Memories

July 12, Corning, Calif. -- I arrived around 3 p.m. yesterday. The big scary hill coming down out of the Sierras was in fact big ang scary but I kept the Mo in 2nd and kept the speed down to around 20-25. Much of the hill is 15-25 mph curves. It was fairly early in the morning and there was very little traffic. I took I-5 north after stopping for gas in Manteca. It was much cooler in Corning than it was last week. In fact, it appears to have rained here since my car was spotted with those muddy raindrops when I picked it up. I went to the Olive Pit and bought some olives and almonds to take "home" to friends.

Many years ago John and I and the kids stopped at the Olive Pit to pick up olives for a dear friend and neighbor, Lynn. I thought alot about her and Jerry as I was shopping. I haven't heard from her in a very long time and now that I have moved and no longer have my phone number, there isn't much possibility she can contact me except by email. I am not sure what happened; I visited her twice in Mexico and she called a few times since but I haven't heard from her in close to a year, I think. She dropped out of my life once before and I was so happy when we reconnected a few years later. So I'm not sure what to do. She was such a good friend to me during some really hard times in my life, including when John died.

Traveling brings up lots of memories of people and places. Driving through the area east of Oakdale (which is very accurately named), I couldn't help but think how much John would have loved the rolling hills with oaks and occasional pines. Even places I've never been remind me of other places. Corning very much reminds me of Yakima, where I grew up. I think the climate is very similar. Even the light in the afternoon and evening, the way the shade moves and how grateful you feel when the sun sinks closer to the west -- those are all Yakima memories. I thought about being a child and taking a nap out in the shade with my sister, Colleen. Of course, we didn't really nap; we just watched the clouds whenever there were any, or the jet trails. There is a comfortableness about that image for me. Back when I was safe and love was near and I had no worries except what that cloud looked like.

I didn't think to check on the sunset or stars last night. I did manage to get laundry done and email checked after being without wifi and cell for several days. Even when I'm trying to live for the moment and in the now I still have "chores" that need to be done. Like right now I should be vacuuuming but I think I'll just put in the slides, hook up the car and head on up to Redding.

TravelinLady