Photo: Lee Cujes
Your life is not about what people expect you to be. It's about following your heart to be what you want to be.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
jjobrien
Forgive me for:
A. Asking your name more than once when we meet at the crag.
I want to get to know everyone but I'm not great with names.
B. Blogging photos of myself. I'll keep it to a minimum.
C. Plus the usual stuff, coveting neighbours asses, trespassing, etc.
The loss ofanother of our precious own last week re-enforces my quest to know and value every one of you out there.
We are bound by our compulsion to climb harder and higher. It's not a trivial activity. It gives meaning to life. Clint gave more meaning to his life and ours through his climbing.
Getting involved in your striving for excellence is what enriches my climbing.
Scott Hailstone and I got up early to get these shots.
"Black Leather Dungarees" 26 at Coolum Cave has been untouched for years. Such an impressive route.
It's high and steep.
Years ago I made a start on developing this route.
I couldn't make sense of such crazy terrain and calledon the expertise of Lee Cujes to map it out and send it.
Don't do this move.
Climbers, many things make us different butthis is what makes us the same.
We love the fight, the struggle and swinging around high off the ground.
Wardrobe: models own.
The T-Shirt features an ancient Buddhist text refering to the nature of the world as illusion.
Illusion or not, I'm in.
That shoe I'm putting in your facewould be the Red Chili Carona VCR
You don't have to watch the ads.
It's a big deal for me.
I am nowhonoured to be part of the Wild Country teamwith my own special pageon their UK site.
That's the Wild Country Elite Ultralite harness andHelium quickdraws.
It's just the gear you want for redpointing a route like BLD.
Radicallylightwith superior action.
Here I am representing Red Chilion the Expedition Equipment site.
Brisbane climbers, you can get this amazing gear from local rockstarOliver at K2
I know you wanted to see a kneebar.
This one is bomber, and I never thought to use it when I first sent this route.
Age brings cunning.
It also brings laziness, senility and incontinence, but we make the most of it.

All photos: Scott Hailstone
Scott is about to embark on a year long journey
through the worlds most amazing places.
Take care. Everyone.
Thanks Scott
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Secret egg deposit revealed

No wonder I thought the hens had stopped laying.
My husband had put some excess hay in a big box, to get it up off the ground while he hosed down the shop porch. Then, as things tend to happen around here, it just got left there.
Somebody else (it might have been me) put some more empty boxes on top, to keep them above Jasmine-munching level. Said someone then never actually got around to moving the boxes the next week, after the near-overflowing garbage can had been emptied.
Turns out that was much more inviting than some old lovingly handbuilt nesting boxes in a super-deluxe chicken coop.
But now that someone moved the boxes that made the roof of this cubbyhole, it's apparently not so inviting anymore. They've moved the secret stash somewhere else. I haven't found it yet.
---
We've been losing critters again, I think to coyotes. One of our muscovies and several chickens. My favorite chicken. The only one we had left who was laying the green eggs. We have lots more Easter Eggers but they're still young pullets.
Leghorns start laying incredibly fast, at about four months of age. Our Ameraucanas/Easter Eggers were late bloomers, not laying until they were six to eight months old. Now that they're all gone, it'll be two to four months before we see green eggs again.
I've come to the conclusion that Jasmine thinks her job is to guard us instead of the animals. The chickens make it worse by insisting on staying in the woods, where it's cooler, but where Jasmine can't see them, and where the coyotes can pick them off with ease.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Trip to the Jemez

Please, Do Your Family a Favor...
My Mother passed away last week (Tuesday, February 15th) and due to her foresight and thoughtfulness, the days following her death were somewhat less stressful than they might have been.
You see, back in January of 1999 Mom planned her own funeral, decided where she was going to be buried, selected the grave marker – and paid for it all!
She purchased the cemetery plot and grave marker outright and got an “insurance policy” to pay for the funeral services. Premiums were paid for three years and guaranteed the cost. She also discussed those arrangements with me, so I knew what she wanted.
She had selected only one song for the service so we chose several more that we knew she liked. The only things that were left to decide and pay for were the flowers for the casket, the funeral cards, thank you notes, and the obituary notices.
The other thing that Mom did that made our decision for us when the time came, was that she discussed her wishes in regards to “heroic measures” or life support in the event that she became terminally ill. It was a heart-wrenching decision that was by no means easy, but essentially one that she had made and we were bound to honor that decision.
Last November, Apple wrote about the process she went through in pre-planning her Mother's funeral as well as selecting a burial site and grave marker. Tough decisions were made and it was stressful, but imagine having to make those decisions in a very short period of time and under even more stressful conditions.
It is definitely not an easy task, but one which your family will forever be grateful. So, if you can, get your funeral planned. At the very least, discuss your wishes with your family. And, if at all possible get it paid for. Now.
Thank you, Mom, for this gift that you gave us.

Mom was cremated and the cremains were buried in the plot shared with her sister at Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill, Indiana. Mom selected a bench marker so that we might have a place to sit when visiting her.
You see, back in January of 1999 Mom planned her own funeral, decided where she was going to be buried, selected the grave marker – and paid for it all!
She purchased the cemetery plot and grave marker outright and got an “insurance policy” to pay for the funeral services. Premiums were paid for three years and guaranteed the cost. She also discussed those arrangements with me, so I knew what she wanted.
She had selected only one song for the service so we chose several more that we knew she liked. The only things that were left to decide and pay for were the flowers for the casket, the funeral cards, thank you notes, and the obituary notices.
The other thing that Mom did that made our decision for us when the time came, was that she discussed her wishes in regards to “heroic measures” or life support in the event that she became terminally ill. It was a heart-wrenching decision that was by no means easy, but essentially one that she had made and we were bound to honor that decision.
Last November, Apple wrote about the process she went through in pre-planning her Mother's funeral as well as selecting a burial site and grave marker. Tough decisions were made and it was stressful, but imagine having to make those decisions in a very short period of time and under even more stressful conditions.
It is definitely not an easy task, but one which your family will forever be grateful. So, if you can, get your funeral planned. At the very least, discuss your wishes with your family. And, if at all possible get it paid for. Now.
Thank you, Mom, for this gift that you gave us.

Mom was cremated and the cremains were buried in the plot shared with her sister at Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill, Indiana. Mom selected a bench marker so that we might have a place to sit when visiting her.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Star Trails over the Sage Creek Wilderness

Here is another shot from my trip to the Badlands and Black Hills. This was taken in November on a chilly night, temp was just below freezing. My friend Roger and I were camping in the Sage Creek Campground of Badlands National Park and spent a good portion of the night photographing the stars. This photo was made a few hundred yards away from our campsite. It is a 24 minute exposure and is one of several star trail images that I made that night.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Why Fixed Gear?
So why fixed gear and what do I like about it so much? If I have to pin it down, there are two distinct elements of this type of bike that I enjoy. First, I simply find it soothing and pleasant. The motions my legs make on a fixed gear feel different - more circular and rhythmical.In that sense it is really not about speed at all, but about being able to ride with smooth and regular pedal strokes and enjoying the state of mind this puts me in. I find this to be very relaxing when I am stressed out. Even just riding in circles around the neighbourhood, the magical sensation of the drivetrain never fails to calm me down and clear my head.
But all this talk of technique is probably beside the point. When it comes down to it, we do things that we enjoy and fixed gear is for me simply one of those things. I can't imagine not owning a bike like this. I begin to get fixed gear cravings if I don't ride one for more than a week. Luckily, that should not be a problem.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Just One More Iris Photograph

I promise, this will be the last Iris picture posted this year! It's such an unusual color, least one I've never seen before. These are hybrids that we bought a couple of years ago that I brought with me when the house was sold. They didn't bloom last year but according to my mother that's normal as they don't usually bloom the year they are planted. This is the only one that is this color, all the others are the light blue/pale purple color.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Orchids & Kitties
These are some photos of the orchids I bought the other day. They had been $12 and marked down to $3 because they didn't have the sence to water them and they had wilted badly. I was surprised at how well they came back. some of the blossoms were all dried up and fell of but the ones that were just kind of limp opened back up once they had some water.
Cassie
Twinkie
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Phend-Fisher Family Reunion Ledger (1920)

The 11th Annual Reunion of the Phend - Fisher families was held at the home of John Phend at Tippecanoe Ind. with fifty three members and eleven friends present among whom was Rev. Harper and family of Tippecanoe. Many more would have been there had it not been such a rainy day.
After singing "Blest be the Tie that binds," Rev. Harper offered Thanks and then each one proceeded to help himself or herself to the basket dinner.
In the after-noon a quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wherley and Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Phend sang several selections after which the secretary's report was read and approved and several short talks were given.
The following officers were elected.
Jacob Phend Pres.
Will Phend Vice Pres.
Fred Ernest Sec.
Christ Phend Tres.
[page 2]
Iva Wherley was chosen as chairman of the entertainment committee. A co

Fred ErnestSec. The Phend-Fisher families gathered for a reunion in Elkhart County, Indiana almost annually from 1909 until 1943. Usually held at Nappanee, the events of the day were recorded in an old ledger book. Spelling has been retained as it was in the original though some punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added. To view all articles in this series click on the "Phend-Fisher Reunion Ledger" label at the bottom of this post.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Tech bindings again?

I switched over to all techbindings for inbounds and out of bounds skiing on everything I own 4 seasons ago.. I have a quiver of skis and a boot quiver as well to cover the full spectrum of my own skiing needs.
DPS 138s in a 192cm to my 167cm lwtBroad Peaks.
Tech bindings are an acquired taste and not for everyone.
But if you have an interest in lwt high performance ski gear this is well worth a read:
http://www.earlyups.com/featured/gear-dynafit-radical-ft-12-review/#.UYE2hKqjXOw.facebook
or dig around in here as it is all done ontech bindings:
http://www.coaststeepskier.com/wphome/
http://www.getstrongergolonger.com/
Zion National Park :: Revisited
Tuesday, November 29th - - Since there was quite a bit of snow at Bryce Canyon, I left there in early afternoon and drove the relatively short distance to Zion National Park. They had recently closed all of the campgrounds in the park except for one loop, which is normally for RVs only and has electrical hookups. There weren't a lot of campers when I arrived but by evening the loop was filling up.
Wednesday, November 30th - - As it turned out, I really didn't need heat during the night but it was nice to have it in the morning to take the chill out of the air. The road through Zion Canyon is normally closed to traffic during the summer season but I took advantage of the opportunity to drive through since the road was open.


Of course I had to get a photo of Angel's Landing. I still find it hard to believe that I actually made it to the top!

It was a short visit but very pleasant nevertheless. Though not much I've done could compare to my visit there last year.
Wednesday, November 30th - - As it turned out, I really didn't need heat during the night but it was nice to have it in the morning to take the chill out of the air. The road through Zion Canyon is normally closed to traffic during the summer season but I took advantage of the opportunity to drive through since the road was open.


Of course I had to get a photo of Angel's Landing. I still find it hard to believe that I actually made it to the top!

It was a short visit but very pleasant nevertheless. Though not much I've done could compare to my visit there last year.
More rando boot reviews worth a look...

If you ever wonder what I look at and pay attention to forreviews here are a couple that would have helped with my own decision making.
http://outerlocal.com/skiing/scarpa-alien-1-0-vsdynafit-dy-n-a-evo-review
http://outerlocal.com/skiing/scarpa-alien-review
http://tetonsandwasatch.com//dynafit-dyna-pdg-boot-review/
http://tetonsandwasatch.com//scarpa-alien-1-review/
http://l-caldwell.blogspot.com//11/dynafit-dyna-pdg-boot-review.html
http://outerlocal.com/skiing/scarpa-alien-1-0-review2-review
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