Coffee Perk

This is where I spend a lot of my writing time. A few days a week, I pack up my office-in-a-backpack and head down to Coffee Perk. It's a great change of scenery from the four walls of my writing room. Coffee Perk is literally right around the corner from Starbucks, in downtown Walla Walla, Washington. I started going there when I began hearing that only the national chains would survive our economy. And what I found, was a really wonderful place. Next week---photos of the inside.

My Town (Home) Monday - Togo Learns to Wait

OK, so this post is a bit close to home for a "My Town Monday" post. Well, really close to home. Honestly, I wanted to learn how to put a video on my blog. I'd really like to put some video of my father talking about his WWII experiences, but could not figure it out. When all else fails, ask your teenager...that's all I've got to say. I don't yet have video of my dad, so my dog will have to do for now. ~Karen



"My Town Monday" is the brainchild of Travis Erwin at http://traviserwin.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Marines

The Marine Corp was formed on November 10, 1775. Why would someone like me know something like that? Why would I even care? Well, history is far more interesting when you know someone who lived it. My father was a Navy man. He served time during WWII on ships and submarines. But his work in Naval Intelligence, was spent "attached" to the 5th Marines.

So when he invited me to the Marine birthday party, which is essentially a Marine reunion, I agreed to go. My husband is a former Marine and I even convinced my two sons to go. Sitting at a table with my family, were two strangers; women whose husbands were marines, and I realized that it's not just the Marines themselves who feel that comradaree, but the families too. Soon we were talking with each other like long-lost friends.

As we finished up our meal of Swiss steak, potatoes, rolls, brocolli and salad, the program portion of the celebration began. Each Marine was handed a small microphone; they told about their time during the service. I noticed something interesting. The older the veteran, the longer they talked. Why might this be, I wondered. Could it be that the older the veteran, the less likely they have someone who wants to listen to their war stories of long ago? Might this be their only opportunity to remind others of their adventures in the service; their joys, their sorrows, and even a few funny stories? I hope that's not true, but I'm afraid it just may be.

So this Veteran's Day, find a veteran and give them the time to tell their story. Do as they were trained to do; don't avert your eyes; don't look at your watch. Listen---really listen. You just may be giving them one last opportunity to tell their story. It is a gift you give to each other.

photo by Karen L. Alaniz

My Town Monday - Bainbridge Island, Washington

About six months ago my mom, sister, daughter and I visited Bainbridge Island. The island is about a half-hour ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. The Bloedel Reserve, which was once the residence of the Bloedel family, is an absolutely stunning garden and wildlife santuary that is spread across 150 acres.

Cameras are welcome (but no flash), but that's about as far as technology is allowed. When you check in (reservations recommended), you are asked to turn off the cell phone and any other device you may have. And when you enter the grounds, you quickly realize why.

Gorgeous lawns, foilage, blooms and best of all, tranquility overcome all of your senses.

Carefully placed benches allow for quiet reflection. In fact, the reason for the reservations is that only a certain amount of guests (can't remember the exact number) are allowed on the grounds at a time. This gives you the feeling that you are the only one on the grounds, that it is your own slice of beauty and grace. Bloedel is heaven's sigh; a respite for the soul.

My Town Monday is the brainchild of Travis Erwin. You can find his site here http://traviserwin.blogspot.com. Visit every Monday for links to towns across America (and beyond).

photos courtesy of Karen Alaniz

NaNoWriMo- Hanging out with a squirrel is looking pretty darned good

Why is this little guy so bewildered? Do you see what the poor squirrel is sitting on? Yeah, he's sitting on a stump of a tree. The day before, he was running up and down it's branches, enjoying life and then he heard the blare of a chainsaw. As I walked by, I think I heard him say, "What the heck?"

And you know what? I totally understand. NaNoWriMo is the chainsaw I heard. Only in my case, it didn't cut down a tree, but something just as life-changing. It cut off my internal editor. You know the one; it's that little somehow unheard voice that says, "You misspelled that word...go back and chaynge it. Or maybe it says, "Your plot makes no sense at all."

The rules of nanowrimo state that you write as fast as you can, not worrying about such pesky things as spelling or grammar or even character development. In fact, the guidebook is called, "No Plot-No Problem." Sounds great, doesn't it. I mean, you can finally write with wild abandon.

Easier said than done. I am actually having a terrible time with it. I've started my novel three different ways. I just can't help it, it seems. There really is something to turning off the internal editor. It's just that it doesn't seem to stay turned off. The only good news is that I know from experience, that it does get easier. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. But for now, if you're looking for me, I'll be up in the tree commiserating with my new friend. ~Karen

Halleluia -NaNoWriMo Begins

November 1st is an historic day for nanowriters across the world (yes it's true...the world). National Novel Writing Month http://www.nanowrimo.org takes place during the month of November. I've been planning, outlining and spending all of my spare time thinking about my novel. I was like a racehorse, or a greyhound, or something; just waiting for someone to shoot the gun and say, "Go!"

Time to write a novel! To all my fellow nano's or wrimo's, whichever the case may be, let's make this the best year ever. And to my very small group of local Walla Walla Wrimo's, "Go Team!" ~Karen

My Town Monday - Klickers Berry Farm (and more)

Though outsiders may associate Walla Walla with our world famous, Walla Walla Sweet Onions, those of us who live here, know there's another crop worthy of praise. Klicker strawberries are a late spring/early summer delicacy. No matter who you talk to, virtually everyone has a story about their first year picking strawberries at Klickers. It is a right of passage that hometown youth share and I am no exception. We were paid by the flat-I can't remember how much, but I'm sure it was a ridiculously small piece of change that felt like a million dollars to me. But as those 11 and 12-year olds get a few years older, they graduate to working on the line, or even to driving truck. Unfortunately, my strawberry picking days were cut short when it was discovered that I was severely allergic to the hay put on the ground around the plants. So without a career in berries, I had to pick a different one; a teacher. Ah well...

Let me click away at some Klicker history. The Klickers have been raising strawberries since 1918. It began when brothers Del and Jake Klicker picked too many strawberries at their mother's Klicker Springs Hotel. Needing to get rid of the extras, the brothers hitched their wagon to their horses and traveled 15 miles to downtown Walla Walla and immediately sold out. The industrious boys quickly learned that they could earn more money selling Mom's garden strawberries than the family could earn housing hotel guests and a business was born. Now, 90 years later, the farm includes such seasonal crops as pumpkins and Christmas trees, and inside a nearby building, you'll find an antique store. It is one of those home town places that the locals like to keep a secret. So if you visit Walla Walla, stop on by...but don't tell them I sent you.

It's not all about strawberries at Klickers. In the fall, children love to visit the farm to pick out pumpkins.

Wagons make transporting the pumpkins loads of fun (hahaha).

So many choices, so little time for this little guy.

My Town Monday -

Travis Erwin http://traviserwin.blogspot.com/ challenges readers to post about their town every Monday. I've promised to do so and finally, here it is. Tada! If you're curious about other cities, regions, states and what-not, visit his blog. Very interesting! ~K

Whitman College campus is a short dogs-walk from my home. The campus is absolutely gorgeous. Whether you're a student, or a resident of Walla Walla, Washington, it is a place to reflect and be energized by the spirit of learning. I often go for walks to and about the campus. There are long circling trails, outdoor artwork, and the architecture of the buildings to behold. For a mere resident of the town like me, I have two favorite times to go. During the summer months "townies" take over, walking their dogs, riding bikes, playing frisbee, and just generally roaming around. It's quiet...nice. During the fall new students begin arriving in droves. There is an energy about the campus, an excitement and anticipation that you can only feel in a place of learning. I love that feeling. But enough about me. Here's a bit of the history of Whitman College;

In 1836 marcus and Narcissa Whitman established a medical mission and a school to serve the Cayuse Indians and immigrants on the Oregon trail. But horrible misunderstandings between the white missionaries and the people they tried to help and in 1847 the Whitman's were masacred. Reverand Cushing Eells resolved to establish a school in their honor. On November 28, 1883, the modern day Whitman College was established.

National Novel Writing Month

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? Basically, it's a month-long quest to write a novel. And yes, I said a month; not a year, not three years, but a month. If you haven't already been to the site, you can find it here; http://www.nanowrimo.org . If you've ever dreamed of writing a novel, or if you have one that has been rolling around in your brain and won't let you go, this is the thing for you.

The accompanying book, "No Plot-No Problem" gives you an idea of just how serious this business is. Chris Baty is the founder and 2008 is the ten year anniversary of NaNoWriMo. I've attempted it twice. The first time I was a "winner." Last year, I attempted it again and ran out of steam and didn't quite make it. I have a theory about why I succeeded one year and not the other. The first year, I had a really clear idea of where I was going with my novel- hence my success. Last year, I had an idea of the beginning of the novel, but hadn't really thought it through past the first few chapters. I went through the gate at a mile a minute, but slowed and finally sat on the sidelines, watching the others race past me...boohoo...so sad.

I'll post more on nanowrimo. Keep checking! And consider joining me. Next time, I'll blog about my favorite part of the nano-experience. ~Karen

My Town Monday-Cannon

I was out at a local park the other day and realized something was missing. Our town used to have two cannons, one at Fort Walla Walla State Park and one at Pioneer Park. But a visit to FWW proved disappointing; one of our beloved cannons was gone. I vaguely remember some controversy about whether it should be moved or not. And in the end it was moved. That got me to thinking.

It's important to realize that things don't stay, neither do they stay the same. Taking photos and writing about those things which are common to you is a way of documenting today, so that when changes occur, it is not lost forever.

The photos above are of the other cannon in Walla Walla. It is located in the historic Pioneer Park. The inscription is self-explanatory. It is a piece of history. Usually, things that mean something to us aren't just moved out of state. Often it is other circumstances beyond our control; a fire, a natural disaster, or simply remodeling that takes away places that our memories live. Take a moment the next time you're out to take a picture of a place that has meaning to you.

This cannon, incidentally is not just a historic piece, it also holds childhood memories for me. My best friend and I lived just a block away from the park. We often took a sack lunch to the park and ate on top of the cannon. When we were done eating, we'd toss our crusts inside the cannon, so the squirrels could hide out and have a snack later.

Take a moment to take a photo of the places that mean something to you. Tomorrow that special place may not be there. So take that photograph and then WRITE NOW-BECAUSE IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK. ~Karen

My Town Monday-starting tomorrow

While perusing the web for interesting blogs, I found Travis Erwin's at http://traviserwin.blogspot.com/. He has an interesting challenge. He asks readers to write about their town every Monday. He calls it, "My Town Monday." I read several of his Monday posts, then visited some of his "followers." It is fascinating to read about towns around the U.S. and abroad, one Monday at a time, one blog at a time.

I plan to join in on the fun. So tomorrow, look for my very first, "My Town Monday" post. If you want to participate, check out Mr. Erwin's blog. It's a great way to record your own history today, for the generations of tomorrow. ~Karen