And then what happened?
To catch up: I got laid off in March while renting a room in Ventura, expecting to stay home for a bit before taking off to explore the western states.
Then my housemates decided to stop social distancing, so I got back in Gladis and became a gypsy, haunting the streets of Ventura with all the other people living in RVs and campers. (I also stayed at several friendly Elks lodges up and down the Central Coast).
I looked at job ads and would feel woogy as I saw the requests for energetic, enthusiastic people wanted to prepare strategic communications plans for large corporations. I felt neither energetic or enthusiastic at the idea of preparing a strategic communications plan.
Well, shit. I had no idea what to do.
I retreated to my friends’ home for a few days of laughter and petting their 5 dogs. My friend gave me a lead on someone he knew who wanted to retire and turn her business over to someone. She was busy and could not meet with me for a month, so I Gladis and I drove around while continuing to look for other jobs. Nothing developed.
Finally I got to meet with the woman. Hit it off. She turned out to be one of the kindest, smartest, most interesting people I had ever met, and she was incredibly generous in teaching me her business. She took me under her wing, taught me, fed me, drove me around, took me kayaking, and quickly became a real friend.
That, my friends, is how I became a grant writer and moved to Central Oregon. I’m staying in a tiny town on the I-5 corridor among thickets of Trump signs and drive 13 miles to get groceries. The moist and grey weather suits me, and I drive the 90 minutes to the coast whenever I get the chance.
That’s the brief update. More to come.
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Suebob's Red Stapler 
This sounds like a really satisfying conclusion and beginning.
It’s great to hear that you have a new adventure!
Yay to the ruler of her own universe!!!
Sounds like a good start in a new life! Hugs
Really looking forward to “more to come”!
I’m enjoying the newsletters, too.
Thank you!
Well, thanks for the update. At least the Trump signs will be coming down soon, although the mindset remains. To survive and thrive in “moist grey weather) required inner resources. Happily, you have them.
Nevada is blue! I love seeing the west coast all blue.
Oh my goodness, what an adventure! And grant writing! Both of my parents did that for a living at some point, my father more than my mother. He was kind of a big deal in that community, and he wrote some books about it that were well received and might be helpful if you are so inclined…here’s the first one.
Wow, thank you!
How delightful! Nice to read good news, nice to read a happy update. Well done you!!