redbat in the blue mountains

another blog?

2009-12-07T09:53:00.001-08:00

I know, I know... I can barely keep tabs on THIS one. However, as most of you know by now, I am pregnant and due in May.(!) So, I've started another blog for baby redbat to keep everyone up-to-date on my pregnancy and to post pics and updates after the baby is born. To view this blog, go to: www.babyredbat.weebly.com

I hope everyone is happy and healthy and enjoying the holiday season!
hugs,
kristin, berkley & baby redbat :)

One full year?!

2009-06-14T14:01:00.001-07:00

It's difficult to believe, but it has been an entire year since our Garden Party. It's a good thing we didn't wait until this year, though, because the entire weekend has been overcast and drizzly. Much, MUCH different than our perfect weather weekend last year. We really do hope to have another party sometime down the road and would love to have everyone back again--along with some new faces, too. We certainly have the yard for entertaining (if we do say so...)

At any rate, I happen to have entirely TOO MANY activity booklets left over (like, over 100!) and can't bear to banish them to the recycle bin. If you would like a copy (or two or three...) please, please PLEASE let me know. I would be glad to mail them to you. Even if you weren't able to attend (actually, ESPECIALLY if you weren't able to attend!), we think you'll get a kick out of the book. Berkley & I had a lot of fun creating it and at the very least, you'll be helping to clear out one of my many "things to organize or get rid of" piles. If you're interested, send an email with your mailing address and the number of booklets you'd like to receive to: redbat@mail.com.

Hugs to everyone!

redbat design website

2008-12-24T22:26:00.000-08:00

This is just a quick update to let you know that the redbat design website is finally up and running! (If you've already received word, I apologize for the redundancy.) We're still working on a few kinks here and there, but for the most part, it's ready for viewing. Click here to take a look.

Winter Continues...

2008-12-24T20:44:00.000-08:00

We've received a lot of snow already--and we're barely into winter! We've also received a lot of wind, which gives us lovely but troublesome drifts of snow around the property. Berkley spent ten hours (over the last two days) redistributing said lovely drifts into chunky mounds of ice (just so we could get the cars out of the garage!) Here's a little clip of what he was up against:

and to that, I say:

First Snow!

2008-12-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

We finally got our first snow yesterday (as did a lot of folks, I hear!), so I thought I'd share a few photos. These were all taken from inside the Belfry (my office).

Love, hugs, and Merry Christmas to all!

Garden Party Weekend: June 13-15, 2008

2008-07-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to the Garden Party. The weather was perfect and the company was even better! We certainly missed all of you who weren't able to be here, but hopefully we can persuade you to come visit some other time...

Here is a link to photos from the entire weekend:

Garden Party Photos!

(if that link doesn't work, try copying and pasting this into your browser:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=1zhf9kb.7hebxwnv&x=0&y=-igurtb&localeid=en_US

There are 4 albums to flip through... :) Enjoy!

Thanks again!
kristin & berkley :)

We're Married!!!

2007-11-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

Yep! Mr. & Mrs. Berkley Summers. Sounds good, doesn't it?
We think so!

Since we had a private ceremony--and I know everyone is dying to know all about it!!--I thought I would post some details here so you'd feel as though you'd been there. We hope to see all of you in the near future and tell you all about it in person, but until then, here goes…

Both Berkley & I are a bit shy and really don't enjoy being in the spotlight. So, we decided to have a VERY small ceremony--just the two of us--in a very small place. We discussed many places to elope to, but nothing really seemed to click. That is, until I drove through a little town called Prairie City with my brother on the way to Burns. It was so little, and so C-U-T-E! When I got home, I mentioned it to Berkley, we looked it up on a map (it's near John Day, and only about 2 hours from La Grande) and he said "let's do it!" We both liked the idea of going somewhere that neither of us had been to, so that getting married there would make it "our" place. And boy, did we make the right choice!

I promptly went on the internet and looked up the town--what a great website I found! The town site (prairiecityoregon.com) is filled with information and photos and it all just started to fall together. When I happened upon a photo of the covered wagon at the viewpoint just outside of town, I KNEW that was the spot. So, I emailed the Chamber for more information. I'd mentioned our plans to get married there and the reply I got back was so sweet. The City Recorder, Diane, seemed almost as excited as we were! She gave me some great information to check into and off I went...

It was a little odd to be planning something so important around places we'd never been to and people we'd never met, but as I said, it all just fell into place. Everyone was so NICE and helpful. I lined up the Justice of the Peace from nearby Canyon City and booked a room at the Strawberry Mountain Inn Bed & Breakfast. We chose October 26th because we both love autumn and that weekend just seemed to work out best. We decided to stay at the B&B for Friday & Saturday nights and since we didn't want to wait a full day to get married once we were there, we just went with Friday afternoon. It turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day, too! Gorgeous blue sky, barely a breeze and just the perfect temperature.

During the planning stage, Kalli's mom, Cass, offered to watch the kids if Berkley & I wanted to have Greg & Kalli join us and be our witnesses. We'd been prepared to just find two locals--or Diane had said she could find two people willing to meet us there. But that always seemed a little weird, so this was actually the perfect solution! Having my super wonderful brother there and his fabulous wife couldn't have been more perfect. (THANK YOU, CASS!! What a wonderful gift you gave us!) They ended up staying at the same B&B and we all had so much fun.

So, on the 26th, Berkley & I set out to Prairie City. Greg & Kalli were to meet us there and we'd all head to the viewpoint for the ceremony at 3pm. Well, as usual, I had too many things to do that morning and so Berkley & I were running a little late. We didn't get to the B&B until about 1:45. Yikes!! I'd wanted to take my time getting dressed, but there wasn't much time for that, now!! Instead, Greg opened a bottle of champagne for everyone and he & Berkley talked and waited outside while Kalli & I finished getting ready. And surprisingly, I was pretty calm! Luckily, I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to dressing up, so it didn't take me too long to get ready. :)

One thing that helped was that there was a gorgeous bouquet waiting for us in our room, along with some candy and a beautiful card--all from my Uncle Rich, Aunt Diana and family. It was so heartwarming and unexpected! I was really, really touched. (THANK YOU!!!)

Kalli was great and took a bunch of photos while I was getting ready. She even got a couple of me looking at myself in a full-length mirror. I have a photo of my mom on her wedding day doing just that, so I wanted to recreate it on my wedding day. I was wearing a gold bell necklace that my dad had given her and that she wore on her wedding day, too. Along with the diamond from Mom's ring that is now in my own, I had a very strong sense of her presence that day...

When it was time to go to the viewpoint, Kalli had Greg & Berkley come inside and stand at the bottom of the stairs. Berkley hadn't yet seen my outfit, so I walked around the corner and down the stairs to him. He was so cute--and obviously happy with how I looked, so I felt really happy. It was a fun little touch to surprise him like that.

We got up to the viewpoint and it was amazing! I'd figured that there would be people stopping there off and on during the ceremony, since it IS a viewpoint, but wouldn't you know it--no one did! We were the only people up there the entire time! We couldn't have planned it any better.

Terry Farrell, the Justice of the Peace, was a great addition to the experience, too. He really liked the ceremony we had put together and since we were having such a good time with it all, he joined right in. He made us feel really comfortable. We stood by the wagon for the actual ceremony and then climbed up in it afterward and took a bunch of pictures.

Here is our ceremony--which we were pretty happy with (and still are!) It's very "us," which is how it should be!:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Wedding Ceremony
Berkley Summers & Kristin Johnson
October 26, 2007

The step which you are about to take is the most important into which human beings can come. It is a union of two people founded upon mutual respect and affection. Your lives will change, your responsibilities will increase, but your joy will be multiplied if you are sincere and earnest with your pledge to one another.

Anne Morrow Lindburgh wrote:
“When you love someone you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. It is an impossibility. The only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity, in freedom, in the sense that dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same pattern.

The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now. One must accept the security of the winged life, of ebb and flow, of intermittency.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Berkley, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?

Kristin, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please take hands and repeat after me:

(Berkley to Kristin)
From this day forward
I promise you these things:
I will laugh with you in times of joy
and comfort you in times of sorrow.
I will share in your dreams,
and support you as you strive to achieve your goals.
I will listen to you with compassion and understanding,
and speak to you with encouragement.
I will help you when you need it,
and step aside when you don't.
I will remain faithful to you
for better or worse,
in times of sickness and health.
I will watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with you
each Christmas season,
and keep folding your underwear.
You are my best friend
and I will love and respect you always.

(Kristin to Berkley)
From this day forward
I promise you these things:
I will laugh with you in times of joy
and comfort you in times of sorrow.
I will share in your dreams,
and support you as you strive to achieve your goals.
I will listen to you with compassion and understanding,
and speak to you with encouragement.
I will help you when you need it,
and step aside when you don't.
I will remain faithful to you
for better or worse,
in times of sickness and health.
I will watch “Dr. Who” episodes with you,
and will always allow room for you record collection.
You are my best friend
and I will love and respect you always.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Do you have a ring for the bride? Please place the ring on the bride's finger and say:  With this ring, I thee wed.

Is there a ring for the groom? Please place the ring on the groom's finger and say:  With this ring I thee wed.

Let these rings be given and received as a token of your affection, sincerity and fidelity to one another.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In as much as Berkley and Kristin have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company, and pledged their vows to each other, by the authority vested in me by the State of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So, there you have it! As I said, we hope to see everyone soon and talk about things more in person, but hopefully this will tide you over. :)

If you'd like to see pictures from the day, click here:

The Summers Wedding!

If that doesn't work, copy and paste this address into your browser:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=1zhf9kb.1hz4zpjr&x=0&y=ogju8i

Hugs,
Kristin & Berkley Summers :)

could it be??!!

2007-05-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

ABSOLUTELY!! It has finally happened: I'm engaged!! Berkley "officially" asked me on Wednesday. Well...actually, we both asked each other, but I'm the one with the ring. :) And it's beautiful--I absolutely love it. Never one for fancy jewelry, I opted to design my own. Using a small diamond from my mother's wedding band, and another from my dad's, I had the jeweler add them to a white gold setting alongside a gorgeous red garnet. The style of the ring is really pretty simple, but obviously very special--for more reasons than one. I even love the profile--with a wonderful Art Deco flavor.

Needless to say, I'm quite happy! Berkley and I have been together for just over 3 years and we've talked a lot about getting married. Berk has recently done a lot of rearranging in his house to accommodate my moving in (soon, we hope!), and the remodeling job on the old garage is getting very close to being finished. Finished and ready for me to move my office into it! Yay! So, things have definitely been moving forward, but it's now so SUPER to have the engagement "official." :)

We're having fun with it, too. After we picked up the ring, Berkley took me out for a fabulous dinner at the Historic Union Hotel, so I could, as Berkley said, "show off the ring and have a fun, special dinner to go along with it." The food was really yummy and the owner/waiter was hilarious. We'd been planning to go there for quite awhile, but just hadn't made it yet. What a great and special reason to go for the first time!

Afterward, we went to Greg & Kalli's for a bit. We needed drop some things off to them, but also wanted to share the news. When we first got there, Greg asked Berkley if he needed any help bringing things inside. Berkley said "No," then smiled at me and said, "I've got my 'BRIDE-TO-BE' here to help me..." and then walked out. After a bit of semi-confused silence I smiled and said, "Yep! It's official!" as I showed off the ring. What followed was much hugging, a bit of screaming, and showing off the ring to all of The Littles (i.e. the kids ;). What fun!!! Kennedy and Madelynn were quite excited and Kalli snapped some cute photos of them "oooh-ing" and "aaah-ing" over the ring (along with Maddi's friend Kianna).

Kalli was also able to grab a couple of photos of Berkley and I together--a rare treat since Berk hates to have his picture taken. As you can tell, he had some fun with the moment... :)

So there you have it. Berkley & I are engaged--and very happily enjoying one day after another...together.

a little catching up...

2006-11-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

First of all, I KNOW! It's been forever... Apparently, that's how things will go with this blog.
I had quite a busy summer--flew to Boston for Shane & Dana's wedding, helped Berkley through the transition of closing his too-cool-for-this-place store, drove back & forth to Portland quite a few times, went to Kaycee & Mark's beautiful wedding on Mt. Hood, and took Alek to Baker City for his "Trip with Auntie." Plus, I've been working, working, working, as usual. Whew! Having a great time, though, so that's good!
Berkley & I are still together, still having a blast and talking more and more about "the M-word." (!)
L'il Bailey the kitty is doing superbly well and has 3 other cats to pal around (and catch mice) with.
All 5 of my nieces and nephews (i.e "The Littles") are doing well and continue to amaze me with their intelligence, unique-ness and talents. I love being an Auntie!
Anyway, that's a quick recap of my little ol' life. Hopefully, that will help keep the pleading emails away--for awhile at least.
Talk to you in the Spring! (just kidding...i hope!)
~ kristin :)

A beautiful day!

2006-02-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...
It takes me forever to update this blog. But I AM thinking about everyone and wishing you were here! Today is absolutely beautiful, with a bright blue sky and crisp, cool air. Even Mt. Emily is showing off her snowy, good looks. :)
This is the view I get as I step to the sidewalk in front of my house. A rough view to see every day, huh? I'm trying to deal with it as best I can. ;)
Happy Valentine's Day!
much love and hugs,
redbat

photo updates!

2005-11-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

well, since I obviously can't keep myself on track with these entries, I've decided to fill in some gaps with photos. Hopefully, these will be worth much more to you than what I should have written... :)
To start, here are a few of the little kitten when he first came to us in September. He was just about 6 weeks old...

and just today, I took these photos of the little guy as he watched me leaving Berkley's house:

he's a little bigger now! We still can't decide on a name...and why should we, really? He's adorable and loves our attention whether we call him Li'l Guy, Norman, Bailey, Sweetpea... or just kitty. :)

more photos...

2005-11-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

These are from my last drive over to Portland. I was irritated when I got on the road because due to work issues, I was starting out about 4 hours later than I had planned. But, my irritation didn't last long because the sunset that I drove into was so incredible that I had to stop a couple of times and take photos! I couldn't help but be happy about my serendipitous good fortune...

...and more photos

2005-11-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

the word is out

2005-11-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

Apparently, the local animals--stray and otherwise--have all heard that we love little critters and will help them out if they need it. Along with the 3 cats that already live on the property (Li'l Guy included), there is a menagerie of wildlife that likes to stroll about the lawn, including (but not limited to) deer, racoons, an owl, other large and small birds, and a few other cats that like to hang around, too.
Well a few weeks ago, Berkley went outside in the morning and lo and behold, there was a little shivering chihuahua on the front porch! Poor little thing, she'd been there all night it looked like and since she had very short hair, she was freezing! Even so, she was very excited to see him. She had no collar or anything but she looked healthy so we thought she must have been someone's lost pet.
We had no place to keep her sheltered except for on the porch so Berkley made a little bed for her and we fed her some food and water. By the time the animal shelter opened 2 days later, I had placed an ad in the local paper, and called all of the vets in town. Oddly enough, I had no response, and even though we were tempted to keep her, we knew we couldn't take on another animal. So, on Tuesday morning, I put her in my car and sat with her for a bit so she could warm up. She climbed up onto my lap, curled herself up into a ball and promptly fell asleep! She was obviously exhausted, and I wasn't in any hurry to get rid of her, so I just let her sleep for awhile before I took her to the shelter. She was such a little sweetheart, it was difficult to leave her there! It was the best place for her, though, and I felt good about that. She wasn't at the shelter the following week, so I'm hoping that she was reunited with her owner. For a short time though, we had a sweet, precious little dog...

We've adopted a polydactyl!

2005-10-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

...Actually, this polydactyl has adopted US.

pol·y·dac·tyl: A person or an animal having more than the normal number of digits.

Six toes on each foot. How cool is THAT?! It looks like he has little tiny thumbs. Sadly, we think his mother was hit on the road in front of Berkley's house. He found a little spot to hide out amongst the trees and brush across the street and cried and meowed for a few days before he would really let us near him. Now, though, he is quite happily a member of the household. Well, Berkley's household that is. I can't have pets at my place. Well...that and I'm allergic. I know, I know... then why have a cat? Because I love animals, that's why! Being allergic doesn't negate my natural desire to have pets, so I'll gladly put up with sneezing and watery eyes for this little guy.
He's a doll!
We can't really decide on a name, so every day we call him something new. Right now he is Bailey, Norman (i.e. PSYCHO!), Franklin, Bear, and sometimes Bob. Mostly, though, we call him Li'l Guy, which seems to suit him just fine...

redheads

2005-10-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

There must be something in the Eastern Oregon water, because I have seen more redheads than I ever thought could possibly live in one place. Well, aside from Ireland, that is. It's just the oddest thing.

Supposedly, natural redheads make up less than 4% of the population. LESS than 4%! But over here, you can't go anywhere without seeing at least one--if not more--copper-topped citizen. And a lot of them are children, too. Just the other day I took my niece over to the park, and there was only one other child there at the time. You guessed it--a redhead. Probably no older than two.

Don't get me wrong, I love that this recessive gene has somehow taken hold of this little town. But what does that m-e-a-n, exactly? Are we-- the rare and unique redheads-- destined to become (gulp) NORMAL?!

Well, at least we'll always have our tempers... ;)

Larry, Curly & Moe?

2005-06-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

It rained all during the night and even though the ground is still quite wet, my porch is nicely dry, so I went outside to sit and read a bit this morning. There were a few birds here and there, but it was all much calmer and more quiet than other, warmer mornings. The squirrels, though—they were out. I kept hearing them running back and forth along the edge of the roof as I sat in my chair. Occasionally, one would run up to the front of the porch overhang, lean s-l-o-w-l-y over the edge to survey the surroundings and then run back to report his findings to the others. The strange thing was that they didn't really acknowledge that I was there.

This went on for about 10-15 minutes. I loved listening to those little feet running, running, running along the roof. When they finally noticed me, the three of them were trotting along the edge of the roof to my left. The first one saw me and stopped quite abruptly—causing the second one to run right into him, which caused the third little guy to stumble into and OVER the others! Straight out of a cartoon. Seriously. They huddled and held onto each other as they all stared at me, then quickly turned and ran back to the roof behind me, chattering the whole time. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Apparently, they didn't think it was funny.

Next thing I knew, they were taking turns running up to the edge, peering down at me, and yelling what I can only assume were squirrel obscenities... I'm not kidding. One by one, these three would saunter down to investigate, spout off whatever it was they felt they needed to say to me, then run back, boasting their success to the others. Sorry guys, but that just made it funnier.

space

2005-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

porch collage
Originally uploaded by redbat.

I miss my Belmont porch.

Well, I did for awhile, anyway. I love my apartment, but it really has no place to sit outside. Here I am in this beautiful valley with big, bright, sunny days and I have no bench to lounge on while reading. Or writing. Or just watching the neighborhood goings-on. By this, I mean the birds, the squirrels, the ladybugs and beetles, and the occasional passersby.

This will not do.

It's up to me to create my own space, I suppose. For the longest time, I thought the backyard would be best, since it's bigger and has more possibilities. But it's also cumbersome to GET to the backyard, and it would require a lot of work clearing out all the weeds and cutting back the overgrown bushes��—not to mention the upkeep. So what I decided on in the end was to start with my small front porch and see where that led me.

I brought home a carload of potting soil, planters, flowers and plants of all types. I trimmed the hedges back from the walkway, but kept some of the overgrowth on each side, so as to keep the area slightly hidden and to create (much-needed) shade on hot days. I planted a small but promising clematis in an oversize pot, complete with climbing trellis. I created two small rock gardens, planted lavender, some dusty miller and arranged all the pots around the perimeter. On one of the side beams, I hung a bamboo windchime. On the other, a basket of red impatiens. And I placed a small shelf along one edge of the porch to hold some tools and more flowers—��and of course, to hold my cold beer on lazy afternoons.

I would never have believed that such a small square of porch could be transformed into such a calming and downright roomy little garden space. To top it off, Berkley surprised me on the morning of my birthday by showing up on my doorstep with a beautiful (and comfy!) chair. The perfect finishing touch.

In the end, what I have is an easy-to-get-to resting spot that really doesn't look like much from the sidewalk. But, I like that. I can simply step out my front door, sit down with (or even without) a book and escape into this soothing and relaxing garden. Secluded and cool, yet open enough to invite in the morning sun, this is my own space.
I created it.

This will most certainly do.

the chair

2005-06-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

red chair
Originally uploaded by redbat.

My grandparents' kitchen was filled with all sorts of goodies and fun items we didn't have at home. My favorite cereal was on hand (Frosted Mini-Wheats!), dessert was usually cooling on the counter (chocolate crazy cake!) and something yummy was always cooking in the oven. They had what I thought was the King of all dishwashers, too. It had wheels so you could move it around the room and it hooked up to the sink faucet with a big hose—quite unlike our boring one at home that just sat motionless under the counter.

My favorite item, though, was the step-stool/chair that sat near the kitchen doorway (and still does!). It was my seat at the dinner table and when I'd watch Grammy making dinner or cleaning up afterward—and it always seemed built just for me.

With all the retro-themed items popping up in stores lately, I wasn't too surprised to see a remade version of that same chair at BiMart. I kept my eye on it but could never bring myself to spend $45 on something I didn't really need.

It may sound silly, but the day after Grammy died, I cried my way over to BiMart and I bought that chair—a small but heartfelt tribute to her. It's not quite the same style as the old one and it's certainly not as well made (what is these days?), but it's perfect in my opinion. It sits in my office, bright red and shiny, and although it's painful, it makes me think of her.

All the time.

Who'da Thunk?

2005-06-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

the Belmont Gang...together again!
Originally uploaded by redbat.

When Addie and I joined Shane in Boston, we spent much time lamenting our lost Belmont haven in Portland (beer drinking will do that to you...). But on a walk through Sommerville, we stumbled upon a welcome sight.

a long-overdue post!

2005-03-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

I guess I haven't really been keeping up with this blog as often as I had hoped I would. Sorry about that! Things have been going really well, though--I've stayed busy with work and finished up some large projects recently, I've spent a lot of time with all "The Littles" (I still spend every Saturday night at Greg and Kalli's for "Family Movie Night"), and of course I've spent lots of time with Berkley, too. :)

My dad and grandma came out for a visit last month and we all had a great time. Dad had not yet seen my new place and I was so happy that my grandma was able to make the trip--especially to see little Ellery (who is still a complete DOLL, by the way, and has thankfully clung on to that red hair). I gave the two of them my apartment to stay in and I had a sleepover weekend with the kids. Fun and comfort for everyone! Well...I'm not sure about "comfort" for me--I had to sleep on a bunk bed--but fun? Yes! ;)

So...what makes me finally write, you ask? Well, because tomorrow is a big day--I'm leaving for vacation! I'm flying to the East Coast for the first time--Boston, to be exact. Addie is already out there and we're both going to stay with Shane and Dana for about a week. I'm SUPER excited to be there, but I could certainly do without the whole flying part if it all. Oh well. I've flown alone before, it's just always a bit scary. I'll just focus, focus, focus on the destination. And being in Boston will be sooooo amazing! I can't wait to take it all in--the scenery, the history, the beer... ;) I plan on taking lots of pictures and experiencing lots of new things, so until then,
hugs and kisses to you all...
--kj :)

post office chat

2005-02-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

I had my first real "small town moment" the other day. I was standing in line at the post office and the woman behind me said, "Your hair is so beautiful. Is it naturally curly?" I thanked her, said "yes" and she proceeded to tell me that her son has red hair, too. "He lives in Portland," she said, which obviously launched me into my story of having just moved from there. Turns out that she and her husband had lived for years in the Gladstone/Oregon City area and had moved to La Grande a few years ago. A small world...

As we stood and talked, I couldn't help but picture the usual scene at the grumpy Belmont branch of the Portland post office: a long line of silent, impatient people—myself included. All of us close in proximity, but miles apart in our minds.

The experience caught me off guard a little, but I'd have to say that I enjoyed the line of chatty, friendly people much more—myself included.

Bittersweet Days

2005-01-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

baby Ellery
Originally uploaded by redbat.

Though I hated being called "carrot top" when I was a kid, I've always been proud to have red hair, and even more proud knowing that it came from my grandmother ("Grammy")--my mom's mom. My youngest cousin, James, inherited the hair color as well--though ever since he joined the Marines, it's only been allowed to grow about a half inch at most. But there's no denying that he's a redhead; a member of our secret club--forever linked not only by blood, but by the color of our hair.

Sadly--and unexpectedly--this has been a rough couple of days...

Grammy passed away on Saturday afternoon.

James left on Saturday--he's being sent to Iraq.

But in the wee hours of Monday morning, a wonderful gift arrived in the midst of all this: Ellery James Allan Johnson was born at 3:46 am; strong, healthy and full of personality. So, I became an Auntie for the fifth time. Yes, FIFTH time. Oh--and the best part? He has light red hair--a true gift, indeed.

Grammy would be proud.

SNOW!

2004-12-20T16:31:00.000-08:00

My white yard!
Originally uploaded by redbat.

When I was in elementary school, I used to wish, wish, WISH for snow during the winter so we could have a day off from school. (oh, who am I kidding? I wished all the way through college and beyond!) Sometimes I'd wake up seeing what I believed was snow on the grass, only to find out once my eyes adjusted that it was only white frost.

So imagine my surprise in early December when I woke up to snow! Not just a white dusting, but snow, snow, SNOW everywhere! I felt giddy like a little kid—and also a bit nervous in an odd way. Was winter really here? Would I be dealing with this from now on over the next 3 or 4 months? Was my old arthritic car ready? Thank goodness I had a snow shovel (a generous gift from Berkley's dad just the day before!), because I certainly needed it.

This was a Tuesday—a regular work day—and yet I felt as though I should be running around outside and building snowmen. In the end, I settled for watching the snow fall out my office window and a noontime break outside. It was beautiful!

The snow has since melted away. We've even had a few downright spring-like days, but I know that one of these mornings I'll wake up seeing white frost on the grass, only to find out once my eyes adjust that it's actually snow…

Snow photo 2

2004-12-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

My car, Kipper, covered with snow
Originally uploaded by redbat.

PETS ARE DIFFERENT HERE

2004-12-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

A good way for me to wind down and keep my computer-fatigued shoulders from cramping up is to go running. It gets me outside in the fresh air, gives me time to think, and makes me feel great. It also gives me a chance to really take in my surroundings, so what better way to explore my new town than to run through its neighborhoods?

I've run past cats, dogs and even geese on my various routes in Portland, but my first run in La Grande produced quite a different assortment of animals. In addition to the usual array of pets, I ran past horses, cows, and even some miniature donkeys. But what really caught my attention was toward the end of my route. I rounded a corner and was greeted by a group of…CHICKENS! Yep. Chickens—right in the center of a driveway—clucking happily and pecking at the gravel. They didn't even seem to mind that I was there.

How quaint is THAT?!

A NEW HOME

2004-12-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

Eastern Oregon Mountains
Originally uploaded by redbat.

I actually did it! I peeled myself out of my Belmont apartment (after 8 years!), packed up all of my junk, and moved across the state! It was difficult (and continues to be) to leave all of my friends and family, but I really think that this was the right decision for me. I figured that if I didn't push the edges of my comfort zone while I still had only myself to think about, I never really would.

So here I am! Yep. In La Grande, Oregon--almost 300 miles from Portland. The slower pace, the less-expensive rent, and the absolutely BEAUTIFUL surroundings are all constant reminders that this was a good choice.

This blog is a way for me to keep in touch with everyone and share some of my experiences in my new home. Don't expect any great, profound statements on my part, just silly little happenings in the (new) world of redbat... :)