1980's Spiritual Renaissance

I'm going to take you back with me to revisit a period of time that was filled with an abundance of New Age Ideas, exciting possibilities, and thoughtful futuristic movement. It was another of those Life Changing times in our lives.

I was working in administration of a large dental group and several of my colleagues were involved in the concepts of "Holistic Health". I had resources such as "Brain Mind Bulletin", "Leading Edge Bulletin", "Journal of Humanistic Psychology" "Nexus Newsletter" and lectures by now World renowned leaders. I look back and feel so fortunate to have met and actually done workshops with the late Marilyn Ferguson, author of "The Aquarian Conspiracy" which became #1 best selling book in 1980. I never had the opportunity to go to college but the education I got participating by reading psychology, philosophy, history, and human resource development materials ignited my heart and soul with excitement and hope for the evolving human race.
My experiences included seminars by Deepak Chopra, Buckminster Fuller, Marilyn Ferguson, physicians turned Holistic Healers of the time Irving Oyle, and Brugh Joy.

Behavioral and evolutionary researcher Jean Houston, who pointed me to reading the works of paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin , Joseph Campbell master of mythology, Fritjof Capra author of "Turning Point", and one of my favorites to this day "Carolos Castaneda's" books revealing the mystical connection of all things.

I have underlined some of the above and with a click on the name you will be taken to a link with more information about each of these inspiring and captivating people. In 1980 we seemed to be awakening to a "one-ness" that lasted for such a short time. The historical pendulum continues to swing as we learn more about centering ourselves in the Universal Unfolding of things.

To feel alive and connected to something much bigger than myself and to all beings, plants, animals, and Mother Earth is my greatest joy in life to this day.

Ron & I felt incredibly honored to be able to share our excitement for life with a young woman who traveled from Sweden as an exchange student – our Swedish Daughter and love of our life – Maria. We celebrated Maria's 16th Birthday with her in 1980 just a day before Mt. St. Helens blew her top! It was an exciting time indeed.

We always have loved teenagers for their enthusiasm about life and their undaunted faith in a better future. Maria came to stay with her Uncle Ulf and Aunt Pet, in exchange with their son Erik who had stayed with Maria's family as an exchange student to Sweden. When Maria wanted to experience the "City Life" they were so generous as to allow her to spend the last few months of her year long stay with us. We shall be eternally grateful.

Maria, you taught us so much! Even though you didn't succeed in teaching us to speak Swedish – you made our world much larger with your courage and experiences.

Maria had graduated high school in Sweden and came to do her Senior Year in America.
We were amazed at her enthusiasm for learning. We still had our two boys at home with us and they were less enthusiastic about school and learning. Maria became deeply entwined in my work and my reading and studies and when it was time to write a paper for her class in creative writing – she choose the topic of "Holistic Health" and wrote a brilliant paper in her second language – English – that earned her an "A". She became involved in the Ski Club, and brought other exchange students home to meet us. We met Kathy from Australia – and took her camping with us "in the bush". She was surprised to find only deer – no kangaroos in the "bush"! We met another young woman from England who delighted us by carefully eating her pizza with a fork and knife, stating that, "me Mum would kill me if I picked up food with my hands".

Maria made Swedish Meat Balls for us – requiring white pepper and a search for Lingonberry's found only in Sweden but a must to accompany Swedish Meat Balls!

In the years to follow, Maria and her family would visit many times – always blessing us with a greater understanding of the world we share.

The first time Maria left us to go back home – I thought my heart would break! Just before boarding the plane home – she turned back and said, "Think of it this way, you are not losing a Daughter, you are gaining a bedroom!" You were right Maria, that "bedroom" has sheltered many other's since 1980 and we have loved and treasured it all!

Match-Maker Make Me a Match

It was such a delightful surprise last week when I received a phone call from our "Match-Maker" who was in Salem for the evening. In 1974 Jan was one of my very best friends in this part of the country. I moved to Salem in 1968 to work while my first husband went to Willamette University. When I applied for a dental assisting job, it was Jan (the office manager) who interviewed me. We met at White's Restaurant (still on Commercial Street in Salem) just across the drive from that office location at 1111 Liberty Street S E.
I was surprised, but pleased when Jan hired me without even consulting the two dentists that she worked for. They came to eat while we were at White's and she pointed them out to me. I liked her so much I could not imagine that my acceptance of the job would be anything but a great decision. And that it was. I worked for the Wold brothers for 14 years all together – long after Jan moved to Astoria, Oregon where she and her new husband ran an upholstery and home decor business.
These two dentists I found were among the finest and most respected dentists in Oregon. They both took turns as "President" of the Oregon Dental Association and were active in the executive boards of the organization. I learned so much from Jan I could never repay her. After she left I took her place in the "Business Office" and learned full cycle bookkeeping, scheduling, production control, communication skills and all the things that lead to a life long career in dentistry. I was a receptionist, bookkeeper, business manager, group practice administrator, and eventually graduated to run my own consulting business helping dental practices learn the skills I had developed through years of experience.
I retired my business in 1996 after writing 3 books and publishing one instructing dentists in leadership skills. I loved my work and it was so very hard to leave it behind. I grieved for my loss for at least 7 years. But now when I look back at the old pictures and remember the important things – I know that it was not my career that was so important – it was the people along the way. People who gave me so much knowledge – people with whom I struggled – people who challenged me and made me learn and grow. The things I remember as "most important" now are the jokes we played on each other, the laughter, the April Fools Tricks we pulled off together – the companionship we had along that path that defined "Careers". It was the journey along the path that brought the rewards and the greatest joy to my heart as I grow older.
The frosting on the cake, Jan, was that you introduced me to your fine employee and upholsterer, Ron, on a visit to see you at Thanksgiving of 1974. You probably had to twist his arm to convince him to be my date for one evening. You told me he only dated blonds – so when I first met him – I confessed "I'm not blonde, but I'm dumb, will I do?"

I did do and we are happily about to celebrate our 34th anniversary on July 4th 2009.

Thank you Jan, for all you have been in my life – and thanks for coming back to make sure your Match-Making was successful! We look forward to seeing lots more of you in the near future.

Raccoon Visit

Ron & I were swinging on our favorite lawn swing looking over our domain Saturday when suddenly we saw something big running up the sidewalk with such speed we thought sure it's intention was to jump right into our laps.

Realizing that it had a funny mask and ringed tail we decided it may not make a good pet!

Ron stood up and waved his arms and shouted at the animal which then turned on its heels and obediently went up the tree just as Ron instructed it to do! It is obviously a young Raccoon – so we hope it doesn't try to invade Sitka's territory to eat her dog food!
Our garden it planted with 8 tomato plants, 2 zucchini, 2 red bell pepper and two green, cucumbers, and lots and lots of onions!

Ron's favorite snack is ONIONS! Hope they grow well!