tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15819644873392486182024-03-18T21:09:40.754-07:00Sydney's Life in CorvallisSydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-43554369691101284192012-04-08T09:59:00.001-07:002012-04-08T10:01:35.559-07:00Sodaville!I recently had a wonderful time visiting band mom Linda McMahon, in her new place in Sodaville, which is just outside of Lebanon, OR. She has moved in with her friend Tim, who has property which is partly landscaped, part forest, and part farm. Here they are.<br />
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I wasn't sure what it would look like, but it was more developed with artistic landscaping than I expected. Fountain by the front door.<br />
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Landscaped patch in the back, with cool wood 'mushroom'.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course Linda would have pots on the front deck.</div><br />
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They made a wonderful dinner.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It happened to be my birthday the day we visited, and Linda made this beautiful tart.</div><br />
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In summary - we had a great time being with Linda and Tim, and seeing the new place.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-18403181102075564552012-04-07T20:57:00.000-07:002012-04-07T20:57:14.074-07:00Holroyd FarmI recently had a lot of fun visiting Gary's daughter Tenille's in-laws, Jerry and Joyce Holroyd. Their farm property was first owned by Jerry's grandparents, purchased in 1920, and he grew up on it. Tenille and her husband Byron also built their house there, which I think is great, as they all help each other. Joyce and Jerry help with babysitting their grandchildren. Tenille and Byron and help with things like rounding up cows if there is a break in the fencing.<br />
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I asked to visit Joyce, because she enjoys gardening and told me she has a greenhouse. I wanted to see her greenhouse and see what plants she is cultivating. I ended up enjoying the whole property. Here is where we started, with the greenhouse.<br />
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I was also interested in the pump house with historic sign on it.<br />
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This is where the water used to be stored.<br />
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The outhouse has been converted to a tool shed, Joyce did decorative painting on the outside, and you'll see Jerry's tidy organization inside.<br />
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I just had to take a photo of this tree which looks like it has taken a bite of a pipe:<br />
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I loved the idea of a special cooking/canning house which was used in the summer so as not to heat up the main house. I also loved seeing the chicken house.<br />
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They still raise cattle, and grow many fruits, berries and nuts. Byron enjoys the memory of drying the nuts - cook house warmed by wood fire and the scent of the nuts. Rural, yet they aren't far from town. It seems to me a wonderful way of life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshQyEwcmmRMeMZk_BiyPgxFzUoe5ovnKS7a9TSoYoifz0NzKw-gLWDHSlP8kJFbGoCSlPLc__V8N82cdesIOGbHghnAi_8CEWZBoNXPHyhszAJwXpWOe2r_hg4X-d2R9YiTYp-VT2ylwL/s1600/h09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshQyEwcmmRMeMZk_BiyPgxFzUoe5ovnKS7a9TSoYoifz0NzKw-gLWDHSlP8kJFbGoCSlPLc__V8N82cdesIOGbHghnAi_8CEWZBoNXPHyhszAJwXpWOe2r_hg4X-d2R9YiTYp-VT2ylwL/s320/h09.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-2243270633253064312011-11-23T17:37:00.000-08:002011-11-23T17:37:22.164-08:00Bollywood video from Nia classI love my nia class led by Leela Devi at Timberhill Athletic Club. By her choreography and leadship, she can make us feel like Irish dancers or Broadway dancers, or any of a variety of styles. I especially loved a Bollywood number, and loved that she videotaped us dancing it. So here it is.<br />
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<a href="http://www.leeladevi.com/2011/11/song-from-bollywood-routine/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0068cf;">http://www.leeladevi.com/2011/11/song-from-bollywood-routine/</span></a> Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-29606984977584389122011-11-23T16:25:00.000-08:002011-11-23T16:25:18.265-08:00HarvestGary did most of the work on the garden, but he gave me responsibility for the plants he doesn't usually plant that I wanted, beets and carrots. And a raised bed that we filled with marigolds. Also I put in and took care of a whole bed of azaleas, peonies, and nasturtiums after we took out an invasive plant which had taken over the bed.<br />
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Here is the vegetable garden.<br />
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I would like to list the things we harvested and preserved. Gary made jam, from tayberries in his garden, as well as blackberries that we picked. There are as many berries as anyone could pick on land near the dump, owned by the dump. I discovered I like blackberries even more than blueberries in my smoothies, so I picked enthusiasticly and we froze as many as we could.<br />
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We had a good onion harvest. We let them dry and then bagged them up.<br />
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Gary made pickled green beans and pickled beets. I helped a little.<br />
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We got some nice pumpkins, and squash.<br />
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</div>Peppers, the excess of which we froze.<br />
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</div>Lots of apples - for applesauce and we also dried some.<br />
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Wild plums, which Gary is making into cordial. The little ones are wild, bigger is from his tree.<br />
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The biggest crop was tomatoes. We had bucket after bucket after bucket after bucket of them. We gave quite a few away, but still had many. At first Gary and I worked together to freeze them. He like to blanch and peel them, then freeze whole. Then he went on a trip, and I needed to do something with the many more we had. I made the rest into soup or sauce and froze. It really was incredible how productive his 35 plants were, kept us very busy. It will be well worth it in the winter to have so many tomatoes for soups, sauces, chili, whatever we're cooking.<br />
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Gary made jalapeno jelly. We coughed for several hours after he chopped them up in the blender - amazing how something from them can permeate the air.<br />
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We had quite a few eggplants, and I experimented with slicing, salting, patting dry, and freezing. We'll see how that goes. We also had basil, and Gary made and froze pesto. And we had a good harvest of green beans - blanched and frozen. Gary did get a second freezer because we're purchasing beef from a neighbor. <br />
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Planting the garden, harvesting, and preserving is Gary's favorite thing to do, next to bowling. I really enjoyed it, too.<br />
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Here is my nasturtium bed, which maybe counts since nasturtiums are edible?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dNaUjnQXkLdGTah8YDQ6YrWb6uUENcd5JFbDiMFNm2_1qllzJjKUiLhtsEHVDAV6-e1eDi4Gz2sMc9awSlNYM5TcFQsrh4ctJx9ZB53chW-0MB_ziZkpQDKqjKOyrOGeDL2ZxJ3w4o5R/s1600/nasturtiumbed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="239px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dNaUjnQXkLdGTah8YDQ6YrWb6uUENcd5JFbDiMFNm2_1qllzJjKUiLhtsEHVDAV6-e1eDi4Gz2sMc9awSlNYM5TcFQsrh4ctJx9ZB53chW-0MB_ziZkpQDKqjKOyrOGeDL2ZxJ3w4o5R/s320/nasturtiumbed.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-83789760233803470602011-11-23T15:48:00.000-08:002011-11-23T15:48:08.673-08:00FriendsI really appreciate that old friends have visited me here, and I have also made some new friends. I have made friends at work, at my exercise classes, and at least one that I met through Gary. It is fun that many are from different countries. Maria, from Chile invited those at a zumba class to her house, so that was the start of some friendships. Left to right it is Maria, Vesna from Croatia, Leela our teacher, Fran from Iran, and me.<br />
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Vesna invited friends for lunch. Again Maria, Vesna, Burke from Australia, Amanda, me, Caroline from Switzerland, and Leela.<br />
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I had a gathering at my house. This is before Ligaya (nurse friend from work) and Sue (met through Gary got there. The group from left is Irena (new friend met through Vesna), Carolina, Consuelo (old friend), Karla (college friend), Maria, Linda (band mom from Nick's award winning high school jazz band), Ann (neighbor) and Vesna.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sue, Karla, me, Linda</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Consuelo and Ligaya</div><br />
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Ligaya, Vesna and I want to get together on a somewhat regular basis to exercise and support each other in other healthy pursuits like discussing nutrition. We'll be inviting others to join us. Here is Ligaya at Imagine Coffee, which is a great place. And Vesna and I went on a hike to the top of Chip Ross park on a rainy windy day. We felt so good about the exercise.<br />
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She told me about the book "Younger Next Year" that she and Tony have learned from. The idea is to stay in the shape that you are from age 50 on through your 80's, or even to recover being in better shape than when you start. I have read it and am now working more on my fitness. One ray of hope - Sheryl Van Fleet who wrote "The Recumbent and the Upright" said that long rides on her recumbent bike fixed her knee problems. So maybe I'll be able to do more than I thought.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-17416697670896538602011-11-23T11:38:00.000-08:002011-11-23T11:54:09.345-08:00Mennonite VillageIn September we moved our 91 year old mother to Mennonite Village, in Albany. We will not sell or even clear out her house until she is ready. Of course it wasn't easy for her to give up on the idea of living in her own home, but she has had some falls that caused her doctor to say that she cannot live by herself. <br />
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We chose this facility based on recommendations of people who are familiar with facilities in this area. Our mother is in assisted living, but they also have independent living, rehab, and long term care. It feels good to know that whatever her needs they will be able to care for her. I keep telling her to be grateful that she isn't in long term care, her quality of life is good with attractive facility, a room to herself, a kitchenette, carpeted floor, fun activities, good food, etc.<br />
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Debbie and I both live about a half hour away. For Pam it is closer to 2 hours. So she visits just once a week, for a longer visit. Debbie and I have been going 2 or 3 times a week. Of course there have been a few wrinkles to iron out, but we are overall impressed with the staff. The woman in charge of activities is especially wonderful, she has worked hard to include our mother in all activities including exercise, music performances, wii games, etc. For Halloween they brought out a number of hats for residents to have fun with. Mother picked out a fun Christian Dior hat.<br />
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Another particularly wonderful aide seems to enjoy styling her long hair. Our mother insisted we get a purple hair extension for her, as she saw one on an aide at the hospital. We did, and the Mennonite Village aide will weave it in with her braid, making her look artistic. She has also brought in, at her own expense, styling gel and clips to do up her hair.<br />
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We have been getting to know some of the other residents, and are starting to feel like we're part of the Mennonite Village family. I am already fond of a number of the others. Mother sits with different people at each meal, and there is usually some interesting conversation. Our mother is frequently the one that gets conversations going.<br />
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I am so grateful that I have my sisters, it is great to share looking out for her amongst the 3 of us. And grateful we always come to agreement on any issues relating to our mother.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-75543622415441941362011-11-23T11:10:00.000-08:002011-11-23T21:39:39.312-08:00Fourth of July partyGary has an annual fourth of July party. I arranged for a group Nick plays with, "Rocket Stove Workshop" to perform, which added to the fun. The music was a funky New Orleans style. We barbequed, and everyone brought side dishes for a fabulous spread. Activities included croquet, kicking soccer ball around, and putting on the golf green.<br />
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I was so happy that friends of my own came. Vesna and Burke and their families, who I met at exercise classes. Becky and Ligaya and their families, from work. Consuelo and Tom, old friends, came from Salem. Dan and Diana Breen, plus Jill Hibbs drove down from Tigard. My sisters came, which made me really happy. And new-old friends Bryon and Sheryl Van Fleet who recently moved to Corvallis. It was great.<br />
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The most patriotic dishes brought were by two who are not native to the USA. Burke, from Australia, brought a scrumptious red, white and blue trifle. Vesna, originally from Croatia, brought a huge platter of strawberries dipped in white chocolate with blue sprinkles on them. I pretty much ate those instead of anything else.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We three sisters in our dad's hats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-22014519301925855412011-11-23T10:17:00.000-08:002011-11-23T10:17:47.966-08:00Da Vinci Days<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rTyfw4KEJKX7LDeIlYbw2Ztw1rInIRtyO7NTvCqptajGeBr72Qqu_2SJqJLUAKGyHxuY06D51ia-5AjmqOJjwcYH-kL9mXN3XAN2hiRDog7-0xvLhX-MMtEkRxbrZc0bzlmjNYoUzj4o/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rTyfw4KEJKX7LDeIlYbw2Ztw1rInIRtyO7NTvCqptajGeBr72Qqu_2SJqJLUAKGyHxuY06D51ia-5AjmqOJjwcYH-kL9mXN3XAN2hiRDog7-0xvLhX-MMtEkRxbrZc0bzlmjNYoUzj4o/s320/photo5.JPG" width="239px" /></a>For me, the most exciting days in Corvallis are "Da Vinci Days", a festival of science, technology, arts, and revelry. It is always the 3rd weekend in July, and draws thousands of people. There is a contest for human powered vehicles, and they compete on sand, mud and in water. It is just amazing to see the vehicles people come up with, and they are all clever and decorative.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>There is a community arts display, and the theme last year was connection. Again, clever and fun.<br />
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One place I spent a lot of time was Greentown - a place with from many ecological organizations. I learned so much! I had no idea there were so many non profits as well as government agencies doing interesting work related to the environment.<br />
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There were also music concerts, and I loved seeing Bobby McFerrin and the Yellowjackets. Really great straight ahead jazz that did my heart a lot of good.<br />
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I will include a number of my photos.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cIrK3zI-xHaUjgzJUNpAZ3QadFikwrDxmobAU2dBQiOPvB_rYtwoUurLAurJ77OK2QHUQvX5aw4EHmfe8eHBcCxK1L-qjOaWIq1R0IWY3FkzNqd3ce2ZcomGGPKyf8P0eMpC-mgjLF2O/s1600/photo22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="239px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cIrK3zI-xHaUjgzJUNpAZ3QadFikwrDxmobAU2dBQiOPvB_rYtwoUurLAurJ77OK2QHUQvX5aw4EHmfe8eHBcCxK1L-qjOaWIq1R0IWY3FkzNqd3ce2ZcomGGPKyf8P0eMpC-mgjLF2O/s320/photo22.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-72897387962966934022011-08-16T21:50:00.000-07:002011-08-17T14:34:26.989-07:00Combine RideI was busy in the kitchen, cooking carrots that I had grown with butter and basil, also from the garden. Gary walked in and said "I made arrangements for you to ride on a combine." I can't say I was happy about this - he made arrangements for me to do something I hadn't thought about wanting to do. But he knows I'm interested in all that goes on around her, so he was right to think I'd be interested in the combine. There was work being done on the field behind his property, I was just a little wary about who the people might be running the machines, whether I was really welcome, and the unknown of what it would be like.<br />
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It helped that the driver and maintainer of the combine was a 20 year old girl, named Mercedes. I liked her right away, so I knew it would be ok. I am impressed that she has been doing this for 5 years, and she services her own machine, owned by the people who own the crop (but not the land). Here she is:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FmNZ_A8sDML4hIBMCWe1G_WN98Ag1Yky_sFJhoZ90Hhq2uzBhU9ww7enD5atD9B_LSH9UBGXyLjG9vL6bYGDJCPZ3XF_YQG9dGWl27eX6-yuoOA_wa6cjKxQNcIUouOvaZsHRkWg3LZC/s1600/combine2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FmNZ_A8sDML4hIBMCWe1G_WN98Ag1Yky_sFJhoZ90Hhq2uzBhU9ww7enD5atD9B_LSH9UBGXyLjG9vL6bYGDJCPZ3XF_YQG9dGWl27eX6-yuoOA_wa6cjKxQNcIUouOvaZsHRkWg3LZC/s320/combine2.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
It turned out to be quite comfortable. The cab was clean, enclosed, and air conditioned. She said it was like driving a big house around. Not unlike a car, you go forward, backward, turn, etc. Hers goes 3.5 mph which is faster than another one that was on the field.<br />
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Mercedes described the process for me. First the field is cut. Then a machine called a "swather" comes through and rakes it into rows - hence the expression "cutting a wide swath". Her machine drives over the row, and pulls it up and separates the seed from the straw. So it seems misnamed to me - it isn't combining anything, but rather separating. The seeds go into the hopper in the combine, and straw is left on the ground. When the hopper is full she dumps it into the truck sitting there for that purpose.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSDR_NRGn8S6y847Lt2OrruyxZHL87TXETHpDhUFT3SdyyWj1JD1skSbi_EEfibQSolPL2XBBvfGgdZuahSE5eGXoGa14BKk0S5xob901YPdr1H3VpYZx0w6Kpb6ZEjnKx1Vx9TpSsWrI/s1600/combine1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSDR_NRGn8S6y847Lt2OrruyxZHL87TXETHpDhUFT3SdyyWj1JD1skSbi_EEfibQSolPL2XBBvfGgdZuahSE5eGXoGa14BKk0S5xob901YPdr1H3VpYZx0w6Kpb6ZEjnKx1Vx9TpSsWrI/s320/combine1.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
This field was harvesting rye seeds. She said more lucrative crops are "meadowfoam" which has seeds that are used in cosmetics. They contain an oil which stays on the skin better than some other oils. The plant looks soft from a distance, hence the name, but she said it isn't really soft. Another more lucrative product is "oilseed radish" which creates a cover crop that restores soil. She said there is a big market for it in Central America.<br />
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She told me that after her work is done, the straw is either plowed back into the soil, or it is baled up for other purposes. <br />
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I had a lot of fun asking her questions and hearing about what is ahead for her. Her husband is in the military and they are heading for Korea soon.<br />
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Thanks to Gary for making this possible for me.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-20428127377196276462011-07-13T15:48:00.000-07:002011-07-13T15:52:21.926-07:00Cherry PickingI have never been excited about radishes, so I won't count them as the first thing we harvested this summer. But I couldn't help but be excited about the tree beautifully adorned with pie cherries. We picked a bit more than 4 quarts yesterday, pitted them, and put them in freezer bags to save for pies for later.<br />
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Gary had told me that he would not be getting on the ladder to pick cherries, that I could do that. He said his doctor told him not to get on a ladder again, as he had had a fall a few years back and injured himself. I was curious whether the reason was the unsteadiness of being on a ladder, or whether it had to do with physical condition, so I asked him what the doctor said about it. He said "The doctor said it is stupid for anyone over 60 to get on a ladder." I could see as he was saying it that he was realizing he was telling me I should do something the doctor said would be stupid, as I am 62 years old. So - he didn't want to injure himself but it was OK for me to take a chance? I hope it was because he perceived that I am in good physical condition and less likely to lose my balance, rather than he cared more about hurting himself than me hurting myself. Ha, ha.<br />
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Anyway, we did pick cherries and it will be fun to make pies with them later. For now I just love looking at them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ssf2nFBNBhhmjneVDL_rfajUicCAnyglZrVVeRfU_amGxv-CFomDSVBVZ35FFJUwCoQ1TvG5mQlLm_JckqHOH6PJJDd53qmPlBLwXAdh8xlmg5e8l7VwV6zQ7oIsOsugc-_llBKjQ-4Z/s1600/cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ssf2nFBNBhhmjneVDL_rfajUicCAnyglZrVVeRfU_amGxv-CFomDSVBVZ35FFJUwCoQ1TvG5mQlLm_JckqHOH6PJJDd53qmPlBLwXAdh8xlmg5e8l7VwV6zQ7oIsOsugc-_llBKjQ-4Z/s320/cherries.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-56591279432233799442011-07-04T08:42:00.000-07:002011-07-04T08:45:46.587-07:00The Drama of HayI first had a clue about the drama of hay, talking with my friend nurse Sandy at the Benedictine Nursing Center. She has 5 horses. She told me there is a short window where hay is available at a reasonable price, and she has to be on her toes with phone available at all times, to arrange for hay for the winter for her animals, or she'll lose it to someone else. If you don't get hay during this period it would be prohibitively expensive later.<br />
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Now I have seen the other side. Gary has 10 acres, and he grows hay on 7 of it. The biggest part of the drama is weather during the haying season. "Make hay while the sun shines" is no joke. If it rains during the process, you can lose the whole crop.<br />
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Here is how it goes. First the hay is cut. It needs to dry out a bit, so it sits for a couple of days, then it needs to be turned. A tractor with a particular implement turns the hay. Then a couple of days later, the tractor combines each two rows into one, making fewer passes for the baler. Next, the baler comes, and it is an amazing thing to watch - it travels along, taking in hay, and turn out bales from it's back end. You can't help but think of it as eating up the hay and passing it like, well, you know.<br />
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Gary was on pins and needles yesterday during the baling. His friend Fran wants 350 bales and the rest will go to neighbor Harold who has 10 horses. Gary and Kelly combine their crops for this sale. Kelly doesn't have as many acres in hay, because part of his is planted in evergreen trees that sometime after his lifetime would be harvested.<br />
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Gary normally would have about 435 bales, but this year because of weather only had 335. His expenses are rising, with fuel and fertilizer, so price needs to go up. Last year he charged $120/bale. This year to break even he would have to charge $130/bale or to make a little profit (very little, for all the trouble), he would need to charge $140/bale.<br />
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The next really important step is for the hay to get moved and under shelter, to protect from weather. If the customer does this, Gary can charge less than if he had to get his work done and figure out where to put it. At this moment the bales are sitting in the field waiting to get picked up. Next bit of drama, will Fran and Harold accept the higher price? If not, how to find other customers?<br />
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It is a sketchy business, because Gary needs someone else to do the tractor and baling work. It is hard to find people willing to come work on a small 7 acre operation. His friend Dennis does it, just because he is a friend. His wife, the lovely Geri Ann, is the one who provides eggs for us from her chickens. I am impressed with what a community there is here, how connected everyone is and must be.<br />
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Here are photos:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR_NgQdbmiJpTslYOaXEQl8JZM_znP_929M1bb8Ppm3Sru45Dml9mBxSIjy9Pa61QBEjyaVMsArG_aEchfypK_CxMxH5tOVLaKUSm29JT9KRH3JTHo2WamG2EJhiYMuOFPP5QAx7Vf1eW/s1600/hay0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR_NgQdbmiJpTslYOaXEQl8JZM_znP_929M1bb8Ppm3Sru45Dml9mBxSIjy9Pa61QBEjyaVMsArG_aEchfypK_CxMxH5tOVLaKUSm29JT9KRH3JTHo2WamG2EJhiYMuOFPP5QAx7Vf1eW/s320/hay0.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpCwLWcVwh2xVGmrSB6PhkymtbDk_BDeRP485OkIwF1o3clA5g7JOMm995C8UIQk_qwClkcO3BC8tDpNzxYVXzqjCSnw4ER25goYyXIklmAm8ZO90X4xAkFEcRe0Ttol2Flk71QhYQ-0B/s1600/hay6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpCwLWcVwh2xVGmrSB6PhkymtbDk_BDeRP485OkIwF1o3clA5g7JOMm995C8UIQk_qwClkcO3BC8tDpNzxYVXzqjCSnw4ER25goYyXIklmAm8ZO90X4xAkFEcRe0Ttol2Flk71QhYQ-0B/s320/hay6.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-48586284539048641252011-06-29T13:29:00.000-07:002011-06-29T13:31:30.082-07:00Forest Walk to Old StubbyOne of the best things I have done in Corvallis is go on a hike in McDonald Dunn OSU College Forests which is minutes from Gary's property. Neighbor Kelly loves a particular hike, which passes by a particular tree, which he has named Old Stubby. Isn't isn't exactly "stubby" in the sense it is not short. But it is very wide, indicating it is very old. It really stands out, so much wider than any other tree around it. It has become something of a touchstone for Kelly. He took me on this hike and I am so grateful. I took photos. These are really just a small sample of all there is to see - trees, creek, wild flowers, even a herd of OSU cattle. It is fabulous. The last photo here is a tree with mistletoe growing in it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GZDwlyE3f8QI1ugmrJhX40gOrSCW4tKTHXdVhdj6KbEYu2ggoADlyVKu86coMm6pcVutqKLTh_9qksC9xHe6vq_bEv8PXz4k4DWTb6m9RUh7SZYZ38iJyofQqRy3JvdyvSiNc4oyD0CB/s1600/mistletoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GZDwlyE3f8QI1ugmrJhX40gOrSCW4tKTHXdVhdj6KbEYu2ggoADlyVKu86coMm6pcVutqKLTh_9qksC9xHe6vq_bEv8PXz4k4DWTb6m9RUh7SZYZ38iJyofQqRy3JvdyvSiNc4oyD0CB/s320/mistletoe.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-22859235252266927612011-06-27T05:38:00.000-07:002011-06-27T05:38:28.831-07:00The Recumbent and the UprightI am behind on my blog, so today is the day to being trying to get up to date. I want to be sure to mention having a couple for dinner that are friends of my sister Debbie. Their names are Sheryl and Bryon Van Fleet. Debbie met Sheryl while working at the Oregon Caves in college. Sheryl and Bryon went to OSU, lived in Klamath Falls for a number of years while Bryon taught school, and they owned a used book store. For me, that would be a dream, to own a used book store.<br />
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Anyway, they had a huge adventure with bicycling across the United States, as older non-athletes. Sheryl wrote a book about it, including some of Bryon's hilarious narratives as well, and it is called "<span id="btAsinTitle">The Recumbent and the Upright: A Bicycle Adventure by Two Retired and Unfit Cycle Enthusiasts, That Grew into a Ride Across the Continent". It is an amazing story, and really made me laugh in parts.</span><br />
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<span>They have moved to Corvallis, so Debbie made an effort to get me in touch with them. We had them here for dinner, and it was great to be able to talk with them in person. I hope we get to see more of them.</span>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-65059428481914148152011-05-07T13:34:00.000-07:002011-05-07T13:34:02.274-07:00Why American History is More Interesting NowFirst of all let me say that lately I have been listening to a lot more audiobooks than reading books, because of busy new life in Corvallis. So my choices are often things that catch my eye at the library in the audiobook section. One extremely interesting book is "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong" by James W. Loewen. This book hit home with me. I have gotten much more interested in history at this point in my life than I ever was in school. Mr. Loewen explains why. He points out that the history we learn in school has been sanitized. The text book companies collude with school boards to not present anything controversial, and particularly not show our country's history in any negative light. So true! So it is very boring, and really does a disservice to students who might want to really know what has happened in the past. It also contributes to poor current day decisions, by politicians who really do not understand the past.<br />
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Along these lines I want to share some books I have read that have filled in a lot of color on the history of the U.S. These are ones I also found in the audiobook section of the library. First - "The Hemmingses of Monticello". This provides a fascintating view of an interracial family tree, and of Thomas Jefferson, with his strengths and weaknesses.<br />
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Another one "Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation" by Cokie Roberts. I'm afraid I will overuse the word "fascinating" but it truly is. This includes both women we've heard about and those we haven't. Their challenges, victories, losses, and profound influence on our country. It is not sugar coated in any way. It would be great required reading in our schools, to help boys and girls be aware of the contributions of women.<br />
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On to "A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation" by Catherine Allgor. Before listening to this audiobook I didn't remember anything about the war of 1812. What a mess. But it was so interesting to see how Dolley's strengths helped James Madison with any successes he had. And it gives food for thought on how people of differing views might find common ground. Something we could sorely use today.<br />
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I hope teachers are finding ways to supplement those really inadequate textbooks - to help students find history interesting, and become better educated.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-25505178667273850862011-04-30T13:46:00.000-07:002011-04-30T13:46:24.368-07:00Forest Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gary is lucky enough to live minutes away from OSU's McDonald-Dunn forest (<a href="http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/forests/mcdonald/">http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/forests/mcdonald/</a> ) where there are many nice walking trails. But in the 12 years he has lived here, he has never gone on any walks there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Easter Sunday I went by myself on a lovely forest walk (photo below from that walk), and decided the two of us should go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGAsD1zuTqHrTlTMCu1LutFgWvNETqOzKuPDSDMwjxP1RRfvALWC2mxTtlXHUJSSYJ_y98jHZvPEenALGpKb1q7AFUuoiaEN0Av2c4OQIS7K-pdrRlnimYwVUP0cjC9II8J1TXkz3nQib/s1600/forestwalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGAsD1zuTqHrTlTMCu1LutFgWvNETqOzKuPDSDMwjxP1RRfvALWC2mxTtlXHUJSSYJ_y98jHZvPEenALGpKb1q7AFUuoiaEN0Av2c4OQIS7K-pdrRlnimYwVUP0cjC9II8J1TXkz3nQib/s320/forestwalk.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day before yesterday, I got him to agree to go with me on the next day, yesterday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I woke up from my morning sleep (after working the night before) and found a note from him that he was doing errands and would be home by 2:00. I got myself ready. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was pumped. He came home at 2:20 and I asked if he was ready for our little hike. He said "I was hoping we could do it tomorrow." I said no. There was no reason to postpone, and I know if we postponed there would be some other reason not to do it tomorrow. He said "Well it is raining in Lewisburg" (which is about 4 miles away). I responded that it wasn't raining here. He hates the rain and is ready to throw in the towel if it has rained, or might rain on any particular day. Despite current conditions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we drove the 3 minutes it took to get to the closest trailhead. We arrived and he said "I wish we would have brought Lola". Lola is the midsized terrier mix. I said it was fine with me to go back and get Lola. So we did. Heading back to the trail head, he looked at clouds and said "Our asses are going to get wet." I told him it wouldn't hurt us if they did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally we embarked on our walk. I told him I'd be happy with just 20 minutes in and 20 minutes out. It was great. Lola loved it. We definitely need to do this regularly - we'll all be happier for these easy forest walks. Here are some photos.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3LySuOhtUtvwXDfnQcSCptZQUu5xPpvX3RXzjpK1b45s4rNQ8s-0a9FXO0D58Axx46wzDNCYLWNh6EoyCQgKhDHyBqmy-hR-l8Vm_diE-A3ktH-7JwLC746EI5BGIz1P1nfTvptPAyJU/s1600/fernforest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3LySuOhtUtvwXDfnQcSCptZQUu5xPpvX3RXzjpK1b45s4rNQ8s-0a9FXO0D58Axx46wzDNCYLWNh6EoyCQgKhDHyBqmy-hR-l8Vm_diE-A3ktH-7JwLC746EI5BGIz1P1nfTvptPAyJU/s320/fernforest.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-48231669513200873922011-03-27T21:50:00.000-07:002011-03-28T07:48:47.727-07:00Gardening and Dinner PartyThere used to be a sign on Gary's property that said "Gary and Kerri's Place". The story goes that not long after Kerri left, the sign fell down of its own accord, witnessed by the neighbor, Kelly. Left were two weather treated posts set in concrete, and some deteriorating plywood. A bit of an eyesore. Then Gary took a chainsaw to a shrub behind the sign, and the hacked up shrub made it look even worse. I communicated that impression of mine to Gary. I was taking a nap, and by the time I woke up he and his friend Dennis had pulled the whole business out of the ground and covered over the holes left. Yay!<br />
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There is a lot of work that needs to be done on this landscaped property. I said that I would take responsibility for weeding and maintenance of the large bed that you see as you're driving up, and also seen from the front porch. It is huge, and includes many trees and shrubs. Also, a rock structure and small pond with lilly pads. It is obvious that it was beautifully done, by Kerri, but has suffered from lack of attention. <br />
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My first project was to put something where the sign and shrub used to be. I decided I wanted to get some "yard art", and I had an idea that a Chinese pagoda would look nice there, surrounded by some flowering plants. Gary took me shopping to Garland's Nursery for my birthday, and I found just the pagoda. I also collected a few plants. Here is what it looks like so far:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSQ6QF8claJVaeXnUN_45CdS8KObCRIP5kAuFftWLY1h4OacmpL_Mc0rt9oWZpxrIG2bL1x77JAL7XhXDNjNkYtlhT_HeLB9c5OOK3fJCSSH97mWqnqEXkzApIqy-6N-s6A71_cxhQfAL/s1600/pagoda3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSQ6QF8claJVaeXnUN_45CdS8KObCRIP5kAuFftWLY1h4OacmpL_Mc0rt9oWZpxrIG2bL1x77JAL7XhXDNjNkYtlhT_HeLB9c5OOK3fJCSSH97mWqnqEXkzApIqy-6N-s6A71_cxhQfAL/s320/pagoda3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Next I started weeding on the section where there are rosebushes on either side of a trellis, which leads into the big bed. I was squatting down, pulling one weed at a time, and Gary came up and said "That is just silly". He really said that, "just silly". He thought it would be better to use Round Up, then rake the dead plants off. I did NOT like that idea, did NOT want to use chemicals in a flower bed where I want to place other plants. So I just kept weeding my own way. It looks nice, but I have a lot more to do.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next part of my story - which connects with gardening - the dinner party. We invited Gary's old friends Julius and Sue. Here is Gary with Julius.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwJsqG4l0BQ-11pawjTpYUhcY8F08sx0OveSUq9cd8j737eyWrwiMEJRlImr4dVVvMT1yKd5m2_cn03TFy-4iG0Wo39RS1FGPsJXSCssDQYYTvsJ_GztXg2xmn8ZZkfXiDHNU22mnoP3o/s1600/guys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwJsqG4l0BQ-11pawjTpYUhcY8F08sx0OveSUq9cd8j737eyWrwiMEJRlImr4dVVvMT1yKd5m2_cn03TFy-4iG0Wo39RS1FGPsJXSCssDQYYTvsJ_GztXg2xmn8ZZkfXiDHNU22mnoP3o/s320/guys.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And also my "band mom" friend Linda, and the man in her life, Tim. We had a good dinner of grilled cod, squash from Gary's garden, and spinach salad. Plum cobbler for dessert - the plums from Gary's tree which he had frozen. Gary made rice but we forgot to serve it - I so often forget to serve one dish from a meal I've cooked. Here is the dinner table with Linda, Tim and Sue.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx7Qr5sild5Of0vbEk1dLjhUKiS8zDLQ2GytR3OhriNGAZtTYJw8q7ACQCAO8_92oFHpZbjQwiDysbeRez12mbxQfQ0zVvaNyEXfPwBEK7fW4ZSH2eM4iowQ8uy7Pa_Xw5QpzgaCXlo5n/s1600/guests.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx7Qr5sild5Of0vbEk1dLjhUKiS8zDLQ2GytR3OhriNGAZtTYJw8q7ACQCAO8_92oFHpZbjQwiDysbeRez12mbxQfQ0zVvaNyEXfPwBEK7fW4ZSH2eM4iowQ8uy7Pa_Xw5QpzgaCXlo5n/s320/guests.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back to gardening, Linda works for the extension service, advising people on gardening issues. Perfect. She volunteered that the weeds she was seeing are Round Up resistent. She said pulling them up is the only way to get rid of them. I was so glad that she was behind me on this. Here is Linda:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG5_agkMjMGCcCD5_2PM66qYxeDQBYw0ki6KJS4lKC1nVkB84UsFbJVUUc0Hbky9MDWrbDZGzdsG0xscI14aTKbHsUgjUB8IpORMNkVp2CDUcSoqMHLMutCuYcJkn6d03FUivOCaa2_kP/s1600/Linda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG5_agkMjMGCcCD5_2PM66qYxeDQBYw0ki6KJS4lKC1nVkB84UsFbJVUUc0Hbky9MDWrbDZGzdsG0xscI14aTKbHsUgjUB8IpORMNkVp2CDUcSoqMHLMutCuYcJkn6d03FUivOCaa2_kP/s320/Linda.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She also gave us a lot of helpful tips in just the short tour around the property - plants to encourage, plants to get rid of. She saw 3 shrubs too close together and advised moving one. Julius and Sue said they'd love to take one home, so here Julius is digging it up with Tim's help:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlisjWvviCv0oSiHFzopO4g60NIA7Z-ws-z2J2G789KDXQiDxK16Q-9uKuLtmAOXZ7zhCsC1H-mrVU4Y5HmBHKI3OyebdJTOXDqyjPcGyz1AFUQYzKixSNoOxejGYLAT5THUG3laamUnf4/s1600/digging.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlisjWvviCv0oSiHFzopO4g60NIA7Z-ws-z2J2G789KDXQiDxK16Q-9uKuLtmAOXZ7zhCsC1H-mrVU4Y5HmBHKI3OyebdJTOXDqyjPcGyz1AFUQYzKixSNoOxejGYLAT5THUG3laamUnf4/s320/digging.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And here are Linda and Sue, watching:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi1oNAr_eI8iGf-vGA8ZqnAhjEbRUCVHKbL9_mymVUmRnjPb6Tr8l510RZQU8Tp4lkvZOst37bL7lCAO6Oua4JQS1GNou9lUOdgrHjgaE2ZxgS4d7qqzXiuPTAMaeg6gpDPmvuMfWioFf/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi1oNAr_eI8iGf-vGA8ZqnAhjEbRUCVHKbL9_mymVUmRnjPb6Tr8l510RZQU8Tp4lkvZOst37bL7lCAO6Oua4JQS1GNou9lUOdgrHjgaE2ZxgS4d7qqzXiuPTAMaeg6gpDPmvuMfWioFf/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a lot of fun talking with my old friend Linda, and new friends Julius, Sue and Tim. Linda, Sue and I hope to have a happy hour together soon. Linda said she'll think about my landscaping and come up with ideas for me. I'm excited about that. And excited about the friendships.</div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-3138469702666590022011-03-14T18:41:00.000-07:002011-03-17T09:04:56.043-07:00Med Aide Orientation and Body RecallTwo things I have been working toward for a long time ended up coming together and almost colliding last Tuesday. That was the day, at 2:30, that I was going to have my first informational Body Recall session. (Body Recall is the exercise class I teach which is good for the elderly plus anyone else wanting to retain their strength and flexibility.) Then it was decided that I could orient as a Med Aide at 2:30 on that day for the evening shift, and 6:30 am the next day for day shift. I was a little slow to realize I couldn't be in two places at one time on Tuesday. The other problem is I needed those shifts to make up my minimum of 30 hours of work per week to keep my benefits that I worked and waited 3 months to have.<br />
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So I asked if I could orient from 4 pm until midnight, and then come in the next morning at 6:30 for the other shift. Am I crazy? Many people think so.<br />
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I wasn't sure what to expect for Body Recall, but Pastor Netsie talked about brainstorming if no one came. It hadn't occurred to me that there might be no one interested! There were 4 that came to the class - but all 4 did it more out of interest rather than necessarily being future members. Though you never know - they really did seem to like it. It was two from their health ministry, plus Pastor Netsie and a woman from the staff named Cathy. There are two more women who expressed serious interest in coming, so I guess that means it is launched. One in particular is excited, expecting significant benefit, so that is all I need to feel very motivated.<br />
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Then I went to work, for my Med Aide orientation. I worked with Mariah in the long term care area. I had a great time, enjoyed giving meds and also pitching in a little with CNA work as it made sense. It was great to see people up and dressed that I usually only see in bed. During dinner I enjoyed seeing a young male aide who is a bit of a dweeb in real life (he invited people to come to a bar at a bowling alley for his birthday and no one came) doing a great job interacting with some of the crazy folks at dinner. He joked and helped them have fun and we all laughed together about it all. This job must be an ego booster for him. I heard one of the elderly ladies seriously flirting with him later.<br />
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They had a Mardi Gras party and two of my favorite people were named king and queen. The queen was Inis who is a SWEETHEART, and I also got to meet her son. She was so happy. Her roomate, who I also really like, got to be Valentine queen so they were both queens. The king was Leroy. I like him because of how when I smile at him, he smiles back. At the start it took two people to change him, he was scared to turn on his side so he really resisted. But when I talk nicely to him and smile he cooperates. His smile back to me just warms my heart. As his aide was wheeling him to bed, she said "He said he loves you" and I said "I love him, too". We often have people tell us they love us and I always say I love them back.<br />
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I had to work from 4 pm till midnight as I explained above. It turns out this was perfect because that was when Mariah was going to work anyway. But it was a short night of sleep because I needed to be back at work at 6:30 for my next day of orientation. That was in the short stay unit. I did OK except for my brain feeling a bit fuzzy a couple of times. I enjoyed the camraderie amongst the aides. I also got in on gossip in the break room about one aide not pulling her weight.<br />
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Again I loved seeing some of my favorite people and meeting their friends and relatives who were visiting. There is one woman who does not speak, and seems to only be a little aware of what is going on around her, but her husband visits every day all day. He is as sweet to her as if she were a fully functioning person. It is heart warming but a little heart wrenching at the same time. <br />
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It makes me feel good that for a few people, when I enter the room they light up - associating me with good care. One told her friend enthusiastically, "She never minds if I need to use the bed pan!" I have another favorite, a 99 year old woman with ALL her mental faculties. It is so rewarding to care for these appreciative people.<br />
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My DNS (Director of Nursing Services) told me that I will need one more day of orienting before they would put me on a med aide shift. I'll just wait and see about that. I hope it happens, but really isn't a big deal one way or the other since I like what I do already. I know some consider this weird but I look forward to going to work tonight to see the people I'm caring for, and the people I work with.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-58212789083156613762011-02-25T20:24:00.000-08:002011-02-25T20:24:12.296-08:00SnowI was hoping for one more snowfall - because I love snow and to make use of my Explorer with studded tires one more time. I got my wish yesterday. It was beautiful! I'm glad I got right out and took photos, because a lot had melted before the end of the day. Here is our house:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRryizkkmiabWRll9SlskFWwsZ5129IaUUhSNXymFZGDSDs3j9Sa_g68qNwZTSeDrmWChuwcswu3Cgm3xcQRD2faS8L5gaNTJNtm3-d9ZJSLpzS7X2P9jD0v1oF5YkaB3qSQXSHtwNJp8V/s1600/snowhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRryizkkmiabWRll9SlskFWwsZ5129IaUUhSNXymFZGDSDs3j9Sa_g68qNwZTSeDrmWChuwcswu3Cgm3xcQRD2faS8L5gaNTJNtm3-d9ZJSLpzS7X2P9jD0v1oF5YkaB3qSQXSHtwNJp8V/s320/snowhouse.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Yvette Lane, from the end by our house:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_Um1XCQANnC84NzTclq7Oo7L8v1w8L0kqqJWWBPaOb-xseRcyMcUma2GaItP-UPHcNnYLyqvqCEHl4H0xcF8wYW3Jh5ybjQlrNi1l9JuSX4BpDjLRrprWVfLDSvsz_BFJ66O1_gOlYlW/s1600/yvette.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_Um1XCQANnC84NzTclq7Oo7L8v1w8L0kqqJWWBPaOb-xseRcyMcUma2GaItP-UPHcNnYLyqvqCEHl4H0xcF8wYW3Jh5ybjQlrNi1l9JuSX4BpDjLRrprWVfLDSvsz_BFJ66O1_gOlYlW/s320/yvette.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Yvette Lane, looking from the mailboxes at the other end:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1B2q4pepL59FyfxLr4ZqJmd_pVfmcNBrGVjXw6M0x-qA2Ob1Wwld5qbEL8VUMeUSXMgMe9kd0Ra9nmzT233gkqt9nIo-IFSqaZsUWOydtjRoVUHDFSO8WwgBaZXF3MEi-BUeH51uu9gq/s1600/roadJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1B2q4pepL59FyfxLr4ZqJmd_pVfmcNBrGVjXw6M0x-qA2Ob1Wwld5qbEL8VUMeUSXMgMe9kd0Ra9nmzT233gkqt9nIo-IFSqaZsUWOydtjRoVUHDFSO8WwgBaZXF3MEi-BUeH51uu9gq/s320/roadJPG.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the mailboxes:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHboBzxX9TXiExnrYvkn27nsDiklhQfzbD06fRtOGMM9jlTGnxFTokK4n2ZLl-Dq_CEr5OWLMa9phJw0Z1wJyHyAB1tYfmjr8tid6yum2Eul3efH2T_b6cKr5VHinJB00W2WHjAwT8lttS/s1600/mailboxes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHboBzxX9TXiExnrYvkn27nsDiklhQfzbD06fRtOGMM9jlTGnxFTokK4n2ZLl-Dq_CEr5OWLMa9phJw0Z1wJyHyAB1tYfmjr8tid6yum2Eul3efH2T_b6cKr5VHinJB00W2WHjAwT8lttS/s320/mailboxes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Creek that runs next to Yvette Lane:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dJUiJSxitW3Sf6hDvJlkoXdesHjPBUA7vQU5K9qUW4bq7caTqPfrDp1B_R478nTB7av3VNJbx6KkVWEcZVkoA7hVCe784aLY4l8jy-fFQmyBO2mbXCK3ZGKlTOQkihlLP6R6AN1F-w_T/s1600/creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dJUiJSxitW3Sf6hDvJlkoXdesHjPBUA7vQU5K9qUW4bq7caTqPfrDp1B_R478nTB7av3VNJbx6KkVWEcZVkoA7hVCe784aLY4l8jy-fFQmyBO2mbXCK3ZGKlTOQkihlLP6R6AN1F-w_T/s320/creek.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I felt lucky to be home, not working, until that night. And lucky not to have any trouble driving to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-62739721785592478442011-02-24T07:09:00.000-08:002011-03-14T18:26:38.473-07:00The Gary and Kelly ShowKelly and Dana are our closest neighbors, and Kelly is Gary's best friend. I am calling this post "The Gary and Kelly Show" because they are always up to something and it is often entertaining. They love sitting out in Gary's workshop, sharing confidences, talking politics, planning their next project. Gary starts up a fire in the woodstove and they are comfortable. There is a refrigerator and stereo there also. They help each other when needed, and watch each other's pets if one is travelling. They enjoy using Gary's shop for woodworking projects.<br />
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Kelly has deeply felt ideas about his impact on the planet. He planted 1100 Willamette Valley Ponderosa Pine trees on 4 acres of his property. They will grow to a 20" diameter, but won't be ready for harvest for 30 years. In the meantime he feels good about making a difference in his carbon footprint.<br />
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Gary and Kelly believe in organic, sustainable gardening. They have a project going to breed red wiggler worms for composting, expecting to have enough to sell. The amount and quality of produce they grow is impressive. My mother says she hasn't had tomatoes like Gary's since she was in Oklahoma. It helps that Gary hosts two horses on his property, so they have the horse manure to add to the soil.<br />
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They have many stories. Like the time they were sitting on the deck, and they saw a tornado touch down and lift all the grass off a neighbor's field. Or once when Gary's tractor was stuck, Kelly got on his with a rope around his waist thinking he could pull it out. Instead he almost got cut in half.<br />
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Another time Gary was spotting Kelly up on a ladder as he was helping get Gary's tomato cages down from an upper shelf in the barn. The ladder shifted on the pea gravel, started tilting sidways, and Kelly started to fall, sideways. Gary put out his arms, caught him like a baby, and they both went down. Luckily the ground wasn't too hard, so no serious injuries. But Kelly said he got a massive blood blister from the overhang of his tummy getting squeezed on his belt by Gary's rescue. They laugh now about it. <br />
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Here they are, collaborating in the kitchen. They say they have probably cooked 500 meals together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpbclxCKxKW6XNUmynlnkLKX1bb18b93rkb5HycygFx4i416mRfpkbLdl3p9A-YbSY2gYVEhogh2J0SYoEbcnAt1xIyLoUP4OViUUM0jNqoxPd9MIq0QgW8f5UuAufFFh0Sz9b81k8y2O/s1600/garykelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpbclxCKxKW6XNUmynlnkLKX1bb18b93rkb5HycygFx4i416mRfpkbLdl3p9A-YbSY2gYVEhogh2J0SYoEbcnAt1xIyLoUP4OViUUM0jNqoxPd9MIq0QgW8f5UuAufFFh0Sz9b81k8y2O/s320/garykelly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Kelly says it is good to see a photo of the two of them to decide, for sure, which one of them is taller.<br />
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And here is a photo of Kelly and Dana:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhAxY4AxDEozicT5MrengzygDk7RxsjAhGlGqsuAqDJ0R8tyO71c4SLDaXUd6nRJ3N189VziORQz0hUv2ulnK-bYgk76gIuBcxYGuZCOiXcJHmgqvjpwhlSh02qpm06xS1ZMBf_447Z5O/s1600/kellydana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhAxY4AxDEozicT5MrengzygDk7RxsjAhGlGqsuAqDJ0R8tyO71c4SLDaXUd6nRJ3N189VziORQz0hUv2ulnK-bYgk76gIuBcxYGuZCOiXcJHmgqvjpwhlSh02qpm06xS1ZMBf_447Z5O/s320/kellydana.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Living out in the country makes it extra important to be on good terms with neighbors. And we're so lucky to have Kelly and Dana.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-67593276155157178872011-02-23T19:33:00.000-08:002011-02-24T06:56:49.095-08:00Best Weekend EverI know this blog is about my life in Corvallis. But I recently had the most wonderful weekend in Portland and Beaverton, with both of my sons in town. Jacob was here for a week and a half from Peru. I hadn't seen him in a year, and I won't see him for another year, so it was a special time. We started off the weekend with dinner at Sushi Land. I love the immediate gratification of seeing and taking the small plates. It is so easy.<br />
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Then we went to see "The Imaginary Invalid" at Portland Center Stage, meeting my friend Gererdene there. Here I am in the alpaca shawl that Jacob brought for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh9l6JSdakOHBC1Auffmx8m9C5dJ0f5luYmvU3zTUXMsxHRr5XspNd7xVZxo_Ef18ztCwFh9AH5LU6yng69wnM3oImNGY6TEqQmvORpcU8ek6sd8YQrulTB3ipPcJwFhnS_JeYdnehY49/s1600/shawl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh9l6JSdakOHBC1Auffmx8m9C5dJ0f5luYmvU3zTUXMsxHRr5XspNd7xVZxo_Ef18ztCwFh9AH5LU6yng69wnM3oImNGY6TEqQmvORpcU8ek6sd8YQrulTB3ipPcJwFhnS_JeYdnehY49/s320/shawl.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here I am with my best theatre buddy Gererdene:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl2Tlo5u0-bmD7n9IMzObHOXzrlG3mkDcoVw06b1dyVkgrSlScT5Is3Eq_BA_t4huBLPzpXVH1In11OdyElorGZAlbdM2SpDGFAtRUNxgdTZQ8wDIXv1Hq8HfDkBv5hKEA1oOlgO_fJrG/s1600/syd-ger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl2Tlo5u0-bmD7n9IMzObHOXzrlG3mkDcoVw06b1dyVkgrSlScT5Is3Eq_BA_t4huBLPzpXVH1In11OdyElorGZAlbdM2SpDGFAtRUNxgdTZQ8wDIXv1Hq8HfDkBv5hKEA1oOlgO_fJrG/s320/syd-ger.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And here are Nick and Jacob:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGdmOfVrhTRw5Vma4x9Uaj0NVfWqfXGlodpt5eM2AmwaCaz3B8XNw2I99VBZpiFsy3qlFUFz5b74vs4QKULAwIha0tPCyqOqyiBEilmaEgdsChacKC530K0ptyzACNBXCdlPGUakJ6evo/s1600/boys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGdmOfVrhTRw5Vma4x9Uaj0NVfWqfXGlodpt5eM2AmwaCaz3B8XNw2I99VBZpiFsy3qlFUFz5b74vs4QKULAwIha0tPCyqOqyiBEilmaEgdsChacKC530K0ptyzACNBXCdlPGUakJ6evo/s320/boys.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We laughed all through the play.<br />
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The next night Nick had a gig, so Jacob went with Gererdene and me to "Dissocia" by Third Rail Rep. That play was pretty amazing in terms of staging, and left us with lots to think about afterwards. I was happy that Nick got to see it another night.<br />
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On Sunday evening we invited anyone who wanted to see Jacob to come over. We collaborated on food to serve. It needed to be a buffet which could last, as people were coming at different times. Jacob came up with a wonderful Peruvian dish. It had layers of mashed golden potatoes, chicken, and avocado. Topped with slices of hard boiled eggs. We had red cabbage with a peanut vinaigrette, Gary's home made applesauce, and a green bean/corn/tomato/chipotle pepper dish I came up with. I made squash pies. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW2A_eg6oA-sqyAgvTne0VvC5qFVA9Q-GOgUsz182IP1eBOMUrhGzKt2e8A8cvAjgWbh2-1M7lznbr7rdDRK6wlvJlKJ0JH030rFJVkug-oZV3DMjSdBaHsinnAqnwvzfdy1EQK2aX4kV/s1600/food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW2A_eg6oA-sqyAgvTne0VvC5qFVA9Q-GOgUsz182IP1eBOMUrhGzKt2e8A8cvAjgWbh2-1M7lznbr7rdDRK6wlvJlKJ0JH030rFJVkug-oZV3DMjSdBaHsinnAqnwvzfdy1EQK2aX4kV/s320/food.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The whole idea of this party was a little wacky - some family, some friends, people coming at all different times, and I asked Nick if he would play his Joanna Newsom pieces that he adapted for piano and his voice for anyone interested, later in the party. My temporary housemate, Donnell was there. Here he is talking with Gary.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfct9johpFc6l-QVUqF4zO2zmNUkxsPwdhoWBWD8_ez0e3g7CjuZ7yiyvRSt5YTGVbApJHYjNOXhMGl6JaYWVvdkXJ61JVYsqyo9g6iGaxq2aQJ3gnYBVICHAb61vCAWX2vimdFx3jsDod/s1600/donnygary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfct9johpFc6l-QVUqF4zO2zmNUkxsPwdhoWBWD8_ez0e3g7CjuZ7yiyvRSt5YTGVbApJHYjNOXhMGl6JaYWVvdkXJ61JVYsqyo9g6iGaxq2aQJ3gnYBVICHAb61vCAWX2vimdFx3jsDod/s320/donnygary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And a new temporary housemate, Stevie, had just arrived from Boston, so she was also part of the party. She is very cool. She designs neurofeedback machines for people to help with various conditions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2e9ytPnIvAmmdKAj2ld5KpRWC417Bvs0cU0FOkLKbQRUMfiUUxpNr9-ntcmCpqJEcVUW2kCK0ZK5UMZS5GDdSOdzxv-KsAtxxfNu9Py9mDEQctO5rcl8BPHbeUGfE51ZgVvHi5k0u87e6/s1600/stevie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2e9ytPnIvAmmdKAj2ld5KpRWC417Bvs0cU0FOkLKbQRUMfiUUxpNr9-ntcmCpqJEcVUW2kCK0ZK5UMZS5GDdSOdzxv-KsAtxxfNu9Py9mDEQctO5rcl8BPHbeUGfE51ZgVvHi5k0u87e6/s320/stevie.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It happened to be SuperBowl Sunday, so we needed some cheeseheads - Jeff and Amy:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kuZ1-YjKHZ8RmdVGZNG5YHvoKhyphenhyphenRYR8r0oYwniZgAIphb_e8w1-p-MSjdaZXnjo5VBEzg9DZPp-beJLB6tfbCQf0_tPblrLAKMJkvFLZJb_eWmKUPWRREk448jIijkCKgxBFMB0mdwMz/s1600/cheese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kuZ1-YjKHZ8RmdVGZNG5YHvoKhyphenhyphenRYR8r0oYwniZgAIphb_e8w1-p-MSjdaZXnjo5VBEzg9DZPp-beJLB6tfbCQf0_tPblrLAKMJkvFLZJb_eWmKUPWRREk448jIijkCKgxBFMB0mdwMz/s320/cheese.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>And other relatives and good friends: Here are Matt and Amelia with Jacob:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alex, Liza, and Rod:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb2cyw1Nm9iyxvmbchls9mp9Y5wkol6eb8047j6pkQrnjzi6Z9XkkiIgKTKdWev-TfTCm7u6roivLoJ0llDpCoB6eeMWPa835hru8nvoIRaLi5-MzTkWxKjqTpnsZuXAqn0751l70q4nT/s1600/rodkids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb2cyw1Nm9iyxvmbchls9mp9Y5wkol6eb8047j6pkQrnjzi6Z9XkkiIgKTKdWev-TfTCm7u6roivLoJ0llDpCoB6eeMWPa835hru8nvoIRaLi5-MzTkWxKjqTpnsZuXAqn0751l70q4nT/s320/rodkids.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gererdene and Pam:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjy_MBb5QdkDmuaXs-Nwj4OIEf2fdz1P_n-f2AA-t9iO_5BK34zZLHRJFKFT4szQZv9DTh6eZF0e_MS83w6gXKBxyvquZxUzNDgW5nSaHvg2ai5mgOyu85pkUc2Z2W-Jk-nOJYQcoHR9M/s1600/pam-ger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjy_MBb5QdkDmuaXs-Nwj4OIEf2fdz1P_n-f2AA-t9iO_5BK34zZLHRJFKFT4szQZv9DTh6eZF0e_MS83w6gXKBxyvquZxUzNDgW5nSaHvg2ai5mgOyu85pkUc2Z2W-Jk-nOJYQcoHR9M/s320/pam-ger.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>There WAS interest in Nick's piano music. He performed a wonderful Joanna Newsom piece and also an original composition. Amy who has known Jacob and Nick since birth (literally!) joked that she taught Nick everything he knows. Liza also does some piano/singing entertaining, so she had that in common.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It felt like a JUST WONDERFUL evening to me. Guests left, which left Jacob, Nick, Stevie, Donnell and me still in the house. I love having a full house. And seeing these photos reminds me I really am attached to my Beaverton house. I hope I can continue to have my cake and eat it too, with life in the country in Corvallis and trips back to my other home.</div>Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-1766677276986817372011-02-13T16:03:00.000-08:002011-02-13T16:03:16.219-08:00Grace Lutheran ChurchI was hoping to find a 'church home' as well as a place to teach Body Recall in Corvallis. I noticed a float in the Christmas parade that had some really rocking music, from Grace Lutheran Church so I made a mental note to check it out. I saw this church while out driving one day, and on impulse stopped in. They have a married pastor couple, Pastor Wendell and Pastor Netsie. Pastor Wendell was in, and saw me right away, which made me feel good. He was encouraging to me about the possibility of teaching Body Recall there. It has taken awhile, but looks like it will happen in March. I saw that they are a "Reconciling in Christ" congregation, welcoming gay and lesbian folks, which gave me a good feeling. Plus I just like the idea of anything with the word "Grace" in the title.<br />
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I finally went to services this morning. In my Methodist and Presbyterian backgrounds, we do not get down on our knees. Here you have the option. I like the idea of being able to get on my knees. If one is having very serious thoughts about something, being on your knees gives that appropriate feeling of seriousness.<br />
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I am used to communion where we first take the bread as we receive it, and wait for the juice to drink together. Here, you are handed the wafer which you dip into your choice of juice or wine. Wine! That definitely has a more serious flavor than juice that I am used to. But I ate my wafer before dipping, not knowing about the dipping, so Pastor Netsie gave me another and discretely explained.<br />
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Their choir was small - just 8 women and 3 men today. But they are very good - the had the sound of a larger choir. I also stayed for the contemporary service which had a worship band of 7 and the music was enjoyable. They have a Steinway grand piano, and a man played a wonderful Beethoven piece. After the service I told him how much I enjoyed it. He told me that he was the one who raised funds for the piano, and they did it in just 4 months. That was impressive.<br />
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Several people were friendly to me. I am interested in many of the church activities, so I think this is going to work out. Plant a peace tree at an Islamic Center. Chinese School Lantern Festival. Holden Village Retreat. Mission trips to Kenya and Mexico. How about a field trip to the lambing barns at OSU? Sign me up!Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-47212890963779474802011-01-17T18:11:00.000-08:002011-01-21T16:08:15.028-08:00January 2011 Visit to Klamath FallsGary and I decided to visit our mothers in Klamath Falls, and being January, decided to take the train so we wouldn't need to worry about travel conditions. The trip down was in the dark. Comfortable and quiet. I loved how the snowy landscape shone in the moonlight as the train pulled into town. It all went pretty well except for the cab ride home from the train station for Gary. I had a quick pleasant trip up the hill, but we had to share the cab with two others and Gary was the last one dropped off. He was subjected to some political opinions that raised his blood pressure.<br />
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I have a friend from high school, Colleen. Her husband James worked as a truck driver for my dad's logging company. He said he had a lot of respect for my father, which of course made me feel good. Coincidentally, they purchased some firewood from Gary's mother. On impulse I decided to invite them all to my mother's house for a little social gathering. And invited my friends Shirlee and Sam as well. Shirlee, who I know from the Portland area and volunteering with Operation Shoebox, now teaches nuclear medicine technology at OIT. I can't believe it has been 5 years since she moved there! Here are Shirlee and Sam:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3fYzX9Xj5qAG8utY9nbfEOb4vEYpO-9H-rzjiifaPnYciPp0Abo2e04_c89qEbQsWOIuSwmqgBB4ceAHsGz_lyrvYGCkfQYPuKjI31YgAH22QQzsHbsGZkGyqcZo1EhjcokARjO1ZBnd/s1600/mom15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3fYzX9Xj5qAG8utY9nbfEOb4vEYpO-9H-rzjiifaPnYciPp0Abo2e04_c89qEbQsWOIuSwmqgBB4ceAHsGz_lyrvYGCkfQYPuKjI31YgAH22QQzsHbsGZkGyqcZo1EhjcokARjO1ZBnd/s320/mom15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The social gathering went well. I didn't have any dress up clothes. The geothermal heat keeps the house so warm we sweat without any layering, so we don't take many clothes. My sisters and I have learned not to even take turtlenecks to wear there - too warm. But my mother pulled out some fun garments that made us feel festive - Bippity Mega Bibs - created and marketed by my cousin's daughter Alice. (See <a href="http://www.bippityalice.com/">http://www.bippityalice.com/</a>) Here is a photo:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wcfxn5_qmw3oCnw1v296NLsyPAVKktWO9oGPkGyUN5O0R4Bgk6WHCz8wL_CMoIvssAAKG1VeuucZ61huLHgqVOOt0PwobxU9V1fAutZx2_ll6jE3sOLzYWjemm0X7XcS2pozW3wfb8_z/s1600/mom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wcfxn5_qmw3oCnw1v296NLsyPAVKktWO9oGPkGyUN5O0R4Bgk6WHCz8wL_CMoIvssAAKG1VeuucZ61huLHgqVOOt0PwobxU9V1fAutZx2_ll6jE3sOLzYWjemm0X7XcS2pozW3wfb8_z/s320/mom1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gathering went well. We got some wonderful bread pudding with whiskey sauce from a local bakery. I made some jam-pastry squares from ingredients I found there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was really touched with the interest that James showed in all the photos in my dad's office. He said he wished he had been able to talk with him while he was still alive. That was sad - I could have arranged it if I had known his time was so short. Sigh. But my dad did some writing about his life as a logger, so I intend to copy to send to James. Here is a photo of Colleen and James:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Gary's and my mothers are both from Oklahoma. They have the same birthday, one year apart. They are both doing pretty well. Here they are, Theresa Kennedy on the left, and Jennie Haworth on the right:<br />
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We felt happy we had this little party.<br />
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Gary and I enjoyed some spectacular scenery on the way back. Evergreens draped with snow, and open views of the snowy coastal mountain range. We came back, predictably, to the gray skies of the Willamette Valley. I have to say I do love the many clear days that Klamath Falls enjoys.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-21539007343783885832011-01-06T21:33:00.000-08:002011-01-06T21:33:46.104-08:00Playing Bridge in CorvallisI signed up for an Intermediate Bridge class at the senior center - partly because I'd like to play better and partly to meet people with common interests. They told me it was full and put me on the waiting list. I just showed up and was grateful there was room for me. The class consists of an hour of lesson, and an hour of practice.<br />
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I sat at a table with a young couple. The woman, Asian, had a badge that showed she is a Med Aide and was headed to work tonight, like me! She said she first played bridge in middle school. The young man who must be a friend of hers showed up at a "duplicate" game (normally quite competitive), never having played before. They are both obviously bright.<br />
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We used "duplicate" materials, which I've never played before, so I needed a little help with what to do. The young couple were really nice to me, showing me what I needed to know. The instructor made our "fourth". They told me about other opportunities to play, including at the Elks Club where you can get hammered on $2 mixed drinks. Ha, ha. They seemed very welcoming to me, it was great.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581964487339248618.post-38834540042937392232011-01-03T19:33:00.000-08:002011-01-03T19:33:22.198-08:00OSU vs Arizona Basketball gameSomeone gave Gary tickets to an OSU basketball game, happening last night. I told him of course I would go with him, more to be company for him than being excited about going. Our neighbors Kelly and Dana also wanted to go, so that made it more fun, for the four of us to go.<br />
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I got caught up in the excitement pretty fast - it was fun to see so much orange in the auditorium, and there was good hip hop music playing as we entered.. Later, I really enjoyed the pep band, I thought they did a wonderful job on the national anthem, and other energetic numbers whenever there was a break. I do know about college music students, and know that some of them will pursue music careers or at least have music as a life long interest and gift. My mind wandered, to thinking how interesting if we could know about the future for each one of them, and the future for each of the athletes. Here is a photo of the colliseum including the band:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeZuP-fOzuVZWjxmlFV8hc1BmV-5TUfDCE3RHCCKnuoqLYrxPrLitRJjlWgk2djWxf0o1gRcCR-bOpvkcVrNR_YGiyTJxaNWT57K1m9SKzK_9IGBnVFlZ2V3207h7uXSUScwdP1249bws/s1600/pepband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeZuP-fOzuVZWjxmlFV8hc1BmV-5TUfDCE3RHCCKnuoqLYrxPrLitRJjlWgk2djWxf0o1gRcCR-bOpvkcVrNR_YGiyTJxaNWT57K1m9SKzK_9IGBnVFlZ2V3207h7uXSUScwdP1249bws/s320/pepband.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was also entertaining to watch the cheerleaders and dance team. The women were saucy and athletic. The men mostly waved megaphones around and held cheerleaders up in the air by one foot. Then dropped them into their arms. Over and over.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBj6MMxEzqtnvxNfiQPJRw8Ckw4hMzxKT6D3SbJj1OcNRIJCGSFwX3jP-BHOcdo4es2OtJRwoTGTwo-hO9uPNBLFjXY0fKlPVJRLTLgBnz9KRIqXze1mf7VDHnhEJDlVAgpK45uEp-FixL/s1600/osudancers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBj6MMxEzqtnvxNfiQPJRw8Ckw4hMzxKT6D3SbJj1OcNRIJCGSFwX3jP-BHOcdo4es2OtJRwoTGTwo-hO9uPNBLFjXY0fKlPVJRLTLgBnz9KRIqXze1mf7VDHnhEJDlVAgpK45uEp-FixL/s320/osudancers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now for the game. I was a little worried at the start. Arizona was favored, and they looked big and intimidating, to me. OSU plays kind of tossed the ball to one another as if they were afraid to move in and shoot. It was a shakey start. But number 22, Calvin Haynes, started moving FAST and maneuvering and all of a sudden there was a game (or that is how it seemed to me). He and Jared Cunningham were incredible. Here is the play that ignited the crowd: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRInedrReIs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRInedrReIs</a><br />
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I also loved seeing Craig Robinson - very, very cool to have Michelle's brother here. He is (tiny) in this photo. I have only been using my iphone lately for photos, so there is no zooming.<br />
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Anyway, it was a very close game and so extra thrilling that OSU won. I think I will want to go again.Sydney Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255769820889247740noreply@blogger.com0