Got up early and drove home. Took a lot of backroads, listened to podcasts. Some gorgeous landscapes in Oregon. I couldn’t take a picture but I’ll need to plan it out next time I’m in the area. The region of Lookout Point lake was dramatic. On the whole I drove from Ashland to Crater Lake, then proceded around to Eugene. Of and on I-5 to Salem and finally getting off it to get home.

Last day. Spent a good bit of time in Lithia Park, had lunch there, very good, but won’t review. I’d like to go there again. Parked farther up the hill to allow for a little longer walk. I’ve gone higher, but I’ve found a happy medium. Book is really good, really drawing me in. I’m glad for this time with my Mom. This has been a bit like a staycation for me, and I’m fortunate I could spend it here.

A chill day in Ashland. Took a bit of time to go through some familiar shops, and read in Lithia. Finished Network Effect by Martha Wells, when it was good it was really good. I’ve enjoyed her earlier novellas and this novel. I suppose I really enjoyed the pacing of the other books. This one lingered a bit, when I was used to a different tempo. But overall, very satisfying. We got some good character interactions, a bit of a mystery, and plenty of action.

Another Day and a little bit of anxiety over the next book I want to read. While not complete, it reflect a number of books I’ve started but never finished, and books I’ve wanted to read but never started. I’m enjoying the Murderbot Diaries, but would also be happy to relax in Nathan Lowell’s Golden Age of the Solar Clipper again, but I’m happy to wait. I really should add a column that asks why I want to read such and such book.

It’s nice driving 99 between Medford and Ashland now. From the fires that came here a few years ago, today you see young trees and nascent forests. It was good to see my sister and my brother in law today, if only briefly. They are innundated with cats. And I could settle into Lithia park later this afternoon again to lay and read my book. Finally getting to a climax. Found a Root Beer that’s locally brewed and low in sugar.

Lithia park is a lovely park. Perhaps the ideal of what a park should be the archetype by which all other parks should be compared. Convenient parking, a lovely waterway snaking through the space. Tons of wildlife! Often deer, I know I saw a turtle last time I was here. It’s conveniently located next to the Shakespeare Festival, Downtown Ashland. Ashland has a lot that reminds me of Astoria. Similar vibe.

It’s amazing that I can drive the majority of the state in a day. I can take my time too. I now want a better understanding of this state. An idea of the geographic regions. It is so vast. Maybe a map that included the ecoregions, the economic drivers. Perhaps showing the largest elements of of economic activity in each county. I’m curious about the railways too. Further, demographic information would be interesting to explore.

A memory you feel in your shoulders a squeeze so gentle it’s a haunt an ethereal moment in time I’m back there just from watching an old show smells and senses remind me I am at once a time traveler what a thing to cherish

I seem to keep doing this, starting a little website, and forgetting to keep up. I’m 40 now. Life is a struggle, but it is still glorious and I’m glad for each breath. I’m trying to keep to the ideal that what we do in life is what matters, and trying to live my values. As best as I can. It’s hard.