Two of my favorite things about Portland and the folk(s) that live here.

You've got your purple glitter hat in your car with you at all times because wearing such finery serves you well at any given moment. You're a Portlander who is allowed to be yourself by your fellow Portlanders--one of my favorite things about Portland.



You've got your fish and your moose hanging from your rear view mirror and standing on your dash, in honor of the nearby wilderness, easily and quickly reached in said vehicle--another of my favorite things about Portland.




What's really neat is that it's totally conceivable that the person wearing the purple glitter hat on Friday night could be out hiking the wilderness on Sunday morning.

What are two of your favorite things about your city and/or its inhabitants?

Spring is in the streets!

Forewarned is forearmed--is that how it goes? Anyway, what I'm trying to do is tell you that I know from past experience (last spring, summer and fall) that I cannot control myself when it comes to taking photos of Portland's flora.

Sunday afternoon I walked out of the apartment after watching the end of the NASCAR race in Atlanta where my favorite driver again finished third, crossed NW 22nd Avenue at Everett, and walked about 300 feet west. There I stopped and took this photo, one I've been wanting to get since last week when this huge camellia began to bloom in earnest. I wanted a blue sky for the background, to do honor to that tree. Besides that I got the tiny red leaves that color the top of that tree to the left, farther down the sidewalk. What a great time of the year!

Blossoms up close for you.

Next, I walked back to the corner on Everett and turned right onto NW 22nd, heading north to Glisan. Just before I reached that intersection, I saw this flowering tree, one that I remember well from last year.

It's amazing to me that so many gorgeous tiny flowers can appear from such a tiny spot on the trunk of the tree.

Do you know what kind of tree this is, please?

What signs of spring are you seeing again this year?

Just to keep things straight ...

I don't want y'all to think I cook everything from scratch, so I took this photo Saturday morning before I got started fixing breakfast.

Please note the instant grits (microwave), the fully cooked sausage (small skillet on the electric range). They make it so easy to end up with a consistently tasty breakfast. That sliced potato, by the way, is one of the Yukon Golds I baked last Saturday. I saute it and small tomato pieces with my olive/canola oil mixture in another skillet, before scrambling in the eggs--yummy. The English muffins get toasted in the toaster oven, another wonderful time-saving kitchen appliance. We enjoy breakfast around here.

Neon sign says it all

First let me say that when I took this photo last May, I never dreamed that all these months later those three little words would express how I feel right now, physically. Let me explain.

Most of us realize the saying "In the bag" means done, as in "It's a certainty." I read online that the meaning could go back to a baseball superstition involving taking the bag of baseballs to the locker room when the team was ahead in the last inning. Anyway, here's how this pertains to little ol' me. It's a done deal, and I'm certain that I'm give out, tired, done in, done for the work week, just about done for this evening.

Don't get me wrong. It's been a doggone good week, all things considered. Mentally, I'm very proud of how the week has gone, satisfied.

Last Saturday morning at 5 a.m. Mama had a falling episode (nothing broken) that necessitated a trip to the ER where it was discovered that she had a urinary tract infection. So, she's been taking antibiotics all week and is doing very well, thank goodness.

I knew not what we were looking at, effort-wise for the next few days, as I sat there in the ER, my head resting on top of a really thick paperback book by W.E.B. Griffin which I had put onto the counter beside my chair. While in that state, I decided as soon as Leland came to pick us up in the car, I'd get him to stay with Mama and I'd go to the Fred Meyer to stock up on groceries, etc. That's just what I did. Oh, I almost forgot, I asked Leland if he'd make us a meat loaf when I got home with the ground beef--turned out to be a delicious idea!

At the cash register I had blithely explained to the cashier that I'd be driving around to pick up the groceries, rode the escalator down to the parking garage, got in the car, turned right onto West Burnside. I called Leland and told him I'd be there in a minute, that he could come on down to help carry bags. I parked right across the street from the building, practically an unheard of thing to get to do. When I got out of the car and looked into the back seat, I gasped! The groceries were still at the Fred Meyer! Well, Leland rode the three blocks with me, being a sweet son, not making fun of his silly ol' mama.

By the time Leland left, it was 11 a.m. I put the meat loaf in the oven, baked it, and when 2 p.m. rolled around, I had already baked four BIG sweet potatoes and eight smallish Yukon Gold potatoes; blanched and sauteed Brussels sprouts; sliced zucchini, tossed it in a mixture of olive and canola oils and some sea salt, then baked it in a covered glass bowl; washed and dried green leaf lettuce and romaine. I had a goal in mind--can you tell? I wanted to get enough good food cooked, ready to easily eat, so that as the week progressed and my energy waxed and waned and came back, I'd have us decent meals waiting. One more thing needed to be done before I would feel like I'd done it--on Sunday I made a great big pot of chili. And I washed and dried--folded, put away, and put the sheets back on Mama's bed--four loads of laundry.

I also watched my favorite NASCAR driver finish second at Las Vegas!

Am I ever glad I did all of that. Here's why. Duncan, while doing much better all around, has lost his grasp on what time he ought to get up every morning. I take him out for the second time each at night either at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. He used to sleep with Mama until 8, or 9, or sometimes 10 a.m. before she got sick in January. Now he wakes up anywhere from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m., and he's sleeping with me because I don't want her sleep disturbed since she's home alone all day. I've made it fine at work, and am so blessed that I get to walk to the bus at any bus stop that I choose, ride the it back and forth to work which means no driving or parking, and I've come home to easily prepared, good for-us meals with very quick clean up afterwards.

Nevertheless, I am one tired cookie. I wish that little dog would sleep until at least 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning when I'll start all over again for next week. Mentally, I'm excited because I know that I can do it and I know that all three of us will be much better off for the effort. Physically I'm heading for the couch!

Before I go ...

In the Bag is on NW 23rd between Irving and Johnson. It's for certain sure that you'll find the perfect card or wrapping paper or ribbon--or bag--in this small shop. The only thing small about it is its square footage. A wide selection, helpful employees and delightful window displays make it easy to decide to return again and again.

A SmartMeter is a solar-powered, multi-space parking meter. It’s easy to use, modern, tough, and smart.

That's what Portland Online dot com has to say, among quite a bit more, about what you see in the first photo. If you're of a mind to, you can go there and search for parking meter, then click on SmartMeter.

Thankfully since I ride the bus to and from work, and as often as possible other times, I've hardly had to use the SmartMeter. When I do, though, the directions you see on the meter give me confidence that I can do it. And I've just discovered on the Web site well-illustrated, step-by-step instructions, too.

See the digital clock? I took these photos at 7:27 a.m., standing on SW 3rd Avenue, waiting for my second morning bus.

From the Web site: A smart card is a credit-card-sized plastic card with a smart chip embedded in it. The smart chip holds information in electronic form – in this case, electronic money. The card can be reloaded when you want to purchase more parking time.


I particularly enjoyed this information that I found at the Web site: What are the benefits to the public? Parking customers have more payment options (coin, credit/debit card, and smart card). Customers receive a receipt and are able to take their remaining parking time with them to another space. Removing meter posts has freed up sidewalk space for pedestrians. SmartMeters are more reliable.

For my money, the best benefit is freeing up sidewalk space. I can't even imagine what they were like before the old single space meters were replaced, around 7100 of them I read.

Do you have to pay to park on your downtown streets?

Curious?

As I looked through my photos, I came across this one I though would pique your interest.


Let's see if I can satisfy your curiosity.

While perusing the newspaper and surfing the local channels, one can't help but think about Portland's Rose Festival (May 29-June 8, 2008). That's because the announcement of the Rose Festival Princesses started Monday--they're students at area high schools. Fourteen princesses later, the big reveal ends on March 21. Then we'll find out who the queen is on June 7, the next to last day of Fleet Week, another big part of the Rose Festival.

Here's a bit about Fleet Week from the Rose Festival's Web site: "Ships from the United States Navy, Coast Guard, and the Canadian Maritime Forces arrive from around the world for a four-day visit to the City of Roses. Fleet visitation has been an annual tradition for nearly 70 years."

The Portland Fire Boats salute the ships as they dock on the west bank of the Willamette River. Although I worked all day when the fleet came in last June, I still managed to get a few photos of the fire boat spray from my building.

Have I satisfied your curiosity yet? I haven't made a dent in mine. I hope to take the day off work, or at least half a day, so that I can head for the river. I want to see the fire boats and the ships, up close and personal. Then I'll share them with you.

Now for some detail about this particular photo. You recognize that I shot it from several stories up--that's an air conditioning unit on the roof of a building in the forefront. And a power pole left of center--is that a transformer? The cars that you can see, going downhill slightly to the right, are on the top deck of the Marquam Bridge which is Interstate 5 North. Just above the vehicles, at the left edge of the photo you see some yello, red and blue--that's part of the WaMu Waterfront Village. According to the Rose Festival's Web site: "As the region's premier children's celebration, the WaMu Waterfront Village is fun for all and all for fun. Presented in Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Village has a whole new family-friendly focus, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Featured activities include our Pirates Rendezvous, two tall sailing ships, fun-loving strolling minstrels, and more than 500 hours of eclectic family entertainment. Add the Pacific Northwest's finest, cleanest and most family-friendly carnival, three food courts offering menu items from around the world, and exciting educational exhibits for a classic American celebration WaMu style."

See the two white pyramids on the left edge of the photo, above the colorful WaMu stuff? They're on top of part of the covered bridges that are part of the World Trade Center. Finally, those taller trees are on the west bank of the river, while the shorter ones are on the east bank. I think my building itself is five blocks east of the river. Oh, and the dark, bluish green you see in the distance between the tall buildings--those are trees on Portland's West Hills.

ABC Wednesday - G is Glow

Sunday morning's sunrise glows outside our kitchen window in Portland's Northwest Hills.

Here's what moved.

A cafe moved, but not just any ol' cafe. It was the Virginia Cafe. I stepped back to get the entire unlit neon sign.


Here is what will be at its site, instead.

And this on the World Wide Web, with a photo of the new location.

The first visit Mama and I made to Portland, in the summer of 2004, Lamont and Leland and the two of us walked from the Benson Hotel on Broadway to the Virginia Cafe. The guys thought we'd enjoy ourselves there since it struck them as much like the Cherokee, a beloved restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi. The guys were right on all counts--the food, the ambience, the fun we had at the Virginia Cafe.

Several years ago the Cherokee moved from one side of I-55 North to the other, taking its menu and ambience to a larger location. The guys, who used to work there, got to see for themselves when they came home to move us up here in June, 2006. The long-time establishment remains one of Jackson's favorites, winning and/or placing in multiple categories in the Jackson Free Press' yearly Best of polls.

Here's one of my favorite shots I took of the Cherokee's neon sign.


Have you witnessed the move of an icon in your city? How did everyone react to the move?

Color? Black and white? The message remains the same.

Tomorrow I'll explain what moved.

And yet ...

With this set of four clear directions--the painted arrow on the pavement, the direction of the parked vehicles, the Exit sign, and the Do Not Enter sign--I've still seen a vehicle or two turn into this side of Elephant's parking lot. After work, I walk down the sidewalk once I get off the bus in front of the Goodwill on West Burnside.

Josephine's Dry Goods, Downtown Portland

I've often wondered, from my perch high above the street on the homeward-bound afternoon bus, just what Josephine's Dry Goods sign looks like lit up. Friday night after work I went to see "Bonneville" at the Fox Tower 10, a few blocks away from this shop at the corner of SW 11th and Alder. As I walked toward the bus stop, I realized my chance had come. Not only could I see the sign, I could photograph the sign. I have to say a word of thanks to Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Joan Allen and Tom Skerritt for the part they played in this photo. I went to see "Bonneville" because of the parts they played in the movie. I liked the movie enough to rent it when it goes to DVD so that Mama can see it.

According to Josephine's Web site, for over 25 years in downtown Portland, they've been selling fine fabrics with a focus on fashion sewing. When I've been at that bus stop in daylight, I've often stood at the window taking in the unique fabric blots standing shoulder to shoulder on round tables. I wonder if there's a remnant table? I'm no seamstress, but I love fabric, all that color, texture and design.

A suprising February sunrise

For a few minutes Tuesday morning I ate my oatmeal on autopilot, seated at the kitchen table, enthralled by this sunrise. Glorious.

What would you order?

Downtown Portland, a November evening right after work, and a question for you.

ABC Wednesday - F is for Funky

Since my first full day as a Portlander back in June 2006, I've wanted to take a photo of this sign. Finally I got the chance a week or so ago. I am excited to share it with y'all as my ABC Wednesday F photo.

How about that HBO logo? Is that from the '80s? And how about the design of the sign?

Way cool funky.

Finally, I'd like your opinion as to what in the world a COMM Discount is? See it there, on the red sign in the white letters, to the left of SENIOR? I'm at a complete loss as to something it could logically mean. All I can think of is community which would explain the number of beds advertised.

Mt. Hood from our neighborhood, Portland's Alphabet District

On Feb. 18 after Kay and I had gone to pick up Mama's prescriptions, we walked an extra block on our way back to the apartment. That's when we saw this fantastic view of Mt. Hood from a sidewalk. That big ol' mountain is over 60 miles away! It's great that the mountain is so large because we can see the snow without having to buy snow tires or chains!

Our golden boy has flown home.

Flat Stanley flew to Mississippi today with Kay. He'll be back in school soon. Good-bye, FS!

What tales would this tree tell, if only it could talk.

This tree is located on NW Everett, east of our apartment a few blocks. I took this photo walking to the bus last Friday morning; the tree stopped me in my tracks.

PPB at NW 3rd and Couch

I took this photo on Feb. 15 while I waited for my second bus. Have you ever seen a neon sign for a police precinct?

Grapefruit, Revealed

Thanks to Tog of Coral Gables Photo for the information that this grapefruit is really a pomelo. According to Wikipedia:

The pomelo (or Chinese grapefruit, pummelo, pommelo, jabong, boongon, shaddock, jeruk Bali, or suha), Citrus maxima (Merr., Burm. f.), also Citrus grandis (L.), is a citrus fruit, usually a pale green to yellow when ripe, larger than a grapefruit, with sweet flesh and thick spongy rind.

Kay says the flesh was sweet, but not juicy. I didn't taste it; I just photographed it.

Flat Stanley at Multnomah Falls

Walking back to the car, we had to cross underneath the railroad tracks. Just as we approached a train whizzed by over our heads. Flat Stanley got a kick out of that, let me tell you! So did I. Here you see all of the engines and the last cars. This train is speeding west, toward the left of the screen, on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. On the northern side of the Columbia River is the state of Washington. This is the direction that Lewis and Clark went as they explored the Gorge.