We're in the middle of one of those times when everything seems harder than it should be. Everyone is, or has been, or continues to be, sick: lingering coughs, fevers, headaches, sinus pain, vertigo, nausea and emergency room visits. Add to this canceled vacations, too little remaining sick leave, frequent school absences and missed work and you have a recipe for nothing good. In the midst of all this, there is still plenty of good to be found. Beautiful weather, beds to sleep in, cars to drive, money for necessities, good general health (what we have going on now is temporary), supportive coworkers, good jobs and family who loves us and whom we love and can always count on when necessary. Good to remember that almost without exception, it can always be worse and it will always get better.
Mixed media, 20x20
Mixed media, 20x16.
Born in 1917, she was a teacher and married to my grandpa, a probate judge, the country coroner, justice of the peace, school superintendent, insurance salesman and owner of the title company in town, among other things, in a small town where people often wore many hats in the community. She had a sweet tooth like no other. She passed it to my dad, who passed it to me and when we were together, there was always cake or ice cream or cookies, or all three at once. And, last night I had a bowl of chocolate ice cream and chuckled as I rationalized it was "in her memory."
In this photo from 2012, we were celebrating her 95th birthday and she was funny as she not-so-patiently insisted it was time to cut the cake. Conversation continued and she kept bringing it back to the cake and ice cream.
My grandma Elsie taught me to crochet. Grannie squares her lesson of choice and I remember the multi-colored afghans draped over the couch. She was funny and witty and smart and loved to play games. She made mudpies with me and we played dolls on the river's edge while my parents and brother fished.
She was loved, and she will be missed.
I was recently asked what I did to break up my day. It took no time at all to answer. I am so fortunate to live and work in the Wenatchee valley, where access to beautiful views is as easy as heading down the street to the river, or up the street to the hills. Several times a week you will find me at one of the local PUD parks, even on a 15 minute break, camera in hand, if I need to recharge my brain batteries. Give me a lunch hour and I might be on or near Saddlerock or Sage Hills. An afternoon free might find me in Cashmere, Monitor, Peshastin, Leavenworth , Entiat or Chelan. And with our 4 distinct seasons, it never grows old. Always something to see in a new light. How do I break up my day? I stand up and walk outside.
Explorers enjoying a sandbar exposed during low water on the Columbia river near Walla Walla park.