A Visit to The Burrow

or An Adventure involving Donuts, very small Things, historic Architecture, Histories, cars, and Rain.

No explanation.

Yes, I visited Julie in her natural environment on Thursday. It's taken me some time to write about it because of my tendency to sleep ... all the time. But I'm awake now and have a lot to do, so perhaps that will keep me alert enough to write this whole thing.

Eugene is about two and a half hours of driving from Lincoln City along the route I drove. This drive is quite pleasant during the day. At night, with few or no street lights, tons of traffic, heavy rain, and blurry eyes, it's a nightmare. But we aren't there yet.

The weather was quite nice, some drizzling interspersed with sunshine. I enjoyed it. 

Julie's directions were easy to follow. The only bad point came when I found I wasn't paying attention and was afraid I had missed my turn-off. Nope, but I was only a couple of exits before it.

Dan's half a maple-bacon in the lower right corner.

Julie took me on a tour. She drove and we could have been driving in circles as far as I would have known, but I enjoyed all the lovely old houses and the downtown, and the cool being-rehabilitated old house on the hill. Yes, folks, envy me because I got to ride in the famous Wee Walnut! Also, the Eugene Library is GORGEOUS. If you are ever near Eugene, make a side trip just to see this incredible place. (Julie, have you ever posted pics of this?) I wish I'd been carrying my camera.

Then Julie took me to Voodoo Donuts. I'm not sure whether to kiss her or kill her. I'm already gaining weight at a galloping pace. But it wasn't her fault I ordered TWO donuts. Just the maple bacon was enough. The glazed with frosting and stuff did nothing for me, other than add poundage to my tummy. (None of those pictured were mine.)

Back at the Burrow, I met Dan, Julie's spouse and cop. I also met Axel — big, black, German-born German shepherd: ex-cop, guard dog, and snuggle-muffin.

Coolio Bat, with phone for scale.

Julie gave me a knitted bat (small, with sunglasses, which I have thought was great since I first saw it), created by her lovely Daniel. And a subversive cross stitch, which apparently no one else has wanted. Weird. I took that home with me. Julie satisfied my greedy little soul with cool things. Given that my parents often showed their love with gifts, I felt greatly loved.

I've already spoken of the drive back. All that matters is that I made it home safely and spent the next day exhausted. (But I'm spending most of my days pinned down by fatigue, so it wasn't so much worse.)

Can mean so many things!

It was a great day. We discussed the Betties in general as well as specific Betties who came to mind, all with the deepest affection. 

Sidenote: I feel so odd, being part of a community: I, who could never find a community that suited and who had chosen to never be part of a group again. And here I am, part of an amazing group of people who I refer to again and again during my days. It's weird, but I like it.

I'm happy that I got to spend some more time with Julie. I'm looking forward to spending time with more Betties!