Beneath the Wraps

              On Sunday we met Beth and Graham for a light breakfast.   Plans were to drive the coast.   Beth took us on the scenic tour – which really was pretty.   Unfortunately my stomach was not impressed, and we had to stop the car and rotate seats before we got to Tillamook.             Once we arrived at the Tillamook Cheese plant, we were able to take a self-guided tour and sample the cheese before purchasing ice cream.   The Cheese company had offered an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday.  That could be one of the reasons that Sunday was so slow.  It was great for us as we didn't have to wait in lines.

        Beth and Graham had us over for breakfast on Saturday morning before we went to the beading class.   Beth greeted each of us with published material.   Two books for me, two books for Jenna and a flyer print out for the upcoming community theatre for Roland – hoping he might addition for Oklahoma.   Beth taught Jenna how to do Sudoku puzzles and then Jenna taught me.           Beth had made some outstanding biscuits and Graham was taking orders for omelets.   I’ve never had an eight egg omelet before.   I don’t know how many eggs were actually used.   But that is what it looked like.   We were definitely fed well.         After the beading class, we toured downtown McMinnville and were invited to sample various vinegars, jellies, syrups, and spreads.   We had sampled Amish butter just the nig...

I have heard that Utah has the widest streets in the nation.   Neighborhood streets are only two lanes – generally.   Still most seem big enough for cars to get by other cars that may be parked on the side of the road.   Our main streets consist of 6 – 8 lanes – perhaps not for the entire road, but at some points.   I’ve gotten used to really wide roads.   As a pedestrian, I find I have only a few seconds to cross before the light changes.   It’s not like that all over the city – but enough to me that it feels that way. Roland and I noticed the streets in Oregon were quite narrow in comparison.   We had a strange encounter at Fort Grove because of it. Fort Grove is very pretty, almost story book looking, very secluded though.   Not a lot of shopping convenience.   I don’t know how far the firehouse is, but apparently they have access to one. As we were driving around and looking at houses, Roland saw the fire truck behi...

             Before we had even packed, Roland and I stopped by the store for some gift ideas.   Jenna had recently told us that having footie pajama would be cool.   The first ones that I saw were bright pink with rubber ducks.   Jenna has always had a thing for rubber ducks but as I looked around, I saw something else that looked more like something that she would pick. We chose what she calls a “cheetah print” because she is somehow in love with animal print – first cheetah and then zebra.    Jenna and Roland had gone to the pool while I had the opportunity of taking a hot bath.   (Roland is so good to me – knowing I have been wanting a bath in a large tub for some time – at that point neither one of us were aware of the hot tub located next to the pool)   Jenna was still in her wet swim suit when I got out of the tub. I told her that she could open her first gift that first...

            It's now been a week since we flew out of Salt Lake City.  After we landed we went to find our luggage.   Portland is a nice airport.   Portland must have been a connecting stop for most passengers as there weren’t many people standing at the carousel to claim luggage, nor were there many pieces coming out.             Every time I wait for luggage, I think of one time when I had gone to the San Francisco airport and stood behind a crowd of people surrounding the luggage carousel but in no way could get near enough to collect my luggage.             As I saw one piece make its way around I loudly asked, “Could someone toss me that light blue bag?”              I soon realized that I had made a wrong word...

            We had asked Tony and Rochelle to house sit – not that our house needed sitting, but because we wanted them to have time to themselves and we thought that would give them the opportunity.             After they arrived, we watched Walt Disney’s Into the Woods .   I was quite surprised when Ester joined me in the recliner.   She didn’t watch the entire movie, but she was in the recliner long enough for pictures.               Roland slept on the couch and I slept on the recliner while Tony and Rochelle took Ester in our room.   My, she was loud.   Enthusiastic.   Not even close to sleepy.   I don’t know what her parents did to hush her.             I don’t know why I woke up just before 4:00. ...

         For spring break this year, we decided that we would go to Oregon.   I was excited to get away from Utah and to a state where I could breathe.   Jenna was sad not to be in Utah for her birthday, but built up an excitement to go. Roland has needed a vacation and was happy just to get away.   But none of us were as excited about going to Oregon as Beth.          Beth Goldberg and Roland were in their high school band together.   Roland was interested in dating Beth, but the feeling was not mutual.   She liked Roland as a friend, but didn’t wish for anything more.   (I personally think she may have just had higher standards) After forty years they had reconnected through facebook.            Beth travels a lot – or so it seems.   She had remarried and was looking to move from West Virginia to Oregon. ...

I remember watching a documentary with my mom in 1991.   It was called Age 7 in America.   At least I think that’s what it was called.   I don’t know who’s responsible for making it.   It looks like it may have been created by Christopher Quinn patterned after an idea done in Britain?   I don’t even recall which network sponsored the program.   Quinn (who also narrated the film) told us that the plan was to follow a number of children from different backgrounds and upbringings and interview them every seven years. I remember looking for “Age 14 in America” but not finding it.   I don’t know what prompted me to look it up on YouTube this year – but I did find it.   Age 7, age 14 and age 21 (thank you Orletta Crichlow) and watched Up 21and was really quite impressed. Years ago, when my mom and I had been watching, there were three girls wearing school uniforms.   As they were being interviewed, the one in the middle...

We did not have much of a winter this year.   I’m quite grateful, actually.   At least for now.   It was good to take the bus in nice weather and not have to trudge through the snow during the time when we’re walking. We had 5 – 8 hours of snow on the 3 rd – though I suppose those who live closer to the mountains or even in the mountains may have experienced more. The snow fell hard and didn’t let up until after five feet or so, and then it let up.   Meanwhile I lost my bus pass.   I figured whoever picked it up needed it more than I did. I chose not to purchase another pass.   Though I had only gotten three fares out of the first – I figured we could save thirty dollars if I just paid the fare each day.   Still expensive.   But as of Monday I’ll have a car again.   Still not comfortable with driving – but the sun is starting to warm and I don’t wish to wait in the blazing sun after school. It will be nice to wait a...

I remember hearing a story about a child visiting grandparents – noticing that “grandma” is much taller than “grandpa”.   One day the child asks why grandma had married when there was such an obvious height difference.   The grandma responds with, “Your grandpa and I fell in love sitting down, and by the time we stood up, it was too late.” Often there are people look for a partner in which to share a life.   Sometimes they base their interests on appearance or personality.   And then there are others who develop a love without even trying.   And sometimes the situation may seem challenging if acted upon – some may accept the challenges while others choose not to go there due to an orthodox view of race or religion.   Others may accept the challenges that they face and try to make a go at it.   Sometimes the constant battles will make a couple stronger.   Sometimes it ends up tearing them apart. Recently I watched a movie called ...