Advice from a Tree

Good stuff.

Me, the Vintner

My very first weekend back in Eugene and we're invited to a wine making party!

Seventy degrees,  sun shining, wine flowing, and I even got to turn the crank.

        

Ode to Lil' Car

Oh lil' car, you've traveled far

From east to west,

You're still the best 

So many roads and miles

So tough and full of smiles

You carried us near and far

Safe and sound

Lost and found

Thank you, lil' car. 

When you move across the country...again (day 2)

To keep it spicy, and by "it" I mean this drive, we've decided to literally "bust ass", "drive like bats out of hell", "ride like the wind" and all other fast going places euphemisms. Another cross country move and the 6th time I've driven across the country, I'm catching mostly sites from within the car. Such as

Piles of stuff at my feet:

Animal companions:

The great Mississippi River (from the passenger seat window):

And, a pretty amazing Nebraskan sunset (as seen through a screen of bug guts on the windshield):

Made it!

After 4 consecutive days of pulling 12-14 hour driving shifts, we made it. We are officially back in Eugene. With all the intense car time, there wasn't much enjoying of the sites this time around, but we did manage to catch a few cool sites.

As far as being back in Oregon goes, I can't really say too much right now. I think my feelings will slowly be revealed to me as time progresses. What I can say right now is that as weird and transitiony as I feel, it's not a bad weird. I think that's good. Most importantly, right now I feel really grateful. I feel grateful for the love and support of friends and family during this time. I am 100% aware of how completely insane it is to move across the country, move back, and then turn around and go back! Yet, no one ever said that to me (or at least not to my face). The love and understanding that I've received from friends on both coasts has been amazing and ultimately what has empowered me to move through this time. Thank you all for that.

When you move across the country...again

On the first day of driving across the country...again

A giant love sign in Virginia:

A reunited family:

A crazy driving plan:

And another empty apartment: 

Starting a New Book

Starting a new book is so hard. You've just been immersed in the world of one book, feeling the ups and downs and sideways' of it's characters, and experiencing your own life through the eyes of that book. Then, suddenly, it's over (The End) and you're forced to try to immerse yourself in a new story, new woes, new friends. 

New narrative, new style. 

It's all a little jarring, in my opinion. 

It's important to ease into this process with a buffer of coffee. And do not for any reason pick up your phone to begin blogging about how hard it is to start a new book because then it's over. Then you have picked up the phone and at that point, why not check the instagrams, facebooks, and emails? If this should happen to you, promptly put the phone down as soon as the blog post is finished. Pick up the book and begin again.