Up, Up and Away

 Jamin and Michael went paragliding today. Jamin had tried to talk others into going, but Michael is the only one who took him up on it. It must be said here, by Michael, y'all missed out.

The meet up point was Summit Lake at Hatcher Pass. To launch from Summit Lake requires a walk of 100 feet, and that is it. For those familiar with adventures with Jamin, a "forced march" is required. The winds had been perfect all day long at Summit Lake until 20 minutes before we arrived. At that time, it shifted. The Summit Lake launch point was no longer usable because the winds were now contrary. It is necessary to launch into the wind. Tail winds just do not work for this kind of flying. So, this necessitated a different launch point. The next available launch point was at the end of a death march. It is almost like the winds and the mountains knew.

The "other" launch point turned out to be way up on the side of a mountain with many of the characteristics of the Matterhorn. "It is only a 30–35-minute hike to the other launch point," said our fearless leader," and the pack only weighs about 20 pounds." He lied, he lied and more on this point.

We moved to the other spot, but to my dismay, it required driving way, way back down the mountain. For those in the know, our new parking spot was completely off of the dirt road and further down the mountain to a little dirt parking spot. We got out, and he pointed to an itty-bitty windsock way up the side of the Matterhorn or whatever its real name is. It reminded me of Mt Fuji. I sucked down a bunch of water, hoisted the pack that felt considerably heavier than 20 pounds and set off on our death march to the launch point. Yup, 100-foot walk to death march in mere moments of time - Jamin assured me that this was just an unfortunate occurrence because of the winds shifting, but there are theories out there about this phenomenon. Just sayin'...

In hindsight, do as the veterans do. They each brought a water bottle and a snack. There was good cause for both. I am not sure why I neglected this old bit of wisdom (doing as the veterans do, that is), but it certainly would have been wise to have a snack and water before embarking on a death march.

We began our trek up the Cliffs of Insanity (Jamin's descriptor, not mine) with the high hopes of arriving at the new launch point in the previously predicted 30-35 minutes. We arrived in something more like an hour which for death marches, hikes up the Matterhorn and climbing the Cliffs of Insanity is a rather reasonable amount of time. At our last stop, I watched the video that I, apparently, was supposed to have watched beforehand. It was about how to launch, fly and land a paraglider when flying tandem. All of it was just as I had imagined it to be - no surprises, but I could definitely tell that I was dehydrated and low on energy. I was very glad that the trip down the hill would be far easier than the hike up the hill. 

At the top, Scott hooked Jamin into his harness while Chris and I watched. Jamin had the GO-Pro camera strapped to his helmet. With just a couple of steps, they were floating gracefully through the air. Now, it was my turn. It was surprisingly simple to attach everything. With a short bit of instruction from Chris, we began our run down the hill and in just a few steps, we, too, were off and soaring through the air with a breeze in our face and an amazing landscape sprawling out beneath us. This is flying at its very simplest and most raw. No engine to drown out the sound of the wind. The only controls were two handles dangling down from the canopy. I think about eagles soaring through the air (we did see one way above us), and I can't help but think they have a certain justifiable smugness about their place in the heavens. Sweeping through the air, riding the updrafts from the wind as it pushed its way up the side of that now far smaller mountain, I could sense a faint kindred spirit with the eagle. 

There was a point in the flight when Chris asked if I would like to fly. Well, yes, indeed! it was fairly easy to control. You only had to pull on the handle in the direction you wanted to go and let up a bit on the other one. Oh, Chris also mentioned to not turn toward the mountain - always turn away from it. This sounds like wise words to keep one alive. There were many other paragliders in the air at the time. It was a constant adventure to keep them in sight, and, as in all flying affairs, Chris also mentioned to look before you turn. Also, words to live by. 

It took quite a while for us to get to the top of the mountain whereas Jamin and Scott made it up there rather quickly. I think we found a gravity hot spot where we were flying. No other explanation made sense to me.

After about 30 or more minutes of flying, we watched as Jamin and Scott descended to the LZ, landing zone. It was very near to where we had parked - very convenient and no death march to get back to the truck. In just a few minutes, we were also descending to the LZ. We were still a bit high and needed to bleed off some altitude. Chris had taken the controls back by this time. "Do you want a gentle approach or carnival?" he asked. Naturally, I was curious about the carnival approach. It definitely lived up to its billing. More than that, I was totally unprepared for the kinesthetics of the "carnival approach." Nothing flying regular airplanes prepared me for this part of the flight. Positive to negative to positive g's in seconds with a radical change of momentum mixed in just for fun. Truthfully, the g's were negligible, but that sudden change of momentum nearly got me. I am happy to say that no cookies were tossed at any point of this flight nor at its conclusion, but it did take a few minutes for my head to clear after we landed.

At this point, we undid clips, stepped out of the harness and stuffed the equipment back into their backpacks. Once done, Chris had me carry the other backpack. This one held the actual paragliding canopy; this backpack weighed the aforementioned 20 pounds. The other one held the two harnesses and was far heavier. Now, I know... 

Let me conclude by saying, Jamin, thank you very much. This really was a fun adventure. We will have to look into doing this again in the future - forced marches aside, of course. Well, actually, now that I know which backpack is 20 pounds and which one has the harnesses and that I need to bring water and a snack (and warm gloves), I could brave another death march. Let's see if we can bring some others along... 

A Gorgeous Saturday Well Used

 Stacia and Michael have been steadily working on Dad's puzzle. He hasn't been very interested in finishing this one. He woke up this a.m. and all but four pieces were in place. It was a fun surprise for him. 

It was a GORGEOUS day. We reached the 70's. This has been an ODD summer...still snow on the ground in May.  Rain through most of June.  I haven't gotten a garden in as I've had a zillion things to get done on each of our few sunny days.  I noted a couple of gardens around town - they are covered in plastic. This made me think, if I plant the cool crops in the greenhouse, I may still get a few things. I determined NOT to play on the next nice day - but to work on a greenhouse garden. 

Yikes - the weeds were out of control. 

I weeded the beds and planted the starts for the things that NEED to be inside. I'm really not sure it will get hot enough this summer...but I'll try. I watered the beds WELL...

looked through the seeds for ones that may still have time to produce.

This spinach bolted! LOL It's taller than I am. The chickens loved it. 

I pretty much planted a kitchen garden. There are a couple of tomato and pepper plants in the greenhouse. I don't have any cucumber starts - but I have lots of pickles still on my shelves from last year. I planted more spinach, radishes, kale, carrots and lettuces. I figure we can eat all of those even if they don't fully mature. We planted potatoes over a month ago. There's been so much rain and so little sun that they aren't doing much, yet. 

I was just sitting in the greenhouse and enjoying a cool drink when I heard little voices! The reinforcements had arrived. 

Arielle and Cory set about mowing a good portion of the yard. Cory even beat back the tall white weed thing that had overcome a plum tree in the orchard. LOL  I played with boys and provided ice water and Outshine frozen pops.

Little Buddy can CLIMB! He's been practicing at the baseball field. 

Popsicle or zbar - which option should Danny choose?

The boys asked for a ride in my garden wagon (dip netting wagon) and I was happy to oblige. 

It's JULY. This is adoption month. By the end of the month Little Buddy will have both a name and a face on the family blog. LOL 

Such happy brothers 📷by Arielle 

Little Buddy got brave enough to "touch the dog." Millie did great with the kids. 

Oh, my. Look at those dirty legs. It must be summer. 

The view from my hammock.

I wish we had more days like THIS around here. Of the next 10 day forecast only 2 days aren't forecasted with rain. However, the snow is ALL melted off the mountain by our home.  While we played and mowed...Michael drove off for an adventure with Jamin. I'll blog that separately.  

We talked CoRielle and the boys into staying for dinner. I had that roast from yesterday to heat up....5 minutes in the instant pot and it was good to go. Stacia put some potatoes in the air fryer, and I pulled out our salad and made biscuits.  Jelly Belly grapes and some deviled eggs completed the meal. 

After the boys and CoRielle left, Stacia loaded dishes and I hopped into the shower. We watched a couple of episodes of White Collar. 

I feel good about all we got done on this sunshiney day. We can play or work on the painting on the next sunny day.

Ending a Busy Week

 Can this really be the LAST DAY OF JUNE? What happened to all the projects on our summer list? ACK. We are going to have to kick ourselves into a faster pace. 

Today was the last day of Farm Loop's VBS. Stacia has been driving herself each morning. Bre's oldest three have been attending. Late last night I received a text from Bre asking if I would give the three kids a ride to VBS. They are still down to one vehicle.  I got up early and drove Stacia to VBS. She needed to be there an hour before the kids. I stopped for a tea and then headed over to visit with Bre for a few minutes and pick up the kids. 

I came home and got a roast in the instant pot, cleaned up the kitchen, took care of chickens and then it was time to run back and pick up the kids and Stacia.  We had just one hour before Stacia needed to be home for her Japanese lesson. We ran to the library to pick up books she had on hold, to the pharmacy to get GG's meds and then we stopped at a favorite lunch haunt. Reuben Haus is only open 4 days a week during the summer....and not at any other time of the year. It's a hardship.😉 We've not visited yet this year. Today felt like a good day to stop.  We hadn't been able to go out for breakfast and I knew there were several things to process together. I'm so proud of the steps Stacia is taking on the road to healing from anxiety and PTSD left from the quake in Japan. As a wise woman reminded us, "Healing isn't liner," and we took the time to put a set back this week in the right perspective. It's a stop along the journey and what positive can be gleaned from the experience....

Yes, I AM wearing a sweatshirt on the last day of June. I can't believe how cool and rainy this summer has been.  We headed home for Japanese, to touch base with Allie and to visit with GG as Michael headed to the church for sermon prep. 

Neither of us felt like a big dinner. I fixed a dinner encore presentations of pasta salad, Halibut, biscuit and salad for Dad/GG. The two of us settled for a pretzel...and it was perfect. Comfort food after a very long week. We tried to watch a new show and a comedy. We weren't satisfied with either - but the pretzel was perfect. LOL 

Brunch and Sunflowers

Allie and I headed to Sophia's for Bible study and discussions of the heart. I feel blessed we are able to continue to make this work with her college and work schedule. We went later than normal - and ran into their rush hour. It got rather crowded and noisy. She suggested we get into her car and find a quieter spot. A park was the perfect solution. 

Before we left the local artist of some of my favorite paintings came in. I hoped she was lowering prices again. She did. She also took one of my remaining favorites off the wall. I asked, "Are you taking the sunflowers home?" 

"Yes," she replied. 

"Ah, I was hoping you were marking it down too." 

She told me it was marked down to $75, and she'd let me have it for $50. Quick calculations told me I had enough to buy it.  Which I did. 

She told me she'd write the new price on the card, and I could take it to the front to pay. 

She hadn't previously marked it down to $75. The last written price was $170...which was still too much for me. We were both happy with the deal and I have a new bright, piece of cheery artwork to brighten our main room in the basement. A piece of summer to enjoy year-round. 

Sequential Chicken Vortex

 While Bre and I enjoyed our tea and scones Michael got stuck in the middle of a sequential vortex created by our girls - of the hen variety.  We purchased 12 chicks in April. It's time to move them out of the garage.  It seems straightforward....but when we do that we split the chicken yard in 1/2. We put up a temporary fence from the corner of the coop to the fence line. This will give them the ability to be outside and see each other - whilst being safe.  We have done this for two years. The fence is ready. It should be a simple job. HOWEVER, Michael insulated the main door last year. The girls have been pecking at the insulation in the door. This means we can't leave this door open or they will make themselves ill. Michael set about making a chicken proof insulated door. 

 He did this under the very watchful eyes of the girls. 

These gals were in the brooder on my hearth, they transitioned to a giant box in the garage and today they will move OUTSIDE to the big world. It's always fun to watch the chicks come alive when they move outside. 

The big girls know to run to wherever they see a person...FOOD.  This is helpful if we need to get them OUT OF OUR WAY. We throw food where they need them to be. They LOVE to peck the nail polish off my toes. I am not so happy with this tendency. The blue line shows where the fence is dividing the yard. 

Michael turned Dash's hutch into a coop for the new girls...it will be a nice place for broody, or sick, hens too. 

I went out to throw some scratch to everyone. I want the new ones to get used to people being a good thing. It was odd to me that only ONE ran for the scratch...

while the rest huddled on the other end of their yard. And then I noticed signs that Pietro had been near the one. Yep, one ot the big girls decided to jump the fence and join the little girls. I helped her get out and the others were happy to search for treats. 

Within a week or two, if they are like previous groups, we'll be able to take the fence down and they'll rather painlessly integrate into the existing flock. 

Cathy, a local friend who has chickens, shared she adds a different color to her flock each year so she can easily tell how old the girls are getting. That would have been a wise way to build a flock.  BUT, I like variety and have bought 2 - 3 types each year. At this point we have one gal who is five years old. Most of them are one - two years old. 

Tea and Scones with Bre...

 Wait.a.minute! 

Bre's older three kids are at VBS this week. Bre is out and about enjoying the ease of moving around with a toddler and a baby in a car seat. She asked me if she and the kids could drop by while the older ones were at VBS. ALWAYS. 

Bre said she was stopping for coffee and asked if she could bring me something. Yep - always - a skinny, sugar free CHAI. Oh yeah. This made me think I needed to whip up some scones. I like to bake, wrap and freeze them. They are ready anytime a cuppa and a scone are called for. This time I made a dozen blueberry and a dozen chocolate chips. 

Jojo was happy to have a chocolate chip scone - as was his mommy. Bre and I enjoyed a nice talk as I continue to process and work through my Post Reunion blues. I didn't expect this. I still tear up as I share my revelations or talk about my peeps. I will blog the weekend - soon. But I may as well not get behind in the day-to-day stuff while I wait to find the words to share. 

OH! This afternoon Stacia was playing with Millie after VBS and heard from one of the favorite local cafes they would like her to start work - tomorrow. Further investigation showed it's not a good fit for her...but it is a huge confidence boost to be called back. 

This evening was youth and ladies Bible study. This is our last study until fall.  I asked the question "What are you seeking from Jesus?" and then promptly went on to overshare...about how I learned much about myself this weekend... like WHY I overshare. ::face plant::

We Got Er Done

 I needed to keep the car this morning and Stacia needed to be at Day 2 of VBS. It took some maneuvering, but we made it work.  I drove Stacia to Arielle's to catch a ride to VBS.  I came home and got to work on a few things that needed caught up after my weekend away.  

Michael stayed with GG when I needed to head to Wholesome Foods Co-op for my volunteer gig. Arielle brought Stacia home.  She changed clothes and Michael and GG drove her to UPS to print her resume and then around town to drop off one application she filled out and 5 resumes. In one spot she was given an on-the-spot interview and told her they would call her tomorrow. 

I got home from co-op and put things away. Stacia had made a wonderful dinner of Chicken Divan. We now have several bags of yumminess ripening on the hope chest. LOL 

Some days it takes a whole village just to check through the to do list. LOL  But, "We got er done!"