2010): Rowe Sanctuary

Once we got Bushtit E (B-E) from the airport and packed all of Bushtit B's (B-B) extra cold weather gear -(due to B-E's missing bag) we raced to Kearney, NE -about 3.5 hours away. We had a 5:30 pm appointment with Row Sanctuary's blinds, the Cranes, and the setting sun.

One of my favorite parts of the Rowe Sanctuary is the dual flush toilets. I heart these toilets since they utilize a 1:4 (liquid:solid) volume usage. Finally, a toilet that places value on the "number1" and "number2" technology we used as kids. I have not seen one of these toilets within the US. It was a Very exciting find for me!  After we were dressed and utilized the way cool toilets, our guide marched us out to the large box  blind before the cranes started coming in. 

Update: Nate and I saw a dual flush toilet at Home depot and guess what is sitting in my garage right now! I may have to have a "come see my dual flush toilet party:" Now who wouldn't be excited to do that?

 B-E and B-B observing the Platte river. The cranes have started to come in. Landing on the far side of the river; farthest from the blind. We have not fooled any of those birds by sitting in a that large box. The cranes rolled in over a two hour period. (Thanks B-B for the last photo)

Before (~ 5:30 pm)

After (~7:30 pm)

The cranes fill the sky and river. 

Day 2 (March 12th): A day of mud. Mud. Mud.  

We started out our mornings early. Pre-dawn.  4 am. Our mornings pretty much went like this. 

1. Alarm.
2. Rub eyes.
3. stumble into clothes.
4. grunt at other girls.
5. make coffee.
6. Drink coffee.
7. Try to eat bagel.
8. Leave.

This short list took us 30-45 min. to accomplish. I don't know why it took so long but, we were consistent; repeating this phenomenon each morning.

We got up early because we wanted to see the Greater Prarie Chicken lek but, before you can see a Greater Prairie Chicken lek you have to find a Greater Prarie Chicken lek. B-B worked hard to figure out a locations to increase our chances at seeing the lek. We tried the first location today.

Side discussion: A lek is a "mating arena" where the males of a certain species strut their stuff! So its pretty much equivalent to going to the bar or better yet a junior high school dance. If you want some great info on a lek go here. 


Side discussion within a side discussion: At a Greater Prairie Chicken lek the male lifts up the feathers on his checks so that they stand up on his head like tiny rabbit ears. He then puffs up the air sacks under these flaps so that the orange/pink skin beneath stands out like globular moons (which strangely, and like a purse should match shoes, matches their eyebrows).  Once the costume is attained he will make this boom sound and stomp his feet like an overly steroid-ed football player. They of course, do all of this within a designated area, and if another male comes within this area they will fight. This usually involves jumping, flapping their wings, pecking, a loss of feathers, AND it makes a person understand the urge to watch cock fighting. Its exhilarating to watch. You can see a good video here.

The description to this first location included a sentence that stated the road we wanted as "runs through the middle of the marsh".  We should have taken this statement as a warming.

After a few minuets off the paved road, our conversation went like this:

B-B: "Crap! what should I do?"

B-A (Me): " I don't know! But, DON'T STOP!"

Our car ended up looking like this after peeling through inches of mud and water, making muddy rooster tails in a car full of tense girls (we all promised B-B's hubby that we would not get the car stuck), and creating 6 inch deep wheel ruts down a farm road on the outskirts of a small town.

After we made it through the mucky mess, our conversation went like this:

B-B: "I am so glad you told me to keep going!"

B-A: "Yea! I was shooting you verbal hugs the whole time."
(thanks B-E for reminding me of this wonderful and underused sentence)

Once we were out of the sticky situation we got out and walked around in it. I am not sure why? I guess if you can not drive in the mud you decide to that walking is the better logic. (I am sure there is logic in there somewhere.) It was windy of course and the pre-dawn air temp was freez-in COLD.

 No chickens were observed during our wander  but, we did manage to do this. No complaints, we had a great time!

 

(taken with my Iphone)

The remaining part of the day was spent driving around these same farm roads (but we were A LOT more selective about which ones we would drive on) looking at the masses of geese that have also congregated during the migration north. As with most photos, the pictures do not reflect  what we saw and felt as 100's of thousands of birds would fly into the farm fields. The numbers of birds were so intense often times we thought the dark cloud heading our way indicated a change of the weather.

Snow, Ross's, White-fronted, Canada, and Cackling Geese in a farm field near Karney, NE

Also, after a full day of looking at geese our car received a good luck shit splat blessing!

(taken with my Iphone)





As the sun went down we raced to the Crane Bridges* to see the Cranes come in for the night.   It was a lovely night, the wind had calmed and there was a light rain.  The Cranes flew in low over the river; their calls filling the air. It truly is a magical experience!

*The bridges are...  well bridges, that have been placed over sections of the Platte river so that the Cranes can be viewed.

While we were observing the magic of the cranes at the bridge,  B-B was blessed with Crane poop!  Which got me thinking that with such good luck (two poopings in one day)  we would certainly have great  luck in locating some Dancing Chickens tomorrow.





Day 3 (March 12th): A trip to Funk(y) town

 Watching the sun come up over cut corn fields

And so, we started out our morning, once again, before the sun started hers. This time, we observed the morning in a MUCH drier area. The lack of moisture on the road, however, did not improve our chances; observing only hints of the dancing chickens due to a 40 mile per hour wind. These hints included: a jumping round object with bunny-like-ears, two chickens flying, and a mass of chicken-like-prints in and around a small water hole. We were saddened by our second failure but held strong and made plans for the next day. With only one morning left, we made plans that would certainly help our odds. We called the "outfitter".

The "ticket" from the Outfitter included views of a Greater Prarie Chicken Lek from a bus window, breakfast, and a 1.5 hour drive farther North/west! Now who can complain about breakfast, a bus, and chickens all for $30/person?

As you could probably imagine, I was pretty excited about the breakfast and spent the rest of the day referring to chickens, buses, and bacon.  I think I made B-B nervous about a my possible disappointment but I have issues when it comes to bacon (and most pork products) and I could not help myself. Mmmm bacon!

Before we headed out, we decided to spend another day driving through small towns, looking at farm fields and small wildlife "preserves" for ducks and geese that were migrating through. Driving over 100 miles. One of the areas we stopped at was the small town of "FUNK". We of course stopped for the photo op.

But in all seriousness. The town of FUNK was an adorable town. Full of great old buildings and wonderful genuine people, and cheep coffee-like-substance*

*It seems Nebraska has strange coffee that B-E and I like to refer to as "coffee-like-substance". It kind of  tastes like coffee and it kind of smells like coffee but there was something missing or something different about it that we could not quite identify.








 We also stopped for a Runza. Since the first moment I heard a Runza described I wanted to try one fro myself. Today we finally decided to try one. The conversation went like this:

Me: "Can you tell me what is good?"

Cashier/Waiter: "Hamburgers, Hot dogs..."

Me"What about the Tube of meat?"

Cashier/Waiter: Long pause "You mean the Runza"

Me:"Can we refer to it as 'tube of meat'?"

Cashier/Waiter: Long pause. "No."

I did finally have a Runza and all I have to say is you have to try it (if only just once).

Scoping Longspurs. (Picture's by B-E and B-B respectively). 

Note B-B's hair in the first pict. It was way windy, even when using the car as a wind break.

We spent our last evening in Kearney with the Cranes at another bridge. It would be our last time seeing the Cranes. We also hoped for a sunset since we have not seen one the whole trip due to the cloud cover. We were not disappointed on either account.  We saw the longest sunset I have ever witnessed (dont argue the logic- just go with it) and  three distinctly different sunsets to the sounds of the cranes as they flew over the river.

(Photo by B-E and B-B respectively). 

Preparing for the sunset photo-taking moments in our near future.

Sunset #1
The heavy cloud cover and the broadness of the river created a long slender sunset. I love how the light played on the clouds and the river.

Sunset #2

At this point the sun started the break apart the clouds. Creating the "column of light" and an "angels is descending from heaven" look. I love the textures created in the clouds.

Sunset #3As the sun went below the horizon the clouds reflected an intense pink lights and dark purple hues.  

(picture's by B-E)

Day 3 (March 13th):  Bacon never disappoints.

Once again, we got up early. (BTW: we are all freaking tired by now), pulled up to the outfitters main office and was greeted by the scent of coffee.  It was perhaps the first thing our guide said to us. "Here's your mug. Coffees right over there." Or at least the first thing I remember him saying. 

Once our coffee mugs were full, our guide guided us to a suburban. I leaned over to B-E and whispered "that aint no bus". I started to get worried regarding my bus filled dreams. I guess a suberban is going to have to be good enough, I thought.  

 Our guide then drove to the chicken leks down a mud slicked road. He had a lot of confidence in his driving and so did I as he whipped around turns in the road using the "slide" of the slippery mud to get around it. It was still very dark and it was hard to see. It was less than 5 min before he stopped and gestured for us to get out. I looked out the window straining to see where we were going. When my eyes finally became used to the availible light I saw it. A bus sitting in a corn field in the middle of nowhere. 

We walked through the field and into the bus and then,  our guide turned on a HEATER! Can you believe that? After all those early mornings walking in mud, getting up early, 40 mile per hour winds, almost getting the car stuck, 17 degree temperatures,  early mornings, slopping through water soaked roads, freezing temperatures, pre-dawn, early mornings... all we had to do was  pay $30 bucks and we get coffee, and chickens, and a bus, and a heater (and BACON!). 

We then sat in the bus, drinking coffee and whispering and waiting.

And waiting

And waiting.

And waiting (I  looked at the our guide to see if he was nervous- I think he was)

And waiting.

When finally, we saw the chickens and they danced.. And it was amazing!  Here is a picture of us sitting in the bus before the chickens arrived.I did not take any dancing chicken pictures. I was having indecision over coffee, binoculars, and camera. I chose the binoculars and mug of coffee! Now that we got that chicken part over with we finally able to focus on the really important part of the morning. Breakfast and BACON! I did take a photo of the food. No lost priorities here.

While I found the food fabulous and B-E and I took photos of it.  B-B thought we were fabulous taking pictures of our food and so documented that. 

Day 4 (March 14th): We say goodbye. 

Fontanelle Forest. 15 min from B-B's home and one of our favorite locations. It is also where we meet  crazy, rule following, yelling, police calling, light-blinding, stalker man but, that is a story I decided not to tell. 

 In addition to the cranes and chickens, I loved seeing B-B's cute family and watching her and Kent interacted with each other and their two little girls. I also felt like I made a special connection with 3 year Mellisa that loves purple and blue, miss-matched socks, and Ponyo time with Daddy. I loved watching her wander through the house fixing this and that; a true mama's little helper. I loved seeing her go from adoration of her little sister to tattling that the 6 month old child was touching her. And I loved going birding and seeing her speak excitedly of the Robin 10 feet away. (She has the Birding gene Beth!). I had a great time and I am excited to see where the next trip will be (perhaps a weekend pelagic in LA -with B-E).

B-B was  a great hostess. I felt hugged the whole time I was there. I think I noticed this the most through coffee because she does not drink coffee. She was supportive of B-E and my desires to have coffee at every opportunity possible and even planned coffee stops amongst the birding stops. Can you imagine after all the bird and driving and sleeping planning in a B-trip she also found coffee locations? Anyways, I found this adorable and heartwarming. I loved that she cared about, understood, and even supported our different ideologies. It is often that we support those ideologies that support only our own; looking to be validated only by our thoughts and ideas and forgetting the beauty in our differences. I will admit, that I am a bit sensitive to this. Between living within a culture that is different than I am and then following a milk free diet it is hard to travel or go to events where there is food.  

Thank you B-B. For the lovely adventure and for being such a great hostess.

(taken on my Iphone)

"Guess what's weird"

Tanner likes to start telling some factoid by stating "guess what's weird". Here's one from today.


Tanner: "Guess what's weird"

Me: "hmm?"

Tanner: "I have been wearing this jacket all day and now I'm hot."

Me: "That's weird."



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen's mother

First of all, my kid is awesome!

And, its her 13th birthday.

I would like to do the customary birthday blog post. You know the one, its the "my kid is awesome so I will write her a post on her birthday to tell the world of her awesome-nes".  But, I am having a hard time writing a bunch of kissy-kissy, hugs-hugs crap.*

*Don't we all get tired of reading someones ideal rendition of the perfect life? Wouldn't we rather just read the dirt. The true story. I say we should all mustache the photo of the prom queen !**

** OK. Its probably just me.

Well anyways. 

I have sat here, for over 3 hours, typing random bits of stories, thoughts, emotions and ideas. Nothing concrete. No direction. Trying to make it all fit into something coherent but, its all jumbled. I think its because she resides to close to my heart. I can not see the picture. I can not write about it. I am too close to it to fully understand its depth.

So, I guess I will just say what I need to (without all the kissy-kissy, hugs-hugs crap).

Happy Birthday Casi!

I love you.

You are my favorite happy mistake (where I had a girl).*

You are an amazing person.

I am sorry that I did not hug you enough.** 

Amen.

* Yes. Thats right. Mistakes. Both kids. Mistakes. Nothing new here. Moving on.

**We have plans to help her work through this issue with her post high school psychiatrist.

B-day party images:

Silly string wars ensued

Scavenger Hunt Loot

Winners and Losers (who were told to hang their head in shame)

 

Crazy (but very fashionable) head wear

 

And TOO much tape. Why so much tape? Why?

The Omaha adventure starts early

Written on my cell phone on March 10th while sitting at the SLC, airport.

I thought I had everything planned out. In retrospect, though, I forgot a very important detail.

I was cleaning things up at work in preparation for my trip. I had 8 more hours of work and I needed every hour. My phone rang.

It was Bushtit E.  I excitedly answered the phone but she responded with the news of a missed flight. I responded with "Missed flight? We don't leave until tomorrow!?!" She assured me I was wrong. The time showed 3:21 pm. My flight was at 5:07 pm. Today.

Poor Nate took the brunt of it. With the help of Casi, my bags were packed before he bolted from our home. It was 4:06 when he picked me up at Shopko; located near I-80 and foothill. Leaving my car there for pick up later, I got in his truck. Doubt filled my mind, but he assured me he could get me to the airport in 15 min. There was still a chance that I would make the flight... prepared for Omaha weather and Bushtit adventures with whatever Nate and Casidy had packed me. I felt sick to my stomach.

I entered the airport and hurriedly pass the sign to the entrance of the Frontier desk. I noticed it says that you must check in 45 min before departure. I don't stop to read its entirety but it makes me more nervous. I know I am close to that deadline. The same deadline that helped Bushtit E miss her flight. My hand shakes as I slide my credit card into the slot. I have to repeat it three times before I get it right. It finally goes through.

Now, I am sitting on this plane trying to finish off any leftover jitters and sick emotions. I finaly laugh. I can relax.  I start to think of the first two hours of my Omaha adventure. I wonder how many times it will plaque me as I realize the missing items in my bag. 

I feel exhausted so I ask for coffee to help with the hours of airports and flights. Taking the risk associated with ordering an airline coffee but I am rewarded for my risk. Its good and I drink it slow. 

We had many airport blunders this trip.  I thought I would outline them in bullet point form.

1. Bushtit E, flying out of LA, missed her flight to Omaha by ONLY 2 mins due to the "45 min rule".  
2. As you know, I almost missed my flight to Omaha.  I still wonder if I was past the 45 min. rule. 
3. I learn that Nate is great at packing my bags. I had everything I needed the whole trip. I hope to use his skills again. I hate packing for a trip.
4. Bushtit E, after going to a friends home and crashing for the night made it to Omaha around noon the next day. Her bags however did not make it out of Denver for the connection flight.
5. When the airport says that they will drive your luggage to you tonight they mean it will come by FedEx the next day. 
6. Bushtit E gets really happy, after spending three days in the same outfit, when she finally receives her bag.
7. I definitely was past the 45 min rule when I left Omaha. 

A few pictures: (I hope to post a few more later)

This is a lake outside the Omaha airport. Bushtit B and I wandered the trails and boardwalks while we waited for Bushtit E to come in. 

We did a lot of this. Wandering around in farm fields and muddy roads in 20 mile/hour wind with 40 mile/hour wind gusts from the north; 17F wind chill. Yes! The weather performed beautifully!

Things I overheard: NOT!

Tanner: "Mom! Shhhh!"

Me: *silence* I even stop moving.

Tanner: "Did you hear that?"

Me: "What?"

Tanner: "That bird!" He then mimics the sound. "Churp, Churp, Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

Me: I know what he is talking about and I hear the first two notes but, not the buzz. I move closer to the window.

Tanner: "You don't hear that?"

Me: "Not all of it." I open the window. The birds entire song floods in.

Tanner: "Does Dad know you're deaf?"

charley harper prints

(I hope to buy one of his prints one day). 

Leaving for Omaha!

I am off to Ohama, Nebraska for a birding adventure with my B-titties! 


I know. I know. You think I am crazy.Part of me thinks so too. 


I have heard what you have been saying. "Why not the beaches of Hawaii, a show on Broadway, shopping in NY? They all have so much to offer." But Nebraska has much to offer too and for birders, the most notable reason to go to Nebraska is to see the hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes on the Platte river in March.  That is a lot of crane in one place! Which, allows for nature to put on a  spectacular show of number and sound, with the rising sun as its backdrop. I can hardly wait to see it! 


Below is a video taken at the Rowe sanctuary near Kearney (pronounced Carney). You only need a few seconds to get a feel for what it will be like there. Oh yeah, and the sounds you hear... thats the cranes!

Another part of the experience of going to Omaha, in March, is the weather. Below is an excerpt from another birders trip report. It forewarns to the weather we may experience and the necessity to pack gear for all types of weather. The prospect of bad weather, however, also gets me excited. Because, to have a great adventure you have to pay a price. To witness the Cranes taking off, with the sun, over the Platte River the price, I expect, will be cold. I look forward to paying it.

"How should you dress if you go there?  Well, the day before we arrived it was sunny and calm with the temperature in the 60's.  The Thursday we arrived it was raining hard, the temps were dropping into the low 30's and the wind was blowing very hard out of the northwest.  On Friday we awoke to a temperature of -10 degrees F, accompanied by winds topping out at 50 mph, giving us wind chills of at least 30-40 degrees below zero--the most breath-taking cold we've ever experienced!  Saturday it snowed all morning, but the wind abated, making the 25 degree temperatures feel downright balmy.  By Sunday the wind had picked up again but was blowing hard out of the south, so by the time we pulled into the rental car return lot at the Lincoln Municipal Airport, the temperatures had once again climbed into the 60's.  Enough said?"

-Norm and Fran Sanders 

 See you all soon and hopefully with a great story to tell.

Ocher

I have a couple of hours to kill. I need a nap. I was up too late with the kids, then didn't sleep well due to my meds. "Screw any notions of napping" I thought. I want to go outside. I want to go up Bells Canyon. I gear up and head out the door. Casi smiles from the couch as I leave. Happy to have peace, she turns back to her book. 

I prefer the access road to the single track trail, due to lack of use. The punishment for this isolation is 4-6 inches of snow. I  think of sand as I trudge through the snow. Both snow and sand, have the ability to rob me of my work. A portion of each step. I continue to climb. Step. Slide. Step. Slide. Slowly up the mountain side.

I think of a deer as I followed its footprints in the snow. Then rabbit, mouse... and something, I can not identify. Something, I tell myself, is a  bobcat. I don't know for sure.

 I think of color as I notice the dusty green of sage, the dark brown hues of Scub Oak, the intense and clear blue sky interspersed with white fluffy clouds, and the intense yellows of Ocher.  

I think of Ocher. An element of last years summer, perched on the tips of each plant. Remnants of renewal. Birth. Life. A promise to the next year. Ocher in the form of empty seed pods. I reach out to a sage bush, grab a handful of Ocher, and watch it as it disperses in the wind.

I think of Ocher and its presence in summer. Of "Dead heading". A tedious work, of clipping the Ocher from my plants. I think summer Ocher is ugly. The Ocher of winter however, is beautiful and reminiscent of the flowers, we hope for. That come with spring.  

I think of spring.

Update: I have had a few comments regarding the definition of Ocher. So here it is from the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary

Main Entry: ocher 

Variant(s): or ochre  \ˈō-kər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English oker, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ocre, from Latinochra, from Greek ōchra, from feminine of ōchros yellow

Date: 14th century

1 : an earthy usually red or yellow and often impure iron ore used as a pigment
2 : the color of ocher; especially : the color of yellow ocher

— ocher·ous  \ˈō-k(ə-)rəs\ or ochre·ous \ˈō-k(ə-)rəs, -krē-əs\ adjective

Conflicted

Things I over heard: "Where is Vancouver?"

While sitting at R.C. Willey watching the Winter Olympics....


Boy: "Where is Vancouver?"

Girl: "Washington."

a whisper no more

I do not know how this got published. I was not finished. It was supposed to say "where is all the freaking snow?" But, now people have commented and I don't have the heart to pull it. Oh, well. Perhaps this is the only way all of those posts in my "unpublished" file will ever get posted. 

Update: Never mind. I just deleted it. It sucked. I could not stand looking at it any more.

Valentines

Nate and I had some of our friends over for a Valentines dinner. Nate planned, shopped for, and cooked the food and I did the cleaning and decorating. We split the work so neither of us are tired when the party starts. I love that he enjoys having people over and that he is willing to help out.

Nate went Italian with the food, serving roast beef with a yummy roasted tomato sauce and sauteed mushroom and artichoke pasta. Kendra and Nick supplied a green salad and dressing (I am still thinking about how good it was).  Brandon and Kate brought Tiramisu!

I had so many plans for the table setting but had a little difficulty putting it all together. I wanted turquoise and silver colors but I could not find a material store. Its really hard moving and not knowing were anything is. Over all I think it turned out well and probably kept more with the Italian theme than my initial plans. My favorite part of the decorations was the use of 16X16 inch floor tiles as the place mats and placing candles everywhere to make up for the fact that we still have not found a light to go over out table.

Hope everyone had a great holiday spent with those they love.

Happy Valentines Day!

Home remodel goes eXtreme!

As most of you know Nate and I (and the kids- a tiny tiny bit) have been working to update our new home. We have lived here about 7 months now and have tortured ourselves with the constant upheaval a home remodel makes.

As if moving itself is not enough.

We started immediately with the remodel of the kids rooms. In case you have not seen them. Here they are:

  

[Casi's purple teen room. Complete with "Always climb higher" sign, Edward figure (even though she is not a "twilight junkie" :), cool painted pin board, a comfy reading chair and light, a floating night stand, swirly-green-shear 70's curtains, and fun swirly/stripped blankets and pillows.]

[Tanners "lava" colored room. With a lava play cave, skull "danger" sign, cool fire light, red and black bedding, and black magnet paint strip that goes around the entire room to hang his paper creations on.]

We then tried to stop ourselves. We even took a "break". But in the end, we found ourselves at home depot. Again. Making plans. Making dreams.

Phase two of our home remodel started with the purchase of dark, wide plank, hand scrapped maple floors for the entry, dining room, and kitchen. But to do that we needed to change the walls and railing. Creating more work. So much work. Sheetrock work.  Mud  work. Dirty. Dirty. Dirty work. Here is are the before/after shots. Note the changes in the back wall.

An almost final project!

Note: the paint cans in the background, the stairs still need to be finished, and we want to refinish all of the beams with refurbished barn wood.

This photo shows off the first table Nate and I ever bought (this comment brings back memories of the spool we used to have. Anyone remember that stage? Anyone?)

The best thing about this table is we bought it on KSL. Used. Ok there are many reasons to be excited.

I am so excited because:

 a) Its a Lofgrens table - I love Lofgrens!

b) Its dark and round

c) The chairs are way cute and cOmFY!

d) It can expand to 100 inches and seat 12 people  (Nate's request. Nate is a GREAT cook!If you haven't had  Nate's cooking. Its not too late! We will invite you over! And we could do it too. We can seat 12 people!)

e) It was only $550 (I did not even barter the price. I always barter the price but, it was a steal)

f) the lady we purchased it from was adorable and I think a bit sad to see it go. A purchase is always better from someone who is a cute person. Right?

(I am also excited because Nate just sold the light above the table on KSL. Which means, I get to buy a NEW one!)

We have also added this shelf:

To help separate the living room from the dining room.

Which makes me wonder where my big box of shelf shit is? I still can not find it from the move. Not that I had much shelf shit. Oh well, I would rather fill the whole thing up with books anyways.  And books are NOT shelf shit. At least not in my home. 

So all of this huge ramble is actually an introduction to the most amazing story. About me. An introduction to the main characters mindset. To help you  understand why. Why I would do such a thing. And most importantly, why I think it was the "most fun thing I did in weeks!"

So lets set the stage: It was a weekday. The kids are on the way to bed. A huge, yellow wall looms over. Still needing a second coat. A ladder  A HUGE and dirty ladder is in the middle of the home. Driving me crazy with its imposing -ness. I am SO close to being finished with these 7 months of work.

JUST NEED TO FINISH THE PAINTING!

The sceen starts to swirl. We go back to the past. A distant memory where Nate gives a warning:

"Do not climb the ladder unless someone is holding it"

Creepy music plays in the background and we return to the present understanding its warning.

I climb the ladder and start painting. Casi comes in. I look to her and tell her sarcastically not to tell daddy on me. She heads off to bed.

I continue to paint. Bucket of yellow paint in one had. Paint brush in the other. Up. Down. Move the ladder. Up down. Move the ladder. This continues until...

I climbed the ladder for the last time. Once I am at the top, I reach up to the wall. Placing the roller and rolling it down 6 inches. When suddenly, I feel the ladder move and I know I am going to fall.

The ladder removes itself and I fall.

Down.
(This is the first fall, since bungee jumping, where I actually FELT the fall. Perhaps, Nate can estimate the distance.)

I feel the balls of my feet slam on the floor, my knees bend all the way to the ground, my hips catch what is left. my tail bone hits the ladder,  and I lay down to the floor.

The  kids run in asking "are you OK!"

I respond with "Wow! That was a rush!" (and it was)

Once I cleaned up the mess (of paint, ladder, and me) with shaky hands that only a shot of adrenaline can give. I asked Tanner if he was going to tell on me. He responded with. "Yes, I think I am."

There's a certain slant of light

I feel pent up. Caught. Trapped. 


Nate says I tend to get this way when I don't get out. I think he is right and that is exactly what I need. To go outside. 


It does not help that the Salt Lake Valley has been capped with a lid of visible pollutants. Intensifying the caged feeling I have. I need to get out. Do something physical.  I am my own trap.

Logan, December 26th 2009

There’s a certain Slant of light,

Winter Afternoons —

That oppresses, like the Heft

Of Cathedral Tunes —

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us —

We can find no scar,

But internal difference,

Where the Meanings, are —

None may teach it — Any —

’Tis the Seal Despair —

An imperial affliction

Sent us of the Air —

When it comes, the Landscape listens —

Shadows — hold their breath —

When it goes, ’tis like the Distance

On the look of Death —

Emily Dickinson, There's a certain slant of light

My story: 2010

One of my friends posted this. A beautiful post regarding her story, as she will write it, in 2010. I loved it but I was not going to do it. I have always liked not defining the new year. Instead, I like to see things from a rear view window perspective. Seeing what has happened. What I did "by accident" with out any planning. In some ways, having no plan, is silly but bold.

Another friend posted hers this morning and I started to feel left out. Sometimes thats what it takes. Peer pressure. Eh- besides I dont have anything else to do with my life. Being kicked out of the TV room, not having a book to read, having read ALL the blogs I follow and NOT wanting to search out more blogs.  I am utterly afraid that one more blog will only fuse my reality further in with the internet;  the light of the computer my sun and these blogs my personal friends.  So I thought, rather than do that, perhaps, I will try to write my story. As I would like it to read for 2010. It is a good idea after all and I may like this way of looking into the new year. So here is my story. As I see it. Today. Waiting to be filled in like a paint by number that reality will color.

My 2010 story

My 2010 story will obviously contain story's that reflect on the outside world. An existence of observation. This type of relationship with nature will always be a part of my life. Observing. Enjoying. Loving. Reflecting. But for 2010, I want to "up the anty" by adding a physical element. I have a few ideas in my head. Nothing new, though. Perhaps 2010 will be the year I find this missing detail.

In 2010, my story will include learning to fit into a new place; the Bell Canyon House. A house where my furniture does not fit and seems outdated.  Our daily functions are out of whack, dysfunctional,  and rough; the word "organization" rings loudly in my head. We have already added so much of ourselves to this new  house but it still does not have the "fit" that the Gold  Medal home had, after 9 years of living in it. It is my hope that within  2010 I will see the definition of our Bell Canyon house change to include the word... Home.

In 2010 my kids will  change. Especially Casi,  as she turns from 12 to 13; moving into the world of TEENAGER! Of course, I have been saying she was 13 for at least 6 months. I knew it was coming.  The signs have been there; flashing, Neon, and huge. I have been reading books with Casi. Trying to keep up with her hunger for books is difficult but rewarding. I noticed, that I often have a hard time bonding with the main character; usually female, rebellious, and teenager. Watching in print what I see in my home through a parents perspective can make it hard to relate. I think it hard because in my heart, I know 2010 will be the beginning of a long journey as she discovers her adult self and that for me, it may be a time fraught with moments of trying to hold on. I plan to fight these urges, dismiss any feelings of personal offense,  and hope, instead, to guide and support. I may joke that I will see her again in 2017.

There will be chapters, in my 2010 story, about Tanner.  As he learns new things and then shares them with us. Often to the point of annoyance. His exuberance can be exhausting. Yesterday, this showed in the form of whistling. He brags he "is the second person to learn in his whole class". I smile as I watch his new found talent float about him in nonsensical tunes, announcing his location like a bell on a cat, and driving poor Casi to slam doors. I look forward to being a part of these revelations. Enjoying his passions and energy and discoveries as they often come; in the form of loud obnoxious belching and dreams of making arm pit farts.

The last part of the 2010 story will include my Nate. I often overlook his part in my life. Our lives are so intertwined it is often hard to distinguish his part from mine. Nate has been with me so long it is hard to  imaging my story with out him.  He has played a vital part in who I am today and I look forward to the part he will play as we enter 2010.

Things I overheard: Casi

Having a teenager is hard. I mean really hard. I blame. Me. And my moms curses. I was a hard teenager too. At least that is what she tells me. For, I thought I was fine and she was the deviant. At least, that is what I thought back then. Today. I admit. I was a hard teenager.


So as a parent, on a day when you win a battle, with your teenager, you should celebrate. Because yes. There are winners and losers. And it is, WAR!  So you celebrate. Because, as the parent, you don't get to win. Often. At least this is my experience. Or, at least my perception. Since, I am certain Casi would say otherwise. And probably thinks I am a deviant.


 And it matters because, you want so badly to be successful. Your success being tied to their success. In life. At least that is what her psychiatrist will tell her. As he explains how I screwed up. For I know, I will. Or already have.


But, I have digressed from my true point in this ramble. So when you realize you have had this small victory. You should celebrate. And Today. I choose to celebrate by bragging. 


Me: "The next time you say a negative comment you have to follow it with two positive ones."


Casi: "THAT IS....! (long pause) I guess I will just stop talking."


I won! right? She is such a smart girl.

The world wakes

The day after Christmas, I got together with Ern who was visiting her parents in Logan. I was also, in Logan Richmond Idaho, whatever. The point being, we where only 30 min away from each other and decided to meet. Perhaps, we could scare up some bird life too. 

I left early in the morning, when all but one in the house were sleeping. As Quiet as I could, I stumbled into layers of gear. Expecting the worst from the weather. When I was finally dressed, I headed to the door passing my father-in-law on the way out. He gave me a look that seemed to say "you wont make it 10 minuets" or "you might be bit crazy"... or, perhaps, those were my own thoughts knowing December in Logan is very cold. I started my car and dreamed of coffee while it warmed up. My car registered the outside temperature at 4F. I hoped it would get warmer. It didn't. 

Ern and I meet at Sues ponds a half hour later. It was 0F. After documenting the temperature and noting the frost forming on my hair, we walked down the dirt road that splits the small preserve in half. The world was white with fog and the layers of frost and snow. It was incredibly beautiful. Serene. Tranquil. We invaded the silence, with the crunch of footsteps and quiet chatter. 

I longed to be quiescent with this sleeping world. My mind silenced by place; the bitterness of cold, the visual weight and depth created by fog, the purity of white, and the scarcity of life. A passive and frigid world of  ice, fierceness and peace, sleep and silence, exquisite artistry, and penetrating coldness. Soon the cold has its effect and we move on to a new location, Hoping our car heaters will warm us up before the next stop.

As we reach the next stop, at a small pond along a major road in Logan,  the sun starts to break the fog, turns the world a golden hue,  and initiates the awakening of the world around us. We start to see the subtle movement of feathered life at the back of a pond. Cars drove by. A muskrat slowly swims along the bank. 

We then went to the 20-20 ponds and Starbucks for a mid morning warmer before ending at a cemetery where we are entertained by Golden-crowned Kinglet's, many American Robins, a dog who barked enthusiastically, and a man who recognized our passion and then shared his mothers love for birds. The lowest temperature was -2F and the high was 4F. 

An easy and comfortable fit

Yesterday a friend (Beth) and I went birding at Antelope island. Beth normally resides in Omaha (A word I like to say out loud every chance I get) but she is in town for the holidays and a wedding. I felt lucky that I got to enjoy her company while she was in town.

Beth and I share a passion for Antelope Island, so when she comes into town we usually agree its the place we would like to go. Following our traditions, I picked her up at the 2600 exit in Bountiful after filling my cup with HOMEMADE CHAI (thats right Ern, its back!!!!). We then drive to the island. The car filled with our constant chatter as we describe our lives, what our kids are up to, what makes us happy and fulfilled. We can even talk politics and religion; her opinion although different than mine always compliments how I feel. I  think, Beth and I talk best when driving and I blame carpooling to the University of Utah for three years. Making it an easy and comfortable fit.

As expected, the Island was quite. A white fog filled the sky, meeting the white-coated earth at some undetectable point. We saw a few birds and a coyote as we drove in. Most notable though, was what we did not see; gulls.

As we entered the island, we opted to break tradition and go to the ranger station. Noting the gang of chuckars in the rocks just north of the ranger station and seeing a rock wren just before entering the building. Some things never change. We wandered the ranger station, noting new books on the shelfs, checking out the brine shrimp tank,  enjoying the local artists photographs that line the wall, and speaking to the ranger about any recent and fun bird sightings. We then headed to the Ranch.

On the drive, we saw a pair of flickers and an accipiter in a riparian area, a few bison grazed and horned larks flitted at the road side. The coolest thing we saw was a porcupine sitting in a tree. ( I did not take any pictures this trip.... so I drew a picture of what it looked like.) Cool huh!

This sighting got me thinking about porcupines and so I did a little research. The porcupine we saw was the North American Porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum. Described as a large rodent ( I would have added "pooky" before rodent.) that lies in Alaska, Canada, and much of the northern and western contiguous United states. It is also said to be common in Utah but this is the first time I have ever seen one. Another interesting thing I read is that "the quills usually lay flat against the body unless the porcupine suspects danger". As you can see in my wonderful drawing the quills in the porcupine, we saw, were raised. Which makes me wonder, were Beth and I in danger of being quilled?

After watching the porcupine do a whole lot of nothing, we drove on to the ranch. The ranch is a huge riparian area with a fresh water spring that attracts many song birds. At the spring we saw Spotted Towhees, Song Sparrows, and many American Goldfinch's who must have had social bath time; they were all wet and puffy and preening like mad. We also saw 5-6 Virgina rails wandering in the open spring.  Seeing so many rails in an open area, without fear of us watching them a short distance away (5 ft) is a bit odd. Rails, in general, are quite abundant but are rarely seen.

Overall the day was perfect and my only regret (if I need to have one) is not taking any photos. Course, sometimes its nice to enjoy the scenery without the pains of trying to capture it. Plus, not having a photo of the way cool porcupine allowed me to hone my Photoshop skills. YeeaaaH!

Happy New year; 2010!

To celebrate the new year, Nate, the kids, and I went downtown. Here is our night of celebration in bullet point form.

•  I took 150 terrible pictures. 
• Casi purchased and wore a pink, flashing, bunny ears.
• We witnessed a female snowboarder break... something. 
• Tanner found a balloon, gave it a name, and carried it around like a baby.
• Casi and I saw a concert and danced like we had no cares.
• Sadly, we never found the exhibit where the melting of 100,000 marshmallows was to take place. It would have been so cool!
• People twirled fire while we Ohh'd! and Ahh'd!
• We ate at Market Street. The kids had drinks bigger than their heads, Nate drank something pink, we ate very large shrimp, clam chowder, and seared Ahi. The kids enjoyed it all.
• Someone commented on how warm it was...three times.
• We went home at 10 pm, after finding out that planetarium was sold out and we were too cold to go on.
• The last hour was spent at home with hot chocolate, a fire, friends, and games.
• We went outside to vocalize our excitement for the new year and heard our neighbors.
• Tanner energetically banged a pot until the spatula broke.