Sibling Assignment #168: Seeing the Pacific Ocean With New Eyes

Sister Carol gave the assignment this week. "Write about some of the memories you have when we all gathered at the Oregon Coast and share those memories and stories in your next post." I will link the siblings' posts when completed. 

This was very difficult because every trip to the Oregon Coast held its own set of memories. Even though I wrote about this trip on Sibling Assignment #104 which you can find here, I am going to write again about our 2009 trip to Rockaway Beach, Oregon. We rented a house close to town and the ocean. It housed all of us, but some beds/couches were a bit awkward and uncomfortable, but we survived with laughter.

This is the last trip we took as a family anywhere.   It is hard to manage schedules with busy family members, people moving, and other events that get in the way. I hope we are able to schedule another trip some time that includes everyone. 

The most significant thing for me about this trip was Everett seeing the Oregon coast for the first time. It was like seeing it with new eyes . The northern half of the Oregon coast is the most beautiful to me. Rockaway was a new place to explore. As I said in the first post, what I loved the most about it was the ocean beach. It was crammed with people, it was easy to navigate, and Mom with her new hip could even take a walk on the beach. The dogs loved their first trip to the ocean and if Paul hadn't caught her, I think Annie would have chased a seagull all the way to Seaside. Everett appreciated the beauty of the ocean and the scenic views on our drives.

We stopped along the way at  these scenic points so Everett could grasp new information about the Oregon Coast and I could take lots and lots of pictures. Of course there are always outings. If you can blend a trip to the Tillamook Cheese factory and a winery in the same outing, that is a good thing. It is always fun to take site seeing trips with my family. Everyone finds little treasures or a good bottle of wine or fine cheese to try upon returning to the beach home. Often, sweatshirts or jackets from the place are a perfect remembrance of the trip. 

The other thing I remember about this trip is every was relaxed and had fun. There were no schedules, no things that had to be done, no agenda. Everyone felt comfortable choosing some of their own activities. We divided up the chores and cooking. It was another family gathering that bonded us closer together and created memories that are always brought up when speaking of the trip. We will always remember  Mom's wisecrack crossword clues, board game playing that made us all laugh, spectacular sunsets, sandcastles, photo opts, Bill singing to the iPod, and family. I was pleased Everett got to experience one of these trips with all of us. It was a perfect set of memories. 

Sibling Assignment #167: Images of Summer

I gave the assignment this week. 
"Pick a series of photos from your collection that symbolizes summer to you. Write a reflection on the summer photo choices." I will share the siblings' links when they are posted.

In our adult lives we three siblings have never lived in the same town, or even within a couple hours of each other. Our early adult time was occupied with building, rebuilding, and ending marriages, raising children and pets, continuing with studies, and a focus on the work of our professions. We each had a house to keep up, gardens to grow, and friends to see.  We worked on trying to see each other during a small window of time when we were free in the summer at the same time. Sometimes it helped if there was a special family event like a wedding. It helped also when we weren't all doing extra jobs in the summer like Shakespeare Camp for Bill, the 6th St. Theater for Carol, or the Writing Project at U. of Idaho for me. In recent years we began to plan more intentially to spend time together. We called our time sibling outings. Sometimes we went somewhere together, sometimes we just had lunch and toured a park to take pictures, other times we all gathered at my house or Carol's. They weren't always in the summer either. The summer ones have good memories though.

 I created a collage of photos that shows the love, laughter, and the happiness we feel and were able to demonstrate in these pictures. Often Mom is part of our shenanigans. What I do know is that whenever we are together I can guarantee it will be a blast. We can laugh at just about anything. We can talk about serious things, and make family decisions and suggestions that impact the care of our mother.  We prepare meals together. Our sharp memories bring up stories that keep the laughter going. We love good food, Inland Empire places of interest, good drinks, and time. We appreciate simple beauty and are awestuck often by the beauty of northern Idaho and eastern Washington.  We aren't too fussy. We stayed in  a rustic cabin with no wifi where the Lochsa and the Selway merge and had fun even when we got a bit lost trying to find falls that were a bit dried up. 

In the picture of my sister in the middle at the top she was taking a series of photos on the ferry crossing Kootenay Lake in BC. It is memorable because she is in her zone not realizing I was trapped in the car on the ferry because I couldn't squeeze out of the small space provided. I still laugh when I see that picture. By the way, she got great photos.

We have phrases and words that make us laugh. In the picture with our mother Carol said one of those childhood words that nobody else would see as funny. We did. I couldn't even hold my head up I was laughing so hard. Not fussy... just three people that have made a point to put family first in planning events at least twice a year. Things have shifted now. I am living in the same town as my sister and mother. Brother Bill plans longer trips to spend here with the family. I am sure the sibling outings will continue.

 I have shared the quote below before. It is a favorite one that speaks to the relationship of siblings. 

 "To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters.
We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes.
We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." - Clara Ortega 

Sibling Assignment #166: The Toughest Day in July

Brother Bill gave the sibling assignment for this week: 

I think we'd all agree that July,2015 was a most eventful month for all three of us. Choose one day out of this memorable month and focus on it and what happened. Write about why it stands out to you as especially noteworthy. Bill's is here, Carol's is here.

In July 2015 we finished packing a house, moved six cats to a new house, cleaned a house and prepped it to sell, moved as many plants as we could, weeded, moved two dogs, bought an air conditioner, helped load U Hauls on two different occasions, sprayed for yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps,  moved to a new house, began unpacking boxes there, got the animals settled, cleaned, began washing dishes by hand, began hanging clothes on a clothesline, began searches for lost items, celebrated four birthdays, one wedding, prayed for and visited a sick son in the hospital, met up with old friends in my hometown, had a cousin visit, and celebrated a milestone birthday with the Class of '73.

I could add more to the list which landed me back to Kellogg next door to my mother. The week we were packing and moving was the hottest early July I remember. One day it was 105 degrees. Lots of water was drunk and we were thankful for the AC and wasp spray at the Martin Creek house. 

Moving day July 6th was memorable because of  how the family worked as a team in hot, hot weather to pack a U Haul, two cards, and pick up with what was most important. I am so thankful for Everett, Paul, Carol, Bill and Molly. 

The day  that stuck out the most to me was July 8th. We couldn't fit everything in the first U Haul. We had lots of outdoor items and garage items that didn't fit. We all wanted to rest, but planned another trip to Martin Creek. Bill volunteered to travel with Everett and me to get another load. 

We knew it would be hot. We knew there would be lots of heavy items, and they would be loaded into a hot, stuffy trailer. But you know what?  We didn't slow down. We decided to do it.  Bill followed us in my car, we stopped and got a U Haul trailer, and we were back at it. 

Bill was instrumental in keeping a workable pace with Everett. Neither of them felt pushed so they took rests, pulled lawn chairs right up to the AC in the living room,  drank water, drank ice tea, told funny stories, and ate snacks,  Doing a job like this is tough when you are thirty, but we are seniors now.  We aren't used to heavy lifting. We aren't used to the hot temperatures while working. A big cupboard from the garage was moved, a table saw was loaded, more garden furniture was arranged, wasps were sprayed each time we hit a nest, and the blistering sun never went away. I swept and cleaned and moved outdoor decor.  We filled the trailer, the back of the pickup, and the back of  the car.  Bill kept the atmosphere upbeat and took care in our well-being. Nobody complained. We just worked.

We left Martin Creek that day feeling  accomplished.  We were hot and tired, but we smiled and waved and off we went for Kellogg. A cold drink from the fountain at Chevron never tasted better. The hanging flowers I wanted in Colville fit in the last open space in the back seat. We followed Everett and his load in case he needed a break. Everett suffered from cramps in his hands along the way, so we again took a rest and cooled down, but we prevailed. 
As we enjoyed the cool northern Idaho evening, I felt love and thankfulness for my brother Bill. He traveled across the states to be with us and help, he kept the whole moving experience upbeat, he never slowed down, he never complained, and he helped us persevere.  Thank you brother Bill from the bottom of my heart.

Home is Where Your Heart Is

Thirteen days ago we began our day packing a U Haul and leaving our home at Martin Creek. I thought I had downsized by the amount I sold at a yard sale and the amount we gave away and donated, but we soon discovered we had a whole lot of stuff.

We can never thank my family which include my siblings Bill and Carol, brother in law Paul, and niece Molly for all their help that day. For many of the them the thanks extend to before and after the move. It was a hundred and four degrees and I packed many things wrong which made boxes way to heavy.

My heart is now at 514 W. Cameron in Kellogg, Idaho. We loved most every minute we spent at our home in Kettle Falls, but we were ready for a change. Many people were surprised we would leave all our gardens, greenhouse, and our home behind. Not us. We were ready for something different. Everett has already began sketching out plans for structures in the yard. I am trying to figure out inside changes that won't cost too much.

We were able to transport six cats, two dogs, three truckloads of plants from the greenhouse, and other outdoor decor and furniture so we could instantly try to make our new neglected yard look a bit more like home.

The cats stayed inside for two days, but then all of us couldn't stand it any longer. Up from the basement they came and they loved on the dogs, jumped on the bed with us, and were so happy to be all together. They love running outdoors now, but know where their food and a safe place is.

Yes, home is where your heart it. My husband and animal family are right here. My mother is next door and my brother for the time being. My sister lives five minutes away. I have already seen friends that go back as far back as I can remember. Also, I am back in the old neighborhood. If I could just find a place for all this "stuff" and could keep my knees from hurting... I might say life is just about perfect.

Sibling Assignment #165: A Day in the Life

Sister Carol gave the assignment this week. "Since the last of the Turnbow siblings just passed away, I think it would be nice to write a special memory or memories about time spent with this family as we grew up. You can read brother Bill's post reflecting on the memories of men events here. Sister Carol will post soon.

When my parents married and moved to Kellogg they didn't have family in the valley. Kellogg was full of extended families that had migrated to the valley and settled there, working in the mines or doing other jobs at the Bunker Hill Company. The large extended Rinaldi family included us in many family outings. Because of their family and other Italian families in Kellogg I always yearned to be Catholic and Italian. Their lives were filled with rich tradition. 

The other family that treated us like part of their clan was the Turnbows. It was tradition that Jerry and Corrine hosted a huge Thanksgiving gathering each year. Brother Bob was in charge of Christmas Eve. Brother Ted hosted a "men only" New Year's sports day in his basement and Jerry hosted the epic Fourth of July gathering at the lake each year.  Recently the last two brothers Jerry and Ted have died. It was fitting to share memories of our years spent with this family for our weekly sibling assignment.

Thanksgiving with Jerry and Corrine was the event most memorable to me. Tradition always kept it the same. Men arrived with their twelve packs of Heidelberg,Olympia,or Budweiser and headed to the TV room to enjoy the football games. The women gathered in the kitchen preparing the meal, arranging the potluck spread, and forming a circle around the table talking, gossiping, smoking cigarettes, sipping coffee or an occasional cocktail. As soon as I arrived I headed to daughter Judy's bedroom for our own talking, gossiping, drinking Pepsi, eating chips session. When we were younger we had this facination with Sears catalogs. We played this goofy game of flipping each page and picking out our favorite dress, coat, or outfit. We could do this for hours. We were also obsessed with Judy Garland and loved "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

When we entered our preteen years, we discovered The Beatles. Thanksgiving 1967 began an obsession with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. When I arrived that year and ran up the stairs with Judy was mesmerized by the album cover. There was so much to see. It was "psychedelic"...which was pretty cool for a twelve year old girl from Kellogg. (Later there was much controversy about the symbolism of Paul being dead on the cover... but I save that for another post.) . As we always did during the phonograph days I am sure we played certain songs over and over again that day. I can remember swaying and singing "I'll Get By With a Little Help From My Friends". We also loved "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." Actually we loved it all. I think both of us were "Paul girls" and loved to listen to his sweet voice. 

We took time out to grab food, get more Pepsi or cream soda, and giggle over one of the women getting tipsy or one of the guys in the TV room falling asleep. We would grab pumpkin pie with way too much whipped cream and head back up to the bedroom for another rendition of a song on that album. In early evening I would hear Mom's voice calling upstairs that it was time to go. Games were over, food was put away, men were drowsy from too much beer and turkey and the kids were wound up for more fun. Sadly, another Thanksgiving ended.

Today the song from the album that struck a chord with me was " A Day in the Life. " I don't think I understood this song in 1967, but today the melody and lyrics represent something different. " I read the news today oh boy" often means learning of the death of another person that was a big part of my life growing up. Fortunately I have many  " A Day in the Life" days to remember.  Today I also decided this song is quite a masterpiece with the orchestra, piano parts, and of course The Beatles.

Sibling Assignment #164: Back in the Hood

I gave the sibling assignment this week. "Since I will be moving back to the old neighborhood soon here is the assignment: "Share a memory of  hanging out with people from the 'hood during childhood . "

As of July 1st. I will return to living in the neighborhood I grew up in since I was in second grade. There are three big blocks of houses that were always called  "the Bunker houses". They were build in the late 50s and there are are six floor plans for the neighborhood. It is interesting to now drive around and see how the original houses have changed in color and style in sixty years. The house I am moving into is next door to my childhood home which my mother still resides.. 514 W. Cameron has had four owners in that sixty years, I am to become the fifth. 

There are so many memories surrounding the neighborhood growing up. One thing that comes to mind today is Halloween. It was an event shared with glee with all the kids in the neighborhood. Whether it was the Morgans, Absecs, Faracas, Kenyons, Longs, Saaris, Cralls, Higbees, Whites, Reeds, Rinaldis, Chapmans, Cummings, or the Dorendorfs, all would agree that trick or treating in our neighborhood was like the Mother Lode. Each year we could recite who would give us big Hershey's bars, homemade popcorn balls, giant Butterfingers, Snickers, Big Hunks, or Milky Way bars. It was safe. No razor blades in the candy in our neighborhood. The sidewalks were packed with children dressed up and parents following along with the little ones  just in case. It was fun, it was tradition, it was a bit magical in those days. 

By the time we would get home, our bags were very full.  No tricks at the houses in our neighborhood. We also wondered if grumpy J. Hanson would drop us an apple or something nutritious, but even his wife pulled through. 

What I loved about this memory was the community feeling surrounding our neighborhood. At that time we never thought anything of it. That was how Halloween was. Now... I am eager to see in October if I can continue the tradition. Mom still has her huge bowl of candy bars and doesn't give out as much, but the tradition is alive and well. Perhaps I should learn how to make Halloween popcorn balls.

This was the only image above that could have been Halloween. Sister Carol is front and center. The other two siblings are on the sides. I can't explain our costumes. That was the other nice part about Halloween back in the day. We didn't buy costumes. We were creative about what we wore. That was part of the fun.