Today was tremendously fun AND taxing. This map represents the 9 approximate miles that Ava and I traveled, i.e. I pushed Ava in a stroller.

Our car needed some work done, so I brought it to Accurate Auto (AA) off of Canyon at 10:00am. It needed to be inspected and possibly worked on, so I thought the maximum amount of time it would take was 4 hours. Well, it needed a tranny flush and it was busy, so I did not get a car until 4:45pm, so the stroll began.

The red line represents us traveling from AA to the Beaverton City Park by the library. The fountains were running, and so were we. We played until we got hungry, so we strolled over to the Noodle Co. on Farmington by 217. Good stuff.

We then went to Goodwill. Scouted out some junk--no treasures. RRRRR!

Now, the blue represents when we went back down to 5th ave and headed to the library for a pit stop. You know. The dirty work.

Next, over to Murray. Please note that at this point I still had the impression that the car might be done soon. I called around 1pm and this was when I learned it needed a tranny flush, which can take a couple hours. Now what?

Well, apparently 9 mile daddy decided to stroll all the way down to Scholls. Brilliant!

We did (see corresponding blue line). Ava took an hour nap in the stroller. Then the Beaver air heated up around 1:30pm, so I stopped at Haggen for a water for me and Ava.

Well, only one more giant hill to traverse until we draw near to Scholls and the beautiful man-made pond with ducks that go, "Quack! Quack!" Right, Ava?

Ava loves ducks. (No relation to any sports affiliation, as I am actually a ND Bison.) Oh yes, I almost forgot. I think the pond must have been very hot today, as there were LOADS of koi under the shade of a willow--fascinating.

We now make the long, bright, remarkably tall travel up Murray back to AA (see green line).

Now, I was and am very proud of Ava. She's a great traveler. She never really lost control or got angry. Sure, she got frustrated at times, but don't we all when we travel. She was even The Show in the waiting room at AA.

There were some old Rand McNally kids books that she verbally read (pretend, of course), sitting next to me. Allthewhile, she would exchange hi's and smiles with other patient customers until we got our car.

To top it off, Molly, the person who helped me throughout the day at AA, hearing of my travels with my daughter, gave me a 15% discount based on a coupon through their newsletter. The name of the coupon was May Mommy Labor Coupon. Haha! Good one, Molly.

Ava and I were pooped. I made some dinner when we got home and then played around some more. She fell asleep very easily tonight. I should go do the same. I got some sore muscles to nurse the next couple of days, as well as some tender skin areas. I don't wish to go into detail of their locations, so I'll just use an acronym: B.C. You figure it out.

Peace.

I went into work at The CharityGroup (TCG) yesterday (one of two final full-time days). As soon as I arrived, my boss wanted to grab some coffee with me. We went to Starbucks, and before we could sit down he told me that The CharityGroup is no more.

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Now, some back story, TCG has been in the works of a investment deal with Servant Christian Community Foundation for over a year. In short, something happened where the rules had to be changed before the finalization of the deal, i.e. The CharitygGroup will now be owned and operated in Kansas City, Kansas (where SCCF is located).

Also, remind you, that I have just essentially left TCG, since Laura is now working full-time. I'm at home with Ava and pursuing a freelance proofing/editing career.

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Well, back at Starbucks, my boss asked me if I had any questions or comments. I looked at his face and quickly looked back down at the floor. I said (paraphrasing here) the only image that keeps playing and replaying is that of Indiana Jones sliding for freedom under some proverbial door slamming shut from a sure, slow, gruesome, and impending doom. (Oh yes, the hat part, too.)

We talked for a bit about the details, and it seems as though in the loonnnggg run, it is better for everyone, but I'm still processing this. Laura and I would have been fuu-ked, if she didn't find this job!

On the car ride return back to the office, I was reminded of what I have been praying for for about 6 months; specifically the last month with The Great Lindgren transition. Albeit sparse prayers, they've been concerned with my ability to learn and see somehow that the path we have chosen to walk upon is the best one we could have chosen with our situation and circumstances.

BAM! SMACK! POW! BLOOOOOOPHHH!

Okay, I got the point. Sheesh!

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Peace.

If you like photography and enjoy something different, have fun with the following 10 ways to interact with media:

Explore Light. | Link Information. | Store Memory. | Cut through some 3D Spaces. | Get hooked on Responding. | Rate your Emotion with the world. | A Pixel's Journey. | A journey of Truths. | Build a story with captured Time. | Transform your world.

Do it.

Here's some random excerpts from One Stick Song:

I remember watching Richard Nixon, during the Watergate affair, as he held a press conference and told the entire world that he was not a crook.

For the first time, I understood that storytellers could be bad people.

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(from the poem Rise, part 1)

1

We are taught to take the bread
into our bodies
as proof of Jesus's body.

The bread is metaphor.
The bread is Jesus transubstantiated.
The bread is simply bread.

I have taken all three
of those tenets into my body
though I am Spokane Indian

and also take salmon
into my body
as proof of salmon.

The salmon is my faith returned.
The salmon is not bread
The salmon is simply salmon.

So if you don't know already, Laura has accepted a full-time position at Catholic Community Services. This means I will end my tenure as a timeshare guru at The CharityGroup in about 1 month's time and pickup full-time daddy-duty.

I'll admit I'm a bit nervous about the transition, but it most likely has to do with it being a so-called life-change--they should be my bee-itch (censored, in case Ava reads this when she gets older) by now.

I am excited to watch Laura really dig deep into her profession. She's got passion, drive, and unbelievable instinct in her field. I hope I can continue to support her throughout this endeavor.

Meanwhile, Ava and I will keep busy trying to find out what this world has to offer a silly Linger-princess. I am also going to be pursuing a freelance proofreading/editing career. I got some 'ins' at some local orgs as well as at George Fox. Sarah Howson also noted an online freelance community that allows you to bid for jobs, based on your feedback. Nice!

Allinall, I think our Lindgren lives are beginning to conflate into something marvelous. Thank you to all who have helped us bridge this life's path.

Peace.

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Oh wait! a quip:

Laura and I have LOTR: Two Towers on the tele and just as I was about to press 'Publish Post' she turns to me and says, "That's what you said, when I told you we were pregnant."

I had no context, so I asked "What?"

She replied looking at the tele (as a battle waging between Men and Orc had just begun) and back to me saying, "'So it begins' that's what you said to me, when I told you we were pregnant."

Apparently, I quoted a fictional king, fighting for the survival of humankind just as I learn my, now daughter, Ava was conceived. Glorious!

Peace: Part II.

I have no notion(s) that I understand what needed to be done for Mr. King, Jr. to do what he did; what forerunners came before him to establish a change; what questions needed to be addressed; because the fight continues. Here is an article to read to keep asking those questions--to keep them in the forefront of our minds: On Martin Luther King Jr.

tastes like heavy cow. I had some tonight, and I enjoyed it.

In honor of the tasty cow alternative (as well as a treat for myself and particularily #11), here's a Bukowski-esque poem:

For The Record, Ground Turkey Tastes Like Heavy Cow

for the record,
I've never seen a cow get jealous
nor do anything
worth my tongue's meeting
with any old ground brown cow;
yet, I do,
and I think they're honored,
I imagine.

but, also,
I wouldn't let any young gizzard
run its breasts through my grinder
then kiss and tell it to a cow.
cause it's delicious.

the shit would come down,
I imagine.