Oh Skid Row...I Remember You

Last night, I tortured my oldest son with Rock of Ages. You know...the musical featuring all that great music from the 80s. Back when rock was rock and hair was big and the boys wore more eyeliner than I did.

"Was it a good movie," you ask?

"Well no," I'd say, "but I did know the words to every single song." I could even tell you the name of most of the songs in 4 notes or less and who sang them.

It was easily 30 seconds into the movie the first time I caught Marcus rolling his eyes as I sang along to Sister Christian. Where you goin' what you lookin' for......motorin' what's your price for flight....

Unfortunately, it only took 30 seconds for me to realize the movie folks had done a horrible job casting for the movie. Julianne Hough was the most un-rock-n-roll-like person and her voice was all wrong. I thought by the end maybe she'd be a little more Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Pat Benatar or Patty Smyth but nope, she was still too country/choir girl (and might I add a horrible actress).

Never the less, the music was good and I wanna rock

So despite the awful acting, the bad character casting, and a few factual errors (like the movie is set in 1987 but at least two of the songs I know weren't released till later (I Remember You was 1989 and More than Words was 1990), it was an enjoyable movie that led me down good ole' Memory Lane so without further adieu....here I go again on my own.

The Hair. 
I embraced the big beautiful hair of the 80s and held onto it for dear life until about 1993. Here I am in 88 (the closest picture I could find to the movie which was set in 1987).

My hair doesn't perm well but curls weren't the objective...damage was. Damage was the only way I could get my hair to go as big as I wanted. Big bangs and "wings" - holding the sides of my hair away from my head, spraying with good ole' AquaNet then blowdrying it to crispy goodness.

The Music.
Where do I start? Well at the beginning...the first song I remember rocking out to was Talk Dirty to Me...Poison of course! It was rebellious (dad forbid me to listen to it). Everyone else in my family loved country but I wanted more! You know you never act the way you should but I like it...

It's really really hard to just focus on one or two songs but bear with me.

I can't fight this feeling any longer and yet, I'm still afraid to let it flow. Not one of my favorite songs but considering it was my first "song" with my first "boyfriend" - it deserves a little recognition. Ben and I met at hunting camp right before the start of school my freshman year. I was moving from 8th grade to freshman and I was growing up. Ben was a senior. We shared our first kiss under the stars on a four-wheeler, worrying that when we got back our parents would know we'd been "making out." Our relationship lasted an entire year and marked a couple of milestones. For example, the first time I snuck out. Or the first time I told my parents I was staying at a friends house (I got busted before I even made it to Ben's house, no worries, I'd try it again my junior year). Ben broke my heart right before prom when he left me for what's-her-name. I  avoided school for days - heartbroke and lovesick.

Well you're a real tough cookie with the long history of breaking little hearts...I can't be the only girl who danced around her bedroom singing this anthem. No boy was going to break my heart. I was tough. Hit me with your best shot....fire away!!

Man, I could list all the songs but I'll stop with a trip to Paradise City. Take me down to the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. ...Gotta love me some Guns N Roses.

The Boys. 
Here's where my real obsession lies...with the boys. Who didn't have posters of their favorite rockers wallpapered across their walls!

Bon Jovi - Slippery when wet! I have to admit he's even yummier now!!!! Still a crush!

Bret Michaels - please talk dirty to me! Ok, actually don't. When I see you now, I just think STD.

David Coverdale - please don't go on your own - take me with you! Looking at him now though I think maybe he only made the list because he was rich and famous and I really liked his song!

Vince Neil - he's my Dr. Feelgood. Of course to look at him now I think he made one too many visits to Dr. Feelgood but damn, back when he looked good!

Sebastian Bach - He was one of my favorites. I had the most photos of this gorgeous guy...yummy. - I remember you....back when you looked good. Instead of washed up.

You know, looking at this list, I have to wonder what I was thinking. And I'm sure glad that all those daydreams didn't work out or right now I'd be married to a washed-up rocker. 

Unless you mean Bon Jovi...please God, there's still time.......

A Little Spookiness

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I'd share a little spookiness with you. 

A couple of weekends ago, I "stumbled upon" a cemetery outside of Lakeview. We had traveled to Lakeview for a football game (we won!!!). Normally we drive from Klamath Falls to Bonanza then Bly then Lakeview. On the way home we decided to add an extra 30 miles and travel through Alturas, California. I was excited to see some new country. Not far from Lakeview, I spotted an old cemetery up in the trees. It was the New Pine Creek Cemetery so I pulled the car around and decided to check it out. 

The villige of New Pine Creek was established before 1876 and is the oldest community in Lake County. I'd never even heard of it. There's a stream named Pine Creek but according to historians, postal authorities required the town be named New Pine Creek. On this day, nothing in town was open so when I got home I logged on to see what I could learn online. . . not much. 

However, I did learn that the Church was built in 1886 by John Sutherlin, a gospel preacher from Missouri. His daughter, Martha Alice, married wagon driver Johnny Henderson and is buried at this cemetery. Had I known this before my trip, I would have looked for her marker. 

Also, somewhat interesting, is the fact that because of a survey mistake, the California/Oregon border goes right through town. As a result, there's some peculiar things. The 250 residents are split between Californians and Oregonians. California side residents carry drivers' licenses with Oregon addresses because the town's post office boxes are on the Oregon side. It's said a preacher overseeing a wedding once moved the ceremony to the middle of the street because his license was only good in Oregon. You can read more here. 

Back to the cemetery. I sometimes worry that I'm a freak - I love an old cemetery. I like to walk around and find the oldest tombstones - dating back to the 1800s. I usually walk around wondering what life was like back then. Sometimes a marker will give me pause - like an infant or a child. And sometimes markers just make you think. 

When I first entered the cemetery, I noticed this marker:

Mr. Coring lived from 1871 to 1957. I thought his marker looked a little sad. I hoped to find information on him but internet searches resulted in no information. 

Then I found this one. I'm not sure what the name is. The name and date are scratched into a rock. It says Died October 1, 1889. According to the information online, the last name is Olahil. I cannot find any information whatsoever. Frustrating. But it makes you wonder. When was this person born? Did they have any family? 

The marker above is primitive, likely homemade and there were several to be found in this cemetery. Some were just plain rocks with no dates or names whatsoever. Then of course, there are the ones that were big and demanded attention. The one below is an example. It was white, large, and said, "Someone important is buried here." The little fence around it made me wonder what they were trying to keep out. Critters? Unwanted buried neighbors? 

Of course, me being me, I had to do a little research. I learned that before WWII, ornate iron fences around gravestones (usually family plots not just individual) were common. They helped keep the critters out. During and after WWII, as iron was used for war purposes, these fences became less common. 

The other thing I noticed was that on many of the older markers, they put the person's age at death exactly. For example in this one above it says he was 59 years, 10 mos, and 22 days. There were some that even had the hour. I also noticed this one because of the mason symbol at the top. Rob is addicted to history/mystery shows and in my opinion, they can all be summed up by one thing...if it's a mystery that involves history, the masons are involved. It's a conspiracy....shhhhh! 

David H. Hartzog lived from 1847 to 1907. Finally, someone I could google. According to this genealogy page, Mr. Hartzog is a prominent figure in Lake County. He was a native of Tennesee. His father was a soldier during the Civil War. During the last part of the Civil War, David fought for the Union Army. He was a private with the 43rd Regiment E.M.M. Interesting note about the regiments, each regiment was on its own. It received no support from the feds, no rations or even weapons. In Missouri, the E.M.M. was self-sustaining. Total time in service was 6 months to a year. 

He was the judge of election when it was voted to establish Lakeview as the county seat. He served four years as deputy sheriff. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity of Lakeview and a devout Baptist. 

Pretty interesting! I wish there'd been a neat old picture of him somewhere out in cyberspace but no luck!

All this research and talk of cemeteries has prepared me for our community's annual Night at the Cemetery - a tour of the Linkville Cemetery which was started in 1885. I've not spent any time at this cemetery but I can't wait to learn some about the early pioneers!

ABCs and 123s

There's nothing like new clothes, a crisp September morning, and yellow school buses to bring back memories.

As a kid, I loved school and the first day was no exception. It was a day to be celebrated, honored, and cherished. I'd wake up early to the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes - knowing my mom was in the kitchen making our favorite breakfast. I'd spend the morning making sure my hair was fixed just right and that my clothes were the perfect fit. My friends and I would meet up in front of my house and walk to school - full of energy, excitement, and looking pretty in our new clothes. Animatedly, we'd discuss very important things...who had moved away? Who had moved in? Was that annoying boy in our class? What would the lunch lady be serving? Would our teacher be nice? The night before, I'd have tossed and turned - mulling these same questions over and over in my mind.

I chuckle each year as I watch my boys go through the same things.

Nate with his 3rd grade teacher. 

This year, Nate is a third grader. Nate loves school. He does his homework right when he gets home. He takes pride in getting A's. He loves to write stories, do math, and read books. He's a social butterfly who loves to play with friends at recess and has waited anxiously all summer to be able to spend lunch with a buddy.

His biggest worry was his teacher. For 1st and 2nd grade, Nate had an amazing teacher - Ms. Campbell. Ms. Campbell was every parent's dream. She made learning fun and I firmly believe she is the reason Nate loves school and succeeds. Ms. Campbell was perfect for this kid - she knew how to take control of her classroom (and my little goofball) while encouraging silly senses of humor and curiosity. She helped us with the divorce - encouraging Nate's dad to become involved in the classroom, emailing me when Nate was having a rough day, and making sure both me and my ex were aware of what was happening. To say Nate and I would miss Ms. Campbell is an understatement. Needless to say, our fingers were crossed we'd have another amazing teacher.

The year is off to a great start. We walked into Nate's new classroom to a smiling, energetic woman who quickly introduced herself. When Nate shook her hand and introduced himself, she mentioned many great things she'd heard about him. They visited a minute and as I walked out, Nate whispered in my ear "It's going to be a really great year mom, I just know it!" Aww, my heart melted!

Marcus and Martin, sophomores!

Now Marcus is a sophomore. Wow, how that time flew! It's hard to believe that in no time, he'll be out on his own. While I usually try to focus on the present, I can't face sophomore without acknowledging that time has gone by faster than I wanted and his senior year will be here before I know it. Listening to his plans for the future take on new meaning. Instead of dreams, they start to take on shape - forming into a possibility that may become a reality.

Marcus has never really cared for school, other than the social aspect of it. He's one of the smartest kids I know. . . able to figure things out, memorize facts, and accomplish nearly anything. He just doesn't care for schoolwork, books, or paperwork.

He did tell me he was excited for school this year. I'm hoping he has some teachers that are able to engage and motivate him. Since he was 8 years old, Marcus has dreamed of joining the military and becoming a police officer. I was surprised this summer when he began considering other options. He's now wanting to become a wildland firefighter. His dad is a firefighter. My mom has been involved with wildland firefighting through helitack crews. He loves the outdoors and wildlife. He's athletic and strong - it could be a wonderful fit for him.

In the photo above, he poses with his good friend Martin. Martin also dreams of being a wildland firefighter and it's not hard to imagine both boys making that dream a reality. Martin's a good kid and that means a lot. He's respectful, motivated, and just an all around good guy. When your kid is a teenager, you worry about peer pressure and I believe having friends who are good is important - the kind that encourage the right decisions. Sending your kid into a high school is some scary business!!

My kids are both at school right now and I can't wait to get home and hear about their day. Listen to them tell me the highlights while we enjoy warm chocolate chip cookies and a glasses of cold milk (a family tradition). And I'll try not to think about how fast life travels as your kids grow up!

Oceanside Memories

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city," said George Burns

 and I couldn't agree more! I say I agree with ole' George but it's not because I don't love them. I think living away makes me appreciate them more. I cherish the time we get together. Plus I'm close enough to visit but far enough away to (usually) not get pulled into any drama. 

Last spring, my sister, my dad, and I all made plans to take a vacation to the beach together. 

My dad is a workaholic. He lives in New Mexico with Katie and literally a year or two will go by before I see him sometimes. However, I talk to my dad 3-4 times a week. We discuss books, movies, traffic, or whatever else is on our minds. I love my dad and have mostly considered myself daddy's girl. As an adult, it has been difficult to accept that I don't see him more. I used to take it personally that he couldn't find time to vacation in Oregon. I've learned that my dad just rarely vacations so this trip and commitment from him was a big deal!

My sister lives just four hours away in a small Oregon town. I see her fairly often - probably 5-6 times a year. We were NOT close growing up. As a matter of fact, I'm often amazed that I consider her one of my best friends now. And I adore my niece and nephew. We try and "trade" kids during the summer. This is the first year my boys haven't gone on a camping trip with her. 

The boys and I haven't had a vacation together in the past year. Divorce made my finances tight and it's been difficult so I was excited to have a few days with them away from home. We loaded our suitcases into the car, turned on the tunes, and headed out for the Oregon coast. 

It was during the journey I quickly realized what a beautiful state we live in. We started in the southern part - good ole' Klamath Falls. Our area is high desert - it's not as green as most expect Oregon to be. We have mountains and pine trees and 363 days of sunshine a year. We're surrounded by lakes and rivers. 

You leave the high desert and Hwy 97 to head towards the valley. The drive over Hwy 58 is gorgeous. Lots of green trees and waterfalls. 

You arrive in the Willamette Valley and marvel at the open-ness of the farmland, lush and green. Plus this is where our state begins to become populated. Large urban areas - Eugene, Salem, Portland. This part of the state is home to many vineyards. 

And then of course, we got to Hwy 101. A windy road with the most gorgeous views you'll ever see!

The kids and I decided we wouldn't hurry. We'd stop wherever our hearts desired. Our first stop? Five Guys Burgers and Fries (I have boys, what can I say?). We'd heard people rave about this burger joint. When you walk in your treated to some peanuts. The kids thought this was cool and it helped keep the little one busy while the line was long. 

Their menu isn't extensive - burgers, fries, and hot dogs. But their lineup of toppings was a mile long. It was easier to tell them what you didn't want than what you did. I liked that they had a sign telling you where your potatoes for the french fries were grown. It was yummy. 

After stopping for lunch, the boys opted out of any adventure. Their bellies were full and they were ready for a nap. I asked where they wanted to stop next and their answer was - Rockaway Beach - our destination. 

We arrived at roughly the same time as my sis and dad did and the fun began. The car doors hadn't opened when the kids were begging to walk the beach. We all spent a few minutes hugging before heading out. Last time Katie had seen the kids Nate was in diapers. Marcus was shorter than my dad (by alot). 

We spent three days on the beach. Building sandcastles. 

 

Flying kites

And just hanging out enjoying time with eachother.

The beach is one of my favorite places on earth and I love all the sights that go with it. Beautiful blown glass artwork, flowers in bloom, funky painted birdhourses and gadgets that grab your attention.

We ate well. Crepes made at the Creperie.

Taffy pulled at the local candy store.

Blackberries picked from overgrown vines.

We attended a very "un-bonfire" hosted by the local chamber of commerce and "enjoyed" local musicians:

We visited tide pools and learned about the animals we saw there:

We watched glass blowers create works of art

 We posed for photos on the beach

 And built campfires in the sand

 Roasted marshmallows on the beach

 Stumbled across wildlife in unexpected places

But best of all and most of all, we created memories. 

Local Flavors

On Saturday, a trip to our local farmers market inspired me to work on my list of 37 before 37 ~ try five new vegetarian (vegetarian meaning eggs and dairy products are okay but no meat) recipes this year. Two down, three to go!

First up,

Dill Pickles

At the farmers market, one grower had small pickling cucumbers that looked crispy and delicious. Rob mentioned that his grandma used to make pickles and they were a favorite.

In a saucepan, combine:

• 3 cups water
• 3 cups white vinegar
• 1/4 cup of pickling salt
• 1/2 cup sugar

Bring it to a boil. Wash and place 36 cucumbers in a container. Add 5-6 sprigs of fresh dill. Add 5-8 cloves of garlic. Pour boiling mixture (above) over the cucumbers. Put in the refrigerator. 

EASY! These pickles are yummy - so crunchy. And of course, have a different texture than pickles you buy at the store. 

It's only been two days but already they are pickled. I'm guessing these won't last another week before they're gobbled up. Even the kids loved them. You should have seen the surprise to learn that pickles start out as cucumbers. 

Next, 

Before baking

Farmers Market Veggie Tart

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together:

• 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup ice water

Mix until a soft dough forms. Roll out on work surfact to fit pan. I cooked mine in a 9-inch springform pan. Trim the edges. Spread 2 tbsp dijon mustard on the crust. 

After baking

• Next saute one sweet onion (sliced thin) in a bit of olive oil for about 20 minutes until golden and soft. Add 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar, cook 5 minutes and set aside. 
• Saute one medium zucchini until golden (about 5-7 minutes). Set aside.
• Slice two large tomatoes. 
• Layer the veggies (above) starting with the tomatoes. Keep layering, overlapping the veggies until all are used. 
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil over the top of the tart. Sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesean cheese over top (I also added three tbsp of feta cheese). 

Place in oven and cook for 20 minutes. Slice into 8 slices and serve.

Both of these recipes were divine and Rob and I agreed we'd try them again. Next time, I'll try marinara sauce instead of dijon mustard on the crust and I'll add some artichoke hearts. 

Back to my weekend, after walking around the Farmers Market, Rob and I decided to visit our local museum. Rob's never been and it's been a while since I was there. Our local museum is housed in a former national guard armory built in 1935.  First a few interesting facts on our town:

• Klamath Falls (and Klamath County) is named after the Klamath Indians that lived here for thousands of years. 
• Klamath Falls was founded in 1867 by George Nurse and but was then called Linkville, after the Link River that runs right through town. The name was changed in 1892.
• The Klamath Basin didn't start to really grow until 1909 when the railroad came in. Even though Oregon became a state in 1859. 
• Our county is home to Crater Lake National Park. It was the nation's fifth national park, established in 1902. 

Back to the museum, it was a wonderful mix of history. It had quite a bit of information on the Klamath Indians as well as one of the most known conflict - the Modoc Indian War. It had information on the military presence here that includes Kingsley Air Base. During WWII, Klamath welcome soldiers at a newly constructed Marine barracks. The museum was full of interesting facts, trivia, and exhibits. The staff and volunteers were nice and ready to share their knowledge. 

The museum has a new exhibit about our area's forests. Klamath County is 6,000 square miles, 75% of which are national forests. The forests provided jobs for many years in the form of logging. The forests have long been a source of recreation for hikers, bikers, campers, hunters, and more. The exhibit is the newest (I believe) at the museum and it was put together very well. I even learned a couple of things I didn't know. Here are a few photos:

The exhibit showed the various ways our forests are used.

The exhibit did a nice job showing all the uses of the forests - jobs, economy, recreation, etc.

It also featured examples of the wildlife that inhabits the forests like this elk.

And of course, our state animal - the beaver. This fun exhibit allowed kids like me to stick our heads through and see what the inside of a beaver den looks like. 

 Rob and I left wondering how many in our own community don't know about the wonderful museum. Looking at the visitor log, I didn't see any on the page that had signed in from Klamath Falls but it was exciting to see visitors from nearby like Washington and California but as far away as Germany and India. 

I'm often telling friends and family that we take home for granted. The museum reminded me to appreciate our area and its rich heritage. 

Have Tent, Will Camp

Camping is one of my favorite childhood memories. Heading out to a remote location, setting up camp alongside a creek, river, or lake. Building a campfire, roasting marshmallows, watching the stars at night...it doesn't get much better than that.

Suprisingly, it's something I haven't done a lot with my own kids. This year, I set out to get at least one camping trip in. We live in an area made up of 75% national forests and miles upon miles of water. With 300 days of sunshine per year and little precipitation, Klamath is perfect for camping types.

I'll start by saying things have changed since I was a kid. Growing up, Mom and Dad selected a remote spot (usually one my dad found while working) and we set up camp there. No neighbors, no predetermined firepits, and no store to rescue you if you forgot something important. As an adult just getting started camping "on my own," I decided an established campground would be a good place to start. A tip for the beginner like me - start early. Reservations fill up fast!

I finally settled on Howards Prairie. According to many "experts" the fishing is good, the campground is fantastic, and it's close yet far enough. My review in a few minutes. . .

We headed out Friday afternoon. In my typical fashion, our camping party grew. My cousin Heather, her boyfriend Neil, daughter Jaelie, and Neil's nephew joined us. And if that wasn't enough extra people, I decided to take along my niece and nephew plus Rob and I's kids. Yikes!

The lake was absolutely breathtaking and I am pleased to report - not a single mosquito bite amongst all of us.

Now for my review of Howard's Prairie.

Pro's:

• easy to make reservations online
• clean and well-taken care of
• nice bathroom facilities and showers available
• beautiful lake
• marina for fishing supplies and boat rentals
• store with soft serve ice cream

Con's:

• Too many people!! With 300 or so campsites, it felt like I was in a small town.
• Campsites packed together.  I could hear our neighbor snoring. We were too close
• Campsites along the water made it hard to the lakeshore without feeling as though you disrupted someone
• Lots of traffic (again probably due to all the people)

In an attempt to find some seclusion, we drove about 2 miles down the road to the Grizzly campground and were pleased to find...no one. There wasn't a single soul except us on the lakeshore. (Until the overweight, middle aged guy showed up in the speedo. Seriously. But don't worry - I spared you the picture!)

I forgot how much work camping is (but totally worth it). After setting up the tents, setting out the chairs, making dinner - it was finally time for the very best part of camping - the campfire!

Our camping trip was fast and furious and 100% fun. The kids swam, played in the water, fished, ate, ate, and ate some more. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the weekend.

Marcus getting ready to go fishing

The girls soaked up some sun. The big girls were kind enough to let the little girls hang out with them.

Marc and Zach got some quality canoe time in.

We treated all the kids to ice cream at the little store.

Aw, love this kid.

I'm really not sure what they are doing but it makes me laugh.

Nate enjoyed playing with cousin Paige.

I'm so glad we went. It was a great time building some memories. It also gave me a long, long list of things to get for next time. And things to leave at home. And ideas for making our next camping adventure even better!

I'd love to hear tips for making camping a great time. Recipes, shortcuts, tips I may not have thought of. Spill the beans - give up your camping secrets.