Refreshed. Relaxed. Returned.

Rick whisked me away to Southern Oregon last week. To a little resort called Lake of the Woods. To a small, rustic cabin with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a screened porch. -- Oh, and Rick's mom and grandma. -- All under one roof.

And this place has everything:

mountains,

trees,

a lake,

furry friends,

and a fully stocked lounge.

Which was, it turns out, was the perfect place to take mom and grandma for their afternoon rum and cokes -- albeit slightly stronger versions than they usually have. (Yes, grandma swears by them. 92 years old, and she confesses that the secret of her success is a rum and coke every day at 4.) Just strong enough, in fact, to draw out stories of the cabin that grandma and grandpa used to own on the other side of the lake in the 30s.

The one that grandpa lost in a poker game.

"And their house too," mom added. "Same game."

Phew!

p.s. I also took some film of the adventure. And though it's not yet developed, I'm already smitten with it.

I'm excited to show you.