Dear Liza,
June 30, 2017, almost three and a half years ago, was the day of my first blog. I had come up to Portland by plane, then the Red Line train to get to downtown, where I had lunch and met an itinerant poet named Shannon. Then I took a bus to Auntie Katie’s house. The next day I picked up the keys to our first apartment here in Portland. I signed papers, measured the new place, and flew back to Salinas.
That day was a good omen of my life in the city so far. I have pushed myself to walk further, get around on public transit, explore further afield, chat with all sorts of folks, and spend more time on my own.
I have written about dinners out, concerts, zoos, and parks here in Portland;
vacations to Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.;
trips back to Salinas to see you and your family and friends;
and some less-fun trips to hospitals and doctor’s offices.
And lately, I’ve written about coping with NOT being able to do those things.
Writing this blog, now 900 essays long, is part of the coping. Writing how I feel makes it real and solid and more manageable.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 
OH MY This was a most enjoyable trip to and through the past. LOVE sorting thru’ your memories. Keep ’em comin’
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Hi Peevee! Yes, the memories keep in coming! Funny thing is, if it weren’t for writing the blog, I would have forgotten many of these things. At the time, they were just part of the days, busy, busy days. And now they are like little warm pockets of joy I can visit and renew my soul. AND I can take you with me!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! … and I LOVE your Circle Tree!!
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That circle tree is YOUR influence. The page started as toilet paper ends stamped to use up some extra red and brown acrylic paint. When the circles were in, it needed some colored in bits. Finally, it wanted a tree. Thanks, Dr. Ruth-Enstein!
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