Tamara Ellen Higgins is an aspiring professional photographer in Portland, Oregon. This novel takes a one-month snapshot of her life as she reaches her mid- thirties. Things happen to her that force her to reconsider herself and those around her. Through humor and irony, this story feeds off the contrasts between urban vs. rural, men vs. women, parents vs. children, intelligence vs. ignorance, religion vs. a- religion, preconception vs. reality, and of course, since we're dealing with a Portlander, green living vs. not-so- green living. So, enjoy the ride and experience Ellen's transformation through love, laughs, loss, Leota, and La Grande, Oregon.