tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42962176612523526032024-03-13T04:01:57.209-07:00Cow Suit SaturdayBillie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-10866036640227552972021-06-19T08:19:00.000-07:002021-06-19T08:19:56.308-07:00He Lets Me Love Them<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">A couple years ago, I gave a TEDX talk about my adventures
in a cow suit at the TEDxIdahoFalls event. Organizers held a number of
workshops to help speakers synthesize our thoughts and really hone in on our
message and delivery. After I presented a first draft, one of the speaker coaches
suggested I explore how the cow suit combats taking life too seriously. At
first, I silently poo-pooed his idea, but the more I thought about it, he hit
the bullseye.
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I've used my cow suits (I’ve got 11 of them now) to disarm
myself and others, to direct interactions and simply add some levity in life
when it has seemed impossible to find – when life was almost too serious to
handle. The title of my talk eventually became “<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/billie_johnson_my_udderly_serious_life_uncovering_courage_in_a_cow_suit" target="_blank">My Udderly Serious Life: Uncovering Courage in a Cow Suit.</a>"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With their permission, I incorporated pictures of all three
of my step-kids who were 11, 14 and 19 at the time. As I was making edits and
working through draft after draft,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
struck by how disingenuous it felt to mention or showcase the kids on such a
wide, visible stage without including their dad. In fact, when I bring up the
kids in a column, I feel remiss not having mentioned him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As an engineer and lifelong math geek, the transitive property
comes to mind. If A = B and B = C, then A = C. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he is the kids’ family and I am the kids’
family, then he and I are family. We may not have chosen to be each other’s
family, but here we are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While working
on my talk and folding in family, it was important to me that he be included.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But my talk was about my cow suit adventures. How in the
heck was I going to get this guy in a cow suit or have an interaction with him while
I was in the cow suit that would be authentic and natural? And would he even be
on board appearing in my talk that centered on something as ridiculous as a
costume cow suit? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy grew up on a
dairy farm, so I had that going for me, but I hemmed and hawed about whether or
not to approach him and what to say.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I imagined the setting from his perspective. His ex-wife gets
remarried. Her new spouse calls him up and starts out, “Hey, listen, I’m giving
a TEDx talk about my cow suit adventures, and I was wondering...” That’s pretty
much what I did but with an email. He was already well aware of the cow suit shenanigans,
but I’m not sure he knew how I felt about him or our relationship until I told
him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My relationship with our kids’ dad is one of my most serious
in all definitions of the word. It’s serious because there isn’t historically a
lot of joking. It’s serious because how we get along significantly affects three
young people we both adore, and it’s serious because he is someone whose
happiness I’ve come to hope for as much as my own.</p>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal">The better I’ve gotten to know their dad, the better I’ve
gotten to know the kids. I’m pretty sure they were all versed in witty sarcasm
before their baby teeth fell out. They all appreciate science, logic, and
reason and have a penchant for all things technology. The boys in particular
move their hands like he does when they debate, argue or simply get excited.
Their smirks are identical and arise from the same things. Knowing what
motivates their dad helps me uncover what motivates the kids, and the glimpses
I get into his heart and mind help me understand the hearts and minds of his
children.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I emailed the kids’ dad to explain my request and
reasoning behind it, I decided not to ask him for a full cow suit adventure,
but rather if he would simply pose for a picture in a bull hat next to me in my
cow suit. He responded within minutes that he was fully on board and asked
where should we meet. With that swift and enthusiastic response, perhaps I
should have asked for a full cow suit adventure. Next time.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our family has plenty of the normal complications and conflicts
that families do. The adults don’t always stand around merrily in heifer
get-ups smiling for the camera, but we will do something just like that if it’s
in the spirit of benefiting the kids. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On this Father’s Day, I salute the dad who didn’t hesitate
to wear the bull hat, and I’m so grateful for how he shares himself and his kids
with me. I’m grateful for how much lets me love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT8ZYkPAVPWbV9eA-u0PJkfHWQCpMNQnBwxDVdhNBdg1_D5fs9vRV3tbqvHqKJ4MO8DG3fGh31SLPUx0KpV83dtNgs_R-gQ4WHq-_dV0rF_3x1NmTYGxTWa-IdFKDpWVKhGbioXvNWQ/s2048/IMG_3991.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1887" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT8ZYkPAVPWbV9eA-u0PJkfHWQCpMNQnBwxDVdhNBdg1_D5fs9vRV3tbqvHqKJ4MO8DG3fGh31SLPUx0KpV83dtNgs_R-gQ4WHq-_dV0rF_3x1NmTYGxTWa-IdFKDpWVKhGbioXvNWQ/s320/IMG_3991.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-56393065039480917402021-03-14T06:24:00.002-07:002021-03-14T06:46:11.282-07:00Cowbells, Of Course<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Published in the Idaho State Journal on March 14, 2021.</i> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I<span class="d2edcug0"> got my first dose of the COVID-19
vaccine last week. The word "vaccine" is derived from the Latin word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vacca</i>, meaning cow. So, naturally, I
wore a cow suit to make it “udderly” memorable. </span>It’s not all that remarkable
that I showed up in a cow suit because I’ve got 11 of them. I could retell my
cow tales … until the cows come home.<span class="d2edcug0"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I was in college, my volleyball teammates wanted to
dress up as 1920’s flappers for Halloween. We went to the local costume shop,
and as they each came out of dressing rooms in shorter skirts than the one
before, I was a firm “nope.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wandered
away and spotted the packaged cow suit for $14.99. The udders saved me from the
flappers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I lived on campus and a few days before Halloween, I suited
up to surprise a friend in the library. I snaked through the stacks of books
grinning at the whispers and giggles. My pal looked up from her studies, saw
the udders, and destroyed the library hush with her cackles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when I saw the potential for fun
while experiencing everyday moments in a cow suit. It’s got the power to change
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so does a vaccine.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was Dr. Edward Jenner’s work in the late 1700’s that led
to the word “vaccine.” He noticed that milk maids who had contracted cow pox
were not getting small pox. He conducted a number of experiments using
materials from horses, cows and people with cow pox to infect others, and then he
tested against the small pox virus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were resistant and thus the cow’s namesake “vacca” got eternal credit with
“vaccine.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had known about the word “vacca” or “vaca” with one “C because
of a conversation with relatives three years ago. My wife’s brother and his
wife were expecting a baby. During a family vacation in Texas, the four of us stole
away to Whataburger to visit. The new parents-to-be are both seminary graduates
from Baylor and I love talking to them about life and death and all we face in
between. When our conversation centered on everything about the baby, they
asked if we both wanted to be called “Aunt”, “Auntie” or something else. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hadn’t realized until they asked. My mind never considered
that I might be an aunt. I am an only child, so it wasn’t possible through my
bloodline and having lived over 40 years without the legal means to marry, my
subconscious never explored the titles and relationships I might have through
matrimony. “Aunt” didn’t sound quite right for me, though. Considering my
numerous adventures in a cow suit, I asked the table what “cow” is in other
languages.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Someone piped up with “cow” in Spanish is “vaca”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was it. That’s what I wanted my aunt
name to be. And while we’re at it, my grandparent name, too someday. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Underlying health conditions along with my company’s
“essential” designation moved me up in the distribution schedule, but my
vaccine came about sooner due to no-shows at a local pharmacy. People are
signing up at more than one place and when they have a slot secured, they
aren’t cancelling other appointments. This is leaving distribution outlets with
extra doses set to expire at the end of the day, so workers are franticly
ensuring they are not wasted. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks to a network of people, I was steered in the
direction of one of those extra doses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
got a phone call at 5:30pm on Friday and had 10 minutes to get to the pharmacy.
Knowing that herd immunity is our ultimate goal, I’m happy to do my part.
Thinking of the others who are still waiting and the parents of friends who
have died from this virus gives me great pause.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the pharmacy employee administered my shot, she handed
me the appointment card for my next dose. It’s over Spring Break. We were slated
to be at an Airbnb on the Oregon Coast, so I emailed the pharmacy to ask about
rescheduling. Someone replied at 11:01 pm. They couldn’t reschedule due to
volume, and I would need to bank on another no-show.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The time stamp of their reply was a cattle prod to my rump
roast. Our healthcare workers are exhausted and I was a “cattle-ist” to one of
them responding to an email near midnight – after a workday that entailed scrambling
not to waste vaccines. This cow was swiftly becoming an ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not who I want to be and not the Vaca
I want my niece and future grandkids to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We adjusted our plans, and I’ll be at my scheduled appointment for dose
number two with bells on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cowbells, of
course.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uSU1-cSc6fU97Wpan_JiJV4mvs5B5Wovvg7TcTtTR0NZ6kFUaC9Qb1PTVss2N5CTJKtSpoVb0748o9b0oeD-j11DhttMctXXN2E8F01apaizIRXn0f8PHBWiarHhX6LWXx38VjbWgA/s1300/BillieVaccineCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uSU1-cSc6fU97Wpan_JiJV4mvs5B5Wovvg7TcTtTR0NZ6kFUaC9Qb1PTVss2N5CTJKtSpoVb0748o9b0oeD-j11DhttMctXXN2E8F01apaizIRXn0f8PHBWiarHhX6LWXx38VjbWgA/s320/BillieVaccineCrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How grateful am I? Moooocho grateful.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-39084533239742156082019-05-25T07:48:00.002-07:002019-05-26T06:13:09.156-07:00The Cow Who Made the Bus Driver Cry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</xml><![endif]-->This is Tammy. She’s a friend and coworker. (I love that “co-worker”
begins with “cow”.) </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mUFvjGsJKHy1LbErKQrzBXthFM0Wg-ImmgbPgwAREePhYt57xOK2RPUbnmgWNEnUESoPSakuj5uQERRfxbM7C67tEuETHMvhyphenhyphenK5E7SrLWeycvUyERQ_2dY_47qfQ3esEq2yXQ0D2-Q/s320/IMG_5660.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="236" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During a binary counting exercise. Trust her. She knows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’s one of the Cowculator’s biggest fans. So much
so, she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">became</i> a Cowculator yesterday
at work right along three udder colleagues. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8ByQ7vq3htCeOqnKiyDA7-CTJRdMaHumSvxk4NZcs-kvnHJu40kpIRhlDSrrHtzssfjhoM3sxHoiYavCfaaRRvd8AQy7sg1VTeaPF-fPBhCQ544N6pXyRsO8-K1l9kvebBXL-e1TDA/s1600/IMG_5654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8ByQ7vq3htCeOqnKiyDA7-CTJRdMaHumSvxk4NZcs-kvnHJu40kpIRhlDSrrHtzssfjhoM3sxHoiYavCfaaRRvd8AQy7sg1VTeaPF-fPBhCQ544N6pXyRsO8-K1l9kvebBXL-e1TDA/s320/IMG_5654.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape-able Cows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our company hosted a field trip of 290 students and 30 chaperones
and the five of us boarded each bus as they arrived to give the day’s welcome –
Cowculator style. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpbu3PHae0sQrhCp_rjKaWtSWVTTzfoKFuYPQqOzoc2W4VHDuQoig3bMh8Ss7wPfr1k_S2UPhwV-zyIBxH8kKSxfpueL27OSNY-LSvyXmGhX5Q9nqridnoFFsQicKRlyc7AHhQWu-9w/s1600/20190524_084825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpbu3PHae0sQrhCp_rjKaWtSWVTTzfoKFuYPQqOzoc2W4VHDuQoig3bMh8Ss7wPfr1k_S2UPhwV-zyIBxH8kKSxfpueL27OSNY-LSvyXmGhX5Q9nqridnoFFsQicKRlyc7AHhQWu-9w/s320/20190524_084825.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizing the Herd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had a script to tell the kids the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Greetings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My name is<u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– but today I’m talking to you as “The Cowculator!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lesser-known super hero. Solver of
problems; lover of STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Math. Before you come
into our corporate corral, I’ve got a few important announcements. Some bull-et
points. Or a Cattle-log of things. There are 3 C’s just like “Cowculator” to
help you remember.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">First C – Careers. </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s why you’re here
today. You’ve got a little time before you need to decide what you’d like to do
in life, but this is exactly when you should be thinking about your future and
a possible career. You know – a job that will put a roof over your corral and
food in the trough, and afford some of the fun things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pay attention to the careers like no udder
that you’ll be exposed to today. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second C –Capes. </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Usually we think of
super heroes who wear capes. Super heroes solve problems. They have a fearless
approach to problem-solving; they have confidence and courage to tackle hard
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like professionals in a
tech field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are going to see some
things that look complicated or overwhelming today. You might think, “this is
way outta my league” or “I’m not smart enough to do that”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Bull!</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine your own cape. You’ve all got the capacity to do hard things.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Third C - Courtesy</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Although you’re
outside of your corral today, you’ve coming to our company corral today. Please
remember, our colleagues are working and need to continue to get stuff done. Be
courteous to them. And also – you may have a classmate who’s interested in
what’s being presented, who’s imagining their own cape, be courteous to them.
Please don’t detract from their experience.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xB2AIGjXpMSAtgFx2ubPV7s4SSpf7s1x5f4GhHTmItyYbpSjCPkxzPB_a66qFiDQ1jc1JQAJfsBhaQlyEsB6xOEhF5QmtviEdC9p2bhkTKT-Iv0lRXPiCnXqHr87cJSdsZL3fKo-Uw/s400/IMG_0319.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three engineers, an operations manager and an admin. Women you can cownt on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, boy, what an experience the day was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had over 40 employees corralling kids and
giving workshops on semiconductor processing, failure analysis, concepts of
electricity and the power of innovation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tammy was the event’s Head Heifer. The Divine Bovine. The Main Moo. She
thought of every little detail from color-coded name tags, to lunches for the
volunteers, to photo-ops, to the welcome sign, to parting gifts for the
students and chaperones – and the bus drivers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two of the six bus drivers opted to join in on the day’s
tours and near the end when the students were eating lunch, Tammy escorted them
back through security. I saw Tammy after she returned from the parking lot
making her deliveries and asked where she had been. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, just making a bus driver cry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier in the day, Tammy showed me the gifts she prepared for
each driver with a company water bottle and pen – because, really. The bus
drivers were critical players in getting loads of kids including our next
generation of scientists and engineers to our facility. She told me that one of
the bus drivers, a man, started to tear up and said,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow. No one ever thinks
of the bus driver. Thank you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And there we were. Standing still in our corporate
corral, now both of us tearing up at that exchange. Students were swarming in
the halls and conference rooms around us. Volunteers were scarfing lunches. It
was a brief moment before we re-began the bustle because that’s how we both
work. A zillion things and thoughts churning, and we’re acutely aware
of most of it while getting stuff done.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, Tammy gets it done. She’s a natural Cowculator, solving
problems and figuring it all out. She does the thinking behind the scenes when many just see the result. It makes me happy that the bus driver appreciated her thoughtfulness, because I do, too. A Divine Bovine, indeed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="290" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCknqqsZBwNJ-AdwAXnbjDt7Ab3PFfN5yVjxf3q0_4csDAl5QFGUVgKnLh3b_9LuIzoz8VCCTkIGm0ctfASQyDVvlNvNfHHz5Oeimp81998QiLh_aEJL-7F3mcWtl1eGdwPFPCu10Eaw/s400/IMG_5652.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="226" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"One way or an udder, I'll get it done!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-50671927461915654092019-04-21T06:45:00.000-07:002019-04-21T06:49:16.933-07:00The Cowculator<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What
does a farmer use to add up his bulls? A Cowculator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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ago when I was coaching a middle school math club, a student told me that joke.
Hmmm… I had a cow suit from Halloweens past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What else could I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a decorated cape and matching Converse
sneakers, I invented the lesser-known math superhero, the Cowculator.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Cowculator made her debut to welcome 100+ Mathletes to the annual Eastern Idaho
MATHCOUNTS competition a few years ago. I feel silly and whimsical in a cow
suit, but as soon as the cape completes the transformation, I am unstoppable.
There is no problem too difficult or discouraging for the Cowculator.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hours
after my foray at the microphone, I had a poignant exchange with a lanky,
freckle-faced Mathlete, who reminded me of myself at that age. He fit the
checklist of stereotypes. He was jittery and nervous as he spoke. His white
socks emphasized his faded high-water jeans and grubby sneakers. Those sneakers
likely never did anything athletic. I imagine he only combed his hair when
someone reminded him and since he boarded a school bus at 5am, there was likely
no one awake at his house to offer a reminder.</span></div>
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and disarmed by our mutual love of math, and likely by the cow suit and cape, this
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waved and yelled,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I only
wore the costume during my welcome address. I changed into a geek-sanctioned
polo shirt and khakis while I coached my team. My tie-on cow hood left my full
face visible, so I’m sure everyone in the ballroom knew I was the
not-yet-famous superhero, but I played along.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>Oh? And how did you know that?</i>”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">With
a goofy-toothed grin and pizza sauce on the corners of his mouth, he pointed to
my feet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<i>Your shoes</i>. “<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ah yes. My sneakers
gave me away. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I winked
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<i>I
know. I figure things out because I’m a problem child.</i>”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A
handful of students that day had buttons with the slogan “Problem Child” pinned
to their backpacks and jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
kids think they are merely doing math, but they are learning how to solve
problems. Answers may not come easily or quickly, but they come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solutions may be elusive, but they exist, and
this world needs all the problem-solvers we can get.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Today,
the Cowculator is part of the team to welcome students to my company's facility for field trips and tours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wearing a cow suit and cape to work is a blast, but the Cowculator seeks
to serve a critical role in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technical concepts and professional
environment can be intimidating or daunting. With humor and puns aplenty, the
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careers in STEM.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Cowculator doesn’t help students solve their problems, but rather she’s all
about empowering them. Puzzles and problems can be “udderly” fun when it’s in
the process. The challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work. With
a little grit mixed into instruction, kids can become their own personal
problem solvers with no need for a Cowculator. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be their own superhero—with or
without a cape.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEV7gI4Za5xlVb9UMX4bklyfcXEhl3FXbAzU0zHCVy3ZVBAICUo3SAxdOuEnpkChW0lM5x0JCdzUCduNls89cVYT1sc6OBugxwzGfG77jntwgsfHTLekDaP0drWOQvgYQyYxc7xb68w/s320/CowculatorClose.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a Supergirl STEM Conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjSYQECrRqBbRN_1v6JKlT9xCpq6Q8viqtFhZV2z5qM8wqVMfE-2Tf4gHZCyooGL9VzTHZYJ9plDdB6l-0BOMJGHhEFWZwnV3WmHwe-osAx3VPJZI1nzL7It25AFRglFHbS-x-RtHpg/s1600/cowculatorReading2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1587" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjSYQECrRqBbRN_1v6JKlT9xCpq6Q8viqtFhZV2z5qM8wqVMfE-2Tf4gHZCyooGL9VzTHZYJ9plDdB6l-0BOMJGHhEFWZwnV3WmHwe-osAx3VPJZI1nzL7It25AFRglFHbS-x-RtHpg/s320/cowculatorReading2.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to read a children's book on Engineering to 1st graders </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-57222397846671899302017-10-19T06:05:00.001-07:002017-10-19T06:32:11.677-07:00A Cow’s Width Apart<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It started as a casual post on social media about a pet
peeve, and now it’s become something I’m “known for” among friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>When people put out their garbage and recycling bins, they
often don’t adhere to the spacing rules and place them too close together or
too close to a parked car. This results in sanitation workers having to either
get off their trucks and physically move them or go through multiple attempts
at placing the arms to pick up bins.</i> <br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This. Drives. Me. Crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>CRAZY.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This isn't some engineer's OCD, but rather here are the main issues: </div>
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<ol>
<li>There’s a rule on spacing the garbage and recycling bins. Rules
are in place to promote order and safety. Originally when Pocatello’s recycling
program came out, I swear it was 6 feet—about a cow’s width apart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I recall seeing 4 feet in literature, but
today when I googled, it’s down to 2-3 feet. Fine. 2-3 feet, but ya know
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you space your bins a <b>cow’s
width apart</b>, it is SO much easier for the workers to handle. </li>
<li>If a minor effort on your part could make life easier for
someone, why not do it? We need more kindness in this world. Period. Spacing
your bins properly is a kind thing to do for the sanitation workers. (And apparently for me.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ol>
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It’s an easy thing to do. It's follows the rules. It makes the sanitation workers job
easier and this cow happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spacing your garbage and recycling bins: easy, right, and kind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_cs7dcz_0mow9h_ujVodeLfjs2bN2tvcQIEOpyXy7IDDEqqWwpaZjBfh0yU0BqaA0DHJFqBzT_dlIxSPnbXCxlChvYfRtRpbBRDH08v3ZiEskl0jrpZWy5gkURMWRdeoAfx5P0tnjQ/s1600/CowsWidth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_cs7dcz_0mow9h_ujVodeLfjs2bN2tvcQIEOpyXy7IDDEqqWwpaZjBfh0yU0BqaA0DHJFqBzT_dlIxSPnbXCxlChvYfRtRpbBRDH08v3ZiEskl0jrpZWy5gkURMWRdeoAfx5P0tnjQ/s400/CowsWidth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in doubt, go with a cow's width apart.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-330969116542988082016-12-16T13:25:00.001-08:002016-12-16T13:25:57.712-08:00I Belong in a Cow Suit<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It
was announced today that I've been named one of the <a href="http://idahobusinessreview.com/2016/12/16/from-200-to-50-ibrs-women-of-the-year-2017-named/" target="_blank">Idaho Business Review's Women of the Year </a>for 2017. I'm grateful to the woman who
nominated me. I met her when I was a sophomore and she was a junior in
high school but don't honestly know her very well. I hope to get to know
her better in the future. I'm grateful for this entire opportunity that
forced me to find the words for the following portion of the materials
I provided to the selection committee. I took a deep breath and a big
risk and included the photo below with my application. I'm glad the
selection committee has a sense of humor, but really... if we are going
to get anywhere in this world, we need to disarm ourselves, be
vulnerable and learn to laugh together. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>HIGHLIGHT PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY, MAJOR GOALS OR IMPORTANT INFLUENCES</b><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My
personal, and un-articulated-until-now, philosophy is… I belong. You
belong. We belong. Perhaps it was growing up hearing feisty female
rocker Pat Benatar sing it. Perhaps it was my mother telling me over and
over and over. Or perhaps it’s after successes (and failures) in any
number of arenas, I firmly believe<b> - We belong</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />In
elementary school, I belonged on the football field at recess with the
boys because I was an athletic little thing from the get-go and that’s
where I wanted to be. In high school, I belonged at the helm when I
became the 4th female Student Body President in Pocatello High School’s
99-year history. In college, I belonged on the volleyball team as a
walk-on who eventually earned a starting spot, and in my graduating
class with only one other woman—I belonged at the front of the line to
lead the College of Engineering’s processional. When I am the only women
in project meetings at work—I belong. When penning columns for the
local newspaper, often as the only woman and minority—I belong.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Two
critical encounters early in my education are most noteworthy for
either fostering this belief or compelling me to embrace it and beckon
the courage to live it. During my senior year of high school, I was
taking an advanced placement physics class. It was difficult to manage
between student council, volleyball and band, so I petitioned to get out
of it. My principal wouldn’t let me. During a one-on-one meeting she
said firmly, “You are a smart young lady who can handle it, and I’m not
going to let you think that when it gets hard you can just quit. Forget
it. Now get going because I’m sure you’ve got some studying you could be
doing.” I was awestruck.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In
part because of my former principal, I majored in engineering. At the
beginning of my sophomore year in college just as I had walked on the
Idaho State volleyball team, one of my professors arrogantly told me
that I should consider a different major if I insisted on the
“volleyball foolishness.” I didn’t argue with him or complain or take
the issue to the Dean. I went to work. I earned a 98% for my final grade
and through that experience I learned that, despite his
“recommendation,” I belonged in his class—right at the top of it,
actually.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Early
in my career, I coached JV volleyball as an after-work hobby, but when
presented with an opportunity to work with a middle school math club, I
went from coaching athletes to mathletes. It took me a while to get the
hang of it—the poor math kids had to do pushups and wall sits when they
missed their times tables or forgot their homework, but once I found a
groove, we all had a blast! I’ve received numerous notes from parents
and former students about how their beginnings in our little club led to
a love of math or career path in STEM. That kind of feedback always
keeps a gal going.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
jumped into that endeavor originally to inspire girls to develop a love
of math and the sciences and to see the potential for themselves in the
field. But I realized that my influence on the boys was just as
critical. Girls—you belong in the STEM classes! Boys—the girls belong in
the STEM classes! My messaging for both boys and male colleagues alike
is to not just accept us—but expect us. We belong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Part
of letting kids know they belong is helping them to develop confidence.
Part of remembering that *I* belong is keeping up my confidence. I’ve
found a most unorthodox, original and downright amusing means to
accomplish both of these: a cow suit and a cape.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I
got my first cow suit as a Halloween costume while in college, but I
resurrected the floppy ears and udders for a few silly occasions now and
then. One day while crafting some math puns for a welcome address at a
regional MATHCOUNTS competition, it hit me. The COW-CULATOR!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Many
comic book super heroes wear capes and what do super heroes do? They
solve problems—just like mathletes, just like STEM professionals, just
like me. A friend of mine made a shiny red cape with a large black and
white felt calculator on the back, and I began teaching lessons dressed
up. Word got out and I was asked to speak at assemblies and events to
let kids know that they, too, could become a problem-solving STEM super
hero.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A
few years after the Cowculator was born, I began writing columns
regularly for the Idaho State Journal with themes centered on a more
civic forum for political discussion, diversity and inclusion, girl
power, and kindness and humanity. I also began manufacturing experiences
in my cow suit to write in my blog called Cow Suit Saturday. As I
became a more known figure in our community, I was approached by the
school district to deliver a monthly CAKE Award celebrating character,
attitude, kindness and encouragement—in a cow suit. I added a purple
cape and created the Cow Crusader for Kindness.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m
not a petite woman, so every time I throw on a cow suit, I take a deep
breath. Courage and confidence are a like a muscle. It’s good to work
them now and then to keep them in shape, and boy oh boy, does running
around in a cow suit and cape on my lunch hours exercise my courage and
confidence. Central to knowing I belong and believing that everyone else
does too—is kindness and the courage to be kind in the face of
unkindness. The Cow Crusader for Kindness talks to kids about this once a
month, and I talk to myself about this even more.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It
took this nomination for me to realize that all of my influences and
much of my life’s work, both professionally and personally, has centered
on the fierce belief that we belong. Thank you for the opportunity to
condense all these years in and out of a cow suit into such a simple
concept. One of my goals is to edit the entries in my Cow Suit Saturday
blog and write a book someday. Professionally, I hope to develop into a
better technical writer and blogger while continuing my job as a
physical designer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
know the “udder” silliness and slight irreverence isn’t for everyone,
but I wasn’t born with a seriousness to become a CEO, the resilience to
lead a non-profit or the talents to be an artist. The smiles I’ve seen
and the smiles I’ve had tell me over and over that to continue to make a
mark on this world and change it for the better—being an engineer is
cool, but I belong in a cow suit.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsk9MUI4pzASydEBc8kGpjTtifqQXB3EuEp7z8-JclT_X939ovCi4VMcHnHCpT4mgfxKWk3ecygww89Ps7q-_ItaBeYclMk4GXYk_ozcfwl3xIscbGSNDOL1HSZEgR-XMiIb7bgOoxQ/s1600/standingcow.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsk9MUI4pzASydEBc8kGpjTtifqQXB3EuEp7z8-JclT_X939ovCi4VMcHnHCpT4mgfxKWk3ecygww89Ps7q-_ItaBeYclMk4GXYk_ozcfwl3xIscbGSNDOL1HSZEgR-XMiIb7bgOoxQ/s400/standingcow.JPG" width="257" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Photo by Amy Millward - Thanks, Amy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-10071340031826662192016-10-20T05:55:00.001-07:002016-10-20T05:55:44.170-07:00Cow Crap Happens amid the Bliss<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I was in New England for work a few weeks ago when one of my
colleagues, who used to keep up with my more regular columns, asked if I was
planning to write more again someday. I exhaled with the kind of “yes” that needs
an explanation. I’ve been a married woman and legally recognized step-parent
now for almost two months. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As cliché as
it may sound, putting my opinions and personal stories out there now affects
much more than just me. I struggle regulating my candor especially when it
might need regulating.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Also, writing takes quiet, stillness and alone time. With a
wife, 3 kids, 3 dogs, 5 cats, and 2 turtles, quiet and stillness have taken a
sabbatical. My alone time happens on my bicycle or walking dogs and scheduled
alone time is often interrupted by some sort of predictable chaos.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Take, for instance, last Friday. I left work early to pick
up the two younger boys from school. One of them had been on a two-day
backpacking trip near Crystal Summit with his class. He had too much stuff for
the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I planned on getting home and
doing some more work before the five o’clock bell, but as life would have
it—crap happened.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After two minutes in the truck, I asked why it smelled so
bad. The backpacker’s pants had a crapload of dried cow crap on them because he
had tripped and fallen in a cow pie the day before. We rolled the windows down.
It was cold. I told him to go straight to the laundry room and leave his
clothes in there. He didn't catch that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either the frigid wind was in his ears in the backseat or he’s now
naturally selective to the sound of my voice.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Instead, he walked through the house to his room for a
change of clothes before his shower, unwittingly leaving little morsels of cow
crap along the way. He took off his crap clothes in the downstairs bathroom—his
sister’s bathroom, so more morsels of crap were scattered about the kitchen,
stairwell, and in her space. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
going to scream when she got home. The gold-star sprinkling of manure mimicked
the pattern of flower petals that brides dream of for the aisle of their
wedding day. We had a blissful wedding day. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Since the poor kid had been freezing for two days in a tent,
I didn’t balk at the length of his shower, but sadly the curtain didn’t get
pulled tight. Cups of water leaked onto the floor moistening half of the cow
crap morsels. Only the dry ones could be swept. I didn’t log back into work. I was
on the floor hurriedly hunting for crap crumbs with disinfectant before the
teen got home. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After that floor was clean, and the window was opened to air
out the space, I started scrubbing the back seat of my truck. It, too, had to
air out while I put the crapless clothes in the washer and hosed down the crap-coated
pants in the yard. With the situation barely under control, I decided I should
take the dogs on a walk to regroup. As I gathered leashes, the brothers weren’t
noticing the stench in the house but they noticed the cold. Yes. It was cold.
And it will be cold as long as we have to keep the windows open. Probably until
Election Day. I hadn’t thought I’d be dealing with literal crap this election
season, but alas.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The boys were huddled up in blankets, both of them on the
top bunk, playing video games. Cute. The little brother missed the big brother.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt my blood pressure ratchet down a
notch and left for a cleansing dog walk in the rain.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I got home. Laundry was done. As I pulled out a pair of long
johns, wet flecks of cow crap flew across the laundry room and settled on the
concrete floor. Something with cow crap got put in the washer. The wet clothes.
The air. The hairs in my nose. All I smelled was cow crap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point, all three wet dogs burst into the laundry
room in a frenzy. Holy Crap! A cow crap snack! It’s like Christmas morning and
their stockings had spilled onto the floor. I started to stop them, but why?
Someone should experience some joy in this moment. I let them keep licking and left
to light a candle. They could handle the rest of the cleanup.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of logging in like planned, crap happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of crap happened. So, to my friend in
New England—this. All of this explains why writing a weekly column has become a
challenge. There’s a lot of crap happening amid the wedded bliss.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Later while getting
takeout, I sent the teen a text complaining about the smell in my truck. She,
who will most likely never—NOT EVER—don a cow suit replied:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But hey it will make
the suits more authentic in the future, right?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This whole experience
was worth it, if only for that text. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in “Hair of the Dog!” fashion… the next day, the boys
and I went to visit a friend with acreage and a cattle farm outside of Lava Hot
Springs. He’s been inviting us to see the cows for months and plans were in
place before all of the cow-motion the night before. Visiting with Kurt was cathartic. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember that one time when the kid tracked crap through the house?? What a riot!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzb1_jY7KdtrAVoT5p6zy7CQ7trzVK7R9Fh-3_vmzKObkKBgZftqMXc3pWsMJTMmPWh_1yEta2mKx_dTK-drbX5ZSXg9vOd-nPbLgwgbWFlKPjgawG_cMH39-zNhGDDAtyzR3p5Z0Hw/s640/blogger-image--1893875364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc19NIpHnD6Vasztxd2WwE-yRLaNabPrPZwmgQVaxzYSL-oT0x1oH6428y1KTI8d5obUpeWJAnOilKSJvRaBy1A5o_tNtvnU0W5qyDPJbeNYM-zspBjumRmUqVJhuSYYR3k1zNbZMiw/s640/blogger-image-539880018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzb1_jY7KdtrAVoT5p6zy7CQ7trzVK7R9Fh-3_vmzKObkKBgZftqMXc3pWsMJTMmPWh_1yEta2mKx_dTK-drbX5ZSXg9vOd-nPbLgwgbWFlKPjgawG_cMH39-zNhGDDAtyzR3p5Z0Hw/s400/blogger-image--1893875364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good lookin' boots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Explaining problems with pistons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving lessons in how tractors work</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm watching where those hooves are steppin' !</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrV2_onzdbSA0M9nwhHY_CqBa3KfRf2vU0ZnZjEEJ0nPHE_LXTZaf3WRyJSvswn22FN-5dl3s6DCWcJwU5VsY3WPOse8LTOtmwQt7ydF3venSB91v7xmN0BAfyfG-NIWk3N-8G71xfg/s640/blogger-image-261947479.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrV2_onzdbSA0M9nwhHY_CqBa3KfRf2vU0ZnZjEEJ0nPHE_LXTZaf3WRyJSvswn22FN-5dl3s6DCWcJwU5VsY3WPOse8LTOtmwQt7ydF3venSB91v7xmN0BAfyfG-NIWk3N-8G71xfg/s400/blogger-image-261947479.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd clean up cow crap any day for this face. SUCH a great sport! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T</td></tr>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-38792065351916465032016-10-02T08:26:00.002-07:002016-10-02T08:26:57.558-07:00Honeymoooon 2016A honeymoooon wouldn't be complete without a lil cowing. These pics were taken in Sun Valley, Ketchum and Hailey just a few weeks ago. We forgot to pack our cow suits, but thanks to good ole social media and a herd of friends, they were delivered on the last night of our trip.<br />
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A friend who lives in Hailey was heading to Rupert for her son's soccer game while the grandparents were going to be attending from Pocatello. Another friend was able to rifle through our bin of suits and shuttle them to the grandparents' house. God bless the retired gentlemen for not asking any questions and simply delivering the suits to his daughter-in-law who then dropped them off to us at Sun Valley Brewing in Hailey.<br />
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You'll notice that Jena's cow suit is purple. When I proposed to her, I didn't ask her with a ring--I asked with a custom-made purple cow suit. Almost a year and a half later, here we are ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituE1R-gz5Y34jsaqU0K4Sf69S73CqSnWpPp6-VXrVsXCyD350Ny63ZqVB1YBFu57wtf1NC4bh2uwR6_A8tw3y-Gz9dqkI4MsldROJVAMLyBM9KNq4rMyx4XvOOX-fe7QKF4HRxaGXfg/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituE1R-gz5Y34jsaqU0K4Sf69S73CqSnWpPp6-VXrVsXCyD350Ny63ZqVB1YBFu57wtf1NC4bh2uwR6_A8tw3y-Gz9dqkI4MsldROJVAMLyBM9KNq4rMyx4XvOOX-fe7QKF4HRxaGXfg/s320/IMG_1697.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First pic with our server, Denver. She was swamped that night, but did a great job!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c17Xldl6p_0WcW5E_zqf624YhCMG5cCpozguJeW67sL4SbB8uiVMQnk1ukslNv4labhzzCcM5Pyw3yzp06uHq06GFMcqhnh55LjY4QUOihOpa5WP_XMoVOk_E7GvM8yYZYGUG70zfw/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c17Xldl6p_0WcW5E_zqf624YhCMG5cCpozguJeW67sL4SbB8uiVMQnk1ukslNv4labhzzCcM5Pyw3yzp06uHq06GFMcqhnh55LjY4QUOihOpa5WP_XMoVOk_E7GvM8yYZYGUG70zfw/s320/IMG_1663.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restroom sign at the Kneadery in Ketchum. Klever</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU42MezovWAlWOVMl9UzbZVb-yjHBJ-w3Rnfbgt_jvX0DYa0DCTHFE_YnnKsVjUJZiF9HTIB-ZZL03hpEMSo1NsoMit8rFncHtqewAWEsqKKrvENkqV1errKGp7C_Z-8KOCjDwxQyug/s1600/IMG_1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU42MezovWAlWOVMl9UzbZVb-yjHBJ-w3Rnfbgt_jvX0DYa0DCTHFE_YnnKsVjUJZiF9HTIB-ZZL03hpEMSo1NsoMit8rFncHtqewAWEsqKKrvENkqV1errKGp7C_Z-8KOCjDwxQyug/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to kick off the honeymoooon cowing with a ring pic outside the condo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IlmO9dudsY-TR91AR40N7_4lwKPV-xeql_YMqSxSgn59NcXw3HWfySK5lwrQT_xMMrrMbKTau_4oYuHlbSdHtOsv0Pek8iyycH9M5eASeTgSXwoGvTxYy4fWNOo3L1-Bh1koev_N4Q/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IlmO9dudsY-TR91AR40N7_4lwKPV-xeql_YMqSxSgn59NcXw3HWfySK5lwrQT_xMMrrMbKTau_4oYuHlbSdHtOsv0Pek8iyycH9M5eASeTgSXwoGvTxYy4fWNOo3L1-Bh1koev_N4Q/s320/IMG_1701.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some awesome friends let us stay in their condo for the week. The number of their unit happens to be my mom's birthday. I love these little cow-incidences.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk93rADrLfeUUc-sDd5R5yYS7YxplcWEJFF-oZaeNpZnUcqQ5P3541uoQq752c2W_zTuV3R8xOJMsp9W-AXDYWyrXD6cth8GiDB4ZeIHtJR8cUVaezZlXHHDgiQ2U4cPGlVpk4eGoLSQ/s1600/IMG_1699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk93rADrLfeUUc-sDd5R5yYS7YxplcWEJFF-oZaeNpZnUcqQ5P3541uoQq752c2W_zTuV3R8xOJMsp9W-AXDYWyrXD6cth8GiDB4ZeIHtJR8cUVaezZlXHHDgiQ2U4cPGlVpk4eGoLSQ/s320/IMG_1699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suiting up inside the condo before heading out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIAYwNq2LLfuFgu5FhEN7QjgaB9u5uhjNnN9qH-_s5VBYl0Ws74OpINWm_pDfV8nEZULV2UxHGJJBjxc-W3eB3IpfOHIg7zooBzMTh89Z6wjpk8lHIlV7Q5qE6Qc7ZQF_0mxauYpTiQ/s1600/IMG_1702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIAYwNq2LLfuFgu5FhEN7QjgaB9u5uhjNnN9qH-_s5VBYl0Ws74OpINWm_pDfV8nEZULV2UxHGJJBjxc-W3eB3IpfOHIg7zooBzMTh89Z6wjpk8lHIlV7Q5qE6Qc7ZQF_0mxauYpTiQ/s320/IMG_1702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors and lighting of the week was simply grand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7boGn41yhqQok-jXOsCMycc-CNBxUcYhiHRMOWIZi4-HjxHJNDm6AS5ww_5AUCGnHTCIwwRw26HdZtKHVniLyEhWJsGW4J0d76mUg8OmJuG8Ih6lN0jFARqGauFxNs0GVCouUr2Ijg/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7boGn41yhqQok-jXOsCMycc-CNBxUcYhiHRMOWIZi4-HjxHJNDm6AS5ww_5AUCGnHTCIwwRw26HdZtKHVniLyEhWJsGW4J0d76mUg8OmJuG8Ih6lN0jFARqGauFxNs0GVCouUr2Ijg/s320/IMG_1705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where she relaxed the day before while I mountain biked. Lovely views.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrKrBBpx9bMZIOvq40c2lV3D2-QP7__5aGxY9OAE6jnaAEhkrd4-njNuJPdyahHR8cFSqcqN-WeDxPwEXbi_TVIb9Rnp3FX6JYmBAURNTFztB_RqdZYVzV8ANRGgm4vztUYYGt7YPkw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrKrBBpx9bMZIOvq40c2lV3D2-QP7__5aGxY9OAE6jnaAEhkrd4-njNuJPdyahHR8cFSqcqN-WeDxPwEXbi_TVIb9Rnp3FX6JYmBAURNTFztB_RqdZYVzV8ANRGgm4vztUYYGt7YPkw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another favorite relaxation point just yards from our accomodations.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHwGOlw-CPjKAVgMQ2Ov01cQ197aB-SIY0sEW31vWmpvmb0mkKlp0-UHfAzP9KVaFsnbMECn84ZoFfFa8SmC7942HomU5TCzGToPhwKxAOWYps1Uj_RWLZVgu_vM7cpIF9Co1fZIygQ/s1600/FullSizeRender_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHwGOlw-CPjKAVgMQ2Ov01cQ197aB-SIY0sEW31vWmpvmb0mkKlp0-UHfAzP9KVaFsnbMECn84ZoFfFa8SmC7942HomU5TCzGToPhwKxAOWYps1Uj_RWLZVgu_vM7cpIF9Co1fZIygQ/s320/FullSizeRender_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Sun Valley Lodge. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNf6TtHT6YdtlhDJc6DnNgTjwfhxF1sUy11z2GYRtt1H7s7KlLg7hQ-4pv0QGlCAzTOUNKWgYrWq1u_l6NBB-p6pUicZsGEJ_IynnBLcoxRPR1w2ByYyHgU3khSdvjKsnsieHpk0cgg/s1600/FullSizeRender_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNf6TtHT6YdtlhDJc6DnNgTjwfhxF1sUy11z2GYRtt1H7s7KlLg7hQ-4pv0QGlCAzTOUNKWgYrWq1u_l6NBB-p6pUicZsGEJ_IynnBLcoxRPR1w2ByYyHgU3khSdvjKsnsieHpk0cgg/s320/FullSizeRender_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many pretty bikes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AjpvC3XTLv-cJQR_KGDEipQJmkl-Del9aYZ3JvBZTSGwh1lwBMavDo5Z_FKAaa6Vml5ISEaxsVLatvFG5ELvzqJuUFEuZL-maUdiF2RH3hyphenhyphenv3o0PkoYKFjJ3RXgQ4r_yRRU37nvKeA/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AjpvC3XTLv-cJQR_KGDEipQJmkl-Del9aYZ3JvBZTSGwh1lwBMavDo5Z_FKAaa6Vml5ISEaxsVLatvFG5ELvzqJuUFEuZL-maUdiF2RH3hyphenhyphenv3o0PkoYKFjJ3RXgQ4r_yRRU37nvKeA/s320/IMG_2152.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond at the resort. We just missed the paddle boats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JhuiUa744-nCryD9xq1qGsh1Wv8Qc8QP0zNUncYiTiEas7yh4EKwuRUwTyGBETRACpGxR3CIsDKwrjDmmyew_ZVIjYaYmpkCz8dv65GZjDXMoHbO3ooCKSCQ_V5NCklm_Aez0KcX_A/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JhuiUa744-nCryD9xq1qGsh1Wv8Qc8QP0zNUncYiTiEas7yh4EKwuRUwTyGBETRACpGxR3CIsDKwrjDmmyew_ZVIjYaYmpkCz8dv65GZjDXMoHbO3ooCKSCQ_V5NCklm_Aez0KcX_A/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I find empty volleyball courts so lonely--like Main Street at 3am.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbCTmWJAs6qBvHIbROfTk1gtg3MyTkKI6fbxDMEvQ0L13HRFueD2u0_fp_AclM7CouGKmTUNI03LzTWus-aiW1Xdj-qbI9Bkq6RWcCiRldlSWHx25ukXl21Uc-AfOnWcYeVs6WQJ1NQ/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbCTmWJAs6qBvHIbROfTk1gtg3MyTkKI6fbxDMEvQ0L13HRFueD2u0_fp_AclM7CouGKmTUNI03LzTWus-aiW1Xdj-qbI9Bkq6RWcCiRldlSWHx25ukXl21Uc-AfOnWcYeVs6WQJ1NQ/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pool attendant from New Zealand was also our dinner hostess the first night. She was great!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWREDJ1-nn3AIPUT1RyF2HEOO8NJY0apY7iPQ5Hd1NsBKLWBw1dTcpbhNg48jJmQl7sDxIf_mdIM0PC0Yhatf4Ie9G2Op8gwiMCjK4mjls8M4i0F6gvpC0jeeiWdhtlquH65mkPtbVfw/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWREDJ1-nn3AIPUT1RyF2HEOO8NJY0apY7iPQ5Hd1NsBKLWBw1dTcpbhNg48jJmQl7sDxIf_mdIM0PC0Yhatf4Ie9G2Op8gwiMCjK4mjls8M4i0F6gvpC0jeeiWdhtlquH65mkPtbVfw/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practically had the pool all to ourselves for the week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF6Le3Tgl6xZ0zAvffU1FRR13zXPgfqFYPPkkRx1ZpHjrTawTGhT6zGRgvMpAQLUWLZpqFlY9W_veUVZo9UqRXsFmiR8rI6TFL6Ws2ner2iPNnhCwYv05k5oeKSzrnrnDpxnDR34FBA/s1600/IMG_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF6Le3Tgl6xZ0zAvffU1FRR13zXPgfqFYPPkkRx1ZpHjrTawTGhT6zGRgvMpAQLUWLZpqFlY9W_veUVZo9UqRXsFmiR8rI6TFL6Ws2ner2iPNnhCwYv05k5oeKSzrnrnDpxnDR34FBA/s320/IMG_2148.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avoiding the sprinklers in the Village.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA96B2Xcg_ZgLnaFf4idnAuTwrdhXk0o7a0OL8eHIPaGaYP4hPUSxP_002z8x-Wa1AinH6jI2K6_1zaP7xblZ8z4g1OtqiuPz2GgOJ6g_RqMra0BJfCsKBAQe_YPGPwhnBRCh4yyBZw/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA96B2Xcg_ZgLnaFf4idnAuTwrdhXk0o7a0OL8eHIPaGaYP4hPUSxP_002z8x-Wa1AinH6jI2K6_1zaP7xblZ8z4g1OtqiuPz2GgOJ6g_RqMra0BJfCsKBAQe_YPGPwhnBRCh4yyBZw/s320/IMG_2150.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque scenes everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqvs5nW_l8JpbyUtnprPxhQ2HzBfkL4FpLE1LmXfUG2XV1fShX-VV2Jx4F5l6tfY4cDvdKx4TmZ9s2qnSh3lZM_iuCt4aNn4cSaV1HDnTvqDV7gD9Pm7SiVv_0XF0XnWM2LCsa1FLzg/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqvs5nW_l8JpbyUtnprPxhQ2HzBfkL4FpLE1LmXfUG2XV1fShX-VV2Jx4F5l6tfY4cDvdKx4TmZ9s2qnSh3lZM_iuCt4aNn4cSaV1HDnTvqDV7gD9Pm7SiVv_0XF0XnWM2LCsa1FLzg/s320/IMG_1714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond. Ducks. Flowers. Cows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblRBFgcMXjdS1pMYR8_qf-voCEpAmBYG19v2ohMm9qOga7NZwzSh1nwNQdO7q5a9u9_6YovmZ_-36uoCW0hHAoPhq2hG7A5WRPlf2Za_GknozVjt1KgFchgDn0AwcMBxAXbq5nEIOvA/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblRBFgcMXjdS1pMYR8_qf-voCEpAmBYG19v2ohMm9qOga7NZwzSh1nwNQdO7q5a9u9_6YovmZ_-36uoCW0hHAoPhq2hG7A5WRPlf2Za_GknozVjt1KgFchgDn0AwcMBxAXbq5nEIOvA/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She kept wanting to cuddle with the ducks. Ummm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOYSNhd48KLQ_KM8EVNYkQ-9ini9jOxOLAi-6TOlkGn3BWm7lTcCDdESye-ATZ09asCyGAQH-1N7gH2EvQ-74A-EnXYEOEDPw_jK8LbVRKAYRNVjhBsIXN-NjTN5oTSJ99xvadUFnbQ/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOYSNhd48KLQ_KM8EVNYkQ-9ini9jOxOLAi-6TOlkGn3BWm7lTcCDdESye-ATZ09asCyGAQH-1N7gH2EvQ-74A-EnXYEOEDPw_jK8LbVRKAYRNVjhBsIXN-NjTN5oTSJ99xvadUFnbQ/s320/IMG_1719.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'd visited the spa the day before. Sublime</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSc-1ee_Jn6gfpuPVSBuz_y9SB3c4-FsEM0riWCYLHowRjrFF5A8YXFXg0fXeR5CLw974lUAFcujIGXH5bAYiNvB0D15mzIFUm6nGCCF009UyrbALFGdyzS3LQAoS2TuvsbvyxjL53A/s1600/FullSizeRender_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSc-1ee_Jn6gfpuPVSBuz_y9SB3c4-FsEM0riWCYLHowRjrFF5A8YXFXg0fXeR5CLw974lUAFcujIGXH5bAYiNvB0D15mzIFUm6nGCCF009UyrbALFGdyzS3LQAoS2TuvsbvyxjL53A/s320/FullSizeRender_2.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyonce chickens were everywhere! (google it)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwVwnF7tGPpp8rPDGXGVb9x1kDoiaw4WlTeuhWNDyPLjNzDioRZQJK4fYgDvGsMEWQXwtk2aKBpT8KQi5sooEH5VXqHpZ9Uz3JTVBvGOxrrxxq85-uN0E543gnU7tN_I41LagB8EByQ/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwVwnF7tGPpp8rPDGXGVb9x1kDoiaw4WlTeuhWNDyPLjNzDioRZQJK4fYgDvGsMEWQXwtk2aKBpT8KQi5sooEH5VXqHpZ9Uz3JTVBvGOxrrxxq85-uN0E543gnU7tN_I41LagB8EByQ/s320/IMG_2154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decided to try Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" per my pal Josh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PC77Oigl4VO362q_2710lIJWGECYzdd5apkW1G3PTb-pBYU1I9njcNgbVUJnq1NxXTkqairv6dbfWrDGdQqgFgDNhDvVvQi3OGlzqVigcRAjubFs3yJsSlqkWvtZSBxGD0LqTWIM_Q/s1600/IMG_1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PC77Oigl4VO362q_2710lIJWGECYzdd5apkW1G3PTb-pBYU1I9njcNgbVUJnq1NxXTkqairv6dbfWrDGdQqgFgDNhDvVvQi3OGlzqVigcRAjubFs3yJsSlqkWvtZSBxGD0LqTWIM_Q/s320/IMG_1725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seasonal clearance racks kept calling us.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RFIlwiS7teQkJHDxgp96NfNBbEfMjBl2ElMUBky5C-qdOkWRTFAslB0XySTkQknUsAqSoF9kV35bg0HDTFzwJ0YBweYg_GBt1LiU_iuenUlkytgN-KkFbwyRMQ0tWQhnd2gotIATig/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RFIlwiS7teQkJHDxgp96NfNBbEfMjBl2ElMUBky5C-qdOkWRTFAslB0XySTkQknUsAqSoF9kV35bg0HDTFzwJ0YBweYg_GBt1LiU_iuenUlkytgN-KkFbwyRMQ0tWQhnd2gotIATig/s320/IMG_2153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvenir cow bell!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP7orrq0kBbH1_s2BpjhcuurLCMu6eVoC435VcPw5VmLSbyc2KIPgqvVHJ0OjZATUcyOTUn2obNLrCTfrsom-KW3HjX-ilM25sXAsVbuBowvuAX-yZNYYDWiRU6ipa7VqvLEie1Pz7w/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP7orrq0kBbH1_s2BpjhcuurLCMu6eVoC435VcPw5VmLSbyc2KIPgqvVHJ0OjZATUcyOTUn2obNLrCTfrsom-KW3HjX-ilM25sXAsVbuBowvuAX-yZNYYDWiRU6ipa7VqvLEie1Pz7w/s320/IMG_1728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to check out the local Episcopal Church.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8LarTo10fHeka9KbOh4rWqgNfAihlsiNEUN5sbNmzd4JjLMrMHX6rsQHnmnZc72WaQ82-2VC7Urm_lx97S2X29BAvfyjc4jxobgYWOUZluaGiz4dESx_RuhBo9rqnfbhvPUdorKLUQ/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8LarTo10fHeka9KbOh4rWqgNfAihlsiNEUN5sbNmzd4JjLMrMHX6rsQHnmnZc72WaQ82-2VC7Urm_lx97S2X29BAvfyjc4jxobgYWOUZluaGiz4dESx_RuhBo9rqnfbhvPUdorKLUQ/s320/IMG_1726.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Years ago, I had labyrinth races with M & MJ here after dark. (They're supposed to be for meditation.) It was nice to share this place and that memory with Jena.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjP07GaNJnevZm7DIysoVVQ1R52sAUHMKYr0FXfcCZ3YcSVpbZPCH0KzRgDtkDQM71UecVVK3KLEHRgm62ifJxMOtbE84Lb-m9w9wHOIzk1yTAlLQNcBVKHJHgUc_S11onK-qPqm0Bw/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjP07GaNJnevZm7DIysoVVQ1R52sAUHMKYr0FXfcCZ3YcSVpbZPCH0KzRgDtkDQM71UecVVK3KLEHRgm62ifJxMOtbE84Lb-m9w9wHOIzk1yTAlLQNcBVKHJHgUc_S11onK-qPqm0Bw/s320/IMG_1735.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So apro pos for me. They're missing some O's, though</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bF7o4MrncngU5Rgae0-BSz5iUnRDYyNvZl3F1nDtt0fsuPV4eZrH9WJNAKQWj6ughDiXPGNebuWtJlnihA-mun8pME2hMm42MTQd4A3ht5Y5-JTvCbHt3ErSVqmDqn94bqwPSsVZPw/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bF7o4MrncngU5Rgae0-BSz5iUnRDYyNvZl3F1nDtt0fsuPV4eZrH9WJNAKQWj6ughDiXPGNebuWtJlnihA-mun8pME2hMm42MTQd4A3ht5Y5-JTvCbHt3ErSVqmDqn94bqwPSsVZPw/s320/IMG_1737.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big chair!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSPL6bZvKRd6YJ0CFVbt_YCNB1-uUz_jjhKqz7C7rkDCkykJasHgwAuCtJVFzU9A1f7stQzdt3t50-i0mMhjCO4tysIBwTtnxPEQlwIaMN7aSRoxaq_H5GM6MsMLmsvjT7CbJL88XGA/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSPL6bZvKRd6YJ0CFVbt_YCNB1-uUz_jjhKqz7C7rkDCkykJasHgwAuCtJVFzU9A1f7stQzdt3t50-i0mMhjCO4tysIBwTtnxPEQlwIaMN7aSRoxaq_H5GM6MsMLmsvjT7CbJL88XGA/s320/IMG_1739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaking a snapshot. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU8c4uX5XFeNXvhkqxza1xGSu1lK4tgLU-2LJb0R9t7YXuUBpcRXYw_dTDfqzDe9tkKq-Nc9y6n5o5iAGGIUf1eW_nka0fjhtPhJHvfJ3WKT-CpsQR2-pk9wCxXIJONRQxxVPdTodxQ/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU8c4uX5XFeNXvhkqxza1xGSu1lK4tgLU-2LJb0R9t7YXuUBpcRXYw_dTDfqzDe9tkKq-Nc9y6n5o5iAGGIUf1eW_nka0fjhtPhJHvfJ3WKT-CpsQR2-pk9wCxXIJONRQxxVPdTodxQ/s320/IMG_1740.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm just not sure who'd want to decorate with that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAmcdfFn2Z3Fr5_pxC-sC3wbkCvsbRSNMRkwdDCo8Qy0THZFH22ZYLEaWJktdGrqyFvlFHYcmUQFUMYvIba46nv9c-pciQ64sMKXVYvApCAAanLD3TlEYr25dGq5XzYlIkxvs348RPw/s1600/IMG_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAmcdfFn2Z3Fr5_pxC-sC3wbkCvsbRSNMRkwdDCo8Qy0THZFH22ZYLEaWJktdGrqyFvlFHYcmUQFUMYvIba46nv9c-pciQ64sMKXVYvApCAAanLD3TlEYr25dGq5XzYlIkxvs348RPw/s320/IMG_1742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or this</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f6Lp_QSXd1uGKETPvqrqSHFP6AIVEBtPVmgAsLaTGy8aKvBuHUDE3PdD-Whk76bXM-rxrLZpdoqWPeY0se3frGeok0kwRN3wfUNH7xcHmF0QwCfxXKNEVwmg3Kz4mHmlutS60n1yfw/s1600/FullSizeRender_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f6Lp_QSXd1uGKETPvqrqSHFP6AIVEBtPVmgAsLaTGy8aKvBuHUDE3PdD-Whk76bXM-rxrLZpdoqWPeY0se3frGeok0kwRN3wfUNH7xcHmF0QwCfxXKNEVwmg3Kz4mHmlutS60n1yfw/s320/FullSizeRender_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Sawtooth Brewry. The Idahome was a lil potent for me the day before. Yummy, but yowza. Altitude warnings would have been good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi4FituLztnpRRjcjydlwpGfl1trzQAx0SRGBz_sezRd4xgrKkXujJGwZ7yDUxWWK8g7-o7DobMxatQD-CjOEcm_x9UMocBTRh1Pz2jWf78BXs2ivTEa_y246af9u_LeMs6k0WTYILQ/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi4FituLztnpRRjcjydlwpGfl1trzQAx0SRGBz_sezRd4xgrKkXujJGwZ7yDUxWWK8g7-o7DobMxatQD-CjOEcm_x9UMocBTRh1Pz2jWf78BXs2ivTEa_y246af9u_LeMs6k0WTYILQ/s320/IMG_1747.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bartender, bless his heart, never got one in focus. This was the best of 12.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RWNlAyqCu7rEuInpxCmB4bXI_BKNuVVI76upcuRvgv7rW27ZAGQfXrJHxkT2Cna65plhP3i_21cvKH2M47KCQWPLTBIjz70Ie-WqUrvHisY7WROO88cx6wpkNGZziYESAGNH8E5aMQ/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RWNlAyqCu7rEuInpxCmB4bXI_BKNuVVI76upcuRvgv7rW27ZAGQfXrJHxkT2Cna65plhP3i_21cvKH2M47KCQWPLTBIjz70Ie-WqUrvHisY7WROO88cx6wpkNGZziYESAGNH8E5aMQ/s320/IMG_1749.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a club and trying the "Wedding Wit" Delicious!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIPz9TDd8JOywSUdn_DXVbe8HeL5xNBmUTVSSkHc-GxTyTcnpCYaVTxCkj_M4s6UUg_X_IyIWNqBok5hVFRa_Ou8Gf7E6mwG78lOYfeYUwWLg9Jv8-kw4Zr_3ZMoSlcCFTp9urH127w/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIPz9TDd8JOywSUdn_DXVbe8HeL5xNBmUTVSSkHc-GxTyTcnpCYaVTxCkj_M4s6UUg_X_IyIWNqBok5hVFRa_Ou8Gf7E6mwG78lOYfeYUwWLg9Jv8-kw4Zr_3ZMoSlcCFTp9urH127w/s320/IMG_1750.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out on their green belt to find my favorite bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuijSnlWMyYq_Z2IV4ZVYcIRcSZxzUUEVvrkcDfMslTJm2sSjWZ7-Q1xOIIejnblMJWtoIK9h6YHjGv-LDfzl3dDo5M0UHqIWIeWiC8jqCVFMYuZfWJkBT8VGEgAriMXMhr9xmJDvpA/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuijSnlWMyYq_Z2IV4ZVYcIRcSZxzUUEVvrkcDfMslTJm2sSjWZ7-Q1xOIIejnblMJWtoIK9h6YHjGv-LDfzl3dDo5M0UHqIWIeWiC8jqCVFMYuZfWJkBT8VGEgAriMXMhr9xmJDvpA/s320/IMG_1755.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the original railroad tracks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufRdEDic9vt3FWTdBP6bBXPNvu1TAbrFfdvxDKRGDY-J9_3OGjgjhiLzRSpow6kgewGg9hJwX_QZ8-LTBw7B3AkEMyQj4lHXjSAHDbpPC3S77rR7kCzCE7Ozx5h7MnOPyHaH6yt2yDQ/s1600/IMG_1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufRdEDic9vt3FWTdBP6bBXPNvu1TAbrFfdvxDKRGDY-J9_3OGjgjhiLzRSpow6kgewGg9hJwX_QZ8-LTBw7B3AkEMyQj4lHXjSAHDbpPC3S77rR7kCzCE7Ozx5h7MnOPyHaH6yt2yDQ/s320/IMG_1756.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old gal was riding in a rainbow sherbet colored ensemble. She was delightful.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RxcUN3-78KAvY78EDr5tFDtVkAgtOFgIj4o9jHP0sIICpSLQb8dwYYS6EdP4qRnA495BmrbSaEdCvuqIIXm856a99DmPGd44tjmDmo2AqrLVtSUOJopBpCUYNmH2nW5FxvaRZKTh2w/s1600/FullSizeRender_3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RxcUN3-78KAvY78EDr5tFDtVkAgtOFgIj4o9jHP0sIICpSLQb8dwYYS6EdP4qRnA495BmrbSaEdCvuqIIXm856a99DmPGd44tjmDmo2AqrLVtSUOJopBpCUYNmH2nW5FxvaRZKTh2w/s320/FullSizeRender_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadow pics make me smile.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qXDlbyD69kgyaqfa6d0aHdbmvS9-LcjGLNaoASyVXshRbHmXgriijpl-mmFIzV82YJsYajC9WQiuGdhND3JpL4CKp3A9-DF_JGzBlIkMiqx02qExjbTnHzNgnkMfHQEUPSwwDmcjwg/s1600/FullSizeRender_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qXDlbyD69kgyaqfa6d0aHdbmvS9-LcjGLNaoASyVXshRbHmXgriijpl-mmFIzV82YJsYajC9WQiuGdhND3JpL4CKp3A9-DF_JGzBlIkMiqx02qExjbTnHzNgnkMfHQEUPSwwDmcjwg/s320/FullSizeRender_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every time I pass through the area, Jena is so great about encouraging a little visit to Mom's grave. Mom always got a kick out of my original cow suit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSOO6u4RAVcpWJyxcanZjcfxYXtSd2kz7jT-xMWs4KqbH3qVXI9ccib34ife23CTgEr7jfvCjd_67AP0ouqO4KA4e66z3z325b22sUequSoq9d0uHDBUBL7j4FQ24OZVmooFSn-Tabg/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSOO6u4RAVcpWJyxcanZjcfxYXtSd2kz7jT-xMWs4KqbH3qVXI9ccib34ife23CTgEr7jfvCjd_67AP0ouqO4KA4e66z3z325b22sUequSoq9d0uHDBUBL7j4FQ24OZVmooFSn-Tabg/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean--she's not here to disagree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuX9V-cHECl5Y_l7f1LK-AgBONC7Qcm4_zs2e7YYAVqaKqjoU5mIL1I5ENcMRIaZtko9n5TMKhuw4jeumJjwu1fKUrQJUsY5AgtpcgZcaAQk5ipfSLM7JrxYPrxTHl4K3CWtLjP-BVA/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuX9V-cHECl5Y_l7f1LK-AgBONC7Qcm4_zs2e7YYAVqaKqjoU5mIL1I5ENcMRIaZtko9n5TMKhuw4jeumJjwu1fKUrQJUsY5AgtpcgZcaAQk5ipfSLM7JrxYPrxTHl4K3CWtLjP-BVA/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This... Us. Our trip and our beginning is what turned out awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-2124575928333282802016-01-20T10:11:00.001-08:002016-01-20T11:46:12.997-08:00A Wink and a Smile - and a Cow Suit<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Today is the 15<sup>th</sup> anniversary of my mom’s
passing. (On my other blog, I’ve talked about the actual day <a href="http://turtlestruthsandprunes.blogspot.com/2014/01/its-beautiful-day.html" target="_blank">here</a> and
<a href="http://turtlestruthsandprunes.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-tub-of-prunes.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but this is about today.) When January 20 falls on a weekday, I take
the day off work. Early on, I used to plan activities as tributes to Mom, but
as time has passed, I’ve found that the universe presents its own tributes with
a wink and a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get to cow today
with my Cow Crusader for Kindness cape and sneakers, but first… a few thoughts
on Mom.</div>
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As I’ve been de-cluttering and organizing and we’ve combined
households and begun wedding prep, (Wedding prep!? Squeeeeeal!) I’ve come
across so many of Mom’s things. I want to share them with the world—because
SHE WAS AMAZING!</div>
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I found a short bio written about her when she
received the inaugural Mary V. Johnson Adoption Advocate of the Year Award in
2000 from Governor Kempthorne. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t
heard this story before, but when she was a social worker in Blackfoot, ID in
the 60’s, she received a call from an irate citizen concerned about the misuse
of donated food items. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family didn’t
like beans, so they used them to serve as insulation in their home. Upon
arriving at the residence to investigate, Mom observed bean sprouts growing out
of their roof. Her report related that though the beans were not used as
intended, they did however serve a needed purpose.</div>
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In 1978 when I was in Kindergarten, she ran the the Idaho
Youth Ranch’s South Idaho Girls’ Home. It was in the big house behind Tasty
Treat on 4<sup>th</sup> Street. I remember going there and hanging out with all
the girls. I had no idea these teens had been abused or ran away or both, and I felt so
lucky to have so many older friends. I can still remember their names.</div>
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In 8<sup>th</sup> grade French class, I remember when a new
kid showed up mid-semester. His denim jacket was ripped. He smelled terrible,
and his hair was a mess. He didn’t make eye contact and he sat on the edge of
his seat bouncing a leg. First thing I asked my mom after school was, “Hey Mom.
We got a new kid in class today. Do you have a John Smith in your case
load?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did, and it was him. He kept wearing his denim jacket and kept getting sweatier
and smellier to hide the cigarette burns on his arms. Mom told me to be nice to
him, so I was. I got really good at identifying the kids that would be in a
social worker’s case load, and I was always nice to them.</div>
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Mom was a founding member of the first Interagency Task
Force in Idaho, which assisted with Idaho’s formalized Child Protection
protocols. In 1990—while I was in my senior year of high school—Mom became a
supervisor for Adoptions, Training and Quality Assurance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant her role was to assure that the
child welfare staff adhered to federal and state requirements in achieving permanent
placements for kids. She shouldered the sometimes unpopular responsibility in
holding workers accountable for case plan which met the federal requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, she’d had years of practice taking
her red pen to all of my essays and college applications, so it was honed for
her employees’ case files.</div>
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Mom could be funny but serious. She could be kind but stern.
Often her sternness was born out of the urgency she felt when kids needed help.
She navigated those seams so naturally that it had to have influenced me.</div>
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I’m about to present this month's School District 25 CAKE award to a student
at Poky High and then another at Jefferson Elementary recognizing Character,
Attitude Kindness and Encouragement. Like Mom, I will be funny—because hey! that
cow suit is funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also be
serious in conveying the importance of kindness. I won’t exactly be stern
because all sternness evaporates in the presence of udders, but every time I
present to these kids, I feel that urgency that Mom felt when working with
families and kids.</div>
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That sense of urgency is a wonderful motivator and truly a
gift—especially today. I'm off grab some cupcakes and greet those kids. Hey Universe--Thanks to Mom, I've got my own wink and a smile today. And a cow suit. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q8ukpqYntG7JwF7TB_TInw1joClizqVxV1TcoFbAxRn7JPs2rL1-Kh5w4frl7L7tqTOSpskxtC0HWDA_H_i4PkY58mbMrnaAJ131QyxfUrgZR_6muIje9rdm9R3XTx7ru9heluoI0g/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q8ukpqYntG7JwF7TB_TInw1joClizqVxV1TcoFbAxRn7JPs2rL1-Kh5w4frl7L7tqTOSpskxtC0HWDA_H_i4PkY58mbMrnaAJ131QyxfUrgZR_6muIje9rdm9R3XTx7ru9heluoI0g/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some guys are residing the house right now and took a quick break to snap a pic. It's always fun to explain....</td></tr>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-58801149566619563532015-06-27T07:18:00.000-07:002015-06-27T08:20:29.412-07:00The Amazing Cow behind My Capes<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been thinking about this entry
for almost 2 years. It's taken me so long to write because Krystal just
keeps adding to the list of udderly amazing things she's done. The latest in her cattlog is constructing the key element in my recent marriage proposal. (I still sorta lose my breath at those words.) I'll get to that later, but first... THIS is the Amazing Cow behind my Capes.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Krystal is a civil engineer, mother of two teenagers and seamstress extraordinaire. I met her through our mutual work with MATHCOUNTS, an extra curricular middle school math program. Her son, who just recently graduated from our alma mater, had been involved in the club, but her current role comes from the side of the engineers who help sponsor and implement it each year. She is now the Chapter Coordinator for the southeast Idaho chapter of MATHCOUNTS and her most recent professional project has been the new Wellness Complex in town. Almost two years ago, I corralled Krystal into attending a meeting of the Eastern Idaho Engineering Council (EIEC) at a restaurant in Blackfoot. It's halfway between Pocatello and Idaho Falls to help get engineers from both cities to attend.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The EIEC is a main contributor to MATHCOUNTS and also serves as a catch-all organization for engineers in the area to hear about professional development and volunteer opportunities. I was the president at the time, and I wanted Krystal to take over the next year. Oh, and on that particular day, a friend of mine had just had a hip replacement surgery in Blackfoot, so I asked her if she would also consider cowing with me. Krystal is a contributor. Period. She didn't hesitate for a second on either of these tasks.</div>
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The pictures tell the story...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2eRHYMyJ-cfGfsTCSK9Xx127AduTUPhyphenhyphen8PWDnftd5dqT5U0dau3ZICemOc2VpDPXpqWYTjAHahEU_68G5DNunh8afsmdduiEzIcr2eSLhBEmnkMllYdTP6RAw_smbxG-L67LAFYlaQ/s400/KrystalBathroom.JPG" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a Bingham Memorial Hospital restroom in Blackfoot getting ready to visit my friend.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLs0VmOq5zJmejyIqkzJVVXAfB1-QVUGugcVsokhcfV5g7UAZOPIbcAa-05Um-Fqb1rEjUMHCs-QOxyRPBUCvHrrqp2-36-3TJjTUooEOBJbdBOvc9ioCfwUsmQ0e9TbG7sqBNUhfrg/s400/Esther.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visiting my friend Esther after her hip replacement surgery. </span></td></tr>
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After the hospital, we headed over to the EIEC meeting. As we strolled through the hospital parking lot, Krystal noticed our shadows. She laughed and shrieked, "I have a tail! Oh my gosh. I didn't know I had a tail!" Awww, the happiness that can be found in self-awareness.<br />
<br />
Krystal had spent about a year working in Connecticut, so she was returning to see a few folks she hadn't seen in over a year--in a cow suit. Now, I'm used to this, but watching Krystal proceed with confidence and candor was fun. As the guys filed into the meeting room, they were taken aback. Some male engineers really do say and do the weirdest things around female engineers, and having us in cow suits just added to the dynamic.<br />
<br />
But not Ron. He's been an engineer and volunteer for years and frankly is a darn good hugger. This Guy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gj-tfXfLTKlhsk7pUhE-MLsiTvU5E8Q41sprUYw97Z9AOA36hI8axRwjKj83ofcffim77IB7GCvj_pefhyg1kn3pyqvzy5BX2q9BfoCFu516DoFjA9fPpFm_T2pajOk61Evr8WKfWg/s1600/KrystalRon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gj-tfXfLTKlhsk7pUhE-MLsiTvU5E8Q41sprUYw97Z9AOA36hI8axRwjKj83ofcffim77IB7GCvj_pefhyg1kn3pyqvzy5BX2q9BfoCFu516DoFjA9fPpFm_T2pajOk61Evr8WKfWg/s1600/KrystalRon.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krystal hugging fellow engineer Ron before our meeting started.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We kept our cow suits on as I conducted the hour-long meeting and had dinner, and wore them on the way home. I really didn't know much about her when she agreed to accompany me to Blackfoot, consider the role of president of the EIEC or join me in a cow suit escapade through a hospital on a Wednesday night, but we had a conversation I won't ever forget.<br />
<br />
At one point, she asked about my involvement with the Family Services Alliance (FSA.) The FSA is a non-profit in our area who's mission is "to promote safe and thriving families, work to end
physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and provide victim support." From their website, FSA exists to help survivors, their family and
friends, and the community. If you have been, or currently are, a victim
of domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, rape, stalking, or human
trafficking, we can help you in a confidential and caring manner." They can be found at <a href="http://fsalliance.org/">http://fsalliance.org</a>.<br />
<br />
I was a little confused by the question because I'm not involved with the group at all. It took me a minute to think about where Krystal got the idea, and it was a fund-raising bike ride that I had participated in the year before. I had posted one or two lines on Facebook about it and I wrote a column for the local paper as well. (The piece was called "<a href="http://www.pocatelloshops.com/new_blogs/community/?p=4979" target="_blank">When my Care Bear Got a Perm.")</a><br />
<br />
Krystal then told me about her experience with domestic violence. She left an abusive husband when her kids were young, but she'll tell you that she should have left him much sooner than she did. It took seeing that her kids were in extreme danger, too, that flipped the switch for her and she fled. After that divorce, she enrolled in the engineering program at ISU and went on to get both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering as a single mother raising two kids.<br />
<br />
That night and that conversation with Krystal as we drove along the farm land of I-15 in cow suits to the setting sun will stay with me forever. FOREVER. <br />
<br />
Later when I wrote the newsletter for the EIEC to introduce Krystal, I included the following picture and description. Seriously. No. Seriously.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6tHrUtGGMrxPtvVa3WoM4idK0lNO96vwfUIYY-92FIH6XeHhcKicItNc4lmyJfOXR04KUZh_TfITep9btZNjyyzQFUfQtrx2lxk8O1IkGGQULbmZGRHIVYoz_R90s6rKtXzAAL_dxg/s1600/WWKrystal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6tHrUtGGMrxPtvVa3WoM4idK0lNO96vwfUIYY-92FIH6XeHhcKicItNc4lmyJfOXR04KUZh_TfITep9btZNjyyzQFUfQtrx2lxk8O1IkGGQULbmZGRHIVYoz_R90s6rKtXzAAL_dxg/s320/WWKrystal.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I can't remember exactly when I learned that Krystal can sew, but holy cow! Can she sew! She was a fan of my "Cowculator" character who spoke at MATHCOUNTS events, and when I flippantly said one time that I needed a cape... Krystal made it happen. Boom. Shiny red cape to help fully complete my ensemble.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLs0VmOq5zJmejyIqkzJVVXAfB1-QVUGugcVsokhcfV5g7UAZOPIbcAa-05Um-Fqb1rEjUMHCs-QOxyRPBUCvHrrqp2-36-3TJjTUooEOBJbdBOvc9ioCfwUsmQ0e9TbG7sqBNUhfrg/s1600/Esther.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M4hbXF4Sr-lr8kaSRD8S3vE14ZlXSjeiPBoTV54bFik_xGhReFHugZ2q8J2-RkQQX9E3rb3UeRwcUoP_2TU8_yYdllX6mEmCnwaRFXYWZ4ht7tnOHn9buTFVPKgyCdlJImXOIPz3zA/s1600/photo+1+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M4hbXF4Sr-lr8kaSRD8S3vE14ZlXSjeiPBoTV54bFik_xGhReFHugZ2q8J2-RkQQX9E3rb3UeRwcUoP_2TU8_yYdllX6mEmCnwaRFXYWZ4ht7tnOHn9buTFVPKgyCdlJImXOIPz3zA/s400/photo+1+(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the Regional MATHCOUNTS competition one year when the Cowculator spoke and Krystal directed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU74gvw2j-Y4PK4k8BwPbudjwS885jQbbcqhHXCeNGYVQ2MVX3OQfmpQ8zEvqi7CQ2x5L6qsPgqL1r6HgHOQ0tN4Snaq4srP1QcbcJjelfUC_f-ByyGKQdzo6YWzI_F4DeXZ7UnSoZw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU74gvw2j-Y4PK4k8BwPbudjwS885jQbbcqhHXCeNGYVQ2MVX3OQfmpQ8zEvqi7CQ2x5L6qsPgqL1r6HgHOQ0tN4Snaq4srP1QcbcJjelfUC_f-ByyGKQdzo6YWzI_F4DeXZ7UnSoZw/s320/photo.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what's on the back of the Cowculator's cape.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This past year I got another opportunity that called for a cape. So, I called Krystal. I was asked by the local school district if I would help them present their monthly CAKE award to celebrate and recognize Character, Attitude, Kindness and Encouragement. In my cow suit. Would I?!?! You bet your udders, I would! <br />
<br />
Although the cow suit was fun and lively, which is what they wanted, it didn't really make a lot of sense, so I created the Cow Crusader of Kindness. I have a snazzy purple pair of converse sneakers, and I thought that a shiny purple cape would be grand. And bam! Krystal made it happen!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y2At2SL-m3Rc1wxCIrah_vQz66G6_fYajFoFlAOv6VuFHogrYD8TjJB2J9Do6SIpOt15fYt10jVZhjUO_69D5vqNyVCMKBhOjGhh0GBaEoTirmiRr7xCkCZHrX7aYxWCNoqNm4BjnA/s640/blogger-image-2073917005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y2At2SL-m3Rc1wxCIrah_vQz66G6_fYajFoFlAOv6VuFHogrYD8TjJB2J9Do6SIpOt15fYt10jVZhjUO_69D5vqNyVCMKBhOjGhh0GBaEoTirmiRr7xCkCZHrX7aYxWCNoqNm4BjnA/s400/blogger-image-2073917005.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm standing in Krystal's angelic glow as she finishes up my purple cape for the Cow Crusader of Kindness.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cow Crusader of Kindness at one of the local elementary schools pausing from a CAKE award to capture this fantastic mural.</span></td></tr>
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So, now I have two capes and two different and awesome cow suit personas--both thanks to Krystal.<br />
<br />
This past year I was the keynote speaker for the
ISU Women in Work conference. This day-long event presents career options in STEM to over 200 high school aged girls and women returning to the workforce. The event concludes with a Career Showcase (or a fashion
show.) When event organizers asked if I would participate, I said that I would only if I could wear a cow suit and go as the Cowculator. (An electrical engineer's wardrobe is really not all that exciting.)<br />
<br />
After police officers, forensic pathologists, welders, mechanics and other professionals showcased their attire, the Cowculator came on
stage to celebrate and recognize all of the women in STEM who become heroes in
tackling the problems and challenges they face. <br />
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As the crowed cheered and giggled at this, they have no idea about Krystal. She is strong and fierce; selfless and resilient and wears her own invisible cape every day. Together we've built the Cowculator and the Cow Crusader of Kindness and while I get to revel in the smiles and fun that comes with these shiny shawls, none of it would be without the amazing cow behind my cape.<br />
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<br />Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-16173044322677707372015-02-27T15:27:00.001-08:002015-02-28T06:37:04.894-08:00The Cow Crusader of Kindness<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For two weeks in a row, the Cow Crusader of Kindness has made an appearance in Pocatello, it’s probably time she get a blog entry. (And after this, I HAVE to finish the one I’ve been working on about the “Cow behind my Capes” because the Cow Crusader of Kindness wouldn’t exist without her shiny purple cape and the woman who's made it.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact beginning of the purple caped cow, but she came from CAKE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 launched a new award this year to celebrate and recognize kindness. It’s called the CAKE Award for Character, Attitude, Kindness and Encouragement. The School District’s spokeswoman approached me and asked if I’d be willing to make a monthly delivery of cupcakes to the student recipients, give a quick presentation of remarks included in their nomination form and tout the benefits of all that CAKE entails to a class of their peers. I didn’t have to think for very long in saying “YES!” And, it’s been a blast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve made four presentations in my cow suit so far. I’ve wanted to blog about each of them, but…well, they’re kids and this is the Internet. We’ve submitted a press release each month and a photo with the kids and the cow, so they’ll have a nice moo-mento, and that’s perfect. I don’t want to detract from their award by hounding the kids, parents, teachers and all involved for permission to put them in my blog. The CAKE award is about THEM, but hey—THIS blog is about ME and what being a part of the CAKE award has meant to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During my first presentation to a 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grader at Jefferson Elementary, something felt like it was missing with just my cow suit alone. I asked my friend who made my red Cowculator cape if she’d make a purple one to go with my purple converse sneakers. She agreed immediately and I had a cape for the next presentation to the another fifth grader at Edahow Elementary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cape turned out to be too big and I almost tripped in the halls, so I had to ask my friend to hem it. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;">When she hemmed it, she made a matching cape for my dog Bob out of the scraps. She’s also the one who made Bob’s cow suit. Bob died before he ever got a chance to join me in a CAKE presentation in our matching capes and cow suits. (He broke his neck while playing with his black lab friend Alli, and if you haven’t heard his story, you can read it and cry </span><a href="http://turtlestruthsandprunes.blogspot.com/2015/01/bobs-bookends.html" style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;">.)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't you just imagine us in matching purple capes?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: center;">My next presentation was to a second grader at Ellis Elementary. This presentation came at the time when some cows had escaped a meat packing plant in town and the city of Chubbuck was advised to be on the lookout for the rebel heifers. There was also road construction going on around Ellis and I couldn’t figure out how to get to the school. At one point, I was trapped in a subdivision driving around in my cow suit and new cape and I could SEE the school, but I couldn’t get to it. I was running late and had visions of running through people’s yards with my udders swaying and my cape flowing with 3 dozen cupcakes under my arm, because NO WAY could I be late!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: center;">hankfully, I found my way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was this delivery when I introduced the Cow Crusader of Kindness to the kids. They loved it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My fourth delivery is a main cattle-ist to today’s blog. I was slated to acknowledge a senior at Pocatello High School whose name is Robert. Bob had died less than a week before. School district officials offered to make the presentation for me, but I said absolutely not. I needed to put on the happy heifer, and surround myself with the energy involved with recognizing a CAKE recipient. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I used to call Bob “Robert” and I thought this was a definite sign that I should present.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got to Poky about 20 minutes early to suit up. The presentation was going to be during Robert’s art class, which is in the building where the gym is—not the main building. I slipped into the restroom that is probably the one I used the most when I went to this high school 25 years ago. It’s right outside the gym where I played and practiced volleyball and basketball for hours. My initials and a turtle are carved in those bleachers along with those of thousands of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donning the cow suit in public can be weird sometimes, and in a high school restroom, it seemed even a little weirder so I made sure to go into a stall for privacy even though class was in session and I was alone. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;">I took my big purple Rubbermaid bin into the stall. It holds all of my cow suits (8 of them), Bob’s cow suit, my capes, his cape and the various sneakers I wear when I suit up. I’d forgotten about Bob’s cape and as soon as I opened the bin, his suit and cape were right on the top. I lost it right there in the Pocatello High School bathroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t even try to stop the tears while I put on my suit. I was overwhelmed with the emotion of Bob and also all of the reasons I was there in that bathroom at that moment. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;">My friend was kind enough to make my cape. OUR capes. Bob never wore his cape. My friends were unimaginably kind during the days following Bob’s death. When I used to use that bathroom, I was a rockstar athlete and student body president and had the world by their Rocky Mountain Oysters. I was going to somewhere grand and be someone grand, but there I was. Putting on a cow suit and bawling in my old high school bathroom. (I had to turn this mooood around and fast!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It wasn’t just a cow suit. I had a cape now, too. And I *was* going somewhere grand. I was going upstairs to recognize a high school senior who’s had the guts to be kind and to march to his own drum and to be who he wants to be in spite of peer pressure we all have faced. (He is a former Mathlete and involved in their robotics team.) I was getting ready to give a pep talk to high schoolers about the power of kindness and the ability to become someone’s hero by simply encouraging them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found myself overcome with gratitude in that bathroom stall for being given the opportunity to create the Cow Crusader of Kindness and be the conduit of cupcakes that day. I decided right then to find out exactly WHO was behind the sponsorship of this CAKE award.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition to the cupcakes each week, the student and nominating teacher get a McDonald’s gift card and the school’s media center receives a $50 stipend to purchase books in honor of the student’s award. I had an idea who the gal was with our local McDonald’s franchise, but I had to confirm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And by golly, I was right. Her name is Mary Johnson. (Hey—that was my mom’s name!) And I met her years ago when we were both getting our hair cut at the same salon at the same time. I asked my friend who does her hair when her next appointment was because I wanted the Cow Crusader of Kindness to show up and surprise her with a “thank you” for HER kindness in sponsoring this award.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I wouldn’t say I stalked her, but rather I live-stocked her.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only do I think it’s great to recognize and promote kindness in our schools (and, gosh, how about EVERYWHERE!?!) but I’ve also gained so much personally in the opportunity to meet these students and nominating teachers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, here she is. This is Mary Johnson with the local McDonald’s franchises and The Cow Crusader of Kindness saying “thanks” with a secret and independent CAKE presentation for the month of February. And those are to-die-for cupcakes from <a href="http://amescakecreations.com/" target="_blank">Cake Creations</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There can never be too much CAKE. Never.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Truly--thank you Mary for helping me share and celebrate a little CAKE with kids.</span></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I surprised her mid-appointment & ran to McDonald's,<br />
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-48671982019221608902014-11-17T13:25:00.005-08:002014-11-17T13:35:31.203-08:00Kairos in Cowing<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">* From Wikipedia: Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). The ancient Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. While the former refers to chronological or sequential time,
the latter signifies a time lapse, a moment of indeterminate time in
which everything happens. What is happening when referring to kairos
depends on who is using the word. While chronos is quantitative, kairos
has a qualitative, permanent nature. </span></i> </div>
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It's not like I'm home alone reading a class assignment and blogging in a cow suit. My cat Phoebe's here. This is one of those times in the ole Cow Suit Saturday blog when I wonder if I'm absolutely nuts. Do people who are truly crazy know they are crazy? Do they care? Tonight I don't really care because we've had the first big snow storm of the season and my house is freezing. The cow suit is warm and comfy. A cold pre-winter night is a perfectly suitable time to cow.<br />
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This is the last blogging assignment for my Topics in Professional Writing Class at ISU. Moo-ray! I've enjoyed the class and the new spin it's put on how we write and in what mediums nowadays, but I need to get back to the gym.<br />
<br />
This chapter is titled "Story Development (Argument)." I detest arguing. I'm usually good for a few back-and-forths, and then I'm done. And, definitely when it starts to get personal, I'm out. But I do enjoy reading, hearing or seeing an argument developed in a good story with a blend of our textbook's touted <i>logos, ethos, pathos and kairos</i>.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I like it when my mind gets changed. I love that sense of enlightenment even if it is fleeting, and I love having the hope that if I can change my mind, others can too.<br />
<br />
To recap, <i>logos</i> means logic; <i>ethos</i> means credibility, <i>pathos</i> means emotion and <i>kairos</i> as noted above means timing. In taking this class, I hoped to expand my writing skills to become a better technical writer but that's not really been a focus of the class. I've been able to apply a lot to blogging and column-writing, though, so I have high hopes of monumental self-improvement as these settle into my comprehension. It's been nice to take a class with improvement as a goal and not making a grade or keeping a scholarship.<br />
<br />
This chapter discusses the use of explicit versus implicit arguments in not only writing, but in photographs, audio and visual media As part of this chapter, our assignment is to create a podcast with a couple classmates.<br />
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I'd forgotten the chore it can be to coordinate fellow students' schedules and ideas. Who takes the lead? Who defers? How are meeting times and topics chosen? <br />
<br />
We had a couple email threads which could be summarized by... <br />
<br />
- Hey, we are in a group together.<br />
- Cool. Can we talk about a topic after we all turn in our last assignment?<br />
- Sure.<br />
<br />
Then I sent out the following email:<br />
<br />
<i>Well...since I've completely used this class self-servingly to help me
with my blog, I'll just throw it out there... We could meet somewhere in
my cow suits, have a cup of coffee, a bagel, just gather in the SUB, a
pub or anywhere and then talk about just that experience: Wearing a cow
suit in public in November and anything it does or doesn't evoke from
others or from within. The blog is at <a href="http://www.cowsuitsaturday.com/" target="_blank">www.cowsuitsaturday.com</a> in case you are even remotely interested. And truly--it's just an idea. Some people are up for cowing; some aren't. It's cool. </i><br />
<br />
As I wrote that email, I crafted my words carefully. I considered attaching a link to the video below that I assembled for our previous assignment to bolster my "argument" to discuss cowing in a podcast. I could break it down as follows:<br />
<br />
<b>Logos</b>: I have suits. Topic would be simple, unique & determined.<br />
<b>Ethos:</b> *I* am an expert cow & wouldn't lead you astray. Look. I've done this. You can, too.<br />
<b>Pathos:</b> Don't you want a topic nailed down? Look at the smiles! Listen to the music! Don't you wanna cow? Along with doing an assignment, you could have fun! <br />
<b>Kairos:</b> Tick-tock. The assignment is due, so we better hurry & decide on something. <br />
<br />
I didn't do that, though, because I really don't want to corral people into a cow suit if they'd hate
it or think it's stupid. It's supposed to be fun. I really was just
throwing the idea out there because cowing is often on my mind, and it would be a simple and unique podcast. I made a point NOT to try to sell
something if they weren't in the market to buy, but I should have made a point to communicate that I would like to get a plan in place ASAP. (As an aside, we are going to talk about how winter is upon us and all that is entailed in the cold, driving and other adjustments to life with a changing season. And despite the temptation, I will not show up to our recording meeting in a cow suit. Most likely.)<br />
<br />
In addition to heeding the four "rhetorical appeals" above, the chapter reminds us to pay attention to the <i>message, audience, design, medium and genre </i>in our argument/story development. And indeed. I've been considering them in almost all of my communication lately because I feel like I'm in a constant state of developing stories or presenting some form of argument.<br />
<br />
Audience is tricky with the dual nature of a class assignment within a blog (<i>this</i> particular blog) and it feels impossible to speak to them all.<br />
(1) I'm talking to myself in the journal-esque reasons and ways one blogs.<br />
(2) I'm talking to readers in the way that blogs could be book chapters.<br />
(3) I'm writing to my professor who's likely got a combination of wanting to ensure I did and understand the assignment along with wanting to get the $#@! grading done.<br />
<br />
(1) and (2) above seem near impossible in this one but I hope the earlier use of <b>bold </b>and <i>italics </i>of chapter references along with the previous class discussion at least secure a lil partial credit in my pursuit of (3)<br />
<br />
I have hash-tagged on Twitter #alwaystimetocow and while I experience that over and over, there's #neverenoughtimetowrite. The kairos in my cowing is always better than in my writing. With more and more practice and training now and then, I hope I can better balance the two.<br />
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I'll get right on that after the semester. And after the gym. And after I watch this collection of fun just one more time...<br />
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<br />Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-56797240258636806882014-11-03T06:37:00.001-08:002014-11-03T06:37:38.737-08:00He's an Urban Cow Now<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">So, I went to junior high and high school with this guy named Jim. Jim married this gal named Nicole. I became Facebook friends with Nicole after my 20 year high school reunion,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> and yes, this is exactly how I began a previous blog <a href="http://cowsuitsaturday.blogspot.com/2014_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">C</a></span><a href="http://cowsuitsaturday.blogspot.com/2014_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">ows </a></span><a href="http://cowsuitsaturday.blogspot.com/2014_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">say 'Cheese</a>'. Nicole has been buggin' me for three years to visit them for the Urban Cow Half Marathon because, well, you know...COWS!<br />
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This was our text exchange earlier this summer:<br />
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Nicole: The Urban Cow half marathon is October 5.<br />
Me: Ooooh. Are you running?!<br />
Nicole: Jim is running. I hope to be cowing.<br />
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Subtle. So subtle. I adore Nicole. She is witty and smart and I swear that we spent time together in another life and whaddaya know--the Urban Cow finally worked into my schedule!<br />
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I've really only gotten to know Nicole over social media and I didn't talk to Jim much in junior high because I didn't think he was a serious enough student. Good grief. What kind of kid thinks that about her peers? Yeah. This over achiever teacher's pet right here. I'm lucky that Jim has grown into a kind, cool and mature man (That's right--I just called Jim Bowmer "mature" ) and he doesn't hold any of my middle & high school flippancy against me.<br />
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Jim was the nicest guy in all of my middle and high school years in lil ole Pocatello, Idaho. He grew up just a few blocks from me but we never played together because I was either playing sports or studying and I imagine he was doing whatever shenanigans might resemble Huck Finn or the Goonies. After high school he went on to the University of Idaho to earn a degree in forestry, and get this--he's now an office forester. Because he's a knowledgeable & personable extrovert, he was tapped to work in Washington DC and contribute to policy and planning. He was transferred to California a few years ago. <br />
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I've loved seeing Jim's and Nicole's pictures on Facebook. With shots of pints, pets, and their favorite sports teams (the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys--COWboys. How fitting), theirs is an enviable lifestyle.<br />
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I was slated to be in Sacramento less than 48 hours. Jim picked me up from the airport in the 8th inning of a playoff game between the Nationals and the San Francisco Giants. Let's examine that for a second... Jim LEFT THE BAR and A NATIONALS GAME to come get me. This is just past kidney donation on Jim's list of selflessness. I'd had one of the crappiest weeks I'd had in a loooong time and the thought of having a few beers in a smokeless sports bar with some fabulous folks was going to be heaven.<br />
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I'd only had two Cliff bars to eat all day and by the 4th beer and 15th inning with no food, I was starting to get irritated that their stupid baseball team wasn't just getting it done. What we needed was some cow, so I left Jim & Nicole & went to my suit case to suit up. I ran into these lovely folks in the parking lot. Apparently they don't see people throwing on cow suits in bar parking lots all that often, and after a couple questions, I extended a cheery invite for them to join me. They did! <br />
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I. LOVE. PEOPLE.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8BJBWvBc17EuGweHFNjcx2SRAbKDDVJeh83XAYspLdtf0Y8GKowE8hJboLXXGfkvTkNAp46uXIR2w_3IWd5iO-p0B83shokYfRdP1NXOlK7HnMV3KXDflwR7EQ9TG7ZcxVMG37RuFQ/s1600/HilltopCows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8BJBWvBc17EuGweHFNjcx2SRAbKDDVJeh83XAYspLdtf0Y8GKowE8hJboLXXGfkvTkNAp46uXIR2w_3IWd5iO-p0B83shokYfRdP1NXOlK7HnMV3KXDflwR7EQ9TG7ZcxVMG37RuFQ/s1600/HilltopCows.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends Dan & Alli<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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I have no idea when we finally got to Jim and Nicole's but it was after 18 (EIGHTEEN) innings and with a pizza under Jim's arm (thank God.) We had to be up and at-em at 5:30. Mooooo!<div>
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The pictures below tell the story of Jim's Urban Cow Half Marathon race day...<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_7NIe6nAKkg2hRDFa_8aBDI8iHqqYyj9EpiAQ2euZh1AIWjZV617ErE0uK6PuV4PkepjU75ZdgAveMQzMt6-CxBfq2FotiJRGS2XoZmIHcGpqJm-WLBzqLMN8jk4G9-UjGAc0wwSdQ/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_7NIe6nAKkg2hRDFa_8aBDI8iHqqYyj9EpiAQ2euZh1AIWjZV617ErE0uK6PuV4PkepjU75ZdgAveMQzMt6-CxBfq2FotiJRGS2XoZmIHcGpqJm-WLBzqLMN8jk4G9-UjGAc0wwSdQ/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bib application is reminiscent of a prom corsage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqwbLDzu-N9Tbpb-8Rzf3P8MxL3NsIKKr8724UWnG1hafP7XRXDUrfPsQCRUtjq7zmO18dNrWIRRTbYKqm1D16j1nf_VuvYXPTIbJz9WE0e7TSb-OAaDM9IeWXqyCufHc6YViqfiDrA/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqwbLDzu-N9Tbpb-8Rzf3P8MxL3NsIKKr8724UWnG1hafP7XRXDUrfPsQCRUtjq7zmO18dNrWIRRTbYKqm1D16j1nf_VuvYXPTIbJz9WE0e7TSb-OAaDM9IeWXqyCufHc6YViqfiDrA/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim is impressed with my desire to photo-document<br />his Urban Cow experience.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSbDzlYmZU00g_eR9haXHzsSiTUxj2YOBTJumSf8W-dM04qERopW8P-Ao7bP3gMLgGuPx0lwbDGhGIx6EHd3LWAuEw5tYskIAF1Upqwd77O9cB3iuicRhl3Gdo9VmGgv-g3Nz0UXgpg/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSbDzlYmZU00g_eR9haXHzsSiTUxj2YOBTJumSf8W-dM04qERopW8P-Ao7bP3gMLgGuPx0lwbDGhGIx6EHd3LWAuEw5tYskIAF1Upqwd77O9cB3iuicRhl3Gdo9VmGgv-g3Nz0UXgpg/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He relented for the photo op and is ready to run!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0oP3IkDHvnzmWjKbFeh4UoZ4oTFa1gMDH8P-LizGasnt8utwgHe7wmvb1dklhGVC4u9FCHUcllBO2EX0qSJA6r-R78p7h4sgnkkO-bC2n-SDiZjaHwYrO5Jt_lmDzz0evYqAQCAjhQ/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0oP3IkDHvnzmWjKbFeh4UoZ4oTFa1gMDH8P-LizGasnt8utwgHe7wmvb1dklhGVC4u9FCHUcllBO2EX0qSJA6r-R78p7h4sgnkkO-bC2n-SDiZjaHwYrO5Jt_lmDzz0evYqAQCAjhQ/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was trying to capture the porta-potty mayhem. Yowza.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Fn2jk6WkcpopnGt4Pi0fxLW-eqEKk6KHT3-RV4irvQmdxgTfEAbVbvw3xfh2zTNUZ-ia7GTwGPTMlzqgvIR4Rbqn0EVNBFGYAMv1AoWJs-SUKJVl_2gqimFQTS1kogJxQU492G6FnQ/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Fn2jk6WkcpopnGt4Pi0fxLW-eqEKk6KHT3-RV4irvQmdxgTfEAbVbvw3xfh2zTNUZ-ia7GTwGPTMlzqgvIR4Rbqn0EVNBFGYAMv1AoWJs-SUKJVl_2gqimFQTS1kogJxQU492G6FnQ/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT'S A COW BOUNCE HOUSE!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZODKSuJgGQNbHSknRUQt0I6DsPhqfIDnPiOuXX2QNlN4weDdKJUqMEvXVv2RsQVTd7kCM9uW3CV_2yz8P3tMmMel8QSv-nH5L-ZBNLv6kcZQ30HtxnWJjHZffNOBbw_crgj2EM1SqDg/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZODKSuJgGQNbHSknRUQt0I6DsPhqfIDnPiOuXX2QNlN4weDdKJUqMEvXVv2RsQVTd7kCM9uW3CV_2yz8P3tMmMel8QSv-nH5L-ZBNLv6kcZQ30HtxnWJjHZffNOBbw_crgj2EM1SqDg/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANOTHER BOUNCE HOUSE! Notice the volunteers' skepticism here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B22FkFbGpCUkg964nuWU3y2dzT27rA_c2luojjnD-PV7IJY3rr_uksrkDS_16rr1sxZCLKYBFuKITEvy37pGbhukTfrZacSzM43snPgI7l5X-WokS9Kk0hywuuouabjy1k6WfLsSfw/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B22FkFbGpCUkg964nuWU3y2dzT27rA_c2luojjnD-PV7IJY3rr_uksrkDS_16rr1sxZCLKYBFuKITEvy37pGbhukTfrZacSzM43snPgI7l5X-WokS9Kk0hywuuouabjy1k6WfLsSfw/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh....now they're willing to pose with the cow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSG4fkcbUWqpWy0y_ys2Lk5ZNcT15de0Lr1BLNHObtiw_Od6HCvymCJG0ws0DSbz8jLjUkRGJLVrXBtRX_f4riLoOXx65L0QomIPcV3lJHjE9idYsTkosNxq2iAwoO0R50o-WuROEug/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSG4fkcbUWqpWy0y_ys2Lk5ZNcT15de0Lr1BLNHObtiw_Od6HCvymCJG0ws0DSbz8jLjUkRGJLVrXBtRX_f4riLoOXx65L0QomIPcV3lJHjE9idYsTkosNxq2iAwoO0R50o-WuROEug/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole came over to join. We about went<br />rumproast-over-teakettle on this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVql3uJXTsk6_vPqg3dliyfM1vgLswdFwuODC5SJguKiq_4zw1CU3KJknzivwatEc8ARjsgcrZ2YXWax-JJeL28brir7nRibGrxvnQyy6e1DKkglzSmssXLTUGQ-XzBjbh7nnlUQ9SA/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVql3uJXTsk6_vPqg3dliyfM1vgLswdFwuODC5SJguKiq_4zw1CU3KJknzivwatEc8ARjsgcrZ2YXWax-JJeL28brir7nRibGrxvnQyy6e1DKkglzSmssXLTUGQ-XzBjbh7nnlUQ9SA/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I were in college, this would be in my possession right now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhGorUlMDuVCnFKT3SWrt8jvKW5bo1Rf1huMOrqPucn1hqapf-zloTgKTrSXk2ZBjUmlqD60J922y0XwBt72fsJZb8sseGjZx4M9cwhGhnrupAomJTqY0D67UNC8SB0SdhNvubrCCbQ/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhGorUlMDuVCnFKT3SWrt8jvKW5bo1Rf1huMOrqPucn1hqapf-zloTgKTrSXk2ZBjUmlqD60J922y0XwBt72fsJZb8sseGjZx4M9cwhGhnrupAomJTqY0D67UNC8SB0SdhNvubrCCbQ/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Jim started his run, I had to find coffee, and<br />the rays of heaven shined down near a Starbucks.<br />(Note the National's hat.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9ilPCJL3FRT8u9IA6X1E9E1qCZ9KXNkTtaq5hlHlflqLE6BN0__UT31QpR81IABHLW-KQKc0G0OEvOVDpER69Qlbgxv3j7MX0-rGVaunXpIoXMjBFkcH39Xt-NPX2fx7JbKHC2135w/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9ilPCJL3FRT8u9IA6X1E9E1qCZ9KXNkTtaq5hlHlflqLE6BN0__UT31QpR81IABHLW-KQKc0G0OEvOVDpER69Qlbgxv3j7MX0-rGVaunXpIoXMjBFkcH39Xt-NPX2fx7JbKHC2135w/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in line & playing with phones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQJn78OHJly1PeyF3s25Wg6rNmTIR5mh5MV-vu5i7QnB2NSSMdFtpaZd1F1rAmw98fNvIewvwhOgDc5r803P_Wbn47Wjn_A7ul9quP_Klxu0eVLE6uOW-jKwvfsL90JFOYKOQTFjpfQ/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQJn78OHJly1PeyF3s25Wg6rNmTIR5mh5MV-vu5i7QnB2NSSMdFtpaZd1F1rAmw98fNvIewvwhOgDc5r803P_Wbn47Wjn_A7ul9quP_Klxu0eVLE6uOW-jKwvfsL90JFOYKOQTFjpfQ/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole was soooo sweet making her way to the perfect spot at the finish line to get Jim's picture.</td></tr>
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Once again he's earned the title...JIM'S AN URBAN COW!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8-PCLcDX5NWFCCPNQfLjhwr8jb1q_c7t2ycO54xL5hSOxM1nufrPBXcYdEZJZN5sqIfJIxEHO4LzEjh61GtLJKESsm7LQucmCU0fw8AloZxWFmdKOjZna-okEAGMbAjRwliA1RK3fA/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8-PCLcDX5NWFCCPNQfLjhwr8jb1q_c7t2ycO54xL5hSOxM1nufrPBXcYdEZJZN5sqIfJIxEHO4LzEjh61GtLJKESsm7LQucmCU0fw8AloZxWFmdKOjZna-okEAGMbAjRwliA1RK3fA/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There he is! (For the record, his time was faster<br />han that because he was in the later wave.) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREgI8fuBziKerGE0Llklsy_Ct9Kfvjix-Vm4rLLC29L_koC5eZMKi-YRXwOWqBMc0w4rEr8PG_gykJ-vnEHtH8BOiqjo7uMorRkY4UMWkSmW11FXnq3DKUqyj-GPRcvORrtTeaZjZ9g/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREgI8fuBziKerGE0Llklsy_Ct9Kfvjix-Vm4rLLC29L_koC5eZMKi-YRXwOWqBMc0w4rEr8PG_gykJ-vnEHtH8BOiqjo7uMorRkY4UMWkSmW11FXnq3DKUqyj-GPRcvORrtTeaZjZ9g/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I should run the Urban Cow so *I* can get a medal. Naaaaah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33SUj-2ay-x6bUjA7aDYVjSSFt8NtRxcmUfZzQwZd-sR0WW2J1tRFnn6deA7daFLOilYRlyi6VZxlJ2wSA3bRCxFFv0j4OKxdP-B7-SqxF2Cg0LJzlEvNqg69U046Ok84-yupT2sWYQ/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33SUj-2ay-x6bUjA7aDYVjSSFt8NtRxcmUfZzQwZd-sR0WW2J1tRFnn6deA7daFLOilYRlyi6VZxlJ2wSA3bRCxFFv0j4OKxdP-B7-SqxF2Cg0LJzlEvNqg69U046Ok84-yupT2sWYQ/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I were in college, this also might be in my possession now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWUSI2LidNh0xDpl0Ds4vcx_mRWG9shZVKDT10bTDkXhchyphenhyphenzUM7XNmiFAwzdZ-C4_K6PA3BSvEgIBfyRmoauxe5dYdozjcNpl2RRIxQWxhD7IrQNUQVxGDIsN7gMLmsmgqykfeKHJRw/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWUSI2LidNh0xDpl0Ds4vcx_mRWG9shZVKDT10bTDkXhchyphenhyphenzUM7XNmiFAwzdZ-C4_K6PA3BSvEgIBfyRmoauxe5dYdozjcNpl2RRIxQWxhD7IrQNUQVxGDIsN7gMLmsmgqykfeKHJRw/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple who got engaged at the race last year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn9QQ09CdLIT_pMii3uRf0ZoZOUE8v5uZan9iZL4Kvw4RF1vqhYACljHNNY2bM2WCKWlnMq5eRowN6wqUH-5U8ddeF3xU35TVW_u0Al0-ST9p91yz5sW9FZZ7T-QWkKlBHp29dgqtdA/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn9QQ09CdLIT_pMii3uRf0ZoZOUE8v5uZan9iZL4Kvw4RF1vqhYACljHNNY2bM2WCKWlnMq5eRowN6wqUH-5U8ddeF3xU35TVW_u0Al0-ST9p91yz5sW9FZZ7T-QWkKlBHp29dgqtdA/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners who wanted to pose with us. (This ALWAYS happens.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wnXUyfR_mX9LCDFOLZCEi_7eO7fPbkYSF_6_SvXThuoDeYetsHLCHqNrdBdRMKyE06VEoiNfF4alfeQ9CT629Ob36JcYlz07eQsIi85PxJMWTI10zrArObki0e960kYRq6koO4H8ig/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wnXUyfR_mX9LCDFOLZCEi_7eO7fPbkYSF_6_SvXThuoDeYetsHLCHqNrdBdRMKyE06VEoiNfF4alfeQ9CT629Ob36JcYlz07eQsIi85PxJMWTI10zrArObki0e960kYRq6koO4H8ig/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was posing to get the arch but I swear that Jim waited<br />until the scantly clad runner was there to snap the pic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77MjGdBYgfWZ7qWon04fz-wk-MeI__9FgeIf1rzbpERBWR3zXSho2dpmUUV-CnH80T_2-Aco2pxOw0xde-bfDyAN2pHpHcwl3pKVWkAfxg_4zVon0trp0JhhEqSzr6Q2FxXmCasMbwA/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77MjGdBYgfWZ7qWon04fz-wk-MeI__9FgeIf1rzbpERBWR3zXSho2dpmUUV-CnH80T_2-Aco2pxOw0xde-bfDyAN2pHpHcwl3pKVWkAfxg_4zVon0trp0JhhEqSzr6Q2FxXmCasMbwA/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Jim gave me his bag! It's perfect for cowing!<br />(and for carrying food with me the next time<br />I watch a playoff game with them.)<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu3gRlXKWCdHinZ8LrUZH6NmbpU3-INWd3ARM44yLJuNuzqMPuT0jbs5BTnLKfRX4mxi20bO4Y2G312_ztX7M4PNHhv4Nku4pKujgpf6LEbxN40eRtCV8UYn8yNcUbG_CuZt4wNZHaA/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu3gRlXKWCdHinZ8LrUZH6NmbpU3-INWd3ARM44yLJuNuzqMPuT0jbs5BTnLKfRX4mxi20bO4Y2G312_ztX7M4PNHhv4Nku4pKujgpf6LEbxN40eRtCV8UYn8yNcUbG_CuZt4wNZHaA/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim & Nicole were in a rush to get back to the bar for the Cowboys & Eagles games.<br />They brought their clothes with them and didn't tell me<br />we weren't going by the house to change.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMbVTWuzvtfAqkKraklJwRerWUZnzDgeI_iCAcYN0-HGmCzrwo8FCNUJ7Qr7NOBXvGIVXmInh9lUf16hwuhBB-71SDo6Y5CH6zgGM1rXsoB-mJkdqfEILmUly5gGH_6A64-wemKB4xw/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMbVTWuzvtfAqkKraklJwRerWUZnzDgeI_iCAcYN0-HGmCzrwo8FCNUJ7Qr7NOBXvGIVXmInh9lUf16hwuhBB-71SDo6Y5CH6zgGM1rXsoB-mJkdqfEILmUly5gGH_6A64-wemKB4xw/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim: Whatever. The game's on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJqSW1VM6xkpjC_YEtFptHzTNrbsXiDS_OI9bNLWMZRn1f1UCHf7JVlRDXNPY3RvnDB0OQFB-PM6B5ngrE3_FkLo9Toq-FN-GYI_4FE8GwFJB3SUP82mB5n4ghqdYzVnWmwpAoq9rTQ/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJqSW1VM6xkpjC_YEtFptHzTNrbsXiDS_OI9bNLWMZRn1f1UCHf7JVlRDXNPY3RvnDB0OQFB-PM6B5ngrE3_FkLo9Toq-FN-GYI_4FE8GwFJB3SUP82mB5n4ghqdYzVnWmwpAoq9rTQ/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim: No seriously. The game is on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've never been a Cowboy's fan. As soon as I learned about their cheerleaders when I was in elementary school, the lil feminist in me was like, "Nope." (Yes--I realize all NFL teams have cheerleaders, but I'm recounting the thoughts of a 10 year old here.) I may just be a Cowboys fan now because (1) Jim likes them and I like Jim, (2) there is costume potential with their stars and my suits and (3) their stars remind me of Wonder Woman stars! (There must be dumber reasons to like a sports team.)<br />
<br />
As I consider a slow meandering path to becoming a fan of the Cowboys, I consider the short, fast path to becoming a fan of Jim. It may sound trite, but I'm so proud of this guy and thrilled to know him. His journey from small city beginnings in Idaho to becoming a metropolitan professional is as quintessential American Awesome as his favorite Dallas Cowboys, ice cold beer and his (kickass) lady to love 'em both with.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Jim for running and to Nicole for cowing... Cheers!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-51790412985357701742014-10-31T11:08:00.000-07:002014-10-31T11:14:07.299-07:00Not in the MoooodI am not in the mooood to blog today. I'd like to throw on a cow suit and traipse around town with "moos" and "boos," but, in the spirit of going-through-the-motions and putting one hoof in front of the other, here is my next blogging assignment.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Read Chapter 11, <u>Editing</u>, in this bad boy and summarize it. Here goes...</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp7u2vDoIe8UFUwpejk3eH3HkFRhjmFw9yGDMUPs03zR8lW5JEtesX_iIWhkhfzpZLko05_x1woPa0p3rMRwlgA9vU3ei5eaP0mLILFylZD-CPX9e3zY2j10zLNMTi_-dxPGi8IOZGg/s640/blogger-image--287108257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp7u2vDoIe8UFUwpejk3eH3HkFRhjmFw9yGDMUPs03zR8lW5JEtesX_iIWhkhfzpZLko05_x1woPa0p3rMRwlgA9vU3ei5eaP0mLILFylZD-CPX9e3zY2j10zLNMTi_-dxPGi8IOZGg/s320/blogger-image--287108257.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't have the oomph to throw on a suit,<br />
so I threw the book in the bin.<br />
THINNEST CONNECTION EVER<br />
FOR BLOG SPACE </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This chapter discusses the editing process as it pertains to text, images and video. It's contradictory that the author, Sean Morey, titled the chapter "Editing" but then goes on to say, "Although you might lump terms such as proofreading, editing and revising into one group, the three activities are quite different and will be addressed separately..." Um. OK. So those three are different, and editing is only part of it, but it's still all called editing. Sounds about like the Holy Trinity.</div>
<div>
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<div>
I've thought of these three in writing because I've had plenty of writing over the years. As I've written more blogs and columns recently, though, I've become reacquainted with the three in a slightly different context. </div>
<div>
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<div>
I've had about fifty columns published since I started 18 months ago and I'd characterize my personal editing process as "dynamic." Not as in, "wow!" but as in "fluid and constantly changing." The newspaper editor(s) don't edit my material. I'd like to think it's because my pieces are fantastic and editing is unnecessary, but it's more likely because they don't have time and the columns are a commentary any way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have a collection of friends that I call on for edits and proofing before I submit piece. The more political or opinion-focused something is, the more effort I put into making sure someone else's eyes see it before I send it. I have one due at 5:00 today and I haven't started yet. This is going to be a happy-go-lucky column because I've not left much time for the editing process, and I can't expect my friends to fit it in either. Good editing takes time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm constantly working at becoming more adept at the revision process. My best columns and blogs have been ones that I've begun with a stream of consciousness flowing freely from my mind to the keyboard and then allowed myself time to go back and cut and rework. Trying to nail down the perfect and exact 600-800 words at the onset rarely produces a great work. I've gotten lucky a time or two, however, but that's usually been when I'm filled with so much emotion about a topic that the piece practically writes itself. (This blog is not going to be one of those lucky times.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In addition to discussing the process of editing text, the author extends his instruction to editing images and audio. Now I'm learning somethin'. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sure, I've played with some bare-bones photo editing in Picasa and on my iPhone, but I've not even ever used photoshop. What I've done is considered part of the revision process or the proofreading step, but not necessarily editing. I thought it was interesting to learn that for journalistic purposes there are rules and standards for how much a photo can be edited while still maintaining "journalistic integrity." I don't have the photo editing skills yet to produce images <i>without</i> journalistic integrity, but I'm learning!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have an assignment due in a few weeks to produce a video essay. I have no idea how this is going to go , but I feel slightly better after reading this chapter and having a class discussion about it. The key points I need to consider while editing are transitions, cuts, close-ups, and tempo, When I get to the proofreading step, continuity errors, factual errors, holes in the message, inadvertent reveals or visible equipment. So, not a selfie-style video? Damn.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I warned my professor that I would be really irritated if what we've discussed and what I'll learn in creating video media disrupts my enjoyment of Scandal when I finally find time for a date night with Kerry Washington and my DVR. I do not have enough of an interest in becoming a good videographer to ruin my enjoyment of what little TV and movies I watch. He assured me I'll be okay. I have an idea he's right, but by golly I'm not going to go above and beyond on this next assignment to risk it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm late in turning this assignment in and the bummer is--I actually read the chapter early. Work, school, life, exercise, writing...they're all getting in the way of each-udder and I hope I can wrangle my time better mooooving forward--not just for the video essay, but everything. This chapter was a great reminder. It's not just editing. Good <i>anything</i> takes time and I need to be better at time before I can be better at anything.</div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-14468717470778460472014-10-14T11:10:00.001-07:002014-10-14T15:27:55.222-07:00Cupcakes, Cancer and a Cow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I got to see some good today! And I'm pretty sure--as in positive--that the cow suit is responsible for the opportunity. Hooray Cow Suit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My friend Paula Ames runs <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://amescakecreations.com/" target="_blank">Cake Creations</a>. </span>She is a masterful cake artist who creates the most beautiful and tasty cakes and cupcakes you'll ever experience. Truly. Her creations ARE an experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On her Facebook page on Mondays, she asks her fans for nominations for her Tasty Tuesdays surprise cupcake delivery. She picks a different theme each week, and since I've known her, she's recognized teachers, first responders, law enforcement officials, kids with courage, and cancer survivors to name a few. Throughout October (which is known as breast cancer awareness month) Paula is asking her fans each week to help her recognize people in any number of cancer's insidious circles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's nomination request read as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><i>I would like to recognize the people who
SUPPORT the people who have this awful illness. Not the doctors and nurses, but
the friends and family that are always there, that drive to treatments, that
make meals, that provide a shoulder....</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paula was set to leave on vacation today, so my cow suit and I got to make the surprise deliveries for Tasty Tuesday! I was supposed to pick two, but I begged her to let me pick three. She obliged.</span></span></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Eben Curtiss</b><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My first delivery of the day was to Eben Curtiss at Hawthorne Middle school. I went to Hawthorne middle school as a kid. Today's walk up the steps, despite the cow suit, was comfortable and familiar. I asked one of the young boys raising the flags to open the door for me and he only snickered a little bit as he beat me to the entrance. I love it when kids are courteous to the cow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I checked into the office, and the secretary led me to Eben's class. This is what I wanted to say about Eben that appeared in a nomination from his mom Kim and sister Tenly.</span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="background: rgb(250, 251, 251); color: #141823; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>He has been the best brother a little girl could ask for! He never
left her side for a minute! He has gone to every doctor’s appointment and MRI,
and CAT SCAN. He held her hand for many pokey needles and endured a few
hospital stays and being away from home- ALOT! He empties puke buckets and has
helped change sheets and clothes when she couldn't make to to the bucket. He is
a bit of a worry wart. Sometimes I feel the poor kid takes a back seat when
things with Tenley get crazy and he has never once complained!! <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="background: rgb(250, 251, 251); color: #141823; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="background: rgb(250, 251, 251); color: #141823; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Cupcakes may be small little tokens but they can sure bring some sweet
sunshine and happiness to people dealing with the mess that cancer makes. </i></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">BUT...as I was leading into it, I glanced up. I was afraid that I was going to make Eben too sad with all of those words, so I talked about how he shows courage and support and how embarrassed he must be to have a cow call him out in front of his friends. His class clapped and sighed and I encouraged them to show good to others like he has shown his sister.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XP48ngTD821ZZdFWGi_edOno-ZRcLNSrGFXCSH4hnSq2Ypf_NM9DMhC8F9koUrexdExeRgZ4ggAz5EEBVHUgLR4GRf6dA__vjTa-kjpyqW_7-MQXbhYlgFzvGEHzpEWgq_P2Xp2VMQ/s1600/photo+5+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XP48ngTD821ZZdFWGi_edOno-ZRcLNSrGFXCSH4hnSq2Ypf_NM9DMhC8F9koUrexdExeRgZ4ggAz5EEBVHUgLR4GRf6dA__vjTa-kjpyqW_7-MQXbhYlgFzvGEHzpEWgq_P2Xp2VMQ/s1600/photo+5+(1).JPG" height="400" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eben! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>A Hiccup for the Heifer</b></div>
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My second delivery wasn't home!! I was so sad. I'm still so sad. Sad enough in fact, that I've written a card to the nominee (a cow card) and I'm going to tell her about my trek through Chubbuck, standing on her porch and ringing her doorbell in my cow suit while her neighbor was pulling out of his driveway. She has a child with cancer. </div>
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As I was leaving her house full-handed with a dozen cupcakes, I was torn with what to do. I texted Paula--what are the rules? WHAT ARE THE RULES? I'm a cow who sometimes struggles with freedoms outside the corral. She said, "do whatever you want." I rolled my cow eyes at her.</div>
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As I was driving, names and faces of friends I've known for years flooded my mind. I was involved with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for over seven years with our team Cows for a Cure and then Ryleigh's Herd. I thought of my entire team and their individual stories of supporting their loved ones through treatments, battles and losses. I was overwhelmed and couldn't make a decision. I thought about Bob. He'd love them and then I wouldn't be stuck in the judge's seat. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcKX2QWqM6t6enT9giI9dDF1ilFYdzje7KTWTsdWymMzUcO4sGbE9R9J7WIbbHGtQVMSmipPe9Ir59yHHn2OaLVdvOKdrIOvDX9DAtdKD1Sr3InEALcGPea7ADQgn1g2DgEe4mryg2A/s1600/photoBob+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcKX2QWqM6t6enT9giI9dDF1ilFYdzje7KTWTsdWymMzUcO4sGbE9R9J7WIbbHGtQVMSmipPe9Ir59yHHn2OaLVdvOKdrIOvDX9DAtdKD1Sr3InEALcGPea7ADQgn1g2DgEe4mryg2A/s1600/photoBob+(6).JPG" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">My dog Bob admiring the maple cakes the night before delivery.</td></tr>
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<b>Patricia Barnhill</b></div>
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But then--because of where I was in Chubbuck--it hit me! My pal Pat Barnhill! She lives just blocks away from where I was, so I called her. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObkz16RHdTGSlL870bDn2dm9EUBRRGEYDxvxfpYh_t0qgabMhBeOSxe5yl7NiYKD91kB-VULh1gUZ7ZAwG9FVlZeK5H88vO6Udoy8a7f9ax4YO3hlV-kS3OZ76Xjp0t3SjVsWpRUGwA/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObkz16RHdTGSlL870bDn2dm9EUBRRGEYDxvxfpYh_t0qgabMhBeOSxe5yl7NiYKD91kB-VULh1gUZ7ZAwG9FVlZeK5H88vO6Udoy8a7f9ax4YO3hlV-kS3OZ76Xjp0t3SjVsWpRUGwA/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat and I in our coordinating autumn attire<br />
a couple years ago on her birthday.</td></tr>
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"<i>Hi, Pat. This is Billie. Hey, I know you've got a book group today. Would you like some cupcakes?</i>"</div>
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Pause.</div>
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"<i>Well, actually. I'm two minutes from your house, so I'll be in your driveway shortly in a cow suit with some cupcakes for ya. I'll explain when I get there</i>."</div>
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Thankfully Pat already knows about and accepts me for my cow suit shenanigans so this wasn't <i>too</i> weird. Although I thought she could "use" the cupcakes, Pat is exactly a testament to what Paula hoped to recognize today.</div>
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At 85 years old, Pat has seen a lot of cancer. She herself is a survivor and her husband Ken died more than a decade ago from lymphoma. She was absolutely Ken's support, but the thing about Pat that makes her so deserving of today's treat is how she reacts when she hears of people she knows going through treatment. </div>
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Pat always cooks a meal or makes a cake and rallies the troops. She no longer drives, and as frustrated as she gets about how that affects her , I know she feels great frustration because it's affected her ability to help and serve others. She still cooks, though, and finds people to be her courier. She makes phone calls and writes letters (old school, real, handwritten letters) to help and comfort however she can. She is relentless in reaching out and so are the ladies in her book club. </div>
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Pat is also humble as all get out and she's probably going to scold me for all of this, but hey--at least I didn't use the picture I have of her in cow horns.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGo46yHu2YYvIrLrl0AfkVmdW62dU9z9GkLT0I-jiv1TZ2OJgPMTBsdSzRm1f39OASqzi2DMJ7ltMDnVNqZQXC128RaEa-bJguD05xiCqxu0C5zdiqJbYqI_Oe4QEtsT1OEJiP7P3Zg/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGo46yHu2YYvIrLrl0AfkVmdW62dU9z9GkLT0I-jiv1TZ2OJgPMTBsdSzRm1f39OASqzi2DMJ7ltMDnVNqZQXC128RaEa-bJguD05xiCqxu0C5zdiqJbYqI_Oe4QEtsT1OEJiP7P3Zg/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">When I got there, Pat was still getting ready for her day & preferred<br />
not to have her picture taken, so I snapped the room<br />
where all of her book club ladies will be in a few hours.</td></tr>
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<b>Dr. Michael Callaghan</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My final delivery today was to Dr. Mike Callaghan at the Portneuf Medical Center Cancer Center. Dr. Callaghan <span style="line-height: 115%;">championed the
development of a guest house for patients who have to travel for treatment. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXAYvsjVC1bOZJNDIZMidWgz7CoDww6gFuMjxSZ26aTnf7zRTcOdL1DAaf0c1E7XgLmkkNYA2XLQ_d0LID1uLQhjd9GXKELxuDy1NgZ5yNygw2i1XImb0d6_ruSl6ojjkbYdCvMJLdQ/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXAYvsjVC1bOZJNDIZMidWgz7CoDww6gFuMjxSZ26aTnf7zRTcOdL1DAaf0c1E7XgLmkkNYA2XLQ_d0LID1uLQhjd9GXKELxuDy1NgZ5yNygw2i1XImb0d6_ruSl6ojjkbYdCvMJLdQ/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG" height="400" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Look how Dr. Callaghan holds the box<br />
so the pink in my ears just pops! Bam!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although Paula's instruction for today's nomination was intended to "steer" folks toward supporters outside of the medical profession and focus on friends and families, Dr. Callaghan's efforts facilitate precisely that. With a guest house close to the cancer center, families can be together at times when they need to be the most. A high level of emotional support is critical in cancer care, and thanks to Dr. Callaghan and PMC's new guest house, more people can be the kind of support their loved ones need.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5MSmj7bDHT2AMtzmoRNcfqH_COFD0xWnwXpvJ8I_dE2zgUkSr2PuW7p9QMkWv8V0U3afBR2Az2EW4xqbVWADYNV_5XgOfAxXENbE9UqBs2tISWzRjrQzFIj1-ZHSVo71jGE_1o7LDw/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5MSmj7bDHT2AMtzmoRNcfqH_COFD0xWnwXpvJ8I_dE2zgUkSr2PuW7p9QMkWv8V0U3afBR2Az2EW4xqbVWADYNV_5XgOfAxXENbE9UqBs2tISWzRjrQzFIj1-ZHSVo71jGE_1o7LDw/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I was finding a parking place, I noticed the campers<br />
that some families still use while loved ones are<br />
going through treatment. Especially in the winter months,<br />
a guest house is invaluable.</td></tr>
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Paula and Cake Creations do Tasty Tuesday to encourage people to think about and see the good in people. The good around us. The good in life. I'm usually pretty good at seeing good, but I'm grateful to Paula for lending me her Tasty Tuesday lens to see good a little differently today.<br />
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You don't need a cow suit...Go see something good! Go be something good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtE-a3fDownzft0JscBEadsW8X8kMffJhZm4O6sqz3L0yyaA9fMd52oG_FcHwZ_lWLSreeR-DIxMS6_mxDWAebA9Y0-5395XR3uq3xQAa_lWi2A3kgevnmSZgblpjNM22r4fnBxF1Rw/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtE-a3fDownzft0JscBEadsW8X8kMffJhZm4O6sqz3L0yyaA9fMd52oG_FcHwZ_lWLSreeR-DIxMS6_mxDWAebA9Y0-5395XR3uq3xQAa_lWi2A3kgevnmSZgblpjNM22r4fnBxF1Rw/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(ahem) One of the business cards I was supposed<br />
to remember to hand out today with my delivery.</td></tr>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-37294125207079935912014-09-25T13:28:00.002-07:002014-09-25T13:51:39.967-07:00A Cow Talks Comics<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a second
installment as an assignment for my <i>Topics in Professional Writing </i>class
at Idaho State University. We read three comics (<i>Boxers & Saints, Asterios Polyp and Logicomix) </i>and are to discuss them in a blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved the Sunday comics. This is not about comics like that. Another term for the medium is "graphic novel." I've confessed before that I’m not a much of
a reader and this assignment has let me know that even when encased in comics,
I still don’t love to read. Of the three comics we read, I found the experience of reading two of them to be pleasant. The third just stressed me out.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidvERfnbyeFv9XcyTE02SfZcDsyaNe9aQf7wWPBSR5e8YI-ko6xD1yzsopW2tVhF5n-Jh1s1ixrinnDlucDNU1Kd_WILfCTYlSZJA20QNfyKtPaCNZPTxeTIIYO5UgyTQFu0y7ju3xw/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe if I assumed the lounging &relaxed position,<br />in a cow suit, that's what I'd feel while reading.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Boxers & Saints </i>by Geen Luen Yang</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first graphic novel I read is <i>Boxers/Saints</i>. I went into this prepared to
hate it. I didn't. Win! From the Amazon description, B<i>oxers & Saints</i> are two companion graphic novel volumes set during China's Boxer Rebellion.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsbx-BrP8N_dnhH6HV8JwXvZ3HO3GplIvs6fmvY68W5kmnqmbG6RhW5VKhZu1bRezCxWvdlDYgnDEnUBwxwXptnN87T5Dn9mkcVyFj2frfSQnv4qfaQ5rotFh8KH86yGrjBkSZ7PbrA/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsbx-BrP8N_dnhH6HV8JwXvZ3HO3GplIvs6fmvY68W5kmnqmbG6RhW5VKhZu1bRezCxWvdlDYgnDEnUBwxwXptnN87T5Dn9mkcVyFj2frfSQnv4qfaQ5rotFh8KH86yGrjBkSZ7PbrA/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I read</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Boxers</span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> first
& wonder how my impression<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of the
series would differ had I read it last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I'll never know</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The exercise in reading
these two books was fun for a few reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(1) It was quick. I often feel the stillness involved in reading is
wasteful and maddening, but because these went quickly, reading didn't lead to any bouts of mad cow.
The panels were succinct and laid out orderly to facilitate quick
consumption. My kind of comic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(2) The content was
interesting. The characters were surprisingly and quickly well-developed
in the graphics and I was engaged in the story line immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(3) It was thought
-provoking. I began with <i>Boxers</i> so I found myself much more
sympathetic to their side in the Chinese rebellion rather than the side of the
Christians or the "white devils" portrayed in <i>Saints, </i>but
realizing my shifting or questioning attitudes as I progressed through the
second book was great fodder for the mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(4) I experienced
something new and therefore learned a few new things about myself. On the rare
occasion that I do read, I find myself thinking about characters and story
lines. I did that here too, but I realized that my mind's images traversed
between the comic characters and more lifelike inventions in my mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Something still
unresolved for me, however, is that there is considerably more color in <i>Boxers</i><i> </i>than there is in <i>Saints.</i><i> </i> I brought this up in class and we wondered
if this was the authors way of painting the Chinese in a more positive light
than the Christians, but in researching him, he identifies as a Catholic so
that wouldn't really make sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent a fair amount of
time googling these books to see if I could find a reference to the colors and
palate, but I haven't turned up anything yet. I did learn, however, that
the amount of information available on the internet relating to this series or
anything else I may be assigned to read is astounding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The media with which we
are creating and producing assignments has changed since I was last a student
as has the setting for research. It would be easy to borrow or flat out steal
content for these assignments, but I luckily, in addition to being a staunch
rule-follower, I view that as self-defeating and classless. And this
cow's got class, darn it. (As the previous blog explained.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>Asterios Polyp </i>by </b></span><b>David Mazzucchelli</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">I liked this book more as it went on, but it took a bit. It was busy and hard to follow until my eyes and mind were used to digesting the material.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_TdLbiKdw5fH07fqoO4gow_-s2kmcOp2r0feqvECHH6aMLpPMGx15jz6CnBSYfddD-N3IL5OBLRwg0U1lJovB9tJYwfwodpD7QKr6EsZ3GnqOz-98Rxzgb7LeQ288n6Le9hCmzXWLg/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_TdLbiKdw5fH07fqoO4gow_-s2kmcOp2r0feqvECHH6aMLpPMGx15jz6CnBSYfddD-N3IL5OBLRwg0U1lJovB9tJYwfwodpD7QKr6EsZ3GnqOz-98Rxzgb7LeQ288n6Le9hCmzXWLg/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Asterios Polyp </i>is narrated by the main character's (Asterios') still born twin brother. Yeah. That right there lets readers know they are in for a ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the class embarked upon a discussion of this book, we flitted from talking about themes, plots, foreshadowing, character breakdowns and allusions to Greek mythology to the media itself. The graphics in a graphic novel add an entirely new dimension to analyze and dissect. I found myself grateful that this genre wasn't prolific during my youth because this extra dimension of analysis in any high school essay would have seriously encroached upon my social life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">[I'm torn and a little confused here with the directive "Discuss the readings." As this is a class on various media used to create professional writing, should I be focused more on the content here or the media? Oy.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The story begins with a storm and lightening bolt graphic and then Asterios' disheveled apartment catching on fire. He flees and then the story features present day and flashbacks illustrating the rise and fall of his architecture teaching career and his marriage with brief commentary from his bitter, never-born twin, Ignazio. Ignazio loves Asterios and is rooting for him, but he does wonder why he had to be the one to die and Asterios lived. Asterios wonders the same thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Asterios Polyp </i>is not delivered in neat, organized panels, but rather the comics are all over the place. Some pictures have a border, some don't. A rhythm in the design and delivery might appear for a few pages and then BAM! There'd be a highly detailed and scattered graphic that demanded I divert my focus from words and dialogue of the story and focus on the artistic content. I realize that this is part of the overall experience of this genre, but the stop and start reminiscent of a lurching amusement park ride did not amuse me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Asterios is an arrogant jerk with whom I sympathized throughout the novel. That's likely due to his being drawn in vitro with that same baby-esque head that he maintained throughout the work. Children evoke empathy. Although, his round, baby head was contrasted with a stiff suit and collar and a cigarette, he is clearly just a kid trying to get by in spite of his own folly. (Aren't we all?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I was initially distracted by the number of fonts until I realized that each different font represented a different character. It seemed to add to the chaos of the material, but once I realized that differentiation, my mind could parse and accept it better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I could write about the symbolism in the text and graphics of this book until the cows come home. Really. This book alone could be the topic of a single class with weeks on end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We could take a week for color and color pairings. Font styles and character matching. he flowers on the inside cover. The content in and out of panels and frames. The angles and curves. The cat. The fat guy. (Cats and fat guys ALWAYS mean something.) The knick-knacks. The airplane that shows up in the clouds throughout the book. The allusion to numerous Greek classics. Asterios' watch, lighter and pocket knife that he saves in the fire. The lack of page numbers. (Who does that!?) This would be a class I may or may not sign up for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fortunately this is supposed to be a blog and blogs are supposed to be short (ish), so until that class...thanks Asterios, Ignazio and David Mazzucchelli. It's been real. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"position":"triggerBottom","name":"contributor-info-B001ILOBVO","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>Logicomix by </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Apostolos Doxiadis<i>, </i>Christos</span></span></span></b><b><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"position":"triggerBottom","name":"contributor-info-B001ILOBVO","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> H</span>. Papadimitriou,</span></span></b><b><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px;"><span class="contribution" spacing="none" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="a-color-secondary" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; line-height: 19px;">Alecos Papadatos<span class="contribution" spacing="none" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="a-color-secondary" style="box-sizing: border-box;">, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px;">Annie Di Donna</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had such high hopes for this read. I began it on the recumbent bike at the ISU
gym—but not in a cow suit. After ten minutes on the bike, my overwhelming thought was, "Holy cow! I'm out of shape because this book is heavy and my elbow creases are too sweaty to keep reading." The book hardly snagged my focus as I was more focused on my physical ineptitudes. I tried reading it at the gym, a coffee shop, in a hammock, during breakfast, in my lazy boy, and before bed. None of these places made this more readable for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Logicomix is a non-fiction graphic novel which details the life of Bertrand Russell, a British philosopher, mathematician and logician. The present day authors show up every now and then--in comic form--to discuss their endeavor of writing a comic about ole Bertie. In present day, "Bertie" would either be dirt poor and considered eccentric or teaching. Oh. Wait.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The book discusses the madness that many a philosopher and logician of the time was thought to suffer. Stories and accounts like this have me waffling between wishing for that same zest for knowledge encroaching madness and living the life of simpleton Forrest Gump. I'll settle somewhere in the middle as an engineer in a cow suit, thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The present day authors' intrusion upon the story was exactly that. A distracting intrusion. I realized that I find present day philosophers and logicians pompus and irritating while there's much more romanticism surrounding those of old. Bertrand was likely just as much of a self-unaware jerk but he's got history to help soften the lens through which I see him. Enjoyed the old guys; resented the new ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Someone in our class discussion characterized the book as "dense." That really is the perfect word. The topic itself is dense and dizzying and the cartoons and dialogue telling the story were as well. Many of the page's panels broke the rule of of 20-25 words to a speech balloon and 30-25 words per panel. Dense is great for fudge; not for a graphic novel. (For me.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I appreciated the color and the actual artwork and the page numbers of this work, but I honestly couldn't quite finish it. It spark barely enough interest in Betrand Russell for me to look him up on wikipedia and to wonder how I might respond to other works about his life and accomplishments, but that's about it. I only wondered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Closing Thoughts</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>
One of my lil calf buddies had his first gymnastics practice this week. He did great for the first 10 minutes during the jumping, tumbling and headstands, but when the coach corrected his form on a handstand, he cried and quit. He said it was too "hard."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This kid never sits still. He does headstands ANYWHERE and can boost himself into a pike position and hold it for over 20 seconds. He just fears the new and uncomfortable and it takes a few experiences before he realizes, "Hey. I like this."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That <i>could be </i>me and the comic genre. <i>Could be. </i> I like to moooove almost as much as this kid though, so I probably won't be spending much spare time seeking out the latest and greatest graphic novel let alone talking about them. I'm intrigued at the possibility of incorporating a comic or two into some of my professional blogs, however. This cow <i>might</i> want to talk about <i>those </i>comics.</span><br />
<br />Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-21189489617386985822014-09-24T14:08:00.000-07:002014-09-24T19:46:27.058-07:00A Cow's Got Class<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh how I wish I were dolled up in mascara and pearls and sipping wine.<br />
<br />
THAT would be a cow with class.<br />
<br />
But nope. I’m taking <i>Topics in Professional Writing</i> at Idaho
State University this semester. This blog is an assignment for class. And to get in the blog, there must be a cow suit.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w05v8WYdnLb0InczV4XMd6ZeXHgIYSh_TEP4C-5qsmGD2TiiKPfaA88cl2T9CgGh2_wVK5_dyuEttDOIIGmPGXqR5efjwFV-1hhe-_xZ6pC_-p78iswbSiHhmBSU9GylqduRxIjk7Q/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w05v8WYdnLb0InczV4XMd6ZeXHgIYSh_TEP4C-5qsmGD2TiiKPfaA88cl2T9CgGh2_wVK5_dyuEttDOIIGmPGXqR5efjwFV-1hhe-_xZ6pC_-p78iswbSiHhmBSU9GylqduRxIjk7Q/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The College Market. <br />
I loved coconut lattes & Italian sodas here<br />
20 years ago with my engineering books.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xitxZfrbWDGPcFZhFA2CwRv6rR8LXqq6HbeBJFzCmVfV1jE3RB3LWmAtvxPjkOBVDoftsuOXQm-8V3zXVgCxsbBh-5403Gl6MP1zg-x09JC5vMxXIrUtL8yCpHT10hVY8R2PL-F-3g/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xitxZfrbWDGPcFZhFA2CwRv6rR8LXqq6HbeBJFzCmVfV1jE3RB3LWmAtvxPjkOBVDoftsuOXQm-8V3zXVgCxsbBh-5403Gl6MP1zg-x09JC5vMxXIrUtL8yCpHT10hVY8R2PL-F-3g/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now it's an almond milk latte with no flavoring.<br />
I miss coconut & the ability to consume<br />
700 calorie beverages without a second thought.</td></tr>
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The assignment is to (in a blog) <u>discuss Ch 3 and 9 from our text. </u><br />
<br />
Wait. So in a blog? Does that mean I get to disregard virtually all protocol for proper writing and citations? Can I lace the text with my inner most thoughts about anything at all that no one really wants to read on the Internet? Might I dip in and out of first and third person and offer opinions with zero data to back them up? I'm not sure how to merge a class assignment and a blog. This could be an udder disaster.<br />
<br /></div>
<b><i>The New Media Writer</i></b><br />
The class text is <i>The New Media Writer </i>by Sean Morey. My verdict is still out on the book, but my first thought is that the choice of green, yellow, and orange for the cover seems old fashioned. They remind me of the 70's avocado, rust and maize which seems misaligned with a text on the latest software and media to produce an array of professional writings. But then...most college students today have no schema for the colors of 70's appliances or shag carpet.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAKuioIzP7ev8nrf51U089cDY4kUqqaejpnrg4X1AqdKUHUSQ6OxS5EeJ4WCUTJD-4Tt6rU1-y6wlOjdsCDaKkCEQybU9jPIDPcnZsIjFWrbWQ-OCwcY0ZVPt4yJG_6HU-DSKae0-cg/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAKuioIzP7ev8nrf51U089cDY4kUqqaejpnrg4X1AqdKUHUSQ6OxS5EeJ4WCUTJD-4Tt6rU1-y6wlOjdsCDaKkCEQybU9jPIDPcnZsIjFWrbWQ-OCwcY0ZVPt4yJG_6HU-DSKae0-cg/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading books like this is best at coffee shop tables.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Chapter 3 "Reading Visual Arguments"</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
The best part of this chapter is the opening paragraph which reminds me what I'm doing with the darn book in the first place. I like reminders, reframing and recaps.<br />
<br />
"As mentioned in the preface, this text's primary goal is to have you making your own images for your own rhetorical purposes. However, an understanding of how to 'read' or view other people's images from rhetorical perspectives can help make you a better designer and producer of new media texts."<br />
<br />
Most of this chapter and subsequent class discussion reminded me of the marketing classes I took years ago. The content wasn't all that new, but it was blissfully full of reminders, reframing and recaps.<br />
<br />
It seems like a lot of my educational content through the years has entailed either snazzy mnemonics or concepts conveyed with shapes. For instance, I learned the ordering of the planets from the Sun with My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nachos corresponding to Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. I also still visualize the checks and balances triangle representing the three branches of government. This text has followed nicely by introducing me to the <i style="font-weight: bold;">rhetorical tetrahedron. </i>(Sigh, I miss coaching the middle school math kids.)<br />
<br />
Here's a little animated GIF that the author came up with to illustrate it.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Gwym9h1ccE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
The four faces include the following:<br />
<i>logos</i>: the logic of an argument<br />
<i>pathos</i>: an appeal to one's identity in which most people have an emotional investment<br />
<i>ethos</i>: a writer's credibility<br />
<i>kairos</i>: the timing of when a message is communicated<br />
<br />
I was mildly disappointed that the GIF above doesn't include the edge labels that the author discusses in the book which are <i><b>writer, audience, message, design, medium and genre</b></i>, but it does offer a pleasant visual as we got started.<br />
<br />
This entire chapter encourages the reader to assess visual arguments--ads, internet memes, illustrations, anything other than text that our eyes come across--and identify their elements corresponding to the rhetorical tetrahedron "edges and faces". After we are able to assess them, we'll be equipped to create good ones. Hopefully.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Chapter 9 "Scripts (Writing)"</i></b><br />
<br />
The best line of this chapter comes on page 267:<br />
<br />
"Writing in words has always been an important tool for writing in images, and this chapter will cover the ways that traditional writing can transfer to final outputs, which may not even contain words."<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
This is my first real look at screenplays. It makes sense to me as it pertains to movies or TV commercials, but our instructor asked us to specifically consider the content for directing or generating a comic, either a single panel or series of them. This was a little new for my cow brain. I'm not artistic. I've never considered authoring or drawing any kind of comic since the "Design an Ad" contest I was forced to enter in elementary school. After this foray at learning something new, maybe I can try juggling on a unicycle in the homecoming parade.<br />
<br />
I read about script formatting, dialogue, narration, storyboards, captions, and instructions as they pertain to movies, plays, commercials and shorts. The example movie script was from <i>The Hangover. (</i>OK. That's kinda fun.) But, I'm still figuring out how to best apply all of this to a comic. Oh yeah. We have to make a comic. Luckily we'll get some time in class this week to discuss our comic and our scripts with classmates. Also lucky is that this professor touts revising as part of the writing process. I foresee a "Billie's Comic Script, Take 2" in my future.<br />
<br />
I read most of this chapter AFTER turning in my comic script. Pft. The hard part in that assignment was choosing a piece of writing to adapt into a comics format, and harder yet, has now become turning off my cow brain to STOP imagining all of my weekly columns and cow blogs as comics. [FADE TO: cow on unicycle with pearls sipping wine.]<br />
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-26442424498498330492014-09-23T10:26:00.002-07:002014-09-23T11:41:54.959-07:00Cows Keepin' It WeirdOur California redwoods and Oregon coast vacation drew to a
close with two nights in Portland. THIS is the picture I hoped to capture and
these are a few thoughts on “weird.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio4pIXyMgeO4OT8F96QdyxNtw3abmLZ0CNf3hzaOXYSgsz9L5Sz9PsJ-kWaJMzHBkigCf6l3tyL9bZYzXz0fOyDIFtH85Ip2kGmPWAyYNM_xNH_ZWpEw_XTcREU6H57fedfHyqulOcA/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio4pIXyMgeO4OT8F96QdyxNtw3abmLZ0CNf3hzaOXYSgsz9L5Sz9PsJ-kWaJMzHBkigCf6l3tyL9bZYzXz0fOyDIFtH85Ip2kGmPWAyYNM_xNH_ZWpEw_XTcREU6H57fedfHyqulOcA/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Located in downtown Portland across from the original Voo Doo Donuts.</span></td></tr>
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I went to college in my home town. Shortly after having dinner at my childhood
home with my mom and me, one of my best friends in college told me that my mom
was weird. That I grew up "weird." I thought she was weird for saying
or even thinking that! My mom and my childhood weren't weird! Or were they?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Our house was full of color. The first thing you saw when
you walked in was a set of bi-fold closet doors painted with bright blue, red,
yellow and green squares. Mom had a wall with with chincey, plastic fish plates
because she loved their whimsy and color. She framed brightly colored
fabric all over the place. Our couch was red velvet and complementary red lamps
hung from the ceiling. We talked and joked and laughed. A lot. None of this was
weird to me, but maybe for my friend who simply grew up differently, it was. I’m
sorry her home life wasn't more weird (fun).</div>
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These little guys are growing up with cow suits and cowing.
Is it weird? Perhaps. Is it unique and fun? Absolutely!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What's weirder? Their cow suits or that we let them eat McDonald's on this day?</span></td></tr>
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It DID feel a little weird while we were getting suited up in our downtown Portland hotel room and the little guy was resistant to put on his cow costume. His older brother, mom and I proceeded to cajole and convince him that he wanted to cow.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
While I was rinsing out a pair of shorts, I overheard the older brother after he'd gotten his shirt and hood on.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U-9NWfxwmuUcgVW6f7izRxKoCeLv4rW4co8cmW7j1AE_Rt4YVTdJHzhc19b8AZJgULc3cBacQPjeOejM9-Cb5-QkXU-AsHHpL6gUKoudTncVUqqRPkv-DzNOSTjbgOWmXfarakiDjA/s640/blogger-image-2134104665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U-9NWfxwmuUcgVW6f7izRxKoCeLv4rW4co8cmW7j1AE_Rt4YVTdJHzhc19b8AZJgULc3cBacQPjeOejM9-Cb5-QkXU-AsHHpL6gUKoudTncVUqqRPkv-DzNOSTjbgOWmXfarakiDjA/s320/blogger-image-2134104665.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The weird part here may be that I'm only wearing one shoe.<br />I kept forgetting to rinse out the ocean-soaked shorts &<br />as soon as I remembered, I HAD TO DO IT NOW</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Older calf: <i>Come on, Man! You knew the deal. First we had a delicious breakfast. Then we took our sister to the airport. And NOW we are going cowing so we can go to Powell's Bookstore later and THEN take the train to the Spaghetti Factory. Come on! Don't you want to go to Powell's? We have to cow first. That was the deal. Besides--you know it's fun. </i>(Their sister got to take her first solo trip to visit grandparents, so we wanted to make sure that these guys had fun stuff in store so they didn't feel like they were missing out. Boy, do we know how to have fun or what?)<br />
<br />
As both their mom and I added words of encouragement (sigh) and threats of confiscating toys or withholding planned activities, I did wonder what in the heck we were doing. I didn't wonder for too long. Smiles, cartwheels and a sprint to the elevator to push the buttons convinced me that the last 7 minutes in their young lives probably hadn't ruined them. We set out on our adventure to find the "weird" mural.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw85zMZnAmzi9Ya_uQ270-J74f4d5I8tCQouGvUSkj8ygD_M3VC2aitNqwIptIWi9C3AZS42xw0ry5tSaRJIDQJq6aEfyaDBeAjXnKIj3HlIVRkloxfmAH3Iq_KBW2NyeKbtL7kUWSRA/s640/blogger-image--1318025625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw85zMZnAmzi9Ya_uQ270-J74f4d5I8tCQouGvUSkj8ygD_M3VC2aitNqwIptIWi9C3AZS42xw0ry5tSaRJIDQJq6aEfyaDBeAjXnKIj3HlIVRkloxfmAH3Iq_KBW2NyeKbtL7kUWSRA/s320/blogger-image--1318025625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We always guess which elevator will arrive first.<br />The calf on the right just finished a handstand.<br />Yeah--he's fine.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKG68beHuYJ5qlsZ0FSSKNzL17u8aDLUt-sw8zg0KgBASocus6cfjD75MAwbDhjUU951atLbke3cG-ivmzPdPpfbeDoZUVxXzVZQzwT4ZzjXJosUfXml7l67qWlo6gRolVr5sQvwVRw/s640/blogger-image-1174676846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKG68beHuYJ5qlsZ0FSSKNzL17u8aDLUt-sw8zg0KgBASocus6cfjD75MAwbDhjUU951atLbke3cG-ivmzPdPpfbeDoZUVxXzVZQzwT4ZzjXJosUfXml7l67qWlo6gRolVr5sQvwVRw/s320/blogger-image-1174676846.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A NBA game was going on with the Portland Timbers &<br />a whole group of people wanted their pictures taken with us one-by-one.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48ZW8A0CYI2Nzo3w-huD5sw5ETlgeD6dvaPChjf0_nUPx3K6lTskZAts6hN2G6BIn0G08yjBknNRuibJwIFTqFnncqpK4BeVw9Mo7V1RJ2qLfwnhLUCtEUXsGXc8Q_UOxAin6cWxNkQ/s640/blogger-image--1891529807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48ZW8A0CYI2Nzo3w-huD5sw5ETlgeD6dvaPChjf0_nUPx3K6lTskZAts6hN2G6BIn0G08yjBknNRuibJwIFTqFnncqpK4BeVw9Mo7V1RJ2qLfwnhLUCtEUXsGXc8Q_UOxAin6cWxNkQ/s320/blogger-image--1891529807.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With the lil calves jonesin' to get to Powell's Bookstore,<br />there was no way we were going to make them wait in line,<br />but I had to get a picture at Voo Doo Donuts!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDrxbp_jhzkpEhbM5j7nBxROtfzkmAzj5S5WuaEZJsiKR8chhtLchf0iYz0_rfMyr2_NwMSsLtLqw4laQRj8TldjuhUaZD5HBNwmDKoObH6ta6pWS-W99acd0bPFa-Frodp53y3b1mQ/s640/blogger-image--146068352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDrxbp_jhzkpEhbM5j7nBxROtfzkmAzj5S5WuaEZJsiKR8chhtLchf0iYz0_rfMyr2_NwMSsLtLqw4laQRj8TldjuhUaZD5HBNwmDKoObH6ta6pWS-W99acd0bPFa-Frodp53y3b1mQ/s320/blogger-image--146068352.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">He was so excited to find this little seat JUST for him.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7uFoCoLHSQsdNc1HsxB4fboQNwyrYOMe2wJOYmUkBC60Pk9KO0YG9qiOul9rKBqEdqnMZuwiNMfqw2Xsj5WVy_-ce53SsObf1tlliQNEj2c5r-G83oYEMueM1tCwbnzZ_hP9PYheFg/s640/blogger-image--46365118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7uFoCoLHSQsdNc1HsxB4fboQNwyrYOMe2wJOYmUkBC60Pk9KO0YG9qiOul9rKBqEdqnMZuwiNMfqw2Xsj5WVy_-ce53SsObf1tlliQNEj2c5r-G83oYEMueM1tCwbnzZ_hP9PYheFg/s320/blogger-image--46365118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yep--that's us. Portland Prime!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There were dozens of Portland landmarks I considered tracking down for photo ops, but we'd achieved our original goal of hitting the mural. Every time these little guys dress up with us, I wonder when they'll decide that it IS weird and that they're too cool to cow. So far, it's not weird to them and it's still fun. My personal hope is that they don't ever think "weird" and "fun" have to be mootually exclusive. So often--espectially with cowing--they are one in the same.</div>
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On the way home, I asked this little guy what his favorite part of the trip was. He could choose from hiking in the redwoods, beach combing for shells, swimming in the ocean, visiting a cheese factory, scouting out star fish in tide pools, going on a whale watch tour, and visiting Portland. He loved Powell's Bookstore but said his favorite part of the entire trip was the Old Spaghetti Factory. Weirdo. [wink]</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREX7VEoqMr5Ig1VcHSujEahug1wxWLLZmskKR86pgMSxxmtsfB_ZTTXgATX08TAo8GuM6tQNMbKSYQV-PAIDcefqM0BMT0_VxEtqLUrMdHYHT0mBbJ16HI7D-A3B7PfksEJbFPVUUaQ/s1600/spghetti.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREX7VEoqMr5Ig1VcHSujEahug1wxWLLZmskKR86pgMSxxmtsfB_ZTTXgATX08TAo8GuM6tQNMbKSYQV-PAIDcefqM0BMT0_VxEtqLUrMdHYHT0mBbJ16HI7D-A3B7PfksEJbFPVUUaQ/s1600/spghetti.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I got my "Weird" picture &<br />
they got their Old Spaghetti Factory.<br />
Win-win</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-36258439549712699522014-08-06T08:42:00.001-07:002014-08-06T09:19:45.995-07:00Cows Say "Cheese!"<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I went to junior high and high school with this guy
named Jim. Jim married this gal named Nicole. I became Facebook friends with
Nicole after my 20 year high school reunion, and then on a plane one day I got
a group message from Nicole to her friend Mary Rumiano and me. She said, “I
want to introduce you two. Mary’s family owns a cheese company and Billie
dresses up in a cow suit, so it seems like you two should meet.” Or something
like that. On a four hour flight with
the plane’s wifi, I had ample time to “stock” Mary’s profile. When I saw that
the cheese company was in Crescent City, California…I KNEW THE COW SUIT WOULD GET
THERE!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mom didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but one thing
she budgeted for was a week vacation each summer. We had two different ones to
the Oregon and northern California coast and our FAVORITE hotel and FAVORITE
beach were in Crescent City. I’ve been back once about ten years ago and
decided to make another trip this year. Yeah, yeah…seeing the redwoods and the
Oregon Coast and the kites and the waves and the tide pools are all great
things for kids (and adults) to experience, but COWS SEEING HOW CHEESE IS MADE??? That doesn’t happen every day, but by golly,
it happened on our vacation.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo-jN45piqEpX75isi3OJsGYvFnc1BFULol_QbgM3oPvCf_N9gfQcgXvcY2iAXgrdjqHpoI231ZqOv88h8xLanXoyFZyauAFF02NqyqIuh570b2C_0ld2wfPG3ozEHLOtkFDmnQvAJQ/s1600/IMG_0332%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo-jN45piqEpX75isi3OJsGYvFnc1BFULol_QbgM3oPvCf_N9gfQcgXvcY2iAXgrdjqHpoI231ZqOv88h8xLanXoyFZyauAFF02NqyqIuh570b2C_0ld2wfPG3ozEHLOtkFDmnQvAJQ/s1600/IMG_0332%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Jack. On our way to try some Jack Cheese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…this cheese factory…let me tell you. These people are
amazing! They were so nice and gave us a
great explanation of their operations and history. They could really use to get their employees
some cow suits though. One of the gals in the office looked at us so
wistfully. To heck with casual Friday—how
about was Cow Suit Tuesday!</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqZSrdFzv80smUW5NW3VBTHXkQ481jFgN4RCYpZLL5yQv_c3q69FOBk_9XYWAu3c454gsnJgUzcb3fZuN5uwNUGePPFQLC9G-ljHnHqWmbtSc4MRXuceb00G_uXgUydDobK0OryVBQQ/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqZSrdFzv80smUW5NW3VBTHXkQ481jFgN4RCYpZLL5yQv_c3q69FOBk_9XYWAu3c454gsnJgUzcb3fZuN5uwNUGePPFQLC9G-ljHnHqWmbtSc4MRXuceb00G_uXgUydDobK0OryVBQQ/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" height="320" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calves' older teenage sister took this pic.<br />
We invite her every time to wear a suit, <br />
and...well, her reaction is udderly normal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rumiano Cheese is fourth generation run. FOUR GENERATIONS. Pictured here are Baird and his son Joby.
Baird casually said at one point, “Our signature cheese will be transported and
aged in cellars that my grandfather built in 1921.” Whoa. Nineteen.
Twenty. One. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ_cUhnvXSKdPlLZ3koR5YcAx4GuBxZ7MysRuxP2pied_VflApDDFz9mbuSbG2JGsTlcxitqVnTBKY-66md_nEGDDpIPXldT7CN9IkFlFE09m3Cbd9ahIk8yZ-yXCWmF_UsC7bQvIvg/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ_cUhnvXSKdPlLZ3koR5YcAx4GuBxZ7MysRuxP2pied_VflApDDFz9mbuSbG2JGsTlcxitqVnTBKY-66md_nEGDDpIPXldT7CN9IkFlFE09m3Cbd9ahIk8yZ-yXCWmF_UsC7bQvIvg/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Baird added that his chief cheese makers have been with them for over
30 years. I hadn’t had a sample at this
point. It got a little harder to pay
attention the more he talked about their flavors and manufacturing methods.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To ensure their top quality operations are maintained, they aren't able to offer tours, but you can get a glimpse through the window in their store. And we were some lucky cows to know one of the Rumiano herd who arranged our lesson in the cheese manufacturing flow. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceDkhW9OgLVEtib8UVmfdWrtwv9rARvDzDeuFF1dlSQoc_oGtvEWsJSoK4mR-zHWY5RINFw4VEeH0TzO278fw9XbsjXlq5kuVrytc8dVky4qQG6Wgay7UPAridM132S8ZKbea7WoG_A/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceDkhW9OgLVEtib8UVmfdWrtwv9rARvDzDeuFF1dlSQoc_oGtvEWsJSoK4mR-zHWY5RINFw4VEeH0TzO278fw9XbsjXlq5kuVrytc8dVky4qQG6Wgay7UPAridM132S8ZKbea7WoG_A/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a glimpse of their udderly amazing operations!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the day that we stopped by to say “Moo”, they were making some reduced fat cheddar specifically for school lunch programs. They talked us through their processes from the brown cows that provide the milk (pft—not the black and white Holsteins like us), the machines that make the curds and whey, when the actual cheese forms, how it’s packaged, how the whey protein is extracted into the most pure and finest concentration of whey protein in the world (in the world!), how they test for purity, and then how they treat their waste water and recycle it.<br />
<br />
A snapshot of any given aspect of Rumiano Cheese could offer
business class examples of best practices and success. One of my favorite aspects of their operations is that they are Non GMO certified, USDA
Organic and the cows that provide their milk have year-round access to pasture.
They are certified American Humane. And
we can attest—they were sooo nice to us cows!!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RrGwoPUydrmD351ZPkrH9aab_rXxSu0PozAMgu5yrSw7CCvcxWcd5ryjG-Ugyrzmd-T83cgJ0KzjsMhZgJIvuy5JnrFGaJ3al75vjK3gfTc1V0S5cs0DH8yG20q4p623qAmt3HeIUQ/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RrGwoPUydrmD351ZPkrH9aab_rXxSu0PozAMgu5yrSw7CCvcxWcd5ryjG-Ugyrzmd-T83cgJ0KzjsMhZgJIvuy5JnrFGaJ3al75vjK3gfTc1V0S5cs0DH8yG20q4p623qAmt3HeIUQ/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They've got a great little store and they ship!<br />
(more so in the winter months when the<br />
quality of their product can be easier maintained)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be on the lookout for Rumiano cheese! The cows favorites are
the mild cheddar and smoked dry jack. And the curds… the cows LOVED Rumiano
cheese curds! Of course we did. Who wouldn’t? Especially after getting the
inside look at Rumiano Cheese—curd-esy of
Baird and Joby. Moooochas gracias!</div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-16072745909070779392014-07-21T06:37:00.001-07:002014-07-21T06:42:33.968-07:00My Moootual of Omaha Aha Moment<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've traveled to Montana to film a Mutual of Omaha aha moment. Their traveling air stream trailer will be in Pocatello in a few weeks, but I'll be on vacation. After emailing back and forth with one of their reps about where their traveling schedule.... Great Falls, Montana worked for the cow. This is my script I'll be working from. A lot of it will undoubtedly be edited and cut out, but that's their job. I just cow. Wish me luck!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanJimHsyo8T1rVlGxaupyuF5j1VZnPn-9iK0cp94BUJB4TsPFoGm2P_bE9ULLIoe6WNNnGnbskFmPNyP3G2WZidhko08DfAOzs0FL3Z19643q6LDa9urdBEauLVUkSHVR3qEjE5kFOg/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanJimHsyo8T1rVlGxaupyuF5j1VZnPn-9iK0cp94BUJB4TsPFoGm2P_bE9ULLIoe6WNNnGnbskFmPNyP3G2WZidhko08DfAOzs0FL3Z19643q6LDa9urdBEauLVUkSHVR3qEjE5kFOg/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My name is Billie Johnson and this is my “Mootual” of Omaha aha moment.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazeorLbLImySP-ZmgCOEAMYG2nlKNCZTc0lNQgnLOKjHcIfl5VStxbLH2m43XZqmD9nAaiX6X7Z2JjdGWcc_NRUY46mfl02rtJCFgRRrZ1DTYS5MwZai16cxlvfYe5xXm6M71iUaCtg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazeorLbLImySP-ZmgCOEAMYG2nlKNCZTc0lNQgnLOKjHcIfl5VStxbLH2m43XZqmD9nAaiX6X7Z2JjdGWcc_NRUY46mfl02rtJCFgRRrZ1DTYS5MwZai16cxlvfYe5xXm6M71iUaCtg/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I bought my first
cow suit 20 years ago for a Halloween party. It was college—I wore it now and
then just to be goofy. Then when I graduated, I wore it for some more
Halloweens and on more occasions to be goofy. And then I wore it out, so I got
another one.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some friends and I
got involved in fundraising for cancer research, so we got some more cow suits
to make a herd. I realized during a particular event in which cancer survivors—both
those currently undergoing treatment and those who’ve been in remission for
years—were walking a lap around a track while other participants cheered. My
herd was located near the end of their lap on the inside turn. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of those
currently undergoing chemo and those who were elderly were tired. Weary and
breathless. Their heads were drooping while they focused on their breathing and
their steps. Until they saw our herd. We were clapping and cheering and jumping
up and down. And just the sight of our floppy ears and udders changed their expressions
immediately. They held their heads. They smiled. They mastered every next step
before them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few years later a
friend and I decided to surprise her husband by cheering at a marathon. We set
up just before halfway with signs that said “Keep mooooving” and “You are
incredi-bull” and we waited for him. While we waited, we started to cheer for
other runners. The pain and punishment they put themselves through… and the pride
of everyone that passed was astounding. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many were exhausted.
The sun was starting to make the road hot and blisters and cramps were
beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each runner had a
story. Sure, there were a few seasoned competitors that gave us a smirk but
didn’t want to expend any energy to thwart a personal best time, but many many
more were struggling. Some were noticeably overweight but still tackling a
goal. Some had pictures of lost loved ones screened on their shirts or in their
hands. One lady had her shoulder in a sling and some fiercely resisted the
desire to stop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But when they saw
the cows, they smiled. Their posture and their gate transformed and they ran
taller as they passed. It wasn’t me; it was my cow suit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><b>My a-ha moment came to me on the side of the
road, sweating in the sun, squinting in my cow suit and clapping and cheering
for friends and strangers.</b></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><b>
People smile at me my cow suit. They laugh. They look. We meet eye-to-eye and
exchange more smiles and more quips. This would never happen in everyday
clothes. I need to write about my cow suit and I need to wear it more often.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started writing
that day, and I have no doubt that a book will come at some point, but I keep
adding chapters and I keep collecting smiles in my cow suit, and it’s hard to
keep up with them all. So, I started a blog at Cow Suit Saturday dot com. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve cowed and
collected smiles in 8 states so far, and I’ll make it to all 50. I consistently
cheer at community 5K’s. I’ve played my trombone in a cow suit. I got a tattoo,
jumped off diving boards, visited hospital patients, went to the dentist, rode
busses and subways, and did laundry in a New England laundromat in my cow
suit. I added a Cape to invent my own superhero “The CowCulator” who speaks to
kids about careers in math and science.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve worn my suits with high school
classmates, professional colleagues, kids, strangers, friends and all by
myself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cow suit is
ridiculous. It’s a skosh irreverent. It’s whacky. It’s simple, and it must be
magical, because the smiles it inspires are pure magic. I look forward to every
Cow Suit Saturday.</span></span></div>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-853849432133185292014-07-13T21:10:00.002-07:002014-07-13T21:10:16.482-07:00When the Cow Comes Home to Lava Hot SpringsThis one. This one is about the pictures. I knew we could get some good pictures. (Mooochas gracias to Jena for taking them.)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogiDRzkeT0amk8rIIBxzNfsiXo8rvK8INX7-p1It0vDRUxB1fdzvVf2wHFEpVYkncEoB7E-LqgNraH_XukmZ22Qlzx-smqGtQEkOQTmxCrDT23qtU91Kl0o78nGCMFaAW-Y1wHXvccw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogiDRzkeT0amk8rIIBxzNfsiXo8rvK8INX7-p1It0vDRUxB1fdzvVf2wHFEpVYkncEoB7E-LqgNraH_XukmZ22Qlzx-smqGtQEkOQTmxCrDT23qtU91Kl0o78nGCMFaAW-Y1wHXvccw/s1600/photo.JPG" height="400" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COWABUNGA!</td></tr>
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<div>
I LOVE diving boards and I LOVE Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. "Lava" is pronounced with a short a like "lad" not a schwa like "lawn." And, yes, I know that's not how you pronounce what comes out of a volcano. But this is a little town in Idaho. Not molten sludge seeping from the earth. (Although, it WAS pretty hot today in Lava.)</div>
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I learned to swim in this pool in the 70's when my parents owned a bar and restaurant called the Lava Lounge in the town of just under 500. Are you pronouncing it correctly? After their divorce, I'd go visit my dad on the weekends and sometimes during the week in the summer. I remember a few trips to this pool by myself to just swim and dive and be young and free. My dad died when I was 13, and got sick when I was 12. Holy cow! I must have been younger than that for my solo trips to the pool. Can you even imagine letting an 11 year old walk through a little town and go swimming by herself? There were early or late weekday hours when I was the only one in the entire complex with the pool to myself.</div>
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I first jumped off of their 10 meter (33 foot high dive platform) all by myself. No one was there to cheer, encourage or cajole, but it didn't matter. I didn't need it and I had a ball flying through the sky and bouncing off the boards. If I hadn't have been able to venture out and discover this kind of fun on my own, I doubt that I'd be able to truly enjoy adventures and fun with others. The ole...You gotta be happy with yourself and by yourself before you can truly be happy with others...yeah. I started learning that right here when I'd return home to Lava Hot Springs.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS-wwJfSX0wXFGKk1UVlqTFEAwwsPbPwc5MspcMIuA5DBtHNwyOFqlt7dFZIouJAQca4Seo8ZOaQYK4hJ2-ZvdB4i2EZV0712uMVi0YNUeAtWme0eVLTkCwzm-0G_oXtvNBs1TIyd2g/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS-wwJfSX0wXFGKk1UVlqTFEAwwsPbPwc5MspcMIuA5DBtHNwyOFqlt7dFZIouJAQca4Seo8ZOaQYK4hJ2-ZvdB4i2EZV0712uMVi0YNUeAtWme0eVLTkCwzm-0G_oXtvNBs1TIyd2g/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suited up and ready to jump!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmWOzkkV2-pYRDDCAJ03Ps-qq7sBOsqBVVCVqNp8VhG_OIjAz4uF3e-ZQTULywUoOEFppm-YaGkKTihJTRE_LyA3f5XixmQkO1rXT3I4_5udwD6tfkeXyBqIJqnx9fI5h2T6o6FZq1Q/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmWOzkkV2-pYRDDCAJ03Ps-qq7sBOsqBVVCVqNp8VhG_OIjAz4uF3e-ZQTULywUoOEFppm-YaGkKTihJTRE_LyA3f5XixmQkO1rXT3I4_5udwD6tfkeXyBqIJqnx9fI5h2T6o6FZq1Q/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That "No Running" is SO for me right now. And I'm never so naked under a cow suit. This is weird.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95HslgisWuCOT-aLVXe6JjKDqF7DLimhWyzMhzTsSsFJV9xwwa1DUjLX5dRBNMNq5x_RqPjFcRpcBXFquWKQGD1oo99qZcgeuqwvs739DL1UfRMjj5O49b_dWNmJH7RRpXMr3__btgQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95HslgisWuCOT-aLVXe6JjKDqF7DLimhWyzMhzTsSsFJV9xwwa1DUjLX5dRBNMNq5x_RqPjFcRpcBXFquWKQGD1oo99qZcgeuqwvs739DL1UfRMjj5O49b_dWNmJH7RRpXMr3__btgQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kindly waiting for the kid below me. Although...<br />getting crushed by a cow in the Lava pool would be a GREAT story for him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaE6rZpR6jd9Wg90RozNPaiSvTOV2MX5uyPWCOxsid8qBGIumyO4WUfXqn9zAeGzhKUDTb5TiAu-CdMVmzjXJ4diwzHjqF-oeJiJRjZFPkx6gT4sHrY2VIxX7Qiyp7TIy8vD-IL8xNw/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaE6rZpR6jd9Wg90RozNPaiSvTOV2MX5uyPWCOxsid8qBGIumyO4WUfXqn9zAeGzhKUDTb5TiAu-CdMVmzjXJ4diwzHjqF-oeJiJRjZFPkx6gT4sHrY2VIxX7Qiyp7TIy8vD-IL8xNw/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took diving lessons as a calf. Look at those hooves. Can you tell?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXM5Po2nMkOTpp21D8YDiAi2G9vCpcw0wfldMM8577Q62aZB19964DwgK53St0DkrEfGc1ogBXAXPkxTOXTMmsAm1_rHAdLtG65e7NF3qBW78qixDxMtN4jBl_G3jFcKp6gm51frduA/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXM5Po2nMkOTpp21D8YDiAi2G9vCpcw0wfldMM8577Q62aZB19964DwgK53St0DkrEfGc1ogBXAXPkxTOXTMmsAm1_rHAdLtG65e7NF3qBW78qixDxMtN4jBl_G3jFcKp6gm51frduA/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost angelic with the clouds behind me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4oTLjBWb_uSJNcw3344mLIIFjgiri6iFJsOpHjGHncfdjXtq4YVmVrXm1_jNZ74eJGU001S8vmE95E9W7qJjGoIBX9p6FFaMdu1QX528IANxGRrSf0MiYc4Vj29yHt7B_25zsbHowQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4oTLjBWb_uSJNcw3344mLIIFjgiri6iFJsOpHjGHncfdjXtq4YVmVrXm1_jNZ74eJGU001S8vmE95E9W7qJjGoIBX9p6FFaMdu1QX528IANxGRrSf0MiYc4Vj29yHt7B_25zsbHowQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And thus concludes my smiliest jump & entry from a diving board ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtGkN5_j1TuiCiK2old3KK6Z1aPdPtTd_rQtUqw1YLnocSKcObtOWBkXv2BP9Tlkm39YeIHWg4CEAVZrS2urF_0W6I-RfwcrZr1DyxKHl6moR9JwP4y8txp7kX5lMwt1oZCj1Kv7OJw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtGkN5_j1TuiCiK2old3KK6Z1aPdPtTd_rQtUqw1YLnocSKcObtOWBkXv2BP9Tlkm39YeIHWg4CEAVZrS2urF_0W6I-RfwcrZr1DyxKHl6moR9JwP4y8txp7kX5lMwt1oZCj1Kv7OJw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That. Was. Awesome.<br />(the clinging, skin tight cow suit is not awesome.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj988dFrAxEXnB9tyQ2Pf9M68HxzvaXvWMy2SeRYqB-njH4obDbY_38rDSRIxLCwbm6NiY0sfDhtsVPuFiSVGj-Ait9bdsn-UJ-5kQPC751Cxlfic_4VMdqdlFbORRUrjl_gTmtMQ5J3Q/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj988dFrAxEXnB9tyQ2Pf9M68HxzvaXvWMy2SeRYqB-njH4obDbY_38rDSRIxLCwbm6NiY0sfDhtsVPuFiSVGj-Ait9bdsn-UJ-5kQPC751Cxlfic_4VMdqdlFbORRUrjl_gTmtMQ5J3Q/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="300" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't you do this as a kid? Why don't we do it any more? Sometimes it takes a cow suit to let yourself act like a kid again. (clearly)</td></tr>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-39317012554893795802014-07-12T07:09:00.001-07:002014-07-12T07:09:22.127-07:00A Stay-at-Home Heifer and Me<div class="MsoNormal">
I imagine Katie cringed at the title of our blog. Not many 40+
women enjoy, let alone embrace, bovine-related monikers, but Katie’s now in the
club. Welcome, Katie Cow! You’ve got no udder choice than to embrace it now.</div>
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Katie and her family just had a vacation and returned to
Idaho for a week from their relatively new home in Texas. Katie and I shared a
number of experiences in our youth—junior high, high school and Lutheran
confirmation—before our paths diverged as they do in life. When I met Katie, I
thought it was so cool that the last four digits of her phone number, her
street address and a bike lock were all “3836”. The phone and address were a
coincidence, but her dad finagled the bike lock. I remember thinking how cool
it must be to have a dad who would do that.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaog_pr0v4XkDIfvK5yvBlQdI5XglHd7ah8EPtgvyHBDOII9zJNzkwhC4b3MBLz4oe6DafpX9c99jwNfvb2Jmi_vgCf7SXdPwseXgesKqFRH22vTAY6xlLha3ieyXsiaQ-YFqzXdPaQ/s1600/IMG_9724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaog_pr0v4XkDIfvK5yvBlQdI5XglHd7ah8EPtgvyHBDOII9zJNzkwhC4b3MBLz4oe6DafpX9c99jwNfvb2Jmi_vgCf7SXdPwseXgesKqFRH22vTAY6xlLha3ieyXsiaQ-YFqzXdPaQ/s1600/IMG_9724.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wooden porch of Katie's childhood home still smells the same!</td></tr>
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We had junior high slumber parties at Katie’s house and a
gaggle of girls would sneak out of the yard to go toilet papering. Or we’d simply
wander the neighborhood at midnight. Caution: honor student renegades outside
of the fence. Anytime we came across a parked van, Katie would steer our entire
group to the middle of the street because she was sure there was a bad guy in
there waiting to pull us in. Katie was careful and kind.</div>
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This same group of girls ate lunch together all the time
outside the front doors of Hawthorne Junior High when the sun was out. I would
bring one of those vending machine ten-cent bouncy balls and we’d play a game
where we’d all stand in a group and one person would throw the ball at the school
wall and then we’d swarm to catch it. I remember Katie being a good cross
country runner and not all that coordinated, but she had moments of sheer
cutthroat and victory going after the bouncy ball. Katie was driven and
playful.</div>
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When we got to high school, I became engrossed in athletics
and band and our friendship waned. It
sounds so sad as I type and in my middle-aged, seemingly-constant state of PMS
where tears are always at the surface. It’s hard not to let one escape here. High
school was the best damn time of my life. With her parents getting divorced
shortly after, I don’t think high school was as grand for Katie, but she
graduated with a 4.0+ and all sorts of college credits from advanced placement
classes. Katie was smart and ambitious. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I reconnected with Katie over Facebook and at our twenty
year high school reunion. Our lives really did take very different paths. I’m
in the 18<sup>th</sup> year of my career as an engineer in the semiconductor
industry. I don’t have kids of my own and am currently living alone but dating
someone with three kids. Katie is a stay at home mom to 11 year old Sarah, 9
year old Matthew and 1 year old Bryan. A couple years ago, she was in the midst
of exploring options to return to school or the workforce when her health necessitated
a double mastectomy. And then Bryan came along. (I mentioned Katie’s procedure
in my “<a href="http://turtlestruthsandprunes.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-other-sides-of-pink.html" target="_blank">The Other Sides of Pink</a>” column for the Idaho State Journal.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve met and gotten to know
quite a few stay at home moms over the years. Some have been lifelong friends
and some have been moms of kids at the school where I used to volunteer. It’s
not a role I can or have ever tried to imagine for myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My parents divorced when I was 3
and my mom was broke. Her social work license had lapsed and she struggled to
recertify, find child care, and afford child care. Then she struggled to afford
everything on a social worker’s salary when my dad wouldn’t pay child support. Thus
at age 3 began my mom’s indoctrination of “you will have a degree and a job and
a means to support yourself and never rely on anyone else because it is
dangerous and scary to rely on anyone but yourself.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, that is why I view Katie’s
[choose one: life, career, lifestyle choice] with a bit of fear and skepticism.
Not judgment, mind you. There’ve been a few reality shows that investigate
dangerous or dirty jobs. I think there is none more dirty or dangerous than
that of a stay at home mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esteem and sense of worth is
wrapped up in the behaviors and moods of little souls who have a mind of their
own,and sometimes they appear to have no mind at all. A sense of success in a day relies on their
manners and moods. The lack of mature and cerebral stimulation would make me
batty and the type of work entailed in a single day is constant with no
reprieve. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After I wrote a column touting
the benefits of reading to children at night, a friend said to me, “See, and at
that point in the day of a stay at home mom, when a child asks for one more
story, it can be like you being at the office going on your 15<sup>th</sup> hour,
having had a day of constant effort but attaining no significant
accomplishments due to a zillion interruptions and then having your boss ask
you to finish up one more report before you can relax in your day.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That single comparison inspired
a great deal of empathy in me for the stay at home mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was so glad that Katie got some time off of her job to cow
with me last weekend! She’d been in
touch about wanting to venture out in a cow suit and the Greenway Grind Color
Run worked out perfectly with our schedules.
I planned to pick Katie up from her childhood home at 7:30am and we were
going to go cheer for the runners and ring cowbells. As I scrolled through
Facebook that morning, Katie had posted the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>I'm getting ready to do something this morning that I've
never done before. It's stepping out of character and out of my comfort zone.
I'm not even sure I'll be very good at it. You only live once and only have a
few opportunities for such things, so I'm gonna do it. I have to admit, though,
that the "what were you thinking" thoughts are going through my head.
</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought…a lot of things. </div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">You poor thing. Don’t be nervous</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Good for you for taking a chance!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Oh
no. I suddenly feel some pressure to make this extra fun and memorable.<span style="background: white; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">She
sees cowing with me as an “opportunity”; I’m touched and humbled. <span style="background: white; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Oh,
Honey. I spend my own share of time wondering “what was I thinking?” and I also wonder if I should do more
things more often that make me pose the question. I bet you do, too. Let’s
go!<span style="background: white; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>Here are a few pics from our cowing adventure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbKOLN04Phh-u7w7EapirDvI_DMW75jI4s6faMcYv2-uDJtFgVB63Ah3b_E0MGqeEbm73qC9InRV15t_dIBIaCpMWBKxeVnEkdaqlwrFhDZW2ccdP1fEnULdITV45TSBuirEXKuvYRQ/s1600/IMG_9725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbKOLN04Phh-u7w7EapirDvI_DMW75jI4s6faMcYv2-uDJtFgVB63Ah3b_E0MGqeEbm73qC9InRV15t_dIBIaCpMWBKxeVnEkdaqlwrFhDZW2ccdP1fEnULdITV45TSBuirEXKuvYRQ/s1600/IMG_9725.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie is standing alone there in the middle after I had to hit the porta potty.<br />
(coming out of the porta potty in a cow suit is always funny)<br />
I considered leaving her here a bit to take it all in, but didn't want her to fret too long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVCRI7BMk8JaWvmxkSzZyf85wpSD-PGuBI5WdI-5S5jjArGonrBOvuhwj13B7GZn2UAVe0Buj-RUswcSE9LreRywaR-9VCzyP7_f4ogii33Ne8DMRwwxv7tmYSfe3TAuUQwIITAfe9A/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVCRI7BMk8JaWvmxkSzZyf85wpSD-PGuBI5WdI-5S5jjArGonrBOvuhwj13B7GZn2UAVe0Buj-RUswcSE9LreRywaR-9VCzyP7_f4ogii33Ne8DMRwwxv7tmYSfe3TAuUQwIITAfe9A/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the bucket of red chalk that we got to throw at the runners.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmRjY1QylPAoDDA5upVye94R7Dpp5XRh1haJmDclWl7yds3kpiYYL-bvgeek7hYL0gKWYkML70YyqjLlH4ehgZxg7pAmah0PUwbH2WLQ50mMsubSXOMgnVM5oUl7m0ltqrjNpfBvx7w/s1600/IMG_9727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmRjY1QylPAoDDA5upVye94R7Dpp5XRh1haJmDclWl7yds3kpiYYL-bvgeek7hYL0gKWYkML70YyqjLlH4ehgZxg7pAmah0PUwbH2WLQ50mMsubSXOMgnVM5oUl7m0ltqrjNpfBvx7w/s1600/IMG_9727.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ketchup and mustard bottles make it easy to target them.<br />
(This looks like a messed up add for canni-bull-ism.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eB6-QtvmInPi3Qy-WwUq5z9_YrgglbtFLjZo8rWfNYtmchvECx9IPdfPp2-DGWmXrQpvvn7y5S7fhkM_20So2kNm1BHwho9d5OK26qtQh8ON4nohoUkqxqRxz61VRoKTleQ8qD3H4A/s1600/IMG_9728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eB6-QtvmInPi3Qy-WwUq5z9_YrgglbtFLjZo8rWfNYtmchvECx9IPdfPp2-DGWmXrQpvvn7y5S7fhkM_20So2kNm1BHwho9d5OK26qtQh8ON4nohoUkqxqRxz61VRoKTleQ8qD3H4A/s1600/IMG_9728.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie... OWNING the cow suit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngW1mQoQabNaaHMjUKU2_K7eCg-iPHeDn3Y8YZY8zLvhWVaw_pAD8O7gw7FSmYjGZma9fa6NOdN2tW14HaltvHzK0F1sKjm0TPYBmsc38YNGJrfI7bblJ8AcKwy8H2makiXwArbC8dg/s1600/IMG_9731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngW1mQoQabNaaHMjUKU2_K7eCg-iPHeDn3Y8YZY8zLvhWVaw_pAD8O7gw7FSmYjGZma9fa6NOdN2tW14HaltvHzK0F1sKjm0TPYBmsc38YNGJrfI7bblJ8AcKwy8H2makiXwArbC8dg/s1600/IMG_9731.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie cow lies in wait.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY71CSxGnSFKxgze1ldFKzDbGPlA2thZ9aDQiFh1CNrSt00-dzRO-2-mgbWnepwMhdaJtFwHOBtjzTO3a4VpkbW7XcNpW14cZmqJRgFQ0wRIE1N_wXyMpqZeU81BdrPyqojhnSFoCMA/s1600/IMG_9733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY71CSxGnSFKxgze1ldFKzDbGPlA2thZ9aDQiFh1CNrSt00-dzRO-2-mgbWnepwMhdaJtFwHOBtjzTO3a4VpkbW7XcNpW14cZmqJRgFQ0wRIE1N_wXyMpqZeU81BdrPyqojhnSFoCMA/s1600/IMG_9733.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It did take us a little bit not to hit the runners in the face, but by the end, we were pros.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Up above I described Katie from my old memories as being careful, kind, driven, playful, smart, and ambitious. I still think she is all of these things and her moments with me in the cow suit cinched it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
But I wonder… how many stay at home moms truly see and feel their own
strengths and terrific qualities?The
intense focus on the kids and house and home and husband can make a woman lose
focus on the wonderful things in her. Just
in case it’s ever out of focus, Katie, don’t doubt this cow! And I don’t know
what you were worried about…being good at it. Just look at yourself—you were a
flawless color-flinging cow!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I was really disappointed that I forgot to ask one of the runners or
race organizers to take our picture together. Gee, guess we’ll have to do this
again.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-87025630928969654942014-06-28T07:54:00.000-07:002014-06-28T08:11:53.646-07:00I Cow For Me<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt;">Since
I've started blogging and writing for the ISJ, I really haven’t had much
negative feedback. Putting my writing out there has, for the most part, perpetuated
my naiveté that, “Can’t we all just get along?” isn't a stupid question. [therapy blog alert!]</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
the negative side, I had one guy call me at work to harass me a bit and I
received a message via Facebook at the beginning of June that led to the following dialogue:</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Random Lady: Hi Billie you don't know me but I've
heard a lot about you. </span></i><i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was at the council meeting of which you "came out" 2 years ago. </span></i><i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do know you were apart of Fair Pocatello which is very commendable on your part.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a but in this matter and I want you to know I'm going to be saying this solely on how I see YOUR actions through my eyes and don't mean to disrespect YOU in any way, so here it is </i><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">PLEASE stop wearing that cow suit </i><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">around town for no apparent reason to. This does not look good for the lesbian </i><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">image. </i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">I have been out for 8 years now and never had the urge to dress up in any animal suit.</span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">Now im not saying this to hurt you as I am just bringing it to your attention as how to best represent the lesbian image.</span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 13.45pt;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 13.45pt;">Like I said at the beginning of this letter it takes strength to be who YOU are in public but drawing undo attention to a community that has people that have been living this rough tough life longer than you and me put together its just not the kind of </span></span>representation<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 13.45pt;"> I want to see myself as a fellow lesbian portrayed.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="line-height: 13.45pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">In kind regards Thank You for taking time to read this and PLEASE head the advice given to you today.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Huh? What? The “lesbian image”? Oh sweet cream butter, what
do I do with this?!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most people would say “Ignore it. “ That’s what I would say
to anyone else, but this really got to me. I think it got to me enough that I not-so-coincidentally
haven’t put a suit on since. If I’m going to keep writing, cowing and living, I've gotta thicken
my hide for heifer’s sake! Here’s what I
said to her:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Me: I feel like you are
judging me here without fully understanding Cow Suit Saturday and,
respectfully, I'm not claiming to be a formal "representative of the
lesbian image." I am a representation of ME. We all have experiences
through the lens of whatever label we give ourselves or others give us. The cow
suit has inspired smiles in others that wouldn't have happened without it. It's
made me smile. People don't see an engineer or a redhead or a woman or a dyke
(pardon the expression), they see what I corral and present to them in the cow
suit. The experience is always different, reflective and a joy to write about
and learn from.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">One
of the reasons I spoke at that city council meeting (there were many reasons)
is that I don't appreciate being judged based on the actions of
other GLBT people. So in that vein, I'm sympathetic to what you are saying. </span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BUT…I
COW FOR ME!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her: </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit;">I don't think im judging more like intrigued with a
bit of don't really understand why a cow suit? And on the curiosity side of it
why draw that kind of attention? I'm all for people being themselves but why
not being you without the suit you could still be that flashy lady without it</span></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit;">Oh, I’m
still a flashy lady without it. ;-) Ya know, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wear it with my
girlfriend and her kids at some of the local fun runs and we cheer and ring cow
bells. Triathlons too. The other night we saw about 40 cyclists leave on a
nightly ride from Barrie's. The six year old yelled from the back seat, "Why aren't we cheering?!?" It's just fun and different. He gets it. Lemme
know if ya wanna throw one on sometime and join the herd.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her: </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit;">And I see
how it would be fun as a family thing and it's cute when kids get involved. But
like you said it's rough getting judged by someone else's actions gay or
straight we each have different personalities, cultures, and views but I think
it's not going to be for me kind of thing after all I was just curious</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">She
probably still doesn't get it, and that’s okay. </span><span style="color: #333333;">The six year old
gets it. Many of you get it. But most importantly, I get it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.5pt;">One of my favorite quotes attributed to Friedrich Nietzsche (oh look at me quoting Nietzsche in my blog)</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 13.5pt;"><b>And those who
were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the
music.</b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;">I think he meant moosic. And I
hear it. I just need to turn it up a bit, put the cow suit on and do a lil dance.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXpNm90dXD7AoXhZb9K-2YJPdt6M8lcn-D1bXWOC6BjIcQo3iOdxr-n2EuuACUloWSm6J6Md_L1PDAIxiXAZqDI4Uxs9MasJy1Zdqju_3NeReuja-LthyphenhyphenCfgO6dKuI_brqVfFeLY1VA/s1600/CoolClips_anim0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXpNm90dXD7AoXhZb9K-2YJPdt6M8lcn-D1bXWOC6BjIcQo3iOdxr-n2EuuACUloWSm6J6Md_L1PDAIxiXAZqDI4Uxs9MasJy1Zdqju_3NeReuja-LthyphenhyphenCfgO6dKuI_brqVfFeLY1VA/s1600/CoolClips_anim0991.jpg" /></a></div>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-61814619081359481912014-05-01T22:32:00.000-07:002014-05-01T22:32:57.663-07:00A Bovine Beginning
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love it when Cow Suit Saturday falls on a weekday. Wahoo!!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight’s cow suit adventure was
bittersweet. I’ve included my friend Tara's Facebook post the other day and my
thoughts while I read it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tara lived in
the house right next door to me. I moved in before third grade, and I can’t
quite recall when her family moved to Texas for a stint, but they came back in
time for us to be in high school at the same time. I’m a skosh older. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve spent years being irritated at this family because Tara’s
younger brother Russell stepped on my turtle when he was about two. I figured
tonight I could let that go, while Tara let go of a few things herself. (I'm kidding about being irritated, but not about Myrtle's near death experience.)</span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tara’s Post with my
Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate a wedding
with cake…what do we do to acknowledge a divorce? Yes, nothing about it is a
celebration. However, like a wedding it is a new chapter, a new beginning and
that SHOULD be recognized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[I’m listening.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m done with people
feeling sorry for me, sadness, regret and shame. (so much of this.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[There is no shame in a cow suit.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, some celebrate with
a girls night, lots of alcohol and possibly a new relationship. That’s not for
me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[You go, Girl! What about a cow suit? Might that be for you?
I rallied some of my high school classmates to cow at your class’ reunion fun
run, and I’ve seen you at city fun runs, so you know the drill.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore, as I’ve
waited for nice weather since the day I got the notice, I want to host an
evening hike. I have learned of a decent trail off Satterfield and Lois Lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say we will hike to the top because I
have never been on this trail. All the more reason it will be perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[I think I’ve been on that trail. In regular clothes. It IS
quite lovely.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something new. A new
trail to hike. A new mountain to climb. New challenge for my body to
accomplish. A great sweat. And if we stay long enough, watching the sun set
over the valley and the reservoir.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[I have something else new you could try…..]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I realize a sunrise
may be more symbolic. This girl isn’t getting up early enough to hike in the dark
on a new trail to be at the top to watch the sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Yet]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So all you out there,
come out and help me commemorate this new beginning. Doesn’t have to be my
girls. Guys come also. Anyone. Everyone. Married. Single. Divorced. In fact we
all have new beginnings. New challenges. Bring the dogs. I won’t be bringing my
kids but you can do what works for you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Anyone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said “anyone,”
so that means cows. Yes!]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m perfectly ready to
walk the trail alone. A lot of meaning in that as well. However, I would love
to do this together.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[This would certainly be memorable for you, if cow suits
were involved. I’d hate for it to change whatever meaning you are hoping to glean,
so I probably better ask if you are okay with making this a bit of a bovine
beginning.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who wants to join me?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Raises hoof and sends a private message asking permission.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the Hike with
the Heifer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This might be one of my laziest blogs EVER because I'm using so much of Tara's text. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really, this was so not about me tonight.
It was a little about me in that I recall just barely some of the difficulties
my mom had as a single parent and a social worker, but mostly I just wanted to
be a joyful presence for Tara.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are a few of her contemplations after the hike:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Many times today I had
talked myself into cancelling. Sick kids, son has campout to pack for, daughter
has dance competition to pack for, kids to cuddle, dishes to do</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[I thought I wouldn't have minded if you cancelled. I always have a to-do list a mile long, and Satterfield is sooooo far away. In Pocatello, nothing is far
away. I was being lazy. For a dozen reasons, I'm glad we went.]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went anyway. I needed this. Keaton needed this. To see
him get to the top (or at least where we stopped) an know that he had accomplished
something. Ahhhh. It’s almost better to see someone else achieve a goal than it
is to achieve one yourself.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[I like Keaton. At one point on the hike, I said, “Good Job,
Man.” And through udder breathlessness he said, “Thank you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1) He said thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will write you a kick-ass letter of
recommendation for college entrance if you are an adolescent who simply says “thank
you” (2) He accepted that complement from me. He didn’t shrug it off or dismiss
it because darn it, he knew he was working hard and he WAS accomplishing
something. There is confidence in accepting compliments. (3) He put his hand out to shake mine when we were done and he smiled. Is this not one of the best smiles you've ever seen?</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZho6naD27L_6rMrFigv9LnNvbI9cSHa0uERNq4H5kBeorxDLNjmet0T5OpHosA6InCs7FnIVWvavYAdnLt1rvr93Q7cghwQIZi1cgxRdPI0I3kZmr85nT8V650sQrYrUxRziO_Kb_w/s1600/HikeKeaton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZho6naD27L_6rMrFigv9LnNvbI9cSHa0uERNq4H5kBeorxDLNjmet0T5OpHosA6InCs7FnIVWvavYAdnLt1rvr93Q7cghwQIZi1cgxRdPI0I3kZmr85nT8V650sQrYrUxRziO_Kb_w/s1600/HikeKeaton.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy the Newfoundland just shook slobber ALL over us!<br />
The most disgusting moment in a cow suit so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLZZtdfMEglXgu1EtXBF_Rwa3QD7DRBSSNDZknm122VX-CTlvqQRnqhzfU1X03aOneUmrm4P17ApYTngLW1OY2N1AoYHTLs6WpuMswqaxOVr7_tnUSV9DUR_VE0gZmTphsFFGCrik3Q/s1600/HikeMomAndSon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLZZtdfMEglXgu1EtXBF_Rwa3QD7DRBSSNDZknm122VX-CTlvqQRnqhzfU1X03aOneUmrm4P17ApYTngLW1OY2N1AoYHTLs6WpuMswqaxOVr7_tnUSV9DUR_VE0gZmTphsFFGCrik3Q/s1600/HikeMomAndSon.jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keaton wore the horns!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as for the marvels of seeing someone else achieve a goal…I totally agree. And sometimes that view is even better in a cow suit.]</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Billie, thank you for coming out and supporting me. Thanks for walking with me and absolutely for bringing the cow suits. I WILL one day…very soon…actually fit in the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[You're welcome. I think the goal of fitting in a cow suit is a fantastic irony and I would LOVE for you to be the one that gets that blog! ]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left what I needed on the hill. I came back with what I needed. Perfect way to start this new chapter and say goodbye to the last.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Amen, Sister!]</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHeUICLvG776zYqyHPZ_je14tx_oJddleH7j1vRkEkaLTElh_BrmytBdyz63me_9mc2kUf9OrZ95vwwSg9YSQ1_kWXXgG6n7FW5SRXSj9K_hhBLGC9Hm0-A7CbLbq0U7Pe9iRTyF88A/s1600/HikeHerd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHeUICLvG776zYqyHPZ_je14tx_oJddleH7j1vRkEkaLTElh_BrmytBdyz63me_9mc2kUf9OrZ95vwwSg9YSQ1_kWXXgG6n7FW5SRXSj9K_hhBLGC9Hm0-A7CbLbq0U7Pe9iRTyF88A/s1600/HikeHerd.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though I have longer arms, Tara totally took<br />
the better group shot after our hike. Let's do it again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIB2Bb6aMoNBHGE5Wbc6j-Y4XdvCiIQ3lk8UMju8kTALIXM_-88zKFrmK2STmP-eDOGWhsu7wplc0Tzh8rhx2AY0rYVaEF7Uz4bPW6m7if3keVDc8mcvQkWGsYYzzVB001gGzHBn0eQ/s1600/HikeVista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIB2Bb6aMoNBHGE5Wbc6j-Y4XdvCiIQ3lk8UMju8kTALIXM_-88zKFrmK2STmP-eDOGWhsu7wplc0Tzh8rhx2AY0rYVaEF7Uz4bPW6m7if3keVDc8mcvQkWGsYYzzVB001gGzHBn0eQ/s1600/HikeVista.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We really live in a beautiful place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; display: none; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-hide: all;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow2">We went anyway. I needed this. Keaton needed this.
To see him get to the top (or at least where we stopped) and know that he had
accomplished something. Ahhh. It's almost better to see someone else achieve a
goal than it is to achieve one of my own. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow2">And <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1423425790" href="https://www.facebook.com/billie.johnson.315"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Billie</span></a> thank you
for coming out and supporting me. Thank for walking with me and absolutely for
bringing the cow suits. I WILL one day...very soon...actually fit in the suit. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow2">I left what I needed on the hill. I came back with
what I needed. Perfect way to start this new chapter and say goodbye to the
last.</span></span></span></div>
Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296217661252352603.post-42468736043952265162014-04-04T19:49:00.000-07:002014-04-05T04:34:33.502-07:00Loads of Udder Fun: The Ricky-Billie Story<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could have fun with this one. This one could make me a
better writer if I wanted. It could give me practice at story-telling
and picture-painting, but I just don’t feel like I have time. I’m drawn in
directions of work, flights, fitness, a cold, friendships, writing,
investments, the dryer repair guy back home, the dogs, the kids, the lil old
lady, the new roomie….So. Many. Things.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ricky is the child who deserves my time with his early
reader, but I just want to zip through a picture book and get him to sleep so I
can do the things I need to. I don’t adore this guy any less or think any less of
our time cowing than the others…on the contrary. Ours is probably one of the
most memorable I’ll experience. He deserves the long book at storytime tonight.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While traveling on business, I looked forward to having to
do my laundry because the laundromat didn’t have wireless. I had to be there
and I couldn’t work. I couldn’t do a damn thing other than watch the clothes
spin and wait. And think. Dangerous, but welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About a month ago, my usual landromat after 7 months of
travel was packed on a Friday night so I googled the area. I met Ricky when I
found one on the other side of town. He characterized the area for me when he
said, “the Girl Scouts will be here tomorrow selling cookies, and by God this
might be the ghetto, but we’ll pay $4 to the kids for a box of cookies.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t cow that night, but the more we talked,
I knew I had to get this guy in a cow suit.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He'd come in skittering like a small dog and bellowed a “How
are ya? Is your day goin’ good? I hope it’s goin’ good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “It is!” I don’t recall if it really
was, but I wasn’t going to burst this happy stranger’s bubble. I felt my day
immediately become classified as one of the good ones just watching him. He
talked to the regulars interchanging seamlessly between Spanish and New
England English.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was in shorts and a winter coat with grungy white
sneakers. His legs looked like brown, hairy wiffle bats. (That is a bad simile
right there, but he had slight legs and it’s all I could think of. I’ve got to
shave tonight for crying out loud. So. Many. Things. I don’t have time to be
good here.) His appearance set the stage for his life story that I got while my
clothes dried. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He dropped out of high school because he was bullied and
joined the Navy. He got to see the world from a ship. He began his work in the
kitchen but told me it was attention to details and making things look pretty
and perfect that led him to be the Captain’s steward. (I think that’s what it’s
called.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He interrupted his story to
point to my bras hanging on the edge of one of their baskets on wheels. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s nice. I like that you made yourself at home. That’s
what I want. People to feel comfortable here.” I’m so glad he kept talking because
those nanoseconds after he pointed to my bras and said “that’s nice” had me
looking for the exits. He was cool, though.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I folded clothes while he told me about his world travels in
the Navy, his Portuguese heritage, growing up on that very block, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>buying a motorcycle after he left the service
and his plans for his birthday the next week. It’s February 27, by the way. He goes
to the cemetery on his birthday to spend time with relatives past. I get that.
I can see doing that. Here’s this happy-go-lucky, outgoing guy who also
recognizes his need for down time and time to reconnect with the parts and
people of his past that are important. It’s not morbid or sad but refreshing
and refueling. I thought about him at the cemetery on his birthday while I flew
home. (That was the day that led to my <a href="http://turtlestruthsandprunes.blogspot.com/2014/02/parrish-lane.html" target="_blank">Parrish Lane</a> blog.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I overheard him talking to one of the regulars about winning
the lottery. He said all the things I wish I felt. That he doesn’t need money.
That he’s happy managing a laundry mat with a simple life and being enriched by
the relationships and the people around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s one of those conversations that stick in your mind when you’ve been
away from your usual life, and pets and people for so long.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always said that I love my job but it’s certainly not
my passion. It puts more than a roof over my head and is better than working at
the Chevron until I figure out what to do with my life, but Ricky made me think
that working at a Chevron might just be the real deal. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition to managing the Laundromat, he maintains its
entire plaza which houses a little pizza place, a Chinese joint, and a 7-11. He
also DJ’s weddings now and then, and when he doesn’t have a DJ gig scheduled,
his disco ball and flashing lights hang in the laundromat. He turns them on
for the Saturday crowd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh yes. I wanted to dance with him in his ghetto New England
laundromat in a cow suit on a Saturday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him
about my blog and asked if I could come back and cow with him. He didn’t
hesitate with a "Yes!". I went home from that trip and had all my cow suits shipped to the
office so I’d be prepared for a laundromat dance party.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But there was a change in my plans and I stood him up. I
ended up being home on the weekend I’d told him and I didn’t know how to let
him know I wasn’t going to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d
spent a couple hours chatting with this guy, and I felt accountable to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may seem silly, but honestly,
I wish others felt this kind of accountability to their fellow man.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I showed up a week late with my laundry wondering if he’d
remember me. He did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He yelled, “Billie
Joe! (I don’t spell it with an “e” but he does) How are ya? You stood me up!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hung my head and apologized and tried to
explain why I missed our date. He said that was fine and that the owners weren’t
on board anyway. They were worried about law suits and liability if people got
hurt dancing. Ricky’s laundromat has a bit of a stage built up between the
washers and driers. (See his surfing pose below.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, I think mafia and they don't want the business publicized because I’m working too much and
surrounded by New England accents and inventing things in my spare time. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I let Ricky know I had cow suits in my car but that I understood.
(sigh) I had to accept a wonderful interaction with someone without a cow suit
and NOT write about it. But then…he said, “Ya know what…let’s get ‘em. Let’s
take some pictures.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we did!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We walked next door to the 7-11 to get a lottery ticket. He
took a breath to talk to me about money and happiness and I said, “I know. I know.
The money would change me and I may not be meant for it. But come on—what a
great story if the winning ticket was bought in a cow suit.” He smiled. I
escaped his money talk, but had a few of my own in my head while he danced
around and posed for pictures.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We stood with a couple of his regulars Augustino and Paully.
Paully told me his middle name begins with an “E” so he hears “Paul E” when
Ricky says his name, but Ricky says it as one word and with the New England
affection embodied in “Paully” so that’s how I know him.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We zipped around his little Laundromat taking pictures and
whooping it up. Pharrell William’s “Happy” was playing so there may have been a
dance move or two. Ricky takes such pride in the place and gets so much joy in
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that too.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After we decowed, he slipped out the door. He went to his little
duplex in the same little parking lot and came back with a frame. He gave me an
8x10 framed picture of his town from a 1950’s calendar. He told me it’s where
he grew up and how he remembers this town and he wanted me to have it. I feel
the same about my little home town.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve also spent
almost 5 months total in his town and this was a strangely appreciated gift. I
also understand framing calendar pictures. I used to have a collection of 12
calendar “prints” in my living room and got a bunch of crap from my friends for
it. It was cheap and counterfeit art and I loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that Ricky gave it to me.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To repay him, I compiled a collage of our pics and brought
him back another 8x10 frame. When I knocked on his door on a workday night this
week, I was in regular clothes and without laundry to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled and welcomed me in his little place.
He thanked me. He told me Paully had been showing the pictures all over town
and then said, “Wait! I wrote you a poem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He disappeared while I waited in his small but all-he-needs kitchen and
returned with these scribbles on an envelope.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cow suit lets me talk to people when I wouldn’t.
Ricky talks to anyone he meets in his laundromat and was a great reminder of
how I can be in and out of my suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His life
is as simple and joyful as our encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I bet I see this guy again someday. I hope I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB6ZTX1O9QNSDDbtO4YMqfeEbKXotI6iLBHSPTMfk8A8ENDCqF2sbZpUuTnCx8QgYi2IallnzovXVuseaJpNa9H5I1fGMiAFwelk7hMZWtUEAlcZlvEKvh45GwOWRWE3b-4Ec8F-r3A/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB6ZTX1O9QNSDDbtO4YMqfeEbKXotI6iLBHSPTMfk8A8ENDCqF2sbZpUuTnCx8QgYi2IallnzovXVuseaJpNa9H5I1fGMiAFwelk7hMZWtUEAlcZlvEKvh45GwOWRWE3b-4Ec8F-r3A/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photo collage I gave Ricky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurAhkJw-bwBh30PLyfKcE6OIURS5jPxCvc85ZDRGWP7SCpSnP-P81GsjjD-YeeF8ozklKdluVukO4KKuC_KDMZRfrFIN02VhXXTOVziPbT-4Xh9PblHkGZy55b12S36E9A4WBQ-3RkA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurAhkJw-bwBh30PLyfKcE6OIURS5jPxCvc85ZDRGWP7SCpSnP-P81GsjjD-YeeF8ozklKdluVukO4KKuC_KDMZRfrFIN02VhXXTOVziPbT-4Xh9PblHkGZy55b12S36E9A4WBQ-3RkA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His poem.<br />
(and yes, this had a junior high flare, but it's the simple and good part of junior high)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Billie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03533217978922858482noreply@blogger.com1