Monday, April 9, 2007

Some things change and some things SHOULD stay the same...SB 30

And now Senate Bill 30 [SB30] comes before the Oregon legislature to decide whether Jefferson County's will be allowed to open the Metolius Basin to Destination Resort development. Without passage the Metolius will certainly be developed. If passed, the Metolius Basin and a 3 mile radius will be protected from large scale destination resort developments of the type that are proposed currently, the type that will change forever this precious jewel of a River Basin.

Is this a 'slam dunk', protecting the fragile Metolius River Basin for ALL Oregonians? Hardly. Seems that legislators worry about infringing on the County's rights to make a buck selling access to the revenue source resort developers, without full regard to protecting a very special place from devastation from to too many people and not enough water to go around.

What's the outcome gonna be? Dare I say its a coin-toss? Visit www.savethemetolius.org to see how you might help protect an Oregon Treasure before it's too late.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

I Gotta Go...Badly!

It's Springtime and yesterday's near 85 degree temp has ignited the urge to be Metolius bound. I need Camp Sherman like a junkie needs a fix! 

The threat of snows all but gone, I can close my eyes and imagine the sights and sounds, the very smells, of the River life. I'm here to tell you that if you haven't known the fragrance of Ponderosa Pine needles baking in the late morning sun you haven't lived. Combine this with the moist air wafting from the stream and the call of a Blue Heron as it navigates the winding river, I'm overcome with sensations and I'm left with no choice but to surrender mind & body to the magic of Metolius. 

 I gotta get back there and soon.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Passover Postscript, or In Haggadah-Davida, Baby

Well... this Passover family feast was memorable for who was in attendance and who wasn't. Once again, Elijah didn't show ... nor did Brian, and we all had to eat their shares. But at least one was present whom we had not expected, and it wasn't Laura. I LOVE surprises, don't you?

Jeremy baked a cake, which dispels the rumor that he doesn't even spread butter on his toast, because he considers THAT cooking. Each and everyone contributed their wares and we ate them as though we hadn't had a meal in months. Pray and eat, eat and pray, with a glass of wine or 4 before during and after. I LOVE being an honorary Jew! Hey, what's not to like?

Monday, April 2, 2007

Passover in the Ponderosa's....Not!

Well, its time to celebrate the wondrous moment in time when an Angel spared the Israelites (passed over them), smote the Egyptians, proving yet again...ah.... wait... I forget what it proves. The nice thing is its a family event. Read that again... its a family event. We gather, recite the same words each year, always sounding as though we've never done it before and celebrate the uniqueness of mankind; mankind who can imagine such things and then make a feast of it. Jewish Thanksgiving.

May all that celebrate this Sedar dinner expand its meaning in an all inclusive, every widening circle of family and new friends, until anything that separates us falls away, forever. And if we can do that in the Pines someday...that would be sweet too.

Bend in the River

Bend in the River
Metolius River very near its Source - Fall 2005