One of my favorite passages from my books is about summer. I don’t imagine it to be my finest writing, but the imagery remains powerful for me.

“Summer is true river time. Lazy summer emanates nature’s special recipe: a potpourri of carp and cottonwood that transports any grown-up river kid back to childhood on the rivers of the Willamette Valley. After cottonwoods cover banks and nearby roads with white fluffy fibers, mowers and tractors hew lawns and till soil. The milky fibers drop from overhanging limbs into the Willamette, creating a strangely enticing scum. The smell of river summer doesn’t fully ripen until late June. It rises mildly on a morning, simmering until late afternoon as the banks absorb the sun’s warmth and then, finally, release the ultimate summer river smell: a fishy blend spiked with decomposing cottonwood fibers and soon-to burst blackberry blossoms.”
Chapter 4 -Summer, My Music Man.

When I was laid off last week (oh yes, I was laid off last week), one of the first things I did was get on my e-bike and cycle my favorite river-to-river local loop. I sifted through cottonwood fibers piled along the roadside, and stared at both Willamette and Tualatin Rivers. As crappy as it felt, I recognized my privilege in not living paycheck to paycheck, as are so many when a job ends. The sights and smells of approaching Willamette Valley Summer eases my brain; even with the worries of hot days ahead, war, famine. Often our own troubles seem so little in comparison to others. And even then, we need our special places to recharge, redirect, reflect.

In the midst of all this – I remain excited, motivated and grateful in the release of From First Breath to Last. Thank you to those who have shared comments about your own takeaways from this book, and the emotions it brought to you. One friend told me she thought it was my best book yet. I know enough to understand that the books we find “best” are more about how they strike and move us, how we connect with its story – sometimes more than how well it is written. Regardless, I love that I have been able to share this story with whoever it speaks to. Imagine my joy, as I stopped off at my Happy Place to pick up books on hold, to see my memoir promoted on the wall. Yes, these are the things that matter to me now, as I figure out the rest of me. This, and of course my special grandson and family time.

Onward we continue. Please share a review if you feel so inclined about From First Breath to Last (or any of my other books). It’s always hard to ask and yet in today’s world of oodles of books, it helps get the word out. Let me know if you’d like me to join your book club or group in person or virtual. I am particularly excited to visit with one special group in Seattle in July.

Here’s my Next Up Book Events. I’d love to see you at one of them, including the Zoom event for those who have already read the book and want to chat about it or learn more. See details on my Events Page.

Finally, in honor of Mt. St. Helen’s May 18 eruption – do revisit my 2020 blog: Stories of our generation: Mount St. Helens.

I hope you are able to take time to enjoy the beauties of approaching summer…and read some terrific books.

Thank you independent book seller White Rabbit Books and Gifts. Check out their shop in the heart of Oregon City’s Main Street.