Valerean

I'm writing this while you're still here visiting (on November 9th, to be exact.) I'm pretty sure that you're too busy with your work to keep up with my blog, too, so I think I can post this without worrying that I'll upset you. It's just something I need to write today. I don't hate a lot of things, but you working on the other side of the planet is one of them. I say to you that I'm happy you're pursuing your dreams and living in an island paradise, and I mean that with all my heart. I do. I just hate that it puts a planet between us. Because I'm old now I wonder every time I see you if it will be the last time I do. That's why I want to be with you every second while you're here, because someday I won't ever be able to do that again. I don't want to die on you. I'm not afraid of dying; it's almost comforting to me now to know that I'll be finished one day and not have to suffer pain and heartache over...

Back when she was still living with us Katherine volunteered at the local zoo, where among other things she helped build some small gardens. We went back to visit the zoo, and her gardens were still there, so I took some photos of her with them. Imagine what a world we'd have if all we left behind us were gardens.

Kat sent me some shots of the skies around the island where she lives and works. Like me she never tires of beautiful skies. Sometimes you need to see beauty all around you, and she does on a daily basis. I miss her all the time, but I'm glad she's able to live in such a lovely place.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie. Even if you're on the other side of the world, you're always right here in my heart.

Kat sent me this pic of the plein air painting she was doing down at the beach. Gorgeous.

Kat is always sending me neat pics from the island where she lives, so I thought I'd share some today. This is a mysterious little shrine near her workplace, probably built by a rat lover. Here she is working on an outdoor mural at her lab. I think it's cool she still finds ways to use her art, even as a scientist. Even the most common critters over there seem exotic. Being isolated in the middle of the ocean doesn't seem to bother her. I think I'd find it very confining (although I don't travel anymore, so maybe not.) The scenery she sees every day really is gorgeous. I love the islanders' humor, too. Life in Paradise is definitely fun.

Katherine sent me this pic of her posing with a robot she repaired at her lab. It was broken and unusable when she arrived there, and would have cost the university thousands to fix the machine. She knew this particular robot would make her job easier, so she got out the manual and figure out how to make the repairs herself. That natural mechanical ability comes from her dad's DNA, but the DIY attitude is one she got from both of us. We are big DIYers here at Casa Valerean. We almost never call outside contractors to deal with problems at home; we do it or figure out how to do it ourselves. Our neighbors call whenever they have a repair problem to see if my guy can fix it for them; right now he's rebuilding a shed with rotted wood floors for the minister next door. I came up with the solution to repair our buckled tile floor by remembering where some spare tiles were hidden in the kitchen. I also just figured out what was slowing down my work computer and fixed that e...

Tne years ago I snapped this pic of Katherine as she demonstrated her miniature painting at a school booth during an art festival in town. At eighteen years old she was first chair in the marching band's flute section, and wild about art and music. She'd even won a local art competition and had one of her pieces published. At the time I was a little worried about her; I knew exactly how tough it is to have a career in the arts. In high school I was also similarly obsessed with art and writing verse, participated in competitions (most of which I won) and dreamed of being a painter and poet. Neither of us followed those paths. Katherine rediscovered her passion for science a year later at college; I went into the military three months after graduating to escape my family and poverty and found the medical field. Now I can see that college did for my daughter what the military did for me: create new paths. She's always had more to choose from than I did, but I'm n...

Because she won't get home for another year or two, Katherine is trying to see all of her local friends while she visits. Right now she's out hiking with one, who will come by for dinner later. At lunchtime today, however, we took her to her favorite Japanese restaurant so she could have sashimi. I was super surprised to learn that she hasn't had sashimi or sushi since she went to the islands; it's too expensive there for her budget. At our local sushi place they hang up napkin art made by the customers. It was about 50-ishF outside, and of course Katherine found a lizard stranded in a cold spot, picked it up and transported it to a sun-warmed spot. It didn't want to let go of her. I know just how it feels. :)

Tomorrow Katherine arrives to spend the holidays with us. I haven't seen her since she left to work in Montana, almost two years ago now. She's followed in my footsteps a bit, visiting places like San Francisco and Yosemite where I used to go, but she's also found her own way in the world. I will not be posting on the blog while she's here, so I can spend as much time with her as possible. I'm so happy. Best Christmas present ever.

Just some pics today of Kat on the beach. She's just tried ocean kayaking for the first time. I used to live at the beach in my youth, and her dad was a surfer, so it's in her blood. She's a bit more adventurous than I was. One thing I've never regretted was all the wonderful times I spent on the beach. She's making amazing memories.

Katherine now works on a very small island and commutes there every day by boat. This is one of the views from her workplace. The university set up a lab for her, too, which is small but has everything she needs for her eDNA work and teaching her students.

More pics from Katherine of her new home. I think she's going to be very happy there.

More pics from Hawaii today -- a Buddhist temple, I think, that Kat visited. I always thought writing would be the greatest joy of my existence, but watching my kid live her life is definitely outpacing that. Seeing her bloom into this amazing person who is doing such great things with her time on the planet is payback for all the misery I went through before she came into my life. She's my revenge on everyone who ever used me, stomped on me, made me feel worthless, etc. She's the reason I will always feel blessed.

Since I'm probably recovering from Hurricane Whatever I'm queueing up a few more posts to publish in the wake. Here's the pic Kat sent me when she got on the plane for Hawaii. She told her dad she had a really nice flight. This is the view from her new place in Hawaii, a condo she'll be sharing with two other people. She has her own balcony, bathroom and bedroom for half what she was paying in rent in Silicon Valley. The first thing she found to love in Hawaii. Cookies! :)

Kat took a little time off and went on a road trip to Yosemite National Park, and sent us some spectacular pics. The last time I was there was around 1980, and it's still as beautiful as it was back in the days of my wandering youth. I'd never seen mountains before I went to the park. You can imagine how stunned I was. I'm so glad she's out there getting to see the world. There are so many beautiful places like this to discover.

Kat sent me this tiny papercut bouquet for Mother's Day. She also got the job offer she wanted from the University of Hawaii, so if they settle on a decent living wage for her she'll be moving to the islands this summer. I'm truly happy for her; I know she will make it into an adventure. I will not worry about the six active volcanoes on the islands, or how very far away from us she will be, either. Wherever she goes there will always be something to scare me. She needs to live her life and do what she loves.

Just saying.

Kat added this little watercolor in the letter she just sent to me. So sweet, this girl.