UPDATE and an on the road shot, thanks to Leland's Honda

UPDATE: I slept for a longer period of time last night! When I woke up at 4 a.m. in the recliner, I decided to try the bed and wedge pillow for my upper body and the memory foam pillow for my head. I really cannot tell you if I went back to sleep for real because every time I became aware of being in the bed, my brain was thinking the second I became aware of being there. For two hours this happened, although I believe I dozed some because what awoke me at 6 a.m. was the sound of my phone reminder to shut my windows. I have that reminder on perpetual repeat because, back when I was up and around, out and about, I needed it, just in case the temperature and air quality meant that I'd opened some windows. Don't want to leave them open and unlocked whenever I leave the apartment.

Anyway, I've been awake two hours and am about to take the morning meds, now reduced to just three and none of them are anti-nausea because I have NO nausea. Hooray! I have a headache, tiny amount of peripheral neuropathy in lower legs, none in hands right now. Hooray! We'll see how my energy level makes it through today, but, to tell you the truth, I feel like I could use a nap any minute. Thanks for your continued prayers, love, and concern. I feel every single one of them!



The day after I learned that I needed that second surgery, the robot one on June 25 that removed the metastatic tumor from where it free-floated in my abdominal cavity, Leland and Rachel took me to Sauvie Island to pick blueberries. On the way back into the city, not a long drive at all, I took this photo through Leland's windshield. It's impossible to ride by the St. Johns Bridge and not want to photograph it, y'all.There's another one of these gorgeous supports on the eastern side of the Willamette River. Thanks for the chance to get this photo, Leland and Rachel! I had a great time picking blueberries and being with you two!

More from Mother's Day, 2014

Sweetheart of a subject to photograph, Rachel, my son Leland's girlfriend



Sweetheart of a photographer, my son Leland

I took these photos at Forest Park on the Lower Macleay Park Trail.

Where the flower study flowers bloom.

Blossom-loaded trees stand all in a row in the parking strip along NE 16th. You can tell how tall the trees they are when you compare them with the vehicle parked there. I am a short five foot four inches, so I imagine that last Saturday will be the last time that I'll be able to look at even a few of them head on, and even then, I had to stand on the mounded, grass-covered earth. How will I take photos then? I may have to start carrying around a light-weight step stool.

Flower Study, No. 1

Since I ended up on the 20 bus Saturday for part of the ride home, instead of the 12 or 19, I decided to take advantage of getting off in a different place, to see what I could see. Was I ever happy that I did. Flowering trees with blooms close enough to photograph. Wonderful, exciting, hopeful time for me.

Still life No. 1, Bijou Cafe

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On Saturday, February 16, I waited patiently for brunch, but I couldn't help myself. I had to take a photograph.

The story of two photos, pure amazement and serendipity for me!

Monday night, December 26, the Trail Blazers played Philadelphia in our season opener. Fans and those whose employment depend upon the games taking place, as well as the players and coaches, feel pretty good about basketball being back in Portland.

Lots of Trail Blazer fans count #12, LaMarcus Aldridge, as their favorite player.

One of the photos in this short, short story is this one that I took from clean across the entire arena of LaMarcus Aldridge as he scored. Totally excited to get it!

When I decided to post the photo, I searched on Google for trail blazers philadelphia december 26, 2011. And I come across photos from the game taken by the Oregonian, Portland's daily newspaper. Lo and behold, the very first photo I saw is of the same instant of action, taken by the photographer (Bruce Ely) sitting on the floor at the baseline--you can barely see him on the right edge of my photo because I cropped close to LaMarcus and the basket. (More about that at the bottom of the post.)

If you click on the link, you'll see the second photo in this short, short story. And be amazed.

To tell you the truth, I did the search hoping to find the photo and a word or two about who had passed the ball to LaMarcus and if this was one of those lob passes like I'm pretty sure I remember it was. Anyway, the caption beneath Ely's photo was no help, but I was very excited to see the action from his perspective, let me tell you! Please click on the link above or here to see Ely's photo. I would have tried to copy and paste it onto the blog, but I didn't feel that would be the right thing to do. One of these days maybe I'll contact him for permission, if this happens again!


Here I've I cropped the photo differently so you could see Bruce Ely. Look at that other camera and lens standing in front of him!

Surprise, courtesy of the down elevators

On August 22 when I walked into the building and over to the elevators, I read a sign that said something like this, "Only one elevator is operational. Facilities has been notified." Too many people stood waiting. I walked the three flights to my floor, carrying my rolling black bag. On the way from one landing to another in the stairwell, I decided to make the most of the opportunity and took this photo of the stair rail.

What surprise photo opportunity have you had lately?