Making Your Amends

"Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change."

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

A nice change of pace

Run. Swim. Run. Swim. Lift weights. Run. Swim. Run. Swim.

There's a pattern to my exercise habits. Generally, I like it. Today, though, I was inspired to break the routine with a bicycle ride through various Northeast and Southeast Portland neighborhoods. During and afterward, I had to ask myself why don't I do this more often?

At 6:30 a.m., it would be cliché to say the city is just waking up. No, there are people up and about; it's just that you see things at that hour that you probably wouldn't 60 minutes later. A few examples:

-- Cruising south along 28th Avenue, just north of Broadway, I came upon a shirtless man of about 65 to 70 fetching something from his car. I suppose if you're going to expose your pasty torso to the neighbors, you might as well do it when few of them are looking.

-- As I crossed Sandy Boulevard at 28th, I looked in the open door of Marina's Kafe & Deli and saw the proprietor behind the counter, getting ready for the day. She's an Eastern European immigrant who never seems to have more than two people in her coffeehouse at one time, leaving me to wonder how she makes it. Maybe I'll drive down there this morning and give her a little business.

-- Heading further south to Stark Street, I came upon a set of unlocked gates leading to Central Catholic High School's athletic field. A dozen footballs lay on the rich green turf and a solitary kid awaited the arrival of other players. A sign at the gate declared: "No sunflower seeds." Why anyone would prohibit that particular item is beyond me.

-- Turning north onto 24th Avenue, I noticed a metal sculpture on someone's lawn; an elderly dude in a bamboo hat with a fistful of letters walking down the middle of the street (not on the sidewalk, mind you), presumably to a mailbox; and a jogger (curiously, every one of the five I spotted on the ride was a woman).

-- A quick detour to 22nd and Oregon brought me to Urban Grind coffeehouse, where a worker was setting out fresh water in a dog dish and awaiting her first human customers. I had planned to attend an event there Wednesday (a discussion with three local filmmakers) but decided against it in the face of 100-degree temps. The woman said they had a decent turnout but they all sweated through it without air conditioning.

-- Riding parallel to the Banfield Freeway, I came upon a guy skillfully backing a tractor-trailer into a garage at the Pepsi distribution plant. Those drivers are amazing when you think about it, maneuvering multi-ton vehicles in and out and through the city and beyond, delivering their sugary products day after day.

All in all, I was on the streets for 40 minutes, but it seemed like only half that long. That's a good sign of a relaxing activity that I need to do more of. Gives my knees and feet a break from the pounding they take on my urban runs and, more important, gives me a great window into sights and sounds I wouldn't experience otherwise.

By the Sea Family Photography: Oahu

This family came to Oahu to attend a wedding and decided to have a lifestyle photography session in Kailua.

Empty nesters no more

Given the state of the economy and how difficult it's become for a person to land a job in this town, I figured it was a matter of time before we faced the inevitable. Sure enough, Nathan moved back in with us today.

Clearly, he and we would prefer that he live independently of us. But that requires a steady income sufficient to pay rent, buy groceries and cover the myriad expenses that pop up from week to week. It just isn't happening, despite his best efforts to respond to advertised openings and keep an ear to the ground for non-publicized opportunities.

I'm encouraged that he's at least gotten to the interview stage with a few potential employers, but I also recognize there are large numbers of job-seekers out there and he's at a disadvantage in terms of experience, having just graduated from PSU less than two months ago.

Nathan has come over for dinner a few times since graduation day and it's always good to see him and spend time with him. We know we're lucky that two of our three adult children live in the same city as us and that we genuinely enjoy each other's company.

If tonight's dinner is any indication, I think we'll be fine. We had a casual dinner outside and Nathan was in a good mood, despite having to move his belongings into his brother's bedroom and his sister's basement on a brutally hot day. Afterward, he headed out to the club where he works part-time as a doorman to listen to some music. If there's a challenge for us all, it will lie in how well we deal with our different hours -- Lori being an early bird, Nathan being a night owl and me falling somewhere in between.

I say, "Welcome home to the nest" while I also cross my fingers that steady work will come his way. Job leads, anyone? Bring 'em on...

Remember When You Were Young

Though Mongo is an admitted sap for schmaltzy, sentimentality, even I was surprised by how moved I was watching the ESPN special on Tony Hawk...It was called "Homecoming".

It was the first time that I can remember that skaters of my generation were both featured and heard from in person on a mainstream network.

Mullen spoke...and was goofily charming. Caballero spoke...and was elegant and wise. Mountain spoke...and was the voice of the people. Mongo didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was overwhelmed by the past and present of what skateboarding has meant, and still means, to me.

Finally...there is Tony Hawk himself. He is a man to be respected both as a skater and as a human being. There is no one who has meant more to both the "art" and the "business" of skateboarding. He is without a doubt, one of the five greatest skateboarders of all time.

Now I Have a Way to Carry the Wig I Don't Own!

A short pit-stop yesterday into Salvation Army while running errands. Was in line ready to check out with some pillowcases and I spotted a big, tall, round suitcase. It was in a grocery cart, but not a cart being used by a customer, rather one that the employees push with items to be stocked on shelves. I asked the check-out girl if I could take it out. So vintage. And then when I opened it and saw the plastic liner (in a floral pattern so very different from the floral pattern on the outside of the case), I just had to get it. At $5.00 I'd have kicked myself if I'd have walked away from it. It stands about 13" tall and has a short wooden dowel in the bottom. A wig carrying case. How cool is that. I have no wig, but dang, just think of what I could carry in it! Home to Momma.

And here are the pillowcases. One is a quilted sham. Adorable. And there were two of the bright green and pink floral case; love finding two of the same since we have a double- and king-sized beds. (My sister jokingly threatened to boycott my blog if I show one more stinkin' vintage pillowcase I've purchased at a thrift store. She'll so be back.)

Ali Harper

I've had comments on my last post about the picture above my bed. It is a photo by one of my favorite photographers, Ali Harper. Check out her blog here, her website here, and her etsy store here (where you can purchase the photos shown above).

(And I'm doing her wedding reception next year at a winery in northern Georgia! The decor will be all vintagey. Needless to say, I'm in heaven!)

Sweatfest 2009

I've never been a big fan of the heat, even growing up in year-round sunshine in California. This week reminds me why.

After two days of blistering, record-high temps of 103 and 106, we're supposed to hit 107 today, which would tie the record for this date in Portland.

What I hate is that there is no escaping the discomfort.

I went for an early run yesterday, figuring it would be 20-30 degrees cooler than mid-morning. Still, it took a good hour for me to cool down, even after a shower. When I left for work, it was already 86 degrees inside the house.

At work, a fellow editor threatened to stay overnight in his cubicle, knowing it would be far more comfortable than the humid conditions at home. During the afternoon, a staff columnist e-mailed to say it was 92 in her home office and 103 upstairs. She was thinking of coming in to work after dinner, just to get some air-conditioned respite.

This morning, I went for a swim. Thankfully, the water was only 84 degrees; the gym that I belong to normally keeps it even warmer, for the sake of the older swimmers. Still, here I am in the basement -- supposedly the coolest room in the house -- and still perspiring an hour after walking in the door.

I look at our pets and see that they, too, are trying to make the best of it. Otto, the Jack Russell terrier, is laying down on his side beneath the dining room table, only a couple feet away from Rudy, our senior cat, who's flattened himself with paws stretched out as if he were diving into a pool. And Roxie, the rabbit, is chilling out on the linoleum flooring of her cage, having already devoured the cool carrots and grapes I fed her.

If I had any sense, I'd take a furlough day and head to the nearest river. Instead, I'll dress as lightly as common sense allows and hope the city bus I ride to work is one of the rare ones with A/C.

Bring on the rain!

My New Sanctuary

Now that the house is back in working order, complete with new carpet in the bedrooms and craft room, I've reveled in keeping things clean and tidy. My bedroom, being in the back of the house, was the most often overlooked, usually becoming a place to dump and store things. But now it is my sanctuary. Calm, uncluttered. I likey.

Vow Renewal on Kailua Beach, Oahu

Rob and Robin renewed their vows on Kailua Beach to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. It was a beautiful, simple ceremony attended by their two cute sons. Best wishes to Rob, Robin and their 'ohana!

Flower lei: Emi's Gift and Flowers

Officiant: Rev. Dave Vega

Unholy Alliances: The Breakaway

Some said it would never happen...but they were wrong. Today at the 23/2300 Hammerfest, Mongo and Snow Bunny fashioned a two-man escape. It netted us a one minute advantage over all the elite climbers by the time we reached the top of the KOM.

Of course...it didn't count! There is a mandatory regrouping at the base of the KOM climb.

I Doped From Monaco To Paris

Though the results still need to be validated by Price-Waterhouse, it looks like Mongo won the TDF Cycling Pool. By correctly predicting six of the top ten finishers on GC, including the top two podium spots, Astana as the team winner, and getting stage wins from both Cavendish and Cancellara..."Show me the money!"

The Two Best Things About The Tour

Back into the fray

After a totally relaxing five days away from the office, it's back to the mines.

Well, hardly.

An air-conditioned office will be a nice oasis, given a predicted high of 99 today and tomorrow, spiking at 103 Tuesday. Geez, what is this? Phoenix? Sure felt like it on the drive home from Orcas yesterday.

Things started off reasonably. Of course, it's going to be cooler if you're up and about by 6 a.m. I got up early to make sure I caught the 9:20 a.m. ferry back to Anacortes. On a summer weekend, it's always a good idea to arrive 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. And so I did.

Yesterday was the first time in the four years or so that we've owned our cabin that things worked out where I could see a Mariners baseball game either on the way up or way back. I rolled into Seattle about 12:45, found a parking spot roughly half a mile from the stadium (even on the weekend, the lots charge too much), haggled a bit with a scalper for a field-level seat and found myself in place for the first batter at 1:10. A good thing, too, because he hit a home run and, just like that, Cleveland was en route to a 12-3 walloping of the home team.

It was 11-2 by the time I left in the seventh inning; Cleveland had already hit four home runs, including a grand slam. I was in the sun the whole time in 90-plus degree weather. But it didn't feel any cooler in the car on the way home -- a borrowed Honda Del Sol, by the way, a two-seater with makes 75 mph feel like 55. And there was no respite once I crossed the threshold into our home, despite Lori's best efforts with fans. Thank goodness for the A/C unit upstairs.

My last day on the island -- Saturday -- was as relaxing as the previous three. I pulled more weeds in the morning, took another four-mile run (this time from Obstruction Pass State Park, which offered some much appreciated shade), spent some time at the Saturday Farmers Market, bought myself a root beer float and headed off on a leisurely drive around the island. I consciously embraced the stereotype: middle-aged guy in a red convertible, with the Best of Led Zeppelin on the CD player as I zipped from Eastsound to Deer Harbor to Orcas Village and back to Eagle Lake.

I got back with enough time to take a shower and hustle down to the lake for the weekly potluck among Eagle Lake residents, most of whom are seasonal, like us. I met a handful of new people, ate well and, unlike most others, reveled in the surprise thunder-and-lightning show that resulted in a steady rain on the surface of an otherwise placid lake. It was so refreshing after the non-stop sunshine of the past few days.

Well, time to get dressed for work and have some breakfast. The mines await. May Rough and Rede's readers find themselves a million diamonds or, at least, a thousand rubies...

Hug It Out

Team Garmin-Slipstream got their asses handed to them today...When it finally looked like they got their tactics right to disrupt Cavendish and launch Farrar, George "Slappy" Hincapie made the perfect move that shifted the peloton and gave Columbia-HTC the lead and control.

David Millar got lazy in his "faux" TT position after VDV had just pulled for 1K...and Hincapie took advantage. Once Renshaw took over, he squeezed the remaining Garmin riders in the final corner and it was an easy win for Cavendish.

(Photo:Sirotti/CyclingNews)

Linen Finds Today

A stop at the Goodwill on my way home from Ace scored me some pretty nice items. Three vintage floral pillowcases to add to my collection.
This king-sized flat sheet for my bed. It is super soft and has the most beautiful shades of pussy willow gray.
A bed jacket. Don't need it but when I spotted the vintage manufacturer tag, at $3.00, well, it just needed to come home with me.

This Christmas tablecloth. Can always use these for entertaining, so I pick them up whenever I see them. This isn't an old one but it is so soft and worn that it just oozed good memories from some family's years and years of Christmas dinners.

VDV Haiku

Should have known better

I jumped off the bandwagon

You are still the man

I'm Still Not Buying But...

...If everything is on on the up and up, then you have to be impressed by the performance of Mellow Johnny on Mont Ventoux.

That being said, Andreas Kloden was stronger than Armstrong during the entire Tour...but because of team politics, he was forced to do much too much work for Armstrong and Contador on several critical stages.

We all know that this "magical"(Yeah, right!) comeback wouldn't have the future benefits for both Mellow Johnny and Johan Bruyneel if MJ didn't at least make the podium.

Oh well...

Solitude in the San Juans

Though I love my wife and family, one thing that always replenishes me is the opportunity to spend time alone -- time with myself, experiencing, observing, thinking, and hopefully breaking through to new or deeper understanding.

So far, this little mini-vacation on Orcas Island is proving to be one of the richer solitary experiences I've had. Sure, I've done a couple of "guy" things: On Wednesday, I had a burger, fries and a pint of beer at the the Lower Tavern while I sat at the bar, between a couple of scruffy, long-haired locals, and watched the Mariners game on TV. On Thursday, I played 9 holes of golf at twilight and actually matched my best score on the course. Don't ask me how, except I got hot on the last three holes.

What's been meaningful is spending most of yesterday and all of this morning doing yard work. You'd think it would be monotonous, sitting or kneeling, and pulling weeds by hand out of the area on the left side of the house. But it's actually been relaxing and allowed me to fully appreciate the proximity and wonder of nature. Same goes for being quiet as a mouse while padding around the house morning before breakfast.

How to convey what I've seen and felt? Well, first imagine absolute stillness. I wake up alone in the cabin with not a single sound and go to the windows, first to see the wall of green outside the bedroom -- the towering evergreens -- and then over to the other side to look out at the water between Orcas and Bellingham.

I watch the little songbirds come up to the feeder -- the usual juncos and sparrows -- and then I'm shocked to see a Western Tanager, a rock star of a bird with brilliant yellow and splashes of black and red. Later, not one but two Northern Flickers peck around on the ground. And, then, a young Yellow-Rumped Warbler -- the first I've seen at Eagle Lake. (And, no, I'm not making up the name.)

While weeding, I hear a thrum. It's a hummingbird in the lavender that Lori has grown and it's within 10 feet of me. It alights on a branch, wings still for a moment, then comes back to the lavender. Turning over rocks, I see only a couple of spiders and watch them scurry along the shaded ground. Looking down the gravel driveway, I spot two blacktailed deer foraging for food. There's a doe and a young buck, who pauses to stare me down for a full minute before turning away and sauntering down the hill.

Heading toward the rear of the property, I gaze down at the tansy ragwort that I plan to pull and my eyes see a gorgeous butterfly land delicately on the yellow flower and spread its wings, seemingly taking in the warmth of the sun. Later, sitting on the porch with a tuna sandwich, I'm about to take a bite when I notice a honeybee has landed on the bread. I shoo it away but wonder if that winged insect has ever encountered a human before -- probably not, which would explain its innocence, its fearlessness, in landing on my plate.

Finally, I take a run. I'm nearly done with my four-mile loop when I pause on a portion of the new Eagle Lake trail and look out on the placid waters of the lake. There, between two fir trees, appears a majestic sight: a bald eagle gliding silently, powerfully, from right to left.

I have two more nights here and a full day tomorrow before I leave early Sunday. During this trip, I've done relatively little, compared to my usual running/hiking/golfing activities, but I already know this visit will rank among my favorites. This time, more than others, I can imagine living here year-around -- or, at least, most of the year.

It will be nice to get home to Lori. For now, I'm enjoying the solitude of this spectacular place.

If Lake Havasu Was A Canal In France

As we close in on the final days of the Tour and the decisive stage up Mont Ventoux, we have been witness to the unfolding drama that is the Astana Cycling Team. Contador, Armstrong, Leipheimer, Kloden...all have had issues.

With only thirteen seconds separating Mellow Johnny in third and AK47 in fifth, what is going to happen? Let's see what Mongo had to say over seven months ago.

American Cycling: Strip Mall Style

A Certain Look In The Eye

Mongo's boy, favorite cyclist, and occasional dick, Greg Lemond, is at it again.(He needs to be the first Commissioner of Pro Cycling)

Based on Contador's performances in both the climb to Verbier and the final TT, along with complicated formulas involving VO2 and Wattage, Lemond thinks that there is a strong possibility that El Pistolero is not clean.

Maybe...maybe not! The thing is that I don't care the way I used to. If he's dirty, he'll eventually be caught. If he's not, history will take care of him kindly...But Mongo can no longer champion anyone's guilt or innocence.

The sad truth is that no one can be put beyond reproach...We've been burned too may times.

(Photo:Bettini/CyclingNews)

OneWed Honors AinaKai Photography for Excellence in Wedding Photography

Top Wedding Planning Website Awards Outstanding Wedding Photographers

Chicago, IL (July 22, 2009) OneWed is thrilled to award the OneWed Loves It! seal of approval to some of our most outstanding wedding photographers. After receiving thousands of professional wedding photos for consideration to be featured on our OneWed homepage, we’ve selected the best of the best from these submissions.

Those photographers with the most outstanding wedding photos will have their exceptional work featured on our homepage, with a photo credit and link to their OneWed listing. To honor these talented artists, we’ve awarded them the OneWed Loves It! seal of approval. “At OneWed we believe in sharing the love,” says Jennifer Napier, VP of Marketing. “The OneWed Loves It! seal is our way of honoring excellence in wedding photography.

As home to both the largest searchable online database of local wedding vendors (many of which are professional wedding photographers), and the buzz-worthy Savvy Scoop wedding blog, we see hundreds of real wedding photos each and every day. So we are thrilled to introduce a new group of brides-to-be to AinaKai Photography!

About OneWed
OneWed provides the largest searchable online database of local wedding vendors, with honest and detailed ratings and reviews. Founded in 2003 and re-launched in December 2008, OneWed boasts a directory of over 200,000 vendors nationwide. OneWed also features smart editorial content including tips, advice, and creative suggestions to help any couple personalize their wedding experience. With the launch of OneWed's Savvy Scoop Wedding Blog, online Wedding Checklist, Free Wedding Websites, and Honeymoon Planner, couples can continue to look to OneWed for everything from wedding dresses to planning advice. OneWed can be found online at www.OneWed.com, www.facebook.com/Wedding.Planning, and www.twitter.com/OneWed

500th Post Giveaway — Grateful for You ALL!

I so wish that to celebrate my 500th post I would have been able to craft something darling and delightful, but time was working against me. And so I scoured the Candy Spelling Gift Closet and came up with some pretty items that I think make for store-bought darling and delightful. (Actually I did manage to include a picnic "blanket" that I made, but a true Dawn craft would have been way more original!)

Enter by posting a comment here, one per person please (with your email address so I can contact you if you win).

If you post to your own blog a picture of my giveaway and a link directly to this post, I will enter you twice! (Let me know in your comment if you've done this so that I know to count you as two entries.)

This giveaway is open to those both domestic and international.

The giveaway consists of:
• a spiral-bound "Books to Check Out" journal. In it you can list books you'd like to read, favorite books and passages, and books borrowed or lent.
• a Victorian-decorated cigar box for storing baubles and goodies.

• a ceramic wall pocket vase.
• a felted and bejeweled cupcake ornament (I like hanging these all year round from lamps and furniture/cupboard knobs).
• a picnic "blanket." I made this one using a fabric shower curtain as the backing (great in case of moisture on the ground). The top is a patchwork of random material I had on hand. Not the greatest sewing job, but it was made with love!
• I will surely pop some extra surprises in the package as well.

The winner will be drawn on Saturday, August 1. No entries will be accepted after Friday, July 31, at midnight.

And once again, thanks to everyone who visits me! Am appreciative of each and every one of you.

Love,
Dawn E. Girl