Visitors

Aniya and Mutt Leigh

Judy makes music

   

Columbia Gorge tourists

     David came to visit bringing his new lady, the delightful Aniya. At first I was disappointed to find that they weren't bringing Maxine and Simone.  Judy pointed  out that an adult weekend would be  perfect thing, and it was. We drove up the Columbia River Gorge to hear Judy play old-time music  at Vista House.  We made the obligatory stops at Powell's Books and at Voodoo Donuts. David and Aniya helped Judy find and buy a device to track and record her oxygen saturation levels 24 hours a day. Aniya formed a special bond with Mutt Leigh.  We visited and ate and laughed, and then they were gone, back to faraway Texas.

Laurie, 1965

Maggie, 1965

   Laurie, a friend from high school, came to lunch while she was here on a trip  from South Carolina. We have seen each other only twice in the past 50 years. She could remember one of the times, and I could remember the other.  We had a grand conversation, catching up and reminiscing.  Visiting with Laurie felt familiar, as if all that time had not passed.  I was surprised at how avidly I was asking about who from our class had died, and of what.  I am becoming  like my sisters who read the obituaries first thing when they open the newspaper. (They call it the Irish social column.)
 

Mutt Leigh in heaven with Nils

Judy and Holly

 Judy's  friend Holly and her husband Nils were making musical tour of the Pacific Northwest from their home in Virginia, and came by for a day or so. It was a deeply emotional, bittersweet visit, because Holly and Judy might not see each other again. Holly sang her signature  Shine On, holding Judy's hand and crying.  Nils gave Mutt Leigh all the playing and petting she could possibly absorb.   We ate too much food at the Bomber, laughed and made music, and then they too were gone.