Tired, Exhausted, worked on the BPA thing way too long

As I go to post this my daughter gave me the title. I now have a latch key husband, children and even my kitten. Just grateful they all miss and love me so. I long for days when I could walk my creek bed, and just marvel at it's beauty not stress about possible 500Kv running over it. But this journey has brought so many amazing people into my life you cannot imagine. I have heard stories of a blind woman who lives right next to Moulton Falls park here in Clark County. The picture of the ravine and river (East Fork of the Lewis) are from her place. It has incredible views which I cannot imagine placing power lines over. Eagles nest there, and her children, and grandchildren are there with her now. She has 7 wonderful children who have come to help her. They told me stories of this property being in their family since 1912. Her husband recently passed away and she could not read the " Letter of Intent " she received from BPA and was scared. I have come to know my neighbor Debbie, clematis grower extraordinaire(silver star clematis) who has become very dear to me in this last month. Another neighbor down the road who is a mapping pro & guitar player. I am tired, exhausted, worked on the BPA far too long, but I am also very blessed with many people, places and spaces that I love with my whole heart. Hope I can see them all be protected and well. Many Blessings, Erin

Rally @ BPA Portland, Oregon

I recently attended a peaceful Rally at Bonneville Power Administration Portland, Oregon(next to Lloyd Center) Our hope is for people to understand the number of homes and critical ecosystem that stands to be destroyed and forever changed should this 70 mile/500 KV(the highest voltage lines allowable) go through from Troutdale, Oregon to Castle Rock, Washington. It will probably be going through my backyard. You can see what my yard looks like from the pictures on this blog. It is a "Ferngully" or "Avaitar" (Southwest Washington Rainforest) right here in these United States. This week I attended an EFSEC(WA State Energy Facility Evaluation Council) Meeting. We as citizen's were allowed 5 minutes to speak and had to keep our comments, and letter within tight parameter's. Our concern's were largely ignored but we had one angel in the form of Hedia Adelsman-Dept. of Ecology who recommended the Bonneville Power Administration's Work Plan have some wording changed.
It will now go back to be adjusted and resubmitted Feb. 9th. On the way Hedia suggested the Clark County Commissioner's be spoken with since they have shown us (Clark County WA. Citizen's) support as stated in our letter. This process has been a hard lesson in just how rare it is to get Senator's, Congressmen, and people in power to listen. To find a route to be heard. When you are telling them the truth, and it affects Good People, endangered plant, amphibian, bird, insect & animal species. I don't know the answer yet. At the rally we were shuffled from Woody Guthrie Courtyard to a park by Lloyd Center all because peaceful citizen's who are important parts of these United States, who live in the areas that will be affected, have critical detail to share, but I don't have 50 attorney's on staff or an endless supply of funding. Just me and the truth that if these sacred families, this River, my 600 year old fir snag are destroyed these United States and everyone in them will lose something more important than money or power. We will lose the well being of our future.

Farm Chick Friends

Happy New Year to YOU!! 2010 will be much better than last year. It started with a wonderful get together with my Farmgirl friends, Florence, Robin and Katy to craft, share lunch and holiday tales. My dear friend Florence welcomed us to her home which is always so warm, filled with love, and a lifetime of gathered sacred objects, memories, hand made heart filled dreams. I wish you such moments as this year begins with angels to watch over you like our hand-made creations above. I just love the glow on Florence's face below. She bundled the crazy snowmen I've made her and has an awesome picture of her grandson enjoying them on her blog Essences of the Past. The last picture was on her cabinet full of silver frames with an incredible collection of family photographs thru the generations. How lucky to have such a treasure and put it together so beautifully.

Christmas Blessings

The other morning I woke up to a beautiful snowy morning and the gift of some of my niece's spending the night to make cookies and watch Holiday movie's and was even treated to a Reindeer Dance and song from my little niece Kiera. The best kind of Holiday Blessings.

A Cherokee tale of Creation

Many moons ago, the Great Sun created the plants and trees. Then he blessed them with the gift of green, so that they might bring forth fruit and flowers. All was well for a time, but the the Great One withdrew his face. The winds came down from the mountains of the north, and gray clouds jostled above the earth.
"Oh Father, don't leave us!" cried the plants.
"Give us your light and your warmth!" cried the trees.
But day by day the Great Sun sank lower in the sky, and the long nights were as black as a crow's wing. Then the vines began to wither, and frost touched the grasses of the meadows. A curtain of clouds covered the heavens.
"Dear Father, we will die without you," wailed the trees and plants. "Come back! Come back!"
"He's coming," whispered the clouds. "His face has turned in the sky."
The plants and trees were full of joy at the good news. Eager to greet their dear father, they decided to stay awake every night and watch for his return.
Sumac, sassafras, and purple aster put forth brilliant colors to welcome the Great Sun. But after a night of watching, they fell asleep.
The dogwoods and alders watched for two nights, but soon their boughs grew heavy and they feel asleep.
The maples and poplars whispered to each other, "We will not give in to sleep," But soon they were slumbering under the cold stars like the others.
When the Great Sun came from his wigwam on the dawn of the seventh day, the skies were clear. He looked down on the forests and meadows below. The only plants and trees awake to greet him were the pine, the fir, the spruce, the holly, and the laurel.
"For your faithfulness I will give you the gift of green forever," said the Great Sun to the plants and trees who welcomed him. "The others will drop their leaves or sleep through the winter, but you will remain awake. Your color a promise of my return to all who see you."
AND HE SENT A STREAM OF LIGHT ACROSS THE SLEEPING EARTH.
Many Blessings to all of you from my humble home and ecosystem.

Winter Solstice and God's hand in our lives

Yesterday my husband journeyed to our neighbors on foot. He called to tell me a chunk of one of our many ancient fir snags had fallen off and was amazing to see. He had forgotten how large and amazing they really are. He said you should bring your camera and come look. So I did, it was pouring down rain but this is what I saw. This is just a chunk from this tree and it is as tall as I am sideways on the ground. That is 5'7". The picture's with my hand and boot are to show you how large one branch from this tree was. Remember this tree is at least 600 years old, survived two Yacolt Burns around 1902 and 100 plus years since, and this is what is left. I can stick my whole arm into one of the rings from a branch. For me this is one of God's wonders I wish you could see first hand.
So I will write a tale above that reminds me how precious our lives are and some of what God's hand in our lives means to me. Happy Winter Solstice and enjoy the lengthening days and a Very Merry Christmas as Jesus light comes to shine in our lives.

Gifts that last beyond Christmas

Here is my quaint old fashioned small town of Yacolt, Washington. You may not see its value at first glance but I can assure you it has great value in this world of 10,000 text messages, replaceable TV shows, appliances, computers and the like. This train gets dolled up for Christmas every year and takes visitors from surrounding Vancouver and Portland on a magical journey through the woods and back for a tree. Moments that you remember as an excited child or nostalgic adult. Unlike those 10,000 text my daughter made last month that when asked is one memorable enough to save? she answers NO. Here is the Yacolt City Courthouse. It is so old it still has the funky 1890's bars on the cells. The Yacolt City Council is so kind and welcoming when I recently visited to share news of the BPA I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project they greeted me with open arms and even made sure to bring water to drink, share jokes, and then got involved with integrity, action, and care so uncommon in this modern world. The tree in this picture gets decked out for Christmas every year and on the 4th of July there is a Rendezvous, and parade where children and adults still share the spirit of what makes this Country great, caring for neighbors and all the things around us not just for personal gain or prestige. On the fourth kids do sidewalk chalk drawing all over the town, isn't this one wonderful. It reminds me of my experiences growing up in Clark County attending George C. Marshall Elementary School where we sang "Washington MY HOME", My Country Tis of Thee, and This Land is Your Land. I was the Treasurer of my Elementary School and since this Christmas has brought a need for me to connect and communicate with public officials like never before in my life, due to the BPA I am searching, and hoping to find some who still operate for the common good of us all. So far Yacolt City Council, The Clark County Commissioners, Representative Orcutt, and Senator Honeywell have greatly impressed me with their actions and integrity. The stair case to Patty Murray and Maria Cantwells Clark County offices has a big picture of George C. Marshall but, it took a physical visit to get a response, 2 letters and e-mails did nothing. I hope that will change. Since Brian Baird went to the Galapagos Islands to learn about Global Warming I am hoping he will take 10 minutes to realize the impact the BPA I-5 Corridor Project will have on Clark Counties Global Warming situation. The bottom picture shows you some of the incredible rare plants and flowers from my property that will be destroyed to make way for more TV's, Computers, Air Conditioners and such if this project goes thru line#29. Fran Gillette from our area has a new cookbook out this year, she is famous for them, the patriotism and wisdom they hold. My favorite quote from this cookbook is:

Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.
Cree prophesy-

May your Christmas be filled with gifts that LAST beyond Christmas.