Spring Showers...April Snow brings May Sleet?

There really is no such thing as "normal weather" anymore, is there? Climate change is occurring all around us all the time, and even sheltered little valleys like the Rogue are seeing all sorts of bizarre happenings. Like this weekend, for example. It was was absolutely beautiful with sunshine and a high of 80. T-shirt weather, first sunburns, talks of bbqs and people asking about picnic supplies. Monday afternoon. Snow. 3+ inches. Everyone nursing colds and covering up those dearly-won tans with winter coats.

Natural phenomena aside, life also follows a less than "normal" path, for which I am continually grateful and thankful. Work continues at the travel store, where I am able to talk to people about traveling and often am invited to go along! Work also continues for a local business doing marketing, a job that has been frustrating at times, but hopefully will be rewarded with dazzling success. :) I am always making plans for the next trip, job, etc. and hope to be returning to Europe sometime this fall!

The weather will hopefully grow warmer. In the meantime, I am taking off for San Diego for a few days to get some sun!

In support of artists everywhere

Art keeps us alive. So, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, Love, and Human Nature, I would like to invite everyone to check out my brilliant mother's latest creation-- The Balance Deck.

This is a 72-card art deck of Catie's original artwork and writing about the human condition and the balancing act we do daily.

The deck can be used a number of ways, and is a wonderful tool for self-exploration and a fun way to get a group of people to open up.

I hope you find the Deck to be interesting and thought-provoking! They can be purchased from me for $25/deck.

www.balancedeck.com (see link to the left)

Ashland

Long time, no writing. If anyone is still checking my blog, they will have noticed that I have not written in quite a long time!

There's really not that much new to report. The Mono is gone and my liver is recovered from it's life-threatening levels of toxicity. I've had many many close calls and missed chances in the form of jobs, men, and everything else, and have decided to take a break from all of it for a while. I'm starting to work at the travel store in town with a group of people whom I really like, and am hoping to move into a house with my friend Heidi at the end of the month.

I guess it's been a rough season. Lots of ups and downs, and things I never expected. But, it feels like, hopefully, it's starting to normalize a bit. I feel like things are starting to balance out now, and I'm feeling better about being in Ashland, and trying to use the time well.

Thanks for reading if you are; I'll try to post more regularly!

Great Summer!

Hello Friends!

This summer has included all it should- family, friends, food, roadtrips, romance. After returning from France, I embarked on a tour de force of family visits, including one very long week in Cleveland to see my grandpa. July was a whirlwind of seeing friends and making decisions. Then in August Arnaud came to America! We had the king of all roadtrips, covering virtually all of the west coast, and seeing almost everyone I know! See pictures on flickr!


Then, Arnaud had to go back home and I had to get a job. So I did, and worked for two weeks before I decided to move back to France. But, as things change, I now find myself not in the southern French sun and in the arms of my lover, but rather under the blue skies of Ashland, with my mom. Why? Well, it seems that I didn't kiss enough people in high school and never got Mono. Until now.


So, the fall begins beautifully, with blue skies and perfect leaves, and me laying on the couch watching bad television and writing letters. :)


I hope you are all well! Stay healthy and watch out for childhood diseases (chicken pox, anyone?)! :)