Yes we can!

I am not sure exactly what will become of the words and images we have been collecting on this blog. But so far, it has become a place to record our personal histories in a journalistic fashion. And therefore, I can not pass up this opportunity to document the power and inspiration of today's inauguration for Chip and I. This marks a U-turn in our attitude and pride in being an American. Never before have we stood so tall and felt so confident in our country. The same people walked the streets in cities and towns aroud the country yesterday and yet, today we seem to have more hope in their potential...our own potential...than we did just a few months ago. I never thought I would live to know a great leader like the ones we learned about in school, but it seems the day has come. We are not naive to the fact that Barack Obama is walking into a "storm" as he put it today- wars, economic colapse, evironmental and health crisis...the list goes on. And, we do not expect a magic wand or one great speech to solve these issues. Thankfully, throughout his campaign, he remained humble to the fact that he can not really "fix" anything- All he can do is try his best and inspire the rest of us to do the same. And with that positive cumulative energy, change IS possible. I feel honored and excited to be led by a man of such humility, intelligence, and insight- qualities that are not modeled in a modern way for us often enough. So, put me in coach! I am ready to do my part!



"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Serving surf and turf...

In 2008! Another great year.

First, to recap the holidays, we spent Christmas with Mindy in Portland and New Years in Bend with Chip's parents.

I particularly love this odd photo to the right. Chip is reading the sweetest note from my mom about how she was sad that we couldn't be together for Christmas, but that she wanted to still share in our traditional Christmas cookies by sending some along (made by her and Madeleine I believe). She assured us in the note that her love for us was baked into the cookies, and I believe it! The deliciousness brought us all together even though thousands of miles separated our physical bodies.

It is always awesome to reunion with my sister and friend, Mindy. And, this visit was no different. I feel so blessed to have a family member with whom I share so many interests, passions, and view points. And, one of Mindy's Christmas gifts to us topped the list of funniest gifts we have gotten. If you ever thought that us "white people" don't have culture, check out the book "Things White People Like". It turns out Chip and I are about as white as they come...and proud of it, despite this author slathering sarcasm everywhere as he describes all of our apparently not-so-original values and interests. Be prepared to laugh. But, in the end, Mindy's efforts and presence (again- no pun intended, I am really on a role these days) was the greatest gift she could have given us. Thanks!















The DuRoss' were our next guests in Portland for this holiday season. We headed down to Bend, OR to ski and hang out closer to the mountains for a few days. We ended up really getting to hone in our Blokus skills since Bachelor didn't open half the days we wanted to ski due to high winds and rain. But, not to be defeated by mother nature (I mean, who does she think she is anyway...trying to keep DuRoss' off the mountain?!) we got mom DuRoss out on cross country skis for the first time in a while and, Chip and dad tackled the fog and 50 mph gusts the minute the lifts allowed them. We were all rewarded with a delightful, powdery, clear day before we left too. We always cherish our meals, conversations, and the unending generosity of Chip's parents. Thanks!


So, in reflection of the year, it seems we were offered a wonderful spread of surf and turf to nourish our bodies and souls throughout 2008. We surfed both oceans (Chip in NC and myself on the OR coast below) and played on lots of turfs between the two throughout the year. Many of you reading this entry have led or joined us in these adventures of mind, body and spirit. We are endlessly grateful for your friendships, thoughts, and influence on our lives. We wish you all a wealthy 2009 ....you know, the kind that isn't affected by Freddy Mac and Fanny Mae. Love you! Kessler isn't sure how she made it through 2008. She is resting up for our next adventure with you in 2009.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."
-Ambrose Hollingworth Redmoon