It has been an interesting week for me. I had a message on Facebook out of the blue from a cousin and his wife asking if I planned to be home the following day. We had probably not seen each other for 25 years, and they were on their way from California to Centralia to visit one of their sons. It was wonderful catching up for a few hours before they were off again with the promise of making this their summer destination now that they are retired. I had no idea they had family so close.

Then my son, Carl and his girlfriend decided to come down for the weekend, and we headed to Astoria to watch Giants in the Trees at the Fort George Brewery on Saturday night. The rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the folks enjoying their music and the incredible musical talents of the group. It was wonderful to see so many local faces in the crowd. We ended up with nearly 1/2 inch of rain in my gauge, making this rain lover very happy.

News from Naselle:

Only a few more weeks until kids are back in school. Naselle-Grays River Valley students will resume classes on September 5. For more info on times, schedules, etc. go to the website: naselle.wednet.edu.

Thank you to all the blood donors at last week’s drive. Forty-one units were drawn, and the next drive will take place in November. A very special thank you to Susan Burkhalter for organizing these events and to April Zimmerman for providing her delicious sliders as a snack.

Westend news:

The Grays River Cafe is closed indefinitely. Hopefully, issues will be ironed out and they will reopen again soon.

Nearly everyone who is local knows my wonderful neighbor, Marie Fauver. Her home is being sold and she will begin another chapter in her life and is moving to Naselle, after living in the home where she was born for nearly nine decades. The home was built in 1868 as part of a logging camp, and to this day has many of the original features. Hopefully the new owner will retain some of the originality.

Marie, I just want to thank you for your many years of neighborliness since we came here. With neighbors like you, who would ever want to leave?

A short story about Marie and how she helped get and keep the Community Computer Center on the right track after we opened to the community. She and another awesome neighbor, Virginia Wendelin, wanted to look at some wedding photos that had been put online, but neither of them had a computer nor did they have a clue how to use one. Marie asked if someone could help them to see the pictures, and I said, “Yes, but you will have to learn to use the mouse.” Long story short, they looked at the photos and it only took Marie four tries at the mouse tutorial to learn how to make it move to where she wanted it.

In no time at all she became very proficient with the computers on her own, started emailing family in other countries and became a whiz at genealogy. Thank you, Marie, for never giving up, for being a model student, and especially for being one of the best neighbors anyone could ever ask for. We will miss you here, but will visit when we can.

Happy Birthday to J.J. McCullough, Ruby Mughal, Rhiana Jacot, Christa Ding, Randy Tienhaara and Lauren Steenerson.

Happy Anniversary to Travis and Jen Boggs, Glen and Shirley Miller, Todd and Jen Blanchard, Eric and Ashley Hendrickson, Regan and Sara Wirkkala, Randy and Barbara Tienhaara, Dave and Kristi Leeland, Bill and Krista Bocker and Alex and Kelsi Bennett.

With the eclipse coming up next week, please be safe. Use the glasses as they are intended to be used when watching this incredible phenomenon. Protect your eyes and those of your family by being careful.

I will not have a column next week as I will be off grid to experience the eclipse in Oregon, with my granddaughter and her family, returning on the 23rd. Enjoy, but be safe.