Monday, March 24, 2008

SOLV's Great Oregon Beach Cleanup!

For those of you who are interested, this coming Saturday is the SOLV Great Oregon Beach Cleanup, from 10am-1pm. I'll be there, with my youngest tucked snugly into his jogging stroller and my girlfriend and myself picking up trash.

Jubee and I go whenever possible, but sometimes we lose track of when the Cleanup is scheduled. The last one I can personally recall, in September of 2006, we ended up there on the same day just by coincidence, and my older boy, then nearly 5 years old, vanished. I was heavily pregnant with my youngest, and was frantically searching for him, to the point of crawling up sand dunes on my hands and knees because I couldn't deal with falling once more in the soft sand. The wonderful organizers of the Cleanup in that area jumped in to help search, and my Squid was found within 15 minutes--- he had wandered around the building into the parking lot of the motel, and a window-washer brought him into the office, where they heard us calling for him.

So come join the fun, and feel the sense of accomplishment! Be sure to bring gloves, to keep your hands clean, and get a bag from the organizers, and help Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism!

One word of advice: BEFORE YOU START PICKING UP TRASH, walk as far as you plan to go during your cleanup, and then start. I’ve done the opposite before--- picked up trash on my way from my car--- and it gets very heavy before you decide you’ve traveled far enough... and then you still have to retrace your steps back to the car!

Hope to see you there!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Dreamtime.....

It's my dream to someday own at least 10 acres of heavily-wooded land, with my home near the center. I am definitely a hermit of sorts--- I like people, but more and more I'm finding isolation to be preferable. That doesn't work very well when you're married with three kids, your spouse is disabled and unable to care for the kids, and so you're not able to work outside the house!

Ideally, I'd like to live within 10 miles of the Oregon coastline--- the closer, the better, but not right on the water. I'd like the property to withstand the elements for more than 50 years, to tell the truth! I love log cabins, but I'd put up with any type of house if I can have the acreage and the location!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Welcome to Oregon!

I was born in Oregon--- in Portland, as a matter of fact--- and I love my state more than any other I've visited. The only states that come close are Washington (blasted sales tax!) and Montana (if Montana had an ocean, I'd have never come back!).

Anyway, after having lived in several different states, I have vowed never to leave my beloved Oregon ever again except to visit family and friends. I also know now that I definitely prefer the isolation of country life. I hate cities! Lest you think I've no clue what it's like in cities, since I've lived mostly in small towns, let me reassure you that I lived 18 months in Las Vegas. I also lived five months in Montana, north of the Hi-Line with addresses both in Rudyard and Joplin, 5 miles away from the nearest neighbor--- I loved it, but missed my ocean!!

Here I wish to share my Oregon experiences. I'll post photos as well as stories when I can.

See ya later!