tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91755563621405956582024-02-21T09:46:51.001-08:00Home on Whidbey"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."
John Ruskin fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-4045067882810359582015-12-31T14:26:00.000-08:002015-12-31T14:26:22.683-08:00China, and Thailand too!We went to China this fall, mostly for Brad and Yessi's Chinese wedding, but for exploration too. The wedding, well, the wedding was fantastic!!<br />
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Plus, we had so many dear friends from America join us, we were overwhelmed with gratitude.</div>
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Then we did a bit of travel, but I'll send you to <a href="http://thistleadventure.blogspot.com/">thistle adventure</a>, where I blog about our trip. See China #1 - #11, which also includes two postings about Thailand and many more wedding photographs. The wrap-up words are, <i>we were very lucky to have this life's adventure. </i></div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-35288017616321137282015-08-31T16:35:00.000-07:002015-08-31T16:43:52.388-07:00The Inn's Full<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our home has experienced a transformation. We first thought we'd sell it when we decided to travel, but didn't like the offers we received. It's just too special to let the square footage vs. price drive the conversation. So we did a quick switch and advertised it on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7386464?s=UJ7E">Airbnb</a> when we returned to the island this summer. <i>Just to try it out.</i> Whoa! It took off. We've had a rush of guests.</div>
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Since mid-July when we ran the ad, we've experienced a <i>full house. </i> We've been dealt a good poker hand, I'd say. Our home is enchanting our visitors. They like how it looks and feels. They like the philosophy behind it. Time after time our guests tell us they are here to explore the island, and then they hunker down, cook their meals at home, and luxurate in at-home peace and quiet </div>
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All our guests refer to Brad, our son and designer, as creative and talented. Well, yes, says his proud mom. Ed and I are asked how we can possibly share this amazing space with people we don't know. The answer, now after a month and a half is, it's been easy because our guests have been so appreciative and complimentary. They've also been exceedingly thoughtful. We feel like we are finally fulfulling one of the goals we set out to accomplish when we built -- demonstrating that living small does not need to sacrifice living well.</div>
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We think it's clear our visitors feel good about their stay here. They sleep well. They mention feeling like they're in a cozy cocoon. Their connection to the garden pleases them. Wildlife, so close at hand, delights them. Largely our guests are young couples wanting to build a small home themselves some day and they are leaving with notebooks full of ideas, cameras full of photographs, and often with Brad's card tucked away as well.</div>
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Right now we definitely feel like we've hit the jackpot. We're lucky to be able to promote living small, keep our home in our ownership, and make a few extra dollars as well. Plus we're meeting wonderful people.<br />
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All photographs by Victor, Airbnb photographer.</div>
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"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."</div>
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~ Maya Angelou</div>
fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-46315115412668273172015-01-12T11:33:00.000-08:002015-08-31T16:40:20.568-07:00Blog ChangeI will still post on Home on Whidbey from time-to-time but my primary blogging site is now <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_442902904"></span>Thistle Adventure<span id="goog_442902905"></span></a>. Thank you for following this blog. I appreciate your interest and hope to entertain you with our travels in Thistle.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here I am enjoying a smoothie made in Thistle's vitamix. This photo was taken on the Oregon coast.</span></div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-58535452441843651592014-12-28T13:50:00.001-08:002014-12-28T13:55:04.267-08:00"Everyone is the age of their heart." <div style="text-align: justify;">
At our ages we've experienced a goodly number of annual celebrations over these many years. With Christmas just behind us, and the New Year yet before us, it is a particularly poignant time of reflection. Sharing love and gifts and meals and conversation with family and friends, and loving it all, reminds us of how dear we are to one another. </div>
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Ed and I strive to live the Guatemalan proverb, "Everyone is the age of their heart." But, one cannot just feel young at heart without working on young in body, leading to a Jungle Gym for Christmas. On our travels, we will combine Jungle Gym exercises with biking, walking and yoga, a regiment designed to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Add eating well, weight control and brain games and we'll be force marching ourselves into an old age of vigor, if not exhaustion.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9KPQn6rGWN9CoAG0xMq3j5657qJ51f4QmU5ueP83ohrfIEphXLH6npOkKAlWSR-z2xGaLX1_vvgHdri6u3rG9_phfji83BCehcZknO3RSxJiGuSrUfl_1r7ES9i7AiXOGLL2xV6n5dw/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9KPQn6rGWN9CoAG0xMq3j5657qJ51f4QmU5ueP83ohrfIEphXLH6npOkKAlWSR-z2xGaLX1_vvgHdri6u3rG9_phfji83BCehcZknO3RSxJiGuSrUfl_1r7ES9i7AiXOGLL2xV6n5dw/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed trying out our new Jungle Gym</td></tr>
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Our year started out with a trip to Ecuador, and a possible relocation to that country. It ends with visions of North American travel in our van. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNOIfq0tPJyLaAiNMjAK3lGQSr3AwVDUv5O73LVaf_Z0fReh4XN34KyBZ7EEcvD8ANiHPjmBYepqjH27D_ZM_T081SXm2_bNQGrm_rIZWz4PA0nRZDUDOyuQrIIyq0VdIxBxAV0R6i-Q/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNOIfq0tPJyLaAiNMjAK3lGQSr3AwVDUv5O73LVaf_Z0fReh4XN34KyBZ7EEcvD8ANiHPjmBYepqjH27D_ZM_T081SXm2_bNQGrm_rIZWz4PA0nRZDUDOyuQrIIyq0VdIxBxAV0R6i-Q/s1600/image001.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thistle</td></tr>
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Our home must sell first. In the mean time, we are loving living here and are not too anxious to say goodbye to this very special place. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94P0qxzjfy7Y11B2gLnYmTUXJtj82gt_9W1S-iU1_iyn0tQEs5yTtzEhg9HQpQz2zdqm1fipObmgRF7BShPaw_DA5nhzLlS5C7kG2qPL7nI68Ihg474b-qPa286FvAauWrXMZcRknO7I/s1600/Fredley+Home-4399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94P0qxzjfy7Y11B2gLnYmTUXJtj82gt_9W1S-iU1_iyn0tQEs5yTtzEhg9HQpQz2zdqm1fipObmgRF7BShPaw_DA5nhzLlS5C7kG2qPL7nI68Ihg474b-qPa286FvAauWrXMZcRknO7I/s1600/Fredley+Home-4399.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fredley Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Popping up in our minds this holiday season have been thoughts of, "<i>will this be our last Christmas here?",</i> motivating us to savor each moment. We collected sweet holiday memories this year. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5Mi09BDHp_beO7X0_bWCF4zhfIydz3er4bS5g61TEsXxxU5f_hEvaSM0ll-CIrzGGo8e7lhCyokdBLoYlar0H1aLp2KmFW-_20HUqR5dVeKNDiNwJ7gpXoqXAz2Z4YnB1vB8254FifE/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5Mi09BDHp_beO7X0_bWCF4zhfIydz3er4bS5g61TEsXxxU5f_hEvaSM0ll-CIrzGGo8e7lhCyokdBLoYlar0H1aLp2KmFW-_20HUqR5dVeKNDiNwJ7gpXoqXAz2Z4YnB1vB8254FifE/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran, Benton, Brad and Yessi. <i>What's that dog doing on the table?</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMLSjXgMtozNbO1PmMxY2o5Z8tP6wS_u6Yh4E-THep7SKE8t5zRbGd7EC4FW6xwXoE2FOGdd8-oFIdUOzoifZmn4rOS5kI22lrvhKhAem1WgIItGy0IW3MDHJJweewRx1tWZBx-r8w8U/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMLSjXgMtozNbO1PmMxY2o5Z8tP6wS_u6Yh4E-THep7SKE8t5zRbGd7EC4FW6xwXoE2FOGdd8-oFIdUOzoifZmn4rOS5kI22lrvhKhAem1WgIItGy0IW3MDHJJweewRx1tWZBx-r8w8U/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning - Ed, Fran, Benton & Brad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlbNotkoSo6-g6hY4h0JkKF4bqlz4xBhZ1OOsVZC5ITPAXQZseFMmfDaoOxpacocBy4Lhz1VWwO3v_75kZLD8vsfy9Foi_Q0-VV-p9HOzkWlTg32yXt-iXHPovLukI9XK6rF6l1Fs8YA/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlbNotkoSo6-g6hY4h0JkKF4bqlz4xBhZ1OOsVZC5ITPAXQZseFMmfDaoOxpacocBy4Lhz1VWwO3v_75kZLD8vsfy9Foi_Q0-VV-p9HOzkWlTg32yXt-iXHPovLukI9XK6rF6l1Fs8YA/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing bubbles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpFi9z2g4Bzy3wkdjCp2XdJftUjoTWZwrrEJ8tLD_uaB07hsM0UUprfmLCmdZ_RPBM8KhTyib48549VQya-oMoq27q2Bde-Vr0GfHgUvmh2fYHX_23OtAUWvoemgrYs8qpVTw2RSt3vE/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpFi9z2g4Bzy3wkdjCp2XdJftUjoTWZwrrEJ8tLD_uaB07hsM0UUprfmLCmdZ_RPBM8KhTyib48549VQya-oMoq27q2Bde-Vr0GfHgUvmh2fYHX_23OtAUWvoemgrYs8qpVTw2RSt3vE/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Christmas dinner with Deb and Greg, Yessi and Brad</td></tr>
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Happy Holidays to All our Dear Family and Friends!</div>
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~~~</div>
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"In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony."</div>
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~ Eva Burrows</div>
<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-78550143792768165402014-07-31T16:44:00.002-07:002014-07-31T16:45:04.822-07:00 Welcome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have a fabulous new front gate!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiYBYrnPCUhQJRUhyphenhyphenfBgNXOWy43qE0xxgaRxCG0eTFMURJNG-YpVOWGZd9qyqr19e2e8GfnBYwef3alwGomaHY2yFM2YGDExmwvFmC2pnrO4FfZtm-OSrf-ZjOukhpg8Rq0XhfmPoL18/s1600/IMG_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiYBYrnPCUhQJRUhyphenhyphenfBgNXOWy43qE0xxgaRxCG0eTFMURJNG-YpVOWGZd9qyqr19e2e8GfnBYwef3alwGomaHY2yFM2YGDExmwvFmC2pnrO4FfZtm-OSrf-ZjOukhpg8Rq0XhfmPoL18/s1600/IMG_0116.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-24329017029052563492014-06-24T20:01:00.000-07:002014-08-23T10:33:16.812-07:00Our beautiful Whidbey Island home is for sale<div style="text-align: justify;">
We considered moving to Ecuador, wanting a big adventure, but changed our minds because of the distance from family and friends and the difficulty and discomfort of flying. Instead we've purchased a Sprinter Westfalia and plan on exploring our world -- U.S., Canada, Alaska, and as far south as we decide to roam (who knows perhaps as far as Ecuador).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00CXal8wSEjC_zi8GhxzLxBSqCeFm3uROAmf-ycKBDsw4hOaEYLmAPZI13iKRQTfxSbE7YLt8fESveIRIpUoTPyVlGcTMkiZcxrGDfosMkzdrBJBWSKyJDQDj0Vg2TqBSoVrrB88VTWY/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00CXal8wSEjC_zi8GhxzLxBSqCeFm3uROAmf-ycKBDsw4hOaEYLmAPZI13iKRQTfxSbE7YLt8fESveIRIpUoTPyVlGcTMkiZcxrGDfosMkzdrBJBWSKyJDQDj0Vg2TqBSoVrrB88VTWY/s1600/image001.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new 18' 2005 van, with 35,000 miles and lots of pep and vigor for carrying Ed,<br />
Benton our pup, and me all over the place. Plus, downsizing has been our lifetime challenge and this<br />
van will definitely test our resolve. </td></tr>
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In the meantime, we have no need for our beautifully designed, artistic, unique and much-loved home. For a small home we live very big. A 100 plus guest wedding in April proved its expansion capabilities. Separate buildings offer an abundance of privacy plus the relationship to the outdoors, in all four seasons, expands it both physically and visually in unexpected and charming ways. With amazing attention to detail, the home was built largely of recycled materials by our son, Brad Hankins (<a href="http://www.dbbrad.blogspot.com/">dbBrad</a>), designer and builder 360.920.8280. If interested, call Shellie Moore at Windermere Real Estate, 206.391.1087, Amy Raymond, 206.396.7016, or search <a href="http://www.whidbeyawaits.com/">www.WhidbeyAwaits.com </a> for more details. MLS# 657 460</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfEmX7czxAIF1p0DQE-WYH2NYZJ1bQoeQb3o2Gqj9YEhyphenhyphen931Vhm9I37UfI6tdax6qQzHN1xZX-Un4TiVau3BtkJcAL3n4OWSO-fZEa5RCN3ykusYhtOyxEBmsh0odZL1ptxAXN8VD4LE/s1600/Fredley+Home-4295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfEmX7czxAIF1p0DQE-WYH2NYZJ1bQoeQb3o2Gqj9YEhyphenhyphen931Vhm9I37UfI6tdax6qQzHN1xZX-Un4TiVau3BtkJcAL3n4OWSO-fZEa5RCN3ykusYhtOyxEBmsh0odZL1ptxAXN8VD4LE/s1600/Fredley+Home-4295.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQQJy2HK08hV8kYkOO-2b6Nhb2P5EEBOnNRyYE85I3KSDeJLdjzTm0sn_fq9RaFpOT65OUlP955oOJoBMTMFQmN7j8FDUAfrYQ1J9iKp0OY6hWPF2p65kJ8ktH24X9I03iUzcDc8qWMo/s1600/Fredley+Home-4313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQQJy2HK08hV8kYkOO-2b6Nhb2P5EEBOnNRyYE85I3KSDeJLdjzTm0sn_fq9RaFpOT65OUlP955oOJoBMTMFQmN7j8FDUAfrYQ1J9iKp0OY6hWPF2p65kJ8ktH24X9I03iUzcDc8qWMo/s1600/Fredley+Home-4313.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex6Pl9DzkFLIM8DZfOind2ipBR3T_Y1xuUTdCMvxYlL1oDAwkX9LFQuq55wgSW-_85OuD6QbArXmxBmtWOPGybcnzn_0m2LeloaGqyDSX00ZGftZfH0KoPoCcIPms8b09ElaxNuh7E8c/s1600/Fredley+Home-4347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex6Pl9DzkFLIM8DZfOind2ipBR3T_Y1xuUTdCMvxYlL1oDAwkX9LFQuq55wgSW-_85OuD6QbArXmxBmtWOPGybcnzn_0m2LeloaGqyDSX00ZGftZfH0KoPoCcIPms8b09ElaxNuh7E8c/s1600/Fredley+Home-4347.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi562ThMw4e04F4RUXFhLQ4gHUsDD0iAMpSo4qA0yQHxly4KIWU-Pr6edked0FS8GMYGqHuegojATfU6xVmPlFQgUsxGhXorXM0X8-lGPA6rTFLcMP7UHoUUTa8H7uXrFbgRtEyRFvuCOw/s1600/Fredley+Home-4399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi562ThMw4e04F4RUXFhLQ4gHUsDD0iAMpSo4qA0yQHxly4KIWU-Pr6edked0FS8GMYGqHuegojATfU6xVmPlFQgUsxGhXorXM0X8-lGPA6rTFLcMP7UHoUUTa8H7uXrFbgRtEyRFvuCOw/s1600/Fredley+Home-4399.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41i7F2M2vMy9U_iL3RTtOqFgS-nXkLKFDbJUX41-KhnpurzOJxmX0Kpjsok9Wd8vPKD_21g2BTnh09jm7cxHhHWtMyyhxDN-k1BDa9EAj9Z3dU0GzkZGHw3g0T2QG41HT2t3Xjf3BE0/s1600/Patio+View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41i7F2M2vMy9U_iL3RTtOqFgS-nXkLKFDbJUX41-KhnpurzOJxmX0Kpjsok9Wd8vPKD_21g2BTnh09jm7cxHhHWtMyyhxDN-k1BDa9EAj9Z3dU0GzkZGHw3g0T2QG41HT2t3Xjf3BE0/s1600/Patio+View.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our home is a short walk to Langley's commercial district, allowing one the opportunity to experience the pleasure of a small friendly town offering theater, restaurants, art galleries, public market, book stores and library, charming shops and an outstanding grocery. We have a whale museum, marina, and views of Saratoga Passage to knock your socks off. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2rwST6w3HO4sDM_I5Qmy353UkGbdjDp7XGyMf-fTK2GO9Qam6zlwYieo6JLhEKk1pyPR2bbCPS6nTf0W9Suhm42cPmEa1NM91qMnUR2RhJE7M_mG7nhGFqLQUlnwLq1-zJbPlrAbVJk/s1600/Langley013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2rwST6w3HO4sDM_I5Qmy353UkGbdjDp7XGyMf-fTK2GO9Qam6zlwYieo6JLhEKk1pyPR2bbCPS6nTf0W9Suhm42cPmEa1NM91qMnUR2RhJE7M_mG7nhGFqLQUlnwLq1-zJbPlrAbVJk/s1600/Langley013.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Langley's First Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6hakSo3AgYbp29I8KT87lWeTH2UTHAxx6dw4CtFhXsVO_GHLrpmXrTUxmuHY1hNYmz1k6JWXcl7Hq8P2qeDxOCEoBhoPhTSedoYgDaQmOS4cKdfWZ5R1UlsAj40xpFsKyl7QFDrpwDU/s1600/Langley073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6hakSo3AgYbp29I8KT87lWeTH2UTHAxx6dw4CtFhXsVO_GHLrpmXrTUxmuHY1hNYmz1k6JWXcl7Hq8P2qeDxOCEoBhoPhTSedoYgDaQmOS4cKdfWZ5R1UlsAj40xpFsKyl7QFDrpwDU/s1600/Langley073.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Langley's Marina</td></tr>
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Adventure calls us after 30 years of living in this fabulous community, perhaps the adventure of a "new life" calls you too…<br />
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Our new travel blog is: <a href="http://thistleadventure.blogspot.com/">thistle adventure.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-59689149190533314702014-05-18T14:27:00.001-07:002014-05-19T10:28:37.667-07:00Our Spring Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Despite many reasons for the garden to be a mess this year, it isn't. Naturally, we had the incentive of Yessi and Brad's wedding in the garden on the 20th of April, but…</div>
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I also have been in the hospital five times, with three surgeries, in the past year. That's made gardening on my part limited, but then there's Ed, Yessi and Brad, plus a friend or two, helping out from time-to-time. Bless them. I had surgery on the 15th of March and then on April 25th I had another hospital stay and another surgery, with the wedding sandwiched in between. Low energy, pain and discomfort made gardening challenging, but check out our beautiful spring garden despite the hurdles. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4YlHzv0g2By7SWLUNXNUmeUrnsgYmdiMxUjCY9UmnZN_mO7ONED4o3AcN6CqD_nIlm8he617rpWnWhOyDH22HBmrtXGFnPtQDjMDm6Myx8IOvbGz44YnoT_jZRNomZsrLjC4cG-79EU/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4YlHzv0g2By7SWLUNXNUmeUrnsgYmdiMxUjCY9UmnZN_mO7ONED4o3AcN6CqD_nIlm8he617rpWnWhOyDH22HBmrtXGFnPtQDjMDm6Myx8IOvbGz44YnoT_jZRNomZsrLjC4cG-79EU/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greenhouse is full of greens and peas. </td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The garden has an abundance of good things to eat, including broccoli, spinach, onions, beets, strawberries, asparagus raspberries, blueberries, rhubarb, and more. Also, the plums, apples and pears bloomed profusely so we're expecting lots of fruit. And then there are the grapes. Last year I made raisins and I'm hoping to do the same this year.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of our home from the second floor of our barn, looking east</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east through a small grove of bamboo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This maple is still small and in the territory of the Exbury azaleas, but I'm loving the red and yellow combination.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More color, especially my favorite garden color -- Green!</td></tr>
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We do indeed live in a family-created paradise, with a garden designed by Fran, a home designed and built by Brad, and with Ed participating every step of the way, including doing the wiring. fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-11348456363573630862014-02-06T18:47:00.003-08:002014-02-13T09:30:27.521-08:00Quito Basilica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It is so tempting to take photographs of all the churches, cathedrals and basilicas from every angle, inside, outside, day and night. They are so very, very impressive, even for non Catholics, or even for completely non religious persons. One cannot ignore the beauty, effort, time and energy that has gone into religion -- all religions -- but perhaps Catholics especially. Their places of worship are awe inspiring in their architecture and splendor. I recently read a book where the main character had spent a great deal of time studying religions and finally concluded she'd settle on being either a Catholic or an atheist. As strange as it sounds, I get it.</div>
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After visiting Quito Basilica, Ed and I were left wondering about the differences between cathedrals, basilicas and churches, so asked a good friend, schooled from k through college in Catholic schools, to help us out. His definitions were helpful:</div>
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Cathedral - church where the bishop's throne (called cathedra) is located, usually the main church of the diocese. May or may not be a basilica.</div>
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Basilica - an "important church" designated by a pope for some special spiritual, historical, or architectural significance. Once a basilica, always a basilica.</div>
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Shrines - anything that attracts pilgrims and holds special significance. May or may not be a church, cathedral, or basilica.</div>
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These photos are just a few of the many we took. I hope they capture some of the splendor we felt both inside and outside this magnificent building. If ever you get to Quito, Ecuador, don't miss the Quito Basilica. </div>
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<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-12063501172920205962014-02-06T18:03:00.001-08:002014-02-06T18:04:53.478-08:00The Kids of Ecuador<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As with kids most everywhere, the kids in Ecuador were too cute for words. </div>
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<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-82375348806329772932014-02-06T17:21:00.001-08:002014-02-06T17:25:18.481-08:00The Panama Hat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When is the Panama Hat not the Panama Hat?</div>
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When in Ecuador!</div>
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The "Panama Hat" made in Ecuador was worn by Ecuadorian workers when building the Panama Canal. They were dubbed the Panama Hat, but were from Ecuador and are still made in Ecuador. We visited a hat factory in Cuenca and saw the palm reeds used to weave the hat to the final product. The finer the palm reeds used for weaving, the more expensive and exquisite the hat.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl-sA5MbRgF4PweMospc9Ga40Emlk_DWrimJ3kVtE_XCM8ejeXSXnM5uXZqtw-ZtKD4yIt8o8RPh5YYKngpQnBhGlablDiRTc0lXXvlc3UQUWxhGswAqcN5CVYz2lLUwMvXZZTwa3pCg/s1600/Quito+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl-sA5MbRgF4PweMospc9Ga40Emlk_DWrimJ3kVtE_XCM8ejeXSXnM5uXZqtw-ZtKD4yIt8o8RPh5YYKngpQnBhGlablDiRTc0lXXvlc3UQUWxhGswAqcN5CVYz2lLUwMvXZZTwa3pCg/s1600/Quito+007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Reeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6jjp2D5tswKMIRQnQLj51f0JjTahpYdCJxLWZoInPY576poQBp-hlW7L_UixBoWxx4r5X-zX8WC1DKp-6Ulyz5bXe8g8mDioj84XdPaVqVIm3hOGvdK8n45DZ7KjViHy1Snysc9B5UI/s1600/Quito+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6jjp2D5tswKMIRQnQLj51f0JjTahpYdCJxLWZoInPY576poQBp-hlW7L_UixBoWxx4r5X-zX8WC1DKp-6Ulyz5bXe8g8mDioj84XdPaVqVIm3hOGvdK8n45DZ7KjViHy1Snysc9B5UI/s1600/Quito+009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat Mold</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI41hneRirdfQrubZ93hJ4-fazsD26kpmZIWWFeUNu3saAfomi2t9QrXEhyKEtYVyJOBxDgJvrsiGSvri8P7rpk32MQyDRHfzNjqCAWA8CzugHa_4WMk9UrXbvYlpmRQ7zrkQ8onblNM/s1600/Quito+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI41hneRirdfQrubZ93hJ4-fazsD26kpmZIWWFeUNu3saAfomi2t9QrXEhyKEtYVyJOBxDgJvrsiGSvri8P7rpk32MQyDRHfzNjqCAWA8CzugHa_4WMk9UrXbvYlpmRQ7zrkQ8onblNM/s1600/Quito+011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First step to Shaping the Hat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Step to Shaping the Hat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat Forms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTzRRErHxzDC6gXD5JRaRTGBdFpD7geVc5ms5ZOAd9rhKbGOTIRGTY4RsNJbIU3uQIjoGGvGpCDCVmyIXL2ZELD0Fx3ubiC3U-7hocK4EjxU355Ku_mNvFGxcSLqVo_snxyr5OlqeB7o/s1600/Quito+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTzRRErHxzDC6gXD5JRaRTGBdFpD7geVc5ms5ZOAd9rhKbGOTIRGTY4RsNJbIU3uQIjoGGvGpCDCVmyIXL2ZELD0Fx3ubiC3U-7hocK4EjxU355Ku_mNvFGxcSLqVo_snxyr5OlqeB7o/s1600/Quito+016.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Further Shaping of the Hat, including Heat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FhyU7222qmhN9s-VgLIyKGFH90QcWZ4_XvSveQuyz7AgLPz80mAIzIg0PuRvff3jki6PFTkElLbm5PZu_FqPBvslzv-Ht0p-grFdeFtaAWIZTLfY0A1N5DypwnxsggdgeFduvmWQIhE/s1600/Quito+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FhyU7222qmhN9s-VgLIyKGFH90QcWZ4_XvSveQuyz7AgLPz80mAIzIg0PuRvff3jki6PFTkElLbm5PZu_FqPBvslzv-Ht0p-grFdeFtaAWIZTLfY0A1N5DypwnxsggdgeFduvmWQIhE/s1600/Quito+021.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran & Ed Modeling Hats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh-HmN_koFYIEWWEKbPu5eI-JKqiJfGt8C9og0h7MXRYAQ3k-3GEzcHzW_AdYXxZK7LHOhWuQLiN5pA1epf-cU7_-7fr5vg5Oa2FxmN0KXUh_f8e9TPGL5whZfwKxvYhcqvT-xN1QoQA/s1600/Quito+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh-HmN_koFYIEWWEKbPu5eI-JKqiJfGt8C9og0h7MXRYAQ3k-3GEzcHzW_AdYXxZK7LHOhWuQLiN5pA1epf-cU7_-7fr5vg5Oa2FxmN0KXUh_f8e9TPGL5whZfwKxvYhcqvT-xN1QoQA/s1600/Quito+025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hat Showroom</td></tr>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-21378458331937772382014-02-06T16:39:00.000-08:002014-02-06T16:39:18.953-08:00Joyful Celebrations!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Everyone loves a parade and we're no exception. What a treat to just happen across this wonderfully colorful celebration in Cuenca, Ecuador. The dancing, singing, music and gaiety had everyone's feet tapping, participants and spectators alike.</div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-48882028589486701512014-01-17T05:16:00.001-08:002014-02-06T16:25:33.290-08:00Finding Our Way!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have been in Cuenca, Ecuador about 10 days now and are still fumbling, naturally, with the language. Fortunately Ed has enough Spanish, combined with the little English some Ecuadorians have, for us to get by.</div>
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After our first day, we began to get the lay of the land, partly with the help of a tour bus and partly with the help of our feet. Our first and second hotels were near the central plaza, Parque Abdon Calderon, so we circled the plaza with each circle expanding our explorations. We also spent a great deal of time sitting in the plaza and enjoying the people, sights, and sounds.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tour bus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parque Abdon Calderon with Catedral Nueva in the background</td></tr>
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One of our first church visits was Catedral Nueva (the new church, above and behind plaza) dating back to 1880 and located on the west side of Parque Abdon Calderon. The cathedral's interior has an amazing gold-leaf altar, stained glass windows and pink marble pillars. We were there during a service so enjoyed the fabulous acoustics when the organ was played. After the service a blind woman stood in the back of the cathedral singing and chanting. It sounded like she had a dozen voices.</div>
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On the opposite side of the park is another church, Catedral El Sagrario or Catedral Antiqua (Old Cathedral), begun in 1557, with stones from the ruins of the Inca palace of Pumapungo. According to our guide book the spire of this cathedral inspired an 1804 visit by a Spanish scientist to claim it more famous than the Egyptian pyramids.</div>
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The people and their markets of course captivated us. From the little lime woman on the curb to the market vendors selling fruits, vegetables and grains. The Incas considered the corn sacred so it was available, in every form, at every market. But, rice and potatoes are important with every meal so vendor after vendor would have both available in most instances. One of our tour guides told us,"If you don't have rice and potatoes at dinner, it's only an appetizer."</div>
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Woven products, clothing, blankets, bags and jewelry were also available in abundance. Not to mention trinkets, like the balloons you see below.<br />
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And, did I forget flowers? We always found a great abundance and variety of flowers in the markets so we could enjoy fresh flowers in our hotel rooms.<br />
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-10359031644748218802014-01-10T14:32:00.001-08:002014-02-06T16:28:17.738-08:00Challenging Trip to Cuenca, Ecuador<div style="text-align: justify;">
After some grueling hours trying to get here, we're finally here and beginning to adjust. We were flying standby on Delta and with the storms on the east coast flights were cancelled, rescheduled and full, out of Seattle. We thought we'd leave on the 3rd and then the 4th and then the 5th, and finally departed on the 6th, but not our scheduled flight. We got on a later flight than anticipated and that put us in Atlanta too late to catch our connection to Quito, Ecuador. </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Atlanta was beastly cold with the thermometer at 6 degrees but with wind chill at about -25. With only one flight to Quito per day on Delta, we needed to spend the entire day in the airport (too cold to go exploring) to depart at 6:00 p.m. We did catch that flight but it was by the skin of our teeth. We were told at the gate that we probably wouldn't make it, but fortunately we did. Another day of airport sitting would have been difficult. Once we arrived in Quito at 11:30 p.m. we had further connection problems, as we already anticipated, to catch a flight to Cuenca. Quito Airport is new and has few ground transportation options (with some unsafe) and no hotels. Advice obtained earlier from contacts in Cuenca was to sleep in the airport to catch an early morning commuter flight to Cuenca. That's what we did, but oh what a long, long night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was interesting to see how many people were sleeping in the airport. All night long people were curling up to sleep, more came, they did the same, and on and on all night long. By 5:00 a.m. the airport was jammed. For a new airport, it might be under designed, as it already seemed too small for the traffic they were seeing. And with no way to leave the airport, people were occupying every inch of floor and seating space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But, the next morning we arrived in Cuenca, checked into a hotel and here we are. Much more rested; altitude adjustment underway; lay of the land becoming familiar; grocery store, drug store, farmers' market and restaurants located; and plazas and parks scoped out. We've even found an apartment for the remainder of our stay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We are about to enjoy our first day's lunch in Cuenca.</span></div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-32711886800208309912013-12-24T05:32:00.000-08:002014-01-20T17:43:43.932-08:00Magic Happens!Our kitchen, turned over to Rosy, Tan Hong and Yessi, has become an international delight. Enough food was purchased at <a href="http://www.uwajimaya.com/">Uwajimaya</a> to feed an army, and was miraculously turned into a magnificent feast in just two hours. I mostly watched engulfing myself in the smells, sounds, and sights. My expectations expanded until I felt like pavlog's dog.<br />
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~~~</div>
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"Any time women come together with a collective intention, it's a powerful thing. Whether it's sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens."</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Phylicia Rashad </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">~~~</span></div>
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<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/phyliciara504113.html" title="view quote">Any
time women come together with a collective intention, it's a powerful
thing. Whether it's sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a
meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing
cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a
collective intention, magic happens.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/phylicia_rashad.html" title="view author">Phylicia Rashad</a></span>
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Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/meal.html#tkyJAzGAfcA11fHt.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/meal.html#tkyJAzGAfcA11fHt.99</a></div>
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The preparation ~<br />
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The food ~<br />
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The eating pleasure ~<br />
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We give thanks!</div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-33090100223485911382013-12-24T04:53:00.001-08:002013-12-24T08:27:36.195-08:00Welcoming Yessi's Family<br />
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China becomes our friend. A country always far, far away and not much in our sights has, because of sweet Yessi's influence, become more and more familiar. A few years ago I engulfed myself in Cultural Revolution readings, but that's not the China of today and not the China I'm experiencing vicariously through Brad and Yessi's relationship. I suddenly feel like my world has expanded in a million new ways as our lives expand to include thoughts of traveling to China, walking the Great Wall of China, enjoying meals at Yessi's family home in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiamen">Xiamen</a>, experiencing the coffee at Pacific Coffee of <a href="http://www.mukilteocoffee.com/">Mukilteo Coffee</a> fame) in Hong Kong, and so much more.</div>
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The holidays have brought us visitors from China making our immersion in the Chinese culture deeper and sweeter. Yessi's mom, Tan Hong, and aunt, Rosie, arrived a few days ago for a two week stay. They will be at our home the first week of their stay before going to Seattle for another week. On these first couple of days everyone has been tentative except for smiling, smiling, smiling! Yessi is trying to keep us all connected but with six people in the room, and only one bilingual person, she's pretty busy. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first evening together (left to right: Tan Hong, Brad, Ed, Fran & Rosie)<br />
Photo by Yessi</td></tr>
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We're honored to have guests for the holidays and very pleased to get to know Yessi's family. </div>
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"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Confucius</span></div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/confucius161594.html" title="view quote">Wherever you go, go with all your heart.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/confucius.html" title="view author">Confucius</a></span>
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Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#qwPRBdG7ZzqYAPPD.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#qwPRBdG7ZzqYAPPD.99</a></div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-80263499309779632402013-12-18T19:11:00.002-08:002013-12-23T09:35:20.813-08:00Preparing for the Holidays<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year our holiday preparations have been especially fun and exciting as we plan for Yessi's mom, Wu Dan Feng (or Tan Hong for short), and Yessi's aunt, Zeng Ming Ling (or Rosie for short) to arrive from China on the 21st. We are also seeing our holiday traditions through Yessi's eyes, as this is her first Christmas in the United States, and everything we do is once again new and exciting. Hearing Yessi say, in her delightful voice, "really?" delights us all.</div>
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One of our first holiday activities was, of course, putting up our Christmas tree. But first, we unpacked 45 years of collected ornaments. Brad has received at least one ornament each year of his life, plus Ed and I have a few of our own, so the big trunk holding our ornaments is jammed full. Unwrapping each ornament brings forth exclamations of, "Was that my first ornament?" Or, "That's the one Greg brought back from Germany." Or, "Remember that one? We got it in Banff." And then telling Yessi all about Banff or the Pass, or whatever place or memory the ornament unleashed. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinocchio </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm86qOvgqL2Re5A4y1j63BLzf2RIxOMd2pbVF7Zvqo9dEDTDtsPZTKQ7dPoB0L9urQN7X3KjpsUKNioIrjIOb77zAeBKa5MK2CBj7Dddfm2vVVTkMYDCIz8nS_hm83yb3VbhyDZwGFGCw/s1600/IMG_1814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm86qOvgqL2Re5A4y1j63BLzf2RIxOMd2pbVF7Zvqo9dEDTDtsPZTKQ7dPoB0L9urQN7X3KjpsUKNioIrjIOb77zAeBKa5MK2CBj7Dddfm2vVVTkMYDCIz8nS_hm83yb3VbhyDZwGFGCw/s400/IMG_1814.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lion of the scarecrow, tin man and lion from The Wizard of Oz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_OrdISSCtcQNRllj4FTSzDnAjBstvoyV7aitEPO8eJqDiaF90P7Z0fH9C_FktaF0oufRtILRM3XfND1ZOdL75_NzcscywC3Sm1on5VVtfmzr_ncxOlGxq2nQW0G-ONLJnjCjeabFzOw/s1600/IMG_1773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_OrdISSCtcQNRllj4FTSzDnAjBstvoyV7aitEPO8eJqDiaF90P7Z0fH9C_FktaF0oufRtILRM3XfND1ZOdL75_NzcscywC3Sm1on5VVtfmzr_ncxOlGxq2nQW0G-ONLJnjCjeabFzOw/s400/IMG_1773.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi, Brad & Ed putting on ornaments</td></tr>
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Yessi and I spent one day making candy and cookie gift boxes. We made chocolate chip cookies for eating now. But then we also made nut balls, peanut brittle and fudge to put into Christmas tins for gifts. The next day I also made toffee but although following the recipe carefully all we have to show for the effort is burned toffee and a smelly house.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnUWpNOgMQNTrLBd61BpfmrlA6M7AE8wRUBWsLrHz-ZLJlN8uLpdqqxO-0SMUP6rCVJXL4tir4Uj8RNZl01UKLfJMaCEmuWZMNR7_CiMf9lYMGSNLe6zi1eDuCrIboSE0OeGZ_Z_JkuE/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnUWpNOgMQNTrLBd61BpfmrlA6M7AE8wRUBWsLrHz-ZLJlN8uLpdqqxO-0SMUP6rCVJXL4tir4Uj8RNZl01UKLfJMaCEmuWZMNR7_CiMf9lYMGSNLe6zi1eDuCrIboSE0OeGZ_Z_JkuE/s400/IMG_1805.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran packing Christmas tins</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa13T2siaTkrwK8Y5ZbYQwajM0mAP_B47YOd7GkouA4skFbdoVRk9wQPqD2sOqpzUZYXqnC83TcJAjTsHGO20aRtV40M0mDd33q098B8D3Zq3GjMt5Igr6uT68Hb1GqA6XiHnrFFT8DI/s1600/IMG_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa13T2siaTkrwK8Y5ZbYQwajM0mAP_B47YOd7GkouA4skFbdoVRk9wQPqD2sOqpzUZYXqnC83TcJAjTsHGO20aRtV40M0mDd33q098B8D3Zq3GjMt5Igr6uT68Hb1GqA6XiHnrFFT8DI/s400/IMG_1807.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi carefully preparing wax paper lining in the tins</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZF-bnitkEWzgLSIx4-K43EITrjG89VEjZx4cXr7nRnLpFvdRn5Xss1XGoMCifCfyArTBayhA25e06Ts-rFXBZDL8Y8wZKnzEj3RwV-5IOl_FEtbRzJHH9Nkm5aRz2ai3nwlC-ioxksk/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZF-bnitkEWzgLSIx4-K43EITrjG89VEjZx4cXr7nRnLpFvdRn5Xss1XGoMCifCfyArTBayhA25e06Ts-rFXBZDL8Y8wZKnzEj3RwV-5IOl_FEtbRzJHH9Nkm5aRz2ai3nwlC-ioxksk/s400/IMG_1808.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A table full of sweets</td></tr>
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With Chinese visitors we needed stockings to hang with their names, and <i>not</i> in English. <span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9175556362140595658">吴丹凤 for Yessi's mom; </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9175556362140595658">郑敏玲 for Yessi's aunt; and </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9175556362140595658">哦 和 for Yessi, or at least close. The translations on Google are slightly different than Yessi's translations. I'm betting on Yessi being right! Our stockings this year have a delightful international look. Good Cheer has been scoured for wonderful little crazy trinkets for stuffing, along with some more useful items for use throughout the year. </a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HDNzMvOaYOtfrHAsOzX4V27WRh5o6exo-lVcZVr11YR855k0lTKIr_IuTU8BuwrFAtyyKQisui3_q9f-3R_efYPXhO3WdAl67jU_P9CPmiwjY4bhupqlWtCXpI_iWSfShpWqjFXu5mc/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HDNzMvOaYOtfrHAsOzX4V27WRh5o6exo-lVcZVr11YR855k0lTKIr_IuTU8BuwrFAtyyKQisui3_q9f-3R_efYPXhO3WdAl67jU_P9CPmiwjY4bhupqlWtCXpI_iWSfShpWqjFXu5mc/s400/IMG_1812.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stocking were hung with care -- no chimney.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9175556362140595658"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We also lit up an outside tree for both beauty and a night light for our house guests. The path between the barn's guest room and our main living building, even with our outdoor lights on, is dark. The tree helps light the path and the steps, plus it's a very beautiful Hinoki so the lights accent its beauty. </span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eMW4oxgTYFBDn7EejIuFOtpFCYDFT0ZmcDSgysWJ04MBtPiI97k9WdG4IZs4FgHSb5kojp5BN-xKvmT-qYFnqyj8Yduwd3TtA5bW3ZVuz1bZ_4Tdo3Uo0XftKIyYQTrTIJzqznfwXsA/s1600/IMG_1810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eMW4oxgTYFBDn7EejIuFOtpFCYDFT0ZmcDSgysWJ04MBtPiI97k9WdG4IZs4FgHSb5kojp5BN-xKvmT-qYFnqyj8Yduwd3TtA5bW3ZVuz1bZ_4Tdo3Uo0XftKIyYQTrTIJzqznfwXsA/s400/IMG_1810.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hinoki lighting the garden </td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9175556362140595658"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Most of the shopping is completed, along with the wrapping. Now we need to focus on meals and cleaning and gardening to be ready for our wonderful Christmas-of-two-worlds. Right after Christmas Yessi, Brad and Yessi's family will head to Seattle for several days, where they will be house and dog sitting for a friend. Yessi's mom and aunt return to China on the 3rd.</span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8NB81w95jfBROsg5LIttjIAecV_fjmlgJGkFLYsWwzDXeq2_268UY7GxpLmjJ4K7xlen9YNbo_uQlM5UDvr3rEAnIo_YXIjA6uNvhSnXhDrzaSSqFqhP2wNTsGCR1zvhBUD2zS9J0iw/s1600/IMG_1816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8NB81w95jfBROsg5LIttjIAecV_fjmlgJGkFLYsWwzDXeq2_268UY7GxpLmjJ4K7xlen9YNbo_uQlM5UDvr3rEAnIo_YXIjA6uNvhSnXhDrzaSSqFqhP2wNTsGCR1zvhBUD2zS9J0iw/s400/IMG_1816.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our living tree to be planted on Brad and Yessi's property after Christmas</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9175556362140595658"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Ed and I depart for Ecuador on the 3rd for our 4 week trial run.</span></a></div>
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<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-27243331853841289952013-12-05T16:53:00.000-08:002013-12-07T11:16:03.674-08:00Friendships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjENBn2qb87AXmG3xvGC6w6sgBSIQA07maPSq4FM0Tb9uLUJGPC_4zQZ_LkE3h8qKZzH76m5kZ69j-w36WDKDgaTK5nSkbz7RaBBmdJmYFGE-zskv73IVS4qi3NhG6nakbQxH45n9MSk/s1600/64816184_1356498786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjENBn2qb87AXmG3xvGC6w6sgBSIQA07maPSq4FM0Tb9uLUJGPC_4zQZ_LkE3h8qKZzH76m5kZ69j-w36WDKDgaTK5nSkbz7RaBBmdJmYFGE-zskv73IVS4qi3NhG6nakbQxH45n9MSk/s320/64816184_1356498786.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As we prepare to leave our home for a new adventure we must say goodbye to many wonderful friends. In thirty years of life in Langley, and before that, many years in Seattle, our list of friends, acquaintances, neighbors, political allies, and I-don't-know-your-name-but-we've-been-saying-hi-for-years folks. The list is long and the names and faces behind the list are very dear. </div>
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For better than a decade my book group has been gathering to talk books, politics and life events. We've shared, right along with great books, the sorrows of death, happiness of new grandchildren, the delight of new puppies, and the challenges of health problems. Our friendships have deepened and enriched us as we've moved through our years of reading and talking and laughing and crying. </div>
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There are political allies too. Folks we've shared various campaigns with for the past 45 years from Seattle and Whidbey Island both. Campaigns sought and lost or won and causes fought for, sometimes with amazing success, sometimes with stunning defeat. We're engaged in cheers, jeers, and tears as we let our hearts and our heads have their way. </div>
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As with any life, we have a long list of the good and the bad neighbors. The good ones, years later, long after moving from the neighborhood, are still friends and missed almost daily. Just this past year, after leaving my Seattle neighborhood 30 years ago, we enjoyed a neighborhood reunion. Neighbors are a bit like family. We don't pick our neighbors but in spending years talking over the fence, negotiating neighborhood issues, and in sharing kids and pets and garden tools, often very long term and special friendships are formed. Neighbors can become very dear friends, and often do in special ways that cross political, age and interest barriers.</div>
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In a small town there are the numerous encounters with folks weekly as we meet in the grocery, coffee shop or thrift store. Quick chats, over a number of years, add up to friendships. Kids, health, books, jobs and pets are discussed, along with the weather being too cold, too wet or just right. Why these encounters don't always result in dinner parties or wedding invitations is curious but everyone seems content to enjoy the spontaneity without the follow through. Chance encounters bring on hugs, good wishes or expressions of concern and these friendships spill and overlap and bounce about in a delightful way through the years. </div>
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But, we're leaving all this. We're moving to Ecuador. We're leaving our friends and our town and our well established lives in the Pacific Northwest. We're headed off to explore new neighbors, new cities, and to enjoy new adventures. Will we miss our friends? You bet we will. Skype, Facebook and e-mail will be our life lines to the many, many relationships we hold so dear but we won't feel the warm hugs or see the twinkle in the eye and we will be sad for that loss. </div>
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~~~</div>
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“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in,
stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk
away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them
for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith
together. Powerful stuff.” ~ Jon Katz</div>
fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-67295722703906745822013-11-24T19:25:00.000-08:002013-11-26T13:18:57.829-08:00Favorite Holiday -- whenever it happens!<div style="text-align: justify;">
When did it start? When did we first begin sharing Thanksgivings with Joe and Nancy? Joe and I met 30 years ago at a party at Island Design in Langley, WA. We liked one another immediately and stayed in touch over all these years. A year after Joe and I met, I married Ed. A few years later Joe married Nancy. On Joe and Nancy's wedding day we were introduced to Nancy for the first time. Ed's first words to Nancy were, "I'll never forget this day!" Nancy, taken aback at this strange man's forward comment, was at a lack for words. Ed then announced, "Today is my birthday." <br />
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As Joe and I connected all those years ago, so did Ed, Nancy, Joe and I connect as couples. To make it even more special, with Joe's age falling between Brad's age and mine, he became a hiking buddy and a good friend with Brad as well. A family was born, a Thanksgiving family, of very special friendships and connections. <br />
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We had our 2013 Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, five days early, on Lopez. It took a number of years to figure it out, but we finally came up with the plan to "beat" the holiday traffic and long ferry lines. It was an <i>aha</i> moment when we said to one another, "Let's celebrate on a day other than the actual holiday." Now we routinely celebrate Thanksgiving on the weekend before Thanksgiving.</div>
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It is a wonderful solution. We casually and comfortably gather one year on Lopez Island and the next on Whidbey Island to enjoy our thanksgiving-of-life with wonderfully good, long time friends, together with their Lopez Island friends when on Lopez and our Whidbey Island friends when on Whidbey. </div>
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So, as the rest of you rush around this week preparing for Thanksgiving, we are resting, exercising and enjoying the sweet peace of an early holiday celebration. Here are a few photographs of this year's gathering on Lopez Island. Unfortunately these photographs do not include all the people present, especially the two wonderful children (perhaps they were moving too fast for the camera lens), despite the delight they brought to the gathering.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xO3YX_3nJK_1bgi1ufeklkHaIq89QnvWgsQPgJ9Im5JDBKXG8s8xWDteAczt-kruNAETlS6R5QTaWKqwLVDxXZqykMfpoYNQqyEon4HTzAI0SADPZYc8ziNLUKuIdYNdreGcRMyh2h4/s1600/IMG_1753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xO3YX_3nJK_1bgi1ufeklkHaIq89QnvWgsQPgJ9Im5JDBKXG8s8xWDteAczt-kruNAETlS6R5QTaWKqwLVDxXZqykMfpoYNQqyEon4HTzAI0SADPZYc8ziNLUKuIdYNdreGcRMyh2h4/s400/IMG_1753.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi & Brad. <br />
We were blessed this year to share Thanksgiving with Yessi, her first ever Thanksgiving celebration. </td></tr>
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As after each year's Thanksgiving festivities, we end the weekend grateful for cherished friends and delicious food, plus outstanding conversations and a wonderful walk or two in the woods.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>they are the charming gardeners who make our</i></div>
</i><i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>souls blossom.</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Marcel Proust</span></i></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></h3>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marcelprou105251.html" title="view quote">Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marcel_proust.html" title="view author">Marcel Proust</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/grateful.html#9PpjAUv52ZHSIFw6.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/grateful.html#9PpjAUv52ZHSIFw6.99</a></div>
<br />
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marcelprou105251.html" title="view quote">Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marcel_proust.html" title="view author">Marcel Proust</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/grateful.html#9PpjAUv52ZHSIFw6.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/grateful.html#9PpjAUv52ZHSIFw6.99</a></div>
</div>
fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-51857398145022016442013-11-21T11:59:00.000-08:002013-11-21T12:06:31.522-08:00Red Roofs of Cuenca!As we huddle in the low 30's here on Whidbey Island I check the temperature in Cuenca, Ecuador. It is 73 degrees. So I begin to dream of the warm temperatures and the warm red roofs of Cuenca.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipElAOzH0t6Hr5OWskJ4Zqx9cppq_fM1Qxtk2uBJQ_r6TXWnye6z3THzNbMraGOPt896YlmY5GBPQaPh6vXFobMGKWitTXVV6DbG9BozUkJy-6iVj1lMj6pB_z3zV9t_Meu1FYlRCoLTE/s1600/Red-Tiled-Roof-Cuenca-Ecuador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipElAOzH0t6Hr5OWskJ4Zqx9cppq_fM1Qxtk2uBJQ_r6TXWnye6z3THzNbMraGOPt896YlmY5GBPQaPh6vXFobMGKWitTXVV6DbG9BozUkJy-6iVj1lMj6pB_z3zV9t_Meu1FYlRCoLTE/s400/Red-Tiled-Roof-Cuenca-Ecuador.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The color alone is warming me on this cold NW day</td></tr>
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Then my mind turns to the colorful, fresh, year-around fruits and vegetables of Cuenca.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgfg4BkBNU7C_TqrNCP52TuiWP5aKxlNGNy-Buo1l5ClUmtZnNhYsHjDxu-PslOF2L3ADhNIzn5zdNuGdSXApI_5y7o4R0JQGWGD6NUXm7p-eFsYXDlmNDOLlajcReKdJNnafXkM1Hj0/s1600/8180477963_f6340c2423_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgfg4BkBNU7C_TqrNCP52TuiWP5aKxlNGNy-Buo1l5ClUmtZnNhYsHjDxu-PslOF2L3ADhNIzn5zdNuGdSXApI_5y7o4R0JQGWGD6NUXm7p-eFsYXDlmNDOLlajcReKdJNnafXkM1Hj0/s400/8180477963_f6340c2423_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuenca market</td></tr>
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Followed by the idea of fresh flowers year around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz9eFmmzxOKIrL8K09M7KMpNcX4JhiU5JCCVUbA6MzvlZW5YSBJCVMrCgz3EvmtXIX6T4Dsmg-Ekmcrw844FgoTUotyT2GDm8d_n81ohFllcEsbGENsjlJSSsbbLTkWdPhAbbmsQtkh0/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz9eFmmzxOKIrL8K09M7KMpNcX4JhiU5JCCVUbA6MzvlZW5YSBJCVMrCgz3EvmtXIX6T4Dsmg-Ekmcrw844FgoTUotyT2GDm8d_n81ohFllcEsbGENsjlJSSsbbLTkWdPhAbbmsQtkh0/s400/images-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuenca flower vendor</td></tr>
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All of this adds up to the news that we have reservations to fly to Ecuador on January 3, 2014. This first trip we will only stay for 4 weeks to test out our instincts and the wisdom of relocating to a strange land. When there we will look for housing; check on Resident Visa requirements; determine the key items we'll need and what we can weed from our baggage; and investigate what the details of life will look like once we move.</div>
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At first we thought we'd just go. Dog crate in one hand, two bicycles in another, plus several bags of clothing and various household items piled around our feet. As I tried to visualize this, it became too fuzzy to imagine. We changed our plans to include a trial visit. Dog and bikes stay home as do all household items. After our January run, we'll know more about housing, transportation, and a million other details, like what to pack and what to leave behind. Whew! Breathing again. Now, back to learning Spanish. </div>
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Adios para hoy.</div>
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-89457480238225321412013-11-21T11:22:00.001-08:002013-12-23T09:45:18.342-08:00The Sweetness of Yessi and Brad<span style="text-align: justify;">Brad has found a very special woman in Yessi. We are delighted for him and we are delighted to have Yessi in our lives. This relationship will bring together two very interesting and adventurous people. We will all expand our thinking, broaden our horizons, and benefit from this beautiful blend of different worlds, languages, tastes, experiences, ideas, political views, desires, expectations, habits and more….</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbJ4NhgcZ8-CvoMoWfrQLFzj-nneEC_z6QzLTRCx0oLCcI-_drhBNvN_YOuKccwopc6lfqqNt7_Gxf0afcQ7oqniarfkkPYQsKgLKIcFSew0NLrmJE7wxKA9eVZ5Sdxr5GLnvz380X3A/s1600/IMG_2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbJ4NhgcZ8-CvoMoWfrQLFzj-nneEC_z6QzLTRCx0oLCcI-_drhBNvN_YOuKccwopc6lfqqNt7_Gxf0afcQ7oqniarfkkPYQsKgLKIcFSew0NLrmJE7wxKA9eVZ5Sdxr5GLnvz380X3A/s400/IMG_2552.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi & Brad ravishingly hungry after a day of hiking in the Olympics, 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bi3k84oJmqqhQIS-Gs8ySTtZNLcMsAeCOKY5jRmKKaePptm9UCj-CVJV2kMQw2a45yAtUluw-j-DgiGGH6ceAj9EzifsGR9LYv1gl181E2RCZxfUONGDEQjrF5khPKPGmq-zm-o-bi8/s1600/IMG_7419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bi3k84oJmqqhQIS-Gs8ySTtZNLcMsAeCOKY5jRmKKaePptm9UCj-CVJV2kMQw2a45yAtUluw-j-DgiGGH6ceAj9EzifsGR9LYv1gl181E2RCZxfUONGDEQjrF5khPKPGmq-zm-o-bi8/s400/IMG_7419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi & Brad hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4l_yPRlN-iH-czQhMg6xj6b2t6ET23VTDymWlkhypSZitX5VlWjF3-58zIt9bqWtVJTKOgauBA_RhtBchuTSeaDj2ziNAaFjfWciIXAujKDnItL9kIvPJuVTF5hMx04tX0lZ7qDOzkQ/s1600/P4280679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4l_yPRlN-iH-czQhMg6xj6b2t6ET23VTDymWlkhypSZitX5VlWjF3-58zIt9bqWtVJTKOgauBA_RhtBchuTSeaDj2ziNAaFjfWciIXAujKDnItL9kIvPJuVTF5hMx04tX0lZ7qDOzkQ/s400/P4280679.JPG" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi & Brad in New Zealand, 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuLNOXqRhQyWdi1S5UXLPeR9pxonhLWKK0Psjm7G-lgxFM3h1KWKKSABkUgQ35y4Ln_G1gnqzyrRtdT-0_GM0YU9jXRlpLHJHDlQfgg8sEVX6-dftzkRUtyscYZ7H25uUvaLbjaVmpT0/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuLNOXqRhQyWdi1S5UXLPeR9pxonhLWKK0Psjm7G-lgxFM3h1KWKKSABkUgQ35y4Ln_G1gnqzyrRtdT-0_GM0YU9jXRlpLHJHDlQfgg8sEVX6-dftzkRUtyscYZ7H25uUvaLbjaVmpT0/s400/photo+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A delighted Benton, Fran & Ed!</td></tr>
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We hope Yessi and Brad enjoy years of love and happiness!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMNSfn194YsA2ekfeiQ1Usj7uKmNGZ6WOiR3Lv9kRQrGxhXMlflK0lI7muR7cu66l28qsj0a18p1KR4moS9qe25RkucNtyhoTShioNgkxh3U9uMWGULmfDDvR4tFhyphenhyphen6Xpvz7E6D-9C2s/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMNSfn194YsA2ekfeiQ1Usj7uKmNGZ6WOiR3Lv9kRQrGxhXMlflK0lI7muR7cu66l28qsj0a18p1KR4moS9qe25RkucNtyhoTShioNgkxh3U9uMWGULmfDDvR4tFhyphenhyphen6Xpvz7E6D-9C2s/s400/IMG_0557.JPG" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi & Brad<br />
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-26606513552484373082013-11-10T09:08:00.000-08:002013-12-23T09:36:06.167-08:00Life is to be lived<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brad has always been an amazing influence on my life, in so many ways, all the way back to his birth. Initially it was me leading him into camping, hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, new friendships, travel, and design but that changed. I can't remember when it was that he began to push me to the next more difficult step. We were still doing all the same activities but with Brad's nudging, I would go harder, faster, further, He radicalized my thinking in topic after topic. He radicalized my efforts in activity after activity. I've spend every day since 1968 teaching and learning; learning and teaching; and marveling at the unfolding adventures Brad has introduced me to. The latest is his wonderfully sweet relationship with Yessi.</div>
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If you've been reading this blog, or Brad's <a href="http://www.dbbrad.blogspot.com/">blog</a> you'll know that he hiked 5000 miles in 2012. At the end of the year, his adventure was topped off with Yessi's company. They met in New Zealand when Brad was hiking the Te Araroa trail and Yessi was spending a year traveling and working in New Zealand. They got together again in China where Brad met her family and enjoyed a quick tour of Xiamen and surrounds, before they took off to hike the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Yessi's first hike was begun on one of our world's most challenging treks, not a hike at Ebey's landing, or some other wonderful, but relatively easy hike. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BawTwbY8D6amQr62u7h0oJWsWDkhzPccdrcfJ3M1wtxbadvPmHLPnA2Hbpki0mkp4q-4ETSIrsKdpL7A_JB8xeh-eHCNkOpY1r6_AgISYYMzAVCJxMKYTKpLtQVyDXX6bbgIGDndaGw/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BawTwbY8D6amQr62u7h0oJWsWDkhzPccdrcfJ3M1wtxbadvPmHLPnA2Hbpki0mkp4q-4ETSIrsKdpL7A_JB8xeh-eHCNkOpY1r6_AgISYYMzAVCJxMKYTKpLtQVyDXX6bbgIGDndaGw/s400/photo.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi on the Annapurna Circuit</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yessi is a go-for-it-person and she's hooked up with a go-for-it-guy. Wavering isn't part of the relationship Brad and Yessi are tackling. From Customs to hiking to cultural differences, their relationship has been one huge adventure.</div>
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With a traditional Chinese upbringing, Yessi's exploratory enthusiasm is especially remarkable. Not that she doesn't suffer conflicting values, like us all, but she still jumps in to experience the new, taking her well beyond her upbringing in xiamen, China. And, naturally, she takes all of us, especially Brad, well beyond the customs of America.</div>
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The latest, and perhaps one of the more remarkable activities she's engaged in on her return trip to America is climbing. On a cold day in November, on Whidbey Island, she conquered her fear of climbing on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Erie_%28Washington%29">Mt. Erie</a>, WA. Shivering with fear, she stepped over the edge with a smile on her face.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZtGT0bwDmrv-Zly1IgY10KNrSxKKYOQg7UuI6vgSvn2f_e4_AOabo6H12zfxPVHK8wL5pThFHsTDblTssKy8ML7GzxBh71VBDV2U61sNrVWcYYMYNnTLxRpD6JsEhU3KuNaJpkOAtZ8/s1600/IMG_4772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZtGT0bwDmrv-Zly1IgY10KNrSxKKYOQg7UuI6vgSvn2f_e4_AOabo6H12zfxPVHK8wL5pThFHsTDblTssKy8ML7GzxBh71VBDV2U61sNrVWcYYMYNnTLxRpD6JsEhU3KuNaJpkOAtZ8/s400/IMG_4772.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi rappelling off Mt. Erie</td></tr>
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Brad's life is far richer for knowing Yessi and her life has expanded to unfathomable places in her relationship with Brad. All our lives have expanded. We are grateful!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw15yKkrEw2pn0Tu1dP7GR3jHXuM3Q1TBVJ2MLdlBsjCobSeZicoU6TBtVNDS3MhrnCIyhGzQH9dHByWkaLuBEGAdg5rAQsOgdU3c6CknGQaPM9dFtg5PEVbVt8M9TMT_iot77r1SzHo/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw15yKkrEw2pn0Tu1dP7GR3jHXuM3Q1TBVJ2MLdlBsjCobSeZicoU6TBtVNDS3MhrnCIyhGzQH9dHByWkaLuBEGAdg5rAQsOgdU3c6CknGQaPM9dFtg5PEVbVt8M9TMT_iot77r1SzHo/s400/IMG_1144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi & Brad sharing a quiet moment on the Mukilteo ferry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Just walk beside me and be my friend.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Albert Camus</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/albertcamu100779.html" title="view quote">Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/albert_camus.html" title="view author">Albert Camus</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html#2AHQCmQAJQmJVwKY.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html#2AHQCmQAJQmJVwKY.99</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/albertcamu100779.html" title="view quote">Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/albert_camus.html" title="view author">Albert Camus</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html#2AHQCmQAJQmJVwKY.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html#2AHQCmQAJQmJVwKY.99</a></div>
</div>
</div>
fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-22121066631835072792013-10-29T13:09:00.001-07:002013-11-21T11:27:06.711-08:00Pumpkin Party<span style="text-align: justify;">It's great fun to share our American traditions with Yessi. She is so enthusiastic to try almost anything. When she last visited she wanted to mow lawns, drive tractors, shoot guns, hike new trails, travel vast distances on Brad's motorbike, and eat anything we put in front of her. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This visit appears to be similar, with Yessi game for anything. So we planned a mini pumpkin party. We started our family gathering with pumpkin-curry soup and Screaming Banshee bread. Our dessert was a pumpkin-rice pudding.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After eating pumpkin, we moved onto carving pumpkins into Jack-o'-lanterns.</div>
<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yessi and Brad carving Jack--o'--lanterns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjGnu3c177RccEbLBQgJVAN9zTcEUj-9r8LUCr6eK6O8BUcDkNYrn-XanX57HOk_xZNEha_lADb70bYV9NypwIgwb0kmuD0DI3U2VnvTYj_oTinkanjTTEeWzkTVayl3-HwDqMx5qYtA/s1600/IMG_1730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjGnu3c177RccEbLBQgJVAN9zTcEUj-9r8LUCr6eK6O8BUcDkNYrn-XanX57HOk_xZNEha_lADb70bYV9NypwIgwb0kmuD0DI3U2VnvTYj_oTinkanjTTEeWzkTVayl3-HwDqMx5qYtA/s400/IMG_1730.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad resorted to working in the shop at one point</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad uses a drill and Fran resorts to the old fashioned knife for pumpkin carving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6C812dVk6tYUssY-iuztHYpl8YYec3nt2-2RrZs3Ur710V93IAx9-1lqUiQ6s6Gcj6T3vZ3TYRdN2OCQ-5SDR_22Jn5pBKb77uEbh6d7OeS7IHzKBIIZv1D2d7VbcrU71smJaIx3G98/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6C812dVk6tYUssY-iuztHYpl8YYec3nt2-2RrZs3Ur710V93IAx9-1lqUiQ6s6Gcj6T3vZ3TYRdN2OCQ-5SDR_22Jn5pBKb77uEbh6d7OeS7IHzKBIIZv1D2d7VbcrU71smJaIx3G98/s400/IMG_1728.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed too resorts to power tools, while Yessi digs into the center of her pumpkin to clean it out with her hands</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOgpg6CcBxfCOHBcaXHG5KjOBBlesLx_eMu478KbCrGmkerICywgj15gBSAeuJm6kaYCF2DRF61lKE9gfiHbdxhf6QNrMStQlAo3AdP1h2Me5HHrrqj9GCpNRi75akyPo1x1sf2xxzDU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOgpg6CcBxfCOHBcaXHG5KjOBBlesLx_eMu478KbCrGmkerICywgj15gBSAeuJm6kaYCF2DRF61lKE9gfiHbdxhf6QNrMStQlAo3AdP1h2Me5HHrrqj9GCpNRi75akyPo1x1sf2xxzDU/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our glowing Jack-o'-lanterns<br />
From left to right -- Brad, Yessi, Fran & Ed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><o:p> </o:p><strong style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Halloween, Halloween,</span></span></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Comic Sans MS;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><strong style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: small;">Oh what funny things I've seen...</span></span></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: small;">Witches Hats,</span></span></span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"></span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: small;">Coal Black Cats,</span></span></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: small;">Broom Stick Riders,</span></span></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: small;">Mice and Bats! </span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #dc5e47; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
</span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-1947131814002046962013-10-11T15:13:00.000-07:002013-11-21T11:27:47.901-08:00A Day in America<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday Brad and I went to Seattle to purchase cabinet hardware from Builder's Hardware & Supply Co. but before we got there we had a couple of mini diversions. First we went to the Apple Store in Alderwood Mall to shop for a new computer for me. My present desk top computer is much too large to tote to Ecuador so I was searching for a MacBook Air with Brad and Ed's help. The discussion on our tech needs is ongoing. If any of you readers have suggestions, please join the discussion.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJFjfAOgHwT2-1EtUL03rQffdtJDyGnK6loTPFYTx2rQ8Tichtgi_8MaOUIdIp4qf8lgEs5FRVDvuh3Pf8Oz0ffCqIp6VRFxr2Rqw2A_U-ETRl2oPCVFtszl0m9BhooTuw6uNC05wSvI/s1600/IMG_4647.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJFjfAOgHwT2-1EtUL03rQffdtJDyGnK6loTPFYTx2rQ8Tichtgi_8MaOUIdIp4qf8lgEs5FRVDvuh3Pf8Oz0ffCqIp6VRFxr2Rqw2A_U-ETRl2oPCVFtszl0m9BhooTuw6uNC05wSvI/s400/IMG_4647.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran, Michael our sales person, and Ed at the Apple Store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After dropping Ed off at Cascadia College in Bothell where he's teaching computer programming and organizational psychology, Brad and I continued on to Seattle to run our errands. But, on the way to Builder's Hardware we passed the Pike Place Market. Since it was lunch time, we stopped for a quick 2 hour <i>holiday</i>. A little hole in the wall Chinese Restaurant, with a 10+ view struck our fancy so we lunched there. No regrets. Good food, outstanding view of Elliott Bay, and good conversation. Then we wandered the market quickly, enjoying the sights.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wEAMlWsbMag4cwzVd7KaPAVUVF1222NtosMC5uhvfQYqJxurJ6LqHSH91eC5vqYN7w_2le3LKHs8BwmjBfHfSF2At09kmyCxbJ8XI9rJ9B9AgwsRuuFoTewBbuzAlTEjFdHVryKrA4Y/s1600/IMG_4650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wEAMlWsbMag4cwzVd7KaPAVUVF1222NtosMC5uhvfQYqJxurJ6LqHSH91eC5vqYN7w_2le3LKHs8BwmjBfHfSF2At09kmyCxbJ8XI9rJ9B9AgwsRuuFoTewBbuzAlTEjFdHVryKrA4Y/s400/IMG_4650.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ihrlBToK4EPs85d2uDRMIlpe0zk00uYtWDKZ6qvks0vJJApFTr3kp6re48pL_ST3fw9_7WQfGH4X1difdbfgHZyYdtX8z6dqF9zg3VCXIGg1GVM39S53LY-C_-8aE4qmySPGRH_sCXs/s1600/IMG_4651.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ihrlBToK4EPs85d2uDRMIlpe0zk00uYtWDKZ6qvks0vJJApFTr3kp6re48pL_ST3fw9_7WQfGH4X1difdbfgHZyYdtX8z6dqF9zg3VCXIGg1GVM39S53LY-C_-8aE4qmySPGRH_sCXs/s400/IMG_4651.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran at the gum wall<br />
How in the world did this wall get started?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7Jq_kKYzyeyrcP_9LB7NHhSY7gukLMdq9u2gEbw6R1A7f_NzlvWR7pnPrBHAX0Ldijji4huwClkd2Rtp_R6liX_eDIhKM28s-hVjsWXEQUldq8zllJRQVahpGZreV6tpPmN31nU289M/s1600/IMG_4655.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7Jq_kKYzyeyrcP_9LB7NHhSY7gukLMdq9u2gEbw6R1A7f_NzlvWR7pnPrBHAX0Ldijji4huwClkd2Rtp_R6liX_eDIhKM28s-hVjsWXEQUldq8zllJRQVahpGZreV6tpPmN31nU289M/s400/IMG_4655.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful little coffee shop on Western Avenue with outstanding<br />
gluten free pastries. I never thought I would say "good" in conjunction with gluten free, but this little shop<br />
is the exception to the rule. Coffee was excellent too. Nice proprietors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-26664278129406321782013-10-08T14:52:00.000-07:002013-10-08T14:52:23.056-07:00Bad news; Good news<br />
<br />
The Bad news is Yessi returned to China after spending four months in the U.S. leaving us in a huge missing mode. The Good news is she will be returning this October, God willing and the Visa creek don't rise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gcJnc0L-ss9biJmnNKWvjRooP0IP759GfvBArZDGQltRNTCMyQk_xnksPs8jH_Ym8DoMvUftlOq-AkTKHXQEqOhsGAjcPwsrAirsUOa9s8FFl8q22XQgARGHzfz1DpvwlUN6u27O3Ag/s1600/524904_10151331317528507_1186655462_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gcJnc0L-ss9biJmnNKWvjRooP0IP759GfvBArZDGQltRNTCMyQk_xnksPs8jH_Ym8DoMvUftlOq-AkTKHXQEqOhsGAjcPwsrAirsUOa9s8FFl8q22XQgARGHzfz1DpvwlUN6u27O3Ag/s400/524904_10151331317528507_1186655462_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ed and I can't wait to see her again. Benton, if he could understand what we're telling him, would be full of woofs and wiggles. Brad, naturally, is beside himself.<br />
<br />
Hurry back Yessi! We've been missing you!fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175556362140595658.post-76401451695530715742013-10-08T13:23:00.000-07:002013-10-09T10:46:59.251-07:00A Country Unfolds.. <div style="text-align: justify;">
When Brad was on the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand, I went crazy researching every lake, river and town he came to. Following his footsteps on my computer maps and Google searching every inch along the trail was a wonderful way to be by his side. By the end of his five month thru-hike on the TeAraroa Tail, I felt like I'd traveled NZ, from tip to tip, and knew it quite well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcCvaGJ-9kzeGgfeS7CcUyWqxZudc7h8i5ETtkP3ZDsBvjyIDrjNXv5EuRz7xtyHBbKbC19vLVUE6uWmI_BglnVs-9TQ3arfDv1u3Tnh7ARAE2gKjuzf3smVx94qBRWn9iL_haQRUcd8/s1600/P4200451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcCvaGJ-9kzeGgfeS7CcUyWqxZudc7h8i5ETtkP3ZDsBvjyIDrjNXv5EuRz7xtyHBbKbC19vLVUE6uWmI_BglnVs-9TQ3arfDv1u3Tnh7ARAE2gKjuzf3smVx94qBRWn9iL_haQRUcd8/s400/P4200451.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad at Bluff, NZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did the same thing when he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Annapurna Circuit. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s4TbFlDrT3-gIATL1DQcDEPBQ9D0jAXPUdk6UdDyW510VQoX0pJXUq2xVxF0OSPSby9oiCLlvILuZYMfCrwcmBjJMMp5UEZr8R2UN0NeongZ1RzoTLyb6Gy3cz3EtgwrudeGDRT6cX8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s4TbFlDrT3-gIATL1DQcDEPBQ9D0jAXPUdk6UdDyW510VQoX0pJXUq2xVxF0OSPSby9oiCLlvILuZYMfCrwcmBjJMMp5UEZr8R2UN0NeongZ1RzoTLyb6Gy3cz3EtgwrudeGDRT6cX8/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad on PCT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVgatAbLAz725mvlzMhVg_cBwEsNq2WYAjJGOhFcgXLVOHCQS-6Z9IpKVyZgYJd82zysY0Cys8wUpZMlLCtQZzUhJLvxR0hxTC3terbMax-ONZzkG4eazfdBq_Rph0EYLm_7tUl08WEk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVgatAbLAz725mvlzMhVg_cBwEsNq2WYAjJGOhFcgXLVOHCQS-6Z9IpKVyZgYJd82zysY0Cys8wUpZMlLCtQZzUhJLvxR0hxTC3terbMax-ONZzkG4eazfdBq_Rph0EYLm_7tUl08WEk/s400/photo.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad on the Annapurna Circuit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, I'm researching for my own moving-to-Ecuador-adventure and I find the sleuthing equally fascinating.<br />
<br />
One item that popped up in my research, and quite fascinated me, was that Cuenca has recycling. From the Cuenca Digest:</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> Cuenca city government has announced that garbage recycling will become
mandatory in March. The municipality will impose fines on users of
the city’s waste collection system who do not separate organic,
inorganic and plastic waste after Mar. 1 (2010).</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The ordinance establishing the recycling program was adopted in 2004 but
has not been actively enforced. According to the city’s sanitation
office, fines will range from $10 to $100 dollars. A spokesman for the
office said that fines would also be imposed on people who do not adhere
to garbage collection schedules and who place garbage on curbs on
non-pick-up days. </i></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In reading further about Cuenca's recycling program I discovered that there is recycling before recycling. Once the residents set out their recycling cans for the city-wide pickup, there is another "pickup" as Cuencanos sort through the cans to capture items that they can turn in for money. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm also amazed by the reports that there is non-stop cleanup by green-suited men and women who sweep and clean the streets. Their bagged garbage isn't put on the roadside but is instead put in brackets high off the ground to keep it out of reach of he dogs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAUv2X2_IXaX9r_8RstPukaSR5KvQURXMpVCsUGcnLkKuYgYjpwhQ6z-u1n_6YW1lMH_fC88nQGXpKdUNyNMOiebQvnAoqCCt3l1bh1pSJOpqVJO7tzrS9yQ9VR0O-bamvGssxSp3I68/s1600/Cuenca+street+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAUv2X2_IXaX9r_8RstPukaSR5KvQURXMpVCsUGcnLkKuYgYjpwhQ6z-u1n_6YW1lMH_fC88nQGXpKdUNyNMOiebQvnAoqCCt3l1bh1pSJOpqVJO7tzrS9yQ9VR0O-bamvGssxSp3I68/s400/Cuenca+street+scene.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And, I love this, cattle are often put by their owners in the center strip or along the sides of roads to eat the grass, keeping it mowed and neat, while feeding their livestock. Seeing people along side the roads digging weeds (actually edible herbs) that they sell at the market is also a common sight and helps keep the sides of the road tidy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ImDk-tcGSxM1-YokF9pbt-J0HP9ibMH6pftW5v2Z7EXVxWEvrmCle_HSB2db1lwzHdIIOLG1EuLpX3kbF2OOipDYfYogMCPDbpB_aJk3iBzOKnKiA3DAtQAlrdY4N79OxpU6snCVhU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ImDk-tcGSxM1-YokF9pbt-J0HP9ibMH6pftW5v2Z7EXVxWEvrmCle_HSB2db1lwzHdIIOLG1EuLpX3kbF2OOipDYfYogMCPDbpB_aJk3iBzOKnKiA3DAtQAlrdY4N79OxpU6snCVhU/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The thrift of the culture is so wonderful to read about after being frustrated here in the states with the love affair we have with objects, just to then carelessly toss the leftovers out the window or into the landfill. </div>
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A complaint I see on expats' blogs is that there are no thrift stores. The Cuencanos use what they buy and then reuse it so it does not result in waste. I see this as a very good thing. I might miss my trip to Good Cheer, but I'm going to be very grateful to live in a culture that does not thrive on waste.</div>
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I often read that Cuenca is a very clean city. The cars and busses are clean. The streets are
clean. The people wear clean clothes. The city is manicured. Music to my ears!</div>
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Here in my progressive town in the Pacific Northwest we have not yet achieved recycling, nor does our city keep the streets swept and grass mowed on a very regular basis. I know there will be things I don't like about Cuenca, just like here, but I will thrive in a non materialistic atmosphere of cleanliness and good maintenance.</div>
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<br />fredleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12067499980692570586noreply@blogger.com0