Tagging memes

Tag, I'm IT. Julie's meme rules: Look at any book you are currently reading with >125 pages. Go to page 123. Skip the first 5 sentences. Record the following 3 sentences. Tag 5 more people to play the game.

Currently, my reading stack includes travel guides for Baja and there's always a book or two about home building. Other recently read tomes have been dutifully returned to the library.

So, let's see, from Andromeda Romano-Lax's Sea Kayaking in Baja:

"As the evening sea became glass, and then mirror, the jagged reflections of both Dazante and the mainland Sierra de la Giganta danced on the sea's surface. Gliding south, between the two, the reflections enveloped us. The landscape resembled the Grand Canyon, if the Grand Canyon were nearly filled with water, and one were lazily paddling along the south slope, gazing up from the flooded chasm."

Oh, that does sound lovely.

And from Lonely Planet's Baja California & Los Cabos:

"Not only does la frontera have a culture identity of its own, but nearly everything that crosses it, especially heading north, is subject to a strict set of politically charged controls. And nothing is more politically charged on both sides of the border than the issue of undocumented immigration into the USA.

In 2005, under the guise of 'homeland security,' the US announced plans to build a new security wall along the border."

Traveling always gives a new perspective on the world, but even preparing for a trip can cause you to think differently.

Finally, from Franklin and Esther Schmidt's Cabin Kitchens & Baths:

Guess I read picture books too, so nothing on page 123 but a couple captions. I'll cheat and include them:

"Contemporary water-jet relaxation is not incongruous in this old-fashioned, woodsy space." and "This bathroom is customized for a good view while enjoying a bubbled soak."

Bath anyone?

Tagging 5 more is tricky since I only know but maybe 3 other bloggers. I'll tag:
1) Shaleah because she hasn't posted in FOREVER, and
2) Keith because I want to know what smart guys read, and
3) Jeffrey because then he'll know that veritable strangers read his blog (and to learn what aspiring attorneys are forced to read), and
4) Kat because I thought she was cool when we met and she's a writer too.

Celebrating 15 Years

It was a very romantic, traditional-type proposal. He was nervous. I cried. He asked. I accepted.

Details to follow.

The Year of the Underdog?

"You have no fear of the underdog, that is why you will not survive." - Spoon

This has been one of my favorite songs for a while now. The lyrics were with me all day, after last night's exciting Superbowl upset. I have a knack for rooting for the underdog. I don't plan it; it just turns out that way.

So, I'm thinking that if my Superbowl pick won this year, maybe my choice for president will win this year too!

Hear for yourself here or here

"YES WE CAN!"

Snow Day

Sunday's slush



This morning's snow







I've lived on the lake for nearly 10 years, but have never seen snow on the water until today. As of Saturday, it was completely frozen over. Then, yesterday, there was a hint of melted snow on top. This morning, there is no denying the inches of white on top of the ice.

I tried making it into work today. My bomber Subaru with 4 studded tires goes ANYwhere, but other folks were going EVERYwhere! I made it three miles before I saw the first truck with its flashers alerting me to the ditch it was nose-deep into. As I continued around the icy corner, there were two passenger vehicles in the right-hand ditch, facing each other. One nose completely gone and the other's side panel now missing. I wove between these three, only to come upon the monster truck fully embedded in the ditch.

Everybody was in good spirits except the woman who had been T-boned. Visibly shaken, she asked if the damage to her car was bad. I didn't know how to tell her that her car looked totaled, so said, "Its kinda crunched." She commended my "politically correct" answer.

The Aid Car arrived on scene and I began to scope the descent downhill to continue my commute. I was informed they were turning people around a mile ahead (explained the heavier-than-usual oncoming traffic earlier). To check out the closure rumor, I had to thread the needle between another accident in the middle of the hill. Weighing all I'd seen already, I turned around. I have never aborted my commute before.

Lesson learned: When there's snow on the lake, don't even bother with the roads.

John Steinbeck

This morning, I was remembering some "words of wisdom" uttered to me by my then-boyfriend's mother. I was in my early 20s (VERY early 20s). She said, "You're very idealistic. That's because you're young. That will change as you get older." I'm much older now....

This evening, I read this:
"When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure the itch..." - John Steinbeck.

I always have liked Steinbeck. And I think I'll like this this next read, too.

Christmas letter

The following was sent to our friends & family, but due to printer malfunction, I didn't get to print the photos, so enjoy!

When the winter rains set in and the cold air hints of snow at higher elevations, we don our puffy coats and begin to work at that fat reserve that gets us through the ever-lengthening darkness. Our bodily resources are turned inward a bit more to stave off the chill and our thoughts become more contemplative as we sip our cocoa and gather around the fire. We don’t speak much. We savour the quiet, the way the cocoa warms first the hands around the mug, then tickles the nose, and courses its warm salve beyond our stomachs and to our very souls.

As the Adams Family on Lerch Road slipped into 2007, it was clear the energy and frenetic pace of 2006 could not be sustained. Instead of trying to top all the chainsaw and China adventures, we took a more introspective tact; one that gave us time to enjoy the small pleasures. We’d like to share a few of those moments that stuck with us.

Winter: On a glorious mid-week bluebird “POW!” day, Jenn played hooky for some early morning turns. She took the hill at full bore, nose of the board pointing down the fall line, floating on the surface, carving graceful turn after turn (nobody was on the hill to dispute this!) At the bottom, she took the chair lift up, basking in the warm (February!) sun. As she looked down, a man was looking up. They had the same ear-to-ear grin dazedly plastered on their faces. No words. They were stuck in slow motion. They recognized, each in the other, a spirit drunk on their unbelievable good fortune to be there.

Spring: The size of Mike’s eyes when we encountered a black bear mother and cub on the trail to Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park. Even after numerous backcountry encounters, he still has a healthy respect for the powerful creatures. We counted 11 bears during the 3—day trip! It blew Jenn’s mind to realize that it had been 10 years since she was a backcountry ranger at that station.

Summer: Driving home after a long, sweaty day at work, head filled with visions of a sun-kissed lake and the recharge to be found there. A quick change of clothes, a moment’s pause at the dock’s edge to reflect on the day, the summer, the mountain, and the refreshing plunge ahead. The short swim to take the edge off tired muscles, pulling up on the ladder Mike handcrafted (all joints, no nails!), and flopping on the dock to dry.

Fall: Venturing out for weekend jaunts to explore Washington’s wild areas, with the goal of completing the 70 mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass. The scenery was breath-taking. But more inspiring were the people from all over the world who were finishing their treks from the Mexican border. We silently cheered them on as they only had a couple of weeks left to realize their goal. When not meeting people, we reveled in huckleberries, where every turn opened a new bounty and inspired childlike behavior. Especially noted was the propensity to stick out one’s tongue to determine whose was the darker shade of purple!

These small days made up our 2007. When we string them all together, they add up to a wonderful year. We hope the New Year brings a string of fun-filled days for you and yours!

Merry Christmas! Jenn & Mike

Old school

Dude! Our printer is a p.o.s.! I spent the last hour trying to get a decent Christmas letter out of it. This is the last year for this! From now on, it will be BLOG letters!!! Mostly its the waste of paper that is driving me CRAZY, and the waste of ink, and the waste of my time!! So, I want feedback on BLOG Christmas vs. paper in-the-mail Christmas. Is it better to receive something in the box on the driveway or on your hard-drive? I'm taking a serious vote, here.