The New Friend of Earth Becomes a Reltonian (Use picture 8, please -- no caption)

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

   Efrem and I were up at 6:15 a.m. -- and were soon on our way to West Reltonia.

He helped me move things along the path as we worked our way down the steep slope to the West Pond area. 

   From West Pond we moved through heavy brush, with me blazing the trail, using a machete-like saw -- and with Efrem lugging a bucket of gravel and debris to dump into the "hole" that is slowly being filled near the southwest corner. 

   Efrem watched as I cleared a cage-protected fir tree (now about 6 feet tall) of the blackberries and other plants trying to hinder its growth.

  By 10 a.m. we were back at Summit House. I then drove Efrem to Monmouth and Independence for a little sightseeing. We stopped at a small bakery (Oven Bird Cafe) in Independence and enjoyed some Danish rolls and coffee. 

   After we returned to Fishback Hill, on which Reltonia is located, I drove Efrem to the "northern gate" of Reltonia. Due to financial considerations, I will be selling that 4-acre part of Reltonia in the very near future. I hope the buyer continues the tradition of protecting Fishback Hill from "overdevelopment"...

   Late this afternoon Efrem and I went to Sada's Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Corvallis. We sat right in front of Sada-san as he prepared sushi. The whole staff there was so friendly and efficient -- and the food was great. I particularly enjoyed the pork curry. We two enjoyed Sapporo beer and warm sake with the fantastic meal...

   We got home at 8. Since it was still light, I went down and watered all the plants on the downhill path to West Pond. By the time I was done with that at 9:00 p.m. or so, it was pitch black outside. 

Steve Walker

Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

Morning of the next day setting out for southwestern Reltonia!

Transporting heavy fill down to southwest Reltonia

Dumping the fill into a sinkhole along the fence near the southwest corner of Reltonia

At the southwest corner “Efrem” posing with a beleaguered tree we had rescued

On Saturday evening, Efrem and Steve enjoyed Sada’s wonderful restaurant in Corvallis, Oregon.

Miso shiru done — Let’s move on to nigiri! Sada and his staff truly made it a wonderful evening!

© 2024 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises