DAy 387: Inauguration Day

The Oath

The Dove

First Dance

Carol and Molly

What a thrilling, joyful day!   We had a small gathering of friends over for a viewing party and toasted the President and our nation.

 I am always moved by the inauguration of the President.  It is a tribute to the enduring power of our democratic institutions and the Constitution.  The peaceful transition of power every four years is a model for the entire world.  But, this inauguration was very moving since it took place on anniversary of Martin Luther King's birthday and because it was so inclusive.   President Obama's inaugural address was bold and principled, truer to his progressive ideals than the first.  Frequently he repeated the phrase, "We, the people..."   Much of the speech focused on unity and equality.  One of the most significant lines that will be quoted for generations linked Seneca Falls, Selma and Stonewall as battlefields for equal rights.

Day 386: Penny and Pat

At Penelope this morning, Pat presented the first copy of the book, William B. Cushing in the Far East, authored by her husband and that she edited.  It has been a 13 year process.  Her husband began writing it in 2000, but has had two strokes and other health issues over the years.  She has done the editing, writing to get permission to use the photos, and all the promoting.  Finally, she found a publisher and carried on all the correspondence with them for the past two years as they ushered the book into final form.  What an achievement!

Penny's poem about her surgery was illustrated by her t-shirt adorned with angel's wings!

They also helped me with the title, but I am not sure yet how I will proceed.

Day 385: Title work

Dance rehearsal was dazzling.  The girls look amazing, but the boys have a long way to go.  It's very clear who has had training and who hasn't.  I had a crew of at least twenty workers with little to do until the dance ensemble was finished over an hour after expected.  Once they released the chairs, though, we got them painted very quickly.

I took a break from writing and only spent an hour on the book today.  My task was brainstorming possible titles while taking a long walk.  It was 47 degrees in front of a huge arctic air sweeping across the country later tonight.  Hopefully, my writers' group will be able to help me, cause I'm not wild about any of the options so far.

Day 384: New Prius

It  was a near perfect day.  We picked up our beautiful new Prius this morning then had Thai food for lunch.  When we drove in the driveway, I wanted to take a photo of the new car.  As Steve rolled forward to park it, I noticed a strange whining sound.  We immediately called the dealership and they told us that Toyota had added a sound for when the battery comes on and the car is moving slowly because the car was too quiet!  Crazy.  

I finished the equipment chapter and began brainstorming for a title!  

Day 383: SL Orientation

Student leader orientation was held today and they are so excited!  We have seven brand new recruits who were a bit nervous and shy.  Hopefully, they will open up and become more comfortable during Quest classes.  Maeg talked about her Expedition studies program at Plattsburgh as a future outlet for students who love backpacking adventures. Then she conducted a class on the importance of being aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.  When she returns in March, she will teach them about orienteering and navigation.   Tomorrow, she is returning to school where she will take a one week wilderness first responder course.  Outside of course!  With the Arctic front moving in, she is going to be so cold!

The ladies of Quest!

Day 382: Equipment progress

It was still 35 degrees this afternoon, so we walked for miles and discovered that the daffodils were also teased into blooming by the warm weekend.  They will be shocked by the Arctic air on the way over the next week.

Otherwise, I spent hours on the equipment chapter.  It was fun to relive my disastrous early experiences.   I am including the stories in the chapter to illustrate the advances in equipment over the last forty years and how I learned all my lessons the hard way.  In 1978, when I was 29 and a new mom, I signed on to go with Lee on the House I expedition.  I didn't know until this week that it was a total of 8 days and 75 miles.  Lee found a newspaper article describing our adventures, the routes and the mileage.  Most of it is a blur, probably because I was in total agony.  But, I do remember that I used a pack frame that my father-in-law built made of steel with a canvas sack that had just canvas shoulder straps and no hip belt.  We lashed on a down sleeping bag.  It weighed 40 pounds and I weighed 98.  My leather boots were too large and my feet slid around in them creating blisters on my heels and the balls of my feet.  Then I slid down a ravine and my toes smashed into the toe of the boot and snapped off four nails at the base.   Despite the torture, I was hooked.

Day 381: Forsythia blooms

I certainly didn't expect to discover forsythia blooms in Russell Joy Park today or crocus in my front garden.  With temps in the 60s over the weekend, we should have expected it.  The gorgeous blue sky was a delight.

The dam in Russell Joy Park

Paddy, my faithful writing companion

After hours of work, the leadership chapter is done!  Hooray!  I'm starting on the equipment chapter next.