Tales of the Freaky Fake Radish

Phillipe awoke with a shutter and a gasp. The dream had been vivid, oh so vivid. The villain was enormous in size, its eyes were deep red and the size of Texas jumbo hot tamales, and the tail was longer than a barracuda. He shuddered once again.

Phillipe's parents had told him frequently that he had such an impressionable imagination. But the lure of spooky things was too much to resist, especially around Halloween.

"AGH! What was that?!", thought Phillipe. "Mom and dad are asleep and that snort came from the kitchen!"

Slipping from beneath the covers, Phillipe glided to the bedroom door. He peeked around the corner. He did not see any movement, so proceeded to enter the kitchen.

His eyes adjusted to the dark and behold a big blob appeared.

"STEEEELLLLLLLLAAAAAAAA!", he screamed. It was the monster from his dream!

Bernard stumbled into the kitchen, a bit irked as to what his son was doing standing in the kitchen wailing louder than a little ghoul should be able to at this time of night.

"Phillipe! What is this nonsense?"

"Dad this is the beast from my dream. It snorted to get me out of bed and then appeared as soon as I came into the kitchen!"

"Ah, Phillipe, this is not your beast. This is the new toy for our new pet giant." Phillipe looked to the kitchen corner to see Powderpuff snoozing.

Phillipe continued, "If you keep squalling, you will wake him up and that will not be a good situation. Please go back to bed and forget about this fake radish."

Bernard gave Phillipe a squeeze and sent him back to bed, hoping that his son had learned his lesson that watching scary movies was not so good for his impressionable mind.

Community Miles Apart

The word community tends to be a buzz word in the Pacific Northwest, and probably many places that I do not live. Live in community, seek community, etc. But I have found that sometimes it takes a form that is not captured with its original intent.

The other day I read an article about how the internet has increased the way we communicate, which was not surpristing to me. However, the author remarked that people are being drawn from all of the world to focus on an issue, invest in lives, or be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Years ago I would have never thought I would be a 'blogger'. I loved and still love to journal with pen and paper, yet the blog gives me a spot to keep so many up to date with Banker adventures through my eyes. Through Facebook, MySpace, blogs, and websites, many of us are investing emotionally and mentally in lives of individuals we have never met, nor will probably ever meet.

For the past six months or so, I have been following the blog http://www.fatcyclist.com/. His daily postings encompass anything from design-a-tattoo-for-a-biker-buddy, drooling over the latest bike hardware, to the battle that his wife has been ensnared with cancer. I have laughed frequently and at times I been known to sigh and "hmmm."

This week has been a huge sigh and "hmmm" week. In Fatty's words, "I know how this will end now; the last chapter of Susan’s cancer is already written. I can’t control that. I can however try to exert some control over how Susan experiences this last chapter. And equally important to me: I can control how my kids experience it."

His beloved is near her end and it is tough. Though I have never met Fatty, nor probably never will, it is still heartbreaking. I confess that I have prayed for him and his family that the last days will not overshadow a legacy left by a remarkable woman who has fought a mighty battle against an evil disease.

I am sure Fatty was unaware that when he started the blog to keep accountable for weight loss that years later he would be chronicling the last days of his wife's life, with hundreds to thousands of people in the shadows praying, supporting, and hoping for the best. To me, that is a sense of community.

Halloween Highlight #1

Carving pumpkins was a big deal at my house growing up. Stationed around the kitchen, Jennie, Stephen and I would wield (butter) knives with the best of them.

At the age of 27, I still love carving pumpkins. I have upgraded to butcher knives.

Last night Zach, BD, and I gutted, sliced and diced three of the twenty pumpkins we brought home with us from the Sauvie Island pumpkin patch.

I am enthralled with carving white pumpkins. The pictures do not capture its ghostly glow.

Have canoe, will travel

Everyone must believe in something.
I believe I'll go canoeing.

Henry David Thoreau

When there is traffic, take pictures!

Internet crashes make for a long day at the office. By the time I stepped out the door, Zach had called to inform me that traffic was a beast and he would see me in hours. It was drastic.

Therefore, when life is a traffic jam take pictures!

The late afternoons in the Pacific Northwest have been enticing to the eye and soul. The crispness of the air, the light of the setting sun, the chill that seems to be nipping at my heels, and the foliage. I am sure there is something extremely scientific that could explain this, but I truly feel that Portland's foliage has burst forth in a color symphony that has never been displayed before. I lamented the loss of brilliantly colored falls when we trekked west, but this year I have found myself frequently stopping to look at a trees. They are everywhere and they are gorgeous.

Post Paraphenelia:

This is the sight that greeted me this morning at my office.

I am unsure as to what the UPS man was trying to accomplish with the doormat. Spirit of Halloween--dress up?

Threat Advisory Level: Blue with green polka dots

I fly the friendly skies frequently.

I have mastered the skill of taking the laptop, liquids, belt and all clothing off with dignity to get through security. I have gotten used to seeing threat advisory posters frequently as well as the intercom message of "If you see a suspicious package, run screaming, cause panic and direct a poor TSA individual to go check it out" announcement. However, I confess that the level of threats on the posters is as elusive to me as to why a dung beetle would take on an emu. Does anyone know what orange level means? Thanks to Wikipedia, we are a much smarter society on the details of life.

The scale consists of five color-coded threat levels, which are intended to reflect the probability of a terrorist attack and its potential gravity. (Is this a pun for airline travel? Gravity is a potential disaster in a plane!?!)

Severe (red): severe risk
High (orange): high risk
Elevated (yellow): significant risk
Guarded (blue): general risk
Low (green): low risk

Early this week, my job situation seemed on the red level. It was severe. In all honesty, I almost feel as though the red was sprinkled with a tons of maroon. Deeply severe.

Today, I feel as though my advisory level has calmed to a blue with green polka dots. It started with me being blunt (really) with my boss, "What is going on?" An amazing four words that can start interesting dialogue. I believe I took him by surprise, and we had some of the best dialogue I think we have had a in a long time. The deal: I am in no precarious of a situation than anyone else in the building. Two hours later, it was announced that significant funding was cut from the non profit client. We are lean and mean for 2009. No extra hires, if anything I get to do more stuff for that client (let us see how that works?!) Then even further, I may be put on other clients.

I am breathing easy for the moment. If anything the last three days confirm to me that no job is ever secure (as if I should be reminded of that?!), sometimes God shakes us to see what we have inside, and Zach and I have one heck of a support system. The calls, cookies, hugs, general inquiries as to what we want for the future, and love have been overwhelming. We love Portland and all that makes it home. Though we know it is for a season, it has been one that reminds us that God is great and moving across the country really can be the right choice.

Thanks!

Sometimes life sucks

I should be blogging about the rest of the Banker visit, the pumpkins piled on our porch, or our canoe trip on the slough which produces pictures such as this:

But sometimes one just has to look at the nitty gritty of life and say, "it sucks!" So many times over the past few weeks I have just felt as though I have been thrashed due to economy talk, political talk, people losing jobs, and everything in between. I confess there are days I want to yell, "Jesus, get down here!"

Ironically, Sunday I had an individual ask if my job was secure with all that had been happening in the economy. I shrugged and replied, "Are jobs ever secure?" Granted I may be a bit jaded due to two firings, but nothing is for certain in the life except Jesus, death, and good mandarin oranges.

Two days later, I had the 'feeling'. The 'feeling' is my sensor that lets me know things are just not right with my world. I proactively asked what was going on from a co-worker and have found out that my job may be absolved into two other individuals. I am the catchall type person for the organization/company, so they are taking a more defined approach. What does that mean exactly? I may end up with one of the more defined jobs, or I may be sitting at home on the internet searching for a job.

Am I scared? Yes. I have done this too many times before, and unfortunately I am sure I will do many more times. Is God faithful--yes. Already I am remembering the times He has ultimately provided food, money, love, and support. Thankfully this time, Zach is working and not in school. That changes the mix a bit.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what the weeks bring.

So on that note, look what Zach and I did last night! It is a long story, one that I will share at another time.

A Carnivore's Paradise

In my family, a trip to Dallas is synonymous with The Butcher Shop. Traveling with Kevin, it seems it is the same with him.

The Butcher Shop is a steakhouse that serves steaks Texas size. It comes with the all the typical fixin's and has the quirk that you can cook your own steak in this restaurant. The vegetarian ate a baked potato and ceasar salad. It was a Texas size potato.

On our meander home I saw this shout out for the conference.

Then we saw the Dallas version of "children of the corn". It is freaky to see these cut outs swaying in the wind. I resisted the urge to set my camera on a timer, run in the mix, and try to blend into the mix.

Lawsuit against God?!

Another "really" moment thanks to a legislator in Nebraska. I am sure Nebraskians are thrilled their tax dollars are going to this type of activity.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27201871/?GT1=43001

BD, I see a rant in your future over this article.

Going to the Big D

Every time I fly I am reminded of the corny cliche, "The sun is always shining above the clouds." A little mantra to keep one holding on. I laugh at this mantra often (I do not know why), but then everytime I fly it is slapped in my face as truth!

Monday morning the plane taxied down the runway under dreary skies. We hit 10,000 feet and this was the view.

I love the view above the clouds, especially as the sun is rising!

I was so overwhelmed that I fell asleep.

I took a bump in Denver to gain a free ticket anywhere in the US! This was my view during the four hours I waited in the airport.

I arrived in Dallas late and was in the need for some real Mixican food. Sometimes the conciege desk is an invaluable gem to traveling, sometimes they lead you astray. I was led astray and ended up at a fancy Mexican restaurant with crappy queso. However, the evening was balmy and the patio seating a balm to a travel weary soul.

My coworker arrived Tuesday and brought me a Pennsylvania treat--produce from his garden! I cannot wait to get these babies through security on Friday. Plus I love that he warned me, "there may be worms in the corn!"

As with tradition when I travel with Kevin, we look for the obscure places to visit or eat. Tuesday night we navigated the public transportation and system and ended up in the Oak Lawn district. During our bus ride Kevin kept telling me stories of the hippie district, and I kept asking why we were not going there to eat. He responded that he was unsure as to what would be available to eat. However, we found ourselves at EatZis, an easygoing gourmet market and eatery. Before entering, Kevin advised that we walk around at least ten minutes before making our choices. That was sage advise and after ten minutes I walked out with a created-by-myself-pasta-bowl, pineapple, baguette, vinegar and oil dip, chocolate mousse and a cinnamon roll. We sat on the patio and enjoyed our selections and walked to the bus stop with breakfast and leftovers in tow.

I confess at this point, Dallas is not on my top ten list of cities to visit. I am constantly amazed at the lack of humans on the streets. I amble in the evenings by myself. I ate in a restaurant tonight and I was the ONLY person in it. I ask people on the street what attractions should be seen and I keep hearing "have you been where Kennedy was shot?" Yes, I have and have also stood on the grassy knoll. Plus I have pondered the meaning of the monument.

I love art but sometimes its meaning is over my head. I hope one day someone can explain to me how this embodies the free spirit that JFK personified in life.

Then explain how something that bland ended up beside this beautiful piece of architecture.

Not a church, but a former courthouse turned museum. It has a quilt exhibit in it at the moment--I am checking into that tomorrow. I was going to see the King Tut exhibit but I did not feel spending $30 on a mummified fourteen year old was warranted. How would I explain that expense to Zach?! So I will stick with the fountains in the square.

Nonetheless, I love traveling and once again I find myself in some of the most interesting conversations, sights and sounds. I know this job is for a season so I continually remind myself that not everyone gets the opportunity to travel the nation to meet and speak with some of the top construction minds of the day. I love this part of my job.

Tomorrow, Kevin and I will be eating dinner at the Butcher Shop--a carnivore's paradise. Be prepared for how a vegetarian survived such a paradise. I am quite curious myself.

The rest of the Banker family!

A few months ago, Bob Banker decided that another visit to the PNW was in order. After multiple conversations with Zach as to dates/times, this weekend was selected. However, as with all things Banker style miscellaneous items happen, i.e. Zach's grandfather/Bob's dad died last Sunday. Therefore, the past week was a huge Banker family gathering in Florida. The Kentucky Bankers returned to Kentucky on Wednesday night, Zach returned to Portland on Thursday night, then the Kentucky Bankers came to Portland on Friday night. The friendly skies have been flown sufficiently within the past week; doing our fair share for global warming.

The Banker abode became a hotel for the Kentucky Bankers, with Zach and I crashing at the To house. As an announcement: they have the best air mattress.

Saturday, October 11

Saturday morning, along with the Tos, the clan headed to Saturday Market and the Portland Nursery Apple Festival, with a bit of Hot Lips Pizza in the middle.

I caught this little one sampling the water of the Skidmore Fountain. Yum!

Bob and Susan got caught up in the festive atmosphere with Susan saying more than once, "If I lived here I would be here every weekend!"

Uncle Roo and Cathryn in the midst of the food court.

Honesty may be his best virtue.

The Apple Festival was quite the event--one can sample 65 varieties of locally grown apples. Trust me, they do taste different when tasted side by side. Plus after 65 bites, stomachs were a bit upset. I will not mention the ten or so pears that capped off the testing line.







I think one of the funniest things to watch was Shawn interacting with Kaden. When the Bankers visited two and a half years ago Shawn was mere months old and a lot tamer. While they were here Lisa babysat a couple times so we could enjoy kid-free time. This time around, there is a Baby To and Shawn was quite smitten. He would "hug" Kaden (aka put him in a headlock) and share put his cars in Kaden's carseat.

Personally, I feel that Kaden's reaction to this is attention is captured in this photo:

"Help me! Why is that kid so spastic?!?"

Sunday, October 12

We headed to Sauvie Island and the infamous Pumpkin Patch. It is a lot of acreage to let a child run their legs off and the grownups contemplate the perfect pumpkin to carve while meandering the field. All of us walked out of the pumpkin patch with a pumpkin--white, orange, green, big, fat, small, skinny and all pumpkin adjectives in between. It was such a glorious day to romp and play.

Pumpkin finding can be distressing at times!

It makes me want to plow up the To's backyard and plant a pumpkin patch for all to romp and play. They have not heard this plan, and I must confess I am not so sure they will be that gung ho for excessive pumpkins. It is hard enough to contain the zucchini plants in the plot.

Sunday evening we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with ham and all the fixings. BD joined us since he was so instrumental in my first venture to the foreign land.

Overall, it was a great weekend. Unfortunately, I left the Bankers to my husband's discretion as I flew out of Portland Monday morning bound for Dallas. They knew all along that I would not be available for the full play time, but it was sad to leave and know I was missing such fun.