Been thinking a lot about driving Hwy 9 in Washington State. A little off the beaten track. But takes you to the road up to Mt. Baker. Past the Indian Casino, Deming, Concrete, Acme,  Sedro-Wooley. Cool names. South to the Blue Mountain Grill and a beautiful view of the Three Sisters peaks. A nice lunch there would be perfect.

Nurse has come to take pop’s blood pressure. Sleeping too soundly to rouse him. Confused. Tries to rip off the BP sleeve. Will try again later. But have to get more fluids and food into him today.

I end up in Burlington and the Skagit Valley. Such a beautiful area. Have taken this route a few time over the last 30 years. 9 hasn’t changed too much but Burlington has. Major big box stores. Costco. Walmart. I have taken advantage of shopping in the area. 

Can’t rouse Pop yet. Time to get some breakfast. Cafeteria Oatmeal is good. Time for every purpose under heaven. My time to look after pop. Last night a few times I saw the eyes and smile of my old pop. My pop of the past. The one that raised me and roused me from my sleepy childhood into adulthood. Still remember when I got my first teaching job, he told me that his best teacher was one that shared some personal stories with the class. Making a connection. Still true to this day. We are still taking about personalized curriculums. We are just beginning the conversation about the importance of stories and narrative analysis in developing strong relationships for teaching.

I often  stop in the Skagit Valley on my way to Seattle or Widbey Island. See the tulip farms. Stay at the new casino hotel that over looks the mouth of the Skagit when offered cheap rooms. beautiful. Even with the huge refinery in the distance to the east in Anacortez. Then I like to drive back on the Chuckanut along the coast to Bellingham. The C30 would be perfect for it.

Hospital cafeteria just opening. Lights coming on. Pop sleeping. Time to get some oatmeal. Again.