Archive for June, 2012
» posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Highland Terrace Elementary
Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington – Rockets bursting in air. I was sure that’s what I heard as I emerged from the tall fir trees at the 4-way stop. Rockets, and cheers. It was the 6th graders rocket show taking place on the playing field at Highland Terrace Elementary; I continued to the parking lot by the office door. An Orca whale on a sign directed me to the checkin place. “Look who’s behind you,” the office secretary said, “they can direct you to Kayla’s room.” I turned around to the sight of four smiling girls, my granddaughter Kayla, and her classmates Sam (Samantha L), Mantha (Samantha R) and Sophia, ready to help with set up (once they had explained their names). One of them took my bag of notes; another took the tripod; they were missing recess and the rocket show, but didn’t seem to mind. Desktops were cleared, the postcards and brochures I’d brought about “capitols” were artfully arranged for classmates to see, the US map was pulled down, the projector was on. We were ready. » read more
» posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Lunch With James
Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington while traveling between Salem, Oregon and Honolulu, Hawaii –“I’ve been interested in politics as long as I can remember,” James recalled. “I used to hand out political flyers for my father when I was five years old.” James and I are sitting in my favorite red-booth spaghetti place in the Wallingford neighborhood, not too far from the University of Washington. I first met James at the University where he taught a class I took several years ago. And now, because James has agreed to serve on the Board of Directors of Capital Cities USA, we’re discussing business. The “historian’s way of looking at things” is the important niche James fills on the Board. You know, that nit-picking three-part method historians insist on using to explain the world – (1) multiple perspectives (2) a variety of sources and (3) critical analysis. It’s much easier to make a surface-level snap judgment about the events of life, and most of us do that, most of the time. But James is a context person. It’s not just what, it’s what led to the what. Go wide, then narrow in. Understand the influences of the time. Look at some of the things James has focused on since developing that interest in politics at his father’s knee; you’ll see what I mean. » read more
» posted on Tuesday, June 12th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
An IPPY!
Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington – Fifty State Capitols has an IPPY now! I’m talking about the book, Fifty State Capitols, The Architecture of Representative Government, authored by Jim Stembridge and published by Coho Publishing. Jim stopped by yesterday on his way back to Salem from New York, where he accepted the award, and I got to meet his wife Joan, and the big black dog that helped him research the capitols, Ruth. I was glad to be able to congratulate Jim in person on such an accomplishment, and pleased that he brought me a copy of the newly bronze-stickered book. An IPPY! Jim’s book received the 2012 Bronze Medal in the Architecture category by the Independent Publishers Book Awards. It was an event that involved the best of independent published works internationally; just look at the photo of Jim accepting the award; blue ribbons around his neck and a big smile on his face. Something to be proud of! » read more
» posted on Monday, June 11th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Kent Meridian Elementary
Linda Burton posting from Kent, Washington – “Who likes to travel?” I asked. Every hand went up; that means both hands from every kid; double the enthusiasm. I’m visiting Mrs Macey’s 4th grade class at grandson Sam’s school, Kent Meridian Elementary; he’d help me set up the room before this happy bunch came back from recess. “So, did you know you are traveling right now?” I continued. Summer vacation? Going home after school? “No, I mean, right NOW,” I answered back. “Right now, in this room, while you are sitting at your desks.” A young man to my right caught the idea then, “We’re orbiting the sun!” “Correcto mundo!” I praised. “We’re traveling around the sun. Every time you have a birthday you’ve circled one more time. I’ve been around the sun 73 times already!” Oo’s and ah’s, such a large number to comprehend. We discussed how many trips they’d made so far; how many miles that was; an awesome fact. Then down to earth, my Journey Across America. » read more
» posted on Sunday, June 10th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Family Roar
Linda Burton posting from Kent, Washington while traveling between Salem, Oregon and Honolulu, Hawaii – We had to stand at the top of the stairs to sing Happy Birthday. The stairs to the family room, that is, so Kramer could see the cake-with-candles and join in. Kramer loves birthdays. One year he gobbled up half the cake before the party; that’s why he’s in the family room today, behind the gate. Tami is taking no chances, though he’ll get a slice, after everyone else is served. Right now, as the candles flicker and the nine of us sing human words, Kramer howls, in his own joyous big-black-dog way. “He’s the best dog there ever was,” Scott affirms. “The best.” 
We’re gathered here to celebrate; my baby-child is 47 years old today. How great that I arrived in time to party up. Boxes are stacked everywhere for the family’s impending move, but we don’t mind; we use them for table-tops. Finger-licking food; corn on the cob and KFC; the youngest ones are picky eaters still; the oldest gobble up. Tami made Scott’s favorite cake, the German chocolate kind his grandma made when he was ten and went to fish the Gulf of Mexico. And now it’s picture-taking time. Let’s go outside. » read more
» posted on Friday, June 8th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
And The Beat Goes On
Linda Burton posting from Salem, Oregon – Get Mom on it. Make that two moms with young daughters, who are determined to make something good out of something bad. Start with a gem of an idea, stir in 15 years of innovative thinking and hardworking community volunteering, and what do you have? A success story, that’s what, in the form of the Salem Multicultural Institute, gearing up for another big festival on the last weekend of this month. What started out as a poster paper sketch in 1997 is now Oregon’s largest multicultural event. It has won numerous awards, engages over a thousand volunteers, welcomes over 33,000 visitors, and continues to grow. Those two moms, Kathleen Fish and Mona Hayes, simply wanted to form a positive response to incidents of racial intolerance in Salem. » read more
» posted on Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Cut the Cheese
Linda Burton posting from Salem, Oregon – “Have you ever tried a Boerenkaas?” Marita Powell asked. Having grown up on Velveeta, I confessed that I had not. I’m at the tasting counter at Willamette Valley Cheese, along with a couple who has been here many times before. Richard has his list in hand, is X’ing in the box beside the ones they like. Marita cut off tasting bits and placed them on our tiny trays; “The Boerenkaas is Gouda,” she explained. “And strong. People either like it, or they don’t.” We did. The three of us approved and scanned our lists for the next delicious thing to try. Patricia and I favor the Havarti line, we ask for Blueberry, Cranberry, Horseradish, and Herb de Provence. Marita tells us stories of each cheese; gives serving notes. “The Blueberry is excellent on salads,” she offered; one was great in chili, add this one to soup, that one for fondue. I goofed, I realized, I wasn’t taking notes, my memory and my palate were confused. My tasting tongue was happy with them all; the strong, the sharp, the acid bite, the creamy mild. Smoked Gouda, Garlic Pepper Jack, French Prairie Brie. Which ones to buy? » read more
» posted on Monday, June 4th, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
The Wheels on the Bus
Linda Burton posting from Salem, Oregon – The buses brought the kids today. Three loads of them were sitting on the capitol steps as I approached; the girls were singing in a chant “Elvis Presley, girls are messy,” hands clapping on the beat. I pushed through the revolving door of the Oregon state capitol and found myself in the rotunda just as a group of students approached the center, taking their place around the seal embedded in the floor. The tour guide stepped beside me, “You’re welcome to join us,” he said and so I stayed, intent on hearing the story of the seal. It shines like gold, but the guide explained that it was brass. He pointed to the elk, the sheaf, the plow, the axe. He talked about the covered ox-drawn wagon, symbolizing the pioneers that came to Oregon. Then he pointed to the ships – one coming towards land, the other sailing away. “One is an American ship,” he said, “and one is British. Do you know why the British ship is going away?” The children waited expectantly for the next line. » read more
» posted on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Elephant DNA
Linda Burton posting from Salem, Oregon – Arturo was chopping on the block in his red official carver’s apron. “Don’t you need goggles?” I asked. “Not with chunks this big,” Arturo laughed. “But yes, if I’m using the bandsaw.” I’m standing in the Carving Room at the Salem Riverfront Carousel, a room that is crowded at the moment with volunteers, carving tools, chunks of wood, and detailed drawings of elephants and frogs. I’d found the place by accident; Olessya had brought her siblings to ride the carousel; when I asked for directions to the place she told me there was carving going on today. “Go to the second door,” she said. Irene opened the door and let me in. “The carousel animals are hand-carved,” she explained, “all by volunteers. Right now we’re carving new animals, so we can change them out each month. We’ll have special ones throughout the seasons, too. That way there will always be something new.” A would-be elephant took up the center of the room, that’s what Arturo was working on today. “So this will be an elephant?” I rubbed my hand against the wood. “It doesn’t smell like an elephant, or look like much of one either, right now. It doesn’t even have a trunk.” » read more
» posted on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 by Linda Lou Burton
Go Tell Aunt Rhodie
Linda Burton posting from Salem, Oregon – The Pacific Northwest is the rhododendron place. Everybody knows that. It’s the weather, the soil, the everything. Rhodies flourish in every color, size and shape; and though they bloom throughout the year, May is the crowning month. I arranged my schedule for arrival in the Pacific Northwest at Rhodie Time, and rolled into Salem eager to see the gorgeous flowering shrubs; I was not disappointed. The capitol grounds were lush with purple rhododendron and that stunning rosy pink, standing out like post-it notes against a backdrop thick with evergreens; tall firs and spruce; a Sherwood forest in the heart of town. At my hotel the purple must be ten feet tall at least; the pink is past its prime, time to deadhead soon. I pull dead blooms when I go by; can’t help myself, a habit from the past. On the counter at the restaurant, I spot some rosy pink; a rhodie catalogue, I thought. But no, it said Adelman Peony Gardens, 2012. Peonies? I took a copy to my seat and turned the page. » read more