Who's having the most fun?

I'd say it's a toss up on the fun question although the man does seem to be smiling. However, it's certain that all four appear pleased to be out and about last November 20, walking west on SE Belmont. Well, the dogs are walking; the humans are striding, steppin' out.

The restaurant's wall makes for some nice contrast with the man, his jacket, and his Golden Retriever.

I have not been to Two Brothers Cafe & Grill, although I admit to being curious about what it might be like. I found the reviews at Citysearch and Yelp mostly positive, so one of these days ... maybe on a weekend.

She matches the crosswalk signal.

Walking south on SE 7th Avenue, towards SE Belmont. I saw her coming and waited to take the photo until she'd gone on by last Saturday while on my way to the Architectural Heritage Center for a lecture on Portland's concrete houses, both form-to-look-like-stone and poured-in-forms walls.

Here's what was on their Web site about the lecture: Concrete Houses of Portland
In the early twentieth century, concrete challenged Portland’s ubiquitous timber as the building material of choice for “modern” residences. As early as 1906, Portland architects and builders had begun constructing homes from solid concrete blocks formed to look like stone. In following years, other local builders experimented with the “Edison mold”—houses built entirely of continuous poured concrete panels. Concrete houses never became the norm in Portland, but numerous examples can still be found in all quarters of the city.

Avalon Theatre, 3451 SE Belmont Street, SE Portland

Awe, gee, whiz. I love this neon!












A bit I found at the Web site for the Avalon, and its sister Milwaukie Cinema--I don't have any photos of it.

Now showing movies in two great theatres. We will be showing movies all day every day, all presented in surround sound. Our snack bar will be open with candy, soda pop, ice cream, and enough popcorn to satisfy any appetite. With the best prices in town seats will be only $2.50 for adults and $2.00 for children 11 & under and seniors, starred attractions may be $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids under 12 and seniors.
Avalon & Milwaukie both will run as a Wunderland Video Arcade as well. They are fully loaded and ready for hours of fun for all ages. Separate tickets will be sold for the movies and the game room admissions. Now Showing: CORALINE, GRAN TORINO, FRIDAY THE 13TH, BEDTIME STORIES, HOTEL FOR DOGS, PAUL BLART:MALL COP, THE CURIOUS CASE
OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. Have you seen any of these movies? Recommendations, please.

Friday, July 11, 2008 ... Bicycle Parking on SE Belmont

Mama, Duncan and I went on a sort of field trip in the Buick Tuesday after work. After Lamont and Lindsay got the thing to start--they kept it attached to her Honda for almost half an hour before trying to turn it over--I knew we needed to drive it for a while. I circled the block and picked up Mama and Duncan, with the kids help getting the two of them downstairs and quickly walking Duncan. Then, we were off, cruising here and there after we crossed the Willamette River. I don't mean to give you the wrong idea, though, because we had a goal in mind, the Battery Exchange at SE 20th and Belmont where we planned to get the battery checked and/or buy a new one. Long story short, checked, bad cell, new one installed. Then, we off again, with the A/C on this time, a change of circumstances that Duncan especially appreciated.

On the way from there to our next goal, the Dairy Queen on SE Division, I spied two sets of this unique bicycle parking. I quickly picked up the camera, pointed and clicked--the traffic hardly moved, so I felt safe in doing this, realizing that I might have a photo of a curb or a wall or a post. You see the cropped photo above, and the original photo below.

Immortal--I like that word in relation to music, among other things.

I've enjoyed looking at this since right after we moved here in June, 2006. It's on SE Belmont, across from the Walgreen's that's on the corner of SE 39th and Belmont. One of these days I'll get a night shot of it in all its neon splendor. According to several reviews I found online, the store and its staff are splendiferous themselves--it appears they sell vintage and restored pianos.

I took this photo from the 15 bus on Sunday when Duncan and I were on our way to visit Mama. Now that she's coming home tomorrow, we won't have to do that any more. Hooray! And hooray, Duncan continues to improve. The vet is pleased with his progress which I hope and pray continues tomorrow, too. The plan is for me to bring him home on Saturday. Also, our friend Kay flies in on Saturday afternoon. That means we three--and Duncan--can watch the Daytona 500 NASCAR race together on Sunday, something we've enjoyed in the past, down home in Mississippi. By the way, Junior won the first Gatorade Duel, a 150-mile sort of pre-race that sets the field of starters for the race. That means he starts in 3rd place on Sunday. Hooray!

Matching street-level accessory

On the corner of SE 55th and Belmont, I first noticed the butter-yellow vehicle, mostly hidden by the green hedge. With the help of Google Images, I believe it's a 1963 GMC Suburban Carryall. Anyway, I wanted to walk closer and take a photo, but I wasn't sure how accurate the bus arrival time I had gotten from calling TriMet's Transit Tracker really was. So, I stood there. Then I noticed that the house was the exact same color as the vehicle. Click! It felt mighty good to be taking a photo just because I liked the looks of what I saw.

Duncan and I were on our way home from visiting Mama Sunday afternoon. Both of them continue to slowly improve, praise the Lord.

Before the bus came, this wonderful old pickup truck came rolling by--I'm pretty sure that it's a Chevy. Anyone know what year? From the 1950s?