Happy Holidays from Maine!

Greetings from a snowy but beautiful Maine!

On behalf of Tim and myself, Happy Holidays! We hope this holiday season finds you all well and happy. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and terrific new year! Best, Carla

I see from the many unopened emails in my inbox that I’m woefully behind in returning emails and other messages lately. My regrets for the delays, and it may be a while yet before I catch up, so thank you for your patience and understanding. Many of you—perhaps knowing my tendency to take on many projects simultaneously—have already presumed correctly that with the addition of LL Bean to my usual mix that I must be “flat out” (well put Nicole). What can I say except, you know me well!

This year our Christmas card will be of this email variety, so best wishes to you all for a wonderful holiday! Please see below for some general notes about what our “pack” has been up to lately, and please see our website (http://home.maine.rr.com/ctssyount/Index.html) or blog (http://ctssyount.blogspot.com/) for more photos and other anecdotes. (You are most welcome to forward this email to anyone else who might be interested. Thanks in advance). Again, all our best and Happy Holidays!

If you’ve been following our website and blog, then you know I’ve been working 1st shift as a seasonal employee during the “peak” at the LL Bean warehouse in nearby Freeport. Yesterday was my 20th day in a row nonstop (we added Saturdays in November, and then Sundays too at Thanksgiving, so it’s been quite the marathon). With the possible exception of our multi-day delivery of Sacajawea (sailboat) from BVI to Grenada, I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this tired (but in a “good tired” kind of way, you know?). Like most of us out there, I’ve often worked 7 days/week to meet a deadline or whatever, but for me that usually entailed working the weekends more at my own schedule and pace. So this is the first time I’ve pulled this many days in a row where I punch a clock between 5am and 7am for an 8-10 hour shift (and if we punch in at 5:03 we’re considered late). I haven’t punched a time clock since my days at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort in Oregon, and I had forgotten what that was like; but you get used to it.

As noted in the blog, the physical demands of a picker’s job are notable since we walk 8-12 miles/day to cover the huge warehouse, and there is lots of lifting and climbing as well. I was looking for something physical…..and LL Bean has certainly not disappointed me! Add to that our typical Maine winter where going to work means shoveling out your car before and after work, and you start to see how living in a cold climate can add a more “physical” element to life. Thank goodness there have been some weeks when Tim’s schedule allowed him to be home, and bless his heart for those days when he was out there with me at 4:15am to help ensure I got to work on time. I’ve got to hand it to the regular employees at Bean who do this every year just so customers can receive gifts on time. But then, Mainers are known for being pretty hearty folks.

Tim is still working with JDSU as a business development manager and is still a road warrior, traveling well into 60-75 percent of the time. When he’s home he’s still taking Aikido and has become a pretty dedicated student – working toward his 4th kyu for those familiar with the process. I can certainly see the benefits because at 48 he’s probably in about as good shape as anyone I know. As you can see by the photos above of my first “skijoring” experience with Samantha and Kennedy, we stay outdoors quite a bit with our three dogs. Since all three of them have some Husky mix, they also seem to enjoy winter sports (Samantha especially is in her element, and when the snow flies sometimes we have difficulty getting her to come inside). So to those down South who ask why we don’t come down there and “thaw out” – I can only say you must have us confused with someone else, because we’re loving it! :>)

We’re both still actively involved in our local Portland community as volunteers, especially all things related to water. We recently completed additional seamanship training from the US Coast Guard; and this training, along with Carla’s involvement in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, is part of our longer-term plan to move more into marine oriented jobs over the next few years (stay tuned for more on this later as it evolves).

As noted above, you can always find the latest news from our "pack" anytime at our website: http://home.maine.rr.com/ctssyount/Index.html (To navigate within the site, click on the links within the text or any of the "navigation links" on the left). The blog address is: http://ctssyount.blogspot.com/ where you’ll find additional photos and anecdotes of all kinds. And please feel free to forward this email or the website/blog addresses to others if you like.

And as always, we look forward to staying in touch and hearing what your "pack" is up to also. Woof!
Cheers! Carla

"My goal in life is to be the person my dog thinks I am" unknown

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Mark Twain

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Aesop

"If we attempt to control what other people know or don't know, then we are attempting to control them."

"Family is the people in our lives who treat us with kindness and respect, and who also stand up for us when others are not treating us that way in our absence and we aren’t there to stand up for ourselves. If we don't fulfill these basic acts of human kindness for someone else, then we haven't earned the right to call someone our family -- we are merely their relatives.....and not very nice ones."

"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew; And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up."--Martin Niemöller

Winding up LL Bean "peak" seasonal work

We are finally coming to the end of seasonal work at LL Bean for the holiday "peak." If you've followed earlier installments (see earlier ones lower in this blog using the link "Older Posts"), then you know the pace since Thanksgiving has increased dramatically.

Saturday, Dec 22 was for some of us (including me) our 20th day working in a row without a day off. Starting in November, Monday-Saturday became mandatory (as expected when we were hired), and then at Thanksgiving Sundays were added as well but on a voluntary basis. Now I've always been a soft touch, so when they ask us to work Sundays to help people get their Christmas gifts on time, and I think about all those adorable kid's snowsuits and sleds I'm picking out there, how can one say no?

LL Bean does their part to help out employees who are working extended shifts and every day of the week. We all watch for the safety cart which patrols the warehouse loaded with water and "pick me up" treats (chocolate, animal crackers, granola bars, bubble gum, even an ice scraper for those snowier days). We have instructor-led stretch breaks twice each shift where we have a chance to stretch out those muscles we're working so hard to prevent repetitive use injuries (actually the stretch breaks are done year round). And if you work Sundays your name is entered in drawings (the final Sunday featured free gas cards and even 3 flat-screen tv's -- one for each shift). I didn't win one, but it was fun to hear the drawings and the excitement of those who did. Very cool.

I think for me the "peak" I noticed was last Saturday. On Sundays I typically started my shift at 5am so I could get out by 1pm, but Saturdays were what we called "regularly scheduled days" which means you work your usual shift just like any other day, so I went in at 7am as usual. By 9am that morning the warehouse -- as big as it is -- seemed to be bursting at the seams with so many people and so much activity that it was almost intimidating -- but yet exhilarating at the same time. In those busiest days when we have 100k+ orders to get out, they pull in "day hikers" -- these are employees from other departments and towns who volunteer to be trained to work in the warehouse to help us in distribution during those especially heavy order days.

On these busiest of order days when it's "all hands on deck", and with the extra addition of the day hikers, that warehouse is really something. There are people and hoppers and flatbeds and shopping carts speeding here and there like travelers rushing to catch trains at Grand Central Station. It becomes quite comical sometimes when 4 or 5 of us approach the same intersection in the warehouse with our heavily ladden flatbeds or carts, and since there are no road signals we of course use courtesy and take turns about who goes through it first. This is important since most of our equipment is quite heavy and dangerous if we run over someone. We follow what we call the "yellow brick road" -- actually it's not brick, but yellow lines drawn on the concrete floor which separate walking lanes from areas where we "pull over" to get merchandise from the shelves. These "directional" pathways help, but there is still no replacement for courtesy and being constantly aware of where you are and who's nearby.

When I zipped over to zone 24 where the backpacks and personal organizers are located, I could hear the constant hummmm of those computerized sewing machines as the monogram staff personalized one item after another for someone (tote bags, back packs, organizers, robes, pajamas -- you name it and they can monogram it!).

Later I might wander (at warp speed of course) to the back of the warehouse where the "low bay picking" (where I work) ends and "high bay" begins. High bay (shown in photo at left, see the person standing under the light in the blue shirt) is the area where the shelves are something like 3 stories high, and the pickers there operate forklift-like machines which raise and lower them up and down the high bays (hence the name) where they pick the merchandise off the shelves. Because of the risk of falling they wear harnesses which keep them tethered to the mechanized hopper in case they slip -- but I understand that even that doesn't prevent them from getting pretty bruised up if they miss, since the harness must be loose enough to allow them freedom of movement -- so this means if they accidentally step off that platform they have room to swing and crash back into the metal platform before they stop. This is not a job for the squeamish, and you can always recognize high-bay personnel when they come through our area because they are fully "suited up" in the harness and other safety gear. Reminds me of my days working at Lockheed Martin with the Air Force and all those pilots running around in flight suits.

When in the warehouse we move fast because as I mentioned earlier, we have production quotas that we're expected to meet. Pickers are supposed to pick items at a certain speed (230 units per hour), and packers are expected to pack them at a certain speed, and the same applies for monogramming and alterations. It's a different kind of world from what I'm used to in my professional career, and I have developed a new respect for people who do this every day. It's not easy, and the stresses may be different from the ones we find in an office environment -- but the pressure is just as much, just different.

However, the LL Bean culture is what made the job appealing to me, and I'm guessing it's what keeps some people coming back from one season to the next. Like families, all work places have a culture. Some families are known for having a culture of mutual respect, kindness, graciousness and courtesy; while others present a culture that is not quite as nice. The same is true of work places. I was drawn to LL Bean because of their known culture of a strong work ethic, exemplary service to our customers, and respect and consideration for each other as employees. As I finish up this year, I've already received a recommendation letter which allows me to return next year if I like unrestricted (which means I can apply to any area where there are openings). This was a great experience and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to go through this season with everyone else during the LL Bean "peak." To new friends from Bean from all over Maine, cheers and Happy Holidays. I look forward to our "reunion" gathering in February!

A day in the life.....of a "picker" at LL Bean

Welcome to the latest installment of "A day in the life...." of a picker at LL Bean during holiday peak season. :>)

I enjoy writing about the experiences and anecdotes that make up everyday life, and since working in the warehouse at LL Bean is so different from anything I've ever done before, I wanted to try and capture what it's like. So if -- like me -- you enjoy learning about other things through the experiences of others, then please read on. Enjoy!
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At LL Bean we are in full swing now with peak season. Working Mon thru Sat is mandatory, and often Sundays are added too when needed (voluntary, but encouraged for anyone who can make it). On top of the 6-7 days/week, we also often work early starts and late stays when the workflow warrants it (you come in before your shift usually starts and work past the usual end time). Often it seems like I live at the warehouse now since I arrive in the dark and leave in the dark (in Maine it gets dark around 4pm this time of year). Mornings start early at our house these days, since my alarm goes off around 4:30am so I can make it to Bean by 6, and on the weeks when Tim is out of town (which is often), getting all 3 dogs and myself ready for the day (especially when my car needs to be dug out from the 10 inches of snow like we had this morning) -- well let's just say life gets pretty interesting! The early starts and late stays are not required but encouraged during the heaviest ordering days.

When I started in September, our orders were something like 75,000 things to be picked each day -- but at our update last Saturday they predicted the orders on Monday will be 260,000. Wow. As our workflow leader says, "Busy, busy."

After working as a regular picker for a few months like the rest of the seasonals, they've now trained and moved me to what is called "tagging." It's sort of like picking, but instead of picking items that are dumped right down the conveyor belts to go directly to shipping, we pick items where customers have requested some type of special service, such as monogramming or alterations.

I must have gotten my units-per-hour numbers up enough to warrant the new training, and since I'm still there, I guess that means I'm doing okay, although I'm pretty sure there are plenty of pickers out there who pick faster than me. However, where I seem to thrive is in the accuracy department. And for tagging work, accuracy is much more important -- because if we send something to be altered or monogrammed and we've picked the wrong thing, that costs the company money and the customer delays in getting what they ordered in the first place. I still do regular picking when they have an especially tight goal and "all hands" are needed, but I do prefer the tagging and am glad to be learning something new.

Since tagging is more varied it means we walk even more, and according to my pedometer I've increased my coverage from averaging 6-8 miles per day to now somewhere between 10-12 or more (my personal record so far is 20 miles in one day, but of course that was a 10-hour shift -- the maximum they will allow us to work at this pace).

In addition to the walking, taggers also do quite a bit of lifting since we work with heavy plastic bins that ride on the flatbeds we push around the warehouse as we collect merchandise to be altered in some way. When our cart is loaded with full bins and it's time to deliver the bins to their designated spot, that involves lifting they loaded bins from the flatbeds to the rolling racks or pallets where they are staged until special services (monogramming or alterations) is ready for them. Walking, lifting, bending, squatting, climbing -- it's all required to get the job done and it's a great workout.

Doing this 6-7 days per week at this pace (often up to 10 hours/day when we have a tight goal) could be considered grueling I suppose -- but I prefer to think of it as getting a great workout and getting paid for it! After all, I'm getting the same toning and aerobic exercise that many people pay a gym or personal trainer huge fees to obtain. I think my friend Kat described it well when she commented that it was "exercise disguised as a job." Pretty accurate.

And I have to admit, at 45, I feel pretty good when I see that I'm keeping up with those 20-something waifs who are much younger and perhaps a score or two lighter than I am (or perhaps that should be "a stone or two lighter"?). Each day I feel a bit stronger and I can zip up the stairs to the time-clock a bit faster. It's a good feeling.

And since I worked my way through high school and college working retail at Sears and dealing daily with customers, it's a great change of pace to work instead more in the "background" -- in the warehouse where I focus just on the merchandise and my other team mates.

And speaking of team mates, I really like the "environment" that LL Bean creates for its employees. Teamwork, personal responsibility, and working together is huge, and anyone who can't cut that doesn't last very long unless they are willing to learn how to be part of the team. It's great and it makes everyone's lives so much easier when we all work together and do our 50 percent.

And to me the entire process of warehouse operations is fascinating (of course I've always been easily entertained, but there you go!). I enjoy walking and pushing my cart from one end of the 650,000-sf warehouse to the other. I enjoy the sound of the hiss and clack of the conveyor belts overhead as they move merchandise-laden boxes to the "replenishment" department. These are the guys (because the job seems to attract mostly men) who lift those heavy boxes off the conveyor belts and load them onto their flatbed carts, and then wheel the carts around the warehouse looking for empty slots in the racks where new merchandise can go to replace a box emptied by the pickers (replenish the stock, hence the name). Often the empty slot is well over their heads, and the boxes they lift weigh 50-75 pounds each -- and they do this all day. These guys tend to be young and brawny, but I've been amazed to see a few men that are much older than me and not too beefy doing the same job. Pretty impressive. If it wasn't for the replenishment guys, we pickers wouldn't be able to do our jobs because of course there would be nothing to pick.

I also enjoy pushing a loaded shopping cart over to the manual singles packing line on the far west side of the warehouse. These are the items that must be manually packed, so for those items we don't empty our hoppers filled with merchandise onto the conveyor belts which angle down through large openings in the 2nd floor (where pickers work) to go to automatic packing on the 1st floor below. The manual packers on our floor carefully pack the items for shipping. The packing job tends to attract many of our workers who have immigrated here from other countries. Maine has a large per capita population of immigrants who have relocated from Somalia or Afghanistan and other countries. And it's great to stop to chat with the Somali women who work at the packing stations in their native dress of flowing robes from head to toe. I'm not sure I would want to be a packer because where we walk all day, they mostly stand in one place to do their jobs. But it's great to see how many opportunities there are out there for people who are willing to get out there and find them -- and I've been very impressed with the work ethic of the immigrant men and women who work at Bean and elsewhere. Those of us born and raised in the US take so incredibly much for granted, and I am reminded of that every day.

I enjoy the hummmmm of the computerized sewing machines that the monogramming staff uses, and when I deliver merchandise to their staging area -- it's interesting to see them standing behind their stations wearing their safety glasses and focusing on their work as they monogram some extra large tote or Santa Sack for some unknown person out there. Very cool to watch.

And being a person who's sewing abilities are limited to the lose button, I'm in awe of those men and women working in the alterations area. They seem to effortlessly command their high-tech machines to sew that custom hem in that pair of unfinished pants or specially tailor that dress shirt that someone may have bought as a gift for someone else.

As in any production or warehouse environment, safety is a concern because of course there are many ways to get hurt -- especially if you get careless. For instance, if I forget which step I'm on when I climb up the ladder attached to my hopper and step down too soon, falling backwards from a few feet in the air onto the concrete floor is a real potential risk. And this time of year when our aisles are a freeway of heavy rolling carts meeting at intersections and going in all directions, and aisles get narrower as they become filled with stacks of empty cardboard boxes waiting for recycling, or carts filled with merchandise staged for packing or altering -- then if we don't all look where we're going all the time -- we could hurt ourselves or someone else pretty easily.

But I think this is where LL Bean shines, because they stress the "just deal with it" attitude, and they expect everyone to take care of things a little at a time, instead of letting things pile up and becoming a problem because no one wanted to bother with dealing with it along the way. They expect everyone to clean up their own messes, so to speak, and not "leave the mess" for someone else or "pass the buck" onto someone else. What a concept eh? I identify with that "just deal with it" mentality, so for me, life at LL Bean -- and other places where people share that same "it's everybody's responsibility" attitude -- I find life there is pretty good.

And along with the team environment and the exercise I get each day, probably my favorite thing about working at Bean is that it's a great way to see all the cool stuff that LL Bean sells. Did you know they sold field coats for dogs? How cool is that? Considering we have 3 dogs I'm especially intrigued.

Pickers are also in a great position to know what is popular with LL Bean customers this season. Perhaps our information may not be as scientific as that from the marketing guys with their charts and graphs, but if you pick scores and scores of the same thing day after day, then you get a pretty good idea of what customers like. From what I've seen, the field coats are pretty popular (both for dogs and people); and right now I'm picking lots of robes, pajamas, Santa Sacks, stockings, and those famous LL Bean "boat and tote" bags for monogramming; so I'm guessing a lot of people will be getting those this Christmas. When I pick in the shoe area, I seem to pick lots of those "Wicked Good Slippers" and those cool backpacks on wheels for kids. And next to the boat and tote bags we pick so often, those personal organizers (like toiletry kits that hang) are probably the single item I pick the most. I think I bought Tim one of those about 10 years ago for his travel, but now they have many more sizes and colors than before; so apparently, lots of other people bought them too.

So that's it for this installment of "a day in the life of a picker/tagger". I hope you enjoyed the journey with me and I'll try to write again as things evolve. Until then, have fun doing whatever it is that you do everyday!

Cheers! cy

Dog related adventures, pirates (oh my!), travels and more

For other news, please also view our "pack's" website.

Or click on the links below to go right to these items:

• Pet therapy article mentions Sandy


• See our Dog Days page for news about Samantha, Kennedy or Jasmine



• Pirate fever invades JDSU

• Joining USCG Auxiliary and LL Bean seasonal crews

Wanderlust strikes again -- travels to Australia

"You're a 'Beaner' now"

Those were the words of welcome from the HR person who hired me in September as one of the many seasonal employees that work at LL Bean in Maine during the holiday "peak" (between Sept/Oct and December). LL Bean is an institution of sorts in Maine, and it seems many locals work seasonally at Bean at one time or another.

Bean's "flagship" store is located in Freeport, Maine (about 20 minutes north of Portland) and is the only one of it's kind in the world. The flagship store actually consists of a "campus" of buildings in addition to the main building - specialty wings devoted to hunting, camping, biking, etc. The stores are open 24/7 every day of the year -- they don't even have locks on the doors (actually I think the door handles are canoe paddles).

In addition to the flagship store, Bean's warehouse and returns facilities and outlet are located in Freeport as well. There are also call centers, other outlets and a host of other Bean facilities around Maine. I work as a "picker" at Bean's new "Order Fulfillment Center" (warehouse) in Freeport, a 650,000 square-foot center with the capacity to process 27 million items per year.
I was amazed to find out that ALL orders, whether from catalog, online or for other stores comes through the Freeport facility. Pretty amazing considering Bean is now a 1.5 Billion dollar business that sends merchandise to customers all over the world. Pickers locate and pick the merchandise in the warehouse and then send it for gift boxing, monogramming or altering if the customer has requested that -- otherwise we send the items right to the packers for packing and shipping.

I've never worked in a warehouse environment before, so I'm finding it very interesting and educational. We work 3 shifts a day 24/7 (I work 1st shift 5am - 1:30pm). I chose this position because it's one of the most physical positions Bean has - pickers walk several miles a day and do lots of bending, climbing, squatting and we're just always on the move. If you're interested, it works something like this:

Pickers walk around the warehouse and "pick" the items for customer orders from the warehouse shelves. This involves pushing a "hopper" - sort of like a big shopping cart with an attached ladder that allows us to reach the higher shelves. For each item to be picked, we first find that item's location in the warehouse, then we match the information on the pick sticker to ensure we have the right SKU, size and color. Then we match this against the vendor label to be sure that's correct also. And finally, we verify the size on the hang tag (the little tag that tends to stick up at the back of your neck) to be sure it's correct as well. If an item passes all of these "tests" - then in the hopper it goes! Bean is VERY devoted to customer service and accuracy, so our required goal is making only one error in 5,000 items picked. And we have production expectations too - we should be able to pick 230 items in 1 hour (again, with only 1 error in 5,000 items). Daunting, but apparently doable since there are pickers who meet this goal every day. I'll have to get back to you about whether I'm able to become one of them. :)

The position doesn't pay very much (pickers make about $10/hour starting seasonal), but the culture at Bean makes it a great place to work. The emphasis is on mutual respect, exemplary customer service, and of course the Bean tradition of a respect of nature and general love of the outdoors. We also receive a healthy discount on Bean merchandise and free use of outdoor equipment like canoes, kayaks and ski equipment. But the real perk is the e-store (employee store). This is where various "non-resalable" merchandise goes and is made available to employees at prices that make Filene's Basement look expensive. On a given day you might find a $60 backpack for 50 cents, a lined winter field coat for $6, pants at five for a dollar, and so on. It's amazing.

So if you find yourself in Maine in the fall and looking for employment, check out LL Bean!

The Paradox of Our Time.....by George Carlin

A friend recently forwarded this to me (thanks Denise) and I found it very thought inspiring. I hope you do too. Best, cy
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What a difference a sad event in someone's life makes. GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares? George Carlin

Adding 3 dogs means a full house

If you've visited this blog or our website before, then you know that in July of this year we added two wonderful senior dogs to our "pack". So in addition to Samantha of course, that means our "pack" now consists of 3 dogs total (and Tim and I of course).

I introduced Kennedy and Jasmine previously, so please our Dog Days page of our website and the photos and anecdotes below related to of our new life with three dogs!

Samantha (aka Sammie or Samurai)

Samantha (spayed Husky-Shepherd mix) has stepped up to acting as their "big sister" (even though she is actually the youngest) and is doing her part in helping Kennedy (neutered cream-colored Lab mix) and Jasmine (spayed Husky-beagle mix) adapt to our home and way of life. It's great to see the way Sammy is adjusting to their presence, with lots of patience and sharing on her part.

Jasmine (aka Jazz or Jazzie)

Jazzie loves rawhides, which is great since they are good for her teeth and gums. But she is also a bit of a "food hound" which of course comes from living in an environment where people probably fed her table scraps. We don't make a habit of doing that because it sets the dog up to develop bad habits later related to people food. So we're working with her about how to behave when we eat (we teach our dogs to find a comfortable spot away from the table and lay down - we don't allow them to stand nearby and "beg"). In Jazzie's case, this sometimes includes moving her to another room if she doesn't follow the "house rules", but with consistent guidance on our part, she is learning rapidly and doing a great job of learning to "mind her manners.".

Kennedy (aka Kenman or Big Guy)

It's fun to watch the dynamics between Kennedy and Samantha as they jockey back and forth for "lead dog" position. Samantha stepped up to this role after Sandy died, particularly when we adopted Kennedy and Jasmine. Kennedy's early attempts to dominate Samantha resulted in her firmly letting him know she wasn't about to be pushed around, which we were glad to see - he's a sweet dog, but he does have a tendency to be a bit "pushy" if other dogs let him get away with it.

After only two months, all three dogs seemed to have completed their adjustment period. And it seems Samantha is starting to defer to Kennedy a bit as the more "responsible" dog, so it's not clear yet who will ultimately emerge as the alpha dog. Now that Kennedy has earned Samantha's trust, it seems she is willing to relinquish the lead role to him. But time will tell, so please stay tuned....

Please excuse me while I indulge myself for a minute as a proud "pet mama" and share this latest pet therapy news.

Recently I was interviewed about the pet therapy volunteer work Sandy and I did at Mercy Hospital by Julie Minda, Associate Editor of Catholic Health World, for an article she was writing on the growing use of pet therapy in hospitals across the country. The article is available now and it has some great anecdotes from various pet therapy volunteers, including my comments about Sandy's work. If you're interested you can read the article online at Catholic Health World.

I wrote a tribute to Sandy in an earlier blog which you can find by scrolling down in this blog or by clicking here. And if you'd like to read more about upcoming pet therapy tests for Samantha et al, then please see the Dog Days page on our personal website. Enjoy!

Great notice from a pet-friendly hotel

Greetings,
You probably know how nuts I am about pets, particularly dogs. Tim is also quite the dog lover, something he probably inherited from his dad (just one of the many things I love about him!). Because of our affinity for dogs we often travel with our dogs when we can. After all, since we consider them part of our family, then of course our family trips often include them too.

I'm scheduled to attend a Red Cross training session for Disaster Action Team volunteers in Bangor, Maine in mid-October, and I was referred to the Best Inn as a great place to stay. When I visited their website I was glad to see the "Pets are welcome" entry in their list of hotel amenities. As we've traveled around the country & Canada I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that many of the nicer hotels actually allow pets (including many 4- and 5-star ones).

Perhaps because they've learned from experience that people who take their pets along when they stay in a nice hotel, are also responsible enough to ensure their pets don't come into that hotel unless they have kept them clean, pest-free, and taught them a few manners. Pets are remarkably able to learn many things if pet owners are willing to take the time and effort to work with them and guide them - much like children are remarkably able to learn many things--no matter how young--if the adults in their life are willing to do the same for them (not only their parents, but all adults in their life). If only we so-called "adults" were as open to learning as pets and children often are - what a great world that would be!

Apparently the Best Inn has also discovered this fact. I thought their page about why they allow pets was a hoot, so I've pasted part of it below for those that are interested (it's after the guidelines for pet owners). Enjoy.

We Are Pet Friendly

Bangor's Best Inn welcomes pets and we offer comfortable accommodations for their owners. To insure your pet's comfort, the comfort of other pets, and of all our guests, we have a few guidelines that we ask your pet to follow:

• Pets shouldn't be left alone in their room. Even well-behaved pets do act up when their master leaves them alone.
• Pets should be kept on a leash when not in their room (unless, of course, you have a goldfish).
• When you walk your pet, please do your part to help keep our grounds clean. There is a perfect dog walking area behind the hotel, toward the waterfront.

When asked if we allow dogs at our hotel, here's what we generally reply:
"Dogs are welcome in this hotel. We've never had a dog that smoked in bed and set fire to the blankets. We've never had a dog who stole the towels, played the TV too loud or had a fight with his traveling companion. We've never had a dog who got drunk and broke up the furniture. So, if your dog can vouch for you, you're welcome, too!"

AWS's Annual Strut your Mutt - pledges welcome

Hi all,
I was privileged to participate (along with Samantha, Kennedy, and Jasmine) in the Animal Welfare Society's annual "Strut you Mutt" at Mother's Beach near Kennebunk today (Sunday, September 9). Tim was on business travel at JDSU's annual sales meeting in Maryland and unfortunately wasn't able to join us, so the four of us strutted on without him!

This event is the society's biggest fundraising event and is held each year rain or shine. This year we had a pretty steady drizzle, but that didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the many human and canine participants. Unfortunately since I was flying solo I didn't take my camera since I already had my entire body full with three dogs which together outweigh me, but I'll try to steal some photos from AWS's website later. For now I've grabbed a couple of their photos from last year (the one above is a reunion of the AWS's "alumni" participants). Kennedy and Jasmine are also AWS alumni.

Speaking of having my hands full, my many thanks to the kind lady at the registration table who reached for Samantha just as she slipped out of her collar when my back was turned to register--helping me prevent an unsupervised run around the parking lot and nearby street. And my thanks to the other kind woman (I regret I didn't get names) who held Kennedy and Jasmine's leashes while I returned Sam's collar to her svelte but sneaky neck. :)

Even though I arrived late and missed some of the earlier events, I enjoyed a great day. And Samantha, Kennedy and Jasmine seemed to enjoy themselves also - especially sniffing all the great smells and meeting old and new friends (both canine and human). I'm pleased to report that both Kennedy and Jasmine (both 12), completed the 2-mile loop (apparently with ease judging by their body language at the end). Miss Samantha was her usual "gazelle like" self and had plenty of energy to spare.

I was so unprepared for this event that I didn't get around to asking for pledges in advance, so unfortunately my only financial contribution was the registration fee and a small personal donation. They are still accepting pledges now however, so if you'd like to sponsor us "after the fact" - I'd appreciate any donations that will go directly to the shelter. Any amount is welcome. The money is used to help offset the $90,000 AWS funds each year for the much-needed medical care for the aged, injured and sick homeless animals. For more information about AWS, this event, or where the money goes, please see: http://animalwelfaresociety.org/sym/index.php

Building a Wooden Boat for Kids

As mentioned on our website, I was recently able to participate in a fund-raising event for Compass Project to build a wooden boat. This community event hosted both families and other organizations who worked together to build 20 wooden rowing skiffs in less than three days.

For more details please see the boat building section of our website.

Best, Carla

Sandy's Story - A Legacy of Love and Smiles

Hi all,
I recently submitted the following tribute in memory of Sandy to Therapy Dogs Inc. where Sandy was registered as a pet therapy dog, Mercy Hospital where we worked as a Pet Therapy team, and to the local shelter where we adopted he and Samantha 3 year ago (along with getting Maxie, our best decision ever!). I hope it captures even a small part of what he brought to so many.
Best, Carla
****

My husband and I decided to get another dog about a year after our first dog, a golden retriever named Maxie, died at the age of almost 16. We weren‘t looking for 2 dogs and had never even considered that – until Tim (my husband) found Sandy and Samantha at the Humane Society in Augusta near our home in Maine. Sandy, a male golden retriever mix, was 8 at the time; and Samantha, a Husky mix, was 6. These 2 special dogs had been together since Samantha was born, and they had been owner surrendered as a pair. The kind people at the shelter recognized their dependence on each other, so they kept them for months trying to place them together in a loving home. When we found them they had almost given up and had finally started posting them separately.

We were immediately drawn to them on the shelter's website, and even after our first visit to the shelter when Samantha (the Husky) “pulled” me down the hill on my stomach trying to get to Tim and Sandy who had wandered a bit away from us – it was still love at first sight. That was in May 2004, and right from the start it was easy to see the bond between Sandy and Samantha. Sandy (I often called him “Sandman”) was very much the responsible older brother who always looked after Samantha no matter what kind of mischief she got herself into. Like a leash-free time Samantha darted across a road and Sandy followed only to be hit by a passenger truck (fortunately he made a full recovery from that). Then there was the porcupine(s?) in Nova Scotia, which Samantha chased and grabbed by the tail in her playful way (ouch), and Sandy who intervened and led them back to us – both of them full of “thousands of quills” as the vet who removed them later commented.

But they shared lots of wonderful adventures too. Long walks on the beach with lots of time to play in the waves and sniff the rocks (that was Sandy‘s favorite), chewing on rawhide bones, lots of rides in the car – sometimes to new places in other states and Canada, hikes along trails and snowshoeing near Acadia National Park, even rides on the Casco Bay ferry to a favorite island beach. Sandy lived all these moments to the fullest, and sometimes his tongue hung out so far we thought he‘d trip over it. He was truly the picture of a happy dog, and he seemed to be experiencing the “puppyhood” that perhaps he didn‘t find the first time around.

But I think his finest moments were the last few months of his life, when he became a pet therapy dog. He passed his aptitude tests at the nursing home with ease. His love of people showed and he was always happy to sit or stand by someone and be petted, hugged or touched as long as they wanted. He was never daunted by noisy equipment or tight quarters, but would navigate any narrow space to reach the person in the bed or chair. After passing similar behavoiral tests at the hospital, he began his new “career” at Mercy Hospital in Portland with me as his partner, but of course all I really did was hold the leash as he did all the wonderful work bringing smiles and laughter to the patients. He even had his own photo ID badge just like any other staff or volunteer.

As with most therapy dogs, there are plenty of heartwarming stories of the difference he seemed to make among everyone he met: the lady at the nursing home who would hardly talk to anyone, but who suddenly had lots to say when Sandy approached her; the elderly gentleman who smiled constantly as he petted Sandy during his chemo treatment and said what a handsome boy he was; and the nurses and other staff who came up to give him a hug and get a little pet therapy of their own. Even after only 2 or 3 visits at Mercy, it was common to walk by a nurse‘s station and hear someone say “Sandy‘s here!” with joy in their voice. What a joy that was for me to witness and share.

Unfortunately Sandy‘s new career was cut short. After only 2 months he developed an aggressive form of prostate cancer which took him from us shortly thereafter. But his love of people, life, and his undying determination allowed him to continue his important work at Mercy until just before his passing. His last visit there was one of our best, and we shared lots of laughter that day with patients, staff and family members alike. It was a very good day. What a wonderful legacy Sandy leaves.

And now it seems his “sister” Samantha may follow in his footsteps. Before Sandy‘s passing, Samantha often seemed more interested in her own pursuits than in people. But lately we‘ve seen changes in her as she‘s become more cuddly, and when she walks leash-free on our local beach, she now often approaches people in a way she never did before in a curious and outreaching way. It‘s almost as if Sandy has passed the torch to her. So after some time goes by, I look forward to testing her for therapy work as well. If she seems to enjoy it and does well, then perhaps she can carry on the work that Sandy started. I can‘t think of a more wonderful tribute to his memory.

In loving memory of Sandy “the Sandman”
Carla

South Portland, Maine

A slice of life in Maine, and a look at life in general

As I sit with my purple-casted foot elevated on pillows and listen to the sounds of summer at our little beach-side neighborhood - sounds of saws and hammers and other tools of renovations to nearby old homes like ours, kids riding their bikes and skateboards down the street with makeshift ramps along the way, mothers strolling their infants and walking their toddlers toward the beach to wade in the cold water of Casco Bay or play in the sand and climb on the rocks - I am reminded of how lucky I am to live in such a wonderful place as Maine. The sign on the turnpike as you enter the state says "Maine, the way life should be." And I can definitely understand the feelings that prompted that motto, although the state of Maine of course has its own set of problems just like any other.

People who live here deal with one of the highest tax rates in the country (both property tax and income tax, and of course we have sales tax too). And our cost of living, particularly home costs, are spiraling because of the popularity of the state among people "from away" (as the Mainers say) who can afford to spend more on their second home than most people spend on their primary residence. And it can be difficult to make a living here because it's not exactly a hub of business or industry, and the majority of businesses that are here are of the "mom and pop" variety with just a few employees and often no or limited benefits like health insurance and other things that people in other states just take for granted.

But living here also comes with many wonderful things that perhaps can't be found everywhere. This is still one of those places where most people feel safe in their homes and our crime rate is low. Kids here still ride their bikes or walk to school in many towns - particularly in the less rural ones like ours in the Portland area where the nearby school is typically a short walk or bike ride away. This is still one of those places where people often leave the car parked, so our sidewalks are kept busy with joggers and dog walkers and kids on skateboards and others just out for a stroll. We even have postal workers that still walk from one home to another to leave mail in the mailboxes attached to the front porch just like ours. We have both summer and winter community festivals that are held outside in a nearby park - with ice skating or hockey in the winter and picnics and music in the summer.


Of course being in a cold climate means people take advantage of our short summers to get outside, although even in the long, cold winters people seem to just deal with the cold and go on about their business of work or play - they just dress for the weather and get on with it. That "deal with it" attitude is one that I've come to admire in places like Maine and Montana (we also lived in Montana for five years). In these more remote and rugged climates life is not always gentle or easy or comfortable, but people just seem to rise to the occasion and make the best of whatever the weather or life in general throws at them. They seem to have a sort of no-nonsense and independent "grit" about them which helps them not only survive but thrive in both good times and times of adversity. I witnessed that spirit in Montana where ranchers still managed to take care of themselves, their equipment and their livestock on those -40 days. And I see the same spirit here in Maine where the lobster and other fishermen still head out to sea during beautiful days and gales alike, and the rest of us that just get along with our business no matter how cold or hot the weather. As a matter of fact, it's not unusual to see people venture down toward the water in the middle of one of our infamous Nor'easters to watch the waves pound the shore. I've been there myself many times as we stand there huddled in our foulies as the rain beats down and the wind threatens to knock us down - as we watch with awe as Mother Nature puts on a show that is both beautiful and somewhat frightening at the same time. Not everyone gets to see such awesome power in action - but people here seem to both respect and admire these forces that are such a part of our landcape, and they seem to accept it as such.

I've come to greatly admire that outlook, especially the "no whiners" attitude that you don't find everywhere. And it seems these people have found the secret to life if there is one. And it seems to have something to do with adapting to things as they come and making the most of what IS instead of worrying about what "should be", of being willing to admit and discuss their own flaws or problems instead of speaking in hushed tones about someone else's, of complaining a bit less about things and working a bit more to make them better, of spending less time being angry about someone else's actions while at the same time justifying our own, and of just focusing on the many positive aspects of life and everyone in it - of thinking the best of people instead of assuming the worst. These things are not a given, and I've lived in plenty of places where this was not at all the "way of being", and where anyone can get caught up in all that negativity (I know I did). But I've come to greatly admire and hope to emulate this more positive way of looking at people, life, and the world in general. As I write this, I imagine some who might read it know exactly what I'm talking about, while perhaps others don't even begin to understand, and out of that ignorance may chose to belittle or demean it. For me, there are many, many things in this life that I still don't understand or perhaps agree with, but I hope I will never lose that innate curiosity I've always had to learn, to expand my horizons, and to grow. And to never demean or poke fun at something just because I don't understand it. Life is too short and precious for that.

Tim and I are among the lucky ones living here in Maine, because his job allows him to live almost anywhere since he travels so much anyway. And while I'm not employed full-time just now (for the first time since I was 15), my education and varied background have fortunately allowed me to remain gainfully employed no matter where we've lived regardless of the job climate. And of course my willingness to adapt and do most anything has probably helped - that is probably another mandatory characteristic of people that are able to "make it work" in places like Montana or Maine - states known for being great places to visit, but also for hard places to make a living. In our 20+ years together (coming up on 24 years in just a few weeks), Tim and I have lived in NC, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, and now Maine. With the exception of NC and Colorado, we typically lived and worked in small to very small towns, so while Tim's career may have taken us there which of course guaranteed us at least one paying job, my jobs have greatly varied over the years.

In the last 20 years I've worked as a programmer/analyst at a large public utility, as a technical trainer and writer for both large and small software companies, I've been a newspaper editor for local publications and a freelance journalist for state-wide magazines, I've worked as a lift hostess at a ski resort where primary duties were checking lift tickets and shoveling snow, and I've worked as a DoD contractor as an engineer with a national security clearance working daily with military personnel (that's where I was on September 11th). While I remember some of these aspects to my "career" more fondly than others, I am glad for them all, because they have all been incredible life experiences which helped my ability to adapt to whatever life throws at me, and each of them have taught me different things about people and life. I am very lucky to have experienced them all, especially the people I met along the way.

One of these people is a lovely lady called Lydia, who I've conversed with online but never actually met in person. I met her husband, Skip, briefly at a 50th birthday party for a co-worker's spouse. This brief meeting led to our getting on their email distribution list as they changed their lives dramatically by giving up what most would call a "normal" life to live on a boat and cruise around, making a living from a combination of doing without a lot of things to make the "kitty" last as long as possible, and to feed it whenever they can by odd jobs along the way as most cruisers do. I have heard of many people who have done this, sometimes even with kids in tow. Perhaps it's not the kind of life that everyone would chose, but I'm often reminded of a question that a reporter asked Tom Neale once (he and his wife raised 2 daughters from birth until they left for college while cruising on their boat Chez Nous). The reporter asked him why he lived on a boat, and his answer was a simple and direct, "Why do you live in a house?" To me, one question seemed as "normal" as the other.

I was inspired to write this "memoir" such as it is, after reading something my "email buddy" Lydia wrote recently about their experiences in their new life. They had a tough beginning as early on they found themselves and their boat being battered on a reef in a frightening and potentially life-threatening event which they now call "The Adventure." And while some might be tempted to say... "see, that's what happens" - while at the same time forgetting more people are injured or die in car accidents every day than in all the more "unusual" pursuits combined. It's just that we don't want to think of that as we put ourselves and our kids in that car to run to the market or head to the beach. We all do things that come with risk every day, and I personally don't see why we should fear the things that perhaps we don't understand very well and represent them as "more dangerous" - while ignoring the things we all do every day that actually come with more real risk. Lydia and Skip dealt with their adventure in a positive and "can do" kind of way, and after some time to regroup and repair, they're now on their way again. I admire that attitude and outlook very much, and I hope to emulate that some day. So to Lydia and Skip, bon voyage guys!

Many thanks for listening to my ramblings. I welcome yours as well anytime.
My best to all,
Carla

Ooops!

Hi again all,

As they say, life goes on. We all miss Sandy a bunch but are blessed with wonderful memories of the special little guy. Right in the middle of all that I managed to fall down the steps in our house (second time in this house at the same place - I think I need one of those baby gates or something to remind me there are steps there).

Anyway, I just thought it was a bad sprain and continued to walk on it for almost 2 weeks before finally getting to a doctor while attending some Red Cross training up north in Presque Isle. I actually walked about a mile into the emergency room since I was on my own without a car (oops - what can I say - it didn't seem THAT painful). The first orthopedic surgeon confirmed I broke my 5th metatarsal (right foot) and was talking surgery and a pin (yikes!), so I asked them just to splint me up until I got home. I came home on crutches to protect the foot from further injury and decided to seek a second opinion here. Good news - this ortho guy was more of my preferred style - put a cast on it and give the body a chance to do it's healing thing, with surgery only as a last resort. He suggested I continue using the crutches for another week so the foot is only partial weight bearing, and then after that I can let the pain be my guide. I go back in 5 weeks.

So now I have this lovely dark purple fiberglass cast from my toes to my upper calf. They've come a long way since that klunky plaster one when I broke my wrist horseback riding in Montana! It looks sort of like bandages and rolled on like them, and today you can even pick your color (who knew? sort of makes me want to break something else so I can color coordinate - yes, I AM kidding of course). :)

The only real hiccup is I can't drive safely since I can't move my ankle, but when Tim's out of town we have a great bus system here and I'm actually getting around quite well now that I have the support to protect my foot. And of course, we're blessed with many great friends who have already offered to chauffeur me around or run errands for me, so life is good.

I'll try to post a photo later so you can see the LOVELY purple cast. The cast itself is actually kind of fun, if in a somewhat painful way. :>) I'm sort of enjoying myself trying to figure out ways to do things with one leg and I'm becoming a pretty good "hopper."

Cheers all! cy

In loving memory of "Sandman"

Sandy left us peacefully and with dignity on Saturday, June 2, 2007. He was surrounded by loved ones, including Tim and Samantha and myself, along with the wonderful doctors and other staff at the Veterinary Center of Cape Elizabeth, especially his original vet, Dr. Linda Bond, and one of his favorite technicians.

Sandy seemed to make friends wherever he went, and his gentle and cooperative nature had gained him great fans and friends at his vet's office. Dr Bond and others referred to him as "such a gentleman" during his many recent exams. What a trooper. He took whatever life threw at him with grace and without complaint and always made the best of every situation. These are traits that I hope to emulate. It's true what they say, that we could learn a lot from dogs.

He will be missed, but always remembered with the same smiles and love that he projected everywhere he went. I like to think of the visual our friend Susan from Colorado created when she said he'll be "playing with Maxie in heaven's sunshine." Both will always live in our hearts.

Sandy update and the circle of life

Hi all,

This is a difficult letter to write, so I'll keep it brief and to the point. If you've followed this blog, then you know that Sandy was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. It turns out the cancer that Sandy has is very aggressive and has already started to invade his urethral canal which is creating his bathroom difficulties, and there is reason to believe it will also spread to other places quickly (if it hasn't already). We've consulted with both vets, and today I was present for a ultrasound with another doctor who is an expert in this field.

Unfortunately all the evidence points to the same thing - the tumor is starting to degrade his basic bodily functions and there isn't really anything we can do to improve that. Tim had appointments in Mass. today, but we spoke after the ultrasound and we've decided it's time to let Sandy go, since in many ways it seems his body has already decided that. This may sound strange unless you've personally experienced this, but both Sandy and Samantha have done things recently which seem to indicate they both realize it's time to let Sandy rest. This will likely happen in the next day or two because there isn't really anything we can do to ease his discomfort, although thankfully there's no evidence he's in significant pain.

On behalf of Sandy, Samantha, Tim and myself, I'd like to express our many thanks for the many kind wishes for Sandy's recovery. Your kindness and support is a great blessing.

Our best to all,

Carla

Latest on Sandy and clutzy me

Hi all,

My apologies if you're waiting to hear back from me about something, but I'm very behind on my emails and such because we're sort of focusing on Sandy right now. As you know Sandy is also my pet therapy partner at Mercy Hospital. Here are the latest updates:

If you've been following this blog you know that we've been working with both our regular vet and an oncologist specialist (and both of them are contacting labs and other resources to get additional opinions). I've also been doing quite a bit of research online at recommended medical and vet sites. Just after his diagnosis we started Sandy on Piroxicam - a pill taken orally each day to try and control the growth of the tumor. After additional discussion we decided to start him on the 4-treatment series of intravenous chemotherapy as well to hopefully maximize his longevity and comfort.

Unfortunately, we ran into problems with Sandy's body's response to the cancer drugs (stomach ulcers from the Piroxicam, and colitis and bladder infections due to his weakened immune system), so then the oncologist vet prescribed other drugs to try and treat the complications; but that just seemed to make it worse. We're working with both vets (and thankfully, our regular vet has consulted IDEXX and other sources as well for other opinions). We've stopped all cancer treatments and reduced the drugs to the bare bones to two - antibiotic to fight the infection and antacid for his stomach.

But the biggest concern is for the last 2-3 weeks he's pretty much just stopped eating, and no matter what we try, we can't seem to get that to improve. Presently the only food we can seem to get into him is this canned food I squirt into his mouth with a big plastic syringe (not a needle, just a pointy thing) - but sometimes he doesn't even want to do that. I can't really say I blame him, because between colitis and bladder infection he must feel pretty miserable. Although you'd never know that to see him when we go for walks and such, so it's very confusing.

We're not sure if the antibiotics to cure the infections aren't working because his body is resistant to them, or if perhaps the urinary and digestive tract issues are being caused by the tumor instead of the infections - but the latter is starting to look more likely which of course is not good news. We've scheduled another ultrasound tomorrow (Thursday) to hopefully at least find out for sure what is causing his current difficulties with bathroom functions - in hopes we can make a more informed decision about what to do next, or whether there's even anything we CAN do without him suffering unnecessary discomfort. Sorry to run on but as you can see that's where my head is right now.

And silly me fell down the steps last night (guess I let myself get a bit distracted) and twisted my right ankle pretty good. That's the 2nd time I've fallen down that same section of stairs since we moved into this house (from the top down to the first landing at the window and the "turn"). The good news is I didn't sail through the window and land in our neighbor's yard below. :>) I think I need to get myself one of those child safety gates or something to remind me there are steps there.

That's all I can think of for now, but many thanks for the many kind wishes and messages of support. They help more than you know. Our love to all!

Best, Carla

Ode to Montana from Kirsten

Hello all,
I recently received this email from an awesome friend and writer Kirsten from VA. Kirsten and I met in Montana in 1992 when Tim and I moved to Bozeman upon his acceptance of a position at ILX Lightwave in Bozeman. I was surprised to discover that a high school classmate, Rhett (Kirsten's husband) also lived in Bozeman and that he and Kirsten had 4-year-old twins, Aaron and Jonathan. They have been wonderful friends to us since then and we miss them much since they now live in VA and us in Maine. Kirsten works as a counelor specializing in eating disorders and Rhett is a Physics professor where he recently received the "awesome professor" award at a local university! Thanks to the Internet, we've been able to stay in touch and Kirsten recently sent us this email about their recent return to Bozeman. I think she does a great job of capturing the essence of being in Montana, so I wanted to share it in our blog. Thanks Kirsten! cy
*****************

Hi.

I want to tell you all about the awesome trip we had to MT. Here's the summary:

After an 18 hour trip from Roanoke to Bozeman on Saturday, Dec. 30, we finally arrived. The next day we drove to Fairmont Hot Springs which is near the scenic town of Butte, MT (famous for having the largest open pool of arsenic from gold mining and having about 3 restaurants that *aren't bar/casinos). Fairmont is a large hotel that squats over a large indoor pool and a chilly walkway to a heated outdoor pool. Outside there's also a superheated pool (wonderous) and a 5 story water slide. Our first night we were quite entertained that my hair literally *froze* and turned to ice while my body was nice and warm in the pool. We played, swam, went down the slide, and ate mass quantities for two days.

Then we left Fairmont on Tuesday and came back to Bozeman. We visited old haunts-our neighborhood, house, the kid's school, the University, the Physics dept, the kid's preschool (which had totally "shrunk" according to the kids). Being there brought back a lot of memories of things the kids had forgotten which was fun to see. The owner of our house probably thought we were robbers or terrorists after pulling sideways into their driveway, staring, taking video and still pictures. The neighborhood looks much the same. The mailboxes that assaulted my car have been shored up. We were able to see an old friend of mine, Gini, and briefly catch up and we went by our church. It was funny to hear the kids over and over say how "huge" something was and how much smaller it was now. We ate at the best pizza place in the universe (MacKenzie River pizza) where they have the "Branding Iron" pizza which makes your mouth burn in a so delicious way. The kids had their doubts about the pizza but they all dissolved as they ate the weird combinations (like barbecued chicken).

There are things I'd forgotten about MT. When you're not in the mountains, the roads are freakishly straight. It seems like you can see forever. It's hard to estimate distances-whether you have one minute or 20 to go. There is a certain amount of physical discomfort that you have to suck up every day. Toilet seats are cold. Buildings are rarely kept as warm as they are in VA. Even though it was only in the 20's to 40's (warm) just the cold walking from place to place is bracing and it takes *hours* for the car to heat up. If you forget to rub lotion everywhere your skin HURTS. Mine woke me up one night. I remember that I learned to dress appropriately (and we were mostly prepared) but that I had learned to block out the discomfort while we lived there most of the time. I love the frontier decor-rough hewn wood, dead animals on many walls, antlers, many decorations and pictures around the MT animal theme or snow. I'd love to live in a house with that decor (minus the dead animal carcasses). The people are thinner, in better shape, and hairier. Dress is far more casual. Restaurants dress codes can vary from "casual to elegant" which cracks me up. I saw no one dressed elegantly in those restaurants. Most people looked like they just woke up or walked off the ski hill/ranch. They were universally (OK, except for the car rental dude) friendly, cheerful and helpful. Very different from anywhere else I've lived or visited.

It's always interesting to watch Aaron and Jonathan and how they interact. You can clearly see that special relationship they have as twins. They do things I know they're not aware of. They have a lot more frequent body contact than normal siblings. When they were in the water they played games bumping and wrestling. On the ski slope they would lean on each other or bump each other. It's hard to explain because it looks so natural. It's as if that normal boundary of where one ends and the other starts isn't nearly as thick as it is with nonmultiples. They had an exceptionally thin membrane between them when they were in utero (which was cause for concern at one point) so all they know is having the other there. They miss each other at college but have regular contact. They almost never fight but they are different in so many ways. I'm crazy about both of them.

With some trepidation we drove up to our ski chalet off Bridger Bowl. It was described as a "rustic" A-frame. Rustic in MT usually means rough hewn wood (check), dirt as part of the decor (no check) and heat is for sissies (thank God, no check). Part of rustic was that we were completely unplugged-no cell service, no internet. We were there to face ourselves, each other, God and the mountain. The A-frame reminded me of a spaceship. To get to it, you had to climb up, what seemed to be miles, of mountain goat-inspired stairs to the cabin (on parts of it I had to hang onto Rhett's coat and let him drag me since I hadn't worn ridged shoes). I couldn't breathe, really, after climbing up them once. The men were strong and brave hauling our stuff up there. Once there we seemed to be in a A-frame spaceship. There was a main floor with an A of all windows looking out on the snow and mountains, a kitchen, a 1/2 bath for midgets and small living area. Then you climbed up teeny tiny elfin stairs to the top of the A where there were two beds with the roof right over them. Going down from the main level, you opened a *hatch* (held heat in downstairs) and climbed down more treacherous elfin stairs (part of the charm) where there was a full bath (with its own heater-yea!), a large living area and entertainment system, the captain's quarters (the only bedroom with a door and it had a queen size bed) and 4 bunk beds. The decor was all MT and skiing. You could ski down to the ski lift and at the end of the day ski back to the cabin.

Rhett and I of course took the captain's quarters, Jonathan slept at the top of the A and Aaron in one of the bunks. Everywhere there were blankets (many with critter designs). You could have piled them to the ceiling if you wanted. When I woke up on our first day my personal monitors were flashing all red lights and informed me I had far exceeded my operational parameters and I wasn't going *anywhere*. I ached from head to toe and had wobbly legs (there was a lot of walking and climbing at Fairmont and on our travel day). God blessed us with a scenic snow storm and I had books. I felt such peace, such gratitude as I rested and soaked in the Montanishness of it all. Rhett got up and skied early (freak) and came back later for our boys who had needed some beauty sleep.

My first day on the slopes, the next day, I had a horse/ski whisperer named Ric who gave me a 90 minute solo lesson to regain old skills. I had been a fairly good skier when we lived there. However, I was scared shitless now. I had visions of Jonathan getting hurt one year, Aaron breaking his leg in front of me the next year and of all of us getting spinal cord injuries, dancing through my head. He taught me a breathing exercise that involved flapping my arms a certain way on the inbreath at a certain point in a turn and in another way on the outbreath at a different place in the turn. He almost needed a crowbar to get me out of my default position which looked a lot like the fetal position on skis. When he set me free I had some confidence and even some skill. The second, and last day, all of my old and new skills came together. I understood how I could be a loose "statue" with "twisting hips" and breathe and turn. I skied through and past the fear to the point where I was an extension of the skis which were an extension of the snow, the mountain the world. It was beautiful, unforgettable, and transcendent. The joy, exhilaration, brief moments of sheer terror and peace were awesome. My falls were funny. My first fall a little girl came and plopped by me, checked to make sure I was OK then taught me how to get back up (I had forgotten and wasn't succeeding). Then the 7 or 8 year old made sure I got off OK. I had one fall where I summeraulted and wrenched my neck a bit right in front of a man my age. He asked if I was Ok and then said that that type of fall was called a "garage sale'-your stuff goes everywhere. I made some comments about my dignity. When his daughter asked what he was doing, he said, "Pushing down strangers". Then he offered. "since all of your dignity is gone" to help me up-it's much easier to be hauled up than get up on your own.

On our last day I skied a lot with Aaron who had an affinity for the same "easy" (that's relative to Bridger, not other mountains-the boys said that an easy on Bridger was like an intermediate or more in our arean) slopes I did. We had a blast. For about an hour we all skied together-even all on one lift seat at one point, which involved a lot of trash talk. Aaron kept me from getting lost or ending up at the top of a hill that was too hard. He patiently waited for me since I zig zag more than he does but I have prettier turns. Jonathan liked more suicidal hills and Rhett, I don't even want to think about the hills he went down but he's really good. Jonathan and Rhett seem to lack the terror gene. We all got along like old friends. It really was splendid. I felt and feel blessed by God for each of them and for being able to make the trip. We agreed we need to go again.

We packed up and said goodbye the next day to the mountain. I met a precious old friend at the airport who I have dearly missed. He's one of the kindest, godliest, humble, gifted, men and pastor I've ever known. We became close when we lived in Bozeman and he was a pastor at the Nazerine Church. He really helped my relationship with God and I hope to see him again soon.

The trip home was a delight of smelly airports, planes built for dwarfs, foraging for food, and to end our perfect trip, our luggage did not arrive when we did. Poor Jonathan had a suitcase full of dirty clothes (yes, there was a washer and dryer in the A-frame) and had to leave for JMU the next day. The saga had a happy ending as everything was delivered to us by early afternoon the next day and he got off for college fine. I managed to catch a bug right on the last day which progressed into flu, misery, and loss of voice. Still, I've been able to work this week and I *love my job*. Two weeks off was just what the doctor ordered. I'm on mostly vocal rest because of laryngitis but that just makes life interesting.

So, we all had a great time and I hope you are all doing well and finding peace in your lives. Love,

Kirsten
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.
Charles Spurgeon

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Kirsten, RN, LPC
Radford, VA