Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 17, July 3, 2014 - a bit more Los Lonely Boys

I really like these brothers and their music. I left my seat and headed for the Music Millenium canopy, thinking I could get in line, buy a CD and have the guys sign it. By the time I got my ol' self over there, the waiting crowd was huge, spreading across the entire width of their CD-selling space. So, I took photos instead. I like the smile on Henry's face as he looks up at a fan.



You can see how many folks packed into the space there in front of the guys, which represents only a portion of the huge crowd. I like this photo because it shows how intently each brother--JoJo, Ringo, and Henry--is signing folks' merchandise. I think that's speaks well of their respect for their fans.

Blazer fans arrive early evening Sunday, before game four, first round NBA playoffs. The Moda Center, home of my Portland Trail Blazers!

Yes, I consider this team mine. And I'll wager each fan does much the same in whatever sport or sports that they love to watch. We went on to win game four, in overtime by three points. That was the third overtime game in the four played up until that point. It's a best of seven series--the Trail Blazers have it 3-1 right now. Game five is in Houston tonight. Go, Blazers!

Lillard, Damian Lillard that is, is our point guard. Rookie of the year last season, All Star this season. He's a treat to watch play and a treat to listen to his interviews--he's a well-spoken young man who knows that in the end, it's the entire team, not just him, that makes things. By the way, when he's introduced, Mark Mason says, ". . . wearing the letter O, Damian Lillard!" I love it!

My March Madness continued with the sight of the Louisville Cardinal mascot

Louisville Cardinals fans, excited no doubt to be at the Second Round game about to begin against Davidson, made sure to get the attention of the team mascot--believe me, this was not the only photo which I witnessed prior to the game at Portland's Rose Garden Arena on March 15.


Half-time and the Louisville Cardinal poses with other fans. I wonder if they are Louisville fans or mascot fans? Probably Louisville fans. I have to admit that when half-time arrived I was somewhat sad--that meant I only had three and one half games left that day. Still and all, I had just seen a great first half of my first ever Second Round NCAA March Madness basketball game at the Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon.

Sorry, Davidson, your mascot wasn't as photogenic, I guess. I didn't notice anyone posing with you.

Thursday, 102, Friday 100, Saturday predicted 100--in Portland.

Once we left REI Thursda, I got my camera out again, just in case something caught my eye. It didn't take long, either. Here's the framework that obviously used to hold a different water tower. Right after I snapped this photo, I looked up at Lamont and said, "That looks like an alien spaceship that grew legs." He laughed, dutiful son that he is!

Those temps in the headline come from the Portland airport, wherever it's read out there on the Columbia River, northeast of our apartment. Around the metro area, and out into the nearby countryside, some places reported 100, 101, 102, and 104 degrees today! After work I was talking to my bud Eve, down in Mississippi, on the phone, telling her how we were fine once we got situated in our chairs in front of fans. "You don't have AC?" she yelped. "No, we've never had it up here," I replied. "We could buy one of those little window units, but we'd probably need three of them to make a difference." Then I went on to explain that we really didn't need any AC because it doesn't get this hot that often. In fact, starting Monday our predicted high temps range in the 70s. And just two weeks ago, our night temps were in the cool 50s--wonderful sleeping weather.

Let me tell you something that made Mama and me laugh Friday night. We're sitting at the table, in front of one fan that sits in the window and another fan across the living room, pointed right at us, eating some Breyers Lactose Free vanilla ice cream. In between spoonfuls, she looks at me, in all seriousness and says, "I think it's cooling off quicker tonight than it did last night." I look back at her and say, "Do you think it might have something to do with the fact that we're sitting in front of two fans on high, eating ice cream?" Then we laughed and laughed. Good memories are made of such moments.