Last week, super busy

First, our friends Gage and Jessica moved to Minnesota. Sadness! No more skunkie playdates. Jessica suprised Gage by being baptised the day before they left. James and I attended, and it was very special and sweet. Gage was surprised and touched. After the baptism, we went out to dinner downtown and spent some good time together before they moved to the boonies. (Gage is doing his doctoral internship there.)


















The next night, James and I went to a Samples concert. I was surprised they made it back to PDX so soon (they were here in April)! It was probably the best show of theirs I've been to, and James and I had seats front and center.















Sean flashed me a peace sign when he saw my camera! That peace sign is for ME!

School, dinner, Pluto.

Poor Pluto. Did everyone hear he's not a planet anymore? I still love you, little satellite!

School news: I've changed my endorsements. Previous endorsements: Biology and Advanced Math. New endorsements: Biology, Integrated Science, and Basic Math. Dumb Praxis. I didn't want Advanced Math anyway! Oh, but I am excited about the Integrated Science bit. I've been requesting that change for a while now. A third endorsement is more work, but I think worth it. Now I can teach all sciences but Chem and Physics, I believe. I wouldn't ever want to teach Chem, and in Physics I'd only get the school snobs. (I was in physics, so I think I can say this. I've seen it with my own eyes.) Here I come, Meteorology and Geology and Astronomy! Woohoo!

Tonight for dinner we had chicken with rosemary from my garden spot, potatoes and cauliflower from the farmer's market cooked with onions, basil and oregano from my garden, plus two-colored corn on the cob from the market as well. Yummmm!

Skunks in the Park

Last night, James, Toby and I met with Gage, Jessica, Aroma, and Cotton at Waterfront Park. It was a beautiful night, and Toby had the time of his life!















Toby's three favorite things were running (didn't get a shot of us chasing him, and we'd be a blur anyway), digging (pictured below),


















and "playing" with his new lady friend, Aroma. She didn't fight him off, which surprised Gage and Jessica, but he was a little rough with her. Um, it's time for him to get neutered. I had no idea he had so much stamina. I don't blame him, though. She's gorgeous.














From top of picture to bottom: Toby, Aroma, and Cotton. All three of them are different types of skunks! Chocolate Chip, Classic black & white, and Grayback, respectively. Toby has the prettiest tail. Did you know they have skunk tail beauty contests? I found the national champion's picture last night and Toby really does have a chance at that title.














Here's a pooped Toby cuddling with Bunny, my sock puppet friend.

Handsome Hubby and Tired Toby

On dancing, fresh food, and tepees

This weekend, Hubby and I went to Missoula to visit our dear, dear friend Emily. She is soon embarking on a year-long journey to India. Wow! Wowie!
We decided to bring Toby, as we didn't want anyone to have to pay him constant attention for four days. We reserved the entire trunk area in the Escape for him, which was very roomy. For the whole 18-hour round trip, he was so well-behaved! I think the rhythm of the car puts him to sleep. Even though he could climb over the seat to visit us, he stayed content in his little home. He was, though, exhausted when we got to Emily's:















...But there was much rejoicing for us! There was dancing...



















...and more dancing, and laughing....



















...and embracing...















...and cuddling...



















...and playing with carrots at the dinner table!















We went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning. I bought a gigantic thing of celery, and green peppers, and melon, and carrots, and HUCKLEBERRIES! Fresh huckleberries!
And these carrots and cherries were probably plucked just the day before. Mmmm, freshness!










Emily has a real, sacred tepee in her backyard. This trip was spiritual if it was anything.

Missoula is beautiful, and the drive was relaxing. I am so thankful we were able to visit Emily's home.

And Toby had a fantastic time. We left him slumbering in the shade in back of the car while we ate Indian food at a vegan restaurant, and the little devil woke up at attacked my bags from the market! He ate an entire pepper, some celery, and a huge part of my melon. He doesn't even LIKE melon. I couldn't force feed it to him last week. I wasn't too upset about him getting into the food, since it was for him, anyway... but he ate WAYYY too much, and soon after threw it all back up. Now, I'm not one to enjoy reading much about skunk puke, but let me tell you, there was a LOT of it. I mean, probably a pound (or more) came from the belly of a three-pound skunk. I could not BELIEVE it. Fortunately, it wasn't stinky or gross. Just basically chopped veggies. But that little porker couldn't WAIT to eat more! It didn't dissuade him one bit! At any rate, the little guy had a blast with Emily. Thank you, dear, for putting up with him. He loves you.
And we love you, Emily. You are light and love. You are forever part of our lives and our family tree.

Ordinary?

This might look like an ordinary pizza with whole wheat crust baked on a stone wheel. But no! This pizza is made with walla wallas nourished and grown on my back patio, basil leaves from my planterbox, green peppers from a Missoula farmer's market, and fresh mushrooms. It is made with vodka sauce and also has olives (from a can, I apologize), mozarella, and fresh Parmigian. I ROCK!

Confession

First:

I cleaned out my fridge today.

Yuck.
































Second:


Sometimes
When I'm dRivinG in my kar
Eye listn to music.
Then, I iMagine th at everyone else
islisteningtothesamesong.
..
The whirled dances with me.
everyWon
we are all dAncing
all

(whether you know you are or knot)


*credits to these photographs of pdx belong to www.portlandground.com*

Commie Pinko