Mama and Duncan are together again.

You can click here to read what our friend Casey has to say about Mama, plus you can click on the two links toward the end of her post to see another Casey post about Mama's stuff and then actually hear her sweet voice at the last link.

I took this photo of Mama putting Duncan to bed on September 2, 2007.

Mama passed away yesterday afternoon.

She got exactly what she wanted, to lie down on her bed, fall asleep and never wake up. I found her when I came home from work, after having talked with her at 2 p.m. I often talked to her on the ride home on the bus, so I called her phone several times yesterday. When I didn't get her, I truly had a feeling that this was it, that she wasn't just in her recliner watching the Trail Blazers play Minnesota, her cellphone still in the bedroom. I told myself to plan exactly how I would react as I came through the door which has really helped me to hold myself together through the rest of last night and so far today. I've been crying, of course, but also I've been rejoicing that she is now with Daddy, my husband LeRoy, her parents, all the rest of her loved ones, and our little dachshund Duncan.

The photo I have here is my favorite that I managed to take of her after we had moved to Portland. For me it shows Mama at her best, looking up in curiosity about what's next. She lived her life as all of us should endeavor to, as a decent human being who loved her family and friends with a mighty love.

Thanks to each and every one of you for taking her into your lives.

Delivery Series

A quickly stepping young man caught my eye as I walked back to the apartment Sunday morning after buying the Sunday paper. We both were walking which I suppose is why the photo's out of focus, but I still like it because it made me wonder, is he hurrying to deliver those flowers or is he hurrying because it's so doggone cold? I imagine that he's coming from Trader Joe's--the flowers there are always beautiful, fresh, and affordable. The store is over his left shoulder; he's walking west on NW Glisan.


He turned the corner onto NW 22nd Avenue, heading south towards W. Burnside. Look at what grabbed his attention! I've been noticing this deck/porch ever since we moved into the neighborhood in October, 2006.


Ah, his transportation of choice so that he can deliver the flowers. I'll bet the person who got them loved them and put them into water right away.

P. S. If you've ever wondered about bouldering, watch the video I posted yesterday.

My son Leland's bouldering determination and his first Five, at The Circuit, 410 NE 17th Ave., as filmed by his brother Lamont. Five is the hardest.

After watching, Grandma says, "Perseverance wins!" Be sure you've got your volume turned up.

Serendipity #3: A guy on a bike, two times.

Monday as I rode the 10 bus back from eating lunch downtown, I took this photo from the window. I thought the serendipity was the way the wheels touch the markings on the pavement.


Here's the real serendipity. After I got off the bus across the street from my building I walked toward the corner to wait to cross with the traffic signal. I saw a bicyclist coming and thought, "It's the same guy!" I turned to follow his as he swept past. Click. There he goes.

Now that's real serendipity!

Serendipity #2. Look at his feet.

I saw this young man running toward me Sunday morning as I walked to a nearby convenience store to buy a newspaper. Running on NW 23rd Avenue. On a cold, cold morning. I thought, "Why not document his efforts for the blog?" Click. Then when I downloaded the photo to the iMac, I noticed that I had captured both of his feet off the ground--see the shadows beneath them, on the sidewalk? What a split second of serendipity!

Serendipity #1. Wish you had been with me.

Naturally I noticed this hat--it was cold outside, and I thought, "What a great hat for that lady to have on a cold day." Then, as we waited at a traffic signal, the bus idling rhythmically, movement caught my eye. Her hat vibrated, the brown stripes dancing before my eyes, still, blurry, still, blurry. I clicked this shot. And, lo and behold, when I uploaded it to Flickr, I discovered that you can see the blur! Those strips that appear to be double the thickness and come down like spokes from the top center of the hat--that's what I saw vibrating! Serendipity and the Nikon D50 rule!

Portland's downtown reflects the rising sun in front of gray skies

This might look like an every-day-sort-of-view. As I uploaded it to Flickr, I saw something else entirely. I looked at the roadway curving out of sight and thought about 2011 stretching out in front of us. I looked at the gray sky and thought about the shining buildings which mean there is sunshine around the corner. So, this photo is a metaphor for what I want 2011 to be for all of us, a journey towards whatever comes, counting each moment on the appearance of the sun.

January, 1, 2011--Monthly Theme Day

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in today's Monthly Theme Day--2010, the favorite photo.


My photo is of a portion Portland's downtown skyline at the west end of the 100-year-old Hawthorne Bridge that crosses over the Willamette River. The Hawthorne Bridge in the midst of celebrating its birthday during July's PDX Bridge Festival.

Happy New Year, y'all. May you be healthy, wealthy and wise in 2011.