I spent the last two weeks of my almost 9-week trip right where I started life - with my family in the Bay Area. It was, of course, wonderful, culminating in Thanksgiving at my cousin Loretta's house. While staying overnight with Loretta's sister, Pattie, I almost killed Pattie's dog, Mojito. Mojito is an inquisitive 15-pound Havanese dog, getting on in years. I helped move him toward death by leaving my bag of pills within his reach - and reach he did. He downed most of my remaining 8-days of pills. Thankfully they were supplements but many were NOT good for a dog, and even if one of the supplements may not have been harmful eating 8 multivitamins, 8 vit C, 16 calcium, 16 fish oil, 8 iron and 8 vit D is NOT desirable in any way. Pattie and I took him to the 24 hour ER for animals and, many dollars later, Mojito will see more years of life. And, incredibly, I THINK I can still come stay with Pattie in the future. She is good-hearted and forgiving.
I was able to fit in visits with friends but most time was spent with family. I saw cousins-by-the-dozens, my three siblings (and spouses) and all 4 of my precious nephews. There was not enough time with Lee and Michelle (or Leanne and Marlena) but hopefully in the future.
Stephanie and Dan and the two boys flew down for Thanksgiving. The best sight was Wesley running toward me from the car, shouting, "Gramma, Gramma." It had been so long since I had seen him and held him in my arms and we had so much to catch up on. And then, almost 2-year old Finn, came tumbling toward me. When I left in October, he couldn't say "Gramma" but now he can - and did. I was thrilled.
Then it was time to head back to Portland. I flew this time - made this trip by train many years ago. When I arrived I went to the curb to meet the Blue Star shuttle to be told they no longer take fares to where I live. They did that route 2 months ago but apparently not any longer. I stood there, flummoxed, pondering how to get home. Here I had traveled through 21 states, in 4 planes, 7 trains and many car rides - and suddenly I wasn't sure how to get home! I ended up catching a private shuttle and, 30 minutes later, I was home in my sweet unit.
It was a GREAT trip, a celebration that I am, once again, mobile after a tricky year. The first thing I did was donate my cane for someone else to use. I no longer need it. I am home, walking, with a heart and mind full of the most delightful memories of my journey around the country.
I was right to do much of it by train - it IS a fascinating and beautiful country that we live in. And I didn't have to drive; I just let the engineers take me over hill and dale. As I look out the window of my unit down to the Willamette River below, it is definitely winter. The leaves are gone from the trees, the river is still but my head remains full of Autumn - not only in breathtaking New England but in the south as well. The Carolinas were stunning in Autumn as were the woods behind Gina and Jay's house in northern Alabama. And then, surprise, although it is more subtle, autumn in California has its own beauty. October and November are good months to travel.
The folks here at the OFH (Old Folks Home) welcomed me home. A few whispered to me that I had stayed away too long; they missed me. They also suggested that I may be the "slut of the century" for mentioning that I slept in 16 different beds over the past 9 weeks! My thanks to all the hosts and hostesses who allowed me to sleep in those 16 guest beds. You were all so gracious and thoughtful.
And I recognize that I have become an Oregonian - I welcome the gray skies and misty rain of Oregon. Who knew? And so now I am happily ensconced back with the grandchildren and my activities here in Oregon looking ahead to the most wonderful of holiday seasons.
I was able to fit in visits with friends but most time was spent with family. I saw cousins-by-the-dozens, my three siblings (and spouses) and all 4 of my precious nephews. There was not enough time with Lee and Michelle (or Leanne and Marlena) but hopefully in the future.
Stephanie and Dan and the two boys flew down for Thanksgiving. The best sight was Wesley running toward me from the car, shouting, "Gramma, Gramma." It had been so long since I had seen him and held him in my arms and we had so much to catch up on. And then, almost 2-year old Finn, came tumbling toward me. When I left in October, he couldn't say "Gramma" but now he can - and did. I was thrilled.
Then it was time to head back to Portland. I flew this time - made this trip by train many years ago. When I arrived I went to the curb to meet the Blue Star shuttle to be told they no longer take fares to where I live. They did that route 2 months ago but apparently not any longer. I stood there, flummoxed, pondering how to get home. Here I had traveled through 21 states, in 4 planes, 7 trains and many car rides - and suddenly I wasn't sure how to get home! I ended up catching a private shuttle and, 30 minutes later, I was home in my sweet unit.
It was a GREAT trip, a celebration that I am, once again, mobile after a tricky year. The first thing I did was donate my cane for someone else to use. I no longer need it. I am home, walking, with a heart and mind full of the most delightful memories of my journey around the country.
I was right to do much of it by train - it IS a fascinating and beautiful country that we live in. And I didn't have to drive; I just let the engineers take me over hill and dale. As I look out the window of my unit down to the Willamette River below, it is definitely winter. The leaves are gone from the trees, the river is still but my head remains full of Autumn - not only in breathtaking New England but in the south as well. The Carolinas were stunning in Autumn as were the woods behind Gina and Jay's house in northern Alabama. And then, surprise, although it is more subtle, autumn in California has its own beauty. October and November are good months to travel.
The folks here at the OFH (Old Folks Home) welcomed me home. A few whispered to me that I had stayed away too long; they missed me. They also suggested that I may be the "slut of the century" for mentioning that I slept in 16 different beds over the past 9 weeks! My thanks to all the hosts and hostesses who allowed me to sleep in those 16 guest beds. You were all so gracious and thoughtful.
And I recognize that I have become an Oregonian - I welcome the gray skies and misty rain of Oregon. Who knew? And so now I am happily ensconced back with the grandchildren and my activities here in Oregon looking ahead to the most wonderful of holiday seasons.
