Mo-town Veggies

Just Like The ONes I used to know

2008-12-27T16:04:00.000-08:00

This is why I like this man. He takes things into consideration and understands the importance of every issue.

2008-11-07T21:27:00.000-08:00

2008-11-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

2008-10-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Why voting for for Sarah Palin would be a step backwards for women and families!

Read this article from the Huffington Post:

Mayor Palin Left Wasilla To the Bears: Cut Funding For Animal Control, Children's Shelter, Rape Kits, More

The fact that Republican candidate for vice president Sarah Palin slashed city funding for forensic rape exams when she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, has raised questions about her priorities as an executive. In fact, the controversial rape-kit funding cut was part of larger budget realignment overseen by Palin, where monies aimed at benefiting Wasilla citizens were in effect moved to pay for city legal defense and government employee transportation, including the lease of an SUV for the mayor and expensive improvements to the local airport she used for campaigning. A line-by-line look at the full budget for fiscal year 20001 places the rape-kit cuts in context and provides insight into Sarah Palin's priorities 2 during her 1997-2002 tenure as mayor.

Budgets of course can be arcane. Readers are encouraged to add their own assessments by looking at the budget document, available here as a PDF.

Sample Budget Cuts
A full review of the non-utility "Materials and Services" line items (available here as a Google Document) for fiscal year 2000 reveals 38 budget cuts. Several of these are worth looking at in detail.

Library Book Purchasing Fund Slashed (Budget pages G-5 and G-7): Governor Palin's original budget for FY2000 requested a $35,876 (19%) cut from the Library Department's budget. To meet this requirement, the revised budget cut funding by 28% for library materials (books, periodicals, audio/visual materials, and supplies for children programs).

Animal Control Funding Cut (Page F-6): For a city where vicious dogs are commonplace and bears come to feast on unsecured garbage, the fiscal year 2000 budget cut back Wasilla's funding for the Mat-Su Borough Animal Control by 14%.

Summer Recreation Program Funding Cut Heavily, Partially Restored (Page F-31): Wasilla had traditionally employed 2 to 3 people to run structured summer programming for city children. The initial fiscal year 2000 budget cut funding from $13,966 to $5,000 (a 57% decrease). The revised budget partially restored the cut, providing $8,355 for the summer rec program.

Contracted Out Early-Intervention Services Eliminated (Pages G-9 to G-10): Wasilla runs a Youth Court, a program of early intervention for troubled teenagers. Some of the services (it is unclear what these services were) provided by the court were contracted out. The FY2000 budget eliminated funding for these services
Police Department Public Relations Funding Declines (Page F-17): Under Police Chief Irl Stambaugh, this line item paid for neighborhood watch and crime prevention seminars; Mayor Palin felt that providing a sense of "real down-home community belonging" was of utmost importance. Palin replaced Stambaugh and decreased this line item by 90% between FY97 and FY00.

Rape Kit Funding Transferred to Victim's Insurance ("Contractual Services" page F-18): The rape kit controversy has been covered extensively, most recently in a report by Jessica Yellin on CNN. However, it is still worth noting that the line item paying for rape kits was slashed from $4,200 in FY99 to a mere $1,000 in FY00. Governor Palin recently gave a non-denial denial when confronted about the controversy.

Grant Decreased to Children's Shelter (Page F-6): The Dorothy Saxton Youth Shelter provides residential care and rehabilitation to endangered children, including victims of sexual abuse. Sarah Palin's fiscal year 2000 budget decreased the Wasilla city grant to the shelter by 25%.

The other 38 line-items that were cut that year were mundane, and are summarized. Twelve involved typical office-related expenses of the sort present in the budget for every Wasilla City Department. These included items such as postage, office and copier supplies. Four of the other line-items were insurance-related. Of the other 22 items, six involved one-time costs, either economic development projects or various forms of maintenance. Two more were grants that merely passed through the City of Wasilla from the State of Alaska en route to a museum and a senior citizen center; these two cuts were due to actions taken at the state level.

Sample Budget Additions

Defending Against Wrongful Termination Lawsuit (Page F-15): In response to two lawsuits the city was involved in as a result of actions by Mayor Palin, she included $30,000 for legal services in the Mayor's department's budget. The first of the lawsuits filed against the city was filed by former Police Chief Irl Stambaugh. He sued for breach of contract and wrongful termination. The city won this case in March of 2000 when a judge ruled that under Alaska law, police chiefs serve "at the behest of the mayor," an idiom akin to "at the pleasure of the president."
A Costly Land Grab The city of Wasilla sued developer Gary Lundgren and The Nature Conservancy in 1999 after Lundgren and the national TNC closed a deal for land. Wasilla had made an offer to the state Nature Conservancy that had been mostly accepted with a few kinks still to be worked out. The city won the initial case in July 2000 and began building a multi-use sports facility on the site, but after Lundgren won on appeal, the city was forced to take eminent domain of the land for a higher cost. When combined with court costs, the city had spent $1.5 million, five times the initial cost of the land.
Money for a Mayormobile (Page F-15): An expense of $3,579 is allocated for the Mayor's Department in the revised fiscal year 2000 budget for "vehicle lease." The lack of a line-item in this or any other budget showing any vehicle purchase by the Mayor's Department suggests this vehicle was the white Chevrolet Suburban SUV "Mayormobile" mentioned in a recent New York Times article on Palin's tenure as mayor.
Improvements for Rarely-Used Airport (Pages E-1 and E-2): Wasilla residents tend to use Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, and as such, Wasilla's airport gets little use. However, Sarah Palin increased spending for the Wasilla city airport in FY2000 by more than $25,000, from $47,816.26 to $75,135.

Most Alaskan cities and villages require airports, as airplanes are often the only way to get to and from many remote areas of the state. This is why a state of 683,478 people had, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's 2007 data, 51 airports with at least 5,000 passenger boardings. However, Wasilla is not set in one of Alaska's remote locales. It is a mere hour's drive from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alaska's major airport, which hosts flights not only to anywhere in Alaska but also to, among other places, Seattle, Denver, Honolulu, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Portland, Las Vegas, Houston, Phoenix, Taiwan, and Vladivostok on Russia's eastern edge. As such, Wasilla's airport gets almost no use. During her six years as Wasilla's mayor, Palin obtained $1,864,208 in grants from the federal government for improving the airport.

To put the airport in perspective, compare it to the Gravina Access Project, seen by many, if somewhat unfairly, as a massive, unnecessary bridge to get people to Ketchikan International Airport. If one considers the Gravina Access Project spending as "airport spending" and includes the now-redirected $223,000,000 earmark that Sarah Palin falsely claimed to have said "thanks, but no thanks" to, then Ketchikan International Airport received $269,581,727 in federal grant money between 2001-2006. However, Ketchikan International Airport has averaged 106,786 passenger boardings per year over the last eight years. Wasilla's airport has averaged only 60 passenger boardings per year over those eight years (479 total), 384 of which were in 2006 when Governor Palin was flying around Alaska on campaign trips. So, even with the "Bridge to Nowhere", Ketchikan International Airport averaged $421 in federal grants per passenger boarding per year. Wasilla's airport averaged more than ten times that, $5,178 in federal grants per passenger boarding per year.

---
1 Wasilla's fiscal year 2000 ran from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000.
2 Wasilla's Budget Process: The FY2001 budget (available here in PDF form) describes the budget process on pages 3 and 4 (12 and 13 in the PDF). In January, the Mayor and the heads of departments decide on the number of personnel needed for the upcoming fiscal year. In February, the Finance Department calculates labor costs and works with department heads to complete their budget requests, which are then submitted to the mayor. During March and April, the Mayor meets with the Finance Director and the head of each department to review in detail the purpose for each line item, and the objectives and goals it helps to meet. The Mayor then makes any changes he or she feels is necessary, and formally submits the budget to the City Council on April 24th. During the year, any new appropriations or transfers of amounts over $5,000 must be approved by the council; transfers of under $5,000 may be made at the discretion of the mayor

2008-09-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

2008-09-20T15:59:00.001-07:00

The First Day of School

2008-09-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

These boys were soooo excited.

Shilo takes his school very seriously. Cole on the other hand loves recess and lunch.

He has his own locker

Time to get down to the serious business of coloring.

2008-08-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Guerilla Gardening. Maybe not, but I did grow this outside the boundaries of my apartment, so I felt like a rebel. I was expecting the apartment complex to cut down my tomato, peppers, and sunflowers but they never did. So we had a garden after all. Yeah, I love fresh tomatoes right off the plant. There is something very satisfying about knowing you grew it.

Well, its the end of the summer and we had one last hurrah at Oaks Amusement Park. It was a great way to end things. Cole's favorite ride was The Hopper. Which of course was a frog that went up high and dropped you down so you lost your stomach. It is pictured below.

Roller skating was included so we gave it our first try . Cole was a natural and claimed it is easier than skateboarding since he had on 8 wheels instead of 4. Good with numbers he is.

Michelle for President

2008-08-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

So I was walking home from the grocery store today and I was thinking about politics, as I often do. And I was thinking that politics between family often ends up in hurt feeling and tears. But why does it have to be that way? Well the answer I came up with is that politics is personal. We all have our own experiences and values that give our lives meaning and drive our next moves. But why can't we discuss these values as a way to understand each other better instead of avoiding the issue as if it were the knife meant to kill. And then that is when I sat down to Michelle Obama's speech. I cried like a baby at the way she painted the picture of her life. And I wondered how can you not like a woman whose universe is centered around her family. Everything she does is because of her family. That I can relate too! And how can you not like a woman who wants to define this country by its dreams and hope rather than by its fears. With that said I am giving you ten reasons why a vote for McCain would be a step backward for all women and children. And if you are a McCain fan I really want your insight into why? I promise not to get to defensive. I will tell you that my politics are centered around my beliefs that all people, regardless of sex, race, ethnic heritage, disability, etc, have a right to healthcare, high quality education, affordable housing and food, and a right to happiness. doesn't the constitution say something about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Yeah, I thought so. Anyways, 10 things you should know about McCain.

10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):

1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.

2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."( Now that's an image I never thought I would hear.)

3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban. ( wow, he doesn't believe in human rights, huh ?)

4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."

5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.( not somebody I want representing my family)

5. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.( Wow so much for family values.)

6. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."

7. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates. ( Yeah, lobbyist don't fight for single moms)

8. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." ( Can you say Racist?)

9. McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult." ( Hmmmm, never thought of catholics as a cult)

10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.

Oh my God, My Baby is 6!

2008-08-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

So I probably had too many martinis at Bartini when I made this slide show.

I was actually crying when I put the music to it. It is sappy but I wanted to get creative with my computer and here is the product. I do want to stress that this is ametuer at it's worst. But I hope you enjoy this celebration of Cole on his birthday.

2008-08-17T08:35:00.001-07:00

With another semester of Grad school under my belt, I am feeling like I can handle this life I have choosen. This life of all work and no play or money. But lucky enough for us, Portland is full of free fun. And over the last few weeks we have been to the likes of block parties, the Flugtag, Hawthorne street fair, and the Adult Soap Box Derby. All of them have been a tribute to just how much Portland likes to drink beer and let all of it's personality hang out. There is no such thing as being too weird, well at least in some people's opinion.

2008-07-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

Wow what a summer it has been and we haven't got to his birthday,yet.

Here we enjoying one of the many wonderful things about Portland. Movies in the park! They had a festival before hand with a band, rock climbing wall, a magician, crafts table and an all out free for all for kids. As if that wasn't enough they were handing out free candy and popcorn for your movie viewing pleasure. Does it really get any better for a kid when you mom lets you run wild and eat all candy you want while spinning a ball on your finger for the first time? It was great to be Cole on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Holgate Housewives brought their own treats called margaritas. We sipped our way into relaxation and and marveled at how great Portland is. It is the most family friendly city to live in.

The Tae Kwon Do Master. Every Friday he turns into a Power Ranger in training.

So the previous pictures of the butterflies were in fact the ones we grew. It was quite a magnificent project. We loved watching them change daily. We loved them so much we released them into the Portland sky. They stuck around our patio for a few days and then left. I hope they propagate and become many more. Our next project is growing a frog. So any one looking to get the kid with every toy a present, a live frog kit would be prefect. He still talks about the frog at the winery. Which brings me to my next picture.

We had a great family reunion this month. We were so happy to share this city we love so much ( so have you figured out that I am happy here) as well as connect again with some we haven't seen for awhile. Cole and Aunt Julie shared a love for rocks and he is still looking for some for her. He talks regularly to our cat Jango about Nana. Nana and Jango had a love affair. Don't ever let her tell you she isn't a cat person.
Nana and Gigi at the winery.

Winery Frog

After a picnic at the Winery we stopped for Mike's Ice cream in Hood River.

2008-07-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

2008-06-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

Until I become inspired with content for this blog. I will only post pictures for the family to watch the kids grow. At this point, on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The Sunday before I officially begin my Master's program full-time, I fully understand why Gemma has laid her blog to rest. My life has become too busy for any sort of deep reflection on it. I feel as if we are going full steam ahead without any processing time. It makes me wonder if this is how a caterpillar feels as it eats it's way into the cocoon. I can only hope I will emerge from this as transformed and beautiful as a butterfly.
In order to make sure there is some sweetness in my life and that I am still smiling at the end of the day we are doing things like strawberry picking, we got a kitten, and hanging out with the people we love. We are also anticipating a much needed visit from Nana, Gigi, and Aunt Julie in July.

Still Here

2008-05-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

In case you wondered, I am still here. It is just between a dying dog, writing papers on the effects of food on the developing brain and learning and, how to assess English Language Learners for special education my brain has no energy for anything creative. I am lucky if I get a minute to plant a container garden. Though the fun parts of gardening; the sensation of the dirt through my fingers, and the smells, oh the smells, don't register with my tired brain. Luckily we have been blessed with lots of sun and rain so everything is growing despite my lack of attention to it. There's a message in that.

Raven

2008-05-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

1996-2008

Thanks for sharing 12 years with me. You were the best friend

a girl could ask for. You will be missed dearly.

It's Spring Break- Why Not Eat My Way to Heaven

2008-03-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

I'll take one of everything.

This was sooo rich we couldn't eat 1/4 of it. But of course we already had doughnuts.

A visit in review

2008-03-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

2008-03-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

So what do you when your life gets up and leaves for 5 days? Well, you of course do all those things you've been meaning to do but weren't interesting to your child so you never do them.

But what were those things, again. I can't remember. So I wander aimlessly through stores. These aren't errands, there is no objective here. I am only admiring the beauty. But wasn't there something I was going to do? You know, something important. Oh well, never mind.

Because you can't stand a day without a child you go out to brunch with your nephew and neice. They try their hardest to fill your heart with smiles, but something is still missing.

Next, you go to the local medicine woman in hopes of finding some help. While the blueberry Limeade fixed the upset stomach. I am still spouting poetry:

"Your absence goes through me like a thread and needle

It colors everything I do."

When all else fails you eat a whole vegan pizza by yourself. Yeah, this is homemade. I loved every bite of it. I better do that school work I have been procrastinating. Cole will be home Tuesday, I if it's not done, I will be really mad at myself.

A sign of hope

2008-03-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

To those of you stuck in the snow in the midwest. Here is some hope that spring is coming. Or here are some reasons to move to Portland, spring really does come in March. Okay, I'm rubbing it in.

2008-03-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

I really can't get enough of the vegan doughnuts. Sweetpea bakery, my Saturday morning

tradition. I love Portland.

Another Portland Tradition. Playing at Mt. Tabor Park.

View of Mt. Hood from Mt. Tabor.

Poor Raven, she hates waiting for us while we play

at the playground.

Freeze Tag

2008-03-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

Saturday Living

2008-03-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Spring is coming that's for sure. It has been in the 50's and 60's for two weeks now. We have even seen the sun for multiple days in a row and our energy levels are up. Saturday was booked full. And it was much needed, when a typical winter day starts with fog and lifts into a mist and into a shower for the evenings, you forget that the sun even exist. Well, almost. But you do resign your body and mind to being cloudy and wet all the time. You stop avoiding the puddles of life because everybody else is wet also and besides, you'll eventually dry out one way or another. You don't even carry an umbrella anymore because this is Portland and the funkier your hair the better. In fact, your neighbor advises you to be part of the elements, "feel your environment" is her mantra. So you move on and feel protected knowing there isn't a water shortage in your part of the world. But then the sun comes and suddenly Portland becomes divided in philosophy. There are those who jump for joy and start planting just smell the warm dirt and there are those who fear it is too early for sun; they fear having to water their grass too early in the season. You soon discover who likes to be outdoors and who likes to have an excuse to hide in the coffee shop. But I'm with the latter. It is good to slow down and be blanketed in soft clouds but there comes a time when the rain must move. I need the sun to grow these seeds in my soul. But of course, this is the NW and weather is as unpredictable as it gets and Saturday forces us to stay in doors. So we start with vegan doughnuts at Sweet Pea vegan bakery with our dear friends Meg, Misty, Paige and Kris. From there it was soccer for an hour. Then we head to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry for the afternoon. And we end the day with pizza and a movie with Shilo and family. Shilo is Cole's best friend. I have never seen a more genuine soul than Shilo's. With all his heart he tells Cole how much he loves him. And with that I close my eyes knowing we are loved in this city and so glad we have been blessed with wonderful friends.

Cole's first Soccer Class

2008-03-01T23:22:00.000-08:00

2008-02-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

Since I lack any sort of inspiration these days but still have a strong need write. I have been scouring the web for ideas. And this is what I come up with, one for all you foodies. I thought a survey would be fun, this is being passed on from vegan blog to vegan blog. So now you are in the know.....

1. If you have to choose between locally grown or organic, which do you usually choose?

I must admit this is a dilemma for me, I spend way too much time contemplating which is best. I like to support local as long as there aren't pesticides on it.

2. Favorite way to prepare potatoes:
Ugh potatoes. Every once in awhile in vegy hash but they must blue or red. Do sweet potato fries count ? I heart sweet potato fries.
Other than that I avoid them.

3. Do you press your tofu before preparing/cooking it (if you eat soy)?
Never. I'm too lazy.

4. Name your favorite recipe that is a tradition in your family:
Christmas Fudge and I veganized it no problem,

5. Any food allergies?
Nope, well maybe soy

6. When you want to go to a fancy dinner, where do you go?
Who has time for fancy?

7. When you have a cold, what do you crave?
soup and cookies

8. What kind of water do you drink? (Filtered, spring, tap, etc.)
tap

9. Name a flavor of soda you'd love to see:
Blueberry Lavender

10. If the recipes you ate as a child were compiled into a cookbook, what would the title be?
Tuna Melts

11. If you were allowed to grow one food that can't grow in your climate, what would it be?
Avacado trees every where!

12. Favorite type of mushroom?
Shitake

13. Most frustrating part of your kitchen?
It's in my living room!

14. Last food you burned?
I always burn the last pancake.

15. Usual response to a veg*n's favorite question, "But where do you get your protein?":
roots and sticks!

16. If you were baking your own birthday cake today, what flavor would it be?
Coconut all the way!

17. Favorite brand of chocolate chips?
Tropical Source, by far.

18. You have $200 of your tax return reserved for Williams Sonoma- What do you buy?
All new pans, my suck!

19. Do you plan your menus in advance? Any tips to share?
Not too much, I tend to go by daily cravings

20. You have 3 minutes before you have to leave the house and you're starving- What do you eat?
A Larabar or an apple

21. If Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, and Rachel Ray got into a fight, who would win and how?
Martha, because she learned some moves in the slammer.

22. If you eat oatmeal, what do you add to it before serving?
Agave and cinnamon.

23. If you got to travel to one country and learn all the traditional dishes there, where would you go (ignore commitments in your current place of residence)?
India

24. Favorite late night snack?
I don't make it to late night.

25. Favorite springtime food?
strawberries

26. Favorite food-related magazine?
I prefer food blogs.

27. Which do you prefer: shoyu, tamari, conventional soy sauce, or Bragg's Aminos?
Shoyu

28. What vegetable or fruit do you dislike the most?
Brussel Sprouts. I was tramatized for life as a child.

29. Name a holiday food you look forward to all year long:
Pumpkin Pie

30. If you could convert anyone to veganism with your magic wand, who would you convert?
Obama would be perfect, but I also think my dad because his health needs it right now.

2008-01-29T17:45:00.000-08:00

First Poem

2008-01-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

When I watch the stars

and planets go by

I think of how pretty you are.

-Cole Wells-

1/17/08

Cole said this to me right before he fell asleep. I simple hugged him and said that is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said. He replied, " Do you think I am the sweetest boy, ever?"

Ever!

Who's your candidate

2008-01-07T17:53:00.000-08:00

Well, folks , it is the year we have all( well not some of you) been waiting for. The year we get to vote Bush out! Oh how joyous! Now who are we going to vote for? It needs to be somebody who can revert all of the damage done. Let's face it we need universal health care, we need paid family leave, we need a more honorable position in the world and stricter global warming prevention, we need to get out of Iraq and bring all of our military personal home safely with their family, where they belong. There are so many more issues I could name, but instead why don't you take this quiz. It is kind of like one of those quizzes you loved in Seventeen Magazine but this one is serious. Find out which candidate you agree with the most. Not so surprisingly Dennis Kucinich and I agreed on everything. I am after all idealist. I want peace, no border fence, more health care, more this more that, no Patriot Act, etc. Surprisingly, Obama came in at third on my list. We actually disagree on several things. Like for instance he is for the insurance companies running a universal health. Sounds like an oxymoron. Anyways, my vote isn't solidified yet. After you do your quiz watch this Bill Moyer Clip:

What I did over winter break part II....

2008-01-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

From time to time I have been known to play around with and build paper toys. It is a hobby I wish I had more time for. So I was excited when Cole opened this present from Santa. It was a complete kit for building a pirate ship. I put my soul into building this and was so proud of my work when 5 minutes later it was destroyed by the "bad pirates." Hence the nature of paper, full possibilities and impermanence. Two things I need to learn of more.

What I did over winter break.....

2008-01-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

Disco bowling, of course. What else do you did when you have a kid ? I was the

queen of hard flung gutter balls.

Yeah, we're cool.

Bowling? Who wants to bowl when you got this?

We lost Cole a quarter into the night to the dark side of video games.

Thank the bowling god for bumpers.

Concentrating on a miracle to get both pins.

Wishing you all health and happiness in 2008!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-27T14:36:00.000-08:00

Olive Stole the show on Christmas Eve

Aunt Trish gave her some style and took a photo shoot.

His first snowboard and he loved it.

This boy was born to ride, a snowboard that is.

Nana's present sat under the tree for a week and

he could hardly wait. In fact it was torture to make him

wait, so he opened them pre-Christmas Eve party.

Thanks Nana and Grandpa Rick.

Then Santa came. And with each present unwrapped, came the expression

"I have always wanted this!" Life got better with lego's, hot wheels, pirates, basketball, and

Lighting McQueen boots ( just what every snowboarder needs)

Oh, girl you are going to break hearts.

2007-12-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

I always feel so bad for the horses being forced to pull all that weight.

One of the best things about having a child is getting to do things you normally wouldn't be caught dead doing as a single adult. Like singing Christmas Carols while waiting in line at Trader Joe's but your child isn't going to survive this if you don't. So you sing Jingle Bells and Frosty until that's all you hear in your head for days. You also find yourself at every free Christmas event offered. There are the hundred tubas, christmas ships, visits to Santa, and the Portland tradition of Peacock Lane. Peacock Lane has been entertaining Christmas goers since the 1920's and we found ourselves amongst the crowds last night. Who needs to pay $15 for zoo lights when you've got this right in your neck of the woods or city for that matter. This excursion brought up a lot of issues for me. I sure hope those were LED lights, but I doubt it. SInce, creating a magical night for Auden Cole is what it was all about, I'll relax and let it slide.

Def Poetry - Season 2, Episode 3 (Part 1 of 3)

2007-12-22T07:41:00.001-08:00

friday night....
watching to much def poetry.
wishing i had a dress and someplace to go.
instead I drink in these words and get drunk with imagery. Like the emotional drunk I am I wish cry for the old days.
Saturday.....
I wake up with a hangover of not not enough sleep and wonder when the power of rhyme will come to me.

2007-12-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Thursday afternoon...
We get in the holiday spirit and construct a gingerbread house. This is our first year doing this and Cole had a blast. Lately, he has been into building things, especially with Legos and blocks so working with food was an extra special treat. Once he got started it was hard to get him to quit. He had to make sure every inch with covered with candy. The picture isn't of great quality because I took it with the camera on the computer but you get the idea.

pimp ride

2007-12-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

So every now and then I find a story on the internet that is worth passing on. This one of them. I think this is the most creative way I have seen people exert their presence in public space. And it is global warming friendly too. Why do all of the interesting things happen in New York. Click on the link for more pictures and the full story.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/11/29/nyregion/1129-BIKES_index.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

2007-11-29T09:52:00.000-08:00

I am such a proud mama this morning. I just got back from my first parent-teacher conference with Auden Cole's teachers and the results are great. It is always refreshing to hear who your child is through someone else's eyes. Who he is away from me. He and I are so emotionally connected that sometimes I forget he isn't me. I think all to often I suffer from expecting too much from him. As a result, I become very frustrated at times with his behavior but his teacher's report his core personality that I always knew was there but felt he hadn't been showing me lately. I guess I need to stop and take a few breaths because and I quote, " Cole has a warm, calm, and friendly personality. Cole values being kind, fair, and gentle to others and they appreciate and acknowledge these qualities in him as well. Cole expresses his joy for life and pride in his family." I have it in writing, if I ever need the proof . The only things they feel he needs to work on is self-confidence. Hmmm, hazards of parenting. Your children will absorb all of your own insecurities. So we agreed that finding those learning moments and validating for him that he is a very intuitive person and he needs to trust himself is where he is at with his learning. We will wait until March to see if he should do another year of kindergarden or go ahead and send him on to first grade.

thanksgiving

2007-11-27T06:54:00.001-08:00

2007-11-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

Cole and Meg showing off.

playing around with the photobooth on the computer

Commuting to school every morning with Misty and Meg has turned into a beautiful relationship. These two couldn't have come into our lives at a better time. Because of their generous hearts we no longer have to ride the crowded bus and suffer through pre-school fear and anxiety. Now Auden Cole gets to walk in every day with a friend who has his back. And he is very relieved about that. Life certainly gives me what I need and in this case I am very Thankful for the way great friends come into my life.

So your question is why did I refer to Cole as Auden. As some of you know that is his first name. But I started calling him that because he no longer calls me mama. Instead he has granted me my independence and calls me Trisha Rhoades. All being fair in love and war I get to call him Auden. At first he didn't like it, but he told me tonight that he loves it when I call him Auden because it reminds of the time we spend together. I think what he meant was, it is my special name for him and only I get to use it. Sorry to the grandparents who have been wanting to call him by his first name for awhile. He might strike a deal with you,though if you talk to him about it.

Better late than never

2007-11-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

I know Halloween has been gone for awhile, but while I am still shooting with 35mm, pictures just aren't going to come fast. Some day my fairy godmother will bring me this camera of my dreams, but until then, sigh, I'll have to be patient.
The night begins with a pose at home.

Who is the real spiderman? We went treating this year with Meg(his dearest angel of a friend) and Paige.
Scaling Mt. Tabor's abodes in search of the large candy bar.

If he could he would bathe himself in this loot. But instead he gets a daily lecture from me on what candy does to one's body. I'm no fun. I know.

2007-10-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Fall in PDX is perhaps the prettiest। It's hard to believe this city was
once reduced to stumps.
I love the dramatic play of color around the city

Recovering from the sickness with some books

Costumes of the mind

2007-10-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

Fall has arrived, as promised, and it came in on winter's breath. That is to say it has been a chilly. As I wrap myself in my favorite blanket and sit in front of my computer with hopes of writing a profound paper for my class, the only thing that comes to mind are words from Neruda,
" Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
Write for example, 'The night is starry and
the stars are blue and shiver in the distance." Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too. To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her."

Hmmm....Why does this mean?

Perhaps my "she" is summer. As it rains outside and the leaves turn yellow I am left with only a memory of all that was warm and safe. Why does the colder weather and grey skies make me want to revert farther inside and look at all that is sad? I think the sun once overshadowed the crevices of my heart and warmed my insides to the point of blinding. Now the sun has gone and I see the spiderwebs in the cornors again and I realize it is time to slow down and comfort the negelected parts. This process happens to me every fall and I comfort myself with manic baking and David Lynch movies. Funny how I associate David Lynch with fall. Does this mean fall is nightmarish and hullucinatory to me? Maybe I am missing the point of both Lynch and fall. Perhaps my instincts are telling me it is time, like nature, to slow down and explore areas never seen before. Sometimes they appear to be dying and full of spider webs but they could also just be a different perspective of your life. Well, I will stop before I become to abstract like Lynch. My point is that I associate fall with sadness, blankets and chocolate chip cookies. If only I had more time to explore this......

Thanks Mr. president

2007-10-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I underestimate Mr. Bush's capacity for jerkness.
But this morning, hearing the news that he vetoed the SCHIP bill which is intended to insure children, he disappointed me once again. As a result, 6.6 million children could lose health care coverage beginning November 16 and millions more who need health care coverage won't get it at all. How could anyone deny a child health insurance? Are you kidding me? Here are some astonishing facts for you Mr. President:
*12% of American Children don't have any insurance coverage at all
* The U.S. Ranks 37th in the world for infant mortality
* One-in-five U.S. jobs does not provide health insurance, a pension, or wages high enough to support a family
* For a family of 4, one year of health insurance costs an average of 11,000
* Over 1/2 of all bankruptcy filings in 2001 were a result of medical expenses

But you have more important things to spend your money on right? Heck the muslims haven't been wiped out yet. You must move forward with your genocide plan and that takes money, huh. Let the children of American go unhealthy. If their parents can't afford health insurance then, they shouldn't have had them! How many days until you are gone? Man, 474 is too long for me.

Motherhood is not a class privelege

2007-09-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

Spreading the word about this exhibit that will be at PSU starting Oct. 4 and running through October.

Where: Portland State University White Gallery, Smith Memorial Student Union, room 289 (1825 SW Broadway).

Cost: The photo exhibit and corresponding lectures are free and open to the public.

Beggars and Choosers:
Motherhood is Not a Class Privilege in America

A Show of Photographs

For more than a generation, politicians have argued that poor women in the United States who have children, especially the ones who need public assistance, are irresponsible and selfish, are wasting public money, and make bad mothers. Public opinion polls show that a majority of Americans agree: women shouldn't have children if they are too poor and resourceless to support kids properly.

In fact, at the beginning of the 21st century, most Americans have, in one way or another, embraced the notion that motherhood is an economic status, a consumer status, even a class privilege that should be reserved for people with enough money to give their children advantages.

What are the implications and consequences for our country when so many of us believe that motherhood is most properly an experience reserved for "independent," middle-class women? What images and information are we missing when we come to these conclusions?

Shouldn't we consider the fact that typical hourly wages for many jobs are way too low to support a mother and child and the fact that employers pay African-American women about 65 cents for every dollar that they pay white men for similar work -- when we assess the claim that only women with funds should have babies?

Shouldn't we consider the fact that 40% of the poverty in female-headed households could be eliminated if women were paid wages comparable to the wages males earn for comparable work -- when we assess the claim that only women who can afford to give their children advantages should have babies?
See the official web site for more.....www.beggarsandchooser.org

Sunday's

2007-09-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday we hike on the trail across the street at Reed College.

The trail loops around a large pond where we feed the ducks.

After our hike we come home for coffee and doughnuts and just talk while "This American Life" plays in the background. Being five means you now finally have the ability and maturity to hold a conversation but you still get to say fun things like, " This gravity really hurts my muscles!" I savor these moments and dread monday morning....
Cole is still adjusting to school life. He has woken up the past three mornings saying, " I quit school!" It makes these chilly mornings on an over crowed bus and eight block walk to his classroom a challenge. But when I pick him up he is excited and filled with stories and experiences of the day. When I asked him if he met any new friends today he replies with ,"no, only the girls liked me."

Lunch at Chaos cafe. I had the Tempeh and green beans in a bean sauce over rice. Wonderful!

Cole had the tofu and avacado.

First Day of School

2007-09-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

It should be named the enchanted forest classroom. The hallway leading to the classroom is decorated in a forest theme complete with baskets of rocks, sticks and a tree house. Students from last year sewed animal mask that still hang on the walls. But the magic comes from the light tables and over head projectors that produce shadows of yet more trees and animals.

He was very impressed with the play structure in the sand box.

Listening to a book on tape in the quiet corner

Making hair shadows. Look at all of that hair!

I keep reading that becoming a mother makes you smarter. It's something about instincts and multi-tasking constantly can improve you IQ. Yet when I lay awake at 2 in the morning and count my worries with each tick of the hand. I wonder how I can possibly be getting smarter when my brain has never felt more confused. I blame this confusion on mother guilt. All mother's I know have it. We are constantly, second guessing every decision we make. From which brand of diapers to late night cookie therapy. Last night that nasty curse caught up with me and there was no amount of sage or prozac that could break the spell.
It all began because Cole started his first day of school today at Helen Gordon Child Development Center. {Safari won't let me put a link here but if you click on the title there is a link there.} Being the over protective type of mom that I am, I only wanted the best for him. I didn't hear stellar things about our neighborhood school, so I begged the nice people at HGCD to let me have a spot when other's usually wait 3 years to get their kid in.
After meeting with his teachers {Kristie and Heather- I like it when teachers go by their first names} last week, I knew I had made the right decision. They are so caring and nurturing and really have their act together.
Yet, the nerves started stirring in my belly yesterday afternoon. In fact, I don't think I slept more than 3 hours last night. I kept waking and wondering if I had made the right decision. Given his history of not liking daycare and struggling every morning with crying fits, I kept asking myself if I was ready to handle this. Would I really be able to soothe a tantruming child on a crowded morning bus? Which led to my next question. Do the benefits of this elite kindergarden really out way the cons? Are rock climbing and homemade vegetarian lunches really worth watching his heart break with separation anxiety? Why am I sending him before he is fully ready? So I can go to school and pursue my career? Is this a selfish decision? And back and forth my mind went, like a ping-pong game. A justification for every question asked. In the end, I knew there was no turning back. I had to push forward with decision, there wasn't any-other way. If I didn't go to school then it would be work. I choose Helen Gordon because I think it fits his temperament. I am only doing the best I can and if he hates me for it today, well, I hope he forgives me some day.
I wake him up with my best game face on. I try to make it into an exciting adventure, but my worries come true any ways. He has changed his mind. He is not ready for school, he says. " Raven can stay home with me" I push forward some more do some reflective listening and he soon realizes he has no choose. By the time we get on the bus he is excited. And just like that he became independent. Upon entering the school he says, " This place is so cool." The excitement in his eyes reveals just how much he has grown up over the summer. My baby no more. Tears fell as I left the school. I can't put into words why. But they were an odd mixture of relief, elation, and sadness.
The end of the day report was good. He talked about everything that happened to him all night long. His teacher's were very impressed with his participation. He even volunteered to tell everybody what cooperation meant. His favorite part though was singing the Hooky Poky. Ah yes, I remember loving that also.
I'm sure I will look back on this someday and laugh at how serious I took parenting. But parenting with sensitivity has always been my philosophy and even though the mother guilt part of my brain drives to the brink of insanity, it's good to have it there to keep me in check and making sure I am upholding my beliefs.

Summer Recap Part 2-Man on the town

2007-09-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

Cole ia a happy boy when a train ride is included in the days adventure. This particular day we were headed to a concert at the children's museum.

Ole Farmer Cole, volunteered to pick apples at the concert.

Olive appears to be dazzled by his charm.

Yapping it up with anybody that walks by at our neighborhood coffee shop, The Funky Door

Fights in our house often start with the last bite of Voodoo Vegan Doughnuts

Relaxing with a paint session.

Not for the faint of heart!

2007-09-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

I almost fear putting this post into words for I am afraid that speaking my thoughts out loud will give life to something that I couldn't handle. But here it goes anyways because sometimes speaking it takes away all the power it holds while still in your head. As summer comes to an end Cole and I have been running into death. First Saki steal a baby squirrel out of it's nest and brings to us. I have to push all my horror aside and conduct a funeral service complete with planting flowers next to the grave. A couple of days later, we take Raven on a hike and let her off the leash only to watch her catch a mouse. I can't scare or threaten her enough to drop it and it cries in pain. Then the very next day, we are walking to the coffee shop and come across a raccoon that clearly has been hit by a car. I am convinced that Cole must be traumatized by now but he nonchalantly walks up to it and says, " Look mom, it has a bleeding problem. " Lastly, today as we leave the library and wait for the bus somebody across the street gets hit by a truck. To my luck the bus comes and we hop on before Cole notices anything. It is all I can do to keep him interested in the book and not the ambulance coming down the street. When we get off the bus at home, Cole informs me that he likes to see hurt animals because it fun to see them up close. Future scientist or hunter? I don't know. I soon realize he has no concept of death. It is very abstract to him and not sentimental like it is for me. I hope this is the end of life lessons for a while.

A SUMMER RECAP

2007-09-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

WHAT BETTER WAY TO SPEND YOUR AFTERNOON? CHASING PIGEONS ON PSU'S CAMPUS.

Come on cousin, the water's nice.

Drunk on cookies and friendship. "Thanks for always going to the playground with me. Did I mention this cookie is delicious, to bad your mom won't let you have one, dude."

I KNEW SQUASH WAS GOOD FOR SOMETHING. GETTING CREATVE AT THE FARMER'S MARKET.

AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE "CARS" TO ACTUALLY ROLL, THEY DECIDED TO COMBINE THEM INTO A MUCH MORE PRACTICAL DESIGN.

Here's to happy endings.

2007-09-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

Jumbo romance

Staff and agencies
Thursday August 30, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

It's a very traditional love story - just on a bigger scale than usual.
A tame female elephant has fled an Indian circus after eloping with a wild bull elephant that broke open a gate and led her off into the jungle, her distraught handler said today.

"I brought up Savitri since she joined the circus two decades ago," Kalimudddin Sheikh, who unsuccessfully tried to lure his charge away from her new beau, added. he wild male, who wildlife officials believe was probably in musth - the periodic condition in which bull elephants seek to mate - turned up at the travelling circus when it stopped in the village of Kumar Bazar, in West Bengal state, yesterday.
It broke into an enclosure and led Savitri into the jungle, with the pair being followed by three other female elephants in the same pen. Their trumpeting alerted circus workers, who led them back.

Savitri's mind, however, seemed made up. According to one forestry official, she was last seen bathing with the bull in a jungle pond.

When handlers called for Savitri to come to them, she looped her trunk around the bull's leg and "he protectively shielded her like in a Bollywood blockbuster," the official said.

The forestry department said it would continue to monitor the pair to ensure they did not cause any damage.

Inside a dreamer's mind

2007-08-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about what little thing could change in your world to make it more pleasurable? I'm not talking about a raise or being able to eat as much chocolate as you want with out getting fat. I am thinking of something more subtle. Every now and then I will think, wouldn't it be nice if somebody planted flowers in this abandon lot? Sometimes I wish I could be the Jonny Applessed of community gardens and spread some color around.
Today as I was riding the bus I realized somebody else was thinking the same thing. Instead of advertisements of cigarettes and sexy women, Portland's buses have poetry. When I fist noticed this I thought I landed in a utopia but after further research I see it started in New York and is common in big cities. What a great idea! A bus ride to work shouldn't be a mundane task. Give us something besides coffee to wake us and to contemplate. It may be why people thank the bus driver when they depart. I originally thought Portland was full of nice and grateful people. But maybe they just experienced enlightenment while reading Frost on their way to the grocery store. That may be a stretch but I know that personally I have felt less lonely knowing every body is reading the same words as I. One of these days I may get the courage to ask the person next to me what they think of this year's selection and would they recommend something for next year's? My favorite starts out like this:
I slowly believe in myself
It takes all my doubt
It takes all of my wonder

These words pretty much sum up my brain process, epescially with everything that has changed this year. Seeing this poem every day on the bus been a guiding light in this unknown town. It has been a haven, a home of sorts where my day begins.
So what if billboards had paintings and empty lot gardens? What would the mind set of the masses be like then?

From the Block

2007-08-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

This poet lived up the block from us on Arlington. I was gifted a monogrammed ruler from his brother Cisco, one year on my birthday. I was blown away when I ran into him on myspace. His work is incredible. Check him out.

September 12, 2006 - Tuesday

Moment of Silence by Emmanuel Ortiz

Before I start this poem, I'd like to ask you to join
me in a moment of
silence in honor of those who died in the World Trade
Center and the
Pentagon last September 11th.

I would also like to ask you to offer up a moment of
silence for all of
those who have been harassed, imprisoned, disappeared,
tortured, raped,
or killed in retaliation for those strikes, for the
victims in both
Afghanistan and the U.S.

And if I could just add one more thing
A full day of silence for the tens of thousands of
Palestinians who
have
died at the hands of U.S.-backed Israeli forces over
decades of occupation.

Six months of silence for the million and-a-half Iraqi
people, mostly
children, who have died of malnourishment or
starvation as a result of
an 11-year U.S. embargo against the country.

Before I begin this poem, two months of silence for
the Blacks under
Apartheid in South Africa, where homeland security
made them aliens in
their own country

Nine months of silence for the dead in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, where
Death rained down and peeled back every layer of
concrete, steel, earth
and
Skin and the survivors went on as if alive.

A year of silence for the millions of dead in Viet Nam
- a people, not
a
war - for those who know a thing or two about the
scent of burning
fuel,
their relatives' bones buried in it, their babies born
of it.

A year of silence for the dead in Cambodia and Laos,
victims of a
secret
war ... ssssshhhhh .... Say nothing ... we don't want
them to learn
that they are dead.

Two months of silence for the decades of dead in
Colombia, whose names,
like the corpses they once represented, have piled up
and slipped off
our tongues.

Before I begin this poem,
An hour of silence for El Salvador ...
An afternoon of silence for Nicaragua ...
Two days of silence for the Guetmaltecos ...
None of whom ever knew a moment of peace in their
living years.
45 seconds of silence for the 45 dead at Acteal,
Chiapas
25 years of silence for the hundred million Africans
who found their
graves
far deeper in the ocean than any building could poke
into the sky.
There will be no DNA testing or dental records to
identify their
remains.
And for those who were strung and swung from the
heights of sycamore
Trees in the south, the north, the east, and the west
... 100 years of
silence
...
For the hundreds of millions of indigenous peoples
from this half of
right here,
Whose land and lives were stolen, In postcard-perfect
plots like Pine
Ridge, Wounded Knee, Sand Creek, Fallen Timbers, or
the Trail of Tears.
Names now reduced to innocuous magnetic poetry on the
refrigerator of
our consciousness ...

So you want a moment of silence?
And we are all left speechless
Our tongues snatched from our mouths
Our eyes stapled shut

A moment of silence
And the poets have all been laid to rest
The drums disintegrating into dust

Before I begin this poem,
You want a moment of silence
You mourn now as if the world will never be the same

And the rest of us hope to hell it won't be.
Not like it always has been

Because this is not a 9-1-1 poem
This is a 9/10 poem,
It is a 9/9 poem,
A 9/8 poem,
A 9/7 poem

This is a 1492 poem.
This is a poem about what causes poems like this to be
written

And if this is a 9/11 poem, then
This is a September 11th poem for Chile, 1971
This is a September 12th poem for Steven Biko in South
Africa, 1977
This is a September 13th poem for the brothers at
Attica Prison, New
York,
1971.

This is a September 14th poem for Somalia, 1992.
This is a poem for every date that falls to the ground
in ashes
This is a poem for the 110 stories that were never
told
The 110 stories that history chose not to write in
textbooks
The 110 stories that that CNN, BBC, The New York
Times, and Newsweek
ignored
This is a poem for interrupting this program.

And still you want a moment of silence for your dead?
We could give you lifetimes of empty:
The unmarked graves
The lost languages
The uprooted trees and histories
The dead stares on the faces of nameless children

Before I start this poem we could be silent forever
Or just long enough to hunger,
For the dust to bury us
And you would still ask us
For more of our silence.

If you want a moment of silence
Then stop the oil pumps
Turn off the engines and the televisions
Sink the cruise ships
Crash the stock markets
Unplug the marquee lights,
Delete the instant messages,
Derail the trains, the light rail transit
If you want a moment of silence, put a brick through
the window of Taco
Bell,
And pay the workers for wages lost
Tear down the liquor stores,
The townhouses, the White Houses, the jailhouses, the
Penthouses and
the
Playboys.

If you want a moment of silence,
Then take it
On Super Bowl Sunday,
The Fourth of July
During Dayton's 13 hour sale
Or the next time your white guilt fills the room where
my beautiful
people
have gathered

You want a moment of silence
Then take it
Now,
Before this poem begins.
Here, in the echo of my voice,
In the pause between goosesteps of the second hand
In the space between bodies in embrace,
Here is your silence
Take it.
But take it all
Don't cut in line.
Let your silence begin at the beginning of crime.

But we,
Tonight we will keep right on singing
For our dead.

- Emmanuel Ortiz 9.11.02

The Fantastic Five

2007-08-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Vegan Cookies and Cream Cake from Sweet Pea Bakery

Shilo and Cole say, " Bring on the festivities!"

Baby no more. Five is here and he has nothing to fear. Dragon's are nothing for this Super Kid, he can use words like concentrate, make his own sandwich, and has his own license in his very own wallet. ( Thanks Gemma) He is faster than a speeding bullet, infact he can run like 80 m/h, or so he says. Super heros do tend to over estimate their powers. His most famous accomplishments are catching Luna as she falls out of the sky, sleighing dragons while walking to the park, and communicating with squirrels. His intuition never lets him down, he always knows when some one needs help and like any good hero he seeks to understand all things; to the point of never ending questions and his friends and foes alike would rather die than have to answer another . When asked what his favorite color is he will answer all of them. His favorite phrase is, "oh yeah, baby!" This hero likes to relax by playing a board game, reading books and sitting in the hot tub.

7 Things About Me

2007-08-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

A while back Gemma posted an invitation to fellow blogger to write seven things about themselves. Now that I have some extra time because my summer classes have ended, I thought I would think about myself and share it. So here it goes.

1. If I had to do my life over I would have become a dancer instead of going to college. And now I would be teaching dance to at -risk-youth. I am happy with how my life has unfolded so far but deep down I know that dancing would have been my art, my beauty to share with the world. As I sit here and eat coookie dough soy ice cream, my muscles ache for a contortion only the heart can produce. Maybe I just need some yoga time.

2. I am happiest when I am picking Blackberries with Cole and Raven. And Cole looks up at me and says, "your the best mom in the world!" And Raven does her happy dance. Which consist of rolling on her back and kicking her legs in the air. This is how I will always remember his childhood. Bonding over the perfect berry and feeling like we had stolen a piece of heaven.

3. Did I mention this cookie dough ice cream is awesome!

4. I always thought I would be the one to marry Johnny Depp. Honestly, I knew from the moment I saw him on 21 Jump Street. He was meant for me. Sigh. I guess not.

5. It is my goal to learn how to fly before I'm sixty.

6. I am finding this post to be hard. I am not sure what to write. I want to give up and watch a movie. Which is my favorite way to relax. I rented all of Michelangelo Antoninio's films that I can get my hands on because he is my new favorite director. I am blaming mama-hood for my slow to be in the know.

7. And last but not least. One of my most favorite places in the whole world is a book store. I have a thing for books. I can get lost browsing at all the potential books to read and wondering what knowledge I could posses if I read this one or that one. One of these days I am going to indulge myself in an all day visit to Powells. I will run my hand along the spine of each book and down every aisle like a kid. I will fondle the cookbooks and wish I was good cook like my mother. Next I will see what's new in the poetry world. On my to the poetry I will pretend I didn't' see the children's section. This has to be all about me today. Now it is time to pick a good fiction and read it from cover to cover like an old friend in need of getting reacquainted. I will have endless cups of coffee and a few vegan doughnuts. The End.

What would Spidey Do?

2007-08-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

There is one excited little boy in Portland. He can hardly wait for his 5th birthday. We went to the store today picked out party supplies. He of course picked out a Spiderman party. There will be a spiderman pinata, plates, horns, etc. But the most exciting part was picking out the cake. He went for a Cookies and Cream. A handful of friends have been invited and I hope it meets every expectation he has. I'll let you know next Sunday.

सुम्मेर Visit

2007-07-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

2007-06-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Dinner as easy as it comes.
All American boy.
Always busy.
Olive!
My favorite thing to do on Saturday mornings!
Cole and Oscar, wondering if drinks are served on this ride.

It's been awhile pics

2007-05-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

Can you believe he is almost 5?!
Sunday hike. Cooling off in the desert.
Andy is so proud of his new hobby!
The cherry tree in our backyard. We can't wait!
Cole's not sure if Uncle Justin went crazy or just knows how to party!

Cousin Oscar loves to pose for the camera.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I have been too busy with work to give this blog any energy but school will be out in 3 1/2 weeks. Then we look forward to a visit from Nana and Grandpa Rick and I will be starting Grad school at the end of June. I am getting my master's in Special Education. Yeah! I am looking forward to getting back to a college campus and spending lots of time in Portland. I also hope to have more energy to start writing again and keep you more update with the Motown Veggies. Until then Happy spring!

Cole's Birth Story

2007-04-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Today is Easter and Cole woke up early in anticipation of the hidden eggs. He has recieved cards and packages all week and today the Easter bunny finally came. There were many candy filled eggs to find and the basket with a new motorcycle didn't disappoint. When it was done Cole sat down and wrote a thank you letter, telling the magical bunny he did a great job at making girls and boys happy. It was very sweet and a proud moment for me. Easter to me is about celebrating the awaking of the Earth after a long winter's sleep. It is also about renewing my faith and hope in the beauty of the world. I love Easter. It is my favorite holiday. Any excuse to eat lots of chocolate, is A-okay with me.

A few months ago I was asked to write Cole's birth story for the new Bloomington Area Birth Services web page. I spent nights getting it right and when I finally published it I was amazed at the similarity and re-occurrence in all the stories published. It seems every woman experiences a brightness in colors, especially the sky. Now that today is Easter and the sky is a bright blue I have decided to republish or rebirth Cole's story of the day he came into this world. I hope you enjoy this story and Happy Spring!

I am women who rates her experiences based on how I felt. I don't
care what was said or what was done it only matters what emotions were
involved. The birth of my son wasn't an exception. His birth is by
far the best experience of my life. The people that know me have heard
this a million times but the effect it had on me hasn't worn off after
4 years.
When my water broke I was vacuuming the front porch, trying to get rid
of the smell of dog left behind from the previous tenants. It has
plagued me these last 4 months and today I will defeat it. As the
water gushes out, warm and unpleasantly sticky, my brain starts to
panic and my legs close tightly as if trying to prevent this loss my
body is about to go through. For a wondering moment I hear myself
think damn, I 'll have to remember to clean that up after all this is
said and done. I try recall all the information my doctor told me about
labor but my brain feels flooded with fear. Fear of pain, fear of not
being prepared for motherhood. And then suddenly my thoughts have
become disconnected from my body and I see myself searching for Andy
and I hear myself telling him it is time to go to the hospital. He
insist on a shower before we go and I don't know what to do with myself
so I sit on the toilet and wait . The sound of the water hitting the
shower door connects my thoughts again and I realize I am feeling waves
of pain and they are coming fast. I doubt that I am strong enough to
go through a delivery. All the books I read and pain management
classes I took were a glass fortress. In an attempt to comfort myself
I turn to thoughts of my own mother and grandmother and wonder how
they looked and felted minutes before they gave birth to me. I know I
should call my mom now but I can't move because my legs are shaking so
hard. The water stops and I find myself in the Jetta , there is that
dog smell again but never mind there is the pain. Oh this is bad! I
think this baby will be here soon, I hope I can make it into the
hospital. All of my energy is focused on not letting this pain get the
best of me and in the distance Andy is calling people to tell them I am
in labor. He sounds scattered and nervous and it lessens my fear. I
turn to look at the sky and it appears too bright, as though somebody
scrubbed and polished it especially for Cole's birth. I try and place
where I have seen this color of blue before but I can't so I become
convinced the heavens are glowing.
Now we are in the hospital room and I am lying on the bed trying to
ignore the contractions. I have no idea how long it's been since my
water broke, time is no longer a concept. I hear the nurse speaking
with Andy telling him I am almost fully dilated and she has called my
doctor. It all becomes a blur at this point because my brain once
again disconnects itself from my body and yet I hear myself say, I am
ready to push. The nurse asks to me wait because the doctor hasn't
arrived yet. I go into a cloud while voices swirl around me and I am
pushing my son into the hands of the doctor on call. I don't know how
long I pushed, it wasn't as long I thought since total time was 2
hours, but I feel I need a break. I say so and the nurse gets a look
on her face that registers as panic with me. I have said the one
thing no birthing mother should say. Woman have a long history of
dying after they say they are to tired to push anymore. Some where
deep inside I muster up some more energy and give Cole his push into
the world. The physical pain is gone and I feel blissed out. This is
what ecstasy feels like. They lay him on my chest and congratulate
me for being an efficient birther. Then I see Cole's bright blue eyes and
once again I see heaven glowing and I know this child is my redemption.
I push back my sense of loss and my feelings akin to a deflated tire
and revel in the enormous amount of purpose and love laying on my
breast.

CBS digs up dirt in the midwest

2007-02-03T19:31:00.000-08:00

I'm glad some things don't change, um ...I guess. When I saw the evening news last night I, at first, felt validated. "I told you," I said, "my formative years were at a ghetto school" Andy was then inspired to call me a ghetto child. I became a little nostalgic and reminisced about all the horrible things I saw and heard. Security isn't anything new at South Side. Fights were the main form of communication in a typical day at High School. The police officers that roamed the hallways were rumored to be drug dealer. The majority of the kids I went to school with had so many things stacked against them that it is no surprise that of the 400 freshman only 190 of us graduated.

But once the memories wore off I became angry and possessive. Once again South Side got some bad press. If you aren't from the Fort then you may not be familiar with S.S. reputation but S.S. has a long history of bad press. I think it started in the 70's and as far as I can tell it hasn't been turned around. Which is too bad. When I went to school there I always felt proud. I never feared my life and I always felt the teachers cared about the students. In fact, most of my teachers had so much passion for their subjects and the students they worked with, I was inspired by their energy to become a teacher myself.( I have had a little detour) I only hope to give my students as much as my teachers did. For example, Whenever a tragedy occurred to someone in our school, the admin. and teachers saw it as opportunity to heal. Where most people would give second thought to where they worked and probably give up. Our teachers made sure to hold discussions about how to help and heal as a community. We didn't have computers and the building hadn't been renovated in 30 years but we did have each other. For example, when there was talk of making S.S. a magnet school and buses the kids that wouldn't be smart enough to another school. Some how the teachers gathered the community together and fought the proposal stating it wasn't in the best interest for the south-central community.
I could go on and on about all the incredible thing that happened to me while I stomp around .
But instead I want to ask the press to stop reporting the bad side of everything and instead hold a discussion about to help heal a community so they don't need to spend a 1000 dollars a week on security. I never saw a story on the news when I was called a n@**#^ lover because I was the only Caucasian on the volleyball team. Why not? This could the root of why there is so much self destruction at S.S. When the world hates you because of your color, why wouldn't you hate yourself. When a country focuses on test scores and not how to put every body's education on the same equal playing field. What have you got to lose?
I know first hand that South Side has a lot of positive attributes. The majority of my friends from high school went on to work in mental health, became special ed teachers, and became police officers.
This news report might be the first step in recognizing that parents and teachers can change the environment their children grow up in or this news program can further the divide between inner city schools and suburban school And further stigmatize a group of people that can't afford anymore.

Obligatory Christmas Picture

2006-12-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling all afternoon with what I should be writing about. Should I write an essay on how exciting Christmas is for the young and Cole is no exception. Or should I get on my soap box and complain about how the spirit of Christmas has been reduced to materialism. Or do you want to hear about how I am struggling to instill some meaning into this holiday since we aren't Christians and Jesus wasn't born in December anyways. I have prepared great essay with these themes but I know what you really want is a picture of Cole and what he wants for Christmas. So here it is:

He dictated a letter to me this morning and it went like this....

Dear Santa, I love you. Can you bring me a couple of toys, please? I want a moose, a deer, a tiger, a goat, and some games. Oh yeah, I want a mountain with snow on it. I have a star at the top of my tree and a Diego movie that says, "Vamanous!" I am very excited for you to come see me and give me a hug. I will leave out carrots and water for the reindeer 'cause I know they will be thirsty. Mama wants clothes and a table and Papa needs new breaks and levers for his bike. I love you, Cole

What a sweet boy! Afterwards we browsed the toy store and he said he really wants Santa to bring him everything.

Mo-town Veggies

2006-11-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

Mo-town Veggies
Yesterday, Gemma and I met Blogging Goddess, Jennifer McCann. You may know her as The Vegan Lunch Box Mom. She was signing cookbooks at the new Herbivore store in Portland. What a doll! She was as sweet as can be. Gemma and I arrived a little early so we inspected every nook and cranny of the store ( it is probably the size of my living room; not very big), hovered over the vegan cupcake table and while we discussed my intolerance to soy I realized I was amongst stars. I suddenly became tongue tied. What would I say to Josh, the publisher of Herbivore who recently received the independent press award for best new magazine and Jennifer who has received several awards for her blog including the best food blog of '06. In a matter of seconds I put these people on pedestal status, but they couldn't have been more friendly and down to earth. Fame hasn't hit them at all. They appeared as a few people who were doing what they love and it just so happened to work out for them.

Pics for Nanna

2006-08-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hanging with Nanna at Science Central

"Thanks for rolling down the hill we me. You're the best cousin ever!"

The Summer of Friends

2006-08-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Ah, those carefree days of summer when you were a child and life seemed it would last forever. In fact everything seemed it went on forever. The sunflower as tall as the sky, friendships with no boundaries and constant discoveries, the trees you climbed, the baseball games you played. Even the fence that you had to get over to get to the playground went on forever.

Somethings you wanted to never end. Like swinging on your front porch with your best friend while eating ice cream and playing tag with all the neighbor kids. I have very fond memories of getting side tracked and chasing after butterflies instead, but then I'd realize everybody was getting to base so I'd have to short cut through Mrs. Gibson's yard and pray she wouldn't see me.
But somethings you wanted to end, like that long field that separated Grandma's house from the candy store. Oh, how that went on forever, I always swore the store was going to close before we would get there. And family picnics at my uncle's lot on a lake. I could only eat so many grilled hot dogs, baked beans and lemon meringue pie and hear family gossip before I longed to get backed to my life on the block. After all, there were Box Ball games left unfinished and I had to find out who would become king.

Why is it, that now I am all grown , the old neighborhood seems so small and time moves so fast I lose days even years without knowing where they went. My twenties went so incredible fast, it didn't seem fair. Where did the experiences go? Was I not truly present for them, therefore I missed their significance. Why do I vividly remember being ten and sitting on my front porch as a storm approaches? I can still see the dark purple the sky turned and taste the smell of ozone. Is it because we are taught that as adults we need to keep one eye looking back and the other forward? Do we now mark the days with worry and success and forget to hear the church bells ringing in the noon hour?
Now that I have Cole to share my summer days with, I often wonder what experiences will color his past. How much is he soaking in? Will it be the impromptu block party we had, when all the kids raced up the sidewalk and made it prettier with their chalk. And the parents were happy socializing so the kids got to stay up past their bed times. Will he remember talking to worms in the front yard?

As the street lights come on, I hear myself reluctantly telling him it's time to come in. Like myself as a child, he doesn't want his day to end. Darkness makes things more interesting, but I can no longer muster up any more enthusiasm for discoveries. So I try my best to convince him that all things must rest in order to prepare for tomorrow adventures. And as I lay down at night I hope his child's perspective of the world will last forever and may he never forget how the mud felt squishing through his toes or how he connected with kids when they couldn't even talk.

Recipes

2006-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Okay,I know you have been seeing the headlines that vegetables and fruit are the link to a long, healthy life and a variety of them eaten daily, not meat, has increased our life span. So you figure you might try a few more vegetable centered dishes, but you don't really know where to start. I mean vegetables are a side dish right? Wrong! I have a few no fail recipes for you that are simple and quick. They are perfect for these hot summer months and I call them vegan sandwiches 101.

Sandwich 1. Avocado, Roasted Tomatoes with an Olive Tapanade

This is sooooo simple and a snap to make. I always keep a jar of roasted peppers or tomatoes on hand, and avocados are a must around the house. I recommend Trader Joes because they have the best tasting ones and are cheap. If you don't have a Trader Joes, don't fret, you can find them anywhere. I also make sure there is a loaf of ciabatta bread around. Especial now that I found Fred Meyers (Kroger for those back East) carries an organic one in the bakery section.

You'll need:
1. 1 avocado
2. a tomato or a jar of roasted tomatoes or peppers
3. Lettuce
4. Olive tapanade
5. Good sturdy bread like a ciabatta
Slice your bread in half spread olive tapanade on it and layer sliced avocado, lettuce and tomatoes on it. And call it done. You have a great tasting sandwich in no time. This will sit well in a refridgerator for a few hours, if you taking this for a lunch but I don't recommend letting it sit over night.

This isn't the best pic because I used whole grain bread instead, but you get the idea.

Sandwich 2. Eggplant and Roasted Red Peppers with a Carmelized Onion Tapanade

Eggplant is by far my favorite vegetable. It is so luscious and light and when cooked right, it melts in your mouth. So go ahead grab an eggplant at the store. Stop seeing it as a something that needs to be smothered in cheese and get ready for some juicy goodness. This recipe is so quick because it requires a few jarred ingredients. Here is the list: ( note: this is for one sandwich)

1 eggplant
1 jar of roasted red peppers
i jar of carmelized onion tapanade
1 loaf of ciabata bread
some fresh basil leaves
Olive oil

Slice about 3 or 4 round slices of eggplant
saute 2 cloves of garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add the eggplant. Cook until soft and floppy and no longer white but brown. You will need to turn the slices over so it cooks evenly. This should only take 10 minutes tops. Next, slice you bread. Spread your tapanade on and layer the rest of the ingredients. You can add tomatoes or more onions, but beware this sandwich gets sloppy fast so in this case less is more. The Basil leaves add a lot of flavor, but if you don't have them the sandwich is still good.

This sandwich is very adaptable and if you are cooking for more than 2 you can grill the eggplant slices or roast them in the broiler. Come on give it a try. I think you will be surprised that you don't need meat to make a sandwich. I eat this one a few times a week with some Sweet potato fries.

Protect workers from pesticide poisonings

2006-08-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

Please e-mail the Environmental Protection Agency today to help protect farm workers from two very toxic pesticides that poison workers.

On any given Sunday

2006-07-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

The Boys have gone to a National Motocross race at Washugol today. Cole was so excited, he could hardly believe "Bubba" ( his favorite racer) was coming to Washington. He talked about it for days and asked Andy if Bubba could come over to his house after the race. While I'm sure James "Bubba" Stewart would love to race bikes around the block with you, Cole, I think he is on a tight schedule.

So here I sit, trying to take advantage of my time and get some writing done. I really have nothing to say. Such is my luck! I have a few recipes that I want to share but I am waiting for the pictures to come back. What's a recipe without pictures, huh? How do you know if you want to eat it? Or if what you made is right.

I did take a much needed run. What a luxury exercise has become. The dogs really appreciated it and have been sleeping all day. After that I rode my bike to the shops and browsed. I took advantage of having plenty of time and no impatient people telling me to hurry up. I made sure I noticed how the fabric felt exactly on my skin as I tried clothes on. I daydreamed in the garden center about what my flower garden might look like if I owned a place and had lots of money. I even listened to some CD's in the music store. Oh, how I felt so carefree. Never mind that I only came home with a lock for my bike and a birthday present for the kid next door. I got to pretend in my fantasy world. Thanks Bubba, let me know if you want to stop by again. You are always welcome.

It Has Been Awhile, Update

2006-07-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full force here, as I understand it is all over the country. On Friday, we reached up to 112 degrees with 40% humidity. We just don't get humidity around here. Northwesters usually complain if there is the slightest bit of it and my Hoosier background always laughs at them. But this time I was hiding with the best of them in the air conditioning. Cole and I usually try to make it to the community pool a few times a week. It's the best way to get outside and without being
overwhelmed by the heat . Cole is the envy of the pool with this whale.

Before the heat came, we were doing quite a bit of berry picking. This place is so unusual for it's different orchards. We are so lucky to be able to pick strawberries, golden raspberries, blueberries, and hopefully next week, blackberries and peaches. We opted not to do the cherries, for I am the only one who eats them.

As you all probably know. We moved into a new house. We were little unsure about moving to The Dalles. But I am happy about being here now. I really don't enjoy country living, at least not for now. Maybe when I am older and need some quiet and solitude. But for now I am just not a country girl. I love the hum and buzz of city life. Not that The Dalles is a really buzzing, it's more like thumping, but I can ride my bike to the pool or store, everything I need is really close. There are more opportunities for kids, also. Cole loves playing with the neighbor kids. I know I have lots of all the good memories of my old neighborhood and I can't imagine not having those. I think it might be really lonely to be an only child in the country. It also takes the pressure off of me to constantly entertain him. Plus our neighborhood is filled with diversity, something Mosier just didn't offer. There are pros and cons to both places, but for now I am going to enjoy it here.

I am also anticipating the arrival of the Japan crew. They have decided to inhabit Portland, which is only an hour away from me, for those that don't know. Portland is lucky to receive such a blessing. It will be so nice for me to be close to family again. I will get to know my nephew better and Cole will get to develop a relationship with some of his family as well. That will happen in mid-August. I know they aren't so excited about moving back to the States. But hopefully they will realize, that they can be the change they wish to see in this country. Portland is a hip, creative, aware, family-friendly town and I think they will enjoy it a lot.

I think that's it for now. Happy Summer!

This Beautiful Struggle

2006-07-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been awhile since I visited you friend. Where have I been? It's been a blur, but I think enshrouded in a cloud of self-pity would be an ample explanation. I am sorry old friend for abandoning you. Everything was so foggy, I really hadn't noticed that I turned my back. You must surely know what it is like when depression creeps in. It certainly tricked me. It crept in when I wasn't looking. Somewhere back there between transitions of moving, jobs, illness, etc. It slipped me a mickey and fornicated with me. It controlled me with it's self-hate, doubt, and boredom and convinced me I needed it to survive. Why anyone would do that to themselves is another story, But I am ending this love affair. I don't need it! And like all emotional attachments they are hard to let go of cold turkey. Especially in this crazy world we live in. Everywhere I look I see it's ugly claws of destruction. But, today, I feel myself lifting out of the dark cloud. I am feeling more prepared to open up and take on whatever comes my way. I woke up this morning and realized the world is mine. The sun is here now! I am going to be happy despite what depression and or anybody else may want. No judgment or criticism are going to wilt this flower growing in side of me. Bring me some water, hold my hand and nurture me because I am delicate.
From this day forth I promise to come to you first. You have always helped me to work out confusing emotions in the past. You have always given me a voice when so often I could not find it. Together we can face this dragon that disguises itself as a puppy. Constantly wanting to be fed and petted. And I'm sure that on occasion I will be fooled again because old habits are hard to break. I sense it hiding behind some brush in the forest of my mind. But I will mark it's presence with a map I have made with it's exact Longitude and Latitude. So next time it invades, I will know where to find it. I won't seek to kill it. That would be futile, for it breeds off of hatred. Instead, I will sit down with it. Hold a peace conference. Seek to understand it. What are you so afraid of, I'll ask. I will hand it a mirror and show it that it is really a beautiful lotus flower, that misunderstood the directions and became the muddy pond. Forgive yourself for it is just a thought and we don't have to hold on to or manifest any thoughts. No matter what anybody tells you. Remember we are all mirrors, and if somebody tells you that you are ugly or aren't doing things right, they are only speaking to the reflection in the mirror.
Don't beat your self up for wasting time thinking you were something else, because it turns out those murky waters have some nutrients. You are growing now. Blossoming, in fact. You have produced fruit in the past and will produce more fruit
in time for harvest. It's not too late!
It may take several conferences, for depression is stubborn. It doesn't want to let go. But I know now that patience and love color my garden and the most effective flowers are saturated from the inside outward.

Lately...

2006-02-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

Lately, I just don't have the energy or time to write but I promise once Andy is done with Chemo I will start writing again, but for now I wanted to post my pictures from our quick visit to Phoenix. And urge you to check out my sister-in-laws new blog. Not only are there beautiful pictures of Japan but also well written musing of a beautiful woman and her ex-patriot family.

2006-01-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs is selling this sneaker memory game, pictured here. Not only do you get a cool, unique game, but part of the proceeds are going to the Humane Society to help with lost or abandonded pets in New Orleans.

Impeach That Son of a Bush! ( I saw it on a bumper sticker)

2005-12-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

As some of you may have heard on NPR News, the Bush Administration has been listening to and watching Animal Rights group in an effort to increase homeland security. What???? Since when did activitist become the likes of Osama. Well Bush and cronies have gone so far as to call these activist "America's No.1 Threat."

The SHAC 7 are animal rights activists indicted under the controversial Federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. The Act punishes anyone who "physically disrupts" an animal enterprise. The charges stem from these activists' alleged participation in an international campaign to close the notorious product testing lab.

Specifically, these activists are alleged to have operated a website that reported on and expressed ideological support for protest activity against Huntingdon and its business affiliates. For this they are charged with "terrorism" and face an aggregate of 23 years in Federal Prison and 1,250,000 in fines.

This is what the "War on Terror" has become -- a war on the First Amendment!

This is a call to action for anyone who believes that no one should be thrown in jail for expressing their views, no matter how controversial or unpopular those views may be. Make no mistake: this is a frightening step in the Bush administration's path to "War on Domestic Dissidence" - a path that will not end until we stop it!

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

Ah, Christmas... Cole joined the ranks with millions of other kids and anxiously awaited for Santa's arrival last night. He promptly woke up at 6AM this morning and ran to the living room to see if Santa would come through. And there, to his amazement, was a tree full of presents. And his yell of, "Papa, Santa came!", began the marathon. He couldn't ripe the presents open fast enough. He would briefly look at a newly opened one only to toss it and start in on another. He received so many presents this year that he didn't know where to begin once they were all opened. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be a child on Christmas morning again. Not so much for the presents but for the pure joy of weeks of planning,preparation, and anticipation finally coming to fruition. To believe in the magically reindeer and a kind-hearted man who wants to bring peace on earth and make every child happy.
At first I struggled with whether or not I would play the Santa card. It just didn't feel right to lie to my son. But after a lot of contemplation I decided mythology and magic are important parts of a happy childhood. Christmas doesn't have to be about a highly wasteful and consumptive day if presented the right way. Christmas is about a day when everyone gets along and everyone is happy. It's about celebrating what you have and realizing how much we love each other.
My own childhood memories are filled with good food, mountains of gifts, and lots of cousins. It wasn't just about getting stuff but about baking cookies and decorating the tree together. Christmas is the time of year when all of my mom's creative talents come out. From the elegantly decorated house, to the perfectly cut fudge, to the art of wrapping presents. She has gotten so good at wrapping that it almost seems a shame to disturb the beauty presented to you. Besides being aloud to eat all of the fudge I could before I threw up and showing off my most prized present to my cousin's at Grandma's house, I loved opening my stocking. The stocking held all of the treasures that I never thought to ask for. Magazines I wasn't normally given to read, necklaces, barrettes, makeup and music. Oh, how I loved the little things. Somehow it became a test of how well Santa knew me and my secret yearnings. She never disappointed.
I do mourn the fact that Cole may not have many opportunities to share inventory with his cousins at Big Mama's or Nana's house. I personally can't imagine Christmas memories without my 12 cousin's. We didn't see each other all the time but when the holidays came it was like reuniting with old friends. I felt safe and loved among the aromas of Grandma's cooking, while the aunts gathered in the kitchen and the uncles sat around laughing. It was the same scene every year. But now Grandma has passed and the cousins are all grown. We have different dreams in different places. And teaching my child to follow his dreams is important to me and that is why I live out here. While I image what everybody is doing and talking about today, we are having a peaceful, relaxing day. Cole gets to play with all of his new toys without having to be rushed around to various houses. And we get to thoroughly enjoy the fruits of Christmas. Merry Christmas! We miss all of you!

P.S. Andy's latest test results show microscopic cancer activity and he will start Chemotherapy on Jan. 2.

Gotta Go!

2005-11-25T07:33:00.000-08:00

A little while back we took a trip to the Oregon coast and the California Redwoods; and the pictures are finally back. If you have never seen the Oregon coast, you don't know what you are missing. I highly recommend putting it on your list of things to do. It never fails to amaze me, no matter how many times I see it. We just happened to have been there when the whales migrate from way up north to Mexico to give birth. So we found a spot on a cliff over looking the sea and waited in vain for a whale to jump out the water. No luck though. The local Forest Service guy claimed to have seen 19 the day before. Oh well, maybe next time. Next we stopped in Newport, Oregon for a look at the aquarium. I was really impressed with this place. My favorite part was the tube-o-fish. It was basically a tunnel you walk through and fish were swimming on all side of us, including overhead and below. It was amazing being that up close and intimate with the sharks. There really aren't any words to describe the experience. Something I will never forget. Newport is also home to Rogue Beers. The brewery is right on the water where the Rogue river meets the Pacific. What better place to drink a beer!
Then we headed down to the Redwoods. Andy calls these majestic trees an Ewok's forest. And they do look like something straight out Star Wars. Just too picturesque to be real. We hiked through canyon walls covered in ferns and sat inside of trees that could hold 30 of us. If you are ever found yourself here stop at Circle J's in crescent city for a delicious meal. Though not a vegetarian restaurant, they are very vegetarian friendly and had no problems making mine vegan.
They also had some live blues that was very good.
Lastly, we hit Ashland, Oregon. Ashland is home to Southern Oregon University and the Shakespeare Festival. The festival is active from April to November and is world renowned. If you are into Shakespeare then this is your place. There are plenty of clothing stores for your Shakespearean wear. Some of them could be on fifth avenue. Ashland has been named as the most desirable small town to live in America. And I can see why. The cultural activities there is equivalent to any big city. The town itself is the gateway to mega outdoor recreation. And everyone is incredible friendly. Anyone looking for a cool liberal arts college should check this place out.
Well, that about sums up trip. Hope to see you out here soon!

P.S. Today is Buy Nothing day. But more importantly tommorrow is Buy Local Day.

Happy Tofurky Day!

2005-11-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

The most common question I get from animal eaters is. " What do you eat?" Most people seem genuinely curious but nonetheless people can't imagine Thanksgiving without eating turkey. Well lucky for you, I am here to show you just how a Vegan does enjoy the gastronomics on this day. On our dinner menu we had: Rosemary-hazelnut crusted-seitan(pronounced satan), garlic-mashed potatoes with shitake gravy, green beans with cranberries , multi-grain rolls, pumpkin pie and a local Pinot Noir.
We don't usually eat Seitan(wheat gluten or protein) because it is just a little too much like the real thing but this recipe sounded really great. And it was wonderful. I apologize for the poor quality of the picture. I really need to get a digital camera because Andy's camcorder didn't do this meal justice. The green beans and cranberries were vibrant on our plates. Anyways, I just about choked on my vittles when both Andy and Cole asked for seconds. I figured Andy would politely pass on everything but the potatoes and rolls. So to my surprise this meal was a success.
With a little preparation yesterday, it only took me an hour to have it all together and ready to eat. After we eat, Andy asked Cole if he knew what today was called. Cole replied with: "Happy Lunch Day!"

Recipes:

Garlic Mashed Potatoes
1 garlic bulb roasted in oven at 500 for 20 minutes
6 peeled potatoes sliced
1/2 cup vegetable broth( give or take )
3 tbls of margarine ( I like Earth Balance)
salt and pepper

While peeling and slicing, roast the whole garlic bulb. Once garlic is browned on
the outside and soft on the inside, put in the boiling water with the potatoes. Drain potatoes and garlic and mix with vegetable broth and margarine. I like mixing with a hand mixer. It makes the potatoes creamy. Salt and pepper to taste.
You can substitute unsweetened soy milk or oat milk for the vegetable broth.

Shitake Mushroom Gravy
I don't have exact measurements for this because I made it up as I was cooking. But a about a 1/4 lb of shitakes was enough for 3 servings. So increase accordingly.
I first sauteed 2 cloves of garlic in margarine then added chopped shitakes. I also added enough vegetable broth to cover the mushrooms. Cook until shitakes are reduced and soft. Be careful not to burn. Meanwhile make a rue with margarine and flour. When thick enough add to mushrooms. Add vegetable as needed for a thinner gravy.

Enjoy!

Have You Hugged Your Pet Today?

2005-11-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

Did anyone see the Nature program on PBS about the pets left behind when Katrina hit? I cried like a baby for a whole hour. Though all of the stories had happy endings, they still showed some gruesome pictures.
The 70-something man who was told he couldn't take his cat with him and then snuck back into the city to get him; really had me flowing like a river. I felt so heartless for not doing anything to help the animals. I get so caught up in my own life that sometimes I forget there other living beings that are suffering more than I am. I have been so lucky in my life. If you haven't seen this, I recommend looking for it.

The Blessing Is Close To The Wound

2005-11-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

I don't really have any words to fill you with the wonder of being human, but I want to share gratitude. Thank you to every who prayed, supported, and thought about us. It appears to have worked because Andy's doctor's have decided to wait on Chemo. The spots on his liver and lungs have turned out to be noncancerous and there really is no need to do chemo if there aren't any tumors present in the body. Andy will have to do CT scans and blood test monthly for the next year. If another tumor should form it will probably happen within the first year. But I remain positive that he will stay clean.
There is an African proverb that says: "The Blessing Is Close To The Wound." Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a situation as such to intensify life's lessons. I have learned a lot about myself and the way of the world, but I could talk and conjecture about the meaning of life forever. So I won't bore you. But I will leave you with this. Slow down! Remove all chemical and psychic toxins from your home. Connect! Connect! Connect! Breathe deeply. Follow your heart. And laugh at the uncertainty of life daily.
Peace!

2005-10-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

So Much can be gathered
in that time of quietness, of introspection,
that illness forces upon our souls
who are always outwardly motivated.
Such times can be used
for the alchemy of taking the clay of physicality
and breathing the spirit into it
that will change that clay into gold.

Let me catch up those who don't know that Andy has Cancer. He discovered a tumor while in the shower one night and he has been in and out of doctor's offices for about three weeks now. This type of cancer is very aggressive but he caught it extremely early and they haven't found any spreading at this point. He will start Chemo within the next couple of weeks. Andy feels he is in good hands and trust that he will be healed soon. The support from his doctor's has been incredible. They have answered any questions that Andy has had at any time of the day. I haven't written about this sooner because I needed Andy's blessing first. As much as this does affect Cole and I, this is ultimately about Andy. He has been a little private about this mainly because he doesn't want pity or high emotions. He wants everyone to stay positive and trust that he will heal very quickly. He is basically being typical Andy and doesn't want to make that big of a deal of it.
When I first found out that Andy's tumor was cancer I asked, Why Andy? Why my family? As if we don't already have enough to worry about, why now? But I soon realized this was the wrong question to be asking. I believe everything happens for a reason and I decided I should be asking," what can we learn from this?" The answer to this would be provide me with coping tools to get through this smoothly. At first the obvious things came up. I need to live as if this is the last moment. I need to appreciate everything and every one around me more. I started finding friends in people who I had originally wrote off because we had different backgrounds and priorities. But the more I asked the question the deeper my answers started becoming. There is nothing like an illness to change your perspective in the world. Not only does the sun seem a little brighter and the leaves a little redder but also you start seeing the healing places in the world. You start to see where you need to go in order to emotionally, spiritually and physically heal. It is like suddenly somebody has put filters on my eyes and I can instantly sift out the destructive and negative side and find my way toward trust and love. It is through these two simple words that I can see that illness is an opportunity not a set back.
I can't begin to imagine what Andy is feeling or what he is learning. I do know that at first it was an emotional rollercoaster ride for him. But he has been nothing short of brave, and I know he expects nothing less from me. Being the emotional person that I am I wasn't sure if I could through it with out crying every 5 seconds, but being brave isn't really that hard when you realize your fears are something you created and something that you can just as easily let go of.
I thank everyone for your prayers and thoughts.

Daily Reads

2005-10-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Until I get my sidebar figure out and can post some permanent links, I will tell you now what I am reading, listening to, and looking at. Check them out!

As every new season comes I anxiously sit by the mailbox and wait for these:

1. herbivorezine

2. vegnews

In my stereo right now:

1. D'Nell (This is just a really nice cd, I think anyone can enjoy this)

2. Amos Lee ( not my usual genre, but I really enjoy it)

3. Common (I can't get enough of this. Classic! and he is a vegetarian)

What I'm reading:

1. Be Here Now by Ram Dass ( a friend just lent this to me. Just what I needed!)

2. The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron ( trying to tap into my creative writer side)

Veggie Laundry:

1. lekkner

2. crafts for critters

How do you get your protein?

1. From a Food Fight!

2. Playfood
(yes that is one of the sons from the hit TV show Home Improvement)

3. The Best Vegan Doughnuts around at veganessentials

Adult Psych. How can I help you?

2005-10-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

Right now I am a bonafide stress case. I need to be locked up and have my head seriously examined. For a while now I have been looking for a job and nothing was panning out. There just aren't a lot of mental health jobs in a such small community. Being that this is a tourist haven, most jobs are retail and restaurant. And in order to qualify for one of those you have to be either Mrs. Windsurfer or Miss America. In other words, you have know the industry or flash some chest with that mini skirt. Sad but true my sagging nannies don't work. Anyways, in the past few months a lot of potential positions opened up. I wasn't necessarily qualified for them, they had more responsibility then my past employment entailed, but I gave them my resume and went on several interviews. Only to be sent rejection letters on beautiful stationary that I hung on my bathroom wall. We needed some decor in there. (No, not really)
So last Thursday I get a call from a company that runs group homes for people that nobody else can handle. No kidding that is how they describe themselves. I went in for an interview on Friday. The Director, being a former mid-westerner, loved that I graduated from IU and offered me a job right on the spot. In a matter of 2 hours I went from stay-at-home mama of 4 years to 60 hour-a-week Residential Manager. My head was buzzing when I walked out of there. I felt like I had just smoked oregano by accident and couldn't catch my breath. Andy's pleas of, "you have to do this", said to my heart that I had no choice. So I set about looking for someone to watch Cole. My poor child was now going to be raised by a stranger. Lo and behold as I was searching I talk to someone who knows the past manager of the home. They painted a very dim picture full sexual harassment and three o'clock in morning calls from employees. Right then and there I changed my mind. I was not going to subject myself to this. Ever since then I have flipped-flopped. What about the money, we need the money. But money isn't worth not seeing your family. Okay, I'll take it but Andy has to cut his hours because Cole isn't going to be in daycare for 40 + hours a week. He is too young to be institutionalized.
It is Wednesday afternoon and they expect me in Portland for training next Tuesday. I still have no idea if I am going to show up. Help! If you have some unfiltered beer and dark chocolate come quick, cause I am going coocoo!

And the clouds rolled in...

2005-09-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

Cole and friend Chole

The rain that the Northwest is so famous for actually happens from November to March, and those of us in the Cascade mountain range will see some snow sandwich in there. But when we woke up this morning the misty fog ,that gives this place it's mystical ambiance, rolled in over night. It's a little early so I don't know if it is going to stick around, but I'll take it. The world suddenly looks different as steam floats off of creeks and vibrant green moss cushions large water droplets. It makes me want to take shelter under a warm blanket and pop in David Lynch's Twin Peaks. But that would be the mid-western in me, where we would stop whatever we were doing and watch the thunderstorm from the porch. Northwesters don't miss a beat when the rain comes.
When I first arrived in Oregon 2 years ago I was amazed at how the rain didn't stop anyone from pursuing their outdoor activities. A veteran mother told me to always keep a towel in the car for the playground . At first I was apprehensive about having Cole in the rain to long, growing up I always heard you'd catch a cold in the rain. But now I find myself wiping down the slide. A little rain never hurt a true Oregonian because in reality if I did hide under the blanket until the rain left I would be there a long time. Andy and I often talked this summer about how we were dreading the winter because of the incessant rain followed by really cold days and more rain. And in all honesty the gray does get to be too much at times but for now I will revel in the beauty in creates and be awed by the amount of artistic inspiration it has provided.

2005-09-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

I believe Cole is giving up his naps because we are starting our second week of no naps. This is very frustrating because I need that time to write or sew. I need that time to be me. Anyways,
since I don't have any time to write anything today, tell me what inspires you. Where do you find your creative energy ? Remember this blog is meant to bring us all closer together, so don't be shy. Write something!

La Dolce Vita!

2005-09-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Cole's collage of his favorite things

I should get a prize for these cookies. These have to be the best cookies I ever created. I made these for a potluck we went to last weekend and I swear they were gone in 10 minutes. No one ever knew they were vegan. I promise you won't miss a single egg or ounce of milk.

Chocolately Mint Chunk

1 C whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
3 tblsp non-dairy chocolate chips
1/4 cup unrefined sugar
dash of salt
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp peppermint extract/flavoring
1/4 cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl combine all dry ingredients including chocolate chips. In a separate bowl combine all wet ingredients well. Add the wet to the dry and stir until just combined ( do not over mix). Place spoonfuls on baking sheet and gentle press down until flat.
Bake for 10 minutes. Do not let them cool for longer than 1 minute on the sheet because they will dry out. Enjoy 8-10 large one and 10-12 smaller ones. Ah the sweet life!

Is your Mama a Llama?

2005-09-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

As the last posts have been deep I promise to keep this one light.
September in Oregon is beautiful and Cole and I find ourselves outside for most of the day. Temperatures peak at 75 and there isn't a cloud in the sky. Fall flowers have begun to pop up and once again the high desert has some color. After 3 months of very hot,dry and brown, we find inspiration to move around again. After we have built a motorcycle track in the garden, chased each other, and swung on the swing we decided to take a walk up our long dusty road. We have a full view of the gorge since we are elevated at 2000 feet and we even get a peek of Mt. Adams. But our mission on this walk is to find treasure and Llamas. Treasure consist of colorful rocks and anything shiny. We barely make it up the driveway before the whole crew decides to follow. Saki, who thinks he is a dog, enthusiastically follows but soon gets nervous and hides in the evergreen along the drive. With heads down toward the ground Cole begins singing. The lyrics went something like this, " Bubba was a fast rider", and " The lady walking down the road picked blackberries". After a 1/4 of a mile and no treasure found, we decide the pirates have taken it all. But our hopes of seeing an animal don't disappoint as I know of a knoll that holds a few a Llamas. That is right, Llamas are a popular farm animal in Mosier. As we turn down the road to see them a herd of deer jump out and for a moment we are all entranced by the closeness to each other. The mama deer stares at me trying to anticipate my move and decides I mean no harm and nonchalantly walks away into the brush. It is moments like these that I get to rediscover the world through Cole's eyes and find it exciting again. We see the Llamas but from behind their fence they hold no glory compared to the deer did.
This morning we woke up to find some wild turkeys in the garden, pecking away at the remains. A couple of hours later a mama deer and her baby walked up to our window, looked inside and walked into the garden and ate some corn. Cole and I imagined there must have been a conference among the animals last night and word got out that we are nice and don't harm. As our garden has been a free for all for the critters this summer, I wonder what will show up next.
As the sun begins to fall over the hills and we hear the coyotes howling, I think how real and magically this life is that we are living. This is good for Cole to have real connections with animals and not think of them as something that lives behind bars or in TV's. We are really lucky to have found this spot and I must remember this when I feeling isolated and moaning for a coffee shop. As much as I love the energy of the city, this energy is important too.

What's for breakfast?

2005-09-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

On days that I don't have a vehicle and have the whole day in front of me with nowhere to go, I find myself in the kitchen a lot trying to invent new things to eat. Usually they don't work out but this morning it did. I made pumpkin pancakes and they were a big hit with Cole. And that is saying a lot since Cole is still Mr. Picky. He is doing a lot better but he is a typical toddler. Here it goes and enjoy.

Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tap pumpkin pie seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups oat milk or soy milk
1 cup pumpkin puree ( organic taste better)
3 tblsp canola oil

Directions:

1. In large bowl combine all dry ingredients

2. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients

3. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredient bowl.

4. Pour on skillet.

5. Enjoy with real maple syrup and vegan butter.

Note: If you like thinner pancakes, not fluffy one, increase oil and milk.

A letter to McKenzie

2005-09-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Soon to be Mama,

You have now entered an exciting time in your life. You are growing a human being inside of you. Can you believe it? Those little flutters you are feeling in your stomach are part life taking shape and part your soul rejoicing. You may not feel your baby yet but you have already begun to feel the unconditional love that will last forever. Congratulations! The world probably looks a little more colored. Flowers seem brighter, there is hope behind every rock, even the clouds are a pretty shade of grey. When your partner looks at you, your heart skips a beat because you know you two have conspired to be a part of something bigger. Oh, how I envy you.
If you are like me you want to prepare for this event. You want to read every book available and find all your options. Pain killers or not? Family bed or crib? I am not here to tell you what to do or judge what you do decide. I am writing this to help your process and and see things from all angles.
In your reading you may find that the US is rank 60th in quality of prenatal and positioned care. ( this is according to the World Health Organization) The countries that ranked the highest don't use pain killers and c-sections are a very rare case. Now as far as the crib goes, more babies die of SIDS in cribs and no baby has ever died of a parent rolling on them unless the parent was heavily drunk. I swear the research is there. Besides if the dog sleeps with you, why shouldn't the kid. As a far as vaccinations are concerned, I had Cole vaccinated because I bought the hype and didn't want to take any chances. But we don't live in a country where small pox, polio, etc are rampant. We have wiped these out a long time ago. Maybe vaccinations are doing more harm than good. I really don't know.
As far as books go, let me cut your list down to this:
1. Always, Always trust your instincts.

2. For solid information read Penolpe Leach. Don't read the What to Expect Books

3. Some books try to hard to be funny. Like the Girlfriends Guide, if you want suburban house wife, then this is your style. But recommend Hip Mama's Guide

4. Mindful Parenting by John Kabat-Zinn has is must for any parent.

I remember when I was pregnant I spent a lot of time daydreaming about what the future would hold once the baby was born. I imagined sharing my love of reading with long sessions of my favorite childhood books, staring into each other eyes during feedings, taking long walks in the woods. First of all you are too tired to take walks and second of all your baby may not want these same dreams. So keep in mind that this child is an individual and should always be treated as such. You aren't here to mold the clay and manage the bushiness but rather provide support and guidance as this child grows. This is also a time for you grow as well. Be open to child and let her teach you. You'd be surprised at how much he has to share.
Over the next nine months people are going to tell you lots of stories of what life with a child is like. Nobody can fully prepare you for that moment. It is okay if you don't do things like grandma wants to you, you aren't rejecting her. Parenting is a very personal matter and what was right for grandma's family may not be right for yours.
Lastly, pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. Sit with your emotions, let yourself feel them and try and find that quiet calm within. Pregnancy is a preparation for the future. This child is going to invoke more love then anybody else ever will but will also test your patience like no other. It is an amazing thing to happen to you. Grow with it.

Children Rummage Through Their Mother's Altars

2005-09-11T11:13:00.001-07:00

When I was a little girl I had two books that I looked at all the time. It was my First Communion Book of Prayers and my Book of Saints. I thought they were the most beautiful books in the world. The First Communion book was a bright white with gold lettering. I remember it being so bright that it felt like I was holding God in my hands. The saints book was a little more grim with its detailed pictures of the horrific battles the saints encountered. I was fascinated by their courage and devotion to a higher moral ground. As I grew older and could read to myself I began to explore the bible. There were days when I felt like the world began and ended in the book of psalms. I wouldn't give any other part a chance because this book summed up my world view. But I was taught different aspects in my catholic schooling. I think we spent months memorizing the 10 commandments. We had to write them out, word for word, over and over again until we could stand up in front the class and recite them. Being the shy child that I was, this terrified me but when it was my turn I said them all right. I remember that wonderful feeling of being in my teacher graces. I was a good catholic girl! But something didn't sit right with me. If the commandment says, "thou shall not kill," then why do we kill animals and have capitol punishment. Why do we go to war? When my teachers thought I wasn't paying attention in class,I was constantly contemplating these questions. I finally found the courage to ask Father Largent in confession once. His response was, "stop advoiding your Confession, God knows all, now tell me your sins." Thus began my love of philosophy, I had to find the answers.
I have since turned my back on the catholic mass but I still enter a church now and then. When I was in Europe I was even inspired to pray a few times because the churches were so beautiful, how could I not worship them. And last night I once again found myself praying. Cole woke up at 12:30 and refused to go back to sleep untill he could nurse. I tried reasoning with him, "you are too old Cole." He held out until 5:45, screaming and kicking. There were times when I thought I would lose it. I actually down on my hands and knees and said:

Hail Mary
Mother of all mothers
please silence my mind so that I will not
bruise my son's ego tonight.
Send me wisdom, not advice
please mother, show me the light.

And soon I heard a hush child, close your eyes. You can be strong if you just hold on. Shh, shh give in to the moment, stop fighting, stop trying to control it. These words came from somewhere deep inside of me and Cole sensed it. He stop crying and we read a book over and over again until he feel asleep. Oh how I am deeply rooted in the catholic church. Shh, don't tell anyone.

P.S. Thankyou to Saul Williams, your poems inspire me daily. Many people feel poets have their heads in the clouds, but one look at yours and they will see your heart firmly planted in the ground.

Top 3 Reasons Why Cole Can't Eat His Lunch.

2005-09-09T19:48:00.000-07:00

And these are quotes straight from the horses mouth.

1. I'm saving it for papa, he might be hungry when he gets home.

2. I need to eat ice cream first, that's how papa likes to do it.
( This is not true, Andy doesn't fancy ice cream)

3. I'm giving it to another kid that doesn't have any.
( How can you fault him for wanting to share, I give up at this point)

Help the Musicians of New Orleans

2005-09-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

I found this great site that is helping to rebuild the spirit of New Orleans. Check it out and by a shirt. If you have been to New Orleans you know that the Musicians are a major part of the magic that drew you there. So pay them back for your great memories and send some magic their way.

Those of you who could care less about music then don't forget about the pets of New Orleans. This organization is doing a great job at helping our furry and feathered friends. noahswish.org

2005-09-07T15:34:00.001-07:00

2005-09-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

When I first sat down to create this site I originally thought it would be a blog about a vegan mother raising her vegetarian child. But then I asked myself if the blog world really needs one more mother defending her vegetarian choices. As important as those websites are I was bored by the idea of creating that myself. Then the title Mo-town Veggies kept popping up in my mind and it was settled that this would be a blog about the whole family. We are after all more then just animal rights activist, we are budding artist, motorcross enthusiast, gardeners, kayakers, beginner sewers, big wheel riders, down hill longboarders, meditators, and the list goes on. This blog will be an attempt to connect more often with family and friends. This is my best attempt at putting Oregon inside of Indiana. (or where ever you may be) I hope you will enjoy our adventures with us as we journey down this path called life. You may not agree with our politics or wonder why we turned left instead of right but give us some time and we will show you a little bit of Mo-town soul.

Pictures Coming Soon!

Trisha