Home By Another Way

One of the things I like about road trips is the ability to alter your route and schedule to suite your interests. I think I learned that from my parents, who would never drive the same road on the return trip if another, yet-to-be-discovered one, was available.

So, this summer on my return to Oregon I chose to go home by another way. I had already driven Highway 20 through the center of the state three times. What would a journey along Highway 26 between Vale and Prineville unveil?

Well, as it turns out a stunning side trip to see the Painted Hills.

Freshly sharpened pencils

CGU pillar
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

It's that time of year again when I wake up to the sound of car doors slamming outside my window as the local high school students park on the side street adjacent to my house. The time of year when the hint of summer is still in the air, but the school bell beckons.

I have always been one to get a little intoxicated by new books and freshly sharpened pencils. I not only love the process of learning, I love all the little accouterments that come along with it like pencil pouches and gummy erasers and library access to online journals.

Last week found me in southern California at Claremont Graduate University to attend a series of professional development workshops about evaluation. The workshops were excellent: well designed, intellectually challenging, and delivered by faculty from around the country. But you know what aspect really fulfilled me? Stepping onto a university campus and joining a community of scholars and practitioners that are passionate about learning and the work they do.

And fortunately for me, it is an experience I will get to repeat (albeit from a distance) for the next few months as I participate in CGU's certificate program in Advanced Study of Evaluation.

So now when I hear those school bells? It's a reminder that I need to hit the books myself, and do a little reading.

Going on a Wild Strawberry Hunt

A couple of years ago I wrote about my memories of blueberry picking each summer. In fact, I reprized that role just last week so that I could pack fresh, Oregon blues to share with family in Idaho.

But this berry adventure? Well, we're going on a wild strawberry hunt. First, you'll need some transportation. Most anything will do, but a topless jeep sure makes for a fun ride:



You'll also need picking vessels. No buckets here, folks. Paper cups? Just the right size.

Next, find yourself a secluded and overgrown patch of brush along the river. It helps if you have an expert scout in your party. In our case, my mother has been summering in Island Park since the late 1930s, so she knew right where to look.



Now, get yourself familiar with the shape of the plant you're looking for. Once you've found one, lift the branches and look close to the ground for the berries. Don't see any? Me neither. Don't get discouraged. We'll find some eventually.



Ahh,look! Two ripe berries!! Expecting more? Tsk, tsk. This is going to be a lesson in patience and diligence, my friend. Repeat plant checking steps listed above for 1 hour...



...and this is what you'll have at the end of your labors!

Now, get yourself speedily back to camp so that you can clean and chill your berries before the summer heat renders them to nothing more than juicy pulp.



It helps to use a small colander. It will make the berries appear larger and more plentiful. Watch out for sneaky little hands that want to steal them.

Now we're getting to the good part. Fold your berries into some egg whites that have been whipped with sugar. Place this concoction into a graham cracker crust and try to wait until after supper...



Make sure to save a few berries to sprinkle on top!



Mmm, enjoy the fruits of your labors!

"Lazyman's Pie"

1. In a bowl, beat 2-3 egg whites until peaks form.
2. Continue beating egg whites while adding 1/2 cup sugar.
3. Fold in 2-3 cups of fresh raspberries or wild strawberries.
4. Pour mixture into prepared graham cracker crust.