July 3, 2010

Sunrise in Seattle was at 5:17, Sunset will be at 9:10. In Bandon, sunrise was at 5:42 and sunset will be at 9:00. Isn't that cool? One of the first things I noticed when we moved to Seattle was how much longer the days were- it might not seem that noticeable but, believe me,you notice every last ray of sun when so much of your winter day is spent in the dark. Lights on at 4:30. Phooey.

It's a beautiful day on the southern Oregon coast. Blue sky, warm in the lee of buildings and rocks, windy. I went on a morning walk, hoping that would help with the swelling around my eyes. It didn't, but I got a good start on those 10,000 steps.

I walked across the headlands to the great big stairs down to the beach, along the beach to the next point at Face Rock, and back, picking up rocks all along the way. Elastic banded sweats aren't always the best things to wear when loading one's pockets with rocks.

My sweats have little dark spots on them from rubbing sand and sea off the rocks before dropping them into my pockets. They are sure cool, especially the sea glass, and I think I found two agates, too.

Yesterday, I flew to Portland, OR, and from there to North Bend for my high school reunion in Port Orford. I had an allergic reaction to something that swelled my eyes shut just as we were taking off from SeaTac to Portland. No problems with breathing, no throat closure, so 35 minutes later I was met by EMTs with a little, pink, Benadryl pill. Ahh, sweet relief as minutes later, I could feel the swelling go down just enough to enable me to see out of more than just the corner of my right eye. (This photo was taken 5 hours after the Benadryl. The one at the top was the next morning.)

Thankfully, a three hour delay from Portland to North Bend (North Bend's airport's power was out so they couldn't add the weather to the flight plan so they couldn't take off)let the swelling go down enough so I could drive the car I rented.

Man, to have that happen just before a reunion. So not good, to be all swelly and crusty. However, the reunion itself was wonderful. Thanks to Mary and Ed and Shelley and all the others who give of their time and space to the Class of 75 every five years.

I finished Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly, and it was very good. I have never had a whole lot of interest in the French Revolution but reading this connected a lot of the history dots for me. Great characterization, fabulous writing, good historical fiction, and a good book for those on their way to Paris. It reminded me a bit of Adam Gopnik's King in the Window in that it takes you to the city the citizens know and the weather isn't always beautiful.

Recap: A very sad, young, wealthy girl is depressed after her brother dies. Her family is a mess, she's a mess, her friends are messes. Her dad takes her away from home to Paris where he is working with an old friend who studies French history. Dad studies DNA. Together, they are working to prove whether or not a little heart in a glass jar could be the lost king of France who died in a locked tower.

Andi is a brilliant musician and is on track to be expelled from her tony school if she can't finalize her senior project. Her project follows what her father does, kind of decoding the DNA of music, following how certain musical themes through the years are related then and now. She is given an ancient guitar to play while on break and, hidden in a locked compartment in the guitar case, finds a diary written by another girl 200 years ago that recounts her life while caring for a prince of France. Throw in art-boys, music, and romance in the catacombs under the city and you have a great read for the 14 and up crowd.

Jennifer Donnelly is a really good writer of historical fiction and Revolution will be a good choice for all older teens and adults who are interested in the subject or just want a good book to read. (Delacorte Press. Ages 14 and older. Available October 12, 2010. $18.99).