Friday, December 30, 2011
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
Here’s a tip — American Express is widely accepted across Canada. This is important because I enjoy using my American Express, specifically to earn Sky Miles.
Vacations and weekend trips always seem to be the highlight of the year. And this year was no different. I’m glad to report I didn’t require any medical treatment while visiting places afar. However, I did end up taking my husband to the emergency room in Invermere, British Columbia.
After spending several leisurely days in the quaint village of Radium Hot Springs, my husband and I decided to scout out activities in the area. We headed up to Panorama Mountain Village so John could tear up the trails on his mountain bike.
It was a great day. “Was” is the key word. After meeting for lunch, John headed back to the trails and I found a comfortable spot to people watch and read my book. Then I received some garbled text message from John. Then another, “massive pain.”
I headed to the truck to find John writhing in pain. He did an endo on the trail and landed on his shoulder. He said he needed to see a doctor — this coming from the man who never meets his insurance deductible.
We got some ice and headed down the mountain. As I drove the 13 twisting and turning miles to the hospital in Invermere, John and I pondered how they would deal with United States citizens seeking medical care in Canada. Canadians are enrolled under a socialized medical plan and our friends to the north guard their Provincial Health Insurance cards like I guard my American Express.
We soon found out the answer to our ponderings — point of service. We were required to pay before leaving. More than $800 later, I tried to look at the bright side.
“At least I get some Sky Miles out of the deal,” I said with a laugh.
With a complicated sling shoulder-stabilizer thingie, our vacation plans changed drastically. John wouldn’t be riding his bike and I would be driving the truck.
Coming highly recommended by the ER doctor, John and I headed toward Canal Flats to Lussier Hot Springs, some primitive springs located in a remote location.
To get there we had to drive on forestry roads near the western boundary of Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The brochures said nothing about the road being treacherous, much less the fact it narrows so much on the last stretch that it allows only one-way traffic. Oh, and the little turnouts leave you virtually hanging on the edge of the Lussier Gorge — with nowhere to go but down. Way down.
By the time we reached the hot springs, I needed to pry my hands off the steering wheel. Ah, but my tension was soaked away — that is until I had to drive back to civilization. Next stop, a massage therapist.
Good thing I had my American Express — I never leave home without it.
———
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, include general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Holiday season brings happiness, good cheer
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I love the holiday season. However, I’m always intrigued at how people respond to the the hustle and bustle — some attack shopping with vigor, while others put aside differences and offer words of good cheer.
A recent example of the latter occurred during the East Oregonian Christmas party. After having to miss last year’s gala event, I was looking forward to kicking back with some of my Pendleton colleagues during our Dec. 6 gathering at Hamley Slickfork Saloon.
I donned my festive New York Yankees Santa hat and climbed aboard fellow reporter Anna Willard’s red GMC Canyon pickup — not exactly Santa’s sleigh, but we flew there just in time for tasty treats, the EO’s version of Family Feud (Picture it: Managing Editor Skip Nichols in the role of Richard Dawson) and a silly White Elephant game.
When we arrived, EO Publisher Tom Brown greeted me with a hello and a handshake.
“I like your hat,” he said with a smile.
“No you don’t,” I responded. “You’re a Red Sox fan.”
Silent for but a moment, he said I was right. In fact, he said, he probably had a hat somewhere in his possession that said, “Yankees Suck.” We shared a laugh and talked about the historic rivalry between Boston and New York. And by the way, just for the record, regardless of holiday cheer, I will never use the words like in any way, shape or form connected with the Red Sox.
Anyway, throughout the month I’ve had the opportunity to renew acquaintances and attend a variety of holiday functions. The thing I enjoy most is seeing the joy and wonderment on children’s faces as they excitedly talk about the anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.
Just for fun, I like to ask if they’ve been naughty or nice. Most children instantly blurt out they’ve been nice, some hesitantly say they’ve been good, but look to their parents for reassurance. In one instance, I had a young boy, with tears starting to puddle in his eyes, tell me that he’d been really good and was hoping to visit his grammy.
Hearing that young boy express a desire to spend time with family was music to my ears. That’s what the holiday season is all about.
Sure, I remember some particularly cool gifts I’ve received over the years, but the fondest memory I treasure is a family tradition we had growing up. With my mom, pops and brotherman, we’d sit around the kitchen table on Christmas Eve playing board games. As competitive as I’ve always been, it didn’t really matter who won — we were all together as a family.
——
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, includes general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
I love the holiday season. However, I’m always intrigued at how people respond to the the hustle and bustle — some attack shopping with vigor, while others put aside differences and offer words of good cheer.
A recent example of the latter occurred during the East Oregonian Christmas party. After having to miss last year’s gala event, I was looking forward to kicking back with some of my Pendleton colleagues during our Dec. 6 gathering at Hamley Slickfork Saloon.
I donned my festive New York Yankees Santa hat and climbed aboard fellow reporter Anna Willard’s red GMC Canyon pickup — not exactly Santa’s sleigh, but we flew there just in time for tasty treats, the EO’s version of Family Feud (Picture it: Managing Editor Skip Nichols in the role of Richard Dawson) and a silly White Elephant game.
When we arrived, EO Publisher Tom Brown greeted me with a hello and a handshake.
“I like your hat,” he said with a smile.
“No you don’t,” I responded. “You’re a Red Sox fan.”
Silent for but a moment, he said I was right. In fact, he said, he probably had a hat somewhere in his possession that said, “Yankees Suck.” We shared a laugh and talked about the historic rivalry between Boston and New York. And by the way, just for the record, regardless of holiday cheer, I will never use the words like in any way, shape or form connected with the Red Sox.
Anyway, throughout the month I’ve had the opportunity to renew acquaintances and attend a variety of holiday functions. The thing I enjoy most is seeing the joy and wonderment on children’s faces as they excitedly talk about the anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.
Just for fun, I like to ask if they’ve been naughty or nice. Most children instantly blurt out they’ve been nice, some hesitantly say they’ve been good, but look to their parents for reassurance. In one instance, I had a young boy, with tears starting to puddle in his eyes, tell me that he’d been really good and was hoping to visit his grammy.
Hearing that young boy express a desire to spend time with family was music to my ears. That’s what the holiday season is all about.
Sure, I remember some particularly cool gifts I’ve received over the years, but the fondest memory I treasure is a family tradition we had growing up. With my mom, pops and brotherman, we’d sit around the kitchen table on Christmas Eve playing board games. As competitive as I’ve always been, it didn’t really matter who won — we were all together as a family.
——
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, includes general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Nintendo Wii: love it, hate it
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| Mark Briley, formerly of Hermiston, gets ready to tee off while playing Wii Sports Resort. |
2/11/2011
BY TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
Inside my shoes
My Nintendo Wii irritates me. But, it’s a love-hate relationship.
See, I really, really like Wii Fit Plus, but it talks to me in ways that even my best friends don’t.
Wii knows I’m a night owl and chastises me for messing up my body’s natural cycle.
“It also doesn’t make waking up in the morning any easier,” it tells me.
“Thanks, but you’re not my mom,” I say to the TV screen.
It tells me I’m overweight and I should exercise more and not eat late-night snacks.
And when I laid off the Wii after an injury this past summer, I thought it would be more encouraging when I returned.
“Well, if it isn’t Bwana. Nice to see you again. It’s been 133 days since I saw you last,” it said sarcastically.
Then it continues to rag on me about the need for regular exercise.
“I broke my flipping shoulder,” I said. “By the way, I have been doing physical therapy. That’s right, I don’t need you.”
Ah, but I do. I love my Wii. The relationship began last February when Mark and Teri Briley, my friends in Florida, introduced me to their Nintendo Wii.
After frolicking in the Florida sun and wading in Gulf waters during the day, we played Wii at night. Typically the three of us would play a few games after dinner and then Teri would call it a night.
“Now don’t stay up all night playing that, we have things to do tomorrow,” Teri would say as she retired to the bedroom.
Like a couple of kids, we shook our heads and said we wouldn’t.
Time ticked away while we were transported to a place where the sun always shines — Wii Sports Resort. Night turned to early morning and before we knew it, it had been hours since the mouse ran down the clock.
After a full week of this routine, I went through Wii withdrawal after returning to Hermiston.
To get a fix, I’d go to Walmart or Game Crazy and play at their demo stations. If a kid was playing, I’d stand there with my arms crossed until they moved along.
Finally, I bought my own and happily golfed on exotic courses, sword fought with enemies, slam-dunked over players smaller than me, went wakeboarding when it was raining outside and tossed a Frisbee for a stupid virtual dog that just looked at me and barked.
It was during a phone conversation that Teri told me about Wii Fit and how great it was as an exercise program. Evidently they had upgraded it to Wii Fit Plus. I think the “plus” means it gets personal and provoking.
All I gotta say is: Don’t push it, because I can unplug you.
——
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, includes general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Lucky Dog: tail-waggin’ good
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| Lucky Dog Lounge & Grille Manager Terry Hall serves up a rib eye steak recently at the restaurant in Umatilla. |
1/28/2011
Even after more than 27 years of marriage, I still do things that surprise my husband. Most recently it had to do with eating steak at Lucky Dog Lounge & Grille in Umatilla.
Since John doesn’t eat red meat, I rarely make it at home. So, it wasn’t the act of ordering steak that had John raising his eyebrows — it was the fact I didn’t slather it in ketchup before consuming it.
And that’s saying something. You see, old habits die hard — my mom cooked the juices out of steak, and in order to add flavor and refrain from choking, I loaded on the ketchup.
The fact I didn’t find it necessary to smother the flavor of the rib eye at Lucky Dog means it was lip-smacking good. In fact, John pointed out that I periodically closed my eyes while I was chewing and emitted sounds that clearly indicated I was enjoying the steak. If I had a tail, it certainly would have been wagging.
I purposedly ordered the 12-ounce, figuring for an extra buck I’d have some to take home. Well, that was not to be. I ate every single morsal — there wasn’t even a scrap left behind to take home to our canine kids.
John, who has always been more adventurous when it comes to ordering food, had the seared duck. Of course I snuck a taste and it was mighty fine too. But the real treat unleashed on John’s plate was the cranberry wild rice — delicious doesn’t even begin to describe it.
What I realized from our recent dining experience is that we waited way too long to check out Lucky Dog.
Opening in the fall of 2009, Manager Terry Hall said the restaurant is still working to establish itself.
“What we’re really trying to focus on is a fine dining experience, with a touch of Texas-style, hickory-smoked barbecue,” he said.
I was already sold on the steak, but when Hall said “barbecue,” I was salivating.
The nice thing about Lucky Dog is it offers upscale dining in a casual atmosphere. In addition, we can just hop in the car and take the short drive to Umatilla. Sometimes I get a hankering for some really good food, but I don’t feel like driving to the Tri-Cities, Pendleton or Walla Walla.
Lucky Dog Lounge & Grille, which also has a full service bar, is in the Crossroads Truck Stop, located on Highway 730 at the Interstate 82 junction in Umatilla. It’s open Wednesday through Sundays from 5-10 p.m. For more information, call 541-922-3297.
——
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, include general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Fighting back
January 18, 2011
I’m wearing purple today. I don’t have many purple clothes. In fact, I don’t really think purple is my color, but one of my old college roomies was recently diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer and I’m wearing it in her honor. Relay for Life, the premiere fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, has identified purple as the color of hope.
It’s fitting that it’s “Power of Purple Week.” Hermiston Relay for Life is doing activities each day this week to raise awareness about cancer and its upcoming Kickoff Rally, which is Friday at 7 p.m., at the Hermiston Conference Center. A potato bar fundraiser, sponsored by the Bud Rich team, will begin at 6 p.m.
I’ve covered the Relay for Life several times over the years. One year after getting my story posted I went back in time for the luminary service. It had special meaning because Joanne Creamer, one of my friends, died from leukemia a couple of years before. Another year, one of the Relay teams was selling “Cancer Sucks” T-shirts. I didn’t buy one, but now I want one.
 |
| Mary Hensal and Linda Schultz, the "purple police." |
Cancer really does suck. My brother, Mike, recently lost one of his old high school buddies to liver cancer. My brotherman doesn’t have much money, but was able to travel by train to see Dave before he died. When Mike saw him, there was some hope that Dave might be on the upswing, but it was not to be — the cancer had ravaged his body.
And the thing about cancer that really sucks, is it can hit anyone. Sure, some types of cancer are directly related to lifestyle choices, but the majority of cancers are indiscriminate and anyone can be stricken.
The premise behind Relay for Life is “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.” Celebrate those who have beaten cancer, remember those who have lost their lives to the disease and fight back by raising awareness and money for cancer research in hopes of a cure.
Relay for Life takes place June 17-18 in Pendleton and June 24-25 in Hermiston.
For more information about Hermiston Relay for Life, contact Linda Schultz at 541-564-1871 or Deanna Phelan at 541-561-3031. For more information about Pendleton Relay for Life, contact Robin Alexander at 541-966-1509 or Becca Picknell at 541-377-6798.
I would venture to guess that most people know someone who has been touched by cancer. I know I have, and I’m not satisfied to just sit back and watch. I’m fighting back.
 |
| A trucker from Bowman Trucking blasts his horn in along Highway 395 in Hermiston Monday as Relay for Life supporters raise awareness for its upcoming kickoff rally |
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, include general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
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