The End of February

I can't believe it is the end of February and I can't believe our ocean view still changes everyday. We have a pebble covered beach as we do each Winter but it is moving. As we look out the window, the pebbles used to be mainly to the left. That area is now pure sand and the rocks are directly in front of us. The pebbles or small rocks include many agates so it is agate collecting time again. I am amazed we don't see people bumping into each other as they walk with heads down on the beach looking for agates but so far it hasn't happened.

We also are dealing today with a tsunami alert. Just unusual currents for this area so I am hoping Hawaii and other areas will be safe also after the big earthquake in Chile. We have a lot of problems on the Oregon coast with currents already. People don't respect the power of the ocean and we recently had a drowning of a man trying to save his dog and another near drowning the same day. Jim, the local safety and rescue person with the fire department told Dick that actually that one day, Valentine's Day, there were 5 rescues just here in Lincoln City. Beauty and the Beast out our window.

Politics are a main topic in our household since Dick is running for Mayor this year. Our accountant is pretty well set up now. I set up the records online so she can take over with the legal stuff with the State. I set up the books and we are already pleased to have a few donations coming in. It is amazing what it will cost in this little town just to print and mail flyers. I was planning on taking pictures this weekend but it is still grey and drizzling. It is supposed to improve and be sunny on Monday...maybe even Sunday ...so we will try then.

Dick had a wonderful listening session at a small coffee shop around the corner Thursday night. There were 17 people and they had great ideas and concerns to share. I think it will be a good idea to keep this up as we meet some very interesting people this way. I am still amazed at the diverse and interesting backgrounds of the people we meet in our little town of 8,000. Just today we stopped by a little shop only 3 blocks away where they sell Persian rugs, throws, pillows and other imported items and the man there also does awesome work restoring furniture. He does beautiful work! I took my Grandmother's old rocker in and had the seat recaned but he insisted on tightening up the joints and giving the old rocker a little TLC as well. While picking up the chair, I visited with the woman who runs the store...his wife. She has been teaching GED educational classes for the past 34 years at the community college. She had great stories about some of the students, especially single moms who had dropped out of school only to come back enthusiastically once they have children of their own and grow up very fast. What success stories! Lincoln City schools have a very high drop out rate and the schools themselves aren't great so that is another challenge to face. I am glad there is someone out there to help when the kids need to get that GED. She said many need them to get electrician certification or a license as a beautician. Reality hits when jobs are needed.

We still go almost daily to Starbucks and gather with friends to discuss all sorts of concerns for the community as well. There are many people who drop by and who can share background on topics if they have lived here forever, fresh ideas if they are new and a sense of humor to most topics...even septic tanks! I see people becoming more interested in speaking out about problems and stepping up to the plate to either run for office or volunteer for committees. It is exciting to see a friendly, but quiet woman grow by feeling she can speak up and let people hear her thoughts. For now it was a group of 17 over coffee but soon it will be at the City Council meeting on TV. She is up for the challenge!

It is a quiet place...Lincoln City...but it's just an amazing place to live.