May 2012

Last year I wrote about spring then never wrote again. Who knew a year would intervene between posts? Any changes? I'm a bit greyer, more wrinkledy and more accomplished. Accomplished? Yes! A few more French words added to my vocabulary, a few more quilts sewn and given, pages of drawings to show after learning Zentangle, trips to Oregon and Eastern Washington, imagined trips all over the globe, new recipes tested and mastered, our house painted blue to match our dreams, gardens enjoyed, walks taken and joy found. Hopefully there will be more updates soon. Photos perhaps and jokes? Perhaps. In the meantime greetings to my friends and family. Hugs to Davis and supporting hope for Joseph and family. You are in our hearts. More soon.

Spring is Coming

We drove off island yesterday and passed a field with grazing sheep. What a surprise to see brand new baby lambs!!! On our way home we stopped and took a few photos. The littlest ones were too far away to capture, but these are still pretty little and pretty cute! Spring is coming! Meg

The final final update Number what?

After mentioning the cat, I thought I should end with her. Love Meg

Update Number 6 is this finally it?

As you can see I'm doing well. I'm fortunate to have a job that lets me work with great people and includes lots of room for originality and creativity. ( I would still leave it all for my cat!) I have a great family and friends too. Somehow when I write more than this it sounds too schmaltzy to be true. But it is.

Of course there are days when I worry about the world, about some of the kids, about family and friends. There are days of illness and regrets, but those days go into my very private diary. Not on the internet!

So this is it. It's February tomorrow and I'm headed for my 60th. Think I'll finish this update with some pictures from home and the island. Even in winter this is a lovely place. (The last photo which probably shows up as the first is of daffodils from last spring. it's time for them very soon. Their heads have popped up through the earth and we are watching as they respond to the sun.

Thanks for you patience with my not writing and with my toomuch writing. Lets see if I can find a more regular rhythym now.

Take care and stay in touch.

Meg

Update Number 5

The next week-end I had a group of friends come for the evening. Poor Warren had to move out for the duration. He and a neighbor/friend consoled each other with dinner and a movie at Vince' home since his wife was with the girls.

It was great. Thanks to the great instruction by Sandee and help from the parts department I was able to make a Market Bag for each of my friends. This was actually a minor miracle.

Sandee and I had picked up the pattern for the bag nearly two years ago. She has made 25 or more of them over that time. But now, I'm catching up.

My friends began arriving at 5:00. I finished the seventh bag at 4:45. Sweet Warren watched the door while I jumped in the shower. Then I slipped each bag one at a time onto my lap as we visited, because they still needed a button each. Then later I was able to give everyone a gift. It was perfect. The party was an early 60th celebration for me and I love the thought of giving gifts on your birthday not just receiving. These women make my life deeper and rooted and fun. Hooray. We all laughed and enjoyed the time. Thanks everyone!

Update Number 4

The holidays came and went quietly. Mom was with Sandee for Thanksgiving and the rest of us were scattered to in-laws and friends. Christmas was full of goodies and talk. Some games, but not quite as many as usual, we all seemed to enjoy talking and catching up a bit more. The babies are toddlers now and they caused us all to smile and remember Christmas magic.

Just after Christmas and only two weeks ago I got to take a second holiday and went to see Sandee. We spent the MLK week-end sewing at a quilting retreat. Her friends are funny and talented and generously warm-hearted. I would have gone for the giggles alone. Sandee and I doubled up in a bed and reminisced about our shared room growing up.

The spot was in a beautifully woodsy area along the Rogue River (I think it was the Rogue). We could walk along the river during breaks and smell the piney scent. Most of the time though it was sewing!!! They brought a ton of fabric and quilting projects and accomplished an amazing amount of work. The quilts were beautiful adn I learned a lot from the ladies. Sandee helped me learn to do machine quilting and I started a big project myself. Market bags for a group of friends I was going to see the next week. I put one together there and made parts for several more. Sandee and Nancy were contributors to the "parts department" and made it possible for me to carry off my plans. See the next update.

Quilting is a rich hobby. Full of color and creativity and the generosity and laughter of friends...women who love to give. Thanks ladies!!!!

Update Number 3

Friends have enriched my year beyond description. I'm lucky to have people in my life whom I've known since I was 8 or 9. One of them is a gal named Rodie. We reconnected at our annual Zanika reunion and have made an effort to stay in touch this time. It's been great.

She was recently elected to be President of her quilting group and was very involved in their annual quilt show. This was in October. I spent part of the week-end with her. What fun! We talked all night then looked at quilts the next day. Two of my sisters-in-law came to the show as well, so there was time for friends and family.We laughed liked crazy, ooohed and ahhhhed over the quilts then had to go. What a great memory. Rodie made it up a week ago for another friends week-end.That will be in another update. Do you like the applique? I thought the flowers and owls were cute.

Update Number 2

In November & December a friend and I took a baking class. What fun! Every Tuesday for several weeks we scurried away from school and hopped a ferry to Port Townsend. The days were still longer and we enjoyed the views as we crossed to the Olympic Penninsula.

Because of the timing of the ferries we usually had about 45 minutes before our class started and that meant a quick dinner. Did you know there is one of the best pizza places ever in Port Townsend? It sells pizza by the slice. We loved it so much the first day, that we kept going back. OMG the pizza routine was a must..Original combinations, rich flavors and lots of vegetarian options which we both liked. Then we giggled our way to class. The class ended at 8:30 but that's when the ferry left, so we tip toed out a bit early each week. Darn! We missed the tasting time!!!!

That's OK though, because we've been baking up our own treats since then and have lots of tasting at home. We learned to make fabulous cinnamon rolls, ganache and chocolatte mousse, Christmas cookies and a variety of cakes. It was a huge success. I learned to use my mixer better and why the parts of recipes I always skipped were actually important.

Come by some time and I'll bake you a sample!!!

January and earlier

September meant the beginning of the school year and apparently a lost ability on my part to type and communicate. Half of the school calendar has gone by and the first month of 2012 is ending today. WOW. Are you ready for an update? Let's see if I can manage one.

School is going fine. I'd much rather be home retired with my books and my cat (and Warren), but that having been said...I'm having a good year. My kiddos are learning and they are just quirky enough to be a lot of fun! My new colleagues are very nice and so hard working. If people only knew how much teachers do for their kids they would be amazed. And my room (as you saw) is fabulous. Sunlight and views. We had snow all day long in December and it was unbelievably wonderful. All 25 kids pulled up a chair to one of the windows and watched. They were lost in joy.

End of September part 2

The third week-end of September brings my Zanika reunion. It was terrific.

Left right after school and drove into the Cascade mountains. Made to one of my alternate homes, Camp Zanika. For the last five miles I drove with the windows wide open (despite a light rain) and took in the smell of pine trees, a lighter drier eastern washington air, and views of the lake.

Parked and headed for the second lodge (the dining hall) and was greeted with more hugs and laughter than many people see in a year. The room was full of women I've known since I was a kid. We've grown up together and are growing older together. What a rich reality. The week-end was full of stories, and family tales. Reports on fundraisers, the current camp and camp fire,the general health of our group and each other. Food, song, laughter, hikes, kayaks, guitars, crafts, more food and more laughter. An all around success.

This year I made the camp quilt. It will be raffled next fall. I"m including a photo. You saw its bits and pieces in earlier blogs. It turned out well and will hopefully generate a bit of money for our next project: remodeling and updating the camp kitchen.

Enjoy the photo. Camp is such a great place. Meg

End of September

It's been just over three weeks since my last blog and so much has happened. It's amazing how much life can pack itself into a day!

School started and I've met my kiddos. What a great group. The room looked good when I stood with my boxes and bags and looked around. It looked happy once it was unpacked and welcome signs were hung. But it looks positively exciting filled with fourth graders. Each is eager to learn in his or her own way. Some plunge right in, others are more cautious, not wanting to repeat unsettling experiences from the past. So far, we've managed to cover a lot of territory and generate a ton of smiles as well.

Having walls and a door makes such a HUGE difference. When I read aloud I can add sound effects and change voices. When they laugh out loud it is OK. When we work in groups a comfortable buzz is actually comfortable. Last year it was an open space class and we had to constantly whisper and shush because of the other 5 classes in the same space!

Much more joy will be had this year! Meg

September

We are safely home and have been for just over two weeks now. The days have zipped past as only time can.

Our trip was such fun! We collected memories to keep us cozy over many wintry days.
I'll update the blog with a few of the better photos we took soon.

We've spent some time with family and friends since getting back. And we took out the kayaks. Paddling across the water and enjoying the gorgeous sights and wildlife near Deception Pass is an amazing experience.

The other activity that has gobbled up time is school. I've changed locations again and came home to see that my boxes of materials had been moved. It has taken many days to open all of the boxes and find a place for everything. Classroom library books, paper supplies, decorations and items for bulletin boards, files, a professional library, etc...all needed to be set up and ready for use. Tomorrow I'll hook up the computers, printers, and electronic equipment. Then I'll think about activities for the first days. Lots is done and more remains.

My new room is quite large and very sunny. Have a look at the picture or better yet, come for a visit.

Love, Meg

London

Have enjoyed our time in London. The entire world in a few city blocks. Once you've reviewed a bit of history you look at these buildings and monuments with completely new eyes. Amazing. Not only the current world but the past as well.

We've been to Avebury and walked the circumference of a stone circle, walked along roman roads and under roman arches, seen signs of Queen Victoria, Napoleon,and even Ben Franklin. We've watched a memorial to the dead of many wars and read about the current ones including new and strong protests. Fashion alive and very dead. Food to be remembered and food to leave ulcers in its tracks!

To the prime meridian and back again. An amazing time and now we've run out. Less than 24 hours to home. See you all soon. Bringing hugs and smiles and stories and songs.

Love, meg

Still in Love

Unlike any other trip I've ever taken, I was a bit homesick as this one began. I think that's good actually. It means I've put down roots and home is truly home. Good friends, a satisfying job and family not too far away.

That having been said, I forgot everything as I stood on the edge of the sea for a week in Boscastle. The raw power and beauty of the ocean flows through my body when I'm there and there is room for nothing else. Pure joy.

We did have some sun and when swimming up the road in Crackington Haven. The waves pounded us and we laughed out loud. Most were in wet suits and on surf or boogie boards. Warren and I just went in. We both love the sea and in we went. Big cresting waves to wash over us, high swells to dive into, splash and jump and swim and tumble. Sea and salt and sun. It was fabulous.

We ended our stay in Boscastle with two unbelievable nights with the locals.Our landlord told us about the snug up the hill where a group of locals meet to sing once a week. We went and were invited to join in . It was like an "evening fire" at Zanika, just in Cornwall. The next night was instruments and singers alike. We met some truly lovely people and I suspect we'll return again. There's more, but I'll save it for another entry.

We're in London now. Headed for the Thames and a play sometime tonight. More soon. In a few days we'll be home to enjoy each of you in person.

Love you. Meg

Pictures from Boscastle

Having a really great time! Just thought I'd add a few photos today. Meg

In Love

Twenty-four years ago Warren and I went on a whirlwind tour of England and Scotland. I stood on the edge of a cliff looking down at pounding waves, listening to the roar and feeling the power of wind and water and promised myself I would somehow return. We came again in 2002 and now we have a full week. I am in heaven.

WE are in Boscastle on the Cornish Coast. The cliffs are dramatic in black slate, angled from earthquakes and worn from the wind. The waves are still crashing and they still take my breath away.

Nestled in the valley a bit behind is a dozy village. Whitewashed walls, everything bent and worn with age. Lovely. Scones and tea are the food of the gods. Now we just need a tad bit of sun and I'll jump into the harbor and swim to my hearts content.

We are having a grand time!! Wish you were all here to enjoy it with us.

LOVE Meg

Oxford

We're in Oxford now. OMG it is so impressive. I felt obligated to buy half a dozen books and carry them around so we wouldn't look like the hundreds (make that thousands) of other tourists. Once we tore our eyes away from the matching backpacks and screaming t-shirts we looked up to see gargoyles that make you laugh, not scream. ancient and lovely architectural details. lazy fields with cows, punts on the river, blooming roses and every window and inch of garden in bloom. it's really nice. the colleges with their dignified quads, the libraries, the dates on building going back hundreds of years. it's really great.

And now we're off to explore some more. enjoy your summers. we are. love meg

Germany in July

We are in southern Germany now in a woderful town called Tubingen. Yesterday we drove a bit further to Maulbron. There is an ancient cloister there. When you enter the walls you find a small village where the sequestered nuns or brothers once lived. We took a tour of the cloister and were hugely impressed by the medieval art. When I studied Germanistik one of my specialisations was the literature of this period. It was moving to see the art work and glimpses of life from this time. I really loved it. Later we barbecued with friends and laughed into the evening.

We are having an extra special time. It will be hard to leave this town and our friends, but of course England will be great too. MOre later.

Love, Meg