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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Cass in Laurelhurst Park








My best girlfriend, Joan, from New York and her daughter,Cass, came to visit Portland last weekend.  My friend Joan asked if I could snap a few senior shots for Cass.  Cass is my favorite type of model....totally loves the camera and having fun, being silly, just being herself.  She's a gorgeous young woman with peaches and cream skin and the most beautiful shade of brunette with auburn highlights. 









The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree....you can see Cass get's her good looks from her Mom.


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Rich man, poor man

Extreme contrasts, it seems, are the norm for Thailand. A tin and salvaged lumber shack stands next to a three story mansion. A cart selling chicken on a stick for a few bhats is parked outside a 5-star rated restaurant. One end of town sells chinese imports at below bargain prices and the other end of town sells jewels fit for a king.

This ying/yang of life was so keenly demonstrated to me when I met both the richest man, and the poorest man I've ever met in my life....just one day apart.



Our group of Rotarians visiting Northern Thailand, and the home of Count Gerald Van der Straten Ponthoz (on the far right).

Rich man: Count Gerald Van der Straten Ponthoz

While visiting Rotary projects in the Chaing Rai region of Thailand, we were invited for an impromptu visit to Count Gerald's beautiful Thai compound.  Gerald is a Belgian Count, and his family owns Anheuser-Busch/InBev. Gerald spends part of the year living in Thailand, and has developed programs to help young Akha men learn marketable skills. His model is to create a business and then teach the young men the skills needed to run the business, giving them not only a source of income, but valuable education in entrepreneurship.  He built a soccer stadium and a radio station that his students use as real life classrooms. Gerald gives them room to make decisions (and mistakes) but serves as an advisor and mentor as well. I guess you could say his model is, "You can give a man a fish and feed him today, or you can teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for a lifetime".

On this super hot (110 degrees) day, Gerald gave us a tour of his projects and invited us back to his palatial antique teakwood home for ice cold beverages and a rest on the cool veranda. He told us about the fundraisers he holds at his home and his patronage of promising art students (he has a studio and an apartment in the compound for the artists to use). He was reserved and softspoken, but kind, polite, and generous. And in case you're wondering what the favorite beer of the King of Beers is...it's Leffe.



Our gracious host at the Akha village in Northern Thailand.


Poor man: Akha village father

I'm embarrassed to say, I never did get his name....but he made no less of an impression on me than Count Gerald. 

Our group of seven drove way up in the mountains, on roads I thought for sure we would never get through and over "bridges" that were no more than two planks of wood over the stream below, to visit an Akha village of roughly 300 people.  When we arrived at the village we were greeted by some of the elder men of the tribe who were resting in the shade and watching the little children while the rest of the villagers were working in the fields, hunting, or performing other daily tasks.  Our interpreter introduced us to the man, our host.

Slim and standing only about my height, he invited us into his home. His home was simple, a thatched bamboo hut standing on stilts.  After climbing the steep stairs, you arrived to a one room space shared by the family.  The space had a divider running halfway through it.  One side was where the females slept and the other side was where the males slept.  In the other half of the room was the common space used for cooking, eating, gathering and storage.  We were invited to sit on the male sleeping space (only used for special guests). Our host wanted to make us some tea. The "stove" was a hardened mud square in the middle of the room with small a grate for a teapot.  The man made a fire on the square and put the tea kettle on to warm.  Now the weather was, again, about 110, with high humidity. Being in the small hut with the fire going and smoke filling the air was like sitting in an Indian sweat lodge.

The Akha people have been refugees for over 100 years, and not recognized by any government.  They receive no government assistance in terms of education, health care or even protection.  They live off the land...hunting and farming and selling some crops for cash. They lead simple lives. Their people have been ravaged over and over by the local drug lords who raid their villages...steal their children, selling the girls into the sex trade, and using the boys as forced soldiers for their drug wars. And yet, these resilient people survive. They manage to find joy, beauty and laughter in their tenuous world.  And, they are so polite, so kind, and so friendly.

After the water boiled, our host served us a strong, floral/woodsy tea in small glasses. Then he brought out some dried, sugared dates to share with us...a real treat.  After our tea, he went with us to visit the coffee plants the villagers had just planted.  In two years time the the plants would produce beans that could be sold to help support the village.  He was, rightfully, proud.  And, I was humbled by the strength and the graciousness of this man.

Meeting these two men was an experience I'll never forget. Each man, in his own way, was impressive and inspiring. Each had lessons to teach, and I was a grateful student.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Thai school children

While in Thailand, we went to the up north to visit some schools where Rotary has completed projects such as adding libraries, computer labs and bathrooms.  Although the schools are government run, coruption is rampant and requests for basic necessities, go unanswered. Instead, funds are diverted into purchasing unneeded items simply because a relative of a government worker sells them.  Most of the children that attend these schools come from extremely poor families. At school, they receive an education, but they also receive food, a place to wash up, and fresh water for drinking.

School children with their teacher greet us as we arrive.

Poor little sweetie, she was I think a little overwhelmed with the commotion our visit created.

The children put "paint" made with flour and water on their faces to "look pretty" for our visit.

We gave these children some paddle balls to play with.  That cute fella on the left was so funny.  He followed us around and just giggled and giggled.  He gave me a hug when we left, and in his best English said, "Bye Bye"!

This shy little girl wanted to show me her toothbrush and cup that she has at school. 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Hmong girls




I fell in love with the sweet children of Thailand.  These girls are from the Hmong tribe and are living in the far northern Chiang Mai region of Thailand.  They knew we were coming, so they dressed in their native costumes for us.  So serious....I couldn't get them to smile for a photo.  Precious girls, especially that little one.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Three faces of Julianna



Aw, Geez, Grammie, not the camera again!

Ok, I'll smile...Cheese!  Aren't I cute?

Ok, I'm done now.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Bangkok skyline at night


Bangkok and the Chao Phraya

Just got back from two amazing weeks in Thailand....lots of photos to post!  I'm starting with this one taken from the balcony of our hotel room on the 30th floor of the Chatrium hotel.  The view was spectacular, but it was too hot, even at midnight when this photo was taken, to stay out on the balcony too long.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Little girl and dog

At Pike's Place Market in Seattle.  I think that little girl wanted to untie the dog and take him home.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Yaquina Head Lighthouse staircase


I love lighthouses.   I envision a handsome lighthouse keeper and his buxom bride standing in the lighttower, embracing ala Jack and Rose style, wind blowing their hair and sea mist moistening their brows.  In reality I know it must have been a lonely life of hard work in unforgiving elements. Still, I can't help but feel romantic whenever I see one of these sentinels of the past. 
This photo is of the staircase leading up to the lighttower at Yaquina Head lighthouse in Oregon. Can't you just see that handsome lightkeeper and his beautiful wife ascending the stairs, hand in hand, blanket and bottle of wine in tow.....ahhh.


Bird on the beach

We noticed lots of dead birds on the beach after the big storm.  Sad.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

First and second cousins

Ok, ok, sorry...so many baby photos from me lately...but I just can't help myself!

Took this photo at my neice, Ashley's baby shower, just one week before she gave birth to the fourth Ellis grandchild.  My two daughters and another niece gave birth earlier this year.

Beautiful moms...beautiful babies!

Ashley (with Brooke invitro), Jessica with baby Julianna, Brianna with baby Xavier, and Michelle with baby Baylor.


Aaaannndd....a few more photos from the same day (I promise next photo I post will not be a baby photo!)

X and Julianna...almost holding hands.

X, Julianna and Baylor and a few mommy hands.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Grandbabies = best medicine ever!


Jessica, with Julianna and Brianna with Xavier...cute, cute, cute!


I had surgery late last week.  Nothing too difficult or serious, but enough to keep me home not feeling too great.  My daughter Brianna, who lives in Seattle, decided to take the train down to visit/help and she brought along my three month old grandson, Xavier (X as we like to call him).  He's a smiley, happy baby, who chatters up a storm.  Although, I couldn't lift him, I could have him set on my lap so we could have a nice conversation with each other.

On Saturday night, my daughter and her husband Jesse, brought over my other grandbaby, four month old Julianna. How wonderful to have my two grandchildren sitting on my lap with their sweet baby smell and soft downy hair.  Chubby little thighs, wobbly bodies, and drooling mouths....really, who needs medicine when you have not one, but two sweet angels on your lap.

Grandpa Eric holding little X man.

Julianna had a little cold and was a bit fussy, but has soon as she got in her Daddy's lap, she was out like a light.

X's big brown eyes.

X and Mommy Brianna.


As I turned around at the train station to wave goodbye to Brianna and X, I noticed a strange woman holding my grandson in the window.  Since I haven't gotten a call from my daughter saying someone kidnapped her son, I'm going to assume the lady was holding him while Brianna stowed her luggage and got settled in her seat.....Right, Brianna?


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Snow at Otter Rock

Gull Rock seen from the Devil's Punchbowl path.

Woke up at our beach place a few weekends ago to find a dusting of snow.  So beautiful!

Lonely picnic table at Devil's Punchbowl.

Section of sea stairs leading to Otter Crest beach.

Path at Devil's Punchbowl.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Xavier's Baptisim

The Hanks Family, Xavier, Brianna and Ken.

My grandson, Xavier, was baptized on Thanksgiving weekend. The gown he wore has been in my son-in-law's family for over 100 years.  Such delicate fabric swathing my adorable little robust grandson.

Receiving a blessing from the Priest before entering the church.

Xavier gets holy water poured over his head...amazingly he didn't cry!

Beautiful smiles for their beautiful little boy.

Brianna, Ken and Xavier with Godparents, Sara (Brianna's sister) and James (Ken's brother).

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Praying Mantis


This guy was sitting on top of a car at the auto dealer when we went to pick up our new Nissan Leaf (all electric vehicle).  A sign that nature was giving us a thumbs up for our eco-concious choice perhaps.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Julianna sleeps


My granddaughter, Julianna, was hospitalized for much of the holiday season for severe reflux, and an inability to gain weight.  It was a trying time for her, her mom and dad, and for the rest of us who love her.  Thankfully, with the good care of the professionals at Legacy Emanuael Children's Hospital, loving family and friends,  and Gods healing hands, she turned the corner and came home just after New Year's.  She's doing much better now..gaining weight, little by little.  The other night I noticed she has even started to get a little baby pudge on her thighs!

Sand dune at Newport



I love going to our beach place in the winter.  The beaches are quiet except for the whoosh of the wind and the crashing of the waves and I share the beach with only a few seagulls and my dogs.  I shot this on South Beach, just south of Newport.  The beach has very few rocks....just miles of windswept dunes and seagrass.