The View

Thank you, Louisville Institute! When we arrived here in Gold Beach, Oregon, John commented that we are paying for the view. And actually, our sabbatical grant from the Louisville Institute is paying for the view and it is AWESOME! So again, thank you Louisville Institute. The attached pictures (photography by Sarah) show the view out one of the kitchen windows (there are five and they all face the ocean) as I washed dishes last night. I still don't like washing dishes, but it was a lot more fun with this as the view. The house is a charming updated 1909 farmhouse with a distinct list to one side. But it is full of sunlight streaming in and even came with a pasture of beef cattle around the outside. It's nice to have space again.

The kids and I headed to the ocean yesterday - twice. Sarah will swim in anything, I think, and within five minutes was wet from head to toe. I put my feet in and thought I should head to the clinic for frostbite. But the waves were gentle and the kids had a blast crashing into them and running on the shore. We also took a walk last night when the tide was high and saw how powerful the waves can be here. One knocked Nathan right over so he learned first hand the difference between low and high tide when it comes to waves. The beach here is not white sand, like my beloved Vero Beach in Florida, but coarser and is literally black and white. It looks like you're walking in salt and pepper. It's very rocky and we found some beautiful green, red and black/white rocks.

Oh, just in case you're wondering what John has been up to as he is rarely mentioned in our day-to-day activities. He has been putting in many hours in front of his computer and other various pieces of equipment learning how to use all the new programs acquired through the grant in preparation for his time with his consultant in CA. He really has been diligent about his sabbatical work, although I think a good portion of it is fun for him. He has written one song already (music only) and let us hear it. He is thoroughly enjoying the "work" of music and creativity.

I do apologize for so few blog entries. I keep thinking we'll write on a not-nice weather day, but we literally have not had one of those since John's fateful golf outing in Medora, ND. When we get to Hilmar (where it was 100 yesterday!) we can hide out in the A/C and work backwards to catch you up!