Hotel California

Listen, Portland. It's not you. It's me.

I hate to say it, but our time together has probably ended. It's been a great run, really, but I have to get back to my life now. The Mothership (California) calls.

Whether you are from the Mothership, an Eagles fan or both, you know the deal: You can check out, move to Portland, DC, New York, Boston, Dayton, or Pittsburgh (as I have), but sooner or later, the Mothership will call your wayward ass back to California. To quote the Eagles, "You can never leave."

The Mothership has some pretty manipulative tricks to get a gal back here, too. Here are my favorites:

That would be my niece Sadie right there, in her "I heart my auntie" tank top, sans pants (can you tell we're related?), proudly displaying Rico's favorite toy, "Handicap-able Tigger," which he showed his love for by only pulling off one arm. Generally, he leaves nothing but a plush carcass surrounded by disemboweled piles of fluff. Handicap-able Tigger has been maimed, but meticulously preserved. For Rico, that's love. Yes.

There's my sister Annie and nephew Cooper, Sadie's mom and brother. When I'm old and gray and needing someone to mash my bananas and turn up Lawrence Welk because I can't find the clicker, let this kid not find the blog post in which I out him as an underwear head. Do you think you know cuter kids?

You don't. Here's more of their cuteness.

Add these tempting Mothership treats: My Marin, San Francisco, Berkeley, Monterey, and Santa Cruz pals, the handsome David, sailing skills just itching for a day on the bay (Monterey or San Francisco, thanks), actual opportunities for professional advancement, plus a renewed sense of state pride hewn from eight months of tirelessly defending California to the state of Oregon, and ... how can I not come home?

Plus, as I said, the Mothership plays dirty when it comes to calling her pirate dogs back home. How can I fight against this kind of cuteness?

Or this ... Look at her!!!

Rico is absolutely gonna rip Sadie's puppy's fluffy guts out.

Viva California!

Comments

[Dad & Jill]

Yea! Our little girl's going home. We are proud you followed your gypsy soul to the NW but knew you'd be back in Terminator Territory before long. It won't take more than a couple of months to dry all your clothes and Rico out. Love Dad and Jill

[innkeeper]

Seriously? Soon? Does this change your travel plans for coming to visit us in the glorious southwest in the fall?

[Zoe]

Awww yeah! She always calls you back... no matter how hard you try. Glad to hear you're coming home! --Z

[Dad]

OK, so we were able to handle the transition from every day to once a week. But once a month?

Hard to come off Pirate PDX addiction cold turkey. We wake up every morning with the shakes and sweats running to the computer hoping, no praying, that there will be a line of Shawnaisms on the screen.

How about once every two weeks?

[Debi]

There is nothing like incubating in the NW in one of their coldest winters ever, then come over the Siskiyous, break through the clouds to: "Welcome to Califonia." The sky kisses the hills around here, and the joy and return to vivaciousness for you and Rico is a delight!

[Wendy Brickman]

Are you home yet??? Come on home! Staaaaay! Great to see you and Rico, too!!!! Hope to see ya soon!

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