Portland, Oregon

Sunday, March 8: Oregon: Drove from Newport to Portland through rain, snow, sleet and hail to Bruce Bonnell’s. Bruce is my same-age cousin, son of Aunt Burnie (my father’s sister) and Uncle Ed. We managed to spend enough time together as kids growing up that it seems easy to be with each other even if it has been years between visits—and it had been 5 years since seeing each other last.

Had dinner with Bruce and his son, Spencer (photo of both above--Spencer is 10 and generously loaned me his bedroom and bed for 3 nights!) and mutual cousin, Carol Niemeyer (daughter of Aunt Harriett—also sister of my father—and Uncle Clare). Carol also lives in Portland. It had been long enough that I cannot remember the last time I saw Carol. The evening was a rarity for me, being one of a trio of cousins representing 3 of the Clayton & Jennie Waterman Arnold (our mutual grand parents) children. Usually, times with multiple cousins involve funerals, weddings or birthdays where there are lots of other relatives around in a larger social setting—not an extended conversation with just a few in one of their homes. It was fun.