My 56th birthday was Friday, January 9th. I don’t know why, but my mood lifted, my man was amazing, and everything came through to make it an excellent birthday. I had received a terrible blow on Thursday the 8th, when I heard not only about the murder of Renee Good in Minneapolis, but then the shooting of Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras in Portland, my hometown. Both of these incidents instigated by unhinged ICE agents occupying our peaceful, democratic cities in a hostile takeover by an equally unhinged fascist government in America. The world unfolding around me can be frightening if I allow myself to think about it.
But it was my birthday! And I didn’t want to be scared for a day. Or two. So I disconnected from places, and announced to friends that I didn’t want any news updates. And I just focused on the day, and my beloved man and kitty. And it worked! My Friday and Saturday were amazingly fun and happy.
Then, we went for a hike, and stayed at a cool historic hotel. The next day we went for another hike! Just across the Bridge of the Gods in the town of Cascade Locks, is Beacon Rock. Its original name was Che-che-op-tin by the Watlala tribe, but in 1806 it was named Beacon Rock by Meriwether Lewis, and of course that is the one that was set down into the record books.
As we neared the top, we stopped to gaze out across the Columbia River. THIS time, as opposed to all the shots of the river in the previous two posts, we looked out at the state of Oregon on the other side.
Hikers climb the west-facing side with concrete, wooden, and metal structures keeping us safe. It was very dramatic, but sheltered from the weather that day. Two-thirds of the way up, we wound to the east-facing side, which was forested and had trees and dirt to cut a path through, but we were BLASTED with wind.
We made a very quick stop at the top. The wind was so fierce that it took the already cool January day and made it wholly unpleasant. Yup, top, check! and we headed back down.
And then we crossed Bridge of the Gods back into Cascade Locks and bought some fresh salmon for dinner, and some smoked salmon for snacks in the car, and made our way home at last.
**I am grateful for the opportunity to look up and get re-acquainted with the story referenced by the sticker at Beacon Rock, which I had forgotten. Curiously, I wrote the paragraph at the top about fear BEFORE I researched “M COMEY.” Maureen Comey (daughter of former FBI Director James Comey) was fired in July 2025 from her senior attorney position at the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office. She released an email that included these words: “If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen,” she wrote. “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought. Instead of fear, let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place. A fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power. Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.” Comey was given no reason for her dismissal. CNN reported that a White House official said her relation to the former FBI Director (whom Dump hates) was “untenable.”
Conscious Engagement 
Jupyter looks so happy in the box you bought for her. I can’t even imagine a hike of that magnitude. Stunning scenery though. I love the quote by Maureen Comey. She has been a staunch advocate for her father. I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday not thinking about the horrors of the world right now.
So funny “the box you bought for her.” Yes, I’m sure that’s exactly what she thinks. Later that day I put the box in the TV room which is on the way to outside storage. The box is very sturdy and I want to keep it in case it will be of use to us later. While the box was there, Jupyter played and played in it. We decided to leave it till she got tired of it. Today is ten days later, and it’s still her favourite thing. She played in the box for an hour this morning, haha!
Yes, the birthday without thinking about the horrors in the world was just the ticket.
More fabulous birthday hikes and stuff. That dragon pop up card is so good. The photo of a happy Pedro made me laugh, the caption is great 😂
I really love that dragon birthday card! How clever the card, and how thoughtful of Heather to realize I would love it so much. Yes, the comment from Pedro is pretty common in my circles with Indigenous people. Women especially, since for some reason, men feel comfortable telling women to smile when they want a prettier face to look at. Anyway, men ask Indigenous women “what’s wrong” so often, and they respond so often, “this is just my face,” that there is a phrase called Resting Bitch Face, ha haha. And that’s what it means: just a face that looks grumpy when at rest.
I’ll have to remember that phrase “this is just my face.” I could use it as well. There are some women who work in shops in town who have that RBF while others are naturally surly 😂
Ha!
A splendid disconnect
Splendid! A much needed and much appreciated wonderful weekend with my guy.
So good too read
A superb birthday on all counts. Well done, Pedro! (I’d never have him as angry or questioning, though!)
I’m glad you wouldn’t make that assumption about Pedro. He said people do all the time. He said when he was in school, it was especially annoying, as the professors would look at him and assume he didn’t understand. The professors would ask, “Do you need me to explain that again?” and Pedro would respond, “No. Why do you ask?” Poor guy.
Yes, the birthday was superb! I think I told you that I asked him to plan it and then keep it a secret. That made it extra fun for me, and he chose things I like most.
A bit belated, Crystal. I’m just catching up. (I’m always catching up.) But Happy Birthday. Hopefully, our New England Calendar has arrived. Now you can think of it as a Birthday present. Grin.
If you don’t get it soon, please let us know. It may be lost for an eternity. We sent it UPS. One we sent to a friend in Southern Oregon already received hers.
Hi Curt! Thank you for the birthday wishes. Yes, the calendar arrived while I was in Arizona, and I opened the package yesterday. Thank you for the perfect BIRTHDAY GIFT – see? You got the timing just right, haha. It’s so beautiful on every page. Pedro and I went through it together and looked at it all. Thank you for thinking of us and sending such a personal memento from you both – reminding me of your journey as well as my past life and Kellen’s birthplace.
You immediately came to mind, Crystal. So glad it arrived. Enjoy. –Curt and Peggy
Oh, I am so happy to hear that you had a lovely birthday, Crystal. May this year be a special one despite the chaos you are surrounded with. I am so glad Pedro is in your life, and made it extra special for you. And I love how cats cannot resist boxes.
Cats and boxes. It is the funniest thing, and yet so lovely and so common. Thank you for the birthday wishes. It was really one great birthday, and that is saying a lot, considering that LAST year we were celebrating in New Zealand. I am also incredibly grateful that Pedro is in my life. Together, we are making a rich set of adventures and memories.
That certainly says a lot, as it will always be a bit of a benchmark birthday, I guess. What I like about you is how you always embrace the good in your life through gratitude. Life is dark and difficult for all of us at times, but how we interact with that makes all the difference, and it is always lovely for me to see how you lean towards gratitude in those moments. Big hug. 💚