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By Lyda Woods December 08. 2014 6:04PM Talking turkey: What's in a nickname? Lyda Woods Part 12 of the fictionalized adventures of two sisters, Sherry and Dawn, one Medford-bred, the other Ashland-loving, and their adventures across the Rogue Valley. Find prior chapters at www.dailytidings.com. A few weeks ago, my mother asked me some personal questions in the middle of Shop’n Kart.  As a result, I didn’t go to Mt. Shasta but stayed home.  I’d focused on making money, assisting Blue with her investigations.  After the excitement of rescuing Sherry backstage at the Bowmer, I’d crashed emotionally, falling into a bleak, chilly, folded up place.  And I’d started smoking again. Today was going to be different, however.  It was Thanksgiving and I’d decided to share it with people who liked me just the way I am.  Jasmine, Blue, Josh, Ray, who was a murder mystery actor, and True Betterman were having dinner at my home. Josh had pestered me into inviting them because he was concerned with my gray mood.  I was thrilled and energized that they’d all accepted my invitation.   “Do you know where the SAD lamp is?” Blue asked. She’d just returned from an all-night stake out. “Yeah, it’s in my room. Feel free to use it.” I was sitting at the kitchen table, chopping root vegetables.  The turkey was in the oven, roasting. “Thanks.” Blue sat down and Babycakes jumped into her lap. “When you have time, I’d like to revisit investigating the zombie house bombings.” “You sure?  You really could have gotten hurt.” “I know.  But I’ve been trying to let it go for weeks and I can’t. Will you help me or not? I’ve got a plan.”  “Sure. Tomorrow morning.” Blue went upstairs for the SAD lamp. The doorbell rang and Josh and Jasmine came in with smiles and bags of groceries.   Soon True and Ray arrived. After a few hours of cooking together, we were finally enjoying the candlelit meal. We’d gone around the table, each sharing what we were grateful for and then got onto the topic of the differences between Ashland and Medford. “Just look at the nicknames,” I said. “Ashland goes by Ashlantis, Brigadoon, and sometimes Assland,” True blushed. “Assland?  That sounds hideous.” Jasmine glared at True. “Hey, I don’t use it. Some guy told me it refers to the fact that there are a lot more women in town than men.” “At least 10 goddesses for one OK guy,” I laughed. “Huh?” Blue said. “I’ve got to show you this video called “Welcome to Ashlantis.” Lots of woo woo, psychic vegetarians, mystical Co-op encounters and goddesses galore,” I said, sneaking Babycakes some turkey under the table. “So Medford is what? Methford?  Dreadford?  The city that keeps shooting itself in the foot?” Josh asked, pouring more Grizzly Peak wine. “Medford gets a bad rap.  But its hospitals are first class. The community college has a great presence downtown and there’s free legal aid right on Main Street,” Jasmine said in her lawyer voice. “Not to mention On Track, that big rehab center next door, along with the many shuttered store fronts,” True countered. “Hey, at least the big mall is not an empty husk like in ‘Gone Girl,'” Ray pointed out. “Ashland is thriving, has outstanding parks and wonderful schools.  But your property taxes will be double to anywhere else in the valley.  Food, clothing, you name it.  It all costs more in Ashland,” Josh said. “So why aren’t the stores in Ashland out of business instead?” I asked. “I think these cities are more interconnected than we know. A lot of people in the service industry in Ashland can’t afford to live there. They live in Talent, Phoenix and Medford,” “Some people in Ashland are not locals but Californians who sold their houses during the housing bubble, moved up here, threw their money around, and ended up making everything more expensive,” grunted Ray. “Yeah and how many native Oregonians do you know?  I asked. “Most of us are transplants.” “With only 10 miles in between, we have two different, interdependent worlds,” Jasmine mused. “Ashland is the front stage, for tourists from all over the world.  Medford is backstage, for locals who support the performance,” Josh said. We all fell silent for a moment, thinking. “What’s for dessert?” True asked. Next week: Back on the track of whoever planted pipe bombs in vacant houses in Medford, Talent and Ashland. http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141208/NEWS/141209856 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->