No. 3, May 16, 2011

Right about now good-sized raindrops begin to fall. She moves her right arm in advance of opening her umbrella. She scrunches her eyes shut. I'm across the street, thinking, "Rain, rain, go away!" I am lucky to be standing beneath a narrow strip of roof attached to the Fred Meyer's outer wall.

Flickr, Picnik, Create, Boost lessened from the default percentage, Focal B&W.

No. 2, May 16, 2011

The woman with the red and black striped leggings and the coat which reminded me of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band coats, but bleached of color, continued to walk west on SE Hawthorne Boulevard with the man beside her.

From Flickr to Picnik, to Create, to Effects, to CinemaScope in which I left the checkmark in the "Letterbox my photo" box, to Boost in which I lessened the percentage from the default.

Pause at some point today to remember all of those who have served in the Armed Forces throughout the history of the United States of America, paying special attention to those who gave their lives for our country. Remember their loved ones, too.

No. 1, May 16, 2011

What do you think first drew my attention to these two people as they crossed SE Cesar Chavez (SE 39th) at SE Hawthorne?

Here's how I got the photo to look like it does: from Flickr to Picnik, to Create, to Effects, to Boost, to Focal Zoom. I used less Boost than the default, and I played around at the Focal Zoom with Zoominess, Focal Size, Edge Hardness, and I think I used the Hardlight Advanced Mode.

Friday evening at 3 Doors Down Cafe

Prickly Pear Margarita, so smooth, barely sweet, totally refreshing


Spring panzanella salad of asparagus tips, English peas, radishes, fried croutons, pureed almond and red wine vinaigrette, perfectly textured, a real taste of spring

Sarah from work and I stopped by for a cocktail and a bite to eat before going to the Hollywood Theater to see a movie. Besides each of us enjoying the Prickly Pear Margarita, we shared the salad, and two appetizers: fried risotto & parmesan arancini with Mama Lil's Hungarian pepper aioli and seared sea scallops, warm romesco and micro greens.

Perfect, sun-warmed dining followed by another side of life, no less satisfying in all of its dark, complex, emotional morality--director Cary Fukunaga's version of "Jane Eyre."

Quite the evening out.

Some of what I saw, No. 8

I found a surprise someone smiling at me while I waited for the bus home at the end of my adventures on May 14.


Just what are the three things you see reflected in the windows? Guesses, please. Pretty please.

See anyone you know?

Some of what I saw, No. 7

1962 Chrysler 4-door Newport. On May 14, I couldn't believe it when I saw this totally gorgeous vehicle parked at the curb, right around the corner from Interstate Avenue and the Kenton MAX stop on the Yellow Line.

Some of what I saw, No. 6

As you may know, on May 14 I took part in an Architectural Heritage Center event, a Walking Tour of Portland’s Yamhill Historic District and Beyond. We began at Lownsdale Square and walked for an hour and a half, looking here and there, listening to our guide, Morgen Young of the AHC.

Our first stop turned out to be a building which I have loved for years. While the Portland’s Transit Mall, essentially the spinal column—the nerves and supporting bones of TriMet was being renovated between 2007 and 2009, I caught my first homeward bound bus right across the street from it. Here's Walt Lockley’s online information and photos about the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Temple.

Here are my photos, taken on May 14 during the walk unless otherwise noted.

The Temple is so large that I would have had to walk away from the group to get all of it in the photo--I didn't want to miss what our guide told us about the building. Seems like I remember some of the women on the walk saying that they used to go dancing in this building, back in the day.


She certainly solved a mystery for me--the capital U on that sign. I've seen it here and there in Portland and wondered what it could mean--my doofus guess at first that it was a way to mark a secret door to some sort of club, but as I saw more and more of them, I abandoned that idea. And how secret could a door be with that large orange U on it? Morgen explained that it's for firemen so that they will know that entering through the marked door is unsafe. Hmmm.



The six-story building was built in 1892, designed by architect Justus F. Krumbein. It's address is 915 SW 2nd Avenue. The style is Romanesque, at least that's what it says beneath a photo I found online. It also says this: "Rights © University of Oregon. This image is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ ). Acknowledgement of the University of Oregon Libraries as a source is required.. All Rights Reserved." Here’s a link to the photo. It’s worth taking time to click on it—you get a look at it from a different perspective.


I took this photo in February, 2010, from a parking garage. There on the left you see the west-facing wall of the Temple, with bricked-in windows and fire escapes.


And here's the south-facing wall in a photo taken in July, 2008.

Here’s more online information about the Temple, from 2005.

Here's the description of the walking tour from www.visitahc.org.

Portland’s Yamhill National Register Historic District contains some of the earliest remaining buildings in downtown. Among them are fantastic 19th century buildings like the Poppleton, known for the whimsical faces on its upper façade. Just beyond the boundaries of the district are several more architectural gems, designed by notable architects such as Warren H. Williams, Whidden and Lewis, David Lewis, and Cass Gilbert.

This tour, developed by AHC Education Committee chair Morgen Young, explores the interesting history and architecture of the Yamhill Historic District and the nearby historic buildings of SW Second and Third avenues of Portland, Oregon. We did go beyond this area on our walk--superb!

Here's the map of the portion of downtown that the City of Portland considers as the Yamhill Historic District.

Blue sky really does happen in Portland, in a very big way!

I saw it last Thursday, about 6:20 p.m. as I approached the Hollywood Theater to meet the group about to embark on the Hollywood Neighborhood Walk, thanks to the Architectural Historical Center.

We walked for two hours, seeing lots of houses and buildings in the neighborhood, hearing all about them. I thought it particularly interesting that this movie theater is what gave the neighborhood its name and that the guide said he couldn't think of another Portland neighborhood which got its name that way.

More photos soon.

Some of what I saw, No. 5

Dogwood in bloom, near my apartment building, May 14, 2011. The photos speak for themselves.















Look at the H made by the tiny branches. My last name, both maiden and married, begins with an H. I love this serendipitous surprise. It's even underlined by that other branch. Neat!

Some of you probably guessed the Farmers Market. This one's on Wednesdays!

You're right. It's the one at Shemanski Park in the South Park Blocks, downtown Portland. I rode the bus over the Hawthorne Bridge, got off at SW 6th and Main and walked the two blocks up the slight hill to shop. I love this chance to get fresh vegetables and fruit, plus other handmade goodies in the middle of the week. The market is just the right size for someone with only an hour for lunch and two bus rides to get there and back to work!

The vendors to the west of the park.


The vendors to the east of the park.

The structure which looks like sculpture, with the red tile sort of roof on it, is actually the Shemanski Fountain.

I ate lunch before I went to the market because all I wanted to do was look for food to cook and maybe some strawberries and some sort of cherry concoction. I bought asparagus, arugula, chard, green onions, carrots, red potatoes, a jar of Sweet Tart Cherry Jelly from Cherry County, plus a pint of strawberries. When I got home that night, I washed all of it then cut the carrots and potatoes into pieces and put them in the oven, drizzled with olive/canola oil and sprinkled with sea salt. I washed the arugula, chard and onions, cut the onions into discs and rough chopped the arugula and chard, then sauteed all of it in a big skillet with olive/canola oil and some sea salt. I washed the asparagus and cut off some of the stem ends, then put it into a great big pot to steam. I also had some broccoli that I had bought at Freddie's last Friday--I steamed it at the same time. The only thing that didn't get done in time for me to eat any of it last night were the potatoes and carrots. I had left over pot roast with potatoes and carrots, though, so that was OK. I spooned some of everything else on the plate and ate like a queen. Lucky, lucky, blessed me!


By the way, here's a photo looking south from Main so that you get an idea of the expanse known as the South Park Blocks.


And here are a couple of the prepared food vendors. I think the folks in my Thursday photo probably bought lunch at one of these and were sitting in the sun enjoying their lunch. The vendors are set up on SW Main which is closed during the market. I love how Portland does that and Portlanders seem to readily accept that there's a legitimate reason for the street to be close for a period of time. Love it!

Let's take a break from what I saw on Saturday, May 14, and enjoy another fine Portland sight.

Yesterday, a gloriously sunny Wednesday noon time, enjoyed by Portlanders. Come back tomorrow and I'll show you why they are where they are.

Some of what I saw, No. 4

I had to save this last Doggie Dash photo for a post all by itself. Such a sweet look on that face, looking up at the person. I took this photo from my seat on the MAX, holding my camera out and just clicking. I didn't want anyone mad at me for taking a photo, but I had noticed those dogs in the upper level of the car and wanted a photograph to share with y'all. Normally dogs are not allowed on TriMet unless they are in a kennel or are service dogs, so this was a special moment on the Yellow Line.

Some of what I saw, No. 3

I had such a great time on Saturday, May 14, walking through the Yamhill Historic District, a wonderful part of downtown, and riding some of TriMet's best mass transit options, looking, looking, and looking some more--taking lots of photos!

Today is all about Doggie Dash! I knew about it because I got this Service Alert e-mail from TriMet: Participants in the "Doggie Dash" are allowed to ride MAX with their leashed dogs Saturday, May 14, until 2 p.m. Dogs must use the rear car of any 2-car train. Because of MAX service interruption this weekend, however, Yellow and Green Line trains will be running as single-car trains, and dogs are permitted to board the single-car trains. So, I figured since the event took place only a few blocks from my scheduled walk through downtown, I knew I'd get a chance to see dogs and their people. I never actually walked on either of the courses, see below, so everyone I photographed had finished participating in the Doggie Dash.


Lagging behind my AHC tour group, I had the opportunity to take this fab photo! I remember for sure that the woman in blue and black, the woman in red and the woman in teal were all on the ACH tour with me. They're on the right, heading east across SW 2nd Avenue at SW Stark Street. And you know the people on the left, heading west, are Doggie Dashers 'cause you see a little bit of a pug and a grinning Jack Russell and a little bit of a small black and white dog which I can't ID, plus a bit of another one just off the sidewalk. Well, to tell the truth, there is one Doggie Dasher heading east--the man in the blue cap whose dog you can see on each side of the legs of the lady wearing the teal.


Check out the little boy with his face painted to match his dog!


I hope they've got some antiseptic hand wipes close by 'cause that little guy is all boy!


Big fluffy, well-groomed dogs. Wish I could have gotten a photo of their faces!


Love the hot pink party hat cocked to the side on that front dog's head! All three of them seem still to full of energy after participating in the Doggie Dash.


Sweetness is a miniature dachshund in step with its person. I love this photo!


Another really big dog.


A mother and her dog, a daughter and her dogs. Look at the grin on the big dog's face! And that miniature dachshund's stretch, looking back at Mom for approval. Love it!


A few seconds before I took this photo, the entire family was sitting on a park bench with that good looking dog sitting on the sidewalk in front of them. Across the sidewalk on a tripod was the family camera, taking a photo of them. I heard the joy as the camera was checked and it was discovered that the dog had been looking at the camera!


Color-coordinated fashion statement for dog and owner. Too bad the Doggie Dash goodie back wasn't red, right?

Here's a whole lot I found on the World Wide Web about the Doggie Dash, just in case you want to know or maybe want to start one in your town or city!

Now entering its 24th year, Doggie Dash is Portland's most popular event for animal lovers (voted #1 pet event by Spot Magazine readers "by a landslide"). Last year, more than 6,000 animal lovers came to Waterfront Park, raising over $230,000 for animals in need. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event.

When May 14th, 2011. On-site registration opens at 7:30 am; runners leave at 9:00 am; walkers begin at 9:15 am for the Bridge-to-Bridge route and at 9:30 for the "Classic " route around Waterfront Park.. Note: all runners/walkers must check in at the main registration tent before the race. Doggie Dash activities continue until 1 pm with fun for all. A full schedule will be posted online as we get closer to the day of the event.

Where Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland (Google Maps) The main registration tent is located in the park near the intersection of SW Naito Parkway and SW Pine St. (close to the Battleship Oregon monument). Vendor booths and demonstration areas will stretch along the park from Pine St. to the Morrison Bridge.

Course There are two courses to choose from: the 1.5 mile "Doggie Dash Classic" begins on SW Naito Parkway near Stark St. You'll proceed down a car-free Naito Parkway to the Salmon St. fountains, then turn north along the park's seawall, and return south on Naito Parkway.

The "Classic" route takes you on a stroll down car-free Naito Parkway.

The longer route offers great views of the city and is dog friendly.

The 2.5 mile "Bridge to Bridge" route is open to both walkers and runners. It uses the same starting and ending points as the 1.5 mile route, but takes Dashers over the Hawthorne Bridge, along the Eastbank Esplanade, over the Steel Bridge, and back to Waterfront Park. It's dog friendly and has great views of the city. Runners leave at 9:00 am for the 2.5 mile run, followed by walkers on the 2.5 mile route at 9:15, followed by walkers on the 1.5 mile loop at 9:30.

Contests Doggie Dash features different contests for people and pets, such as Silly Pet Tricks, Bobbing for Dogs, Strangest Mutt Mix, Singing Duo, Best Kiss, So Ugly I'm Cute, Best Dressed Dog, Peanut Butter Challenge, and Doggie Musical Chairs. Watch this web page for more information and a complete schedule. Contests winners will receive prizes courtesy of K103-fm, such as tickets to concerts and special events; other prizes to be announced. The contests are open to all registered Dashers; there is no charge to enter.

Activities In addition to contests (see above) and music (see below) Doggie Dash features a Fred Meyer pancake breakfast (free to Dashers, $5 for others) from 8 am - 10:30 am. Food from from other vendors will be on sale from 10 am - 1 pm.

Greg Gustafson of Border Collies International will be conducting doggie Frisbee demonstrations at at 8:00 am and 11:30 am, with tips on how to make your dog a Frissbee champ. Greg conducts a Frisbee contest (open to all registered Dashers and their dogs; no charge to enter) from 10:30 am - 11:30 am.

Don't miss the LexiDog Fashion show and the Best Dressed Contest (Dashers and their dogs may enter the contest without charge).

Music You can enjoy live music before and after Doggie Dash.

The Gabby Holt Band will kickoff the day at 8 am
Whistlin' Rufus will follow at 9:45
Beaver Boogie Band will appearing starting at 11:15 am

Dash rules for pets and people: Dogs entered must be currently licensed with proof of Parvo and Rabies vaccinations. You do not need to bring proof with you; if an incident occurs, you must be able to produce proof in a reasonable amount of time.

• For safety reasons, “extend-a-leashes” will NOT be allowed. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Leashes should be no more than six feet in length while on the course.

• Female dogs in heat are not permitted.

• Race officials reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog whose behavior could be dangerous to others. Please use good judgment regarding the temperament of your pet so that this event will be safe and enjoyable for everyone.

• No bikes, skateboards, roller blades, etc. are permitted for safety reasons. Baby strollers are permitted.

• OHS suggests that dogs younger than six months should not participate.

• Be sure you and your dog are conditioned and properly trained for this event.

• Running all or even part of the 2-mile course is not required. Walking your dog throughout the course is encouraged.

Some of what I saw, No. 2

I had such a great time on Saturday, May 14. First I made a momentous decision to trust the weather forecast and leave my umbrella and raincoat at home. Next I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of the Architectural Heritage Center's Walking Tour of Portland’s Yamhill Historic District and Beyond. Then I rode the MAX Yellow Line in search of lunch and a restroom, just for the fun of going to a different neighborhood. Finally, I rode home on the 6 and the 12 buses. No rain! Some of the time I had to wear my sunglasses due to the sunny/cloudy glare! Naturally, I took loads of photos, all sorts of photos. And I have already uploaded each of them to Flickr, placed in Sets which means I will easily find them to share with you!



To sprint in wild abandon, filled with joy,
Pumping your arms to increase your speed,
You're halfway down the block, girls and boys,
And soon the traffic signal you'll need to heed.

You'll screech to a stop
With a jump, skip and hop,
Waiting for adults to catch up.

Some of what I saw, No. 1

I had such a great time on Saturday, May 14. First I made a momentous decision to trust the weather forecast and leave my umbrella and raincoat at home. Next I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of the Architectural Heritage Center's Walking Tour of Portland’s Yamhill Historic District and Beyond. Then I rode the MAX Yellow Line in search of lunch and a restroom, just for the fun of going to a different neighborhood. Finally, I rode home on the 6 and the 12 buses. No rain! Some of the time I had to wear my sunglasses due to the sunny/cloudy glare! Naturally, I took loads of photos, all sorts of photos. And I have already uploaded each of them to Flickr, placed in Sets which means I will easily find them to share with you!


First interesting shot of the day as I ambled to the meeting spot for the walk, and I didn't have my camera on! I missed a fantastic side view of this rolling advertisement. Perhaps another dry Saturday or Sunday I will be out and about and see the Trident Vitality Vigorate Gum vehicle again.

By the way, I am thrilled that our trees have their glorious green leaves back--hooray for Portland!

Stripes and spots and wheels, oh my!

Zebra car with three wheels tootling around Ladd’s Circle in Ladd’s Addition, SE Portland. Photo taken July 14, 2010.


Giraffe car in my old neighborhood, the Alphabet District off West Burnside at NE 22nd and Everett. Here's some info from the World Wide Web about the Alphabet District: The Alphabet Historic District, an area zoned for historic preservation running roughly from NW 24th Ave. to NW 2nd Ave., and from NW Vaughn St. to W Burnside St. It is named for the alphabetical progression of street names in the area.

Last October, I saw a kitchen on the move in downtown Portland

As I waited for my last bus on the trip to work, nearby rumbling caught my attention. I turned my head to look for the source. Ah.

I read online that Saigon Kitchen is rolled out each morning and then back each evening. I cannot count the times I stood on the corner of SW 5th and Salmon and never saw this happening. What a treat to capture it on the move! I thought it stayed where I had seen it before, at SW 5th and Main.

Walk #7, neighborhood sidewalk surrounded by lush greens

OK, so it rains a lot here in Portland. But look what the rain brings us. Beauty in all shades of green, plus in the distance another flowering tree. I am blessed. And that's the tallest hedge I've ever been around, there on my left. Tall, well-trimmed, healthy hedge.