Culture

You want a list of how stereotypically Oregonian I am?
1. I'm a democrat
2. I drive a VW...second only to a Subaru Outback
3. I am a foodie
4. I have a Mac
5. I have chickens in my backyard
6. I read lots of books and go to Powell's
7. I shop locally and sustainably
8. I am becoming a tech junkie
9. I am relaxed in style and actually own real Birkenstocks (only suburban mothers wear heels to school functions...and yes I have done it...but really, anyone else own a pair of comfortable Dansko's).
10.  I grow a garden

Any others you can think of?  Well I took my little boys on an adventure the other day to Downtown.  When I was a wee lad...ok when I was 14, I used to go downtown alot and I mean alot!  Mass transportation was my friend.  I guess that makes me pretty independent and brave for all you suburbanites out there.  And don't start yelling that its worse now...it's the same.  I saw people peeing in the streets when I was 14...and heaven forbid, I even "cruised" Broadway with friends for fun.  Man, I was such a rebel.  I had no fear.  I guess I still don't because I am thinking I really need to expose my kids to the city a bit more.  Forget the zoo and Safari Sams.  China town is cool.  Bums are an education.  Food carts rock.  Punkers are fun to look at.  And Anderson thinks the Portland Streetcar is pretty awesome!  Maybe this Saturday, I take my brood on a little trip into the city so they can grow to love Portland as much as I do.  Who thinks I'm nuts?!

The Way to Christlike Love...

This is one amazingly powerful talk that is so poignant for many of us.  The Way to Christlike Love.  It's message is so immense I think I should just read it verbatim for my talk tomorrow.... I truly have had 3 talks and then this one just blew it all out of the water....

The Break That Wasn't

I just had to put this up, because I know some of you own the "Keep Calm and Carry On" version of this artwork.  Instead of throw stuff, it should have said throw up stuff.   Really, who gets the stomach flu when it's gorgeous and green?  Me, that's who.

Don't mind me.  I'll yell a little in my pillow and then get over it.  Seems to me, that I do better when I don't have much free time.  I actually get more accomplished and my ADD doesn't dominate.   My breaks become chaos.  So here's to 14 credits, doing a few side design jobs, babysitting, being a fabulous wife and mother, another secret endeavor that shall remain that way so I don't jinx myself, finishing my kids bedrooms, giving a talk, doing my calling, and gardening for the next few weeks.  Sounds like fun huh?

Blogging

Did you know that when you die, people will hang on your every word, no matter how mundane it may seem to you?  Last night, Madeline attended a fireside for Trek.  The speaker was telling the kids about his great great grandfather who died in the Martin Handcart Company rescue.  Something inside me perked up when I overheard him saying that first sentence.

I'll admit, I've been in a blogging rut because I'm not doing anything noteworthy or picture perfect at the moment.  Just going about my day to day life trying to get it right.  I do find that I can't be as honest out in the blogging world as I am on paper that can be hidden away for no one else to see.  But it's true, I hang on every word I find about my ancestors.  Part of me feels so connected to them.  When I found out that one of my great greats was a Free Methodist minister, and this same man has this tremor I get in my left hand sometimes, I felt connected.  I am who I am because of him.  I am who I am because of my Great grandfather who built bridges along the coast.  I am who I am because of my Great Grandfather who died at the age of 30 who was an alcoholic.  I am who I am because of my Great Grandmother who raised 9 kids or my ancestor who buried 8 of her children in a small pox epidemic.

Something so poignant that Brother Madsen said was that it didn't matter that our relatives were pioneers, it only mattered that they were ours.  We all have a history and it's so important to continue that history.  I for one, was moved to action.  Because it's not about me.  It's about a future time with people that are related to me.  They will laugh at my bra blog and be fascinated by what I cooked.  I can see it now, 100 years later, some future great great granddaughter will be trying to get her hands on fresh blackberries that are a weed to us, to make lemonade cupcakes with blackberry buttercream...

My Rain

Deliver me from it.

Running from it.

Endless sound of it.

Mess of it.

Sick of it....

Letting it finally sink in.

Drinking it.

Absorbing it.

Purified by it.

Rejoicing in it.