A Good Day

Normally, I wouldn't have counted a Christmas Eve which I spent largely in driving to Portland and back as a very good one, but actually, it was.

My son Tesfaye was planning to move in with his sister Biftu (also known as Asnakech, or Ash), and when she sounded so unwell on the phone, he felt an urgent desire to go to her and look after her right away. Mindful of the sad fate of people like Lester Bangs and Dori Seda, I tended to encourage rather than discourage that impulse.

So, we loaded up Tes' most essential items (pillows, comforter, CD player) and off we went, cleverly timing our trip to coincide with the early afternoon, when everyone who hadn't left for Grandma's house would be heading out of Portland, rather than in. Just before we left, Kathe checked road conditions with the Oregon DSepartment of Transportation's useful and charming Roadcams.

Biftu turned out to be much better by the time we got there, and I got to have a brief but pleasant visit with my younger daughter. On my way out of Portland, I stopped to check on my dear friend Bella, whose phone was disconnected and who had not answered a recent postcard. Turns out that she's just fine, also, and has just been licensed as a teacher of hairdressing. Good show, Bella -- and yes, next time I will stay long enough to let you give me a trim.

Best of all, I didn't have to work any hours at any of my various jobs -- I had a whole day off, and I'd gotten to sleep through the night alongside my sweetie. A way good day!

And now, since the sight of a suspiciously long and flexible aircraft flying over Corvallis reminds me that it's just barely still Christmas Eve and only getting later, I'll climb down from the lookout tower and get into bed next to my sweetie for a second night of blessed repose.