Spring is much different in Oregon compared to Tennesse--and we are often homesick for the familiar outdoor surroundings and beauty of Lookout Mountain. I still wear jackets on most days--and we have seen some weather patterns that we've never experienced before--although locals say some of the weather lately is somewhat abnormal. Twice now, we've driven home from work through literally three inches of some sort of hail/slush on the ground. The first time I ran into it I was coming through hard rain and then suddenly there was white stuff all over the ground and road. It was somewhat intimidating and very bizzare.
Marshall is still enjoying work, and promises to write a blog soon--not having internet connection at the house makes it harder for him...I have gotten to shadow horse sessions this week as I've volunteered at the ranch. It has been great to observe the process and become more comfortable working with their horses. I've enjoyed each day I've been at Crystal Peaks--it always looks a bit different. On Friday I was able to join some new friends for a day of skiing at Mt. Bachelor. They were running a special of lift tickets for $25, and I was able to borrow skis from someone. It was fun to get another day of skiing in, and the conditions were remarkably good still. Thankfully it was a warm, clear day versus the whiteout conditions we experienced the last time we were on the mountain.
Last night we played the game Qwelf with some people at our house...I mention this because if you have not played this game before--we would definitely recommend that you try it out :-) It has been a new game for us, and it is a blast! It is very interactive and you laugh nearly the entire time you play. Last night, during the game, Marshall could not use his arms for an extended amount of time and so I assisted him as he successfully drank a glass of water upside down. He also had to quack like a duck every time a card was drawn (which reminded us of Wes :-)--this just gives you a small snapshot of what the game is like...

April Already

Well our updates have been few are far between lately. We have stayed pretty busy during our first month in Oregon. Marshall has picked up some side jobs that have kept him working all but one day so far (other than having Sundays off). I believe he will have most of this weekend off, so I think he is looking forward to some rest. I am still looking for work, but I started an internship at the Ranch this week, so right now I go in at 12:30 and work till 6:00 Monday-Thursday. I am getting acquainted with how they do things there, and really enjoyed my first official day on Monday...I spent a lot of time scooping poop from one of the padocks (and nearly froze), but it was fun to work and get to have conversations with some of the other staff and volunteers.
We are still enjoying our time in Bend. Last night Mike Shaw and his fiance and another friend spent the night at our house on their trip back east (they've been living and working in Washington state for the past year). It was fun to see faces from familiar settings and to be able to share stories. It has been snowing off and on the past five days or so. The warm streak we were having has quickly faded away. I am very much missing a southern Spring!!! Daffodils have come up here, but I miss the pear trees and newly green grass this time of year (I don't miss the pollen so much though). Fortunately, the cold is not quite as penetrating here (I think because it is so dry...), but my hands and feet are still going numb...and Marshall wears his new coveralls frequently to work...the wind is what seems to get you.
The best thing we've stumbled upon is the Bluegrass community here in Bend. We went to the "jam" that occurs every other Thursday, and it was incredible! About forty or so people of all ages (mostly 50-80's...we were some of the youngest of the crowd) congregate just to pick and have fun. There were banjos, guitars, harmonicas, fiddles, mandolins, and a dobro (I have no idea how to spell that...). It was so fun to listen as they went around the room and everyone got to choose and lead a song. It made me homesick in a very good way. Marshall was unsure if he could keep up at first, but really liked it...and I think given a few more weeks will pick-up more and more. This jam session is created for people of all abilities--there three rule being 1)your intrument must be acoustic 2) it must be tuned and 3) you must be encouraging to everyone. The couple who heads it up (being orginally from TN) even invited us to go out with a group of them who have a tradition of getting dinner and drinks afterwards. It was fun to make new friends, as well as learn new stories and a ton about bluegrass. There is a local festival put on here in August by this group--ya'll should make your way here for it if you're interested :-)