I have the Faceters’ Guild Auction on the 19th, T
he Regional Gem and Mineral Show the first weekend in October, and then a Meet Point Meet Up October 19th.
Gonna be busy. Still trying to manage continued struggles with depression, the stifling political environment, and already mourning the end of summer! 
I did buy a burial plot this spring, outside of Mosier south of the Columbia River.
Great River Natural Burial
It’s next to a ravine where the morning sun will come up, and has a glimpse of Mt. Adams to the north across the Columbia. This is south of Coyote Wall which I always found fascinating and the wild oak and scrub brush in the area feel really comfortable. Of course the wildflowers were at their prime when Edith and I got there. The site will also have a permanent website link on their website to contain obituary, and whatever else the family wants to post.
I love it. Not planning to go there soon!
Very proud of Edith and Amelia — both because they look out for each other, and they are so, so, responsible and successful. Edith and her Tim married a year ago this week. After 15 years together they really did tie the knot. Amelia and HER Tim will celebrate their 19th anniversary next week. Both have done way better on marriage longevity than their MOM!!
The Mt. Hood Rock Club was a focus of 2025, and I decided to step back from leadership after serving as President for 15 months. The new leaders have LOTS of energy and good ideas and it was time to let them loose! Here’s the Estwing Rock Hammer they gave me at the end of my tenure.
Of course, being president meant writing a lot of emails, and I often used Will’s “Bright Blessings” as I signed off.
When the engraving included “Bright Blessings” I was so missing Will! 
I’m still in the Faceters’ Guild as Treasurer, membership, and webmaster. Still secretary for the Portland Regional Show Association, and volunteering to keep the books at Eastrose. Eastrose is becoming a “new church” working out the kinks of being Lay Led. Again, lots of good energy from younger and newer members.
Turning 70 kinda rocked me. Spooked me. But hasn’t helped me be more focused or intentional about how I spend my days.
Hope you are aging well!