Two Gifts

Among the many gifts that have come my way this holiday season, two stand out as most special. One was the holiday party I attended with my knitting group. I drove up to a scene through the windows that was Dickens-like in its traditional appearance. Women were placing food on the dining table, others were working in the kitchen and still others were visiting in the main living area. All the rooms were aglow with Christmas lights and happy smiles. Inside, the smell of homemade soup, the fresh green of the tree, the dogs' homemade stockings hanging jauntily on the mantel, the row of brightly wrapped gifts and the steady hum of the voices made for a welcoming scene. Then the carefully prepared meal of three different soups and salads along with homemade bread and the traditional cake from the Market of Choice made up our special dinner. Then the gifts. And then a group song led by our truly gifted singers Betsey, April and Mary Lou blended the happiness of each of us into a combined holiday glow that kept me warm all the way home.

Special gift number two came out of the dense fog of yesterday when my sister and I spotted one of the snowy owls that have migrated from the Arctic to spend time here in Oregon. We didn't really think we'd see it, but only ten seconds out of the car Bobbie was motioning me to join her since she'd seen the owl resting on an electrical box in a huge field between I-5 and the Albany Mennonite Village. No hiking, hunting, traipsing or searching was needed. Just up a little knoll in front of the car and we had a front row seat at the showing of this magnificent creature who'd come from so far away. We stood and watched until the cold drove us back to the warm car. We got a good long look through our own binoculars and through a scope that some other birders were kind enough to share with us. The white was so white on that bird and it was so carefully contrasted to the dark bars of edgings on the tips of its feathers. The owl was composed, regal and self-assured occasionally turning its head to look directly at us. His feathers were all ruffled out to preserve body warmth and we felt full of triumphant owlness as we made our way back to the car. What a gift.

December Wellness

Hmmm. Last night we celebrated the new kitchen counter tops with a meal of nachos and beer and followed that up with ice cream and donuts on the way home from the restaurant. Not so wellness oriented.

BUT: I continue to workout! I think that counts for something. I work out with my p.t. twice a week for an hour and try to do solo activities two other days. I'm not sure what's happening beyond the fact that I can get through almost any day without a nap.

Soooooooooooo food continues to be a challenge. I can't get a good handle on my addictive eating but am still open to ideas. But I am definitely moving the body around a lot more than before.

The pursuit of wellness therefore is ongoing.

Books for Christmas

We took the books to the Portland Audubon Nature Store Saturday and to the Oregon Historical Society Holidaycheer event today. Both were exciting places to sell books for different reasons. We meet interesting and colorful people wherever we go to sign and sell books but the Nature Store was a class venue with a crackling fire, real piano music and top notch holiday treats all festooned with eye-catching displays of all sorts of gift ideas related to nature. People trekked in and out before and after hiking around the local trails stopping off for a peek at the birds feasting at the many feeders and snagging a gift or two while they were at it. We sold lots of books and enjoyed every minute.

Today we were at a huge 60+ author event at the Oregon Historical Society. This was their 44th year to offer books by Oregon authors in a holiday setting. Loads of people streamed in and around all day long to see big time authors such as Barbara Roberts, Gerry Frank, and starring the famous author Jean Auel of The Clan of the Cave Bear fame. Bobbie figured there were about 200 people in line to get their books signed by her. She is an elderly woman who looked a bit frail and not all that excited to be gushed over yet again but she obviously knows her book selling duties. We were right across the room from her. It was fun to pretend to be as rich and famous as she is knowing that our books reach their own little audience of people who are aware of the importance and pleasure to be found in nature. I shook hands with the delightful Barbara Roberts and got to tell Steve Duin how much I enjoy his column. . .most of the time.

All in all, it was another great weekend for owls and pikas in bookland. Thank you to all of you who attended. I hope you had as much fun as we did. See you in Eugene next weekend!