Tam dropped me off at the Denver airport with my boarding pass already printed and instructions on where to go to drop my baggage. It’s probably best I just let her think she was helpful since none of those check-ins were available.
The flight was uneventful, but as we dropped to within sight of OR – WOW, how green I remember that being!
Landed and met mom after… a year… a the security check point. Some comment in hand about how moms should be able to sneak just a bit inside the check point to greet their sons on Mother’s Day.
Picked up one bag and off in the Mini south to Corvalis – Mom’s home for a year and half now. Missed most of the traffic after 6pm. Lots of green to see and plenty of water – that’s what I remember. Mom looks good – happy and strong. Reserves back from those last few years of giving away so much of herself.
Like the ole times, chatting with Mom in the car…
We’ve snuck so many good conversations in the car. This was light and mostly about how the Wilsons are family. How she grew up in the Northwest and how neat is was to share it with her son, even now.
Off the highway and zipped into the woods, underneath a canopy, and a quick right and we are there! Mom’s new house. It’s a cottage surrounded by guardians of tall cedars and colorful flowers that mom has tamed as ‘pets’. She’s probably got names for each that only she knows. That later since Grandma and Grandpa are somewhere inside. The last time I saw them was at Eric’s memorial.
Time for supper.
I haven’t eaten since this AM. Pea soup with a slice of homemade French bread, peanut butter, fresh honey from the neighbor, etc. Full again.Chatting, mom blowing up the air mattress, and bed at 10pm (11 my time).
Morning – mom’s worried about how I slept. Fine… Really – I’ve been doing crunches and my back doesn’t have as much trouble now. G&G have already had hot cereal, but are still in the kitchen.
Out to the garden. Mow the lawn. Looks good – I liked it better wild, but I’ve helped Mom some. What’s gonna happen to the corner. Grandpa just finished burning the brush that was the trees threatened by the corner power lines. In comes a load of pavers – Grandpa’s next project. Eighty something and still going strong!
G&G off to WA to see Roan and Everet – friends… no, family really.
Visiting with Mom’s neighbors. Bill has an incredible talent with wood. I’ll never forget that my pen is from a plumb tree that was downed during a famous flood in Oregon.
Seeing Corvalis. In search of a wireless router for Mom and jammies I’d forgotten to pack. Dinner at Mom’s local pub – we’ll have Terminators and burgers please. And more chatting… Connection Time.link
Then back to house and off to bed.
Next morning – Friday. Up and working on the Windows 98 PC. I’d have loved to get that working and get the printers and plugin hard drives docked there instead. A simple thing that could have allowed Mom to take the laptop into her garden to work a little easier. A little more freedom… But we worked until one o’clock and were now imposing on Doug, Jan, Ethan, & Carolina. One last moment with Kismet and Black Bart (brushing hair), a few more pictures of the house, lock the doors, and we’re off. Oops – forgot a pair of shoes…
The drive north to Cannon Beach. We go by way of Lincoln. More chatting. I tease her about how this beach is “broken” because it’s cold and not sunny.
We talk and share. More connection time. link
Arrived in Cannon Beach.
Turned off the 101 and headed north. Nope, Mom thinks we went the wrong direction. Headed south and when we got the end and (now on the cell phone with Doug) turned around. Back again and forward, finally getting to our home for the night. Look out, where’s the potty room for Mom. Now for dinner – Dougers (named after the original owner, Doug). Salmon and Halibut Fish & Chips – very good. No trouble seeing why Doug and Jan made that a tradition.
Walking on the beach back to the house. Beautiful, fine sand. A little cold and breezy but man, that salt air smells so good. Houses are beautiful as we pass them in whimsy, wishing for a life in one of them. We scout the territory and find tomorrow’s breakfast spot. Then back to the house. Darting in and out, I want to catch that sunset with my cell phone and send Tam and Tommy a goodnight wish. I miss them and truly with they could share in the experience.
Back at the house everyone is settled in playing 20 questions with a purple gadget. “Yes”, “No’, “Sometimes”, or “Unknown” are your choices and it’s amazing that it gets so close, if not right on-target, to the hidden answer.
Next morning we turnstile the one bathroom for showers after a wonderful breakfast at Lazy Suzan’s. I’ll have to remember the Tilly should I have the opportunity to return – a unique eggs benedict.
We travel the coastal roads for a day of sight seeing the Oregon and Washington coast. Bridges and more salt air. A beautiful day.
Time to visit Roan and friends in her tribute.
Duane’s house for Mother’s Day brunch. I spent time with Everet talking about planes and physics. He really has a curious mind – and he’s so warm. Duane is so much like his dad. A truly caring man. I ate next to Roan – she’s strong and beautiful. I only wish I’d have more time to know her. I walked her to her car, helped her in, and said goodbye. I already love them all.
Visit to H Larson and Elizabeth’s resting place
Wish I could have known them.Visiting Doug, Jan, Ethan, & Nick’s friends from when they lived here. Grilled veggie with Jim. Met Lana, who has wonderful taste in both her 50’s/60’s home and gardening AND whose hospitality was boundless and simply wonderful. Her friend Jill was over for her baby shower. She knows how to entertain people and was so at-ease with perfect strangers. Really good people.
Seven up and seven down. Cards, some things are never supposed to change….
Next morning. Gotta get travel plans resettled. Then some last minute sight seeing. Mountains:
...and the home where Grandpa was raised.
Then off to the airport! Wow. So much in so little time. I’m worn out and refreshed at the same time. It’s a jumble and the fun of it is letting it settle into my memory.
Thanks to all for making these memories with me. I love you all.
