An intense August

 “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” 
― Epicurus

 “Remember that an act of hatred belittles the one who acts it 
out - but not the one it is done against unless that person allows it 
to. Each person who reaches out in love grows a bit himself even 
when the love appears to be refused.” 
― Dixie Dawn Miller Goode, Duffy Barkley Is Not a Dog: Tales of Uhrlin Book One

 “she thought of the mix of kids in her class and in Melissa’s and she knew that the future could be bright. No one had tried to say she didn’t have a right to be in that school, or acted interested in who her ancestors were, but they had been interested in who she was and where she had moved from. They wanted to know what she did and wore and liked.” 
― Dixie Dawn Miller Goode, Double Time: On The Oregon Trail

learning to bowl with grandpa's band camp kids

the peace filled harbor

the fires around Oregon and northern California are painting our skies and dimming the sun

 August isn't more than 2/3 of the way through but it is already a confusing mix of hateful news and smoke-full skies, so that as the eclipse approaches I am left wondering if anyone can see clearly. That is when I look at the children and realize they CAN. We see the social media and the fear and the world wide upheaval. My granddaughter sees the blackberries ripening and the sun looking red and the flowers blooming and that her normally cool-busy family suddenly has lots of time for snuggles. I used to be more aware of the good people. Sometimes I don't hear enough voices reminding us that we share a beautiful world. So today, that is the voice I want to speak with.

baked pancake and free berries from the yard

Of Smoke and Good-by

 A long time ago, when this 50 year old woman was a college freshman of 18, O met the man I would marry by answering an ad on the "hot-Line" a college service bulletin for used books and car-pools. I had seen him around and been interested, and when someone gave me the heads up that he was the one looking to car-pool the 30 miles from my home town to the Jr. College, I was excited. Then a woman answered the phone with, "This is April" and I figured if I couldn't find love here I might at least still save gas money.  Fortunately it turned out he was living with a sister who was 12 years older than him, and so April was no barrier to my romantic hopes and they eventually were rewarded.  Then we all moved, but 20 years ago found us again living kind of close. April and her husband near Portland, Oregon and us in California, close to the Oregon border. Close enough for long weekends and Thanksgiving Holiday together.  Then 6 years ago April died of heat exhaustion on a Grand Canyon Hike, and her husband eventually found a new wife, who we also love, and life changed but the sense of family remained.

Only this week they are moving cross the country. From a five hour drive, visiting them suddenly becomes a 3,000 mile trip and at this stage of our lives, with college kids and aging parents, thee will be more urgent trips to take so I can't say for sure when we will see them again.

It is the end of having family within 1300 miles, and it is sad.  So last week we drove up to help them pack up the house and get hugs that will have to last a long time

 We drove through a lot of smoke from the fires burning near Gold Beach, and Grants Pass, Oregon and thought of the many firefighters with gratitude.

 Then when we got to my Brother-in-Law's home he put us to work, cleaning the gutters on the roof he told us to stand and watch and if he fell to call 911

 And his wife wanted to take bulbs and shoots from the many plants she has established in their yard. So there was digging and boxes to pack, reminiscing and hugs and while people came to look at the house, an excuse to grab a movie and ice cream

 I even got a hummingbird picture or 7

 Can you believe these blackberries?

 Then back through the smoke to home, a long drive, but nothing compared to the trip required next time.  Thank God for phones and internet connections.