Saturday Slight

 

In the grand scheme of things, it's small potatoes--er corn. 

In my world here at the Lovestead, it's a huge achievement. 

This is the first time in a number of years that I have been able to grow corn with a full set of kernals on the ears. 

Bill had this ear for dinner the night before last and said it tasted as good as it looks. 

So, it's a crowning garden achievement for this year. 

Lots of failures or frustrations (creatures eating garden goods before we have a chance) but producing this ear of corn along with a couple of others stretches my happy muscle in a very good way. 

Maybe if I get the formula right and grow several stalks of corn with full set of kernals on the cob, I won't have to utter "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears" ever again. 

First, I saw the adorable photo below and commented on the cuteness.

It's my friend and beloved former student Chris Pietsch.

Later, I saw his written post that he had been laid off  from his 38-year photojournalism career with the Eugene Register Guard, effective Tuesday.  

 I immediately called Chris and left a message telling him how proud I am of him.  He didn't answer because he was filming that last football game of his career. 

Seeing this news sent a shock wave through my entire being.  

When you've known someone as a student, a 4-H'er, a highly accomplished, talented and passionate professional who took your wedding pictures 52 years ago, such news hits hard and fast. 

Chris Pietsch is truly a one-of-a-kind loveable human being.  

It does not seem right after all of his amazing photographic achievements and awards that his career should end like this, but we do live a far different world from our collective innocent times of getting to grow up in little ol' Sandpoint, Idaho.   

The thought that I won't be watching Oregon basketball or football and texting Chris every time I see him and his cameras along the sidelines is truly sad.  

It's been a run for him, and, as his teacher and longtime family friend, it's been a great run for me, as a proud observer, too. 

He's from Sandpoint and those of us who have known and loved Chris Pietsch for almost a lifetime couldn't be any prouder! 

I am sharing his thoughts posted yesterday on Facebook, which reveal several layers of this amazing artist with a camera. 

BTW:  the photo with the duck above reflects vintage Chris. 

From Chris Pietsch:

My first paid newspaper job was photographing high school football on Friday nights.

Admittedly it was a nepotism job, my grandfather and father owned the paper, and I made $5 per published photograph, but through that work — passion really — I was able to string a career together that has lasted more than 50 years.

So it seems fitting that one of my last assignments for The Register-Guard will be photographing a high school football game here in Eugene tonight. 

I was informed this morning that I will be laid off next Tuesday, Sept. 14, after 38 years at the paper.

In truth it probably had to end this way. I love the work so much that I am not sure I could let go willingly. 

But, I am turning 70 later this year. Running up and down sidelines, chasing firetrucks and working crazy hours is not as easy as it used to be.

Don’t worry about me. The severance package I was offered will soften the landing while I ponder my next move.

But as I process my circumstances, I want all of you to hear the news from me first.

It has been an awesome ride. I got paid do do something that I absolutely love. 

Being a photojournalist is a golden ticket into peoples lives and the events of our times, large and small, that made me laugh, cry and want to be a better person.

During my career I transitioned from film and a darkroom to digital and video editing. 

I have photographed a total eclipse, watched as dams came down on the Klamath River, covered terrible tragedies, joyous celebrations and a worldwide pandemic.

I followed the Oregon Ducks to five Rose Bowls and two National Championships and covered countless other athletic events like the Olympic Trials, the Prefontaine Classic and both men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments.

Telling your stories never gets old for me and I am very grateful to all the people that let me into their lives. That support is among the reasons that I made it as long as I have.

It saddens me that an industry that I have dedicated my life to is struggling as it is. This community deserves a general information newspaper. 

I hope those charged with leading the industry can find a way to keep it going.

But it is time to let the next generation take up that challenge.

Thank you all. 

Good news, Bulldogs! 

Congratulations on the win:  now 4-O.  

Babies in the fall:  a neat idea, especially for the admiring neighbors. 

Big change is coming to the Lovestead next week. 

The eight poplars, pictured above and below, will be taken down over the course of three days by Oliver Tree Service. 

https://olivertreeservicellc.com/

At this point, we'll ask Ty and his crew to if leveled-off stumps can remain, creating the opportunity for flower pots or different landscaping approaches.  

I'm hoping the periwinkle patch amidst the east clump of trees can be saved. 

It's been difficult for some time thinking about their removal, but they are dead or dying and we really don't want to experience another limb coming through the house roof. 

A sad happening for squirrels, birds and peeps, but we'll do our best to come up with an esthetic alternative. 

It's supposed to rain today, and I've planned some rainy-day projects. 

So, what's with the sun and blue sky?  

Oh well, I'll still do the projects. 

Happy Saturday. 

Remembering

 

There's a sense of solemnity in the air today as we mark 25 years since the stunning and deadly attacks on America. 

Bill has already gone to town to put the American flag at the church to half staff. 

First, it's hard to believe where the time went. This event happened during my last year of teaching. 

 Secondly, in our minds, time stood still as today we each remember unique vignettes of where we were, what we were doing and our initial shock at what had happened. 

Bill had left for work, and I was working at my computer on last-minute items for the school day. 

Our TV was on with the morning news.  

I looked up and saw that something very strange had just happened in New York City. 

After settling in to watching and wondering, I, like millions of others, witnessed the unbelievable sight of a plane hitting one of the World Trade Center towers. 

This can't be real, I thought. 

Sadly, however, within minutes, I knew that it was true and, as the stunning reality of the moment set in, my first instinct was to call my kids. 

They were in Boise and students at Boise State University.  Sept. 11 was one month after Willie and Debbie's wedding. 

I don't remember the exact conversations, but I knew it was important to connect with them on what was unfolding as one of the most monumental, surreal and scary events of our lifetimes. 

It was hard to pull myself away from the television coverage, but I finally drove to school on a beautiful morning, still in shock.  

At Sandpoint High School,  many who had already arrived before me were just learning of the event one by one. 

I remember standing alongside other colleagues and students in the hallway, catching up on news, which now included one more attack, the Pentagon.  

As the halls gradually filled up with students before the first bell, we all knew  that whatever lesson plan we had created for the day was going to change. 

In my classroom, we simply talked about what we had just seen and what it could mean for our respective futures. 

I remember in one class where, partway through the hour, a young man asked to be excused. 

His brother was in the Navy, and he felt it imperative to go home and find out what these attacks meant for his brother. 

The gravity of the situation and still not knowing why it had all happened led to some flexibility with the usual classroom rules and routine. 

On that day as news from the outside world continued to filter into the school, adults and kids alike were all on the same page, only we collectively had no idea what turning to the next page would involve.

Twenty-five years and a war or two later, we have all lived with the results of that day, especially through enhanced security. 

For some of us, it's simply reflecting on the vivid memories of 9-11 and the days afterward where, to us, it seemed that Americans seemed more united than ever before. 

I'll never forget standing with my mother and others dressed in red, white and blue on the pedestrian bridge the Sunday after the attacks.  I also remember later driving around the Sandpoint neighborhoods which were adorned with American flags.

As we waved our flags on the bridge, the air was filled with honks and waves from drivers and passengers from the main bridge across Lake Pend Oreille. 

For some of the students who sat in SHS classrooms that day,  Sept. 11, 2001, would mean sacrifices, some ultimate, others lifelong.  They joined the military and served in various venues around the world 

One student always stands out in my mind.  

He was soccer player and a junior in high school. Brandon Adam was already special in my mind, as were the other students in fifth period class---my very last English class of teaching. So, of course, I was going to remember them. 

Brandon, however, shines in the minds of many as a soldier who lost his legs while serving in combat in the Iraq War.  

One day--the same day I was having a launch for my third book at the Seasons at Sandpoint---I picked up the morning Spokesman Review and saw a story about Brandon on the front page above the fold. 

It told of the severe injuries he had sustained due to an IED.  

I still vividly remember the shock of learning from that story that he had joined the Army and had risen to the rank of sergeant.  This day 25 years ago had guided Brandon that direction. 

He came close to losing his life, but Brandon was a fighter, and he has demonstrated through the years that his extreme sacrifice would not stop him from making the most of his life as a proud American. 

Brandon is married---to an English teacher.  He's the father of two adorable young women.  He has competed and won medals for skiing in the X games.  

He loves golf and has a mechanized addition to his golf cart which allows him to play, especially in tournaments that support the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.  

Brandon almost lost it all because of the decision he made on this day 25 years ago, but, thanks to a variety of support systems over the years,  Brandon has continually demonstrated what it means to be a true American hero. 

So, when I think of this day, I think of Brandon and all those other students who are now in their 40s.  

They have seen America change dramatically in the past 25 years and not always in the most ideal ways. 

I hope that we as a nation can use this day of remembrance to gather our wits about us.  

May we honor the people who died that day, the soldiers who subsequently made ultimate sacrifices and individuals like Brandon by demonstrating that we can once again proudly call ourselves the UNITED States of America. 

It would be nice. 

Really nice.  

Thursday This, That; TBT

 

I had some fun and edgy stuff in my first draft that suddenly disappeared. 

Maybe its edginess caused it to mysteriously disappear. 

It had to do with AI wiping out the human race in the next decade and gas prices decreasing to $2 after the mid terms as well as the Iran War ending after the mid terms. 

I also talked about the word "after" and the extent of its meaning.  

After has only one absolute: that it has to be preceded by something.  But when it actually happens on the calendar has all sorts of possibilities. 

If we get the $5,000 and the $2 per gallon gas and the war ends AFTER the mid terms and AFTER AI wipes out the human race, we may have a problem. 

Just sayin' .

And, I'm too lazy and irritated this morning to think up everything I wrote in the first draft so I'll just leave you with some photos.  

Thanks, as always, for your understanding.  

The cyber world is not always kind, especially to silly saps like me who think they have to publish a blog every day. 

Happy Thursday. 

Thursday Throwbacks:  Images of people, past events, moments and places.  Hope you enjoy.

The first words Laura aka Swiss Miss learned from us:  GO, ZAGS!!

The first place she ate in Sandpoint as an exchange student:  Second Avenue Pizza.