The Bear Chronicles

The Bear Chronicles



Happy New Year everyone! I thought I’d begin 2009 (well, a month and a half in) by introducing you to Jamie Pearson. He’s a lovely lad is our Jamie and we’ve had a jolly good time since he arrived for a visit a few days before Thanksgiving. Jeff and I picked him up at the airport very late on November on 24th after his all day journey from London. His trip actually began on the 23rd when he left Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, in a snow storm, for a multi-train ride south to London.

Jamie was born in Leeds but spent most of his youth in the town of Thirsk. Thirsk might not be a place you have heard of but if you are a fan of the fictionalized British veterinarian, James Herriot, and his town of Darrowby, then you know Thirsk better than you realize. The actual James Herriot was a man named Alf Wight and his vet practice was located in Thirsk. I grew up watching “All Creatures Great and Small” and unfairly judged every veterinarian I had contact with against James Herriot…poor things. So when Jamie and I began chatting online after becoming friends on myspace.com, I was tickled pink to know he was from Herriot country. The big surprise came when he told me he and his grandparents had, for a time, lived over the surgery of Alf Wight in Thirsk. They were there during some of the filming of the series and they had their share of interactions with fans of James Herriot who travelled from all over the globe on pilgrimages to Thirsk. I peppered poor Jamie with endless questions about Yorkshire in the early days of our friendship and bless him, he was patient and answered every one.

As if it wasn’t enough that our Mr. Pearson was a bit of a celebrity with the whole Herriot thing, it turned out he was a musician as well. He began playing keys in high school and soon after bass guitar as well. He also plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, sitar and just about anything he can get his hands on. He spent a number of years in punk bands and ska bands. He likes to juggle and he’s a wiz with a yo-yo. I know…quite a combination of talents is our Mr. P.

Along with the traditional modes of creating music, Jamie is also an electronic artist, composing with his computer and various sorts of turny buttons. He is a laptop dj of remixes and ambient works and I can’t begin to describe what it all sounds like. Much better that you visit his site at Reverb Nation……www.reverbnation.com/mrbear….and hear it for yourself. He’ll have to tell you the story of how he got the name Mr. Bear!

And did I mention that he and his ex had their own pub for a spell and that he has also spent time running a fish and chips shop with his grandparents? It’s true. Jamie is quite possibly as quintessentially a Brit as you are ever going to run across. Any rumors you’ve heard about wretched English cooking will fly right out the window if you’re lucky enough to have this bloke cook for you. Let me tell you about his turkey curry!

Jamie and I were penpals for a couple of years before I decided to take a trip to England to meet him in person. He met me at Heathrow a few weeks before I came to Austin. We went north to Yorkshire and I stayed with him and his grandparents in Northallerton. We had such a great time that I went back again in late June of this year when Jeff gave me the gift of the airfare. Jamie and the grands met me at a small airport not far from Northallerton. We had breakfast together after my 24 hour trip from Texas and then much to my surprise and delight, Jamie put a train ticket to Edinburgh, Scotland, into my hand and off we went further north to a place we both love. I had visited the city when I was in college in Winchester and Jamie had lived there for a spell. We had another great week together then I trekked it back to the Lone Star state with promises that he would come to Austin.


So after a VERY long November 24th for both of us, he was greeted at the Austin airport by me and Jeff in his sombrero with his big sign to make it easy to spot us in the crowd. The plane was late landing and Jeff was the source of many giggles and curious looks as we waited for our arrival. We zoomed off into the dark in the war wagon with rap music peeling the paint off the truck from the inside out. Welcome to Austin!

Jamie has done incredibly well taking in the weirdness that is life in Austin with Crazy Jeff and the library assistant at Dell Children’s. He’s been out doing night photography on the cliffs near the Pennybacker Bridge with Jeff. He’s been to a massive fire at an apartment complex in Round Rock at midnight when we delivered photo gear to the boss after a “do you know what bloody time it is!” response to his phone call. He’s performed at several open mic nights as well as providing guitar and mandolin music for an open house we had here at the library. People love his accent but keep thinking he says his name is Jeremy! If they don’t get Jamie on the third try he just relents and says “Yes, that’s right…it’s Jeremy.” See….patient. Oh my goodness how I laugh!
(The artwork for the album cover is one of Jeff's paintings and now you can download individual mp3 tracks at Amazon.com! You can buy the album there too!)

We had rather a mixed up Thanksgiving that ended up with Italian meatloaf from my bocce repertoire but we nailed Christmas with fabulous turkey and lots of fixings, including chipolatas, a standard with a British Christmas dinner, which are small sausages wrapped with bacon and roasted…..oh my. Jamie used breakfast sausages he cut in half and then wrapped with bacon. Meat covered meat…why didn’t I think of this earlier. Fantastic! Go ahead…you know you want to make them now. Do it then come back and read the final few paragraphs on a full stomach.

We had a fun-filled Christmas. I borrowed a little silver tree to put our presents around…it was too small to put much under but a few things fit. We had a string of colored lights and a gorgeous wreath David had sent down from Pownal. After breakfast and getting the turkey ready we took turns opening cards and gifts. Despite the relatively small size of the packages, each one Jamie picked up he looked at knowingly and said, “I bet it’s an LP.” Meanwhile, having asked repeatedly for a pony for every major holiday and Wednesday for the past several years, I approached every gift with “I bet it’s a pony.”

When we got to the last of the gifts we were exchanging, I found myself with a little box that said OPEN LAST on the tag. I shook it and listened then looked at Jamie and said, “I bet it’s a pony.” And I fully expected to find a little plastic pony inside. So imagine my surprise when as I started to open the box, Mr. Pearson pointed out that he was down on one knee and as I looked confusedly between him and the silver & peridot ring that was nestled in the cotton of the little gold box, he said, “Wren, will you marry me?” Well that pretty much put a wrap on Christmas except for the chipolatas…..

So there you have it. Jamie Neil Pearson in a nutshell. I’m well chuffed about him.
Now before you start asking questions, no there is no date set. Infact, as I'm writing this Jamie is actually back in England. His tourist visa expired last week so we had a teary good-bye on the 21st and it will be months before we're breathing the same air again. We have to file forms with Homeland Security and Immigration to be granted a fiance visa so he can come back and we can tie the knot. This will be the next great adventure...sigh. Thus we are together but apart. Thank goodness for phones and instant messaging is all I can say.

Well there you have it. I think the only person happier than me about all this is my mother!!

Big loves to every one and I hope those of you buried under all that snow up home get dug out soon.

Another Year Done

Hi, Everyone, and welcome to Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas! Since I haven't checked in since I started working at the Family Resource Center at DCMC, I thought I would show you a few photos of where I spend part of my days right now.

Dell Children's is a new breed of children's hospital so I am told. It runs on the tenets of Family Centered Care which means we treat not only the patient but the entire family when someone walks through our doors. Evidently the mindset is considered revolutionary, which is so often the case when someone finally puts into effect common sense things we've all known for a long time. Parents are allowed to stay in their children's rooms for the duration of their stay. Each room has a fold out bed, big closet and full bath. Each floor has a family lounge with a stove, microwave, refrigerator and more. There are no "visiting hours"..parents have access to their kids at all times and family is always welcome outside the times of appointments with doctors and specialists and tests.

Moving kids around the hospital is innovative as well. For those too small for wheelchairs, there are big, plastic wagons. Kids travel through the hospital with their blankets and pillows and toys and often medical equipment in tow. It's a riot. And for patients undergoing certain types of physical therapy, there are big tricycles and other types of bikes that go zooming through the halls, often followed by a nurse at a brisk trot. At times it's easy to forget you are in a hospital. There is the smell of freshly popped popcorn coming from the gifts shop, the aroma of cappucino from the coffee shop, visitors arriving with sparkly bags full of get well gifts.

But the often carnival-like atmosphere never quite covers the fact that this is a hospital full of sick kids. From spina bifida to cancer, pediatric AIDS to burn victims, heart patients to organ transplant recipients, Dell Children's serves any child that is ill. This is a Catholic hospital and its mission is to help those who are in need. Families come to DCMC knowing they will not be turned away if they cannot pay. Some days at the library are truly humbling. My work consists of checking out dvds for famlies to watch in their room, helping with internet searches on our public computers and generally coming up with displays and handouts to keep folks entertained and informed while they are with us. It's a super little job, only 3 miles from where I live. I work part-time and am still looking for another job to go with this to make ends meet. But it's a good place with nice people. I'm lucky to have found it! I hope that anyone who has friends or family in a children's hospital finds themselves in one as great as Dell Children's.

Jeff and Wendy are doing well. Wendy is recovering from her massive surgeries. All her "catitude" is back in spades and she's as much of a monkey as ever. She's walking and has figured out how to jump up onto the couch again. You can tell she wants to do much more but she is still quite weak in the hind quarters. The surgeon was very pleased with her at her last check up. It's just going to take time. She will always walk with the slippery hips of a runway model but she's just happy to be up and about.

Jeff has finished his trip on the Lower Colorado River and is now exploring sea kayaking. He and Wendy are down at Jeff's dad's place in Rockport quite a bit enjoying the fishing and the quiet of this coastal town. Jeff had a number of acting jobs while close to home for Wendy's recovery. He's working on being the "go to" guy for when a director swings into Austin and needs a tattooed, bad ass biker/gangster for his film. It's a big stretch for Jeff but he's not afraid to grow for his art.....ha! What I like is when he comes home from a day of being a creepy thug on Friday Night Lights, kisses his cat and makes us risotto while we watch Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares." Makes me giggle every time.

I've been doing some painting when the mood hits me. I've sent a dozen garden fish north for Dave's family's Holiday Sale this weekend (Nov 22 & 23). I haven't done any of those in a while so if you'd like one all the way from Austin, pop on over to the sale in Pownal. They are $10 and come attached to a thick stake. They look great in the garden...or in snow banks!! As in the past, at the sale there will be Connie's beautiful wreaths and gigantic pies and Dave's exquisite wooden spoons and cutting boards, plus tons of other stuff. It's odd to be here watching the pecans dropping from the trees and listening to the wild parrots when I know that the north smells of fir boughs and bushels of apples and winter squash in unheated garages and cellars. I was at Central Market, choosing fresh green beans from the big bin and the smell of garden and earth was so poignant and reminiscent that I started to cry. Funny how scents can immediately transport you places. I do miss having a garden here, rooting around in the soil like a little grub.

Just in time to share the holidays with me, my dear Jamie will be arriving from Yorkshire this coming Monday, the 24th. Jeff and I will pick him up at the airport with his bass guitar, magical laptop and the grand pianobong in tow. There's going to be lots of music and high spirits on Guadalupe Street in the weeks ahead to be sure. Check out some of his recent music at www.reverbnation.com/mrbear Infact run, don't walk, to that site and listen to his beachboys vs faith no more vs kraftwerk...oh it's a rocker!

Well, it's bedtime here so let me wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and joyous holidays. Today marks my one-year anniversary here in Austin. I've seen and done so many new things in the past twelve months. Time flies when you're having crazy!

Big loves from the Lone Star State........xoxo wren

There and Back Again

Now you may very well ask yourselves "what has she gotten up to down there?" when you hear Chet Baker cool jazz flowing out of the CD player and then spy that bottle of Falanghina wine open on the counter. Well the fact is, I'm celebrating because on September 15th I will start work as the new library assistant at Dell Children's Medical Center's Family Resources Library. http://www.dellchildrens.net/patient_and_family_resources/family_resource_center/

I got the happy call while I was in a library of all places. Naughty me with my phone on. I quickly set down my copy of Texas Cowboys and my two DVD choices and rushed outside to chat with my new boss, much to the dismay of the gentleman in the beret who sits on the bench near the entrance and uses his computer. The job is part-time, 20 hours a week, but has benefits, all of which I will find out next week when I go fill out Human Resources forms and pee in a little cup. I don't recall the drug testing when I got hired at the library in Freeport fifteen years ago but perhaps I've just blocked it out of my mind....

I'll need to find another job to go with this one but still, oh what a relief to be moving ahead. The hospital is beautiful. It's a new facility and still has that new hospital smell. There is artwork everywhere. I believe there are four, maybe more, courtyard meditation gardens. I haven't had a tour of the whole place yet but what I've seen is lovely. And as I was leaving after my second interview two weeks ago, a therapy dog was signing in for duty just across from the library. When I saw her, I knew I would really like to work at this place. Lucky for me, I get to do just that!

So, in a word.....phew!

In other news, oh we've had a lot going on here at Casa de Loco. Jeff is prepping for the solo kayak trip down the Lower Colorado. From Austin to Matagorda Bay is nearly 300 miles, most of it extremely remote. He made the final payment on the big kayak and brought it home last Thursday. It's a 14' rascal and we've spent a few evenings going through some of Jeff's military gear as he decides what to pack. His departure date depends on water levels and weather patterns but the window is any time after the 15th of this month really. We're still working on sponsors for the journey and plans for fundraising.

We've also got Jeff's career as a rapper underway. He's now recorded two tunes he's written and has several more in various stages of production. You can have a listen here: www.myspace.com/512crazyjeff Both tunes need to be professionally mastered but you'll get the idea. Be forewarned, the language is a bit rough. The tune Don't Give a Damn is a powerhouse though. And I'm even on the recording!

Oh, and as if Jeff isn't keeping busy enough, he's had more acting work since I last wrote to y'all. He's even had his first paying gig..though come to think of it, I don't think he's been paid yet. Hmmm... But here's the funny part about this gig. It is a Public Service Announcement about internet safety and it was produced by (drum roll please) The US Department of Justice! Oh I thought I'd bust a gut laughing when he told me AND that he played a gang member. Art imitating life? I believe it's going to be a nationally released PSA so if you happen to see one about internet safety, look at the gang member who welcomes a young kid after his father effectively hands him over by not monitoring his child's use of the internet. The dude with the black bandana is my boss. You'll also notice a really really really tall gang member. That is Mr. Incredible, also known as Justyn Credible..as in just-incredible. That dude is 6'8 and so funny. He's a rapper and a delight to hang out with.

There's tons more that's gone on that I can't recall here at 11:30 on a Wednesday night but it's all pretty much good. In the category of "Only in Austin", I left for a walk last weekend only to find two Jehovah's Witnesses, or some door to door religious envoys, had cornered several of the deaf tenants here in the complex and were spreading their word in sign language. The looks on the faces of the three deaf guys, that sort of "why did i answer the door?" look, put me almost in stitches. Now bear in mind, the two guys below me are always getting up to something a bit suspect but it did come as a surprise to hear why there were two squad cars parked in our lot last week.

Evidently, the deaf lady who lived here was quite good at reading lips and she would take the time to help my neighbors in situations they were not quite understanding because of communication problems of one sort or another. This was, however, part of a larger plan it seem. I know precious little about drug use but I was pretty sure I had seen the lot downstairs huddled around a crack pipe when I came home one afternoon. Plus it's no secret that dope dealers are making deliveries here daily. Those friendly people driving up to those friendly apartment dwellers who for some reason are mysteriously hanging out by cars they don't own for a few minutes, well none of them are friends stopping for a little chat. As Jeff said, when he first took me to the east side: Sharon, those people are not really waiting for the bus.

So it turns out that our deaf lady was providing the fellas downstairs with methadone and while the boys were high or passed out, she was stealing money from them when their disability checks arrived! I'm telling you, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. Heaven only knows who alerted the cops but that's the story. When I noticed the two squad cars in the lot, I called Jeff and asked him if he was alone....ha ha ha.

Well, that's enough story telling for tonight I reckon. I've been in Austin over nine months now and a day doesn't pass that I don't learn something new or re-learn a lesson I thought I had aced. My visit to Maine at the beginning of August was a strange one. It was nice to see the folks I got to see and it was good to be out of the infernal heat of Texas summer. But it became quite clear to me that while you can go back to where you are from, it's true that you really can't go home again. Maine is where I am from...Texas is where I am...and who knows where I'm bound.

Hope this missive finds everyone savoring the onset of autumn, my most favorite of seasons. Be well. Be happy. Treasure what you have and be thankful. Our blessing are many.

Much love from Guadalupe Street.

xoxo wren

ps. stay tuned for stories about these photos