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.