Time is a curious thing. We count it in seconds, minutes, years—yet its true value isn’t in its measurement but in how we fill it.
In this month’s issue, I was drawn to how our story subjects measure their moments. James Du Bois captures literal droplets of time in his Oregon Du Drops, preserving rainwater in delicate glass bulbs that mark weddings, births, memorials and more.
“It’s the closest thing to catching time in a bottle,” he tells us, creating physical mementos of fleeting moments.
Time takes on different dimensions for the ultramarathon runners featured in our McKenzie River Trail Run Spotlight feature. These remarkable athletes measure hours not by clock ticks but by miles conquered—testing physical limits while forming deep bonds with fellow runners and the natural world. What started as five men running 50 miles evolved into an event that sells out within 24 hours, drawing participants from 18 states and beyond.
Perhaps most poignant is Aaron Reed’s relationship with time. The ultrarunner and musician faced the ultimate countdown when diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“If we don’t get it out immediately, you got maybe six weeks,” his doctor told him. Today, recovered and training again, Aaron views each day as a gift, noting a higher power gave him back his most precious resource: time.
As we move into May, I’m reminded we each have our own way of marking our days. For some, it’s through creative pursuits—capturing raindrops or photographing new life, as Dave LaBelle encourages in his column. For others, it might be pushing our physical boundaries or simply savoring a sweet moment inspired by one of our spring desserts.
However you choose to measure your moments, I hope you find inspiration in these pages to make them count.
Until next time,
Chasity Anderson
Editorial Director