Cedar Baskets

Our basket-making class reconvened for the second weekend, but I was unable to attend the first day. Unfortunately, my alternator gave up the ghost, and I was stuck at home until I could get my car to the mechanic. I was able to borrow a car for the second day and at least get my basket started. 

Some pictures from the second day. 

This was as far as I got on my basket. I'm very disappointed that I had all the car troubles and missed the first day, but I'm still thankful for what I got to experience. I suppose the incomplete basket is simply an invitation to re-enter the process at some future date. 

Got to see some cool things in nature on my drive, 

like this family of geese. 

...and this little blue bird. 

Does anyone know the name of this species? 

...and the clouds descending over the mountain. 

...rain clouds over the Columbia River. 

...and the sun.

Rhonda's Graduation

Rhonda graduated with honors from Whitworth University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Social Services.  This is a proud day for our family. We celebrated Dakota's 18th birthday yesterday, and we celebrated Rhonda's achievement today. 

Waiting for commencement to begin. 

President of Whitworth.

Commencement speaker, Rep. Kevin Parker.

Rhonda holding her diploma. 

A sense of personal and national pride 

was displayed by this graduate. 

Rhonda graduated with CYT friend Judy Castillo. 

Rhonda and her brother Paul. 

Rhonda and her girls. 

Rhonda and her mom. 

...and with her husband.

...and her son.

18

Dakota celebrated his 18th birthday at a surprise birthday party. Friends and family gathered to celebrate his life. He has grown into a wonderful young man. 

Sister Cusick made the cake.

Dakota with Grandma Shelly. 

Dakota with Grandma Great Alice. 

Laura, Rhonda, and Whitney. 

Whitney and Dakota. 

A family picture, but I'm not sure what happened to McKenna. 

Rhonda and her dad, Ron. 

Rhonda and Laura. 

Bitterroots

The bitterroot flowers have returned to Drumheller Springs. 

Beautiful!

Certainty

Okay Tim, I will keep going back to photograph these plants until you give me something greater than 90 percent certainty. An "A-" grade is just not sufficient. It's gotta start looking like poison ivy some time soon, don't you think? 

Georgetown

Last Monday, I visited the Georgetown Campus of South Seattle Community College with several colleagues from the IEL. We caught the 7:00 a.m. flight to Seattle and drove straight to a meeting with representatives from the state board. We discussed the new adult high school completion program that is rolling out next fall. Then we flew home the same day. 

The Georgetown Campus is surrounded by contrast. The lawns are maintained with beautiful flowers, but the neighborhood is quite industrial. 

Flowers and smoke... such contrast. 

On the flight home, we got some great views of the city. 

Cedar Baskets

Last weekend, I attended a cedar basket making workshop in Inchelium, Washington, taught by Bernadine Phillips. The weather was beautiful and the company was great. It was a wonderful weekend. 

Bernadine.

Shelly in the cedar grove. 

Cedar. 

We spent most of the first day digging cedar roots from the ground. Most of them were quite shallow, but we had to be careful which roots to choose. It was moderately tough work. 

We also gathered tree bark to be used for decoration. 

We had a little time to explore local plants. 

We spent most of the second day splitting the roots into long, narrow strips - these will be used later in the process of weaving the baskets. 

Bernadine brought an old basket for inspiration. 

Group picture with our split cedar roots. 

Old and new.