Where I'm from

I am from a short street called Y-Way
That ends in the woods and moss covered rocks.
I am from the sweet gum tree we planted
And the towering old pine we cut down.
After that the landscape changed.
I am from pine tar soap and vinegar rinse
Because shampoo was considered a luxury.
I am from macaroni and cheese with catsup,
From homemade burgers, spaghetti and enchiladas.
We brought our books to the dinner table and read while we ate.
I am from Luther’s Small Catechism and
“What does this mean?”
From learning to sight read the alto line of Bach’s hymns
While my dad sang bass.
I am from the afternoon storm swept mesa of Albuquerque
And the windblown grass of Bone Hill above Greatgrandma Jensine’s farm
In Colome, South Dakota
I’m from hardworking farmer and teacher stock.
And from the Musical Grays who played for the silent movies.
I am from summer travels to Indiana and back.
Hot summer nights with fireflies and chiggers.
Now I’m from here.
Cloudy windy wet fresh raw green Oregon
And where will my children say they are from?

another self portrait

this painting was done 8 years ago, in the winter of 1999. I sure do seem to make the eyes too large, don't I?
I still use the painting shirt (from Eddie Bauer, cost all of $1) to this day...a large, roomy cotton plaid of many colors. I didn't paint the details of the plaid into the painting, but all the same, it is the painting shirt I love to wear while painting.

It's been a quiet three days in my home town...we woke up to falling snow on Tuesday morning. Soon all the schools had cancelled classes and children were outside trying to roll big balls of snow into snowmen. There were more people than usual out walking in the crunchy stuff, and I ran into four friends as I walked to the post office. I love how snow brings people out of their cars and onto the streets. We are all in a good mood, and ready to offer a cup of tea and linger in conversation. I baked some delicious cornmeal rolls, a recipe from my friend Anita, and made some outrageous lentil soup with lentils I bought at the Flock and Fiber show this fall. I knitted a hat with yarn I hand dyed (I also saw the sheep shorn, and then took the fleece to a shop for cleaning and spinning into a worsted wool...how's them apples, Martha Stewart?)
It's been lovely to be lazy and yet industrious at the same time. I'm looking forward to getting back into the classroom and being with my students again.