Cooler air outside, warmer bodies inside, large windows opaque as a consequence of those differences--the 20 bus on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

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Wearing a quilted black satin brimmed hat, my multi-colored polka-dotted black rubber boots, and with my thigh-length raincoat completely zipped up and the hood pulled up over my hat, I boarded this 20 bus Sunday, September 29, at 12:49 p.m. on my way to a fundraiser tour for the Architectural Heritage Center. I had my Nikon secreted inside the upper left side of my raincoat and my over-the-shoulder black, rain repellant, many-pocketed handbag hanging outside my raincoat on the right side. I left my backpack at home because I had no idea how much turn-around space I would have on the tour. I certainly didn't want to knock anything off of someone's table or wall.

Seeing folks dressed in coats or hoodies, some with their belongings wrapped in plastic bags, didn't surprise me. All of us knew that it had been raining and blowing for hours and hours and would continue to do so.

On my way home after the tour, the 20 bus filled with thoroughly wet Portland Timbers' soccer fans who gave no clue as to the outcome of the game. It wasn't until I got home and checked Facebook that I learned the team had beat the LA Galaxy 1-0. And that 20,000 filled the stadium in the rain. Guess those who managed to quickly fill the 20 bus felt too water-logged to be excited about the victory. The hordes left on the sidewalks waited for the next bus in the downpour.

Splash #2

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Here's the black lab jumping and splashing and swimming collage that I had promised. I've been doing to much outside activity for the last week, so I'm behind with posts. Just got lots more uploaded to Flickr, so I should be able to get back in the groove real soon.

Here's some info about the dogs' competition. At the Oregon State Fair the most action I saw was at this platform and water tank set up for the 2013 NW K-9 Challenge National Championships. As best I can remember, what I got to see competing were some dogs in the Amateur Finals. I  witnessed utter excitement on the part of each dog who jumped from the platform, swam across the tank, grabbed the target from where it hung just above the water, and then turned and swam back to a ramp where he or she walked up out of the tank, pausing for a good water-shedding shake or two.

Splash, #1

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At the Oregon State Fair the most action I saw was at this platform and water tank set up for the 2013 NW K-9 Challenge National Championships. As best I can remember, what I got to see competing were some dogs in the Amateur Finals. I  witnessed utter excitement on the part of each dog who jumped from the platform, swam across the tank, grabbed the target from where it hung just above the water, and then turned and swam back to a ramp where he or she walked up out of the tank, pausing for a good water-shedding shake or two. Come back tomorrow for a black dog, one of two who jumped late in the competition and both of whom are six months old.

Circles seen circling all around at the Oregon State Fair AND Happy Birthday, Lamont!

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When one thinks of a state fair, one of the first two circles that come to mind will be the ferris wheel. It looks like a few people are enjoying themselves on this sunny Sunday afternoon.
 

And the second circle will be the merry-go-round. It looks like it's between rides.
 

Here's a third circle often included at a state fair among the amusement rides. Do you know the name of it? UPDATE: Thanks to Madge Bloom who knew that it is a Wave Swinger!

Thanks to my Zipcar, here's something I saw at the Oregon State Fair, the Slingshot!

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Just released, speeding upward on some sort of giant rubber bands! Holding on and smiling. I took this photo at 2:43 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2013, in Salem, Oregon.
 

In no time at all, physics takes hold and spins the seat so that the occupants are heels over heads and still speeding upward. I didn't count the number of ups and downs, but I can tell you that one would be more that I could take. Have you ever been on this ride? What makes it a ride? More like a jolt.
 

My Zipcar, Toyota Prius Islidur. We're at my on-the-way pit stop at the Fred Meyer in Canby, Oregon. It's the best place to stop for the deli counter and the restroom, bar none, when leaving Portland and heading south to Swan Island Dahlias, Bauman's Farm and Gardens, Schreiner's Iris Gardens, the Oregon State Fair, and/or the Sublimity Harvest Festival.

And, remember yesterday's post with the sign? Today there are signs, too. Folks, pay attention to these if you're trying to decide if you ever want to submit to the Sling Shot. I didn't even have to read because I knew beyond any doubt that I would never find my boo-tay strapped into the capsule. No way, no how.

I've typed what the one one the left says for you here:

Rules
1. Please remove all loose articles: Hats, Sunglasses, Keys, Cell Phones, & Loose Change.
2. Everything must be removed from your front pockets before riding the sling shot.
3. You must be at least 48" tall to ride the Sling Shot.

Restrictions
1. You ride the Sling Shot at your own risk!
2. You cannot ride if you have back, neck, heart, or other medical conditions!
3. YOU CANNOT RIDE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT!
4. You cannot ride if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol!
5. By going on the Sling Shot you agree that you have read all the Rules & Restrictions and will          abide by them!
6. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone!
7. NO TICKETS, NO RIDE, NO REFUND!

But here's where it gets down to brass tacks, on the sign on the right:
SLINGSHOT Riders
$30 per person (the squares with the prices on them have been attached to the sign because, dontcha know it, the prices have changed, gone up, I'm sure--it's the slingshot, they're not gonna go down, are they?)
Single Rider $30
Video $the stair rail is in the way, so I cannot tell if it is $30 or $20, but I'll lean towards $30, for consistency and continuity of pricing.

DO NOT RIDE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT DO NOT RIDE IF YOU HAVE BACK, NECK, HEART or HEALTH PROBLEMS

Hot Shot Thrill Rides
TOWER HEIGHT: 190'
CAPSULE HEIGHT: 250'
APPRX. SPEED: 100 MPH
MAXIMUM G'S: 5

RIDERS RIDE AT OWN RISK Needless to say, all I did was take a couple of photographs.

It pays to pay attention to signs.

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The sign. All about the zipline ride at the Oregon State Fair.



One of the low flying people. And lots of people watching her.

My last, as of now anyway, photo of Running Horses, Tom Hardy, 1986, Bronze

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Running Horses on the move, right beside the TriMet MAX Yellow Line cars, heading north on SW 6th Avenue, downtown Portland. If you remember the other Running Horses posts, you might be wondering why this is a Yellow Line MAX on the Green Line. Both of the lines share the northbound tracks on SW 6th and the southbound tracks on SW 5th.

One of these days I just might take more photos of this public art, but for now, this is the last one. I really like the feeling of movement caused by the blurry light rail train cars. Hope you do, too.

One more view of Running Horses, Tom Hardy, 1986, Bronze SW 6th and Madison, part of the Public Art on the TriMet MAX Green Line

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While looking for more public art photos to feature, I came across this one of Running Horses. I took it on Feb. 20, 2009. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why the sun was shining like this and that flowering tree is blooming, plus the bloom on that shorter plant--I think it is a camellia--in February?

Confusing. So I've looked back at my blog and found a completely dry photo that I took on Feb.5, another one where a lady's sitting outside at an ice cream place, bundled up in her coat, but it's sunny, no rain. So, February 2009 must have been a less wet month than I would have thought, with enough sunshine and warmth to bring on the blooms.

Public Art on the TriMet MAX Green Line: Running Horses, Tom Hardy, 1986, Bronze SW 6th and Madison

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I took these four photos on October 5, 2009, because this sculpture fascinated me. I found online that the Running Horses sculpture originally stood on the SW 6th Avenue side of Pioneer Courthouse Square, near the gate from the former Portland Hotel. I found one photo of the sculpture, taken in 2005, when it was still there. I like where it is now much better.
 

After I crossed the street, I took this photo as I walked north on the west side of SW 6th.
 

Then I stopped and took this one before continuing northward to catch my homebound bus.
 

A bonus sculpture, Hilda Morris's Ring of Time, the onion ring-shaped artwork across SW 6th Avenue at the Standard Building.

Constellation, three sculptures by Tad Savinar, 2000, Bronze -- No. 3, A Neighborhood Gardener

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A Neighborhood Gardener. From the plaque at the park: "These three sculptures are a visual representation of the connections between our civic gardens and our neighborhoods, and of the pivotal role we have as stewards of those relationships." This project was funded by the City of Portland's Percent for Art Program, administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
 

Garden shears in her right hand, she stands still, perhaps reflecting on her garden and the work she's accomplished. You can see her gardening gloves hanging from her left hip pocket in this photo. I found this description on the Internet: Standing female figure representing the neighborhood gardiner is actually a portrait of long-time community organizer, Carolyn Marks-Bax, who was selected for this honor by the neighborhood. I found it by accident, since gardener is misspelled.
 

I found on the Internet that the statue modeled after a local gardener, Carolyn Marks-Bax, who gardened near the park in the Sullivan's Gulch neighborhood. She may still garden there, I have no idea. When I go back some day to see this series of sculptures again, I plan to pay better attention to her.

Historical Information, from the City of Portland, about Holladay Park.

This park is named after Benjamin Holladay (1819-1887), known to many as "a sharpster, a con man, and a rake." He stirred things up wherever he went and was a bit of a dandy, dressing like a riverboat gambler. He was said to be "wholly destitute of fixed principles of honesty, morality, or common decency." In 1868 Holladay sold his stage coach business in California to Wells Fargo and moved to Portland to get involved in the railroad business. His goal was to build a rail line to California along the east side of the Willamette River. In order to do so, he spent a total of $55,000 in bribe money to help secure his company's endorsement. He also built two large hotels in the area where the park bearing his name is now located. Known as an extravagant spender, Holladay owned numerous mansions on both coasts and had over extended himself financially. He lost his railroad in 1876, and died in Portland in 1887.

Commissioned by the Lloyd Corporation and Pacific Power & Light in 1964, a concrete fountain featuring music and lights was installed in the park. Designed by Jack Stuhl, assisted by Ted Widing and Phillips Electrical, the musical fountain was favorite gathering place for park visitors. It was replaced in 2000, in conjunction with a major renovation of the park, by a spouting fountain designed by Tim Clemen and Murase Associates.

Three cast-bronze sculptures by artist Tad Savinar were added to the park as a percent-for-art project in 2000. Entitled Constellation, the project illustrates the connection between the personal front yard garden and the civic park garden through three distinct elements: a vase of cut flowers, an abstract molecule containing elements of a good neighborhood, and the figure of a home gardener, shears in hand. The objects in the molecule were selected by the Sullivan Gulch Neighborhood Association and the gardener was modeled after Carolyn Marks, a longtime neighborhood activist.

Constellation, three sculptures by Tad Savinar, 2000, Bronze -- No. 2, Flowers From a Neighborhood Garden

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Flowers From a Neighborhood Garden. From the plaque at the park: "These three sculptures are a visual representation of the connections between our civic gardens and our neighborhoods, and of the pivotal role we have as stewards of those relationships." This project was funded by the City of Portland's Percent for Art Program, administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
 

One view of the vase of cut flowers. I found this description on the Internet: A slender vase with a tall arrangement of flowers including hydrangeas and daisies.
 

Another view of the cut flowers.

Historical Information, from the City of Portland, about Holladay Park.

This park is named after Benjamin Holladay (1819-1887), known to many as "a sharpster, a con man, and a rake." He stirred things up wherever he went and was a bit of a dandy, dressing like a riverboat gambler. He was said to be "wholly destitute of fixed principles of honesty, morality, or common decency." In 1868 Holladay sold his stage coach business in California to Wells Fargo and moved to Portland to get involved in the railroad business. His goal was to build a rail line to California along the east side of the Willamette River. In order to do so, he spent a total of $55,000 in bribe money to help secure his company's endorsement. He also built two large hotels in the area where the park bearing his name is now located. Known as an extravagant spender, Holladay owned numerous mansions on both coasts and had over extended himself financially. He lost his railroad in 1876, and died in Portland in 1887.

Commissioned by the Lloyd Corporation and Pacific Power & Light in 1964, a concrete fountain featuring music and lights was installed in the park. Designed by Jack Stuhl, assisted by Ted Widing and Phillips Electrical, the musical fountain was favorite gathering place for park visitors. It was replaced in 2000, in conjunction with a major renovation of the park, by a spouting fountain designed by Tim Clemen and Murase Associates.

Three cast-bronze sculptures by artist Tad Savinar were added to the park as a percent-for-art project in 2000. Entitled Constellation, the project illustrates the connection between the personal front yard garden and the civic park garden through three distinct elements: a vase of cut flowers, an abstract molecule containing elements of a good neighborhood, and the figure of a home gardener, shears in hand. The objects in the molecule were selected by the Sullivan Gulch Neighborhood Association and the gardener was modeled after Carolyn Marks, a longtime neighborhood activist.

Constellation, three sculptures by Tad Savinar, 2000, Bronze -- No. 1, Isolated Molecule for a Good Neighborhood

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Constellation: Isolated Molecule for a Good Neighborhood. From the plaque at the park: "These three sculptures are a visual representation of the connections between our civic gardens and our neighborhoods, and of the pivotal role we have as stewards of those relationships." This project was funded by the City of Portland's Percent for Art Program, administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

First, photos of the atoms in the molecule, followed by a wide shot of the sculpture in Holladay Park, NE 11th Avenue & Holladay Street. At the end of the post you'll find historical information about the park and more details about the sculptures, from the City of Portland. I took these photos November 6, 2010.
 

Milk carton.
 

Milk carton and school building, front view.
 

School building, back view.
 

Garden spade and house, back view.
 

House, front view.
 

Family. Has something been broken off in the center of this group of figures? It's the turquoise color showing at the top of those structures that makes me wonder.
 

The entire sculpture, not the best angle for seeing it clearly, what with the nearby tree trunks being almost the same color. And I missed a few of the atoms: An enlarged structure of a molecule featuring atoms in the shape of a garden tool, a milk carton, a coffee mug, a bagel, a house, a school, a family, and trees --all the things that make a good neighborhood. Now I have a reason to go there again someday and take a longer look, see what else I can photograph.

Historical Information This park is named after Benjamin Holladay (1819-1887), known to many as "a sharpster, a con man, and a rake." He stirred things up wherever he went and was a bit of a dandy, dressing like a riverboat gambler. He was said to be "wholly destitute of fixed principles of honesty, morality, or common decency." In 1868 Holladay sold his stage coach business in California to Wells Fargo and moved to Portland to get involved in the railroad business. His goal was to build a rail line to California along the east side of the Willamette River. In order to do so, he spent a total of $55,000 in bribe money to help secure his company's endorsement. He also built two large hotels in the area where the park bearing his name is now located. Known as an extravagant spender, Holladay owned numerous mansions on both coasts and had over extended himself financially. He lost his railroad in 1876, and died in Portland in 1887.

Commissioned by the Lloyd Corporation and Pacific Power & Light in 1964, a concrete fountain featuring music and lights was installed in the park. Designed by Jack Stuhl, assisted by Ted Widing and Phillips Electrical, the musical fountain was favorite gathering place for park visitors. It was replaced in 2000, in conjunction with a major renovation of the park, by a spouting fountain designed by Tim Clemen and Murase Associates.

Three cast-bronze sculptures by artist Tad Savinar were added to the park as a percent-for-art project in 2000. Entitled Constellation, the project illustrates the connection between the personal front yard garden and the civic park garden through three distinct elements: a vase of cut flowers, an abstract molecule containing elements of a good neighborhood, and the figure of a home gardener, shears in hand. The objects in the molecule were selected by the Sullivan Gulch Neighborhood Association and the gardener was modeled after Carolyn Marks, a longtime neighborhood activist.

Race for the Cure, Sept. 15, 2013. Pink patio umbrella.

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Just enough sun coming through the haze to create a pink tinge on that man's T-shirt. The man carrying the pink patio umbrella.
 

The pink patio umbrella announces Bev's Bosom Buddies, one of many groups of runners and/or walkers supporting loved one impacted by breast cancer. Look closely and you can better see lots of names of those bosom buddies in this HDR alteration of the image.

What time is it? (All artifacts photographed at the Gresham History Museum, Gresham, Oregon, which is housed in a gorgeous 100-year-old Carnegie Library)

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Stop whatever you're doing.



No more clowning around.



It's just about time for some college football. Well, to tell the truth, it's been on TV and the computer already for hours and will continue into the night.



Before we begin, take a moment to learn the ground rules of being a college football fan who watches on the computer or TV instead of at the stadium because it's over 2,600 miles away.



Get some ice cream in a bowl. Don't forget your spoon.

 

And some Coca-Cola in a glass filled with ice. Or, if you're of a mind, put away that bowl, get out a bigger glass, and make yourself a Coke float. Change your spoon for a teaspoon so that you can stir and reach deep into the glass and spoon this delightful drink into your mouth. Yummy.

 

Head for your favorite chair.



Let the action begin! My Mississippi State University Bulldogs play Auburn, over in Alabama. I believe I shall be able to watch on my computer screen if all goes well. Go, Dawgs!

 

The gorgeous Carnegie Library building, 100 years old in 2013, which now houses the Gresham History Museum. Isn't it grand that this beauty has been saved and is still in use?

Today's as good a day as any to reflect--you pick your topic and go for it.

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Lots of time as I walk east along this block on West Burnside, headed from Powell's Books usually so that I can catch a 12 or 19 bus at SW 6th Avenue, I've noticed the reflections that appear on the polished stone exterior of this building to my right. This time I had my camera around my neck and decided to take a photo. I wasn't quick enough to catch that pedestrian headed my way before the metal post obliterated our view of anything other than the bags on each shoulder, arms and hands, a tidbit of blue-jean-enclosed right thigh, knee and calf. Turned out OK, though. This is straight-out-of-the-camera. Should I have enhanced in some way at PicMonkey?

Creative Problem Solving, #5

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I took this photo August 28, 2011. Getting a 747 jet on top of a building is the epitome of creative problem solving. It's been accomplished in McMinnville, Oregon, about 50 miles from Portland. The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is also home to Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose. It's inside it's own building, along with lots of other aircraft. But, as you can see, this retired 747 has a penthouse view!
 

Here's a photo that I took in September 27, 2009, showing the 747 on the ground at the museum. It waited here until everything final preparations has been made on the new building and the weather forecast was as good as possible.
 

I have no photos of how it got situated on the roof, here's one that I took on June 27, 2010. I found a May 6, 2010, mention of the placement of the 747 on top of the building at the Daily Journal of Commerce Web site. It's the caption for a photograph: After closely following weather patterns, a crew carefully placed a Boeing 747 atop a steel structure at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville early Sunday morning. The jumbo jet is now the eye-catching centerpiece of a new water park and educational museum being built on the museum grounds. “We needed the winds to be less than 10 miles per hour,” said Rick Jenkins, right, superintendent with Hoffman Construction Co., general contractor for the project. “The weatherman promised and delivered winds of 2 to 3 miles per hour so we could get the big jet up there.” Workers operating two giant Campbell cranes needed 50 minutes to lift and place the 350,000-pound plane. “I can put this … on my resume, but I doubt that anyone else will need my expertise in placing jets on buildings,” Jenkins said.



Here's one more that I took August 28, 2011, with a closer view of the waterslides coming out of this side of the 747. Those two tiny people put it all in perspective.

About Wings & Waves Waterpark, from the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark is an indoor, all-season educational waterpark that includes ten waterslides (ranging from slides for the little ones to slides for daredevils), a wave pool and a children’s museum dedicated to teaching students about the power of water. Consisting of classic Evergreen Museum building design, the space features nearly 70,000 square feet of educational fun, topped by a massive Evergreen International Aviation B747-100 aircraft on the top of the building. Throughout the structure, Waterpark visitors will learn about the power of water and its effects on society through dozens of interactive exhibits and learning tools. Both the Museum and the Waterpark aim to serve an important community education role and further distinguish McMinnville as a premier location for teaching students of all ages about the wonder of science.

Creative Problem Solving, #4

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How do you let passing bicyclists know that right there on the sidewalk--on NE Couch, just west of NE Martin Luther King--free coffee and donuts await? You make and hang a sign!
 

How do you transport what you use to hang the sign to that spot on the sidewalk? You tow its folded-up-self behind your bicycle. Creative problem solving!

Creative Problem Solving, #3

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How to quick load your robot with Frisbees so that it can continue tossing them during the Autodesk Oregon FIRST Robotics competition at the Memorial Coliseum on March 9, 2013.
 

Keep at it while your teammates look on. The best I could understand it, those students on the right controlled all the movements of the robot--joystick, computer, something like that.

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Reloaded and off to shoot at the target slots at the opposite end of the arena.



See the flying Frisbee on the left of the photo? That's one of theirs--you can tell from the bright green loading chute. Once out of Frisbees, the robot got sent back to the loader--you can see he's already got some stacked and ready.
 

Intense concentration on the face of the Frisbee-loader. The sequence repeated until the session ended. I have not idea who won, but I know creative problem solving when I see it. And this was a whole lot of it!