This is an original poem I wrote in January 2009. It's in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Oregon Statehood ...and it's also a somewhat autobiographical poem of my life in Oregon for the past two decades. It was first performed on February 14, 2009 at a special Sesquicentennial gathering at Linn Benton Community College's Benton Center in Corvallis, Oregon. This is a re-recording I did later in the year. **** Oregonians all... lets propose a toast. To the valleys! to the coast! To the deserts! to the mountains! To Bensons Bubblers, to the State Capitol Fountains To Portland, that vibrant Northern city we all know To Ashland in the south, and enjoying Shakespeare al fresco To Eugene, C0rvallis, and all the college towns where life is very good To Mt. McLaughlin, the Three Sisters, Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood To the Pioneers! To York, Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark! To waking up to the song of the Western Meadowlark! To going to the Schnitz on New Years Eve to see Pink Martini. To standing at Pioneer Square in the rain and singing with a busker as he sings "louie, louie" To riding fareless square on the Max Rail! To buying your books from Powells! To voting 8 times to stay sales tax free! To protestingand saving those spotted owls! To Yaquina Head! To Klamath basin lava beds! To whale watching, river rafting. and commuter bicycling! To tie-dyed merry pranksters flying over cuckoos nests! To Ranchers! To kicking up your heels square dancing! To Douglas Firs and old growth <b>...</b>
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