Dear Family and Friends,
Welcome to my story circle on this Sunday Evening. Come on in, sit a spell, maybe make a cup of tea and let's visit. I have divided tonight's stories into small novelettes (that's what I get when I miss a week!!)..I have titles and subtitles for your reading pleasure.

Chapter 1. Lewis and Clark
(or a 2006 visit to Portland, Oregon to see Abe and Kristin)

Chapter 2: Visiting artists share the comforts of The House at White Picket Gardens
(or a week of artists)

Chapter 3. On the Road Again (Has someone already used that title?)
(traveling Indiana's road spreading stories and watching daffodils bloom.)

Chapter 4. Family News
(or where in the world are my children???)

Chapter 5. Days of our Lives
(or where do we go from here?)

Chapter 1. Lewis and Clark
As I boarded the plane in Atlanta for Portland, Oregon, I heard many comments about the long journey without any food or snacks. (five hours to be exact!) In my carry on I had The Journals of Lewis and Clark Edited by Frank Bergon. How many long months did it take them? This is the 150th year anniversary of their expedition. I thought about that as Abe and Kristin drove me home through the dark, light filled city of Portland. How did this all come to be?
We arrived at their home by 12:00 midnight (their time)...I was, by then, living on borrowed time...but it wasn't too late to see the art and craftsmenship Abe has bestowed upon his house and Kristin's decorating skills....and of course, say hello to Little Buddy, their dog.
By morning I was a bit recovered with the time warp and spent the day touring the city...a little shopping...and a great surprise to visit Powell's Bookstore which took an entire city block. I must say I left feeling very overwhelmed. How will I ever read all of those books!! The evening was spent in their cozy house with a gourmet dinner by Kristin and my marveling at Abel's technology. (And all I have if this old lap top!!)
Monday day I spent equal time at their places of work. It is nice to see the environment so that I can picture them when I am back home.
Monday evening Philip arrived. It was wonderful greeting him at the airport. It seems as if I am the one coming and going on flights...it had only been four weeks since he was here in Indiana, but I always miss him.
Abe had arranged a car for us, so by Tuesday morning we were repacked and Philip and I spent the week touring the Oregon coastline. It was a week of wonder and great beauty. We traveled the old 101 highway and stopped every half hour to just take in the scenery. We traveled slowly and without agenda. By the week's end we had gone out on a whale watch (and yes, saw several great gray whales)...watched sea lions playing...climbed hills and cliffs and mountains with each view more breathtaking that the one before...walked the beaches...toured tiny towns under the protection of our umbrella...dined in small cafes.
By Friday night we were back with Abe and Kristin and spent Saturday climbing a wonderful mountain that is Abe's favorite...I didn't think I could make it...but we all did and were rewarded with a picnic on the very top. Abe had been hoping for the wildflowers to be out, but it was a week or two too early for that. We were on the Columbia River overlooking all of Washington State, Mt St. Helen, Mt. Hood...sitting on the top of the mountain was a wonderful moment of clarity to just be in the present.
Early evening we had changed our sweatshirts and hiking boots as I had found four tickets for us to attend Cirque du Soleil in Portland. I had been wanting to see this show for such a long time...it was a sell out, and we didn't have seats together...but it was worth the wait. The show was magnificent...it is a show that delights all of the senses...you can't absorb enough of it as I watched in amazement.
Sunday morning was for good byes...to Abe and Kristin...to Philip as we both had different flights taking us to different parts of the country. It was a wonderful visit...one I will remember for years to come.

Chapter 2: Visting Artists share the comforts of
(or a week of artists)
I arrived back to Fort Wayne in the pouring rain...could not find my car in the parking lot...donned my bright yellow raincoat and plodded up and down the parking lot looking for my old white jeep with the bumper stickers...it rained all the way home as I drove back to The House at White Picket Gardens. I didn't have time to dawdle as Molasses Creek, the musical group from Ocracoke Island, would be arriving early evening for a week of shows in my town. Gary and David arrived with fiddle, guitar, and Abner (Gary's dog) just after I pulled in.
We had a great week of stories and music. They spent time walking and biking in my town as well as several visits to Rachael's to the coffee shop...they also performed stories and songs in the local schools. Tuesday night I hosted a pot luck supper so they could meet some of the folks...several local artists came to share stories. It was nice having music in my house...one night I fell asleep as they were rehearsing downstairs. Thursday morning we were all packed up again...they on their way back home to Ocracoke..me? On to the storytelling roads of Indiana.

Chapter 3: On the Road Again (Has someone used that title?)
(or traveling Indiana roads spreading stories and watching daffodils bloom)
Indiana is bursting with the promise of spring. As I continued to drive South, I was greeted with fields of daffodils and fresh green grass. I spent each day and evening sharing my love of stories ending up at Ellen's for Doug Elliot's performance last evening of Hitching Across America. It made me want to take a year off and just hike across America...taking small jobs as I go...pouring coffee on the Maine Coast...baling hay in the midwest...being a kayak guide in the mountains...singing with my guitar in San Francisco...who knows? Maybe I will.

Chapter 4: Family News
(or where in the world are my children?)
Abe and Kristin are still home in Portland...although they have been booking their next trip to Mexico...Aaron and Jonah have been in Florida for a couple of weeks visitng Adam...little Matthew has been in Atlanta (he was driven in his Grandpa Bob's new bus!) Karen flew down for the week end and then all ended in at Uncle Dean's in North Palm Beach. I wish I could have joined them...but the call of the story wouldn't let me go this time.
I love knowing that I have given my children the wanderlust...where will it take all of us?

Chapter 5: Days of our Lives
(or where do we go from here?)
I arrived home early afternoon and spent the rest of the day entertaining drop in visitors..it was good as it is the first I have been home to the solitude of the House at White Picket Gardens and the quietness has brought so many thoughts. I wish for you all to be gathered here tonight...voices and music echo in all of the rooms tonight.
I think I'll go out and take a late walk by the light of the near full moon...and send you each a wish on the stars.

Love to all,
Lou Ann
P. S. Look for my blog to start up tomorrow!

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