About gretchenwing

A high school English and History teacher for 20 years, Gretchen now lives, writes, and bakes on Lopez Island, Washington.

Return to Kiwiland, Part III: Why New Zealand? Memmmmorieeees….

Posted on January 9, 2017 by gretchenwing

I know I haven’t give Reason #2 for our Return to Kiwiland, but I’m saving that one for right before we leave. Turns out there’s a third reason I hadn’t even considered: Nostalgia. Looking through photos from our year in Dunedin 20 years ago, I was ambushed by memories. Thought I’d share.

First of all, some perspective. Here’s Dunedin:

Fun fact: same latitude (south) as our then-home, Tacoma (north). But climate’s more than latitude.

And here’s a view of the town and its harbor (or “harbour”), looking down from Flagstaff Hill:

See those clouds? Yeah, we did too. A LOT. Only had six FULLY sunny days in 8 months.

Think I showed our house already, but here’s a look from the front:

I know. We couldn’t believe it either. The whole third floor was locked up for our stay, and we still felt lost in that house. Great for hide & seek, though!

Any stay in another country requires getting used to what one thinks as “weirdness,” which the locals call “normal life.” Here are a few examples.

1. “Burn time.” That was something they’d announce on the weather report, as in “this is how many minutes you can be out in the sun without getting bright red.” NZ sits directly under the hole in the ozone layer, we learned. (I’m assuming that hole hasn’t gotten any smaller, 20 years on.) So KIDS WORE HATS. Always.

Son One on a beach field trip with his First Form class.

2. Kiwis–the namesake of not only New Zealanders themselves, but also their money–are not only ridiculously rare, they’re also nocturnal. I got to see one on a tour on Stewart Island, at midnight, but our kids couldn’t stay up that long.

The only kiwi the boys got to see. (Wellington Zoo)

3. Aside from 70 billion sheep–OK, it was “only” 45 million, but then there weren’t quite 4 million PEOPLE in NZ at that time–Kiwis also raised elk for, of all things, the velvet from their antlers, which apparently fetched (still fetches? don’t know) a high price in some Asian countries. So weird to see elk penned up like cattle! Even weirder: they called them “Wapiti,” which is a northwestern Native American word.

Wapiti! Up in Marlborough Sound. The meat is sold too, of course.

4. Christmas falls in summer. At that latitude, it doesn’t get dark till around 10. So why bother with Christmas lights? They’d barely show. This might have changed, but back then, we saw hardly any. Took me a long time to notice what was missing.

But who needs lights when you have the Pohutakawa–the “New Zealand Christmas Tree”?

5. New Zealand is officially bilingual. Here are signs from Otago University, in English and Maori:

“Wh” is pronounced like “f.”

…and speaking of language…oh boy. Language. Don’t get me started. That’ll have to wait till next post. Till then, haere ra!

Return to Kiwiland, Part II: Why New Zealand? 2 Words: Milford Track

Posted on January 4, 2017 by gretchenwing

Kia ora! (Gotta start practicing my Maori for Pakehas–that is, white folks. I just said hello.)

Last post I promised TWO REASONS why the Mate and I are heading back to New Zealand 20 years after spending a year there.

Here goes reason #1: the Milford Track.

But before that makes sense, a little background. As I mentioned, when we lived in Dunedin in the mid-90s, our kids were small. Or, as the Kiwis put it, “wee.” Six and four. Therefore, our experience of NZ’s wonders was somewhat skewed.

For example, if you google Oamaru (the closest town of any size to Dunedin, where we lived), you’ll quickly learn that it’s home to a colony of Blue Penguins, the world’s smallest. I’m sure our boys remember the penguins–but not as well as they remember Oamaru’s AWESOME town playground, which featured a slide in the shape of a life-sized elephant.

Penguins, shmenguins.

We saw a lot of playgrounds in NZ. The Mate and I joked that we should write the kid version of Lonely Planet when we got home.

We also, of course, did a lot of hiking–what the Kiwis call tramping. Ready for some pics?

We tramped in native bush…(here, on the Abel Tasman Track)

…and bush that had been pushed back for sheep…MILLIONS of sheep.

We tramped down south in the Gold Country (near Queenstown)…

…and up on the North Island, in Rotorua (their version of Yellowstone’s thermal areas)

We tramped up mountains–little ones like Mt. Cargill, Dunedin’s high point

…and around the feet of Mt. Cook, NZ’s highest peak. (Saw wild parrots here!)

We tramped through forests…

…across beaches…

…and across some pretty iffy bridges. (I had to piggyback the boys across; they didn’t like the bouncing.)

Most of these tramps, however, were short day hikes–normal kid fare. We only went on one multi-day tramp when my parents were visiting, so we’d have an extra set of arms to help carry gear or pooped-out kids. Tramping the famous Routeburn Track was not only once-in-a-lifetime memorable, it was also, turns out, a bit of a preview of the Lord of the Rings movies.

Son Two enters Mirkwood. Right?!

Which brings me back to Reason #1. We only managed part of the Routeburn (including walking behind a waterfall, so no one complained). We did not even attempt the Milford Track.

The Milford is considered one of the World’s Great Walks. You hike from hut to hut, no tenting, and you have to make reservations about nine months in advance to tramp in summer. This, of course, limits the number of people on the track (the Kiwi word for trail, in case you hadn’t figured that out). We probably couldn’t have gotten reservations even if we’d tried, that year. But we didn’t try. Because the distances between huts ranged from a few miles to twelve. Our kids were up for about five miles; the Mate and I were not up for carrying them, along with packs, for the remaining seven.

So I don’t have pictures of the Milford–yet. But I promised myself, when we left Aotearoa (“Land of the Long White Cloud”–NZ’s Maori name) un-Milford-tracked, that if I could manage it in our lifetime, We Would Be Back.

So that’s Reason #1. Pictures to follow–in a couple of months, probably. For now, here’s a teaser, courtesy of Wikimedia Creative Commons:

Thanks, AlasdairW! Can’t wait to follow in your footsteps.

Return to Kiwiland, Part I: Why New Zealand?

Posted on December 29, 2016 by gretchenwing

No, that’s not the title of my next book. But this post does have something to do with my next book. And New Zealand. And returning.

See, in a few weeks, Wing’s World will morph back to its occasional Travel Blog form. But only after I’ve returned from New Zealand; I won’t be blogging from Godzone.* So I thought I’d better use a few posts to explain the journey. There are TWO REASONS we’re going back.

*Godzone = God’s Own Country (Kiwis are rarely boastful, but this boast makes sense once you’ve been there)

Twenty years ago, the Mate had a sabbatical and we four Wings spent nine months in New Zealand. Specifically, in the college town of Dunedin—way down at the south end of the South Island. Sons One and Two were six and four. The idea was to go somewhere

a) safe

b) gorgeous

c) with a law school to host the Mate

d) English-speaking (although, in retrospect, that southern Kiwi accent was a pretty good linguistic challenge)

Plus– New Zealand?! Who DOESN’T want to go? And this was even BEFORE the Lord of the Rings movies.

The law school at University of Otago could not have been more accommodating. Here’s the mansion they found for us to house-sit during our stay:

[Disclaimer: these are uploaded from 20 year-old digitized slides. Sorry about the quality.]

Large house, wee son. (Boy, was that house COLD! No central heating.)

The scenery could not have been more stunning. If you’ve seen the LOTR movies, you know. But just in case…

Near Arthur’s Pass

The wild west coast, near Greymouth

One of the western glaciers–Fox or Franz-Joseph, don’t remember

Near Haas (giant trout in there!)

Along the Routeburn Track

Milford Sound

OK, OK, we get it, Gretchen–New Zealand’s gorgeous. What’s your point?

Well–remember when I said we’re going back to New Zealand for two reasons? That last photo is Clue #1. I’ll hint annoyingly about Clue #2 in my next post.

Till then–enjoy the changing of the year, and I’ll see you in 2017!

All I Want For Christmas: Hope, Very Simply

Posted on December 24, 2016 by gretchenwing

This is my symbol for my Merry Christmas wish:

It’s a piece of soap. It makes dirty things clean, and makes them smell like lavender.

It was made by me and a child, for fun.

It reminds me of those models of cells biology teachers assign in high school. (See the nucleus? “Life finds a way.”)

It’s green. We all need more green.

It’s backlit by a Christmas light. We all need more light too.

Merry Christmas, everyone, if that means something to you. And if it doesn’t–here’s to green, and light, and children, and sweetness.

Resisting the Tyranny of Christmas Materialism…Or Not

Posted on December 18, 2016 by gretchenwing

Diamonds = true love. Therefore, lack of diamonds means…?

Owning a home = success. So renting means…?

Top-end equipment = mastery of craft. So crappy stuff means…?

We’ve probably all struggled against these Western constructs at some point. Maybe we’ve found comfortable alignment, maybe we’ve rejected the whole shebang; probably somewhere in between. But nothing raises my love-hate complex with materialism more than Christmas.

I had it all down this year. For my Mate and Sons One and Two: a special book, or an article of clothing I’ve heard them wish for. Everyone else: homemade granola.

Christmas list? Checked off. Christmas shopping? Done. Y’all can fight over my parking space at the mall.

The Mate and I have talked; he feels the same. I wasn’t expecting any gifts less modest than what I’m giving him.

And then my electric mixer broke.

You have to understand something about mixers. There are KitchenAids, which START at $250, and then there are the cheap, hand-held kind–$25. I got a cheapie as a wedding present 29 years ago. It worked fine, but I always told myself, “When this one breaks, I’ll get a KitchenAid. I’m a great baker. I should have great gear.” It lasted 16 years, but when that cheap mixer broke (in the middle of a cake), I zipped out and got a new one…for $25.

“It’s good enough,” I told myself. “Why spend ten times that much? And I’m in a hurry. A KitchenAid…that’s a commitment. I’m not ready.”

“Y’know, REAL bakers have a KitchenAid.”

“I’m a real baker! I’m a big girl! Just look at all the incredible pies and cakes I’ve made over the years with my cheap-ass hand-held.”

“Right. So don’t you deserve the good stuff now?”

“I’m not buying into your materialistic orthodoxy! Good enough is good enough!”

“Oookay…But you could have a blue one. Or purple. Just sayin.”

Fast-forward nine years. It’s Christmas season, and Cheap Mixer #2 breaks–again. In the middle of a cake. I’ve just congratulated myself on successfully fighting off the Demons of Buy-Buy-Buy. But I have a choice to make.

This time, I caved. Or triumphed. Whichever way you choose to look at it. But from the pride with which I’m now displaying these photos, I guess you know which way I’m looking.

Who’s a big girl now? I’m a big girl now!

Lesson? I’m going to try and be less judgy about materialism. If something new and expensive makes me or someone else feel fulfilled…I’m going to consider why. That might be enough.

Lizard + Snakes + Beast Mode = Just What I Needed

Posted on December 13, 2016 by gretchenwing

Tough week on the planet? Tough year? 2017 not looking much better? Please…enjoy. (If you’ve seen it already, watch it again. Repetition only makes it better.)

Thank you, Planet Earth, for the footage. Thank you, Reddit Guy, for the mashup. Thank you, Marshawn Lynch, for the run and the narration. Thank you, YouTube, for dropping this in my lap.

Everyone else? Pass it on to whomever needs a lift.

Christmas Crafts Not To Your Lichen? Try This One.

Posted on December 8, 2016 by gretchenwing

I like lovin,’ but I LOVE lichen.

Sorry. Had to get that out of my system. Lichens have entranced me since I was little. Something about their structure suggests Middle Earth…in miniature. How can anyone resist?

Can’t you just see teensy elves scooting around down in that forest? (Except they’d have been crushed under that footprint. Lichens are FRAGILE.)

Specifically, I’m talking Reindeer Lichen, available all over the US.

This stuff.

Somewhere in my childhood I discovered a way to turn this fantastical “composite organism of algae and/or cyanobacteria living symbiotically among filaments of fungus” (thanks, Wikipedia–and ya gotta love symbiosis!!)…into fantastic ornaments, tiny magical worlds.

I know–I’m a writer, not a craftsperson. But this is one craft I’ve perfected, and I would LOVE to teach you .

What you’ll need:

an egg
bits of lichen in fascinating shapes (aren’t they all?)
cute rubber or plastic animals (if you want something peeking out of the scene)…or TEENY dolls would work too, why not?
tweezers
tiny sewing scissors, or nail scissors
tissue
Elmer’s glue
glitter or watercolor paints
decorative braid or ribbon (see visuals)
needle and thread
newspaper or something to put all this on so you don’t schmutz up your table

What to do (Disclaimer: I am NOT the kind of super-helpful film-it-YouTube-it DIY instructor we all love best. No videos here. But it’s tree ornaments, not rocket science. I have faith in you):

With the tiny scissors, tap the side of the egg till you make a small hole. (Think baby birdie, from the other side of the shell.)
When you can insert the tip of the scissors into the hole, begin cutting in a circular motion around the edge of the hole, VERY gradually enlarging it as you go around and around. DON’T cut too far or the egg will crack.
Keep rotating your cut, enlarging that hole, until it’s big enough for the egg to slide out. It should now be an oval most of the length of the egg.
Save the egg for…whatever you like to do with eggs.
GENTLY rinse out the inside, and GENTLY dry it with a piece of tissue. (Allow the membrane to stay; it will make the next steps easier.
Let the egg sit and air-dry for a while. Go about your business.
When it’s dry enough to accept paint or glue, make a choice: paint inside, or glitter? Here are a couple of examples:

I used watercolors here to create an Australian-colored background for the koala.

But this hedgehog wanted more glitz.

Or you can use glitter to set the scene: gold on top for sunlight, blue below for sky…etc. Go wild. Remember: you don’t need to color the bottom of the interior, as it will be covered.

8. Paint the inside with paint, or smear it with glue and pour in glitter for background. Let your background dry.

9. Select a piece of lichen of the right size (bush? tree?) and dip its back and bottom into glue. Using the tweezers, gently insert it into the egg. Add other bits of lichen (or moss, or tiny dried flowers) to create your scene.

10. Dip your tiny creature’s back into glue and stick it into the scenery. Imagine its delight. Let the whole thing dry before proceeding.

11. Cut a strip of decorative braid to fit around the circumference of the hole. Swish it through some glue (to get glue only on the back), and then CAREFULLY align it around the edge of the hole, edges meeting at the bottom. Wipe off any extra glue smudges with damp tissue.

12. Let this dry sitting up. The egg container is useful for this.

13. Cut another strip of braid or ribbon to go around the back of the egg, vertically. Glue it as you did the first strip.

14. When dry, use needle and thread to pierce the top ribbon and create an almost-invisible loop of thread to hang your ornament.

Blowfish? Marine colors!

Try positioning your creature to peep out of the egg!

I’m kind of in love with this one, even though I added artificial flowers.

OK, I think you get the idea.

Lichen it? Ready to make one yourself? If you do, please send me a picture!

Survivor Susi Kaminski Klein: Asleep in the synagogue on ‘Night of Broken Glass’

Posted on December 3, 2016 by gretchenwing

In memory of Kristallnacht (yes, I know the anniversary was almost a month ago, but it’s taken me a while to recover from the election)…I am honored to share the survival story of my cousin Susi. She’s my grandmother’s niece, whom I did not get to meet until about eight years ago. I’ve heard her story several times since then, but its power still overwhelms me.

Please click the link below from Jewish Journal to read on and you’ll see why.

Source: Survivor Susi Kaminski Klein: Asleep in the synagogue on ‘Night of Broken Glass’

Cousin Susi and I visiting Butchart Gardens in 2011

Why Road Trip? A Top Five List

Posted on November 28, 2016 by gretchenwing

“You drove here?”

The Mate and I have become used to that question over our decades together–especially the last six years since we’ve added an annual Washington-to-North-Carolina sojourn to our regular Bay Area jaunts.

Why drive? I’ve been musing on this topic for the past several hundred I-5 miles. Thought I’d share the results.

1. Falling back in love with America. When you love someone, you notice tiny details, like the wrinkles at the corner of your sweetie’s smile. On road trips, I like to notice transitions between my beautiful country’s beautiful sectors. “Look–first redwood! We’re officially in coastal California!” “Aha–sagebrush! We’re in the Mountain West.”

Can’t do this from an airplane!

2. Discovering special unknowns. Like the sign on Oregon’s Rt. 199 that advertises “Sweet Cron.” Or, for that matter, the jaw-dropping Smith River that Rt. 199 is honored to shadow.

3. Strengthening that marriage glue. The Mate does 80% of the driving. I do 100% of the Spanish studying, music listening, blogging, navigating and sandwich-making. Both of us are in our happy place–2 feet apart, but in two separate worlds from which we blow kisses and share smiles when we see a sign for “Sweet Cron.”

4. Bike paths. Hiking trails. (Not many of those in an airport.)

5. Old friends along the way–really a combination of #s 1-3. They remind us who we are, why we love each other, why we love them, why we love this country. Because we can just drive up to their door…and hear them say, “You drove here?”

The ??th Annual What I’m Thankful For List

Posted on November 20, 2016 by gretchenwing

Thanksgiving is still several days away as I write this. But the more I contemplate the fearful unknowns and the ugly knowns of my country, the more I feel like turning back into a third grader and writing my I Am Thankful For list. This is one is completely off the cuff; I’m not even wearing cuffs. Just letting my mind ramble over bright spots. Like…

–having a job where I get to work with interesting, supportive people, and to make stuff like this: