The Latest

Hello Avid Reader. It's been a while, I know. I even had an adventure to Sydney, Australia since we last chatted (see previous post -- I said 'Hello' from Down Under at least).

Sadly, it was the quickest long-haul trip ever; I landed on Tuesday morning and was in the air again by Friday afternoon. Happily, I got to see Sydney again as well as my Aussie friends & colleagues, had a productive work week, and was able to get home to my little girl!

Relative to The Latest, that's pretty much it in a nutshell. However, it's been an interesting week in Copper's world. We made Bob Barker proud this week: Copper was spayed! We're in recovery mode this week which is to say I'm doing everything in my power to keep Copper from racing around the house and wanting to play tug-of war.

Copper tipped the scale @ 41.4lbs on Wednesday. My little girl is getting big -- though we still enjoy lap time now and again. She's a gem (save a kitchen cabinet chewing habit she's trying to form that I'm trying to quell)!

Copper Update from AU!

No, Avid Reader, sadly Copper was unable to join me on my latest trip to Australia (Hello from Sydney, by the way!). However, my dear friends Amy & John Weaver graciously agreed to house/Copper-sit while I'm away... and posted this entry on their blog.

My Little Wild Thing is Thriving!
Thanks McWeavers!

Followed by the Real Deal...

But the real Joy of Sport followed Saturday morning as I watched a three fields of 1st & 2nd graders play flag football! Sponsored by the NFL Flag Football Program, my brother Kevin coaches the "Cowboys" (and my nephew Tony) who happened to beat the "Seahawks" in their 10AM game. Again, more dedicated parents, but kids playing football ON the field vs. in the end zones.

It was brilliant to see so many kids having a great time (oh, sure, there were tears, too), with coaches right on the field for each play. There were some teams that looked to be contenders while others would simply be excited to catch a thrown ball. All teams brought me joy.

My favorite quote of the day came from the organizer, who, between games during the awards ceremony & group photos, thanked one of the (limping from the previous night's beating) high school football players for not missing a week of reffing duty. Specifically, "while all of the other players are out hunting, you took the time to support these kids". Pheasant season did start that morning, afterall. Hilarious.

Friday Night Lights

Part of the seeing George process was catching him direct the Homedale High School Marching Band at halftime of the Homedale vs. Fruitland football game! It was incredible to be back in the high school football environment with an entire student body out to support (though not to pay actual attention to the game), dedicated parents in Trojan garb, a suited-up band, caramel apples for sale by FHLA (Future Hispanic Leaders of America), and kids playing their own football at each end zone.

While I froze nearly to death, I enjoyed every minute of it. Friday Night Lights, baby!

A Man & his Dog & his Four-Wheeler

Mike. Tucker. Enough said.

George Kerrick!

Inasmuch as the entire weekend was one highlight after another, the icing on the highlight cake was getting to see and spend time with George Kerrick! George is one of the campers who attended the Summer Enrichment Program at the University of Oregon who I got to know pretty well and with whom I’ve been able to keep in touch throughout the years.

I think I’ve seen George twice since my last year at camp (summer 1999), George has now grown into a man… and an incredible human being. He recently moved back to Caldwell from having lived in France for a couple of years and is teaching choir, band, and marching band to gregarious high schoolers in Homedale, ID. While not where he thought he’d land, George is making the most of it, rocking what he’s up to, and positively affecting lives one instrument-wielding teenager at a time.

You’re awesome, Big Buddy G!

Pendleton, Oregon, USA

To honor my dear friend Charla Guiwits at her father’s memorial, I made a weekend of my time in my hometown – home of the Pendleton Round-Up. Let'R Buck!

On Friday, throngs of Pendletonians crowded the Betty Feves gallery at Blue Mountain Community College to see Bruce Guiwits’ final art show – hundreds of graphic art pieces he created. I was able to see the Guiwits family as well as handful of folks with whom I went to high school. I got to hang out with Warren again, as well as see he & Charla’s little ones, Elka and Camden.

Meagan Elliot & I enjoyed a lazy Saturday morning at her Dad’s in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, but spend the afternoon hitting Pendleton highlights, including the Round-Up sign I painted over 20 years ago still hanging at the baseball park. We drove past the two homes I lived in (on Nye & on 22nd), hit Big John’s hometown pizza for lunch (TACO PIZZA – as good as we remember it!), caught some of the Husky game there, and toured downtown. The highlight of the day was visiting the grave of my dear friend Becca Holowecky who died of breast cancer at the too-young age of 30. Somber. And awesome.

While Sunday was a travel day, it was all about traveling on Memory Lane. On my way to Boise, I stopped in LaGrande, OR, to see the two houses (on 2nd & in Island City) I grew up in there as well as tour my elementary schools, Riveria and Island City. It was amazing to me how much smaller and manageable things seem now. The world is a big place to a 6-year-old. I also found my grandparents’ house in Ontario, OR, as well as the park all of the cousins overtook with each stay. The same swing set, slide, and merry-go-round were still there after 30+ years.

All in all, it was a GREAT weekend. The combination of memories and time on the road created a pensive trip altogether – one that is now culminating in respite and thought-time in Crouch, ID, at my parents’ cabin. How I love it here!

My Little Graduate

We did it! We graduated! Copper and I spent every Monday of the summer since her arrival at PetSmart and their Puppy Class. Really designed to train the trainer in front of the trainee, I inherited a clicker and some strong communication skills to help Copper and I grow into the relationship we have today. Short story long, we did it!

We graduated this past week, and Copper was awarded the unofficial "Best Grower" award for having quickly outgained all other pups in size and build. That's my girl! She wore her cap proud and walked like a queen around the store with her puppy friends Porter (Beagle), Mojo (German Shorthair), MoMo (Husky), Jax & Willow (mutts), and Kashi (Shiba Inu). Well done, Cop-Cop*!

*this is Jace Paulson's name for Copper just now. He now says "Hi Todd Moore. Cop-Cop?". I love that little one so! He & Copper melt me!