(Mis)Adventure is the Spice of Life

April 2016

There have been few happenings in my life since we moved to Houston, but those which occurred rocked the boat.  A normal day in this 700-square-foot apartment includes minimal work from my laptop, preparing the meals of the day, eating at least two of the three alone, watching movies and reading books to pass the time until we retire to bed, only to start all over again. When the lack of human contact starts to press down on me too much, I’ve escaped for a day with my parents or with a friend on the other side of the city. Perhaps this is why the three (mis)adventures stand out so much.

The day after we moved into the apartment, Sky and I turned on the heating unit to attempt to battle the January chill. Luckily, at this time, we still had Kayley with us. It was she that woke me up at the witch’s hour to heed nature’s call. Though not a morning person (in the slightest), I can’t say that getting up and walking my fuzzy companion was unpleasant. The morning was crisp and quiet. Kayley was cheerful and curious.

When we returned and had resettled in our beds, the peace was shattered by smoke and loud popping sounds coming from the heater in the ceiling of our bathroom. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I considered that we’d be burned out of our apartment before we’d even settled in. I turned off the unit and found the fire extinguisher, settled Kayley as best I could, and placed a call to the emergency maintenance number (getting no response).

Suffice it to say that my Sunday morning was anything but peaceful.

We attended church, but I was too concerned about leaving Kayley alone in a potentially flammable apartment beyond an hour. Sky and I returned without talking to anyone so that we could attempt getting maintenance done and make our new ‘home’ safe.

It took two trips for the men on call to realize that we did need a new unit and to order one. It took three days after that to order and replace the darn thing. For those days, Kayley and I huddled beneath thick blankets together, me sipping tea and trying to get my fingers to move and accomplish my work.

When we finally had it all sorted, I began to imagine that we could manage here, but Kayley’s opinion of the place was settled firmly in discontent. It only increased as another week passed and the second ‘incident’ occurred.

Again, on a Sunday morning, Kayley urgently requested being taken out. I’m afraid that I’d had a bit of an allergy attack, so Sky offered to take her. Sky started his walk with her without a problem, making the rounds and greeting another woman out with her two hounds. But just as Sky and Kayley were returning to the apartment, Sky heard the woman he met start shouting with some measure of distress. Not wanting to waste time, Sky tethered Kayley to a tree below our apartment window and ran down to offer assistance.

I awoke to Kayley’s distressed barking. Still fuzzy with medicine, I couldn’t figure out what was going on: where was Sky? Why was Kayley tied to a tree? I brought her inside and waited for Sky to come back from wherever it was that he’d gone, unease rising in me like the waves at floodtide.

When Sky did come back, it was at a run. One of the hounds he’d encountered only minutes before had caught a cat and severely wounded it. The owner tried to stop her dog, but with two large beasts to control, she was unable to do more than drag them away. Sky had left the cat in the middle of the road, unsure what to do next. Together, we returned to the creature, armed with a rag for a bandage and a phone to call animal control for medical care.

But by the time we arrived, it was clear that the cat had breathed its last into the frosty morning. It felt wrong to let the creature lie there with no loving hands to ease its way out of the world. I wrapped the cat in the rag we’d brought, covering the wounds and wishing that it hadn’t suffered such an unexpected beginning of the day and end of life.

We did what we could, informing management of the incident, and tried to return our day to normal. But it seemed like things couldn’t completely recover. Kayley grew more distressed and depressed. And as Sky’s work kept him later and later and as his stress increased, he couldn’t manage Kayley’s middle-of-the-night complaints.

Moving Kayley home to my parents’ increased the comfort of both Bug and Sky, but I’ve suffered from the loss of my primary companionship. I suppose two out of three is a decent achievement.

For a month or more now, we’ve lived in our routine. Sky gets up and leaves for work before I get up. He returns long after dinner. I fill my days with as much productivity as I can manage on my own and prepare meals for Sky to pack and take with him. Going out for a walk or run around the block is often the only real exploration I have during my days. But, finally, the accounting busy season is burning down to a few last glowing coals.

This last Saturday, we even went out to eat with a couple from church. But as we drove through the gate at our apartment, we saw an individual who became the catalyst for our most recent incident.

An older man walked into our complex, following a resident’s car. What made this man appear out of place was not his behavior, but his attire. The man was dressed in only white briefs. My first thought was that he’d been mugged or perhaps suffering from dementia. Now, I only regret that I didn’t think more of this man and call someone about him.

We had a lovely time at dinner with our new friends. The restaurant served delicious food, but honestly, it was the companionship and conversation that I feasted on. I’ve yet to find a kindred spirit or girls’ night companion here, so even this simple outing was a wonderful reprieve. When we returned home, all thought of the confused man had escaped me.

Then we saw the glass. Our neighbor, downstairs and to the right, had a shattered window; the fragments littered the walk. Sky and I both went closer to investigate. Though the window was destroyed, the blinds were still intact, so we knew that the dark apartment hadn’t been broken into. 

And there was a notice from the police indicating their involvement.

Seeing nothing we could do, we went up to our apartment and started a movie. Glancing out my window, I then noticed more glass in the street across from our building. The large windows from an upstairs apartment opposite ours had been broken, and a large pile of belongings were gathered at the foot of the damage.

Now, more than a little concerned, Sky followed me out to look closer. As we surveyed the damage, two men looked out the empty window frame at us.

It seems that after we’d left the complex for dinner, the man in his undies had attempted to gain entrance to three apartments. The first two, he simple smashed the window and moved on, yelling that “they” were after him and would kill him. The final apartment was home to a couple. The boyfriend had just stepped out to go to the store, and when the older guy had climbed the stairs to the apartment and banged on the door, the woman had opened it enough for the guy to force his way in.

Somehow, he locked the door, took away the woman’s cell phone when she tried to call the police, and began to destroy and abuse the contents of the apartment. The poor woman was scared by this assault, and her only escape was out to the balcony. She leapt—incurring several fractures—and was soon taken to the hospital by ambulance. The man, still inside her apartment, proceeded to throw belongings out the back window.

After multiple calls, the police arrived. It took several officers to bring the man down and restrain him. The boyfriend returned in time to witness this final scuffle.

Sky and I spent the rest of our evening sweeping up glass, trying to get a hold of our downstairs neighbor to let her know what had happened, and communicating with maintenance to cover the shattered windows.

In the process of damage control, we met and spoke with 7 neighbors, most of whom we’d never even seen before. And while I appreciate the people who did step out of their rabbit-hutch apartments, I can’t help but wonder: where was everyone else? In each of our interactions, Sky and I were the catalysts. We initiated help and communication. We initiated service. And a few responded. Where were the others?

Perhaps this is the culture of millennials or the people of Houston. Perhaps this is normal anywhere. But if it is, I want no part of it. I want to belong to a community that cares and helps and uplifts. I want a neighborhood watch and the man across the street who yells, “Car!” so that kids playing outside know to stay out of danger. I want to knock on a neighbor’s door to borrow a cup of sugar and be invited in for a chat.

Where is that community? I know I’m not alone in wanting it! I know I wasn’t the only one raised to pitch in.

Anyway, these have been the experiences shaping our current residence. They bring relief from monotony and increased stress in isolation. And despite it all, we are still where we need to be. We are resilient, and Sky has a good job (in walking distance), so here we stay. Perhaps, in time, we can find a way to build a small, caring neighborhood here. Maybe Captain Underpants has actually blessed us with a reason to know our neighbors and pitch in. 

There and Back Again

March 2016

I apologize for being remiss in writing. Since last writing, we have moved, though it doesn't much feel like it. Our apartment in Houston, as much as it fits our needs, isn't exactly "home." And, admittedly, it doesn't help that our lives are still pretty divided between College Station and Houston.

Kayley came with us to Houston, but she only lasted a month. Our second-story apartment was not to her liking, nor was the lack of yard, the plethora of other canines in the area, and, ultimately, the change. I loved spending my day taking care of her, walking with her, and working while she napped beside my chair. But she wasn't happy and made herself sick. Now that she's back in CStat, my Bug is much happier, healthier, and spoiled whenever I make it back up. She's a great reason to travel there and back again.

Sky has started with the CPA firm and has spent a vast majority of his time there. As busy season progressed, his hours have gotten longer and later, but he's still enjoying his job (though I can't figure out why). His learning experience is much like taking a drink from a fire hydrant. Regardless of the stress of a new job and busy season expectations, Sky has managed pretty well. We've been able to find moments to spend together, even if it's just walking to pick up the mail. He's most excited to have more free time so that we can hit the beach (such as it is).

The greatest pleasures I've had so far in Houston haven't been in Houston at all. I've gotten to return to College Station for my best friend's bridal shower, Kyle's senior season of soccer (he's captain and the team won District), and Jen's two-week trip home from Japan. When I'm not traveling back a forth, I'm working from "home" and trying to keep myself busy. Too often, however, I'll admit to being supremely lazy.

Well, that's all to report at this time. Time to once again hoist anchor and take off for the next grand adventure.

Literature Travels - Grandad's Prayers of the Earth

Grandad's Prayers of the Earth - Douglas Wood

"Most prayers are not really questions," he said. "And if we listen very closely, a prayer is often its own answer. Like the trees and winds and waters, we pray because we are here--not to change the world, but to change ourselves. Because it is when we change ourselves . . . that the world is changed."

Lately I've been thinking a lot about children's books and the impact that they have on a young reader. Many of the lessons that I learned as a child came as my parents read picture books to me.

I have loved this book since it came out in 1999. It is incredibly special because it teaches without preaching and it uplifts without being unrealistic. Grandad's prayers show our relationship with the world and our relationship with God in simple, sweet terms. And perhaps, more importantly, it takes the focus away from God doing what we ask of Him to our reaching toward God.

The world changes when we change, and there is no greater change than the one affected with the hand of God touching and softening our hearts. By the time that we can hear the prayers of the trees, the winds, and the waters, we have softened and stilled enough to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

I recommend this book as one to share with your children and to read yourself. It is beautifully illustrated, wonderfully written, and touches my heart each time I open its pages.

Let this book carry you to that far-off place of peace; let it travel with you into nature as you listen for the sound of silent Prayers of the Earth. Let it change you and the course of your journey.

Sailing through Summer

August 2015

Summer draws to a close, and adventures were rife. We flew, we ran, we drove, we canoed, we conquered.

The summer began with the greatest adventure--one long overdue. It actually deserves a little back story.

When I was still applying for college, the one thing that made BYU palatable (it was the marriage school) was that they offered the perfect study abroad: a six-week back packing tour through Great Britain that focused on the literature of the country. They read Wordsworth in the Lake District, Dickens in London, write original poetry in the shadow of Stonehenge, and Austen in Bath. It was with this study abroad in mind that I applied for admission.

And then came Sky.

Before I could get to England on my study abroad, I was whisked away to the temple. But, Sky promised that we would do our own study abroad. He'd let me have my dream, and he'd even read the literature that I wanted to discuss on those hallowed grounds.

So my prince made me the promise, and we have finally followed that personal dream to visit the land of the great writers, and this time, we expanded our literature quest beyond the traditional English-course canon (but more on that later).

We landed in London early in the morning May 29 after an over-night flight. Without stopping to rest, we journeyed into the streets. For brevity's sake, I'll suffice it to say that we spent a week seeing the highlights that London has to offer, on a college budget of peanut butter sandwiches.

We saw Peter Pan at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park,  Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre, and listened to evensong at Westminster Abbey.

        

We walked through museums, castles, and parks and ate in pubs and cafes. London was beautiful and I loved every moment.

From London, we traveled to Windemere in the Lake District. Here we spent a two nights at a youth backpacking hostel and hiked about the lake and the hills. Gorgeous!!!

Then we ventured further north to Edinburgh, Scottland. Here we found absolute joy and excitement as we seemed to step into history itself as we walked the Royal Mile, entered St. Giles Cathedral, the hilltop castle, and the Palace at Hollyrood House. It was here, however, that I pulled a muscle in my hip. 

Rude!

Sky then had to hike to Arthur's Seat on his own. He battled raging winds, stinging rains, and sheer heights to view Edinburgh from above. It was a lovely view, he said, and worth it, but it was challenging.

But it is now that I tell of the most incredible part of our voyage: Cruden Bay. I've made quite a bit of noise concerning a historical fiction set around the 1708 Franco-Scot invasion. By renting a car to drive up to Cruden Bay, we enjoyed the sights and tastes that were immortalized in The Winter Sea. We walked where the author walked, saw what she saw, and communed with the ghosts that still dwell there. 

Well, I won't speak much more of the adventures in England; they'd take too much of your time and my space to do so. But we loved every minute of this grand adventure.

When we returned home, it wasn't to stay home long. We had a family reunion in San Antonio the following week, then a brief respite before Sky, Kyle, Kayley, and I pulled out to drive up to Utah, then California and Arizona before returning home 4 weeks after leaving.

Literature Travels - The Ravenous Gown

The Ravenous Gown - Steffani Raff

"The King smiled. 'You are like that stained glass window, my dear. Whatever beauty you had before has only been magnified by the darkness you have experienced in your life. A stained glass window sparkles when the sun is out, but when darkness comes, it can only remain beautiful if there is a light from within to illuminate it.'"

This book of short stories is absolutely darling! I don't think that I can express how much.

Raff is a storyteller in Utah, and her craft shows brilliantly in this book. Not only are her stories original and clever, but Raff's voice and style are versatile and expansive. In one story, I'm touched and teary, and in the next, I'm suffering from a humor-induced asthma attack. And, perhaps best of all, Raff has sewn each story with the thread of true beauty. As it says on the back cover, "The Ravenous Gown captures the essence of a stronger, smarter princess--the kind that actually lives happily ever after."

I have to recommend this book to everyone who has a little girl, everyone who once was a little girl, and everyone who has known a little girl. Beyond being a delightful read on its own, this book would be incredible for bedtime stories.

You might now be wondering how a book of new fairy tales has lead me to travel, but I assure you that Raff's beautiful language sends me to a new world with each story. Perhaps it is not much different from the Rogers & Hamerstein's Cinderella song, "In My Own Little Chair," because in reading The Ravenous Gown, I find myself in a dragon's lair, in dark wood, or climbing a rainbow. The journey is one of the imagination, but it moves my heart.

Captain's Note: I have to admit that I'm biased to this book because I served as an editor for Steffani. I will say this, though: the stories were brilliant and beautiful long before I took a red pen to the manuscript. And I am Steffani's #1 fan.

Around the World in 30 Days

April 2015

Well, mates, it's been a long month of trips, tours, and tickles. Who knew that so much could happen in so short a time... and I could survive it all. That's not to say that the adventures weren't enjoyable, but I have returned a little older, a little wiser, and a lot more tired. Rachel Lynde would certainly disapprove of how much I've been going to and fro, up and down.

To start the whirlwind adventure, my dear friend Lacey asked me to help her to visit her folks in Mesa, Arizona, with her twin boys, Ben and Jack.

These boys were rock stars on the trip, despite their tender age, their recent bout with the croup, and the stress of traveling by airplane. Lacey was holding her breath, fully anticipating having two fractious babies on the whole trip. I chose, instead, to view the adventure with rose-colored and positive glasses. Before we left, I declared that the boys would sleep through most of the flight, that they would be cheerful when they awoke, and that our seat-neighbors would be charmed by Little Thing One and Thing Two. And, lo and behold, the little dears stuck to my plan with very little fussing. Lacey was astounded and kept rubbing my arm like a good luck charm.

We did part ways at the airport pick-up, though, as Grandpa Christenson and my great uncle, Dale, picked me up, and Grandma Kupfer picked up Lacey and the boys. I had the joy of splitting my two-and-a-half week adventure between Mesa with Lacey and Carefree with Grandma, Grandpa, Dale, and Sheila. While Mesa was filled with baby laughs and little sleep, Carefree lived up to its name, and I ate far too well, slept deeply and contentedly, and flitted on the wings of fancy.

One of the particular joys in Carefree was experiencing a touch of retirement living. After a lovely, hearty breakfast one morning, Grandpa Christenson declared that he wanted to go to a bookstore (just to browse and find something fun) and have ice cream for lunch. Which is exactly what we did!

We dined outside on our cold and creamy lunch, laughing about the past and plans for the future. When Grandma and Grandpa had to leave for Quincy, Dale, Sheila, and I kept busy with a stroll down memory lane, a hike up the Alpine paths, and detours through scenic simplicity. They told me of the adventures that they have shared, offered anecdotes from my grandfather's childhood, and advised me on my own upcoming adventures. Dale helped me hone my photography skills (explaining aperture and shutter speed), even offering to take me to the Desert Botanical Gardens for a test-drive of the new knowledge.

My camera is really good at making it seem like I'm a good photographer. Lucky me.

We also ventured out on hikes and a ride into the back-country near Carefree. I blame the altitude for my quick fatigue on Pinnacle Peak, but Dale certainly had more breath than I did on the 1/4 mile that went nearly straight up.

 But I survived, and Dale refrained from mockery. All along the hike, he named all the plant life. I've forgotten most everything, but I remember the Mexican poppies, desert marigolds, hedgehog cactus, and the lupine (love those lupines!).

It did my heart good to see these cousins of the blue bonnet so far from home. Nothing brings peace to this Texan's heart than a good ol' blue bonnet.

Well, the trip finished with the gong of the Kupfer's grandfather clock (which happened to wake me up every 15 minutes on those nights I stayed in Mesa). The twins had met their twin cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents; Lacey was spoiled by her parents; I learned the important tips for a successful trip to the UK; and the return flight was even easier than the first (though Lacey had to get a full pat-down at security).

Then, not a full week later, I was off again to California to help set up for Rachel's wedding. We both had delays getting into San Jose, but were able to recover enough to get Rach to her dress fitting the next morning.

Though we were insanely busy, things fell into place like they should. The one mishap, though, happened Friday morning, the day before the wedding.

Rachel went for a run before Rory woke up and they were to go get their marriage license. After showering, Rach opened a new bottle of what she thought was contact solution... It was, in fact, a bottle of contact cleaning solution, and put her contact into her eye. Her eye immediately started burning, and she pulled the contact out. But the cleaning solution (which contains hydrogen peroxide) was in her eye. We tried flushing it, tried a compress, called the doctor, all without a change in condition.

Enter Nurse Mother-in-Law-to-Be Waldman! Renee swooped in with experience, competence, and confidence, properly flushed the eye, and prescribed an eye patch, ordered antibiotic eye drops, and ushered us all back to those tasks which we should have been doing that morning.

Despite the late start, we were able to pull everything together. I got to work extensively with Renee, Rory's sister Randie, sweet Aunt Ruthie, and Ian (plush a few more intermittently) to set up the reception hall.

 It was so much fun to get to know these incredible people, and bend the rules with Renee and Ruthie. Breaking into storage closets with lingerie gift cards and stealing lavender was just the beginning, and it was completely memorable!

Saturday, April 11th dawned beautifully, and despite a minor hiccup or two, ran smoothly. Rachel and Rory were sealed in the Oakland California Temple, surrounded by the people who love them. She was lovely; he was glowing. All was right.

This is the start of a great adventure for Rachel and Rory, and I'm so excited for them. Up to this point, their story has just been in the prologue. With the sealing, they open into the first chapter of their lives.

And if I couldn't escape the romantic fever, when I came home, it was time to hit the pavement running to help Nick prepare for his proposal to Megan. His attention to detail, his anxiety that all would be perfect, and his excitement were all sweet to watch, particularly knowing the acute delight that this step would inspire for Megan.

Nick considered the ring precious to the point of religious care. He kept it almost always in the ring box, refused to touch the center, gently touching only the sides, and becoming anxious just thinking about the slight possibility of it slipping through a potential hole in his jean pockets. All of this compounded into Nick wrapping the ring in plastic wrap before slipping it into his pocket.

Sunday, April 19th started normally enough for Megan Duffard. She planned for a relaxed day with her boyfriend. They drove to Independence, Texas, to enjoy the wildflowers and a pleasantly cool day. As Nick became more anxious (because people were crowding into the Antique Rose Emporium), she only slightly suspected something out of the ordinary. But when he told her that he had something for her at the gazebo, her heart rate picked up its pace.

Two friends emerged from their flowery hiding places to capture the experience. Megan and Nick walked under rosy arches and up to the gazebo where pictures showed their history and a small table held a Bible, a dozen roses, and a note of promise. With tears in her eyes and joy clouding her mind, Megan read the note and turned to find Nick... fighting with the plastic wrap encased ring.

After his proposal met with her approval, Megan and Nick joined their family and close friends for a small engagement party. Megan was still in a daze (which wouldn't dissipate for days), and Nick was overflowing with excited relief.

What a way to wrap up a sweet prologue, indeed. I wish them the absolute best as they embark on their next adventure!

Truly, I feel that the last month has been crammed with adventures here and there, but it has been sweet to experience this great adventure called life, and to witness a few of those adventures of the people I love.

Now I have just enough time to catch my breath before heading on another grand adventure: a dream-like tour of the United Kingdom with the best first mate (Sky). This accounting must seem long, but I'm sure that the next adventure will need several logs to relate the adventures we embark on.

What will your next adventure be?

A Dallas Safari

March 2015

This is a little late, but I blame that on the fact that I hadn't yet started posting my adventures. Indulge me as I catalog this adventure belatedly.

So Jason had promised me a trip to the zoo for Christmas, and I was more than happy to hold him to that promise. So this February I traveled down to Dallas. Jas and I spent the weekend laughing, teasing, and exploring. 

Jason was a monkey throughout the trip, but the weather was gorgeous and all the animals were performing for us. The tiger took to pacing; the alpha gorilla charged a smaller gorilla; the cheetah frolicked with his canine best friend; a chimpanzee begged . . . okay, that's an understatement. The chimp demanded to be fed by his adoring audience. Jason and I couldn't help but laugh at all the colorful antics.

That's not to say that we didn't bring shenanigans with us, because we certainly did! We sang Lion King's "In the Jungle" in the "secret tunnel" to the African safari. And I paraded around the zoo looking 'bookish' with Jason's faux glasses. 

Some of the greatest adventures are right in your own backyard, and Jason and I took advantage of one this winter. Where will your next adventure be?