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sometimes you think you're crazy. It's kind of funny sometimes. And kind of scary sometimes. But I find especially when I've been writing/editing something for such a long time, I start to question things. Like my sanity.

The other day I visited the beautiful Central Library in downtown Portland. We travel a lot and libraries make me feel at home. So whatever city we find ourselves in, that's where you will find me. I've been writing one of my novels off and on for six years. And now, after a lot of thought, I think it needs something more. Another layer. I questioned opening up this can of worms as I trod up the beautiful etched black marble steps to the third floor of the library. Happy to have left our hotel behind. Be in the "real" world. It's such a beautiful hunt. The search for the book. The book that might make the research complete and make the story all that it can be. And I think I've found a few. But, as with most of my research, it isn't in the subject or the section I expect. I go with it. Wandering a bit. Excited about what I might uncover. What I might discover in the books that might help the story.

And then it happens. I find the perfect room. The perfect chair. I read and make notes on books that can't be checked out of the library. Which is the only way I can research here, since we aren't here permanently. And as much as I enjoy learning and as much as I think I might use this thread in my story, there's a part of me who wonders if I will. There's a part of me who wonders if all of this, the entire six years, has been a big waste of time. If what I've written will ever be good enough. And then over my shoulder at about 5 o'clock I hear:

"I need an airplane."
Then nothing.
"Do you have an airplane?" The man says louder. A tall man, with lots of hair in a big overcoat.
"No, I don't." The man sitting at the desk behind me says very politely.
The large man sits down. His breathing is labored. So labored that I think there might be a hidden camera somewhere to see if one of us will do something to get this man to a hospital. None of us do.

I go back to my reading.

It's sunny in Rose City as I type. I just visited the central library to do a little research. Right now I'm sitting in a little cafe across the street for some sustenance. It's amazing how you go, go, go when you travel and then all of a sudden it's 3:30 and you haven't had any lunch.

Joe and I celebrated our birthdays in Vegas. We went to Zumanity, an absolutely mind-blowing show, and then out to Lavo for dinner. We gambled and won a little bit, which is always better than losing it all, opting to gamble at tables by pole dancers. I think they are lucky.

We've been really out of the news cycle. So you can imagine our surprise when we passed a few billboards in Oregon that foretold Judgment Day, which I guess was supposed to happen last Saturday, but didn't. Hmmm. Billboards? Rlly? Which lead to this tragedy.

Heard about the storm in Missouri, though. So sad. So many natural disasters. Kinda crazy. Big prayers for everyone in the south. The storms have been awful this year.

Our first stop in Oregon was Ashland. And it is an enchanting place. Very green and beautiful. We went to the Dragonfly for dinner and it's a great restaurant if you are looking for a good place to dine before doing a little Shakespeare. It's little patio reminded me of restaurants in Carmel.

Big shocker so far? Restaurants in Ashland and the Rose City stop serving at 9!!!!!! Gulp. Hard to get back to regular hours after Vegas time. Didn't hit the hay until 2 or 3 AM every night/morning.