Night Out

Holidays are double edged.  The sweet, sweet Thanksgiving of a God who loves us deeply, family with hearts that show no love limits and enjoyable activities.  Yesterday was a day for remembrance.  Although we sent dad off in the wee morning hours to bring home the bacon, he surprised us by coming home early.  While he was out earning a paycheck those of us who were enjoying the comforts of our jammies at home were Black Friday shopping on-line.  But we had plans.  Plans to spend the after dark hours in a city nestled on the other side of the Siskiyous.  The greeting in Ashland was different than we expected.  We were met with one lane roads, closed city streets and no visible parking.  Undeterred, we pulled into the public parking lot and wow....we got a great spot. 

Although we missed the holiday parade, the excitement in the air drew us to main street.  Flashbacks.  That's what this lady had.  Flashbacks of New Years 2013 in London, England with streets so packed breathing your own air was not an option.  But Tanner and Michelle waved us on.  Again, undeterred we headed north.  The man on the stage was belting out Christmas carols to the congregated crowd.  The nip in the air was an added benefit to the holiday feel and only made us move a little quicker for the warmth of the restaurant we intended to show patronage. 

The decision of the choice of restaurants was claimed by me.  Asian.  My mom and I had eaten at this little Asian place by Lithia Park some time ago and I was anxious to go back but my "fine figure of a man" was always a little unsure.  So I persisted and everyone was glad I did.  The hot meals were a bit spicy in nature and were so yummy.  Leaving with satisfied tummies, we headed again to main street to take in the beautiful lights of the city and our favorite store, Paddington Station.  Browsing is always fun when there is so much to view. 

We ended our holiday night out with coffee at Dutch Bros.  Ya.  The coffee was good but the barista was the highlight.  She was all flustered when asked about powder vs. premixed.  I never really got my answer but her reaction was priceless.  With coffee in hand, we headed back over the Siskiyous in search of Forest Mountain. 

Mugginsville greeted us with the shining Cross that beckons passer byers with enough light to help them see their way.  The crispy new Pinocle deck called us and we obliged.  After winners celebrated with strange dance moves, we all thought it might be best to hit the hay.   Such a delightful day.  That's the double edge.  So loving our family and so missing our family.

Tradition

The football, strategically placed next to the "E" hat made me smile.  The extra place at the Thanksgiving Dinner table was met with unexplainable exasperation by Grandad made me smile.  My middle boy calling at 7:30 a.m. to extend a Happy Thanksgiving from Arizona made me smile.  My oldest son insisting I go for a run with him made me smile. My daughter-in-law always makes me smile. 

The day pretty much made me smile. 

Thanks. 

Giving. 

 

The Thanksgiving cactus was in full bloom, signifying the beginning of the holiday season. 

 

 

The table was set in full holiday dress.  Waiting patiently for the surrounding of family to give thanks, fill and enjoy the meal so delicately prepared by an amazing woman with 50 years of Thanksgiving Dinner experience. 

 

 

Many hands, light work. 

Well, not really that light. 

A thankful dinner of this magnitude is never light work. 

 

 

The new generation beginning. 

 

 

As this Thanksgiving Day comes to an end, we can all rest assured that the reason for the season is Jesus.  So in celebration of Calvary, we hung a large cross on the front of the barn to light our way through this highly celebrated, somewhat a skewed worldly view of this amazing time of year.

 

Thankfulness

It's the kind of feeling that comes from the depths of your being.  The feeling that His strength is the scaffolding that keeps you from all collapse.  It's knowing that true Thanksgiving only comes from Him and when you utter your Thankfulness to Jesus in broken prayers, you know they are heard.  There's always memories.  There's always the knowledge that the journey is not over.  The Thanksgiving that future isn't just a word.

 

Yesterday was a day unlike most.  Most days I do not take off for an adventure of my own.  Most days I would have one or two as co-pilots.  But not yesterday.  Solo flight.  Over the years there were a few days like that but the need for my own time became less and less.  

 

There are many places in the "State of Jefferson" and Southern Oregon that hold memories of short travels with my "fine figure of a man" and/or the boys we raised. 

 

Oil change.  Just these two words brought a smile to the face of my youngest.  He knew that with an oil change came a free car wash and the chance to vacuum and clean the interior.  I don't have the slightest idea why Sawyer and I loved to go to a "city" car wash but we did and the memories are forever etched in my heart.

 

Two years ago today, my Facebook entry was:

 

"Sawyer and I just completed two pumpkin pies,

two sour cream lemon pies and a pumpkin cake. "

 

I remember that day so well. 

We had such fun. 

His brothers made comments like "save us some" and "jealous". 

 

There's such a thankfulness in my heart that even with tragedy, my love for cooking is still with me.  Maybe it is a way of soothing my soul and living within the memories so lovingly built.  Maybe it is an effort to make things seem "normal".

 

Last night I made cinnamon rolls for a milestone birthday of a friend of a friend.  The same sweet recipe with the same yummy results as made for my family for so many years.  Thanksgiving for the desire to bless others.   

 

As I anticipate the arrival of boy #1 and daughter-in-law, busy hands fill the soul in readiness to soak in the family I so cherish.  Of course Boy #2 is sorely missed this holiday season as he spends Thanksgiving with a family he has never met but so graciously opened their home to one of America's finest.   

 

There are moments when it seems as though nothing has changed but yet drastic change is felt within every fiber of my body.   The empty spot within my heart, when I think about sitting down to Thanksgiving Dinner with the family who so cherish Sawyer and what he meant in their lives, warms at the mere remembrance of his smile and twinkle.

 

One thing I know for sure, he knew that his parents were thankful for their family.  He certainly got that right.  We miss you!

To Be Thankful

Thankfulness.  The cold, dampness of early evening greeted these working people at the close of the day.  The week after returning from Maui has been both eventful and a time for rest.  So thankful that the hot water heater that went defunct during our absence didn't ruin the walls and create havoc of immeasurable damage.  Inconvenience.  Living without hot water for a few days seemed so inconsequential.   As I stood at the sink one evening, washing my hands in cold water I wondered how many people in the world live without the benefit of cold, clean water coming from a tap in a  kitchen with a window and a floor.  How many must haul water in some sort of bucket or container from a water source a distance from their living quarters they call home.  So as a layer of thankfulness covers my heart like water in between the cement slab and the flooring, I choose happy and know that I am blessed.

 

After a long four days at work, my "fine figure of a man" and I sought the comfort of our little place for much needed rest.  Ya know.  Rest after vacation is always needed.  It was a slow, comfortable weekend of warm fires, cold north sides and chores that could be handled in increments of manageable time.  One highlight of the weekend was a two year old birthday party for a little one so dear to my heart.  Havilah was born during the week of Thanksgiving 2011.  I recall holding this little one just two years ago and thinking that she was as precious as can be.  Excitement for this little life was held by my dear boy as he considered himself an uncle and grinned from ear to ear about her little fingers and toes.  So we watch her grow and pray sweet prayers for her life in Christ.  Happy Birthday Havilah.

 

Church on Sunday is always something I look forward to.  Conner wanted to go with us.  Even better.  Such a time for reflecting, filling and tears if need be.  The afternoon was special time with a boy in the house.  Helping hands.  That's what he had.  Conner scooped the cookie dough made from the previous day.  "Sometimes a momma's just gotta make cookies" is what this momma told him.  He was glad.  The cookies almost went untouched by him because the dough had filled his sweet tooth.

 

After lunch, the project was the peak of the roof of the Granary.  It was a project my "fine figure of a man" has been looking to complete to keep the weather out.  It was a job well done and we're on our way to completing #5 on our "To Do List".

 

 

 

 

 

So I'm pretty sure that Thanksgiving Day is a time for being thankful but this special day doesn't have to limit the thankfulness each day holds. 

Vacation Surprise

Unexpected surprises.  Ours came yesterday in the form of family.  Family on vacation under the same sunny, partially cloudy skies.  Enjoying the same lapping waves along the same shoreline.  How about coffee?  Do you know a good coffee shop?  Well yes, as a matter of fact.  Let's meet.  Coffee with friends and family is always good.  The park across the street came in handy as the girls hit the swings and played in the breeze of the sunny island day. 

We had planned to spend the day at a beach and so did they.  So we went together to a close by beach to have some local Maui fun.  There is never a bad day at a beach when kiddos are involved.  Grace and Alanna were a fun addition to our November vacation.  And yes, Ryan and Laurinda were fun too.

The snorkeling was decent and Alanna announced that she found a big turtle for her and her mom to look at.  By 4 o'clock the sun was showing the daily wear and tear and the beach began to empty.  The girls were barely wore down but I'm thinking dinner began to be on their minds.  Grace went out on the boogie board for one last pass and Alanna decided we should write in the sand.  Her message said "I love you" and I added the heart.  Picture op for sure.

 

A catamaran found it's way into our little cove, looking large and stealth like.  So quiet and smooth in the ocean waters.  What a way to go.

 

So here's to big smiles and a sunny day at the beach with precious relatives. 

 

Aloha~

TME

It wasn't the day we expected him to be born.  But the doctor said I needed to have this baby soon.  Most women don't get upset when their baby comes early.  So we headed to the hospital to be induced.  Eight hours later they sent me home.  Get some rest, we'll try again tomorrow.  Now that should have alarmed me.  So the next day we arrived back at the hospital bright and early.  Well, not very bright but it was early.  Leanne Brown was waiting at the nurse's desk.  We knew each other but we weren't really "friends".  We have laughed about this morning many times since then.  Grouchy.  That's what this very pregnant woman was. 

Trevor was born at 5:15 p.m.  Eight more hours of Pitocin.  Whew.  When it finally kicked in it was fast and furious.  The next day we were supposed to go home.  Daddy and Tanner came to pick us up but Trevor was jaundiced and had to stay at the hospital. 

I remember the challenges of having a toddler and a nocturnal baby.  Sort of.  Mostly I remember the little boy who seemed shy, preferred the leg of this momma to other outgoing children.  I remember how he had no intention of walking, I thought forever.  I remember the night he decided he could only walk if he could dance and dance he did.  I remember that he started riding a two-wheeler bike at the age of 3 and didn't know 1st gear.  I remember when our neighbor brought him home in his arms from his tooth altering bike wreck.  I remember how he loved to sing in the school performances in grammar school.  I remember how he could play the trumpet.  I remember his determination to harvest a coconut while in the Hawaiian Islands.  I remember what he looked like when he graduated from basic training.

I remember.....so, so much.  Today Trevor turned 24.  It happened quickly and today he is larger life.  Although he stands 6'5" and is as handsome as can be, he still gives an amazing hug and always makes this momma feel special.

Happy Birthday Trevor!  We love you~   <3

Big Waves Rock On

 

The week of the big waves on Maui continues.  Record waves have cut down on snorkeling time and minimized beach time as well.  On our morning walk we had a fun thing happen.  Along the way, a little Egret made friends with us.  Dubbed "Charlie", this little guy poked along with us, grazing on lizards.  He would go up to a bush, cock his head to one side and then another.  Quick.  He was so quick when he spotted a tasty little morsel.  Quick to nab his breakfast meat.  Quick to show us his catch before quickly devouring something that would seem to be so much quicker than a long necked bird.  There's only a few things that slow down the Birch's when on a quest to train for a triathlon, well maybe just one....cuteness.  So thanks to Charlie for allowing us to catch up with our friends and catch our breath.

After our morning walk, triple mocha, a yummy breakfast by Suzie, and a quick apartment cleaning, we decided that south Maui was calling.  It was a good decision.  We found a beautiful beach.  The sun was hot and the water perfect.  The waves were a bit rowdy but we got a few frolics in before relaxing in the sun. 

Eventually our hunger won out and we headed for town to find a lunch place.  Grant had said he wanted to eat at Panda Express for lunch.  Low and behold, we actually found one.  Lunch was good and we headed north. 

After almost getting thrown out of a t-shirt store by the giggles and laughing of this small crowd, we arrived back to our home area.  Good day.  And as Suzie explained "Grant and Bill are now friends".

Aloha~

 

 

To Spin a Yarn

Adventures come in all genres.  Yesterday it was the quest for the yarn shop.  The address, Suzie said was "2223 Puokei Road".  Armed with an I-phone, the rental car keys and a small crowd of 3 who had accepted this mission, we set out to find Suzie some yarn because the hands must always be busy.  Our crowd would have been larger but Mr. Bill decided that he would sit this one out.  So he did.  We headed south to the Lahaina area.  Right on Puokei Road, left?  We weren't so sure.  Let's look in the next mall area.  After a couple of tries, we called the number from the Yelp help.  Oh yes, we are next to the Barnes and Noble.  That's great because we are right next to it.  "I'm standing outside by a couple of mannequins".  There it is!  It had begun to rain but in Hawaii it's no problem since wet doesn't mean cold.  We felt excited to have completed our quest with such success.  However....it was not a yarn shop but a mercantile.  How could this be?  The lady thought perhaps the yarn shop had gone out of business and they had been assigned the old yarn shop number.  Dejected.  We headed home empty handed. 

After a couple of hours we arrived back at the apartment with not much of an explanation as to why we had been gone so long and returned empty handed.  "Binky's"  Suzie said after continuing to look at her phone.  Binky's carries yarn and they are close.  So we set out once again.  We turned left, returned right and back again.  "Turn into this parking lot" I was instructed.  Oh great!  Small parking lot.  Gonna be fun to get out of.  Suzie went upstairs to a little shop.  "Yarn?" the shopkeeper asked.  "Hawaii a little hot for yarn" was pretty much all she had to say.  We all laughed at that one.  True.  Wool hats might not be in high demand in the Islands.  Still not deterred, we were determined.  Off we went.  "Let's try this little mall" was a suggestion.  Wait.  Grant was on the lookout. "There it is".  Yep.  There it was.  Binky's.  Right, almost directly across, from our apartment.  Walking distance.  No need for a rental car, an I-phone or the $4.27 per gallon gasoline. 

The yarn was 100% wool, hand dyed and very beautiful.  We all felt resolve.  The resolve of the quest that created laughter and an adventure we're not likely to forget.

Aloha!

Just Another Day in Paradise!

The music of Jack Johnson fills the apartment tonight.  Von said "must listen to while on the islands".  So we listened to Jack while eating chicken tacos with a fresh island avocado.  Delicious.  We all agreed.

Today the waves here in West Maui were record high.  When we went out this morning for our walk we noticed a lot of locals running around with their surf boards in the back of their vehicles.  Checking out the sites and networking with other locals.  The lady at the coffee shop suggested we go to a favorite viewing point to watch the locals take on the huge waves. 

 

 

 

But these fun seekers didn't stop there.  Back of the road, we headed north with the intention of stopping when the view demanded our attention.   And demand it did.  The road wound around and down the side of the mountain.  Into a jungle of dense umbrella trees in an S turn where the locals live.  Coming out of the turn the view called.  We stopped.  The waves were beating against the rocks, giving these tourists what they wanted to see.  The directions from the tourist book was "just passed the 38 mile marker" is the Blowhole.  We walked down the hill toward this classic site.  As the large waves racked the rocks and pummeled the shore, the Blowhole shot up as if to say hello and to show it's splendor.

 

 

But the adventure had just begun.  The road around the top of the island is a one-way, narrow, hang off the rocks of the side of the mountain.  Oh yeah.  You might want to honk when going around curves.  The string of cars we met on a narrow crevice called a road was Salmon River like.   Bill, being a seasoned Siskiyou County driver, was focused and undeterred by this potentially intimidating situation.

 

Suzie always asks what the highlight of our day was.  Today we all agreed that the fresh, cold pineapple sold to us at the road construction site of a little village by a local was probably the highlight.  Although, finding the 3 waterfalls on the furthest north end of the island, just past the angus ranch was a highlight.  Or the one lone white horse standing on the edge of the hillside was pretty cool too.  I'm thinking a day can contain a lot of highlights when looking for them.

 

 

 

We finished our tour with a walk through Lahaina.  Although a bit touristy, it is worth the walk to get the feel of a small island town.  The Banyan Tree is a must see.   Although not native to the islands, amazing tree was planted on Maui on April 24, 1873.  So I guess it is considered a local.

 

Aloha~

 

 

 



Tuesday, November 12, 2013