Linda, Adinah and I took a drive out to see Alsea Falls. It's only about 20 miles from here. It had been raining heavy for several days, and was still raining hard on and off during the drive. From Philomath you head south through Bellfountain and Alpine, and then turn west. You cross the divide at about 1,200' and start down along the Alsea river. It's all lush green Oregon coastal forest with lots of ferns. Many years ago I lived not from from where this river hits the ocean, but I had never been up to it's source before
Linda, Adinah, and Frodo at Alsea Falls after several days of hard rain.
Some of you might have seen Linda's post on Facebook that her mother passed away last Friday. What you might not know was that Linda was her mother's full time care provider for the past 3+ years. During this time Linda was steadfast in her resolve that her mother would not die in a nursing home. Even when she lost her hearing shortly after moving in with us and could no longer have a conversation. Even when she could no longer stand and had to be lifted from her bed to her wheel chair. Linda still took her out in the car, to Lithia Park on sunny days, or to the Indian Casino where she loved to play the slot machines. Linda taught me the true meaning of devotion. She gave up a lot, including her career as a Midwife, but she succeeded in giving her mother the best last years anyone could ever hope for, including having time to get to know here great granddaughter JJ. We should all be so lucky to have someone love us this much.