Riley, Oregon

We were off to see our Little Miss.

Reaching Riley, Oregon, was a very big deal. Partly because of Number Two Son, but mostly because we were almost out of fuel.

Riley had two buildings. The town started and ended on either side of these buildings. On the East side of the highway was the gas station/grocery store, where you could buy stuff like beef jerky, antlers and gum.

As you cannot pump your own gas in Oregon, the gas lady came out. Before she even had the nozzle in our tank, she’d seen the ‘Sewing Machines Solutions” info on the side of our truck.

‘Do you fix sewing machines?’, she asked.

My Loving Spouse said, “Yes, but I live in Ellensburg.”

‘Well, my husband is having trouble with a sewing machine. He is a saddle maker. He is across the road.”

Actually, he had been alerted to the reality that a sewing machine repairman had driven into ‘town’ and was running across the highway.

‘You are an answer to prayer. Can you look at my machine?’

Hmmm, how do you say ‘no’ to that? Before we knew it we were in the second (and final building in Riley), the saddle maker/Post office building.

Billie showed My Loving Spouse the machine he was having trouble with.

Billie said, “Excuse me Ma’am, but the two things I just can’t abide are a Cheatin’ Woman and a Sewing Machine that doesn’t sew.” Seriously, that is pretty hard to argue with.

Billie’s little saddle shop was fascinating. I mostly took pictures and offered wise sewing machine logic, like “have you changed the needle” while My Loving Spouse and Billie talked mechanics.

We’re not exactly sure what happened, but by the time we left, it was all working. We’d seen all of Riley and we were back on the road.

We were closer to meeting our Little Miss….and we are blessed.