How Could I Have Known?

I remember laying in the grass at Porter Park watching Jane play softball. She was the team pitcher, and we worked together on her pitches every year on our side yard. The black and white photo of her in this note was taken at one of the games at Porter Park.

I realized just this morning that as I watched some of the games held there, I was less than 200 meters from the duplex where I now live. It's interesting to me, and I sometimes wonder at how things in life change. I could not have known then that I would eventually be living only a short distance from where I was laying on the grass, my life changed.

A wise friend told me shortly after Jane passed away that there would be many "firsts." I don't remember them mentioning "seconds" or possibly even "thirds."

Thanks go out this morning to my friend Bob L. who pointed out the blazing sunrise, causing me to look out my back door and notice how things have changed.

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears . . .

-Sunrise, Sunset (From Fiddler on the Roof)

Jane Pitching


Beautiful, blazing sunrise this morning.

The ball field (Porter Park) just outside my back door.

First Test

Today I had my first post test of the term. I was really stressed-out all morning long before the test. We have a Post Test every other Friday at 1pm during the term.

I haven't been in school for 2 years, and I have to pass every test with at least a 75%, so there's no room for any poor performance (not that I'm inclined) but it's just stressful.

One of my classmates quizzed me before we went into the testing room, and I felt a bit better after that. We have exactly one hour to take the test and then the computer will boot you off. The first 4 or 5 questions were pretty easy, and I was confident that I had chosen the correct answers.

There were 30 computer questions, and about 10 written questions. I finished the computer part in about 25 minutes, checked my answers one more time, and then submitted. It came back with 28 correct answers and 2 wrong for a raw score of 93.3%! Woo Hoo!

I'm sure I did well on the written part too, so it looks like I'm off to a good start . . .

Back in Nursing School

Two years ago in September, I began nursing school. If you were following my blog then, and my life since that time, you'll know the history of why I am starting all over again.

There are many similarities to that time, but many significant differences as well. Just to bring you up to speed:

This past May a couple contacted me and told me they had seen my house for sale and were interested in looking at it. I didn't know what they were talking about, since my house was not on the market. I asked them where they saw my house and they said, "zillow.com" Then I remembered having "listed" my house there over a year before. Zillow allows you to track the value of your home and watch the market trends.

The couple came over a few days later, and the next day they called and said they wanted to make an offer. Long story short, I accepted their offer, and closed escrow on the 29th of July. The sale of my home has allowed me to return to nursing school, so that's how I got here today.

Amy and I moved into a duplex rental on September 5th, and I spent the next few weeks unpacking, crying, and generally trying to get used to this new life. It was not easy to make the decision to return to school. All of the nurses I worked with at the Surgery Center continually told me that I needed to go back to nursing school. But I didn't see how I would be able to do so, until I sold my home.

So I am auditing the Fall Term because I successfully completed it two years ago. I need to pass all of the weekly exams, a skills challenge, and the final exam and then I will be admitted as a regular student in the Winter Term of 2010.

It's another 18 months of school (with the summer off) and if all goes according to plan (mine), I will graduate in 2011. It sounds like a long way off, but when I look back on the last 2 years, I wonder where the time went . . . well, not really. I know where the time went; but you know what I mean.

I will be journaling a little bit to keep everyone informed of my progress. Oh, and as always . . . I could use your prayers.

Road Trip to Canada - Day 7

We dragged ourselves kicking and screaming from Jackson, WY. this morning, but not before having a hearty breakfast at "BUBBAS" again. Biscuits and gravy for me, cheese omelet for Amy. Got a couple of souvenir coffee mugs too.

Drove south on Highway 26 until we reached Highway 89. Turned right at Alpine Junction onto Highway 26 and headed toward Swan Valley. Last time through here I stopped at "Swan Valley Custom Choppers" and met Carol, the proprietor. Her husband builds made to order custom Harley choppers for about $35,000 each. I got to tour the shop last time is was there. I am now doing a website for their shop, and it will be up and running in a few weeks.

Drove through Idaho Falls, and on to Craters of the Moon. Stopped for a quick lunch and then hit the road again toward Mt. Home, ID. The skies were mostly sunny, with a few clouds here and there, and all of a sudden we encountered a downpour that lasted about 2 miles, and then back out into the sunshine. Very cool.

Amy came through again with the wild animal photo of the day. We were driving along between Idaho Falls and Craters of the Moon when she spotted a group of antelope and took the photo below. Way to go Amy! Good eye!

Bubba's Restaurant in Jackson, WY.

High school class dates carved in the mountain at Arco, ID.

Amy spotted these antelope

Grumpy Old Man rock formation near Swan Valley, ID.

Ski area near our cabin in Jackson

Inside our cabin

Outside our cabin

Road Trip to Canada - Day 6

Left Bozeman at 8:00am yesterday and headed east toward Livingston, then south on Highway 89 toward the north entrance of Yellowstone.

Arrived in Yellowstone an hour or so later. We drove around a curve that ended up at the Yellowstone Lodge and there on the park lawn were about 25 elk grazing. They were within one road width away, and just munching on the grass and resting.

Of course, there is always one idiot in the bunch who thinks they're smarter than the park rangers . . . so this guy crosses the road to get a closer look. The park rangers (who were staged around the area) yelled at him to get back across the street, where they promptly lectured him on the dangers of approaching a female elk while the bull is close by.

Then we stopped at Mammoth Hot Springs. Amy and I walked up the 968 stairs (an estimation) to see the cauldron. I was underwhelmed this time (first time was 43 years ago when I was 11 or 12). The springs were quite dry, with only a couple of small pools still active. Still beautiful though.

Then on through the park where we eventually got stopped in traffic. It took us about 45 min. to travel 2 miles. We thought at first it was an animal siting, then perhaps an accident, or road construction. It turns out that we were following a small group of bison who decided the road was much faster to travel on than the meadows of Yellowstone. We finally caught up with the group of bison, and took a few photos. While traveling along in the car, Amy was reading the warning pamphlet regarding approaching the bison. She said, "Dad, I want to see somebody get gored by a buffalo." Oh, those kids . . .

We stopped at the Canyon lodge and Amy shopped (again) while I napped (again). Then we stopped at the lower Yellowstone falls and took some photos (beautiful). Finally headed south and decided to skip Old Faithful due to the onset of rain, and how late it was. Made it to Jackson, WY. at about 6:30pm and checked into our little cabin at the Elk Country Inn. It's a beautiful, cozy little place . . . the nicest one we've stayed at so far. Amy and I decided that next time we do this trip, we'll come directly to Jackson, and stay 4-5 days and venture out from our little cabin. Maybe do some rafting, a day trip to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, etc.

It's drizzling rain now as I write this, and I'm sitting at the pic-a-nic table in front of our cabin. It's nice and relaxing, and I'm having a coffee . . . all is right with my world.

Entrance to park in Jackson, WY.

Amy took this photo, caught the bison in mid-bellow!

Amy at Lower Yellowstone Falls

Lower Yellowstone Falls

Mammoth Hot Springs

On the way to Yellowstone

No second warning required for us!

Elk grazing on the lawn in Yellowstone

Road Trip to Canada - Day 5

Departed Kalispell, MT. at about 7:30am and headed south toward Flathead Lake. Amy and I stopped at a local restaurant south of Kalispell and had a hearty breakfast (biscuits and gravy, sausage, hash browns) and hit the road.

I have made it a point on my two road trips this summer, to avoid major highways as much as possible, and today was no exception. We took back roads all the way the Helena, MT. and on to Bozeman. The countryside is beautiful here! No wonder they call Montana "Big Sky Country." It's fabulous!

Met up with the route I took earlier this summer just south of White Sulfur Springs, MT. and from this point onward we will be tracing the same route home. Tomorrow we visit Yellowstone Park. I intend to spend more time there with Amy, see the geysers, and hot pools, and pet a bear and a bison if afforded the opportunity (NOT).

Kalispell sunrise

Big Sky and Big Cloud Country

The Never Ending Highway

Waving to some biker friends

Summit Lake

Descent into Helena

More Big Sky

Nice old sign

Road Trip to Canada - Day 4

Back in the U.S, back in the U.S., back in the USSA! (hum to Beatles tune).

Left Calgary early this morning, with dark skies and threat of rain. Got about 40 miles south and the sun came out, warmed up, and very nice. Very pretty country south of Calgary on the way back to the US border.

Crossed the border at Piegan, MT. and headed to Glacier National Park (the American one). It was a gorgeous day all day. Not like the rain and wind that haunted me on my motorcycle trip 6 weeks ago.

Got to the West Entrance after crossing the summit, and stopped for a nap while Amy SHOPPED. Arrived in Kalispell, MT. about 6:30pm. Beautiful weather, beautiful country! God Bless America!

View from Glacier summit.

Mountain near top of Glacier.

Butterfly photo by Amy

East entrance to Glacier

Approaching Glacier park

U.S. Border

Amy ready to leave Calgary

Road Trip to Canada - Day 3

Had a great day on Day 3, traveling through some of the most beautiful mountains I've ever seen (and I have seen some beautiful mountains!). Drove through Glacier Park in Canada (not to be confused with the one in Montana), and Banff.

Stopped in Banff (Amy's favorite place) and bought some souvenirs, took some photos, etc. Some key learnings about Canada:

1. Canadians are CRAZY drivers (sorry to all my Canadian friends).
2. You get what you pay for (dumpy motel room).
3. Canada is BEAUTIFUL!
4. Amy knows how to shop like a girl!
5. Gas is cheap, only $1.05 (oh WAIT, that's per litre) so, since it's a complicated conversion, let's just say that I have no clue how much I'm really paying.
6. It's fun to be able to drive 110 (KPH).

Heading to Kalispell, WY. today through the American Glacier Park. See you on the other side of the border later tonight!

Canadians appreciate Jimi Hendrix too.

Banff Springs Hotel

Lake Louise

Reminds me of the Matterhorn

Beautiful mountain range

Is this the town's statement about their dietary regimen?

I heard Canadians are liberal . . .

Amy likes the Maple Leaf on the McDonald's signs

Amy's morning posture

A couple of Canadian drivers we met

Road Trip to Canada - Day 2

Left Yakima at 9:30am and headed north on 86 until we reached Ellensburg where we switched to Highway 97. Stayed on that the WHOLE day. Most of the drive was alongside a river, but it was still hot.

Once we crossed the border into Canada, it started to cool down a bit, probably because it was getting later in the day.

Arrived in Kelowna about 6:00pm and checked into the motel 8. It's very nice here, beautiful actually. Amy and I had a bite to eat and then back to the room. An early start tomorrow so we can spend some time stopping and viewing at Canada's Glacier Park, and Banff.

Lake on the way

Peachland, BC

Border crossing

Welcome to BC