Oregon Lavender Festival

I spent this weekend roaming the highways and byways of Oregon, going from farm to farm as part of the Oregon Lavender Festival 2009. If you are interested in reading about my journey, click here.

Dear President Obama

Several weeks ago my then four-year-old grandson Gabriel came to me asking how to spell Obama. A few weeks before that at dinner out of the blue he had asked my husband and I if all the soldiers just went home wouldn’t there be peace then? When he brought the subject up again two days later I told him that he ought to write a letter to the President and tell him his idea.

Three weeks went by before he came to me with paper and pencil (I got him a pen) and asked how to spell Obama. His patient Mamae sat with him and made him sound out every word he wanted to write. It went something like Dear President Obama, If you let all the soldiers go home then there would be peace. Sincerely, Gabriel Francis Casey-Aguinaga. I briefly contemplated writing a note of my own to include with his explaining that this was the singular work of the mind of a four-year-old alone, but by the time I asked if he’d sealed the envelope it was too late so I addressed it, put a stamp on it and the next day put it in the mailbox in front of the house we share with Gabriel and his parents.

Many more weeks have passed. This morning I left for Oregon to attend the Oregon Lavender Festival. This afternoon my son called me saying that Gabriel had something to tell me. “Remember when I wrote the letter to President Obama?” Of course I remembered. “I got a letter from him today!” He sounded so excited! I told him I couldn’t wait to see it when I get home on Monday. When my son got back on the telephone he told me that one of Gabriel’s comments had been “It’s just like the President is right here in the room and we’re having a conversation!”

I had hoped that eventually Gabriel would get some sort of response from the Oval Office. My son says it is a form letter, but I will decide for myself when I get to see it on Monday. In the meantime I have a very happy and impressed grandson.

There's Gonna Be Girl Trouble in August

My friend Tracy told me that Tacoma's homegrown, old time fave Rockabilly band,
Girl Trouble is playing at Wright Park in Tacoma next month. I'll post the details when I know 'em.

I shall be there, jumpin' and jivin'.

Here's a little something to wiggle to.

Summer Reading

I always have a tall stack of books waiting to be read. For me summer is an opportunity to read that I don’t get the rest of the year. Just being out of school doesn’t mean I have no responsibilities, but I manage to get in a book or two of summer reading. Our Neighbor Kim has said that she’s reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable and Miracle this summer. I’m just finishing up Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation Speaks, the sequel to his first Greatest Generation book. What are you reading this summer?

Keeping an Eye on Iran

To get an idea about how Iranians are using technology to spread dissent check out “Rebellion Network” on the Australian Broadcasting Company’s Mark Corcoran. Click on "Rebellion Network" to watch. It is a 25 minute video that is very worthwhile. It also gives an insight into the Basji militia which has been responsible for the violence against protestors.

It is important that the world consciously watch what is happening in Iran. If you can do nothing more, watch. Keep watching.

Showing Solidarity with Iran

July 25th Americans have the opportunity to demonstrate their solidarity with the people of Iran as they struggle for a more open and democratic society and government. On that day rallies will be held all over the world and here in the US to allow free people to stand by Iranians who are struggling and dying for freedom.

Barak Obama has been criticized for not making more forceful statements of support for the Iranian opposition. It is not his place. He has to deal with whatever government Iran has, but we, as free American citizens, can make a statement of support and thereby demonstrate what a democratic society is about.

In 1979 Jimmy Carter did not enter into dialog with the Ayatollah Khomeini because the United States was responsible for reinstalling the Shah following his ouster and the democratic election of Muhammad Mossadeq in 1953 and because there was a personal friendship between Carter and the Shah.

You can also show your solidarity by wearing a green wrist band. Freedom for Iran wristbands can be purchased either at Free Iran Bracelet or Freedom and Democracy in Iran.

I am trying to find out where there will be a rally in the Puget Sound Area on the 25th and will post details as soon as I have them.

Thanks Rick

Summer time... I remember many a lazy teenage summer... nothing to do but get under my grandmother's feet, watch television, or go to a movie. The good old days... hah!
When I got to college I put in some serious, sweat filled, muscle straining hours helping with college tuition. If I were working for the wages I made back in THE DAY... I would never darken the doors of any private liberal arts college, that is for sure.
Some of the young folks at Bellarmine High School are plugging away at bringing the cost for their education down... doing work study jobs during the summer... and one of the more visible ways I see teens making a difference here are out in our gardens...
Good for them.

And one of the gifts they have is their supervisor, Rick K... (who teaches on the side during the school year.) I had a chance to chat with him the other day.
Here is a video of our wonderful discussion. Thanks Rick!