From two weeks traveling, straight into final rehearsals of our annual Welcome Yule! show, singing in winter woods with strange creatures, and also dancing with fatigue…

more basking sea lions for my final night away from home

It’s been wonderful seeing so many sights and re-connecting with so many beloved relatives and friends, but I am getting tired from traveling!

Tonight we landed in Hood River, OR to visit another cousin with 2 adorable grandchildren I wanted to draw something fun and colorful as the children watched and played.

While visiting cousins we wandered around the town of Newport OR, and spent some time admiring the rafts of sea lions basking by a wharf. Then we ate some excellent sushi.

From the quiet of ocean and trees we landed in the warm chaos of 3 generations of family – meeting and re-connecting with cousins of all ages

We did take time to get out and walk around in a state park full of giant trees. There was a pervasive, heavy feeling of calm, quiet, and long long time.