UPDATE and left at the bus stop

UPDATE: Slept well, doing OK today. I am still surprised and thankful at this turn of events. Feeling this strong allowed me to go to my sweet friend Casey's wedding. She married Cristina in lovely Woodlawn Park in Northeast Portland yesterday late afternoon--the rain stayed away for the entire ceremony! The wonderful reception after the ceremony took place at The Village Ballroom, complete with family toasts, great food and lots and lots of dancing to the music CD that Casey made for the celebration. Everyone had a great time, smiles, joy, and laughter all around! Lamont and Leland took me; we had a great time and are happy to have shared this with Casey and Cristina and their families and friends.



Tomorrow I'll be at the bus stop in time to catch one to work, for the first time since June 23. I won't be leaving anything behind when the bus arrives. I'll work four hours (10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and then take a bus home. I'm looking forward to getting back to some sort of routine out in the world, that is, until the next chemo treatment. We'll see how soon I can go back part time after it.

Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 6, July 3, 2014 - Candid shots of dancin' to the music

While I sat in the shade listening to Tevis Hodge, Jr., I noticed a couple dancing just outside the entrance to the FedEx Crossroads Stage. Tickled pink when I realized it was bluesman Steve Cheseborough, wearing another cool hat-of-the-day, dancing with his lady.



The two of them made good use of the small space. I'll bet Hodge would also be tickled pink at this turn of events. I miss having a man who is my dance partner.

More serendipity. Really. I have a phenomenally lucky gift for serendipitous moments, of which I am not one-bit aware as they occur because I am not looking for them. The fact that eventually I become aware is in itself serendipitous.

Not long after I took loads of photos of Jujuba during Music on Main, my older son Lamont was at my apartment. I took the opportunity to show him the images in iPhoto, the ones I liked best of the band and of this man thoroughly enjoying dancing to the fine and funky beat. Well, imagine my shock when Lamont sort of guffawed and exclaimed, "That's my neighbor!" Shocked, I pointed at the man in the cap and asked, "This man?" Turn out this man whose exuberant fun fascinated me into taking photo after photo, lives in my two sons' neighborhood.

Merriam-Webster online defines serendipity as the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. And this definition for English-language learners: luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for. M-W goes on to include this definition for kids: the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for.

Colorful Cinco de Mayo

All in all, Cinco de Mayo was not exactly what I had hoped it would be, lots of music and dancing. I suppose I just missed most of each on Sunday afternoon in the two larger pavilions, but I managed to get this photo of three little girls entertaining a small crowd.

Music on Main, Dancing to Dr. Theopolis, Aug. 18, 2010

I love these windows on the south wall of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.