Best Years Yet

T H E P U B L I C AT I O N O F E XC E PT I O N A L L I V I N G F O R P E O P L E 5 0 A N D B E TT E R • W I L L A M E TT E VA L L E Y TAKE ONE!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 / VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 4

“Welcome Home/ A Monument of Honor” –PAGE 6

Write a Bad Novel • Exuberate in One Simple Pleasure November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Happy and restful holidays

CONTENTS 4 - Down In The Valley 5 - Flashback 6 - Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor 10 - Listen Deeply to Your Heart 11 - Musings From Apifera Farm Exuberate in One Simple Pleasure 12 - Start. Do. Now. Write a Bad Novel 14 - Time Capsule: Building Green Peter Lookout In 1920

Thank you so much for picking up this latest issue of Best Years Yet. If you are a veteran, we thank you for your service to our country and hope you enjoy our cover story, written by professional photographer and veteran Ross Lewis. Like many of you, Lewis had seen many photos of the horror and destruction of the war in Vietnam. Over time, however, he came to the realization that Americans were probably missing a whole other side to the war: a gentler side visible through the lenses of the soldiers that served there.

He was right. Using photos collected from veterans across the nation, Ross compiled a book of photos titled “Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor.”

Got a great novel in you somewhere? No? How about the willingness to throw caution to the wind and write a bad novel? In honor of November’s National Novel Writing Month, Steve Prager will show you how to kill novel writing fear and enjoy flexing your creative muscle by allowing yourself to write a real stinker.

With all of the holidays crashing in around us, writers Brenda Dineen and Katherine Dunn share tips from their own experiences about how to deal with the stress and strain the holidays can cause and how to come out of the whole experience rested and smiling.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and wish you a very happy new year.

On The Cover: 1966-Vietnamese village, somewhere in I Corps.

“Kids were just curious.” Joe Watson, U.S. Marine helicopter pilot.

PUBLISHER Randy Hill SENIOR EDITOR Erin Grace ART DIRECTION Hill Design Studios CONTRIBUTORS Brenda Dineen, Katherine Dunn, Ron Lewis, Steve Prager ADVERTISING SALES L. Andrew Brown/Concept Marketing Randy Hill PHONE 503.507.1228 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 17264 Salem, Oregon 97305 EMAIL bestyearsyetpub@gmail.com WEBSITE TheBestYearsYet.com Best Years Yet is published bi-monthly. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Best Years Yet. This publication cannot be reproduced in any form without written consent from Best Years Yet. Although we have made very effort to insure the accuracy of the information in this publication, due to the passage of time and the anomalies inherent in the publishing process, we cannot be responsible for errors or incorrect information. Please contact the individual establishments to confirm information.

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Copyright 2014 Best Years Yet

November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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CALENDAR November 2: Canyon Arts Center - Mill City.

Ron Spears... Comedy, music & entertainment. Tickets info: kenc@wvi.com or call 503.507.2941.

7 – Christmas in Historic Silverton Bazaars – Silverton. Holiday bazaars and shopping at various locations throughout Silverton.

503.873.5615. silvertonchamber.org.

8 – Willamette Falls Symphony – Mt. Angel. Mt. Angel Abbey will be the site of an unusual concert conducted by Mark Perlman on Sat. Nov. 8 at p.m.. The Willamette Falls Symphony’s ranks will be swollen by a multitude of brass players to perform the inspiring but rarely heard Symphony #7 by Anton Bruckner. Also on the program are the overture to Hansel and Gretel

by Humperdinck and the Adagio for Strings and Organ by Albinoni. For more information call 503.362.7267. willamettefallssymphony.org.

11 – Veteran’s Day Parade – Albany. One of the largest Veteran’s Day parades west of the Mississippi River. The parade starts at 11 a.m. 541.981.2390. albanyveteransdayparade.org.

23 – Salem Collectors & Flea Market – Salem. Salem’s oldest and largest antique show and flea market. Over 16,000 square feet of collectibles, antiques, jewelry, glass, pottery, porcelain, toys, furniture, tools, home decor and much more. Come shop for bargains and one-of-a-kind items or rent a table and sell to hundreds of buyers at Salem’s marketplace.

Shows are held one Sunday a month September through May. salemcollectorsmarket.com.

D O W N I N T H E VA L L E Y

Animals Abound in Bestiary Art Exhibition

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he exhibition, “A Contemporary Bestiary,” will open Sept. 13 and continue through Dec. 21 in the Maribeth Collins Lobby and Melvin Henderson-Rubio Gallery at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. Organized by Director John Olbrantz, the exhibition includes 56 works that brim with animal imagery created by 22 artists from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia.

Paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photography, ceramics, and even embroidery celebrate the richness and diversity of animal imagery in contemporary regional art and reflect traditions and themes that date back tens of thousands of years, while exploring each artist’s unique approach.

For the late David Gilhooly, frogs, dogs, cats, and even banana slugs were used to parody art, religion, politics and pop culture in playful ways.

With Oregon artist Rachel Denny, her surprising wall-mounted mixed media creatures intersect with yarn and even twine to explore the often complex relationship between humans and animals.

In Robert McCauley’s paintings, he attempts to re-tether our connection to nature with animals that seem ready to engage us in intimate

28-29 – Thanksgiving Weekend Open House. Willamette Valley Continued on page 13

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conversation.

Deborah Butterfield has long admired the beauty, majesty, and the grace of horses and works to convey this through her colossal horse sculptures created from scrap metal and cast bronze.

Painter Rick Bartow (Wiyot) and printmaker Robert Davidson (Haida) focus on animal imagery as a reflection of the stories, myths and

legends of their native cultures.

Viewers are invited to discover terms of venary, or words for groups of animals, that appear throughout the exhibition as quotes from James Lipton’s book “An Exaltation of Larks.”

For more information visit willamette.edu/go/hfma or call 503370-6855.

Willamette Cares Food Share

22 – Pet Photos with Santa – Dallas. This will be our 14th annual fund-raiser for local animal charities. Santa will be here from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. for photos with your pets and family. For each donation of $6 or more, you’ll receive one photo. All proceeds go to local organizations, with representatives on hand to discuss their programs. 503.831.1222. oldmillfeed.com.

28-29 – Polk County Craft Festival – Rickreall. Two buildings with over 150 vendors featuring wreaths, ornaments, ceramics, gift baskets, fudge, cowboy art, baked goods and much more. 503.623.3048. co.polk. or.us/fair.

Robert McCauley (American, b. 1946), Edge of Town II, 2012, oil on canvas mounted on panel, 35 x 41”, courtesy of the artist and the Linda Hodges Gallery, Seattle, Washington.

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oin Willamette Valley wineries in giving back to our communities this holiday season!

Participating wineries throughout the valley are collecting non-perishable food items for donation to Oregon’s food bank network during the Willamette Cares Food Share.

A goal of 200,000 pounds of food collected from November 1-December 20, 2014 has been set.

Visit during Wine Country Thanksgiving or Harvest to Holidays, the month-long celebration during the month of November, and make your donation.

For more information visit willamettewines.com/event/willamette-cares-food-share

“I want to grow old without facelifts... I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I’ve made. Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young, but then you’d never complete your life, would you? You’d never wholly know you.”

–Marilyn Monroe

Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

Honeywood Winery celebrates 80th birthday

CALENDAR

FLASHBACK

Vineyards, Salem. Please join us Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 28th-30th for our annual Thanksgiving Weekend Open House.

We will be featuring new wine releases perfect for the holidays.

Oregon’s Premier Citizen and author, Gerry Frank, will be at the winery signing copies of his new second edition “Gerry Frank’s Oregon” on Sunday. These books make excellent holiday gifts. wvv.com.

O

n Dec. 8, 1933, John Wood and Ron Honeyman stood in line with other entrepreneurs eager to receive the document that would allow them to make alcoholic beverages after Prohibition had been repealed the day before. This year, Honeywood Winey celebrates its 80th year in business with festivities on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the winery, located at 1350 Hines St. SE in Salem.

At the birthday event, Honeywood will introduce their new Birthday Cake wine and guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility and learn about the winery’s 80-year history.

Wood and Honeyman received bonded winery number 26 and opened their business, Columbia Distilleries, in 1934, making cordials, liqueurs and fruit brandies. Capitalizing on the abundance and quality of fruit found in the Willamette Valley, they eventually focused on making wines changed the name to Honeywood Winery.

Honeyman and Wood marketed the winery throughout the United States, recognizing Oregon’s potential for making vinifera wines in the 1950s. In 1962, Mary Reinke, who started as a secretary at Honeywood, was asked to rescue the company from bankruptcy.

In 1963, she was asked to become its president.

In 1972, there were only nine wineries in Oregon, and Honeywood was the largest, outselling the others three to one. In 1974, William F. Miller, Paul Gallick and Charles Newman purchased 70 percent of the Honeywood stock from Mary Reinke.

The Gallick family obtained the majority share in 1982.

“We take great pride in being Oregon’s oldest winery and having participated in the state’s industry that has blossomed from only nine wineries in 1972 to more than 500 today,” said Vice President Marlene Gallick.

Today, Marlene and Paul Gallick’s children are responsible for helping run the winery, with Kyle Blair working as the vineyard and cellar manager, and Lesley Gallick as the marketing and gourmet/retail store manager. Honeywood continues the tradition of crafting premium vinifera wines and currently boasts the most extensive listing of premium fruit and specialty wines of any Oregon winery.

The company’s 80th birthday celebration is free to the public, but does have a $5 tasting fee that includes a commemorative 80th birthday wine glass. For more information, contact Honeywood Winery at 503-362-4111 or visit honeywoodwinery.com.

DECEMBER 5-19 – Storybook Land – Albany. Walk through a Christmas lighted forest where you can view over 85 scaled scenes fairy tale characters. At the end of your walk you will reach the North Pole and can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. christmasstorybookland. org.

5 – The Trail Band – Salem. The Trail Band featuring Marv & Rindy Ross and the rest of the band take the stage again with their traditional and original music for their annual Salem Holiday performances. This annual tradition is not to be missed. elsinoretheatre.com 6 – Springfield Christmas Parade – Springfield. In its 62nd year, the Springfield Christmas Parade is a time-honored community tradition the Springfield citizens anticipate every year. It has gained the notable reputation of being the “oldest and coldest” (and sometimes “wettest”) parade in Oregon. Enjoy floats, a Tuba Carol Concert and more.

541.988.0955. springfieldchristmaspa rade.org.

The original iPod?

Christmas Parlour Tour, Dec. 14, 2-7 p.m.

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very second Sunday in December from 2-7 p.m., you can enjoy the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned holiday celebration in historic Albany. An Albany tradition since 1979, the Christmas Parlour Tour features historic homes that have been lovingly restored and beautifully decorated for the holidays. Both Albany’s vintage trolley and the horse-drawn wagons from Chafin Farm Carriages will be available take you through the Historic Downtown District.

The tour is self-guided and you can visit the homes in any order you like.

While a typical tour is 3-4 hours, you may spend as much or as little time at each location as you wish. You can travel between homes by horse drawn wagon, vintage trolley, or your own vehicle. Several of the buildings are within walking distance of each other, with a few requiring your own vehicle for transportation.

Purchase your tickets at the Albany Visitors Association at 110 3rd Ave. SE in Historic Downtown Albany. Ticket sales begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m. Music, refreshments, horse-drawn wagon rides, and vintage trolley rides are all included in the $15 ticket price ($12 for seniors and groups of 10 or more). Tickets are $10 for Monteith Historical Society Members.

Well-behaved children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. Proceeds benefit the Monteith House Museum.

13-14 – Silver Falls Christmas Festival – Sublimity. Join in various country Christmas time crafts - make a wreath, a gingerbread house, cards, and ornaments. Learn how the park changes during the winter. Enjoy storytelling and live music. Sponsored by the Friends of Silver Falls and Silver Falls State Park. 503.874.0201 or 503.873.8681. friendsofsilverfalls.net.

13 – Festival of Lights Holiday Parade – Keizer. The Festival of Lights Holiday Parade is the largest nighttime illuminated holiday parade west of the Mississippi!

The whimsical holiday experience has become a family tradition for thousands of Oregonians since 1989 and continues to grow exponentially each year, reaching Keizer and the surrounding areas to make this a truly regional Pacific Northwest event. folholidayparade.org.

November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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PEOPLE

Welcome Home A MONUMENT OF HONOR An American Tribute to Vietnam Veterans–by Ross Lewis Springtime, 1969

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n a beautiful spring day in New York City, the seeds were planted for my life to take a dramatic change. Nine months earlier, in August 1968, I had returned from Korea to resume my civilian job as Associate Director on nightly newscasts with WCBSTV. Working my dream profession and living amidst the excitement of living in the Big Apple was the good life, but a Pentax 35mm camera and a visit to Central Park altered the

way I would live life from that day forward. Forty-five years later, in 2013, that singular experience led me to write and produce “Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor,” a book dedicated to the honor, dignity and humanity of Vietnam veterans.

It began with the juggler New York City’s Central Park is an ever-flowing, gracious display of humanity exhibiting sublime and natural happiness. On the day my life changed, I hoped the park and camera would provide a calm

diversion from a recent breakup. As I entered the park, I was hesitant about the Pentax. I had taken hundreds of family and travel pictures, but this day was different.

The camera seemed it could be a vehicle for me to see life in a new way.

I positioned myself on the outside perimeter of a circle of people who were watching a juggler, a tall young man dressed in white, effortlessly rotating three softly-flying oranges in a perfect circle. With the camera locked to my eye, I inched

July, 1965–Proud young fisherman. Tam Ky, South Vietnam. Donald Shockey, 1st Bn./4th Marines & 2nd Bn./7th Marines.

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Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

forward. Click! Click! Click! All vertical photographs! Click! Click!

Multiples of the same image as it changed with each gentle toss of the gliding balls. I positioned myself on the inside of the circle surrounding the juggler. Click! Click! Never before had I experienced this special feeling My few minutes with the juggler cannot be put into words. I knew something was different. That moment that tugged at me forever after! My next adventure with the camera was always on my mind.

After many years seeing photographs of the horror, destruction and suffering in Vietnam, I realized that there must be visual accounts of other realities in Vietnam through the pictures taken by the gentle souls of American soldiers.

Subway rides to distant unknown neighborhoods to find and see new pictures; other states; other countries.

The passion for photography drove me every day. From that day in 1969, I understood and realized the power of photographs. Nine years later, in early 1978, the passion for photography pulled me away from CBS and into the life of a professional photographer. For 22 years I was blessed with countless photographic assignments that took me throughout America and Europe, and into Brazil and Africa.

And then came the book.

“Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor” More than twenty years ago, my love of photography and my experiences as a former soldier spawned a new realization in me. I am proud of my service to America, completed between August 1966 and August 1968. I did not serve in Vietnam; instead, I was sent to the 7th Infantry Division near the DMZ of South Korea and served as a Signal Corps officer. Since then, not a day has gone by that I have not thought about my time in Korea. After many years seeing photographs of the horror, destruction and suffering in Vietnam, I realized that there must be visual accounts of other realities in Vietnam through the pictures taken by the gentle souls of American soldiers. With that premise, I began my 3 1/2 year journey in July 2010.

I called local military groups to introduce myself and find Vietnam veterans who would be willing to speak with me and share their photographs. The doors continually opened. The magnificent journey evolved far beyond my expectations.

I travelled 20,000 miles to 14 states, interviewing and collecting the personal non-combat photographs of 62 Vietnam veterans, culminating in “Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor.”

The photographs My intuition was correct. Most

of the men and women who served in Vietnam carried cameras. Their wonderful, lasting images were not just “passing accidents” from unskilled photographers. On the contrary, they are poignant, decisive moments of concentration that captured a detailed tapestry of Vietnam during the 1960s and 70s.

The soft, gentle images reflected the service members’ inner souls, always present despite the oftendangerous environment: a quiet moment in a beautiful landscape or village; a child who gazed into a soldier’s lens without hesitation or fear; a moment of exhausted rest in the ever-threatening jungle.

These photographs are the subtle, yet powerful untold stories of the Vietnam War. They graphically communicate the hearts of the people who served there.

The trust As the journey continued, the scope of the book grew. I was introduced to veterans who served in Vietnam during the 1950s. I met women veterans who were eager to contribute their skills and expertise to help the soldiers, airmen and sailors. There was the Air Force Chaplain, the early-60s advisors, the helicopter pilots. I visited men who served on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin, spoke seven hours with a Marine who shared his personal struggles during the siege of Khe Sanh, and had an extraordinary conversation with the last Marine to lower the flag from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon during the evacuation in 1975.

When I knocked on these people’s doors they were all somewhat cautious. But as the interviews evolved, the conversations became more open, more powerful and more detailed. The initial reticence disappeared. The conversations were generated from a mutual trust.

Soldier to soldier! Soldier to airman!

Soldier to sailor! Soldier to marine!

Although I was a stranger, I bonded Continued on page 8

1970--Children at orphanage near Chu Lai. Their clothing was donated, usually by visiting G.I.s who wrote home and asked their parents to send over the clothing of their younger brothers and sisters. Bill Hutchison (198th light infantry brigade, 23rd Infantry).

1966–Two women and their dog. Cam Ranh Bay. Harrison Kohler, “B” Company, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.

November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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July, 1965–Dental care for the villagers, Medical Civic Action Program. Donald Shockey, 1st Bn./4th Marines & 2nd Bn./7th Marines.

Continued on page 7

A Holiday Gift to Honor Your Veteran

“Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor” is the compelling and unique, coffee-table style photographic/essay book which honors the dignity and humanity of Vietnam veterans throughout America.

Featuring powerful interviews & brilliant photographs from 29 veterans.

Order Your Limited Edition Copy through the Welcome Home website: www.welcomemonument.com 8

Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

closely with all of them. Each veteran told me that they had kept their secrets locked up for over forty years.

Each was deeply grateful for the chance to tell their stories.

On that beautiful spring day in New York City in 1969, I had no notion of what was to follow in my life as a photographer.

The totality of pictures and stories The photographs, in concert with the veterans’ biographies, define the profound humanity of these Americans.

Each story is unique and carries a life-long impact. The men and women came from every corner of America. They grew up as dreamers, athletes, scouts, and builders of model airplanes. They had hearts.

They had families. They had fears.

They were young men and women of fiber, feelings, apprehensions, valor and dedication. Some stories recounted the personal horrors of the men who faced death at every minute. Other stories speak of those who were in less dangerous, yet everchallenging environments. Each story shares the essence that exists within all human beings.

The completion On that beautiful spring day in New York City in 1969, I had no notion of what was to follow in my life as a photographer. I believe that day was no accident. It ultimately led me to the opportunity and privilege to personally visit with these men and women who generously allowed me into their lives. My hope is that “Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor” makes a profound impact upon our world and creates a legacy of the other reality of the men and women who served in Vietnam.

“Welcome Home/Monument of Honor” is dedicated to the honor and dignity of the men and women who served the United States of America in Vietnam and Southeast Asia between 1954 and 1975.

Ross Lewis, born in Passaic, N.J., graduated from Rutgers University in 1965. He is a former international photographer for Fortune 500 corporations and the NFL. Following his professional photography career, from 1993-2010, Ross was the founder and president of “SEE” (Special Eyes On The Environment, Inc.) a special education photographic-empowerment program for children and adults with disabilities in New Jersey. Mr. Lewis now resides in Jacksonville, Florida. “Welcome Home/A Monument of Honor” can be purchased through the website: www.welcomemonument.com or on Amazon. com. In addition, Ross Lewis Fine Art Website can be viewed on FineArtAmerica.com.

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Dayton native serves aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

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nsign David C. Nygren, a native of Dayton, is assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) as the main propulsion division officer in the Engineering Department. He has been in the Navy for one year and three months.

Nygren, a 2013 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, entered the Navy with the goal of earning a career in nuclear power. He has found the camaraderie amongst his peers is a perk during the long hours on deployment. “[My favorite part of the job is] working with a lot of people from various backgrounds that join the military and find a common sense of purpose,” said Nygren. “They honestly work harder than most people I’ve ever known.”

Nygren said he still has personal goals that he would like to complete by the end of deployment. He has already achieved the one, which is qualifying as officer of the deck.

His next goal is to earn the surface

Nygren, a 2013 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, entered the Navy with the goal of earning a career in nuclear power. warfare officer qualification.

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more information about USS Makin Island (LHD-8), visit navy. mil/local/lhd8.

Serving the entire Willamette Valley!

–Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dennis Grube, USS Makin Island Public Affairs November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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WELLNESS

Listen Deeply to Your Heart This is the season for reflection • Brenda Dineen Your vision will become clear only when you look into your own heart. - Carl Jung

W

e are approaching the winter solstice and the end of our auspicious 2014. After such a tumultuous year, this coming holiday season offers us an opportunity to rest and reflect, and to deeply nurture ourselves.

We have all been aware of the significance of 2014. We can sense the beginning of massive changes and shifts in all areas of our lives.

This is also a time of advancement in our spiritual growth. We are letting go of old beliefs, old ways of being, and the sense that we are separate from each other. I notice many people experiencing crises and shifts in their relationships,

health, finances, work, and consciousness. We are also witnessing many crises in our world. These momentous shifts are preparing us for the new age we are entering.

Right now, I am asking myself: •

What has this year brought me?

•

What have I appreciated most in 2014?

•

•

In what ways have I grown as a person, or learned something new?

Am I living my purpose?

As the days grow shorter and darker, many people feel the impulse to hibernate, to pull into themselves.

I personally like to have my fireplace on, the Christmas lights sparkling and a few candles burning while I

The holidays are filled with activity and it is easy to get so busy with “doing” that we neglect our self-care. spend time writing in my journal.

This is a season to be reflective and to notice what is happening. In order to prepare ourselves for the coming year, we need to be deeply grounded, and to find the time and space to be quiet.

The holidays are filled with activity and it is easy to get so busy with “doing” that we neglect our self-care.

Unfortunately, when we don’t take time to nurture ourselves, we end up exhausted in burnt out.

We need balance, including time for rest and to contemplate the journey our life is taking.

—Regularly meditate, pray, or complete some other practice that encourages stillness and silence.

—Get enough exercise and sleep.

Carve out time for these restful moments. Even a few minutes of

stillness are a precious investment in your growth and awareness. In stillness and silence we begin to experience the calmness and peace that give us strength.

Some questions you might contemplate: •

What practices bring me rest and reflection?

•

What do I notice when I take time for quiet, with no distractions?

•

What do you need to pay more attention to?

When you spend a little time with these questions, you are fulfilling the need to know how your journey is progressing and to set your sights on what is best for you. When you bring things into balance, you’ll begin to feel that your life is on track.

I wish you a contented and nourishing holiday season.

Brenda Dineen, Registered Clinical Counsellor in Vancouver BC, specializing in issues facing people in the second half of life. You can contact her at: brendadineen. com and email: Brenda@brendadineen.com.

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Advertise in Best Years Yet Call 503.507.1228 for more information

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Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

M U S I N G S F R O M A P I F E R A FA R M

Exuberate in One Simple Pleasure By Katherine Dunn

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blogspot.com.

All images © Katherine Dunn/Apifera Farm

ecently I thought about how, while the upcoming holiday season is multi-layered for all ages, it is perhaps more so for those of us in our “middle years.”

Past and future seem to merge—joys, disappointments, catastrophes and old family myths—and the future might mean life without a loved one, or a time of hardship due to aging or illness. The holidays seem to jumble hopes and dreams together with present and future fears. They can bring up past regrets for some, and anger for others. I can’t help but look back on the past and remember a dinner or outing with someone who is no longer with me, only to be jolted into the present, remembering that I must embrace the preciousness of life for what it is right now.

It’s easy to look at the our youth with rose-colored glasses: those years seem so simple, unencumbered by mortgages, health issues and job stress. When I start to feel this way, I remember a six-year old I met some years ago. I was riding along with a friend who drove the bus for an after-school program. He had picked up about five children from the school, including a little girl with her backpack full to bursting. As we drove to the first stop, she became agitated, letting out worried gasps and deep sighs. I asked what was wrong.

“I forgot my special pencil.”

“I’m sure your parents will have one you can use,” I assured her.

“No, it’s a special pencil the teacher gave us to use; we’re supposed to use it.” More sighs.

And she sighed all the way home.

I’m sure the teacher had handed out soft pencils to help the children with a certain assignment, knowing the lead number and grip would be easier for little hands, telling the kids to use it in particular. The stress of a year of adult worries was furrowed into this girl’s little head and heart.

Stress was certainly no stranger to us, either.

But we also were more apt to exuberate as children, and I feel lucky to have retained that quality as an adult. Although laughter can’t cure a disease, it can help manage it and the day-to-day stress that comes with it. When in physical pain,

laughter might be scarce, but if we can chuckle or smile, even for a few seconds, it might resonate within.

This afternoon, I shared some mashed squash with Earnest the pig. This encounter in my barnyard brings me laughter and pleasure, despite that it only lasts seconds.

Watching the animals eat with abandon is one of the rites of autumn here on the farm, their faces covered in orange fruit mash.

The first of the holidays are coming soon, and with them memories bad and good. If I have any bouts of missing a loved one, I look to nature.

Nature never closes one door without showing us the open window. Night turns to day, rains bring green grass, winter covers seeds that must rest before birth. Whatever death or destruction nature leaves us with, she also leaves an antidote. I hope all of

you reading have things around you that make you laugh, and that lift you up when you are down.

Katherine Dunn is an artist, writer, and shepherdess living on Apifera Farm with her landscaper husband, lovingly known as The Dirt Farmer. Apifera is also home to many adopted elderly barn animals called The

Misfits, which she writes about in short stories.

Her art is showcased on Sundance, collected internationally and featured in her books.

You can see her art, photography and books at katherinedunn.us and meet the many Misfits on her blog, apiferafarm.

November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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S TA R T. D O . N O W.

Write a bad novel In honor of November’s National Novel Writing Month, (NaNoWriMo, for the initiated – see nanowrimo.org for details), we thought it fitting to share a little encouragement for the timid typists, blocked bloggers, and would-be writers among us.

Write a Novel in a Month?!

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

Each November, thousands of would-be novelists challenge themselves to write 50,000 words of a first draft novel in 30 days. Writers begin on November 1 and must end their novel by 11:59 p.m., November 30.

H

ave you ever wished you could write a novel?

Dreamed of your picture on the back of an enormous coffee table book? Do you yearn to slip on a beret and empty your soul into a laptop while sipping Americanos at the corner Starbucks? Do you wander through Powell’s Books and think to yourself, my book belongs here! Have co-workers at the office water cooler gasped between spasms of laughter, “That’s hilarious! should jot that one down!”?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above: congratulations. You’re in good company. Studies show that bucket lists the world over share writing a novel as a common goal.

Why? Folks itch to write for many reasons. Some do it to figure themselves out, tell a family secret, or leave something behind more permanent than themselves. Others long to share a twisted world view or breathe life into a yarn ping-ponging in their head.

The writing dream is strong, and it has powerful enemies. Foremost among them is Novel Writing Fear (NWF): the fear of writing poorly, and getting caught at it.; the fear of getting back a manuscript bleeding red correction ink and sporting a big D Minus across the title; the fear of letting it all hang out there—in print!—and making yourself an eternal laughing stock for your trouble.

But take heart. What you will read next can help you to succeed gloriously where others have sputtered to the ground in flames.

You’re going to be armed with a great weapon that will kill NWF. Your great weapon? Simply decide to…

WRITE A BAD NOVEL. That’s right. Write a bad novel.

A stinker. Give yourself permission to stink. Tell Mrs. Crotchety, your ninth grade English teacher with the 12

“NaNoWriMo is an unbeatable way to write the first draft of a novel because it’s such a powerful antidote to that horrible foe of creativity: self-doubt,” said Grant Faulkner, Executive Director of NaNoWriMo. “As many NaNoWriMo writers have discovered, the best way to learn to write a novel is by simply plunging in …”

hairy chin, to stuff it.

Now! Go to the mirror, right now, and say this to the weak-kneed Willy staring back at you: I WILL WRITE A BAD NOVEL. IT WILL STINK. I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO STINK. There now. Don’t you feel better?

Relief is cascading through your nervous system. The pressure is off Strictly applied, this technique can free some nearby Muse to dig about in your soul and unearth seeds to grow into your book. Ah, the sweet irony: your bad novel becomes the rich garden soil in which a good novel can grow. After all, even Hemingway said, “All first drafts are S*#=.”

So get out your pen or laptop and get started. There isn’t a moment to

Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

lose! November is upon us! Turn off the editor, gag the critic and strangle your mother-in-law.

WRITE A BAD NOVEL. YOU’RE GOING TO WRITE THE STINKER OF THE AGES! IT’S GONNA BE SO-O-O BAD. And you’ll have the time of your life.

See you at Starbucks!

Steve Prager is a retired military musician and Postmaster who lives in an old cottage near downtown Salem.He stays busy collecting one syllable words, writing cheery obituaries, learning how to play jazz and trying new things.

National Novel Writing Month began in November 1999. In 2013, over 310,095 writers participated in the NaNoWriMo program. According to the organization’s website, “Over 250 NaNoWriMo novels have been traditionally published.

They include Sara Gruen’s ‘Water for Elephants,’ Erin Morgenstern’s ‘The Night Circus,’ Hugh Howey’s ‘Wool,’ Rainbow Rowell’s ‘Fangirl,’ Jason Hough’s ‘The Darwin Elevator,’ and Marissa Meyer’s ‘Cinder.’”

NaNoWriMo.org offers a webbased application to help participants sign up for the program, track their progress, and receive encouragement and coaching along the way.

Go to nanowrimo.org/how-itworks to get started. Several Willamette Valley cities have their own NaNoWriMo writing groups hosted by a NaNoWriMo municipal liaison.

See snanowrimo.org/regions for a list of groups and meeting locations.

Mature Living Choices

Community Name

Marian Estates Campus

Location

390 SE Church Street Sublimity, OR 97385 503.769.3499 1.800.440.2669 Call for a tour.

MarianEstates.com

Dallas Retirement Village

377 NW Jasper St. Dallas, Oregon 97338 Phone: 503-623-5581 Fax: 503-623-2901 dallasretirementvillage.com

Buy-In, Monthly Rental #Units

Ho us eke Tra epin g ns po rta Uti liti tion es Pla Inclu nn de d ed Me Activ mo itie ry s Ca re

Best Years Yet guide to Complete Retirement Communities

Amenities

Marian Estates is located on 38 beautiful acres in Sublimity, just minutes from Salem and offers Complete Retirement with No Buy In. Home cooked meals and choices are offered campus wide. There are no scheduled meal times in Independent living, dine at your leisure from a full menu or allow us to delivery to your home. Assisted Living and Nursing residents enjoy up to six different meals options for lunch and dinner.

Other amenities include, full gym, walking paths, bank, beauty/barber shop, gift shop, party hall, pharmacy services and life enriching activities.

“No Buy-In” •Independent Living: Cottages, Garden Homes •Assisted Living •Nursing Care •Alzheimer’s & related disorders special care & rehabilitation available. Call for detailed information.

“No Buy-In” •Independent Living: Apartment, Townhome •Assisted Living •Nursing Care •Alzheimer’s & related disorders special care & rehabilitation available. Call for detailed information.

An immaculately kept 30 acre campus situated among rolling farmland, vineyards, and yet close to all the necessary amenities; all levels of care in a single beautiful setting: different styles of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and a renowned skilled nursing center with rehab & therapy; a full host of activities, wellness programs, and travel opportunities; soon launching our new “Lodge” community center and new Lodge residences.

Senior Center Wish List Center 50+ 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR, 97301 (503) 588-6303 • Art supplies (colored pencils, art paper, paint, glue sticks, felt markers, pens, etc.).

• Handmade winter hats and scarves of all sizes and ages.

Santiam Senior Center 41818 Kingston Jordan Rd SE, Stayton, OR, 97383 (503) 767-2009 • 8 ft. long white folding tables. Six would be a great help.

• Locking file cabinet (two or four drawers).

• Computer software (Windows 8).

• Office chairs (2).

• Room or window air conditioner (3).

• Cold drink dispenser- Coke machine (we can fill ourselves).

• Card tables (10).

• Electric Bingo board.

• Very large bulletin board - 4ft x 8ft.

• Storage cabinets with shelves and doors for kitchen.

• Games and supplies.

• TV trays (six sets of four).

Silverton Senior Center 115 Westfield St, Silverton, OR, 97381 (503) 873-3093 • 15+ passenger van/bus, plus insurance for a year.

• Endowments and/or donations for operating costs (current funding grant monies are about to end).

• Money for sponsoring programs and classes.

• 40+ large flat screen TV. • Electric scooter or electric wheelchair.

• Desktop computers or lap top computer.

• PA system.

• Volunteers: lawn mowing and yard work.

• Bookshelves.

• Smaller entertainment center for TV. • Items for Annual Auction, i.e. overnight stays, vacation, getaway packages or time shares, new camping equipment and camp sites.

The Senior Center wish list is a complimentary service provided to senior centers by Best Years Yet. Send your wish list for possible inclusion to bestyearsyetpub@gmail.com

November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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TIME CAPSULE

Building Green Peter Lookout in 1920

The last active station overlooking the Willamette Valley, Green Peter Lookout first went into service as a cabin in 1916, which was soon replaced with a cupola lookout in 1920. In 1970 the Linn Forest Protection Ass’n. and the Oregon Dept. of Forestry moved the present L-4 live-in cab to the site from Jordan where it was originally constructed in 1949.

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Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

Birthday Party Celebration at Honeywood Winery - Saturday and Sunday, December 6th & 7th!�

November/December 2014 • Best Years Yet

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Fall and Winter workshops for kids!

20%

Thanksgiving Break Class

Amazing Autumn: Tuesday & Wednesday, November 25-26th

Winter Break Classes

Santa’s Workshop: Tuesday, December 23rd Winter Wildlife: Tuesday, December 30th Sign up online or give us a call to reserve a spot!

*Sale ends 12/31/14 Not to be combined with other offers or coupons.

Not valid on previous purchases.

We have exciting new membership options! acgilbert.org/membership/

Inspiring children to learn through creative play!

(503) 363-9744 • 1210 Commercial Street SE • Salem, OR 97302 116 Marion Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301 | 503-371-3631 | acgilbert.org

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Best Years Yet • November/December 2014

Sale ends 12/31/14 - Not to be combined with any other offers or coupons. Not valid on previous purchases.