2014 is nearing its end, and I have been here in Oregon now for just over six months. I am ever more enamored with the lush beauty and splendor of this land, coming from a dry and relatively desolate place with thin air and a distinct lack of greenery.

The air here is rich, balmy, and filled with sweet and smokey woodland aromas from Douglas firs, rhododendrons, and fireplaces.

Many evenings are concluded with gentle rains that tap softly on the roof and windows. The following mornings begin with a quiet mist that enshrouds the hills and valleys throughout the city. As the sun rises, the mists slowly clear away.

The sea, the mountain, and the gorge call to me daily. Oregon is my heart’s delight.