UPDATE and they'll need a change in clothing, if the predicted weather comes true.

UPDATE: I felt a bit better today than yesterday. I'm going back to work on Monday at 10:30 a.m., four hours a day. I'm really looking forward to it! My next chemo is September 10. I hope I'll do as well after it as I am doing now.



These young ladies enjoyed their summertime clothes back in July, 2009--no rain in sight. Now, if the weather report turns out as predicted, they'll need protection from the rain tomorrow. Not that the weather has done as predicted pertaining to rain lately, at least in Portland. I hope it does rain because we need it!

UPDATE and the marquee and facade at Hollywood Theatre, the vintage theater I'm able to go to on the bus, when I feel good enough! Plus, the facade of the Laurelhurst Theater, which is close enough that I can walk, when I feel good enough and the weather cooperates!

UPDATE: No nausea, even without the anti-nausea meds--I've made it past the number of days that I'm prescribed to take them. Hooray! Less peripheral neuropathy today, too. Another hooray! Still very tired, but I've managed to stay awake all day so far. Maybe I'll sleep longer than a couple of hours at a time during the night. I am thankful for all of your continued prayers, love, and concern.



Here you see the results of two successful fundraising campaigns, one to install a marquee reminiscent of the theater's 1926 original, plus a recent campaign to clean and restore the gorgeous facade, along with other needed repairs, etc. I went to see Straight Outta Compton and am glad that I saw it although I know little about the real people it supposedly portrayed and I wonder about the degree of verisimilitude in the film. Still and all, it was an emotional ride for the entire movie.

Here's some info about the marquee, from the theater's Web site:  

The new neon, illuminated sign is the latest sequel to many other Theatre improvements. New auditorium seats, digital projection systems, screens and sound systems were recently installed as well as a fresh coat of paint inside and out (done by pro-bono worker extraordinaire Joel Hamberg.) The marquee was funded by grant funders, businesses and over 1,100 people who donated to a Kickstarter campaign.

And here's some about the facade project and what else is planned at the same time:

Starting July 13, we’re beginning a $265,000 building project to restore and repair the facade and roof of our historic 1926 theater. This project will include the in-depth cleaning and restoration of the Theatre’s stunning façade, the re-tiling of the Theatre’s period clay roof, and the repair of water leaks throughout the building. Which means:

• We can re-open and operate our former box office window • We can proceed in partnership with the Columbia River Theatre Organ Society with the installation of a functioning pipe organ (now that our organ loft is dry) • The Theatre as a structure will be stabilized and weather-resistant for decades to come • This Portland landmark will be more beautiful than ever!

This exciting restoration project is made possible through the generous support of the Kinsman Foundation, Jackson Foundation, Pacific Power Foundation, ESCO Foundation, Fred W. Fields Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, and Collins Foundation, and through the ongoing support of the Hollywood Theatre’s board of directors, members, and donors. Thank you!



For comparison, here's photo of the previous marquee and the facade before any restoration and repair. At two different times during their runs, I saw Win Win (fabulous film with the the wonderful Paul Giamatti) and Jane Eyre (the 2011 version, totally gorgeous and breath-taking in all aspects).



I enjoy going to the movies here, too, especially when the weather's right for walking the eight blocks there and back, when my health permits. Plus, neon always gives me a thrill! I went to see Kingsman: The Secret Service--a totally entertaining movie loaded with mayhem and violence; I believe I can say that because there was little blood and flesh flying around, exploding on the screen. Both Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson played their characters to perfection!

Here's some info about the Laurelhurst, from its Web site:

The Laurelhurst Theater became part of Portland's cultural and architectural history when it first opened in 1923. The original single screen could seat 650 people and was one of the first art deco style theaters of the period. Over the years the Laurelhurst has been added onto and now offers four auditoriums with modern amenities but still maintains its classic appeal. Now celebrating our 15th year as a theater and pub. Thank you Portland!

Enjoy microbrews, wine, pizza, salads, wraps, popcorn and candy. All of which may be brought into the auditoriums to enjoy at your table while you watch your movie.

The theater's four screens bring the best of modern cinema, Independent, art and classic film to Portland's movie lovers.

Around 6:25 a.m. this morning, the view from the building's front door.

I wanted to put some mail in the outgoing basket downstairs, around the corner from the laundry room where the building's mailboxes are attached to the wall. Since the sun had already come up, I decided to walk out the front door and around the corner on the sidewalk so that I could go inside that door and put the mail in the basket. I need to enjoy the outdoors several times today because it's supposed to be rainy tomorrow.

According to KGW Channel 8, the local NBC affiliate, it will be 70 today--maybe an evening shower--then 60 tomorrow with heavy showers. Pretty much the same forecast for Wednesday, too. I'll be taking advantage of the wide hallways and the stairs inside my building until Thursday, when the weather's predicted to be better.

Will Portland get almost five inches of rain between Friday morning and Sunday evening? Hmmmm.

All of these are archived rainy weather photos which I've decided to share today, due to the weatherman's dred-filled excitement about what the models predict for the Portland metro area.


I imagine it will begin much like this--in fact, I'll bet it's already like this outside right now. I'll find out soon, when I head for the bus stop.



At some point during the next three days, it will look like this, and worse, if we really do get the predicted five inches.



I took this photo over in Portland's Alphabet District, where I used to live on the top floor of a four-story apartment building. Rainy night, then.

The other side of the coin--winter in Portland--it's either brilliant or wet.

Saturday, November 15, cold and a little windy at 9:14 a.m. Who cares? Look at that brilliant sunshine! I should have worn my sunglasses while I was out and about before my lecture at the nearby Architectural Heritage Center. This brick and wrought iron wall surrounds an entire city block occupied by a Shell service station and its accompanying convenience store. This block is bordered on the south by SE Alder, on the east by SE Grand, on the north by SE Washington and on the west by SE MLK. The AHC is across SE Alder from the station, at the diagonal from where I stood to take the photo, so I see it every time I go to a lecture because the bus or street car takes me south on SE MLK. When it's brilliant out, I get off a block before the Shell and get in a bit longer walk.



Wet morning on Saturday, November 22, as I waited for either the street car or the bus to arrive so that I could get closer to the AHC for that day's lecture. The man who walks across carrying the large white item had just randomly announced to another man who stood to my right and me that he was going to the large, cylindrical, concrete trash receptacle to "steal a plastic bag." You see the evidence of his success. Just before saying that and going on his quest, he'd told us that he'd gotten soaked the day before, so he wanted to get under the bus shelter with us, that he needed/hoped to be able to go to a laundromat to dry everything he had that was wet. There's the justification for his decision because he could put that huge bag over his rolling bag full of his belongings. I must say that listening to him and the rainy sounds around us made me even more thankful for my job, my apartment, my mass transit pass, all of my blessings. When it's wet out, I get off at the SE Morrison stop so that my walk to the AHC is a block shorter--I'm interested in being less wet, just like the man at the bus shelter.

More of this side of the coin--winter in Portland.

Yep, more ice hanging this time from an informative display sign on the rooftop garden. I took these photos on Friday, November 14, before work hours began. I enjoy going up there some mornings to experience the weather and the view of downtown. That day, though, my focus was much closer.



I haven't checked on the status this kale since that icy morning, in particular, but in the corner of my mind, I don't remember seeing it when I was on the roof this week.



Some of this Swiss chard in this row was still in the ground on Wednesday afternoon, November 19. It appeared to have made it through the icy conditions robustly. I wonder how yesterday's hard rain and blustery wind impacted it, if it's still there.



It's interesting how pretty ice can be when you think about its destructive impact.

Tomorrow, another side of the winter coin in Portland.

One side of the coin--winter in Portland. Come back tomorrow for more of this side of the coin. Soon, we'll flip it.

Before work began last Friday, November 14, I walked out onto the rooftop garden and took these photos just to document the only winter-type weather I saw in the period of time in which it had been predicted that possibly four to six inches of snow could have ended up in Portland, starting around 9 a.m. on November 13. Thankfully, no snow in the metro area--I saw one snowflake from my cubicle window large enough to be seen from across the street. There was some iciness on the streets and sidewalk for my commutes, but I wore my Yak-Trax on my shoes and made it just fine.



I took this photo and a few more, then rode the elevator to my floor and got settled in for work.

Rooftop Garden Friday, No. 2

Near some more of those purple flowers, I saw these golden ones. I plan to return to the rooftop garden tomorrow or the next day, depending on the weather and my allergies. I want to see if more of the golden flowers have bloomed. I hope they have!

Rain protection.

Recent rain brought out these colorful umbrellas and their ladies, a couple blocks from my building. Umbrellas, not the norm in sometimes blustery Portland--I hardly ever use one although I have a travel one in a pouch on my backpack. Instead, I followed the good advice my sons gave me back when I moved to Portland. "Mom, get a raincoat with a hood. You don't want rain dripping off a rain hat down your neck. You don't want an umbrella blowing inside out." Thanks, Lamont and Leland.

First-round, NBA Western Conference Playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers, 122. Houston Rockets, 120. Overtime win for my guys! Hooray!

Buddies

Hercules and Bubba enjoy Portland's fantastic summer weather every chance that they get, here in the door of Bright Auto Upholstery, 1611 SE 6th Avenue, near where I work. Up until this week, I've only been able to get Hercules, on the left, to stand up to be petted; he's a sweetheart. Tuesday morning Bubba decided not to be so shy and walked up to sniff my hand. Our weather is about to change to misty, drizzly and/or rainy--for months to come. I hope that I'll be able to visit these two in their doorway and continue to build a friendship with both of them.

Saturday's Weather Surprises

First, a close-up of the sweetest surprise, as seen from our kitchen window. I hope lots of Portlanders got to see this beauty which hung around for a few minutes. Looking from inside the arc, I see purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Maybe the seventh color, indigo, is there, but I can't say for sure.


Now, a close-up of the rain and hail that arrived with a shocking swiftness and well before the huge rainbow.


Not long before 4 p.m., looking out the window beside Mama's recliner where she sat taking a nap, I noticed it had started to rain, so I stood up to check the open window there and in the kitchen--not raining in either one. Then I walked into the bathroom to check that window. Pulling it shut against increasing rain drops, I turned to head back to the living room. Before I could get out the bathroom door and into the hall, I heard hail blasting the windows, blasting with sound but not breaking the glass though I have no doubt that if it had been larger hail, broken glass would have resulted. When I stepped back into the living room, the screeching had woke Mama. In a matter of minutes--Mama and I estimate four at the most--the rain left us surrounded by quiet--until lightning and thunder that must have been nearly right above us jolted us. Then a few minutes later the TV broadcasted a severe thunderstorm warning for all of the metropolitan counties. We later learned on the evening news that trees were down across the area, and 30,000 were without electricity. On Sunday at 5 p.m. 1,800 still did not have power. This is not Portland weather--its' more like what we were used to in Mississippi.

Not long after the severe thunderstorm warning, I noticed darkening skies in the distance, first out a living room window ...


... then out the kitchen window. Wistfully, I said to Mama, "There must be a rainbow somewhere."


An hour and a half later as I walked by the kitchen window, I glanced out and hollered, "Oh, there's a rainbow!" Quickly I grabbed my camera, sat at the window and took picture after picture, hoping to get a good one of the widest rainbow I can remember.

It disappeared behind the Rose Plaza on the north ...


... and another apartment building a block away to the south.

In my eyes

The sun, the shadows, both large and small,

The myriad sharp and soft greens you see,
The ubiquitous blue sky above it all,

So appears Portland's perfect weather, observed by me.

Weather changes, March 30, 2008, from 04:51.42 p.m. through 4:57.51 p.m., outside our kitchen window.

4:51:42 p.m. By the time I decided to get the camera, it had been hailing long enough to coat the roof of this parked car and change the color of the soil in the bed at the foot of the Elizabeth Apartments from solid brown to near white. I raised the kitchen window and started taking photos.

4:51:59 p.m. The Elizabeth is directly across NW 22nd Avenue.

4:52.13 p.m. The Rose Plaza is diagonally across the intersection of NW Everett and NW 22nd.

4:57.16 p.m. The sun came out as quickly as the hail had started earlier.

4:57.51 p.m. The hail on the fire escape melted from opaque ice balls to shiny wetness in the bright sunshine.

This was the third or fourth day in a row that I'd seen hail, followed by bright sun. Finally, a visual definition extraordinaire of what Portland's weather people call sun breaks.