As I’m about to take my UK citizenship oath next week, I’ve been thinking about the No Kings protests. I will pledge my loyalty to King Charles III and his heirs. That feels so weird because I was born in the U.S. and have lived here all my life. I am a U.S. citizen (and will maintain dual citizenship after next week); I’ve never had to pledge my loyalty to the U.S. unless you count saying the Pledge of Allegiance five days a week for 8 months a year for 12 years. But then, it doesn’t feel weird, because King Charles III is ACTUALLY A REAL KING, of a country that has a constitutional monarchy.

I gave my No Kings tee shirt to a friend in Oregon as I was leaving. On Sunday during the next protest, I’ll be at a baseball game watching the SF Giants vs. Chicago Cubs. Guess I’ll have to wear my Portland War Zone tee shirt instead.

Anyway, greetings from Eugene Oregon. I’m staying with my cousin and her husband in their lovely home. Yesterday afternoon I saw a man wearing a power T cap, so I greeted him with “Go Vols” and we chatted for a minute. I didn’t realize until later as we passed the U of Oregon track and field venue that the national track championships are being held here. That explained the other shirts/hats I saw from various other universities.

Currently sitting at this table typing this post.