By the Seaside

The two older boys wanted to have their hair cut while they are here, so I made an appointment for this morning with a woman I know who has a hair salon.  The big mistake was that we had to be there by ten in the morning.  I thought we’d never make it.  Those boys are like trying to wake the dead.  Janne made them breakfast to-go so they ate in the car on the drive over to Astoria.  They are getting clued in to the American lifestyle – eating while in the car!  The others stayed behind for a more relaxed morning in the campground.

While the boys were getting a haircut, I zoomed up to Clatsop Community College, where I graduated from in 1980.  They did a huge renovation on one of the main classroom buildings and it’s finally done so I wanted to take a peek.  What a gem it now is.  I was glad to see some of the lockers I worked so hard to get installed for students 30 years ago, are still being used.  That was the legacy I left behind.

Kory spent the day helping Larry get some things ready for their “new” house. It’s actually very old and needs lots of tender loving care, but I knew Kory wouldn’t want to spend the day down in Seaside shopping with us, so he used his carpentry skills and built Jan and Larry an extension on their kitchen counter.  It was our way of paying for the use of their trailer.  Last year I left them money and they got mad at me, but no one was complaining about their new countertop. (The photo above is NOT their house, but I thought it was just so cute.)  

The shopping bug is still working it’s way through the veins of the Norwegians, so we had to go to the Outlet Mall in Seaside so they could buy more clothes and shoes.  I made fun of the family of five Norwegians that came last year when they went home with 27 pairs of shoes, but so far, this family of five has purchased 17 pairs, and they are far from being done.  When a pair of shoes in Norway costs $250 and for the same pair here at the outlet, it can be bought for $30 – it’s easy to see why.  Even the haircuts this morning were only $15 but in Norway, the same one would be $80, so they were well pleased.

While everyone was shopping, I went across the street to a bank where we have an account, and sat there and used my computer a little.  I do go through withdrawals if my fingers don’t touch a keyboard for a few days, so the time there fed my addiction.

We met up with some friends of ours from Skagit County down here.  They are renting a house near the beach so we had lunch together then after a little time walking around in the town, visiting a candy store and the boys riding on the bumper cars (see photos), we met them again at the beach in front of their house and hung out there for the rest of the day.  The boys jumped in the waves, threw footballs on the beach, flew kites and just ran around.  They loved it.  The sun was out, but the wind was strong, so the adults sitting watching them got a bit chilled, but my friend and I went for a long walk and kept very warm.

Yesterday when we were at the Astoria Column throwing airplanes from the top, Andre asked me, “Can we come back here tomorrow?”  Then when we left the beach today he asked again, “Can we come back here tomorrow?”  I told him we only have one day left on the Coast and we can do whatever we want, but we can’t do it all.  At dinner last night I asked him what he will tell his friends back in Norway about America and he said, “I will tell them it’s a big mistake if they don’t come here.”  And they’ve only been here a week, so I’m glad they are having a good time.  We are, too.

The Oregon Coast

Monday morning we left at nine in the morning – which is earlier than what is reasonable for most Norwegians to rise and shine.  Norwegians keep a much later schedule than Americans, as it’s quite the norm to be up until after midnight, even on work days, so on weekends or days off, they will sleep until 11 or noon, especially if there are teenage boys involved.  It was brutal, but we managed to get them up and going and out the door for our long drive to Oregon.

We made several stops along the way so the trip that should have taken a little over four hours, actually took eight.  We stopped at Wal-Mart – their new favorite store – and in Seattle to show them our apartment building.  We stopped at Cabela’s (see photo above) near Olympia to show them where to buy everything they need to kill animals, and we stopped at the Capital building to show them the beauty and majesty of the place.

My friend, Elizabeth, who was a missionary for many years in Mexico (see photo above), is living near the capital, so we got to see her for just a few minutes while we were there.  She took the bus in order to meet up with us and it was short, but sweet, so that was the highlight of my day – seeing her smiling face.

We took the coast road down to Oregon because it was so scenic, but because we’d woken everyone up before they were ready, all the ones traveling in my car, slept the entire drive down the coast.  We had to take two vehicles to fit us and all our camping gear, so it was a quiet ride down.

Our friends, the Osterby’s, loaned us their camping trailer (see photo above) for the week so they came and set it up at the campsite for us.  It’s good to have friends.  We had a late dinner down at Norma’s in Seaside before we crashed on Monday night.

Yesterday we had a variety filled day as it started off with the whole family buying Crocs to wear to the beach.  Then we hit the music store to see if there were any guitars for Haakon to buy, but the selection was limited.  We drove up to the Astoria Column (see photo above) to fly airplanes off the top then spent a few hours at Fort Clatsop to learn a little history about the Lewis and Clark Expedition (see below).

The sun came out in the afternoon so we hit the beach at South Jetty (see photos below) to look for sand dollars but for the first time in 30 years, I didn’t find a single one.  I’m sure it’s because it was late in the day and high tide, but still, it was surprising.  I walked with three of the boys from the South Jetty all the way down to the Peter Iredale shipwreck while Kory drove the others down there to wait for us.  It took two hours of walking along the beach, but it was time well spent in my estimation.

We had another late dinner near the campsite.  All the boys ordered steak but they aren’t used to American sized portions so they all weren’t able to complete their meals. 

I’ve been asking them what differences they notice between America and Norway.  Janne said that Americans are much more open and friendly – that we greet each other with big hugs and lots of enthusiasm.  She practiced being an American on my friend Elizabeth, which made them both laugh.  Sondre noticed that everything is bigger in America.  Haakon said the roads have four lanes, which is so not normal for Norway.  Often there is just one lane and people have to pull off the side of the road when another car comes their way.  Andre likes the cheap prices and Haavard talked about the differences in politics and policies and how many more choices American’s have over things. 

We’ve been talking in English the whole time so it’s been good for them all to refine their English skills.  I was shocked over how well Andre speaks English because in Norway he would never say a word, but he’s just rattling it off like a pro now. 

So far, so good.  They haven’t even been here a week and they have had many experiences but it seems the one they like best is shopping.  Prices are just too enticing for them and they can’t help themselves.  I understand perfectly.

Hardy Norwegians

We all had to rush through breakfast to get out the door in time for church this morning.  It wasn’t at all how I planned to start my day, in such a rush and all, but it was so gorgeous when I woke up that I couldn’t help but go out in the yard and feel the heat on my bones.  It was then I realized the plants needed some water on their roots and thus the distraction began.  Janne came outside and told me the time and next thing I know we are all stuffing food in our face and racing out the door for church.  Ugh.

After church Janne and Haavard went into LaConner for a while to see the town and the cute shops we have in our little town.  I describe it as a place I can buy nothing I need, but it’s still nice to go there for a look anyway.  The boys were busy playing Pokemon while Kory and I packed up our camping gear for our trip to Oregon tomorrow. 

The sun was warm and still very inviting around three, so when Janne and Haavard came back we all headed out to Anacortes to go to the beach.  The water was cold, but that didn’t stop those hardy Bjerknes boys from jumping in and going for a swim.  The rest of us took naps by the shore in the sun.  It felt good and was much needed by us all.

We stopped several places in the park for photo opportunities then back home for a late dinner.  It was a good day but still hard to stay away from the news of what’s happening in Norway.  I’ve gotten many messages and calls from friends wondering if anyone in Kory’s family was affected by this, and thankfully, I can say, no news is good news.  I’m trusting God will be able to use even this, for some good.

I am a little peeved at the American media news reports though because they are the only ones connecting this mad man with the word “Christian.”  Norway has in no way reported that he was a Christian, so it just goes to show how the media is used to shape the world’s ideas and opinions of things.  Now Americans that have some prejudice again Christians, have even more grounds to support their own ideology, but it may very well be something that was made up by the media in order to do just that.  It’s a sick world out there, and I’m not just talking about the guy in Norway.

A Glorious Day

We managed to pack in four different experiences for the Norwegians today.  The day started off with a little walk down our street to feed the local birds.  Our neighbor has trained the chickadees and nuthatches to be handfed.  It doesn’t get better than that.  Plus, a nice walk in the woods early in the morning is a great way to start the day – unless, of course, it involves getting stung by stinging nettles along the way – which were hard to avoid.  The younger boys stayed home, but a neighbor and her daughters joined us, so it was time well spent.

Amy, the mom to our two add-on boys from yesterday, came out before lunchtime to join us on another hike she wanted to go on, so we packed up a lunch and she and her kids, joined us and the Bjerknes’ for a drive over to Fidalgo Island.  It was a gorgeous day to be outside and the cool of the woods kept us all from sweating from the hike (it really wasn’t that strenuous.)  After about a twenty minutes, we emerged from the woods onto a bluff that overlooks the San Juan Islands and Canada.  It was a great spot for a picnic, but a little nerve racking to have so many kids to keep away from the edge, which plunges straight down into the sea.  The Norwegians thought it looked like home.  And it does.  That’s why so many Norwegians live around here, I’m sure.

Amy and her boys went back home after the hike but we headed on over to Deception Pass State Park.  The park ranger tried to discourage us from entering the park by saying there were no parking spaces available and the park was overcrowded, but we trusted God that we’d find a place to park, and we did.  We had loaded up the kayak so Janne and I took it out on the lake while the boys swam and Kory and Haavard sat by the beach watching the waves and people come and go. 

It was gorgeous and warm on the lake, and also quiet and no one could ask us to do a thing, so we lingered.  Kaleb and Andre went out in the kayak after we were done, then Sondre and Haakon took their turn while Janne and I collected rocks on the beach.  Everyone thought the day could not have been better, but we were far from done.

We drove back home for a quick dinner of frozen pizza and pop  (American style) then drove back down to Oak Harbor to go the drive-in movie.  It was one of the things some of them wanted to do in America, since they don’t have them in Norway.  It wasn’t a disappointment at all and they were all just giddy with delight over the whole experience.  All the boys sat out in lawn chairs in front of the car but Janne and I enjoyed the comfort inside our van – until the battery went dead, anyway. 

I was in a panic, since the van wouldn’t start, but we just sat in the dark and listened to the end of the movie with surround sound from all the other vehicles, and we prayed.  The van started up just fine when the movie was over and we were home by 12:30.  Whew.

It was a full day, and went off almost exactly as planned.  Day three is complete, with eighteen more to go.  We’ve only just begun.

It was good we had things to do to keep our minds off the tragedy in Norway.  It’s just too sad to think about.  It’s like an innocent child being molested.  Norway may never be the same.

Finally, the Sun has Returned!

It’s hard to impress our Norwegian guests with the beauty of the Northwest when the skies are grey and rain is falling.  I’ve been a bit worried about the weather for the weeks they are here, but finally, the sun has returned and at least for now, they will be able to enjoy some of the many outdoor adventures that await them.

This morning we took a hike out to a small island not far from our house.  It’s one of Skagit County’s best kept secrets.  It was pretty grey to start the day, but as we returned to the car, finally the clouds parted.  The tide was also too high to enjoy any beach, so I’m thinking we need to go back before they leave, as it truly is a tropical paradise when the conditions are right.

A stop at Snowgoose Produce for some ice cream served as our lunch for the day as no one was hungry after eating one of those.

My friend Amy, and her four boys, and another family joined us on our hike.  Amy’s son, Spencer is Kaleb’s good friend so Kaleb insisted Spencer and his brother Lazlo come home with us and spend the night.  Andre wanted to have more kids to play some Pokemon games with, so we increased our numbers by two today.  The trampoline at home provided enough entertainment for all the boys that we didn’t even know they were here.  

 Kory & Haavard napping on our deck...

Tonight we had a home fellowship group out at Bayview, behind a boat building business owned by one of the guys in our group.  The sun was warm and some of the kids played in the water while the group of boys hung out at the beach, playing hide-and-seek and doing what pre-teen boys do.  The adults all had a chance to visit. 

Kory took the Bjerknes’ down the street to pick blueberries at our friend’s house so tomorrow we’ll have fresh blueberries for breakfast.  They brought vanilla sauce with them from Norway so it will be a little taste from home.

It was a sad day today though, since the overriding news of what happened in Norway dominated everyone’s thoughts.  It’s not easy to comprehend.  The world is changing and without God, there is certainly no hope.

Our home fellowship group - minus the 14 kids.

Settled Back In

We have spend the last few weeks out in the yard, rain and shine, getting it back into shape – and then some.  We took on a few extra projects like cleaning out the pond, spreading five yards of beauty bark around the borders, having gravel delivered on the driveway and doing some serious pruning.  It was all worthwhile and now our place looks as nice as it ever has.  Just in time for company that arrived last night from Norway.

I must say, the last two weeks have been heavenly.  Kaleb has been busy having sleepovers with his friends here.  Kory set up a trampoline for him which we thought was going to be used for exercise, but Kaleb soon discovered it serves better as a large playing field for his Pokemon cards. 

Last weekend all our neighbors got together for a welcome back party for us and we sat high and dry here on the ridge looking out over the valley watching the lightening and rain pound down on everyone north and east of us.  We live in a little banana belt so we don’t get nearly as wet as the rest of the county.  We’ve even enjoyed several days of sunshine since we got home here on Pleasant Ridge. 

Both Kory and I loved not having to go anywhere or do anything specific and just puttering around the yard has been a dream – except for the nightmare created by the moles.  I’ve even taken to swearing when I wake up and find new piles of dirt in the yard, but I’m determined to get rid of them all using my “death mole mix” – equal parts of sugar, oatmeal and dry concrete wrapped in wax paper and stuffed down their little holes.  That’ll get ‘em.

BEFORE AND AFTER - the lilac bush fell over while we were gone

Moles are the only critter in our yard I’m not happy about.  The slugs are a pest, but much easier to deal with.  The squirrels have been at the bird feeders every day stealing their food, but they don’t even bother me that much.  We did try to get one of our trees limbed to improve our view a little, but the guy cutting down the limbs encountered a squirrel nest up in the tree.  Not only did we NOT want the squirrel babies to die, but we didn’t want the guy to get chewed up by the mama squirrel, so we’ll have to wait a few more weeks before we have that task accomplished.

A few days ago I was up early and out on the deck enjoying the warm temperatures in the quiet of the morning, when two male deer came wandering through our yard.  They munched on the leaves of the plum tree and stopped to check out the clicking of my camera.  They stuck around a while and I didn’t even mind them eating some of my garden plants.  It’s not often we get deer in our yard.

We’ve had raccoons come eat most of our goldfish in the pond since we’ve been home.  I just bought more at Wal-mart.  They are “feeder fish” for pet piranhas, so I figured I’m at least giving them some kind of life and fighting chance before they turn into raccoon food in our pond.

BEFORE AND AFTER - weeding the rockery

Normally when I’m working in the yard I encounter dozens of frogs, but for some strange reason this year, I’ve only seen one frog in the last few weeks.  At least the rabbits are still plentiful.  The bald eagles haven’t taken all of them yet, anyway.  And only one snake has been sighted so far this summer, thankfully.  It’s a real “wild life America” on our end of the ridge.  Such a change from the life we have in Norway – living in the middle of the city and only seeing an occasional bird.  But people stop by for a visit there.  Here, it’s mostly just God’s creatures of the non-talking variety.  We have had a few friends over for BBQs, however, so that’s helped us not be too lonely.

Now the nature that surrounds us is also being enjoyed by our Norwegian guests.  It’s their first time in America so I hope they don’t think everyone has it as good as we do.  We live in a special place, for sure.  Kaleb’s friend, Andre, is here with his two older brothers and his parents.  They arrived late last night and hit the stores first thing this morning.  They spent more than a thousand dollars already on shoes and clothes for the five of them and they were pleased with every penny they spent, as those items are four to five times more in Norway than they cost here.  Happy we could help them support the American economy like that.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Weeding out the Pumpkin Garden

We are looking forward to the next three weeks, as it will be like we are on vacation, too.  The weather is looking warmer and the days will soon be filled with lots of new experiences.  I love the list of things they want to do while here – “go to a drive-in movie,” “go to the spa,” “go to a gospel church,” “go to a baseball game,” “eat at Taco-Bell.”  All easy wishes to fulfill with lots of memories soon to be made.  We are truly blessed.