Where the waters begin...

This was supposed to be on our last quarter reading list and is ready to go for us the second day of class next week! I really like how Cecelia writes, you feel like she is in your living room or study or at a cafe and telling you the stories of her family. So cool.

Water flowing from Mt. Tahoma via Paradise

I'll post my notes next week. Halfway through the book...and am inspired.

Winter Quarter starts...January 4th!

So excited. One week till winter quarter. We will have one 4 day field trip back to the mountain... supposed to be in cabins this time...and 4-5 day field trips me thinks to the Nisqually River basin area...

I have most of my books and most of my art supplies...need to check in with my fellow commuter and zaparini we are off to Oly for some more fun...science, natural history, ornithology and water routing with some anthropology thrown in for good measure. First People participation back and forth...

Will post more after the first day...as always the future is changing so till then campers...find those snow shoes and sharpen those pencils!

Writing as Zen...

Writing a blog is like holding space for zen meditation. You select a time of day perhaps everyday or once a week. You put out your cushion and if you have another you put that out too. There is no announcement or advertising, just the thought, the effort and the sitting....
Some of the best writing just comes off the top of your head...like drops of rain dripping down your forehead and off your nose when walking out of doors without your coat...same with sitting...and if you sit long enough someone shows up...could be a friend...could be you in another time...could be imagination or fantasy...could be the truth...whether you are ready or not...to sit...to write...

Book lists

I've realized there are many types of book lists. The obvious one for this site, my school book list which most are ordered for the winter quarter. The list your parents would love you to read and you probably won't. The list of books your friends read and you would like to read them because your friends are smart and funny and you respect them; some of these books you will read and some you won't. Many lists come from helpful websites self or not, and as much as I would like to read these even if I purchase them, most I do not. My favorite book list is the one that is not made, not given, not assigned, not "should have"'d, nor suggested. It is one that is spontaneous and sometimes startling, where a title falls on your shoulder or better yet your head from a shelf far above, a book that you keep coming back to and unconsciously are drawn even though you are looking for a gift for a friend. This list is not written, shared, suggested or drawn out. The most thought provoking and luminous darkly written books that are keys to unlocked places inside you have always wanted to know or to be made know...I love these books, they are gifts and joys and prods to your inner being. Revelations of those things which cannot be spoken or taught or learned... synchronous books like a glance out of the corner of your eye, did I just see that or hear that? Books that I want to read right after I finish them. Some of these books are in my library and some I suggest to friends of which they may or may not read. As it should be.

Winter Break

The luminaries almost made a complete trail down through Paradise valley on the island...till the rain started and the inexpensive candles failed... Winter Solstice is my favorite holiday, not because of hoopla and fanfare or gifts given as a supplication to what we should be doing all year long. It is a day of inner reflection; of remembering our connection to nature, our loved ones and to light. Sharing a quiet meal with your love. It is because it is a day of separate tasks joined together shoulder to shoulder with people you may or may not know. Walking a few miles, filling, placing brown paper bags filled with sand and a votive, fluffing and cuffing the tops of the bags which are spaced out at 20 or so paces, then going back to the ends and start lighting the wicks, or trying to light the wicks, all while watching the dusk settle and small glowing beacons of orange light line the road we all pass by normally without looking. It is a day of giving time and laughter and hope. Hope that it will not rain on the small luminous beacons. Hope that this next solar year will be one of health, peace, abundance of what we need, and of solace. Thank you Marianne for being my partner! Thank you my friend Biondo for hosting luminaries every year come rain or shine. May we all remember our inner luminaries. Peace out...

Holiday blues...or is that greens...

So much has happened between end of the Fall quarter and now...Winter Solstice is next Tuesday and there will be a full moon lunar eclipse as well...very auspicious and thought provoking.

I received part of my art supplies for Winter Quarter and realized a new item needs to be created or procured to hold my charcoal items; there is the standard black square charcoal and also some hard wood charcoal that looks like it will explode into powder if I sneeze too hard...and it needs to be a hard cased container no more than 1.5 " thick and no more than 8"x4" in layout size...hummm...I must have something in all that stuff stored in the loft...

One of the drawing pads is larger than I am...well not really but close...I have this image of being out in the field with my classmates and trying to balance this on my knee while giving my subject matter that one eyed focus all the while holding on to the explodable charcoal with my teeth...ha prolly nothing like that will occur, just stuff that pops into view from time to time...

Reading, gifting, journaling...so campers put your wish list out there...Santa or whomever brings you prosperity is listening!

Cheers

winter booklist

Oh I have the bug I do I do I do... ordered half of the books I need for class, some I have already and others I will get at school. And there are art supplies, some of which are coming tomorrow.


Looking forward to getting back to working the grey matter and expanding my horizons.


Here's the list of new titles:

·      Where the Waters Begin by Cecelia Svinth Carpenter (I was able to pick this up last quarter and am half way through; love the myth and symbology of the first peoples)

·      Wisdom Sits in Places by Keith Basso

·      Messages from Frank’s Landing by Charles Wilkinson

·      Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

·      Ecological Literacy: Educating our Children for a Sustainable World by Michael K. Stone and Zenobia Barlow

·      Ten-Minute Field Trips: A Teacher's Guide to Using the School Grounds for Environmental Studies by Helen Ross Russell (Still need to get this at TESC bookstore)

Reference books that I've added:

·      National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer

More updates to follow...in the meantime campers...Keep an extra pair of socks handy and in a dry place!

In between....

In between finals and evaluations and start of the Winter quarter...I worked...my partner had life altering emergency appendectomy surgery...we had to put our love Manu down since he had an agressive lymphoma cancer in his mouth and body...very sad...M is recovering physically...then we got the hospital bill...ok we can handle this....negotiation is the key...and then the rain and wind storm...holidays...lists for the start of the new quarter...negotiating financing for school, grants and scholarships...and decorating and gifting and cookie making and gift giving and and and....meeting cousins and family and all sorts of fun heart warming adventures....

I am grateful to the powers that be that my M is healing and safe and we are together...there is no greater gift than love and health and family! I give thanks for all and more...

Books are ordered...art supplies are ordered.... classrooms scheduled and I am looking forward to all miracles that happen each day if we just take the time to look...

Bright Blessings Campers... keep those rowboats at the ready....who knows what Pineapple Express is coming your way!

Finals, what Finals...

Lordy where does the time go...finals...yes they happened, yes I had just a minor freak out before...only spaced on two questions in both finals...yes thats both.... each instructor had their own... we had two hours to write out two final exam answers...here is how it went
Am... meet with the pre sem group...cover answers we are not sure about...two others join in...asking question we covered two weeks ago...no problem...as the time grow nearer for seminar which is two hours before finals, we have to go over that last book read...honestly I don't remember anything of that seminar...all I remember after lunch is when I sat down at 3 pm and was handed both of the finals...two pens ready in case one failed and started to write...I wrote continuously for two hours answering to the best of my knowledge each question except the two I blanked on and also answered the bonus questions just in case...and as I finished the last question I had 10 mins left to review my exams...holy moly batmat...10 mins...so I reviewed in a most haphazard manner...2 minutes left. I looked at one of the non anwered questions and made my best guesss...that last one totally eluded me.... so I took the opportunity to express to my instructor how much I disliked Gifford Pinchot... and turned in my papers and left the building...

We got our finals and the comments at our evaluations...did I over worry perhaps...did I stress unduly... perhaps...

Needless to say the finals came out fine...I survived and was not docked for my cheeky response about Gifford Pinchot.

I finished my quarter with good marks and 16 credits...

I am now a Sophomore!

Who knew you could return to college as a freshman and in one quarter become a Sophomore! Love those transfer credits!

Winter Quarter starts January 4th!  Oh how I can't wait!!!!

First Quarter Final

There are no finals with an s, just one...two hours to write our brains out and as the rest of the quarter has moved so quickly...one better be prepared or get left in the dust.


I had every intention of writing daily in the blog and moving into the second quarter the will be more likely to happen as writing daily is an assignment, lol....


I must tell you that I have not ever been with such a great group of peeps in a class! Amazing to the last one and bright and I love when they share what's going on with them and their work at Evergreen. Just absolutely amazing folks and I am happy that most of us are continuing next quarter. I will miss those who are moving on to graduation or independent study! Gratz!


This quarter went by so fast and next week will be the last two days in which, we still have a book to read, prepare for the exam, a lecture following the exam, notebook to turn in, self evaluation and instructor evaluation to write. Oh yes and the meeting to go over the evaluations. Then I will be doing a presentation with 5 other of my peers to the provost and board of trustees after eval week.  We already turned in our illustrated field journals. Winter break assignment includes visiting Olympic National Park, hopefully the snow will wait till I'm back, even though I don't know when I am going...lol


This week was challenging due to the elections. I found that studying, reading or focusing on schoolwork for those 48 hours was a bust, so I let it go. Today is read the last book and start the serious final cramming, actually cramming is not the right word, I'd say review with an emphasis on "what the hell was that acronym for?" and "omg i can't believe i am not getting that, its sooo simple" then the oh i know that and 10 mins. later you forget.


I know I know all the material, but as another student said "as an introvert, its all there, you just have to find the pathway to let it out" I love that quote....true for most things....and when I'm not trying and someone yells out "hey Bridgid, what does_____ mean?" and I blurt out the answer without even blinking an eye. The brain is a funny thing, a wonderful thing, and I am very grateful to have one that functions. 


I hope as I explore the trails of learning that I fine tune my efforts, I love efficiency, that the energy will be spent wisely.
This was a learning quarter not just for knowledge, but for how things still work on the inside to outside connectively. 


There will be field trips next quarter with one of them spending the night back on the mountain in a cabin (thank the maker) and I look forward to seeing her in all her winter glory!


Till next week (I will be studying till then) keep your snow shoes handy this January and pull out that rain slicker...hopefully will will not need our wellies!

Name that fungi

Shroom found on the trail...hummm name that shroom...Carel?

Back on Campus!

We started back on campus September 30th a Thursday, thank the maker we had 3 days off to decompress and settle back into our bodies...it actually took a week but hey...worth the effort.


Classes are T, W, Th in Olympia. The morning lectures on Tuesday and Thursdays are either in the longhouse, which I prefer, or Lecture II which is more reminiscent of a traditional amphitheater with chalkboards and swivel chairs. Wednesday morning is in the Longhouse and more than likely has a slide show or film to view and discuss. The afternoon sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays are in Seminar and we report on books, articles and projects we have been assigned. 


Details to follow...


Ok Campers, adjust your pack and keep your write in the rain field notebook handy!

Days 3 through 10

Ok, so not to get too far behind I will just take you through the events of the day(s)


Morning just about every day my bio clock wakes me at 5:30 or so... its still dark and one of my tent mates wakes at about the same time...we dress in the dark trying to be quiet...oh left something out here...lol after the first night my tent of 20 years or so lost what was left of its weatherproofing and we had to abandon it for a canvas platform tent across the path. Thank the maker one was available. We added the other early riser a day later to make 3 in the canvas tent. It leaked in the front but kept us moderately dry...nothing in all of that rain was completely dry unless you slept in the campground conference room. Which others who had perfectly good tents had to because it rained so hard and so much the first couple of days.


After waking the two of us would run into Jeff and in the middle of the week Jeff asked if we could start the water for cleaning so to leave more time for him for other duties. No worries. 


Whomever was assigned to cook would be woken next and then the assigned cleaning group. We eat, we meet, we get announcements, then usually have 20 to 30 mins to pack lunch, take care of personal biz, get your daypack ready with items specific to your daily assignment, and don't forget your rain gear.


Each day the different teams would be assigned different tasks/hikes/field journal work.


There are still 6 groups, I think we are still grouped...lol


The Flying Squirrels A-1
The Spotted Owls     A-2
The Elks             B-1
The Devil's Club     B-2
The Red Algae        C-1
The Snow Worms       C-2




Each Lettered team would combine for daily duties and sometimes for daily assignments.


And it usually went like this: 
One day Hiking with guide learning about the different type of elevations and flora and fauna the they share, field journal was assigned. Our group hiked the Trail of Shadow, the Longmire trail to the water tower, Ricksecker Point, The Myrtle Falls trail/Skyline trail, Westside hwy past the Trail Head, Kautz Creek trail, Two firs Trail, The Sourdough Trail to Frozen Lake followed by the Burroughs Trail to the First Burrogh. This last hike was a challenge for me but I did it and a first for that elevation. The last hike was Pinnacle trail, apparently my nemesis, 1.1 miles of vertical assent. Our guide was so experienced he felt that this was a moderate hike. According to my turtledom hiking skills this was more like strenuous. Doug was very kind and made sure that we all made it down safely. My bad for not reviewing the details of the hike prior to going. This is where my knee and heal took some stress. The views of all the hikes were amazing even the last one where we had moments of clearing of clouds to see the valley below. We saw golden mantled ground squirrels, pika, and chipmunks. 


*** A big thanks to all my hiking groups who had the patience to wait for me to catch up. I am working on the stamina and strengthening my legs to keep up with you guys and getting trek poles!


Day two Service Learning, either re-vegetation or trail work. No field journal assignment and you got to shower that day. Our group did re-veg, trail work (hauling rocks and wet sand down the wonderland trail by reflection lake via wheelbarrow, sack or bucket...) then the last day the entire class did re-veg.


Day three would be a "drawing in nature" hike, field journal was assigned. 


Even with all the rain, the long days, the trying to keep up with my group and the assignments, I would so do this all over again! I feel a real connection to my classmates. We all helped each other out when someone needed something. We all learned, laughed and had a good time. Nothing will ever be as important as this trip...well I'll keep you posted...knowing our instructors and Evergreen I am sure something wonderful and enchanting and remarkable will occur.


Here is a list of some of the plants and Animals we saw on the trip:


Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Pacific Silver Fir, Sub-Alpin Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Mountain Hemlock, Noble Fir, Devil's Club, Skunk Cabbage, Sitka Valerian, Red Huckleberry, Blue Huckleberry, Corn Lily, Red Alder, Ravens, Grey Jays, Turkey Vultures, Red Tail Hawk, Eagle, Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel, Chipmunks, Pika, Marmot, Black Bear, Mountain Goat, Snags, Nurse Logs, Deer Fern, Pilliated Woodpecker, False Lily of the Valley, Trillium, Bunch Berries, Heart Leaf, and a Grouse.


We also learned about some of the volcanic history, some of the glacial history and some of the history of flooding. Lahars, Glacial Outbursts, Earthquakes related to Volcanic activity make Mount Rainier one of the most active and interesting National Parks I've visited to date. There is so much more to share that we experienced but I'm going to leave that for future postings and just say I feel connected to a place.


cheers! Rest up campers and save up for your new upgraded gear!

Day 2 On the Mountain

Ok this may be the only other separate day I post...lots to share!!


Day 2 on the mountain was just as jamb packed and fun filled...


The morning lecture included safety and day preparation: sunscreen, plastic bags for your day pack, first aid, sunglasses, map, water, lunch and to be prepared for weather changes...at this point we would like a weather change, one that included some sunshine...lol...


We also had group participation on the 10 essentials for being out in the wild: water, first aid, warmth, tools, navigation (compass and map), the ability to signal, food and the knowledge to use all...


Lucia Harrison our other instructor had us practice our drawing using some of the tools from "Drawing from the right side of the Brain". A couple of quick sketches later we took care of camp life and got ready for our afternoon hike..


The Trail of Shadows is located just north and across the highway from the Longmire Inn. Longmire is a Historical District surrounded by old growth forests including Douglas Fir, Red Cedar, Western Hemlock to name a few.


This was my first hike utilizing my "write in the rain" notebook, draw a map and write down interesting species along both sides of the trail. Being an over achiever the map took up both sides of a page and certain highlights were numerated on map with corresponding text in the notebook. I would learn later that all of my species descriptions were supposed to go in a separate section by themselves thus reducing my daily entry to a few pages vs. a small tome. But then again...I hadn't gotten that far in the Grennell Field Journal textbook...no worries...


There was a plaque commemorating John Muir and I love the quote on it..." When you try to change any single thing, you find it hitched to everything else in the universe."


Later that afternoon we had a talk by creative writer and TESC Writing Center representative Sandy Yannone. She read the poem "The Fish" to us several times with instructions to listen with different criteria each time. By the end of the Poem I felt the presence of my Mom...cool and sad at the same time...


After dinner, we had a lecture by Ken Tabbutt, provost from TESC and Geologist who of course spoke on the Geology of Mt. Rainier. Some of the information I studied before, but then there were a few notes on this specific mountain that made me realize how different this volcano was to say Mt. Shasta in California. He passed around different samples of volcanic rock specific to Mt. Rainier: Granadiarite and, Andracite. May the goddess help me I did not write down the third type of rock...He also spoke of Lahars...cohesive and non cohesive. Cohesive Lahars are not volcanic in origin while the non-cohesive are. With all the glacial ice up there, it doesn't matter how the Lahar starts the results could be devastating to the lower regions of the Puget Sound. Apparently one brought debris all the way down the mountain to Tacoma...ok then campers


In So Cal you have earthquake drills, in the midwest Tornado drills on the gulf and east coast huricane drills...up here people we  have Lahar drills....


So know where your high point is and keep those car keys handy...


Cheers

Day 1 getting to the Mountain...

Thursday September 16th 0830 Evergreen State College elevation 130 ft. parking lot C. It is raining, no one is standing in the area previously designated for loading the vans. Instead we all are standing under the motorcycle/bike port trying to stash our gear in a spot that is not a small creak or puddled like a lake.

0845 Jeff our instructor shows up and gives gratz on finding shelter. The vans gather, more students show up, the gear we gathered the day before for the kitchen arrives. we pack gear in "tetras" is the key word here.

0910 we are all secured in our vans, gear secured, instructors line up besides the vans an extra truck for supplies.

I could actually post my field journal notes here, but it would be more of the same with altitudes, highways notations, which river or creek we crossed, the time it took to get from here to there and tada we arrived at Longmire Campground with only the slightest of drizzles. We make camp, setting up tents, the tarps for the kitchen and eating area were done by Jeff's friends. Before dinner we have team building exercises to see if each team ( mine is the Spotted Owls of course) can get over an imaginary electrical fence without touching it.  The fence is a rope tied between two trees and we are given the choice between two 2x4's of which we can only use one and we cannot touch the fence or the trees, go under or around the fence. Only over. All sets of two teams failed to get every member to the other side. There are many books written about this activity and no solutions to date to be found online. Our team got the most people over, before the other team adapted our idea...lol

We had the Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Parks give a brief talk and then dinner, Burritos,  three bean burritos and by the time I got there...there wasnt much left...not to worry the kitchen crew made sure there was enough by the next night.

The evening lecture was given by Jeff on "leave no trace" and group living. If you want details on the lecture, I can email them to you..

Food in bear box, gear stored in canvas platform tent, hit the tent for sleep about 2200. Janelle is my tent mate. Good night sleep tight and don't touch the sides of the tent when it is raining...

Back from the Mountain!

Ok, two days off the mountain and I'm 75% back...lol
It was one of the most marvelous, engaging, inspirational, challenging experiences I have ever had in my 58 years this lifetime!

So to make this post not a tome I will follow with each day as a single post.

Cheers,

Keep your rain gear handy, like at the top of your day pack! El Nina year...woohooo!!!

Day 2 prep

Boy these Greeners (that would be me now too!) don't waste anytime! We gathered this morning at 9 to go over the days agenda, broke into our groups for the trip. Our group is the "Spotted Owls" and is a very auspicious name to boot...owls have been visiting me for over a year in a serious way. We helped each other review the personal gear list. You can tell the class is excited just by the preparation everyone has done up to and including having enough tent space for gear and legroom. 


Now for those of you whom camping is not even close to "no room service", we have to keep our food, our toiletries and anything that has a scent in either one of the vans or a "bear box". Yes campers we will be viewing bears with scopes, maybe even some elk, mountain goats and big horn sheep. Not to forget the tamer of the viewing: hawks, eagles, owls, jays etc.....


We then broke into different groups to do a myers briggs eval, personal shopping, group shopping, and finding lunch. Post lunch break 3 fellow campers and I helped procure the camp kitchen supplies from the Lab shop. No not the items used in the labs but the Lab shop is in charge of the camping/climbing equipment and we had to dig through and find working stoves, industrial sized pots, bowls, mixing utensils, pans, strainers, peelers, shredders, knives, cutting boards, fuel for the stoves, lanterns, tarps, well you get the idea and then haul it to one of the vans....The menus are vegetarian with some items of protein for lunch like salami (thank the maker) and eggs for hopefully breakfast...lol...my personal shopping included Trader Joe's for almonds, and cashews...


At 6:30 we will hear a lecture from the Myers Briggs lady and of course not much has changed.... still an INTJ....


Will post more tomorrow, gotta go....in the meantime make sure your matches are dry and your coffee hot!


Cheers

Day One

Sitting in the longhouse on campus. We just finished dinner which was proceeded by introductions Evergreen style. We all wrote down answers to a scripted text. Jeff one of our instructors pulled the first card and introduced that student by reading answers "like" what year we are in, what are our interests, something other's might not guess about you...and why we are taking the program. Then whomever got read, then read's the next person....there was lots of laughter and of course our first effort at presenting. They don't waste any time here...LOL...


So tonight we will be put in groups of 8 and those folks will be 'the' group for the trip. Each group will take turns, cooking, doing camp maintenance, and trade off on various mini field trips on the mountain.


There were forms to fill out and thank the maker other people volunteered to drive. I am a perfectly good driver, but I'd be too nervous my first excursion out to be in charge of mountain roads...


Earlier today got my student id, I already hate the picture, but then I think I look better than I do apparently..and my parking pass...good to go!


So here is my first official day of school posting....


Remember to secure your boot laces and keep your rain gear handy!!!


Cheers


Bridgid


PS I love you Marianne!

Doncha just love firsts

Ok you may want to sit down, I'm packed for the field trip and my first 3 days at school. I finished yesterday. Even I am impressed on how much is in that duffle bag and day pack. Thank the maker I can lighten up the day pack once I get to the campground. Usually the packing happens the night before, but not this time. I had a check list and went over it twice, very unlike me. This along with running errands beforehand including buying a replacement nose guard for my glasses. Wouldn't you know that the nose guard fell off while organizing the gear. Mercury doesn't go direct till tomorrow... finally!


Time stamp is 23 hours, 4 minutes till lift off and my foot can't stop wiggling and tapping, all unconsciously of course and surprises the heck out of me every time I notice that it is happening.


I checked my school email and found out we already have homework/reading assignments...lol 
One is a monograph (mono is the key here like in monotone...rofl) but even with the academic speak of tedious repetition I now have a more complete understanding of "Integrating Learning Communities with Service-Learning". Basically we learn best when working with the community we wish to learn about and develop receptivity to different points of reference and foster growth though service. 


The other is two chapters out of a John Muir book on National Parks. What I love about reading Muir's work is how he paints a picture with words as Adams does with photography. Specifically since this work was written in the 1800's, fascinating!


Now staying calm is the task at hand lol!


OK campers, keep those blister bandages handy!






  

Things Change...This dance has 12 steps..

Yes, Yes this is a 12 step saying....but as I've moved through life it can apply to everything at anytime...

Received my books, not all shipped, don't know if the remainder will be available on time for class..it's ok i've got the two I need for the mountain...

The field journal I thought I was ordering apparently is not the one selected..oh la...no biggie...we are supposed to have the journal with us on Monday, but the bookstore is in transition and will be open on Wednesday for one hour. Thank the maker our class is the only one on campus then...

Thursday we leave for the field trip. I have NO idea what to expect...and since the tasks we will be performing will not include pulling up water from a well, I should be fine!

4 days till school, 7 days till the field trip...

Hang ten, shoot the curl!!!!

Countdown....

My countdown meter on my home page says I have 11 days, 23 hours, 35 minutes till school starts. This is both an incentive and mind-boggling. All of this preparation and a few minor details to go and the starting gun has already gone off in my cranium...there is a kind of nervous excitement and omg here I am jumping off that cliff yet again...so mindful tasks are the order of the day.

The last two days have been unseasonably cool and rainy, even for the Pacific North West (PNW)...which leads me to prepare for both heat and snow for this excursion. M would prolly have liked me to do the pre-packing of my duffle bag, but I would only redo it 20 million times before I leave...so tonight will be the first test of gear packing...with the final packing the day before I leave.

Been breaking in my hiking boots and smart wool socks and will be checking on the status of my book order at TESC (The Evergreen State College). LOL it took me a while to figure that one out...ha ha ha jokes on me....

In the meantime, keep your food strung high in a tree and dowse that campfire!

Art Supplies...

We went across the pond to West Seattle to the art supply store to pick up a "Watercolor Field Kit", .01 micron pens, .05 HB mechanical pencil with extra lead and erasures, a 3" X 5" watercolor/drawing notebook.

At the school bookstore I will be picking up extra 5.5x8.5 plain and narrow ruled paper as well as a set of fold out magnifying lenses.

All told I'm 98% complete with supplies for trip and the first quarter. Books are ordered from TESC and i received the alt books from Amazon the last two days.

Started reading Cascade*Olympic Natural History and can already tell you about 'nurse logs', tree zones, who named the 'Douglas Fir' and his gory demise in Hawaii, how Hemlocks are taking over the forest landscapes (prolly in the next million years) and am moving onto timberlines.  Exciting no?

Marianne has been sooo supportive in this process and I don't know how I could make this adventure without her!

Cheers peeps, keep the home fires stoked and look up now and again you might see something!

Back to School Psychick

Birthday Ecards

Request for list...

Hey all, well after receiving several request for the "actual" book-list, here it is:

• Reference books for the field trip: 

1. The Naturalist's Field Journal: Joseph Grinnell by Steve Herman
2. Plants of the PNW Coast: WA, OR, BC and AK: Pojar & MacKinnon
3. Roadside Geology of Mt. Rainier National Park: Pringle
4. Cascade-Olympic Natural History

• Books for seminar for fall:  

1. A Year in Paradise: Schmoe
2. Where the waters begin: Carpenter
3. Windshield Wilderness: Louter
4. Wilderness in National Parks: Miles
5. The Wolverine Way: Chadwick
6. From Yellowstone to Yukon: Schulz

Sounds exciting I know, can't wait to go out and get your own copies, eh? Well there are a few titles here I am hoping increases my knowledge of our environ up here...

In the meantime, keep your socks dry and pack your own trash out!

Peace out!

OMG my booklist...

 Woaha, this is soooo great; I went online today to check my school mail and just on a lark decided to check out the bookstore and see if the textbooks were listed for our program. I feel like Kimmie the Jamba Juice Girl and in my head I am hearing "shut it, shut up, no way, are you kidding me, shut it omg!!!!". So i ordered my books and the starter kit for the field journal and I must say here quite spectacularly I am now truly excited...I am mean totally amped and am freaking out in a good way. Goosebumps and all!

Not only that but the camping gear is coming along. We as in the royal we are at about 98% collected. A big thanks goes out to the M woman & T woman for their continued support of my re-invention. M gets a big hug and kiss for the extra bandanas...

As for reality...there prolly is no cell reception on the mountain...so I will journal and enter my daily log/blog after I come back.....

In the meantime...stay tuned, same time, same bat channel!

Peace out!

Gathering supplies...

Thanks for all the well wishes!

Spent this morning at a garage sale and earlier this week at granny's attic thrift store looking for items to complete the trip "list"and found (thanks to Peter) a duffle bag and looked for wool blend shirts - no luck. With all the cooler weather we've been having you'd think some enterprising shop owner would bring out the wool...lol...

This week when Marianne and I are taking an extended weekend, we will check out the art supply store in West Seattle. I have about a third of the items and hopefully they will have the rest of what i need. Not counting on it but getting off island is good for the soul from time to time.

This all may not seem exciting to you, but butterflies are forming in the pit of my stomach and I wish they'd calm down a bit.

More to come...keeping the light on!

Field Journal...

Ok got the list for the field journal; We get to make our field journals! And as I research the materials in true academic fashion they are hard to find, except at the bookstore!


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Location:SW 192nd St,Vashon,United States

Testing remote blog device!

Getting ready to jump back in!

Well here I am one month out, most of the camping supplies are gathered for my 10 day camping/working/classwork trip. We are meeting for 2.5 days in advance of our excursion to Mount Rainier. Needless to say after 30 years of not attending school I am both excited and nervous.
The program I chose at Evergreen State in the Environmental Science department is "Mt. Rainier, it's place and it's people". I love the out of doors, love to camp, haven't camped since the early 90's, got new gear, gained 5 pounds, will the new gear fit, am I making the right choice now in my life and hundreds more questions speed through my mind at any given moment.

I still need to complete a questionnaire, procure art supplies for my field journal ( I love to draw) and just a few more items for my pack, then practice packing the pack. We will be sleeping in two person tents, no electricity, showers every few days, cook our own food, and have the opportunity to work on various projects with the local people and the parks department. Additional classwork/lectures will be held at night and I would imagine reading...lots of reading.

Well I'm off to gather up more stuff and my courage to power on! check in with you later!