Tuesday. To bed last night just after ten, awakening at eight-forty in the morning. That's good, better than I was hoping, and I obviously needed the sleep. Train travel is nice, I recommend it, but every now and again for purposes of variety. I find I have to keep an eye on variety as I get older, don't get too boxed in. He said.

A drive (in my sister's car) to the local Starbucks to pick up a copy of the Times and a cup of coffee to bring back to the house. My morning Portland routine. We have our routines, even on the road. Some futzing with the journal in which I managed to write over the December 19th entry with an earlier partially completed entry. Such is life, I'll post the later version from Oakland when I get back next week. Yes I will. One of a small number of ever growing memory lapses I'm afraid. I don't believe they're any worse for me than anyone else at my age after asking around, but they do indeed make you think.

Not much otherwise. It's overcast, but not raining. A trip to Lake Oswego for a light lunch with my sister, a more substantial dinner later with everyone this evening. Real people schedules, this dinner thing. Good to be reminded now and again.

Later. Dinner down the way in a funky little town at a favorite restaurant of my sister's. I like funky little towns. Don't much like the rain. Back now at quarter after six. We were thinking it was more like eight as we were driving. I'm (we're) obviously ready for the sun to return.

You're aware that today was the solstice, the shortest day of the year?

I am now that I looked it up after writing the above. Great minds think alike.