Let there be Peace and Let it Begin with Me

 Like thousands around the world today, I went to a rally.  The one I went to had a particular focus---End American involvement in Afghanistan.  It was great.  There was a march after and the crowd estimates were 3000-4000.  There were also people on sidewalks and in buildings we passed cheering us on.  We marched through Portland downtown streets that had been closed for us to exercise our free speech rights.  We went through the Occupy Portland encampment, where I found everything peaceful, organized and clean.

There are a lot of different signs stating different objectives, and I think that might be because there are a lot of "issues."  When I marched in the 60s, it was simpler--we just wanted to get out of Vietnam.  Although I didn't agree with all of the signs, I was happy to be part of democracy in action.  For me, this was about taking the money that is going to war and putting it into schools, infrastructure, and social services for our own people.

One of my very favorite signs today was carried by a boy about 6 or 7.  He advocated "No Hitting."  RIGHT ON, my little friend!!!  Let's remember not to hit and strike out in violence.

I didn't carry a sign.  Along with my friends Nancy, Kate, Gary, and Jan, I carried a banner for First Unitarian Church.  We are "Standing on the Side of Love."  I loved the experience and still feel the glow.  Change is possible.  I am encouraged that tomorrow is the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr memorial in Washington DC.  I was also marching in his memory.

Marianne Aya Omac..and Joan Baez

Last week at this time I was with my friend Sheryl getting ready for a concert in Mill Valley.  It was really quite a treat.  I had never heard of Marianne Aya Omac, but expect to hear more from her.  She has an extraordinary voice and accompanies herself on the guitar.  I cannot do justice to her in this short blog.  Of course, having Joan Baez as a special guest was the main draw.  You know she is good if Joan Baez supports her!   I was especially impressed that Joan Baez didn't sing her own songs, but supported this younger singer. They sang some duets, but it was mostly Marianne.  The songs were primarily in French (Marianne's native tongue) and  also in Spanish.  It was so beautiful, and included flamenco guitar and Marianne's special trumpet voice.....you have to hear that to believe it.  It was a special treat....thanks to Sheryl!!!

High School Reunion--Go SPARTANS!

Last weekend, I went to my high school class reunion.  Our school, San Juan High School is in Citrus Heights, CA....near Sacramento.  The reunion was great.  I connected with some "old" friends and made some new ones.  Our class was pretty big--over 500, so even then I didn't know everyone.  Plus, I am realizing it was pretty "cliquish"--people pretty much stayed with their own groups.The whole school is now about 600, so they have had what they call "enrollment decline."  

Saturday morning was a tour of the high school, which was amazing.  The gym, the auditorium, cafeteria and the lockers are still the same---after 50 years!!!!!  It really brought me back.  The lockers must have been painted, but they are still the same color.   A new curriculum has been added, though, and it is "state of the art," and will train students so they can get good-paying jobs right out of high school. There are special classrooms for tv and theater, auto shop, wood shop and culinary.  The tv room, for example, is an actual tv studio with several cameras, including one on tracks, and a control room.  The auto shop is more modern than the place I take my car!  The culinary wing includes a restaurant, which actually serves lunch to the faculty and public.  These are not your old "drama," "shop" and "home economics" classrooms.  They were dazzling.  Plus, the teachers have actually worked in the businesses they are teaching.   I'd go back if they'd let me.  

That tour was the highlight for me.  The rest of the events were a "mixer," a banquet, and a picnic.  The cake shown above is one of several at the banquet.

This is how I looked at age 17--my picture from the yearbook!

Italian Dinner with Jen

I'm in the Sacramento area now and had a rare treat last night...dinner with Jen at her neighborhood Italian restaurant, Pasquales.  She updated me on her teaching and her friends.  She is doing well and looks very happy, especially with a feast of good food before her!

I'm here for my 50th high school reunion.  San Juan High School class of 1961.  We are real "Golden Oldies."  Go Spartans!

Hiking at Timberline

Good Times on Saturday!   I hiked at timberline on Mt Hood.  Our hiking group gathered at Timberline Lodge.  If you look closely in the upper left-hand in the above picture of the Lodge, you can see the moon--a little white dot in this picture.  The Timberline Trail (part of the Pacific Crest Trail) leaves from Timberline Lodge and goes 2.2. miles to Zigzag Overlook, where there's an amazing view of Mt. Hood:

We could also see Mt. Jefferson in the distance:

The trees were not nearly that dark.  I had to make adjustments in my photo so that Mt. Jefferson would show up.  

It was beautiful and fun to be with friends from Good Times!  We were a little surprised to see snowdrifts covering the trail in several places.  The elevation is about 7000' and the hike is rated "easy."  It would have been easy-er without those snow patches!  The temperature was great.  We hiked back the same way we came in, for a total of 4.4 miles.   Lunch at Timberline Lodge was our reward before heading back to Portland.  

Start the Day at a Fly In Breakfast

This morning I went to Twin Oaks Airport in Hillsboro for a "fly in" breakfast.  It's called a "fly in" because a lot of the people fly in--as in getting there in an airplane!  You don't have to be a pilot or even a "pilot wannabe" to enjoy the breakfast, which is also a fund-raiser.  It was a great breakfast complete with grits.  Lots of interesting people, including the local weatherman, who was one of the cooks.  The breakfast is in an airport hanger.  You probably guessed that I didn't arrive in a plane---I flew low...in the Infiniti and then met a friend there.

Back in Oregon...

Day trips to the beach and the Columbia River Gorge!

Monday I took a painting to Gearhart for the annual show at Trails End Art Association (TEAA).   When I lived in Gearhart,  I was very active in TEAA and I still always see friends when I go there. 

I also stopped by the house that Howard's family still has there and uses as a beach house.   There are a lot of good memories for me.  It's very comfortable and you can walk to the beach!

 John and Catherine put a salmon on the chimney...that's fun!

I also took a quick watch on the beach, but forgot my camera, so no pix.  My friend Lisa Albinger has a show in Seaside, so I took a look at that.  She usually works at there (Shoalwater Gallery) but I missed her.  It was a nice show.

On the way back, I treated myself to Marionberry cobbler a la mode while I made my "sketch of the day" of a lamp on the table.

On Saturday, July 30, I went to Hood River with some friends to ride the Hood River Railroad.  We went to Odell and back.  It was a short trip, but very relaxing.

The conductor was a lot of fun, and really looked the part.

The scenery was gorgeous, with glimpses of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, while we were traveling through fruit orchards and by the Hood River.

Back in Hood River (the town), we went out for a very nice dinner on a deck overlooking the Columbia River.  Good times, good friends, good food, good conversation.  Nice!!!!!