Temporarily left my Oceanview neighborhood in Virginia for the stresses of Southern California. It's been 20 years since the last time I was here and 30 years since I called Los Angeles Home. It has changed some; new freeways have come, old neighborhoods have disappeared or become unrecognizable. Mainly it isn't home anymore. Two Fast and Furious; I've become comfortable in Virginia. Even in a good sized city like Norfolk life is slower paste. That suits me.
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| Willamina, Oregon. Downtown |
It has been stressful out here for other reasons. My Step-dad's memorial service was lovely though painful. Though my mother and Bernie were married for 22 years I can't say I knew him well; living as I did in Japan, Hawaii and Virginia. But still I appreciated his style, a loving man who influenced positively everyone he met.
The last three days I've spent on the road. My brother Wes flew down from his home in Oregon. About 30 minutes outside Salem. Talk about slower paste, Willamina is a lumbertown or "Timbertown USA" as they proudly call themselves with everything that goes along with that. It's the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone. A bit too small for me, it seems to fit Wes perfectly and for that I'm grateful. he is raising his son Cole there by himself with help from neighbors and friends. As an itinerant mechanic Wes' income is variable so I helped out by driving him home. Glad I did.
Besides spending time with my brother and nephew, I had a chance to see some of the beautiful scenery along I5 through northern California and Oregon that I've never visited before. I wasn't disappointed. The first night, Thursday the three of us stopped om Mt Shasta at about 1 am for rest and to watch the Perseid meteor shower that was supposed to peak at that time. Fortunately there were perfect conditions for viewing, Clear skies with god's little lanterns twinkling on and off in the heavens. As we waited and watched, I felt closer to that spirit that animates all of us, by whatever name we call it.
So ended our first day on the road, more later.
oh, so you were in my neck of the woods, were ya?
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to go back to a place we have considered home and see how we have changed in relationship to it and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting trip. Sorry about the stress and pain around your step-father's service.
I guess I was Nancy, I don't mean I was nancy...you know what I mean. Truly beautiful but I miss my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kass. I was considering driving back to Virginia through Nevada and Utah a trip I've taken only once, but i decided for health reasons to fly.
i'm sorry that we didn't get the pleasure of your company on your return trip. i'll tell you, tho, that's a long damn drive.
ReplyDeleteyeah it is but I hate to admit i can't do it anymore.
ReplyDelete