To celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday, which coincided with a very challenging week of placing my dad in a board and care, my sister and I are taking Mom on a road trip.

Day by day, Dad is adjusting, and we have lined up plenty of activities to keep him busy. Not sure how he’ll do when Mom returns, but for now, all is well.

So we’re up in Oregon, visiting my college daughter, and we are amazed at the natural beauty of this state. Dinner-plate sized blooms on rhododendrens of every color, as big as trees! I’ll post a picture when I get back home. You have to see them to believe them.

Just about to return to reality…a long, long day ahead spent on glorious (ha!) interstate 5.

But we’re returning with lighter spirits, refreshed. It’s good to remember to laugh, and I think we have laughed for two-thirds of this trip.