Day 1550: $2141

First Quest grocery shopping of 2016!

$2141

The Tops crew was incredibly helpful and supportive.

Thanks to Jay, Mike, Caitlyn, Tyler, Jerry and all the others behind the scenes!

Besides collecting, organizing, checking out and packing, they also helped load the cars.

Then we went up to school and unloaded the cars and hauled everything into the storage room alone.

Seems like there are a lot of people in that school who could have lent a hand, but no one did.

Day 1549: Great improvement!

Tonight, they were on their marks!  Awesome rehearsal!

Day 1548: First night back

The first rehearsal after a long break is rough.  Kids were unfocused, sleepy and silly.  Five days till the preview assemblies and nine days till opening night.  I do hope they start focusing ASAP.  We're in good shape for costumes, but there's lots of little stuff to do.  Tech rehearsal coming up on Saturday so there's no time left to fool around.  

Charlie working on detail painting

Mary Kay on keyboard

Amneris and her entourage

Day 1547: Super Sandy

I spent my afternoon working on the nature study lesson for the week.  I revised the keynote presentation, updated the instructions for the student leaders, and printed up a sheet on giant hogweed.  The ballot for the t-shirt colors is ready to print and we'll be voting in all schools this week ahead of placing the order on Friday.  On Thursday morning, we're picking up the food order.  The next month is so busy!

This is a bridal veil for Amneris is another extraordinary creation by Sandy!

She made it from a lampshade frame and curtain panels.

Day 1546: Happy Easter!

We celebrate this day in our own way, outside, communing with nature.   Four miles of hiking revealed signs of spring everywhere: forsythia about to burst, iris sprouting, tiny green leaves on wild roses, daffodils blooming,  In my gardens, the deer have nibbled the lilies and tulips down to nubbins while the iris and daffodils are untouched.  Small tight mounds of bleeding heart and lupines have popped through the dried leaves and last year's kale has new growth.

As we walked, I wondered where everyone was.  Were the people in all those houses tucked away with their families, serving luscious dinners and hunting for Easter eggs?  Perhaps they were visiting with friends or attending church.  I hope they were occupied with families because no one was outside!  Seventy degrees and sunny, yet yards, parks and sidewalks were empty.

We finished the day with Mary and our friend Rachel who served a traditional Italian Easter dinner.  What a treat!  She always takes such good care of us and we appreciate it so much.  All of our families are far away and so we spend time with the family we've created.

Day 1545: Aida's cape

Assembling the components

Jill modeling the cape

Kathy and Sandy with the finished product!

A calculus class did the calculations, art students used batik to create designs for the triangles, a few folks ironed panels,

and then Kathy and Sandy assembled the pieces.

It's spectacular!

Day 1544: Back in the Saddle

Return home, jump in!  Don't mind if we do.  Steve worked five hours on the sets for the musical and I spent that time on Quest.  He was very pleased with all the progress that Ben S, Clare and James made while we were away.  There's only ten days left till the preview assemblies!  Ben commented that he never realized how much there was to do back stage!  Kathy and Sandy have been working on Aida's robe and so I'll help them with that tomorrow.  Then, we'll top the day off by painting the stage!  That's a sign that we're getting close!

My first task was to write a letter to the mayor and Board of Trustees asking for the water to be turned on for the toilets in Russell Joy Park.  Seems like a small thing, but we got no cooperation last year.  The issue is the impact on the environment.  Imagine: ninety-two teens, twenty-five adults and all the families and the only place to urinate is the forest at the edge of the park.  According to Leave No Trace principles, the cat hole should be a minimum of 100 feet from a creek. There's nowhere in the park that's 100 feet from a stream, so a hundred people peeing in the woods does real harm.  There's no excuse not to open the lavatories a day early and prevent that damage.  I did not mention that the public works boss promised to do it last year and then didn't.

Second, line up folks to work the food truck.  Thankfully, our long time volunteer mom from Brocton will return to take the lead.  One of our former adult hikers will lend a hand since he can no longer backpack.  Then we also have a crew of parents from Brocton, Cassadaga and Fredonia.  Awesome.

Then, I moved on to equipment and personnel.  It's time to begin planning tent partners, cook groups and hike groups so I had to confirm that two adults would be back.  And a mom called to donate outgrown boots.  All small, but important tasks.

Mother and daughter hats!

At ease guys!

The happy couple!

Day 1543: Ice storm

Welcome home from sunny California!

Day 1542: Back East

From  sunny seventy degrees to thirty with an ice storm moving across southern Ontario.   Our challenge will be to time our escape to the south and avoid the worst of the icing. The trip home will be challenging.  The next month is going to be so busy, we will miss the relaxation and diversions of LA.   Great beaches, terrific restaurants and lots of opportunities.

Honestly, I don't know how the kids ever get any sleep.  Last night, the parking lots were taken over by a film crew and high powered lights lined a couple streets.  We have no idea what they were producing, but the noises were strange. It was like a shipping container was being dragged down the streets.

Tomorrow we're back to our routines and many obligations.  One of the many things we were contemplating is just how long we will continue in these roles.  What will the next five, ten and twenty years going to look like?  67 to 87.  Maybe I will follow in Grandma Gatewood's foot steps.  She did her first through hike of the Appalachian Trail at 67 and the second at age 69 and the third at 77!  Whatever we decide, I know we will not be sitting around!

Day 1541: Terrorist bombings in Brussels

The Bruussels Airport and subway were hit by terrorist bombs today. ISIS has claimed responsibility. Over thirty were killed and more than two hundred were injured.  We don't know much, except that air travel will again be changing in a major way from now on.  It's incredibly sad and upsetting, but it's too late to write much tonight.  More tomorrow.

Day 1540: LA Zoo

Another night of fighting, screaming, sirens, helicopters, car alarms and cars crying in the night.  Colin and April don't even hear the noise, but we lie awake listening, troubled.

They decided to take us to the Zoo today, so we plunged into LA traffic, toured Echo Park on the way and arrived around 2:00.   It's vacation time here, too, so the park was mobbed with families.  It was a beautiful multiethnic mix of people.  Watching the children is the best part because they are so delighted  by the animals.  The kangaroos drew a crowd because they decided to mate and it took a long time.  We could hear parents trying to explain to their toddlers what was happening.

Dinner was at a Vietnamese restaurant in Echo Park.  That's a neighborhood they considered before selecting the downtown apartment because of its proximity to work.  We did not have to watch every step there.  Banh Mi sandwiches for me and Colin, while Steve and April chose noodle dishes.  We topped it off with vegan ice cream.  Delicious!

Zoo time

Day 1539: Zuma Beach

Music blared half the night, car alarms screamed.  Outside our door, Drizz't and Oscar cried for breakfast.  Nevertheless, we slept a bit and we're ready for another day of adventures in LA.

April drove  us an hour north along a picturesque coastal highway to a stretch beach called Zuma.  Clouds hunt overhead and a cold breeze swept off the clean, but it was wonderful!  Imagine, on the beach in Malibu in March!  Actually, the water felt warmer than expected, certainly warmer than last year in Nags Head.  We ate sandwiches,  watched surfers, and waded in the ocean.  Lovely!

Back in the city,  we visited a giant Japanese marketplace and collected ingredients for a delicious supper.  Korean barbecued beef, steamed yams, mustard greens and okra, prepared by my son who would never eat veggies as a child.

Another great day!

Day 1538: Huntington Gardens

I slept like I was dead, despite the helicopters overhead and near constant sirens.  Colin and April have adjusted, but the noise drove Steve crazy.   We visited their favorite diner for breakfast and had unusual dishes with a Mexican flair.  Colin and I tried huevos rancheros and Steve had chilaquiles. The place was mobbed and a long line of people waited outside.

Their neighborhood is even more urban than Justin's.  The building is an old office building that has bee renovated into industrial style apartments and condos.  Inside, it offers security and refuge from the intensity of the streets.  Outside is barely controlled chaos.   People let their dogs pee and poop everywhere and don't clean up after them.  Homeless people are everywhere and are very aggressive.  I don't know how to respond appropriately.  Noisy music blares from bars, shops and movie sets.  But, the area also offers great nightlife, restaurants and proximity to Colin's studio.  The area is working well for them now, but they won't be staying after the years lease is up.

After a half hour drive, we reached Huntington Gardens, a huge sprawling estate covered in all different types of gardens.  We weren't used to the heat and had not worn hats or applied sunscreen.  We toured for hours and thoroughly enjoyed our time together as well as the lovely, colorful blossoms.

Then, dinner back in the city was at a Mexican restaurant.  Again, we tried lots of new dishes and ordered far too much food.  Tomorrow, we'll keep to more modest meals when we go to the beach!

Rooftop view of the skyline at dusk

The Gardens

Day 1537: DTLA

A perfect day, although long, because it resulted in being reunited with Colin and April.  Colin picked us up at the airport and we could hardly contain ourselves.  The drive downtown wasn't bad because it was nearly noon, not during peak travel.  We ate lunch at a creole restaurant, visited Colin's newly renovated studio, met his coworkers and then hiked all over the neighborhood.  Pizza for dinner and a quiet evening.  Tomorrow, there will be time for adventures.

Day 1536: Vacation, finally!

No rehearsals, no set construction, no fire phone, no meetings, no costumes, no cutting words, no Quest business, no laundry, no classes, no early morning kitty wake ups, no vacuuming, no no no!

Colin, April, sunshine and freedom!

Probably no photos till we get home.

Day 1535: Me and my pharaoh

Me and my pharaoh!

Nate is the fourth pharaoh I've worked with and he is far too sweet to be a divine ruler.

Day 1534: Rubio Out

Another day of primaries, another day of disgusting commentary.

Clinton won North Carolina, Florida and Ohio.  Kasich won Ohio, but then Trump ran the table.   The outcome was to knock Rubio out of the race.  What on earth has happened to this country?  This election season has certainly provided evidence that more social studies instruction is necessary, not less!  It's no wonder that I prefer to spend my time with teenagers. 

Bleeding Heart

Day 1533: Bleeding Hearts

Only a short walk today, because there was so much to do.  I was so happy to see the bleeding hearts break through the winter debris.  The daffodils are eight inches high and there are buds on the lilac and forsythia.  Bursts of gold and purple crocus are popping under the shrubs.   Color is returning to Fredonia!

Some of the cast are asking for me to post photos so I'll try to get to that tomorrow.  There's just so much to and not enough hours in the day.

Day 1532: Corned beef and cabbage

Tonight's dinner was the best corned beef and cabbage I've ever made!  I didn't do anything extra  to make it special.  I simply opened the package and slid the beef into the crockpot, added water, potatoes, carrots and onions.  It was sweet and savory at the same time, and so tender we could cut it with a fork.   Steve and Mary joined us and loved every bite.  I wish it wasn't a once a year dinner.

The manuscript is down to 106,600 words with four chapters left to edit.  Hooray!  Looks like I'll have to go back to a few of them again to reach the goal.   The Quest page is has reached 508 people already and has 206 likes. That is faster progress than I anticipated.

I had an odd dream last night.  Steve and I were sleeping in the backseat of a car. Suddenly, a light pierced my consciousness, I opened my eyes to see a policeman shining a flashlight in my eyes.  "What are you doing here?" he asked.  "Well, we have this old cat," I said. "Ahh," he replied.  "Say no more, I understand."

Then, Steve stirred and I woke up.  There she was.  Molly, crying for Dad.  

Amnaris

My Strongest Suit

Aida

Day 1531: Full day rehearsal

James and Taylor working on their art pieces

Warming up

Our famous coats

Day 1530: Organically grown

Last Sunday, Evan assured me that the new Facebook site would grow organically and he was right.  Early this morning I went through all my friends and invited them to like the page and then watched as the numbers kept climbing all day.  Currently, over 180 have responded.  Plus, several have shared and posted comments.  It was encouraging because I have the evidence of an audience I need for the query letter.   In addition, I cut a few hundred words from the Trials Along the Trail chapter.

We worked all afternoon backstage.  Steve, Abby and Caryn installed part of the track for the silhouettes behind the scrim.  Taylor, James and I worked on skinning the columns with corrugated cardboard.  I had hoped we could go see Ruthie Collins at the Opera House tonight, but we were just too tired.  She graduated with Colin in 2002 and she was my student when she was in tenth grade. Her Nashville career has taken off and she chose the Opera House to record a music video.  I'm sure it was great show.

Tomorrow's rehearsal starts early and the cast has to be in costume.  It will be another long, busy day.

Beautiful Ruthie

(Photo borrowed from her sister)

Day 1529: Learning to bow

The ladies' meeting in Fredonia was a delight.   The student leaders were frank, informative and hysterically funny.  Any time they can make me laugh till I cry, it's a winner.  One of the topics I have never covered is how to manage contact lenses.  Fortunately, Clare had solutions.

I chopped another 500 words to reach 107,200.  Five more chapters to edit again so the goal is within reach.  Plus, the Facebook page posted, although I don't know how to get it seen by anyone, so I'll have to review the guidelines again.

Steve worked nine hours on musical today and is very tired. Backstage is so crowded, the cast will not be able to be back there at all.  They added details to the painted wall which look fantastic.   I spent three hours, mostly on fitting and hemming the ministers' coats.  On Saturday, we're running the show with costumes.  There's still a lot to do.

The cast practiced the curtain call tonight for the first time and got pretty silly.

Day 1528: New Facebook page

The new Quest Backpacking Facebook page is now set up and will post tomorrow at 6:00 pm.  I made one mistake, the name.  I thought it meant for me to enter my name, but it was the name of the page.  Changing it required approval from some distant observer, but it's done.  For some reason, posts are scheduled, not immediate.  That doesn't make sense to me and it didn't appear in any of the videos I watched on youtube.  The page is not as easily customized as I expected, but I'll make it work.

Kathy went to Silver Creek for the ladies' class and was very impressed by our new Questers.  I met with the girls in Cassadaga and was equally impressed.  It's difficult since we don't know the girls very well, yet.

We walked four miles this morning with no jackets!   A 70 degree day in March is both delightful and a bit scary.  I fear the fruit trees will blossom and then be nipped by frost when the temp drops back into the normal range.  Four years ago, when we were doing Fiddler, the temp hit 80 during the tech rehearsal.  Every fruit tree blossomed and then they were destroyed a few days later.  No cherries, no apples, no pears.  Let's hope that doesn't happen again.

Day 1527: International Women's Day

Busy day.  Janet, John and I zoomed over to Mayville to look at a venue for our class reunion.  I didn't like it at all.  Too dark, too institutional, no outdoor space, no windows.  Who builds a party space without windows?  Then, we checked out the hall at Rotunda's village.  It's private, quiet, has lots of outdoor space for chairs and tables. It's expensive, but a real possibility for one evening of the reunion.

Next, dentist.  Nice guy, very good at explaining all the details and fixing this pesky tooth. Then a short walk on this incredibly lovely day.

Then, off to Brocton for the ladies' class.  What do we talk about?  I want the girls to know that women can do anything.  They can't permit periods and fear of pooping in the woods stop them from accepting challenges and diving into grand adventures. Whether they want to be an astronaut, hike the Pacific Crest Trail, become a veterinarian, a fighter pilot, a mail carrier or travel the world, they can do it.  All they need are a few strategies and confidence.

I talk about the guiding principles of the Leave No Trace Ethic and how to reconcile personal needs with it.  The student leaders and I talk about chafing, feminine products, keeping clean, digging cat holes, sports bras, braiding hair, underwear.  If they get past these two tiny obstacles, amazing things await them.  Maybe this seems overblown, but I know it's not.  It's incredibly liberating not to be tied down by biology or someone else's expectations.

I am so very proud that Quest has helped our students,  particularly the girls, to take risks, grow and overcome fears.  Some kids will never backpack again, but others are completely captivated and their lives are transformed.  Alivia announced she got an internship in Kodiak National Park in Alaska.  Margaret is heading for a job in the Adirondacks.  Shane got two jobs in Acadia National Park.  All of them used their Quest experiences in their interviews.

Then,  I went to a reception to meet John Plumb, candidate for Congress, as well as the candidates for district attorney and state senate.  It was a lively party of committed democrats.

Ben said, "Elton John over the top style!"

We're on our way!

Day 1526: Spring arrives

The crocus aren't surprising, but the bees are!

Day 1525: Patience

My goal was to send out the query letter to the publisher by April 1, but over the last few weeks, all kinds of obstacles and new information has gotten in the way.  When it comes to my book, I have taken nothing for granted nor have I cut any corners.  Every bit of the book has been researched thoroughly, cross-checked, revised, proofread and edited, multiple times!  Seven years.

Then I started on the publishing process.  I guess I've gotten impatient to get this manuscript out of my hands and get some feedback.  It's far more complicated than I anticipated and I know I have just one chance with each publisher to get the proposal right.  The social media component was something I didn't anticipate.   After spending the last two weeks doing more research and fiddling with Facebook photo uploads, I think I've finally figured it out.  Perhaps by the end of the week, I can launch that new page to promote Quest backpacking.  That will give me the evidence I need that I have an audience.

The manuscript is down to 108,200 words with eight chapters left to edit again.  The book has been strengthened by the cuts.  It's tighter and more fluid.  It's easier to cut now that it's my only purpose when I review text.  I will return to the history chapter again to cut more words and that will help me reach the 100,000 word target.

So, a new deadline would be more realistic.  Time in California, musical rehearsals and shows,  set breakdown, backpacking classes in four schools for eight more weeks, seven days of backpacking, and a trip to Scotland. And my garden is calling to me.  And the pool.  Two or three weeks to finish cutting words.  A week to put together the new Facebook page, then regularly update and add content.   Get the kids to return the photo release forms.   Two more weeks to revise the query again.  Time to gather followers for the page. Reconsider the title, again. Overcome doubts that plague me.

Usually, I put the book to bed in March to devote my attention to running Quest and regular life and then resurrect it in October.  Can I juggle it all at the same time?  If so, I could try for May 1, but June 25 may make more sense.  So, I'll just do the best I can and try to be patient.

A favorite photo from our trip to Spain in 2011

Day 1524: Thank you, Henry

A few of the muslin triangles for Aida's cape prepared by sixty high school art students.

Another step toward completion.

Joe and Jake installing foam panels on the wall.

Honoring Henry for 65 years of service to the people of the West Town of Dunkirk and 

for serving as an EMT for 43 years.

He is the last living member of the original department members.

It was a beautiful dinner and ceremony to honor this humble, dignified gentleman.  

Day 1523: Day off

One of my favorites from 2012

Day 1522: First run

Ben ran the whole show tonight for the first time.  It was also the first time stage crew practiced moving sets, and the wall.  The kids wore their Nubian costumes and we decided to reject most of them.  Good to know.  I finished the last of the cutting out, except for Zoser's coat which is a different pattern.  I took a lot of photos, but without kids in costumes or good lighting, they were not great.

Matt and Graciela made me cry three times.  Their performances were truly heartfelt and very moving.  There won't be a dry eye in the house!

Kate in "My Stongest Suit"

 

Day 1521: Train derailment

Chautauqua County residents were extremely fortunate last night that the train derailment wasn't worse.  It had all the ingredients for a major disaster.  It was bad enough to require the immediate evacuation of fifty Ripley families who lived near the tracks.  Sixteen cars left the track and tumbled over.  Two tank cars that were carrying ethanol leaked, but fortunately there was no fire.  Another tank car was carrying propane and another car had ammonia nitrate.  It was an explosive situation that could have had tragic consequences.  Fortunately, no one was injured at all.

The call came in about 9:45 pm and he left home shortly after that. Since there were no injuries, Steve was assigned to act as the public information officer for the night. All night long, he spoke with news agencies, tv stations and reporters. It was quite a change of pace for him.  I was glad he texted me at 12:30 am to tell me so I could go to sleep knowing he was in a safe location.  Then, early this morning, he accompanied several of the evacuees back to their homes to pick up medicines and pets.

He finally got home about 8:30 this morning, slept till noon and then was off to pick up paints for the afternoon musical work party.  We were just leaving the house to go to Cassadaga for backpacking class when Kelly texted that all afternoon activities were cancelled due to weather.  That was surprising since it wasn't even snowing here.  So, it took seven of us working together to clean up all the wood backstage.  It's a bit heartbreaking to put wood in the trash, but we had no choice because there is not enough storage space.

Nate was rocking his pharaoh's costume last night!  

Day 1520: Kitty birthdays

I'm avoiding the news from Super Tuesday and Laraine's latest robbery.  Too upsetting.  Instead, we celebrate Molly's 18th birthday and Paddy's 13th.  Of course, they are in the doghouse because their overnight battle and Molly's incessant crying this morning woke us far too early.

Happy birthday, Molly!

Molly loves summer time, especially napping in sunshine, chasing chipmunks, and following me around the gardens. 

Happy birthday, Paddy!

Paddy helping me write.

Molly's favorite daytime perch.

Napping with Sarah.

Princess Molly

Naughty Paddy, napping on the hutch.