July 31

 Oh my goodness! July 31! 

My ability has been hampered by wobbly internet access and wobbly brain and singing camp, so I shall start with today and work backwards.

Today I woke up in a residential district where I had hidden out for the night. I am in wilsontown, OR and had found my way around yesterday, washed my car, bought ice, found a park with restrooms, replenished my cash supply at BofA and got to know part of Wilsontown. This morning I drove back to the park to use the restroom. An attendant was there so I asked about all night parking there. She then drove me to a proper parking lot (people are so helpful and wonderful), where I will park tonight, complete with restroom access. Then I used the car wash vacuum to get some of the stuff off my floor. Now I look quite presentable. (Well I don't, but my car does). My car now had little momentos from other people and from me, so that I can recognize it , as well as some stickers (mostly from Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and my Florida plate.

So that is today and yesterday. I am now at the library where I have replenished my own library with used books on sale. I read 3-5 books a week, but pass most of them on when I am done. I love the tiny library boxes!

The day I left camp it was suggested that I go to Silver Falls. Having misunderstood a direction, I took a road which turned to gravel and then worse so I decided it had been a mistake and had to turn around and go back--another adventure that wasted about an hour, but all part of my experience. Mistakes hav probably cost me 3-4 hours, maybe more, but it is all good.

Leaving singing camp and the 43 people I had met and sung with for 6 days, and grown to care about, was sad. Wonderful, beautiful people and fabulous leaders. So sad and most of them live around here so I may never see them again.

We sang songs from the Carolina hills, several spirituals, a Ukraine song, a Georgian song, a Yiddish song, and lots of rounds. The last night we put on a small "performance" for a few local people and a few camper partners, low key and wondrous. I depend on all the great singers to get me through. After that we had a Shabat ritual which included everyone sharing a special moment--wonderful to hear. My moment was singing with Lorraine a rather risky song from my past and was well received, (my first 2person singing in front of 42 people), and the fact that I felt so appreciated and validated and respected by everyone. There were 3 New Englanders there that I may connect with again in MA.

I think I will save the stories of the waterfalls, Crater Lake, Mt. Shasta, and whatever else for my next blog. Thanks for listening. Love, Alia