Photos

The Bishop of New Hampshire drew a large crowd for his lunchtime talk.



The camera crew is shooting film for a PBS documentary about our Bishop. The cameraman told me it's scheduled for broadcast in 2011.



In early evening I attended the Global Economic Forum. The Presiding Bishop urges the attendees to sit when she received a standing ovation.



After the PB's address, we heard from Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. This marks the first time any ABofC has ever attended GC. Not one of my best photographic efforts--low light and distance were factors--but proof that he was among us.



Three speakers described their ministries and took questions. We heard about the Lakota community of South Dakota and challenges to Native America youth...



...and the necessity of Nets for Life in preventing malaria in African countries...



...and the impact of the global economy on agriculture and the environment.



After the forum some members of our deputation strolled to the Garden Walk for supper. Along the way we met this giant pink shrimp.



It was dark by the time we returned to the Hilton. From the hotel parking lot we had an excellent view of the nightly fireworks show at nearby Disneyworld.

And so ended an inspiring, uplifting, Spirit-filled day.

Opening Day and 1st Legislative Day

Looks nothing like New Hampshire round here!

I had a busy (but not overwhelmingly so) Tuesday. The New Deputy Orientation was cancelled. I decided to walk to a convenience store and in the lobby ran into members of my deputation who were walking to a supermarket even farther away, so I joined their group. It was a 2 or 3 mile walk in the bright sunshine, and we strolled past vast clumps of jasmine blooming and scenting the air. The wife of a Bishop was also shopping and she so sweetly and generously drove us back to the hotel.

And guess what? She's a reader of this very blog! Imagine my astonishment when, as we introduced ourselves, she looked over at me and said, "I know you, I read your blog. You're an author and a legislator." I was floored! If you read this, Saint Stacey, thanks for mentioning it, and many thanks for the lift!

At the store my friends loaded up on foodstuffs. I'd shipped a boxful to myself from NH so all I needed was a couple of bottles of wine and some ginger ale. My personal stash of food includes clementines, bananas, pitted dates, dried apricots, dried figs, granola bars, instant oatmeal packets, lots of teabags.

In the afternoon I made my first foray into the Exhibit Hall. Mind-blowing! (I was warned it would be.) The booths are sponsored by various faith organisations, vendors of vestments or church supplies, support and advocacy groups, and retail of handmade goods and clothing. There's a food court, too.

Mid-afternoon we had our opening session, with Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori giving a homily and an address by the Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies, and Gregory Straub, Executive Officer and Secretary of General Convention. (Whose quirky and colourful sports coats are an absolute delight to behold!) We then had an Introduction to Mission Conversation through Public Narrative, led by Marshall Ganz. We were given a demonstration. As we will be doing more of this training, I won't take the time to describe it fully now.

In the late afternoon we had Deputy Orientation. This was my introduction to the legislative chamber--rows upon rows of tables where the clerical deputies and the lay deputies are seated. Our deputation is quite near the front, on the right hand side. There are jumbo screens up front but we're close enough to see the podium and the presiding officer.

We were taught how to use our handheld voting device.



Our first (unofficial) electronic vote was whether it was too cold in the hall. It definitely was, yet the resolution failed. I think this was a first lesson in agreeing to disagree and loving one another anyway!

The scripted demo on parliamentary procedure was very humourous because the subject matter was mandating and displaying a deputation mascot. (Which some already had in place!) After we adjourned, our NH moose mascot was installed.



The yellow ribbons on our NH signpost indicates that we have a Senior Deputy among us. Our Senior Deputy has attended 11 GC's!

Returning to the Hilton we learned about the Elevator Problem, a curse upon all conference hotels. There aren't enough elevators to accommodate hundreds of people all wanting to go up at the same time. So we took the escalators to the 4th floor and walked to the 5th where there's an open restaurant grill at poolside. We all ordered grilled mahi-mahi sandwich with salad bar. It was the perfect meal at exactly the right time.

We then headed to the 7th floor and our NH Hospitality Parlour. We didn't need the snacks after our dinner but the wine was very refreshing. (And the cookies!) The room buzzed with conversation and sharing. We have a lot of enthusiasm for our work.

I had intended to monitor a committee hearing (all the hearing rooms are here in the Hilton). But not long after I returned to my room I realised that my East Coast Biorhythm was kicking in, and maybe that long walk. I climbed into bed and watched some news (it was mostly Michael Jackson's funeral not that many miles from here) and then went to sleep at an insanely early hour.

On this, our 1st Legislative Day we meet in the Hall to elect officers of the Convention (by voice vote) and sent and received messages to and from the House of Bishops, basically both houses saying we're open and ready for business. Only we don't have much business yet so it was a brief session. President Bonnie Anderson reminded us in a wonderful way that we are not a "Naitonal" church but an international, multi-national one that is also multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural one. Her point was well-illustrated by the many colourful national flags hanging behind the podium and officers' tables, representing the European nations; Latin American countries such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Honduras, Micronesia, U.S. Territories in the Carribean and Pacific.

Forty per cent of the House of Deputies members are new, a comforting statistic for a newbie! I'm not the only one.

Immediately afterwards we had the first Daily Eucharist of Convention and my first experience of Convention Worship. We entered the space to the sound of African drums and shout-singing. The volunteer choir led the singing, quite beautifully. The Presiding Bishop preached. A bishop from the Phillipines presented a gift from the Episcopal churches in that country and described our historic ties.

Knowing about the Elevator Problem, when I came up to my room for a cup of coffee and a morning snack, I took the escalator to the 4th floor and walked up the stairs to the 11th floor. I was somewhat breathless when I finished the climb, but with all the sitting we'll be doing throughout the day and evening I think that sort of aerobic workout is as necessary as it is practical.

Sometime today, after a very full afternoon of speakers and monitoring legislative committees and another legislative session, I expect to see the Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. He will also participate in worship tomorrow.

Far From Home

I spent all day Monday flying from Boston to Los Angeles.

I'm staying at the Hilton Anaheim. Palm trees and sunshine and mountains behind the smog.



Disneyland is very close but I can't see it from my window. They charge extra for a view of the Magic Kingdom. I don't intend to venture into the Holy Rodent Empire but anything could happen.

My hotel is conveniently located only a few steps from the Convention center where I'll be spending days and nights.




I'll be here so long that by the time I depart I will probably qualify for residency!

Attended a reception tonight and saw many familiar New Hampshire faces, and a few other familiar faces and I made new friends.

I miss the Chap and the dogs. And it's only the second day....

Musical Monday: Mrs Costello

On Friday night we attended the Diana Krall concert at Meadowbrook, a concert venue on the other side of the Big Lake from the cottage. There were thunderclouds in the distance but they stayed away from us!

The Chap is a huge Krall fan. Huge.

This was our second time seeing the artist also known as Mrs. Elvis Costello. Last time was several years ago in London at Festival Hall, and she had the London Philharmonic as her back-up group. It was before her marriage.

I've also seen her husband, Our Beloved Entertainer, in concert. I won tickets in a radio contest because I knew his wife (at the time) Caitlin O'Riordan was a Pogue. It ranks as just about the best ever concert I've seen in my life, at an outdoor venue in Colorado. I've been forever sorry that the Chap wasn't with me. He was travelling on business, overseas I think, so my extra ticket went unused.

We discovered how many people we know are Krall fans! I saw another State Rep, a former State Rep, the chaplain to the House of Representatives, a musician/sculptor/former neighbour from the little lake, a friend I used to work with/for and his wife.

This time Ms Krall/Mrs Costello was backed by her own jazz trio, and the guys were the perfect complement to her piano. She was in fine form and in fine voice. Meadowbrook is covered on top but open at the sides, so it was almost like being outside. Backing vocals were provided by the frogs in the bog behind the stage, which lent a nice rural touch to the proceedings. Mosquitoes were a bit of a problem on the state, but the performers handled them with aplomb and good humour.

We learned that the Costello-Krall contingent (Elvis, his Missus, the twin boys) had spent the morning in Boston, leaping puddles on the Common. Family life on the road: my tour bus will meet your tour bus in Boston....

Here's "Peel Me a Grape," one of the songs she performed.



My only regret was the absence of "Popsicle Toes," which I love, from her set. She referenced while jamming inside another tune but she didn't sing it. I saw its originator Michael Franks perform it a long, long time ago.

Our drive back to the Lodge late Friday night was magical. Above us was the beautiful big white moon and lots of bright stars. Good to know they're still up there...with constantly overcast skies lately, we weren't sure!

Sunday Stroll: Strolling by Night & Day & Back through Time

Last night fireworks were going off on the opposite shore of the Bay, so I went down to the dock to photograph them. I don't often use the "fireworks" setting on my camera!

But I was momentarily distracted by the full moon.



We'd watched Boston's Esplanade fireworks on television. Then we had our own private exhibition.




This morning is bright but very, very breezy. Here's the cottage.



Down at the dock, the marigolds are blooming in the boat house windowbox.



And right on time, the big white boat comes steaming down the Bay. This time I framed it between two tree trunks.



While here this weekend I arranged for a re-creation of one of my most favourite photos of me here by the Big Lake.

1992


2009


Same shirt (somewhat faded and missing a button or two). Same sneakers. Same cup in hand. Same photographer. No socks. Different trousers (if I had the ones worn in the '92 photo I believe they'd still fit.)

Thanks for visiting. To continue your stroll, go here.

Happy Indpendence Day

We started the day at the Lodge, in sunshine. Now we're at the Big Lake, buffeted by wind and rain. It's not exactly warm, either. Oh, well. At least we're all here together, which is nice.

Had a great evening, but the description is more appropriate for Musical Monday, so you'll have to wait till then!

A glorious Fourth of July to all!

The Next Generation

For the past couple of weeks our property has been full of young birds chirping at their parents for food. The males of the species seem to be the parent most often on duty.

A male rose-breasted grosbeak feeds his child.



Baby blue jay.



"Dad! Feed me! Now!"



Maybe if I fluff out my wings he'll look after me.



A week ago the downy and hairy woodpeckers were being fed by their parents. Now they're trying to manage on their own.

Downy: I know I'm supposed to peck wood, but this doesn't seem to work.



Much better!




Hairy: I think this is what I'm supposed to do.



"Hey, Mom, Dad, I'm a big bird now! I can feed myself!"



The Chap had his birthday yesterday. Cards and gifts, steak and cake. (They fed him cake at the office, too.) I asked him if it felt odd knowing that no one now alive was present at his birth. His dad's not here to moan about how hot his natal day was, all those years ago.

I'm laying low at the Lodge, still trying to shake off this dread disease. Also doing the necessary planning and packing as preparation for 12 days in California.

It's pointless droning on about the constant rain. I will note that there was quite the deluge this morning, the worst yet, and flood warnings as a result. The weatherman is probably the most unpopular person in the state right now. A relief to all us State Reps getting clobbered about the budget. All I can say in response is, yes, it's painful cutting programs and raising fees but the blasted thing is balanced (I hope). More than most states can say. Like, you know, California.

Riding Along

The members of the House of Representatives Fish & Game & Marine Resources Committee have the opportunity to sign up for a ride-along with a Conservation Officer (C.O.) in their area. The C.O. duties include being game warden, conducting law enforcement, responding to emergency calls, stocking the waters with fish, search and rescue, handling inquiries from the public, education and trainings. And more.

Today was my ride-along day. At 9 a.m. in the pouring rain I met my C.O. and climbed into big his green F&G truck with the F&G logo on the door.

First order of business was checking his pager and messages. There was information about dead deer carcasses along the highway from auto collisions. It was the morning after a local NASCAR race and the traffic--mostly RV's--was heavy along route 4 as went went to find and collect the first deer.

We didn't find it. Somebody else got there first and hauled it away.

So off we went to Rt. 106 north, practically to the gates of the Speedway (from the traffic you'd think the race had finished up this morning instead of yesterday afternoon!). No sign of a dead deer there, either. Here's the C.O. heading back to the truck.



I felt sort of relieved and sort of disappointed. Watching him load a wet dead deer into the back of the pickup and dump it somewhere would have been kind of cool and kind of gross. I'm one of those people who averts her head when she sees road kill, it really depresses me. So I guess I was more relieved than not.

We made our way to a more rural part of his territory with lots of lakes and streams where he could check fishing licences.



Despite the rainy weather, we did find some fishermen. The C.O. examined their licences, asked about their catch and made sure they didn't have more than the limit. It was so interesting watching him interact with folks. He was very friendly and personable and respectful. But the officer is armed, and has the authority to exact fines and write up complaints and stuff, so nobody gave him any grief. Some people were more talkative than others. I sure learned a lot about good fishing spots!

We went places other people aren't supposed to go!



A very pretty brook in one of the state parks.



At one state park we had a long conversation with the park director about Canada geese. The geese had young, and became really aggressive with people on the beach in recent days. While we were on the scene, there weren't any geese around. I guess they wanted to get out of the rain.

At the same park we were walking the shoreline looking for fishermen when we found a different fish-eater, this great blue heron. It was at the waterside but then walked inland as we approached.



And it kept walking into the woods.



I got pretty close.



It's looking towards the lake.



We think there might have been a nest site nearby and it was trying to draw us away.

On every body of water we saw a heron today, including right beside the roaring outflow from a dam. They are wonderful birds.

One of our last stops was my own little lake. The C.O. wasn't really familiar with it. The regular fishermen were there, close enough to the shore that he waved them in for a licence check.



I gave him a tour of our shoreline. I think he liked it here, asked if any summer cottages were for sale. Not at the moment, as far as I know.

The last stop was to check out a brush fire we spotted from the highway. On Friday there was a really bad rain and wind storm--in almost exactly the same location as the terrible tornado of last summer. I did hear the notorous "freight train" sound here at the Lodge and my power went out for a few hours. On the news that night we found out the massive damage done in the next town. Giant trees knocked down, leaves sheared from the trees by hailstones. The property where people burned brush today had some of the worst damage--I'd seen that house and the toppled trees on the television, I recognised it as soon as we drove down the driveway. The fallen trees hadn't hit the house or cars but the place was a real mess. They were burning some of the wood.

We covered a lot of ground. We didn't have any dead deer to handle. The fishing community, I now know, is undeterred by rain. But lately all it ever does is rain in NH. So if we waited for sunshine to go outside and do stuff, we never would.

It was a great ride-along, exceeding my highest expectations. I was invited to come back on a more "normal" day. Does that mean a dead deer day? The scanner was pretty quiet, even I could tell that. The C.O. also does stake outs at night to catch poachers and intercept other illict activity. I'm not sure I'd sign up for night detail (I had to sign a waiver releasing F&G from responsibility if anything happened to me. And the night work sounds more dangerous.) But I'd definitely do another daytime ride-along!

I had a lot of respect for the C.O.'s before this experience, and now it's increased. I couldn't have asked for a more informative, pleasant, or experienced guide.

I'm drained tonight, though. I enjoyed the walking we did but didn't have a lot of stamina due to this stupid cold. I haven't been able to shake it off because I have been so busy--yesterday was just insane, I was zipping across the state from one church to another. The rest of the week will be less hectic.

Sunday Stroll

Photos taken Saturday, posted Sunday. I expect to be indoors most of today doing church-y things on the Seacoast and diocesan-y things in Concord.

Rose of the Day: Apothecary Rose. It's official name is rosa gallica officinalis and it's another really, really old gallica. It's an enormous shrub that clings to the handrail of our deck steps and canes and flowers poke through the balusters in a very pretty fashion at this time of year.



Eden is a modern rose. This one isn't a good bloomer for me, but it's pretty and heavily scented so I'm glad when it does what it should do.



My mock orange is blooming. This isn't the scented variety I grew up with but for my birthday my mother scent me cuttings from hers--the one I did grow up with. They have rooted well, so perhaps someday I'll have the one I really want.



Flower arranging on the kitchen counter. I finally cut some lathyrus (perennial sweetpea, unscented). The flowers are sadly rainspotted so I took the best of them and some that haven't bloomed yet.



Yesterday I wore myself out with spring cleaning the upstairs of the house. Yes, I know spring is over. Yes, I know I'm ill. I thought it would be "light tidying" but it turned into heavy de-grotting. Hence not a lot of time outdoors except for a brief stroll. It was hot and so humid you could almost drink the air.

Thanks for stopping by. If you'd like to continue strolling, go here.

It's About Time

The female painted turtles march into our yard every June to lay their eggs, always an exciting time. This year, however, not a single turtle was spotted at the usual time. Normally the egg-laying process is well under way by mid-month. Presumably due to the chilly temperatures, either in the little lake or in the air, the girls never came.

Until today. Perhaps because the mercury soared to 84 degrees.

The first '09 and latest-ever turtle spotting occurred immediately after a massive thunderstorm. I was desperate for entertainment after the electricity was cut, and had plenty of leisure time to watch her from an upstairs window.

She wandered about in the drive.



She checked out the grass.



Back to the dirt again.



"We're being invaded!" shrieks Jewel, who jumped up onto the window seat.



The process of finding a nesting spot takes quite a long time. Laying the eggs goes on even longer.

This morning we had a County Delegation meeting to accept and expend American Recovery and Re-Investment Act (aka ARRA aka Stimulus) funds for various deserving, ready-to-rip projects. And to elect a new interim County Commissioner to replace a retiring one until the 2010 election.

Therefore I had a chance to drive my new car to town. Sweet ride! After we adjourned I ran errands. Posted a birthday parcel to France, did birthday shopping for the Chap, picked up a few clothing items that will probably travel well to California. I also bought a new chew toy for the girls. The old reliable, favourite durable chew has been discontinued. Jewel with the Jaws of Steel totally destroyed the new one in record time. Ruth never even had the opportunity to steal it away from her!

More Roses

Rose of the Day: Rosa Mundi. Rosa gallica versicolor is the official name of this, my favourite rose. No, really, I do love this one the best! The bush is as tall as me now and laden with buds (and bugs, alas.) It's a mutant gallica dating from the Middle Ages/Renaissance.



The powerfully scented Isphahan is used for making rose essential oil for perfume.



Tuscany is another ancient gallica.



A species rose, one of the dog rose types that volunteered in my very weedy rose garden behind the house. It had that apple scent of English hedgerow roses, especially when wet as it often has been lately.



What was shaping up to be an excellent rose year has proved disappointing. The ceaseless rain has spoilt some of the buds and adversely affects the blossoms and encourages weeds which I've got no time to pull. The nasty desctructive little green worms are everywhere, gnawing the foliage. I've been too busy to battle them. Nor have I cut as many bouquets as I normally do. That will change now that my State House duties are over for a while.

The foxgloves are blooming also.



As part of the opening ceremonies of our closing day in the State House, a singer sang a song about soldiers and sacrifice and NH-based musician Ed Gerhard performed a familiar tune (our signal to take our seats). We approved committee of conference reports all morning. After our lunch break we passed the budget bills. Our other headline item was the passage of a medical marijuana bill, the most restrictive in the nation. Remains to be seen whether the Governor will sign it. It was a very humid day in Representatives Hall. Outside it rained off and on. We had demonstrations on the front lawn, anti-tax protesters, state employees, pro-medical marijuana activists. I was never on that side of the building and regretted it when I heard there were people dressed in chicken suits.

I arrived at the Lodge just before suppertime feeling absolutely drained by this cold bug. The Chap had picked up my new dark green Mercedes after work and drove it home. (And then cooked an awesome omelet for our meal!) Our garage now contains 2 Mercs. For the time being our 2 auxiliary vehicles will be exposed to the elements in each of our 2 driveways.

I'm having a quiet day because the next few days won't be. Bailed out of my mandolin lesson--haven't practised much this week and even though I'm feeling a bit better than yesterday I don't feel well enough to drive to Concord. Tomorrow I'll take my new wheels for a spin. For now, I need to do some writing!

Roses & Remorse

Let's start with the roses, shall we? A much more cheerful item than the other.

Rose of the Day: Celsiana In past years I've taken time to provide historical thumbnail of my roses. Right now, time does not permit. I invite you to trawl my archives for previous late June/early July rose reports, fuller than I can provide right now. Celsiana is an old variety of damask, dating from about the middle of the 18th century. This blossom probably peaked yesterday. She gets blowsier and looser over time. Her fragrance is indescribable!



Rose de Rescht. It's old, too, a variety of Portland rose, meaning it repeat blooms. Theoretically.



Rosa rugosa alba.



Henry Kelsey, bright red Canadian climber.



Now the remorse.

Tomorrow the House & Senate vote on the state budget for the 2010-2011 biennium, which begins on July 1st--next week. It's practically my last vote of this 2009 session, and undoubtedly the hardest of all. Budgeting in these economic times is fraught with bad choices.

Ever since the House/Senate Committee of Conference report was issued at approximately 1:15 a.m. Friday morning, I've received phone calls and emails and letters from persons who will be adversely affected--financially--by my decision to vote yes tomorrow. And I've heard from individuals who will be adversely affected if I vote no. As an illustration, I just got off the phone with someone (not a constituent) who had left a message on my answerphone. She believes she's likely to lose her job if the budget passes tomorrow. I hope and pray she's wrong. I explained the reasons I felt compelled to pass the budget--apologetically. I asked whether she'd shared her story with all the other members. She said I was the only one who phoned her back.

As people say so often, "This budget has something for everyone to hate in it." For me, there are many things I dislike. Things I wanted that aren't there. Things there that I loathe. But I realise the consequences of not passing a budget are far worse. Our state can't even afford the passage of a continuing resolution so we can come back in a few months for a do-over. Because during those months we'd be living by a budget crafted 2 years ago...in a different economy. We no longer receive enough state revenues to support those expenditures. So we'd be another $35 million (or more) in the hole. And by law, our budget must balance.

One thing I didn't expect to see in the final version: the FEMA buyout matching funds for my flood-ravaged constituents, is there. Fourteen people whose homes are condemed, unliveable, unsafe, unsaleable will rejoice. I'm so thankful this bill I co-sponsored and fought for so hard has survived the chipping away process of recent weeks. And yet...I'm confronted with all the "dislikes."

I spent today with leadership, with the Governor, with members from both parties, with my party caucus. Hour after hour of information sharing, speculation, a lot of dread expressed about the consequences if we don't pass this budget.

I admit there have been times the past 24 hours when I considered taking the coward's way out by phoning in sick tomorrow. And I wouldn't be faking. Yesterday I woke with a painful sore throat, earache, headache, all the aches. Seems to be a virulent strain of summer cold--not that this week's weather deserves the term "summer." No medical excuse for me to dodge a difficult vote. In the morning I'll dope myself to the max and get myself to the State House and do my duty. Remorsefully.

To end on a brighter note, at midday the Speaker of the House hosted her annual Ice Cream Social. (Held indoors, due to the aforementioned unseasonal weather.) Nothing goes down a sore throat better than cold black raspberry ice cream, so for me it was the perfect "lunch"! I had seconds.

Musical Monday: I Love My Dog(s)

In honour of being recently reunited with Jewel and Ruth, with whom I'm so happy to be spending this day--and vice versa!