Greening

Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum

.

I've been watching the bigleaf maples blooming and leafing since we arrived in Portland. Finally the green is covering the hillside across the river. Today I sit on the shady deck in a tank top, a kitty lolling in the sunny patches and birds coming to the feeders and the blossoming madrone. Maybe later I'll do something. Not now.

.

rc

Marionberry- Word of the Day

.
Before we moved to the left coast, I had never even heard of marionberries. It is now time to write about them. Based on three years of research, I now feel qualified to say that anything with marionberries in it is the food of the gods. I came to that conclusion today based on the divine marionberry cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream at our local McMenamin's Pub. The rich, fruity, currant-colored substance of the cobbler is unbelievable. The ice cream melts into the steaming cobbler, tempering it's decadence, and making me wish it could go on forever.
.
Marionberry.
.
Rose

Partly Cloudy, Partly Blurry

.

I made a more thorough exploration of Sauvie Island today. It rained off and on, making it a relatively good day for seeing birds. Unfortunately, all I got are these mostly pretty bad pictures of common birds. I was grateful for waterproof shoes as the day's trails led me through tall, wet grass and mud at times. A kind of rainy day has another advantage: you great the great outdoors virtually to yourself.

.

An enjoyable, relaxing day.

.

Rose

A Perch

.
I've wanted a bunk bed ever since Mr. Clean and Big M had one growing up. I had to share the full size bed with either the Baptist Nun or Robin. We never actually did much sharing, because the Baptist Nun found me unpleasant to share a bed with. I remember her often sleeping on the sofa. I found every opportunity to sleep places other than the bed. I slept on the floor beside the bed both by choice and because I fell out of bed. I made a secret corner between the bed and the dresser. I had to climb over the headboard to get in, and I would sleep and read in my private space. I slept curled up on top of the dresser more than once. After the Baptist Nun went away, I was the one who didn't like sleeping with my little sister. I slept on the sofa for a while, but when we tore out the big furnace in the basement and put in a smaller coal stove, there was room for a little cot next to the wall. It was small, but I didn't have to share it. I loved to sleep on top of the triple bunk in college. I left the sheets and blankets neatly tucked into the outside edge and slept all the way against the wall so the hall monitor wouldn't be able to tell I was still in bed at room check in the mornings.
.
We've been idly thinking about getting a bed for the second bedroom for a while. I wanted to put our bedroom in there, but it just isn't big enough for the king size bed. We want somewhere for people to sleep when they come visit us, but I also think I would sleep better in that room on the days I work, since it's quieter and darker than the master bedroom.
.
The problem is that we have too much stuff. We've had plenty of storage space in our previous rentals, and there is room for everything here, but not much extra space for a bed. I finally stumbled upon the obvious answer today: a loft bed. They come in all shapes and sizes. I had decided we only had space for a twin bed, but a loft will allow us to have a full size bed with plenty of room for storage below.
.
I wish I knew how to do woodwork so I could make my own. Of course that would be just another opportunity for the unfinished projects that I'm famous for.
.
rc

Red-stemmed Filaree

Erodium cicatarium

~

This common, non-native yard weed goes by two names: filaree or storksbill. I can't decide which I prefer, but I love to find the beauty in common yard weeds.

~

rc

In Love with the City of Kooks

hazy downtown view from Mt. Tabor

.

We spent another day in town today, doing a few errands and enjoying ourselves. At the end of the day, we sat outside at McMenamin's Ringler's Annex. I was sipping a nice Stout while jc drank a Coke. A large-breasted, bra-less woman purposefully strode up to our table, loudly warning us not to drive under the influence. Against jc's advice, I informed her that we rode the bus. I should've listened; it didn't help at all. I ordered another pint and a chocolate caramel brownie a la mode.

.

Soon a normal-looking, twenty-something man strolled up to our table:

"Hi. How are you?" he queried.

We'd been waiting for Ben-from-eBay to arrive for a deal, so jc greeted him cordially:

"Are you Ben?"

The answer was self-evident when he replied with:

"Can I ask you about Jesus?"

Most definitely not someone selling an amp. He continued:

"You worship the devil. Even the devil worships Jesus. I used to worship the devil."

As he walked away, I could no longer stifle an outburst of giggling. The reformed devil-worshipper heard and did a funny little dance.

.

Eventually the real Ben arrived, and I assure you, the attractive, well-travelled, intelligently conversant young man, was at once completely different from the colorful kooks previously encountered and the most pleasantly surprising audiophile jc has ever drug me along on a deal with.

.

Did I say how much I love this city?

.

rc

Mottled Trillium

.
After fourteen hours of sleep last night, I'm in much better spirits today. We took the bus downtown for a bite to eat and to run some errands. I had penne pasta with butternut squash, spinach, and mushrooms in a cream sauce followed by tiramisu for dessert at Pastini Pastaria . jc isn't as fond of looking out the bus window and walking in the rain as I am, but I had a grand time.
.
(picture from Camassia Natural Area)
.
Rose

Complaining about a Fine Day

*
I had a perfectly nice day yesterday, riding the bus around the city, walking up one thousand steps to the top of Mt. Tabor to see the view, dodging a semi-solid rainstorm downtown to catch the bus, lugging my camera all over the city and not gettting a decent shot to show for it. That was the good part, and I enjoyed it immensely. (Really, I did.) I also had a pretty nice time at work, despite a co-worker who treated me like a ten-year old ignoramus. It was the drive home this morning in rush hour traffic that so colored the preceding narrative. Can you call it a drive when you don't go anywhere? Can you call it the freeway when all you're free to do is look at the bumper of the car in front of you? That's what I call parking on the parkway, making sense of a nonsensical word. My natural impatience causes me to take the first exit in those circumstances and drive in circles on the roads noone else is using before finding another crowded road to wait on. Well, that's enough of my griping for now. That's temporary sleep deprivation talking. My apologies, dear readers.
*
r. connors

Nature Sunday

~
I visited some local parks this afternoon in search of birds, flowers, and fresh air. The grey day quickly turned sunny as I wandered nature trails, breathing in the fresh, earthy smell of spring. At Kelley Point Park, people walked their dogs on the river beaches and fished from the shore. Smith and Bybee Lakes was atwitter, with multiple species of swallows swooping over the lakes and bright Audubon Warblers flitting through the trees. A sudden burst of wind and rain sent people scurrying for their cars, but the birds seemed to know that it would soon pass, and so it did.
~
rc

Unseasonable

Western Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia (thanks NW nature nut)

.

There was snow and hard frost forecast for parts of the city last night. I don't know whether it transpired, but I think we're all ready for spring. I'm headed for the coast for a few days for work, so I'm hoping the weather is nice there. If anyone knows what the tree pictured above is, by all means chime in; I couldn't find it.
.
Rose
.
* Change in plans: staying in town for the weekend. So far today we've had snow pellets, rain, and sunshine.
rc

The Dancer

Oregon fawn lily Erythronum oregonum- native

~

We hopped on the downtown bus yesterday with a few errands to run, and made a trip to the Portland Art Museum. The lovely special exhibit, The Dancer, is on display. It features studies of dancers, mostly ballerinas done by Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Forain. The collection is inspiringly beautiful, and worth much more than the hour or so that we spent viewing it. Here is my favorite; significantly less beautiful and impressive in its diminutive, unframed form.

~

We spontaneously took a different bus route home, which of course worked out just fine, and got us home a few minutes earlier, since we eliminated a wait.

~

Rose

Pretty Carbs

Common Camas Camassia Quamash- native

~

Camassia Natural Area is named for this grass-like plant. Most of the flowers weren't open yet when I visited. Camas was a major food source for the native inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest. They used the bulbs as a starch food source and actually cultivated the plant.

~

rc

Old Lava

Sea blush Plectritis congesta (native)

.
Camassia Natural Area is the home of an ancient lava flow. The rock formations reminded me of something from The Hobbit. So I guess you could call it a "rock garden".
.
Rose

Camassia

Pacific Madrone

.

I went for a walk in the Camassia Natural Area, near the hospital I worked at last night, after work this morning. The botany and geology of the place is breathtaking. Despite being up all night and being a little cold, I was entranced by the solitude and natural grandeur.

.

Rose

Warmth

~
After a few summery days, the town is bursting with blooms. This one is on the deck though.
~
Drinking in the beauty all around,
~
Rose

Reruns

Rufous Hummingbird

.

After working last night, I woke up early this afternoon and searched the Web for a suitable place to eat. We wound up at Nicholas Restaurant, a very lovely little, family-owned Mediterranean eatery full of tightly spaced tables crowded with diners, with more waiting outside the door for a seat. When the food started to arrive, I wished I had brought the camera. Of course, I also wish I had a device to share the smell of really good, fresh food. I had the Labney sandwich: "Imported yogurt cheese spread on fresh pita bread and layered with kalamata black olives with fresh mint, extra virgin olive oil, cucumbers and tomatoes." It came with rich, creamy hummus, fresh pita bread, and a crispy Lebanese salad with Nicholas' special recipe dressing. I washed it down with airan: a creamy, Lebanese yogurt drink. The waitress who took my order warned me that people often don't like airan, because it isn't sweet. I needed no such warning; it was delightful, just like the rest of the meal. jc had the best ever lentil soup with mjadra, a seasoned rice and lentil dish that was perfect for him.

.

Just the first in what I hope to be a series of fine local eateries at which I'll be tempted to blow my life savings.

.

Rose

Bybee-Howell House

.
We (and everyone else in Portland) took a drive in the country today. The house pictured above was built in the 1850's in the Greek revival style and authentically restored. It is now part of a park on Sauvie island.
.
I'm off to work again tonight, and I'm starting to feel pretty comfortable with this particular hospital and the drive.
.
Enjoying the sunny breezes over the river,
.
Rose

Normal

Red-Tailed Hawk

.

We're settling in nicely, learning our way around different parts of town almost every day. Today I finally got the package sent off to Big M, who shared exciting news this week. The kitties are starting to get used to hearing strange footsteps from our upstairs neighbords, Polly and Larry. Really, it's just Larry who steps loudly. I'll be orienting to the final local hospital system tomorrow, opening up several more opportunities for work. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to taking pictures somewhere other than my deck, too.

.

Rose

Recovered

.

My hard drive crashed. jc heroically saved my files, when it seemed past hope, then installed a new one, with a net loss of maybe 24 hours of use. Today, I'm relaxing and enjoying the rain and the birds on the deck.

.

rc

Mango Balls

.
I had a fantastic day yesterday with Laura and her family. Even church wasn't bad, although I didn't reconvert or anything. I was so impressed by what an outstanding man Laura is married to. It's good to see your friends happy and doing what they love. We spent the afternoon between church services chatting while her lovely children napped. You never know how these reunions will go, but this one was just delightful. Laura and I have gone in theologically opposite directions, but she wasn't afraid to ask me pertinent questions. I am so thankful for that honesty from her! I could gush all day, but I'll just say, even the mango balls she brought me are so good that I'm in danger of eating the whole bag in one sitting.
.
Rose

Rainy Day

Mt. Hood as seen from Hood River, about 60 miles east of here.

.

I noticed that I've used this post title before, but I do so love this kind of day. I worked last night, and a drippy, foggy, grey day makes such a good day for sleeping, or just plain relaxing. I'm meeting Laura tomorrow! I can't wait. She was my freshman roommate at Bob Jones. I'm sure we had our share of squabbles, as teenage roommates must, but we eventually became friends. She is a missionary in the Phillippines, along with her husband and children, of course. I am even breaking my embargo of church to see her. I last saw her at her wedding (I'm guessing about seven years ago), which I attended with Lewis of all people, and she imagined me married to him, an imagining that I can see with humor after this many years. Now, I'm going to creep out of my coccoon in search of sustenance.

.

Rose

Western Trillium

trillium ovatum

As Promised

.
I'm enjoying a perfectly relaxing day with nothing whatsoever to do. I don't county unpacking those annoying little boxes of stuff that has no perfect place to go, because I'm going to continue to ignore them.
.
Rose

I just realized...

~

...that we have a view of Mt. Hood from the deck.

~

rc

Multnomah Falls

.

I only worked a partial shift last night, so I was up in time to go for a day trip up the Columbia River Gorge today. It was sunny and warm, and traffic was light, and the scenery was amazing; we stopped for a picnic lunch before leaving town and ate outdoors. I even learned some new Portland streets today.

.

Rose

Growing Braver

Pioneer Square

.

Bolstered by a good night at work two nights ago, I'm trying out another new hospital tonight. One of the things I love about the city is that I can pretty much get work on the spur of the moment any given night. My goal is to be comfortable enough to work anywhere, and of course know how to get there.

.

rc

The City

.
I am something of a neophyte when it comes to the city. Nearly every detail delights me. I went to work last night. As anyone would have predicted, there was nothing to be frightened of. The worst part was the drive home in Monday morning rush hour, but even that wasn't bad; not even with an accident and some snow factored in.
.
After some sleep today, we boarded our local bus, and rode into The City. We found some food carts and got some excellent Thai food for $5 each. I had drunken noodles. We ate on concrete bench in front of the university's engineering building, pictured above.
.
It suddenly got quite blustery, a turn of weather we weren't prepared for, so we got back on the bus and came home. The people on the bus are the subject of a children's song, but I have a few verses to add about the clothes, both wonderful and appalling, that the people were wearing, the music they were listening to, how polite they were, how the driver helped the girl in the wheelchair, and don't forget the mining of the nares one not-so-sober woman was engrossed in.
.
Back home, I'm delighted by it all.
.
Rose

On the Verge

Blooms coming soon.
.
rc

Spring Blooms

.

I saw the first Violet-Green Swallows of the year today, swooping extravagantly over the Willamette River. And spring blooms are everywhere.

.

Rose

Washington Park

I snapped this shot near the Rose Garden earlier this week. Snow was seen in Portland today, although all I saw were a few snow pellets. We had a lovely day, a home-cooked meal tonight, and the place is getting more cleaned up every day, although boxes are still stacked all around. The trillium are blooming in the little gulch near the condo. I'll try to get a shot later. I'm off to work in the city for the first time later tonight, so I'm suppressing the little butterflies that want to flit around my stomach.

.

Rose

.

Didn't work after all. Got cancelled. Try again tonight.

rc

Tree Art

.
Frustration drove me from the house. I sat on a bench in front of Safeway and cried until the feeling was gone. I made a brief detour to Vinnie's for stromboli and wonderfully cheesy calzone. I passed the house with all the outdoor artwork that I love, just as three joggers, their well-defined legs splattered with mud from their run, breezed by. It made me smile.
.
rc

Spotted Towhee

.
This crippled Towhee has been hanging out on my deck off and on for the past several days eating the millet that the Nuthatch kicks out of the feeder. I wonder if I should be doing something for it?
.
rc
.
The folks at the Portland Audubon Society Wildlife Care Center say as long as the bird is getting around, I should leave him alone. Thanks for the advice.

Exploration

Portland Classical Japanese Garden

.

I finally scheduled work for this weekend, and then we took advantage of a sunny day to go out into town for the first time. We took a scenic drive through Forest Park to the Japanese Garden. It turned out to be free admission day, so it was far from being the peaceful stroll we had anticipated. Still, it is beautiful, and we plan to go back with our money on a day when you have to pay.

.

We then drove by the hospital I'm going to work at this weekend, stopped for lunch, and a brief shopping trip. I inadvertently bought a twenty dollar tin of loose tea. I'm thinking that tea better really taste good. Now it's time to do more laundry.

.

Rose

As Seen From Home

In case you're tired of looking at birds, or just wanted to see where we live now, here's a shot taken from the deck. That's the Willamette River, with downtown Portland off in the distance.
.
rc

Rufous Hummingbird

(I've been seeing the Rufous Hummingbird at the neighbor's feeder, but this is the first I saw him at mine. What a beauty!)
.
We took the truck back today, so that makes us officially moved in. Next it will be time to start working again. I'm happy for all those days I worked the week before we found the condo. I'm loving life!
.
Rose

Anna's Hummingbird

(I set up the tripod in an attempt to capture the Anna's Hummingbird. I haven't gotten a good shot yet, but this is the best so far.)
.
We made one last trip to the old house yesterday to clean up and bring back a last load of what seems like mostly junk to me. We filled the pickup and made a trip to the local dump, paid one last visit to Ernesto for delightful burritos and fish tacos, discovered a little too late that he also makes a great smoothie, gave away unwanted items on the street, and drove back in the dark. Both jc and I woke up this morning with headaches. We're still getting up the courage to unpack the truck one last time.
.
I'm hard pressed to find an analogy for how wonderful jc has been over the last few weeks. Somehow, moving has made me appreciate him and feel closer to him than ever. I've complained in the past about jc's bad packing, but this time I was the one who was disorganized, and he was the one who suffered for it. But he was, and is, fantastic. Thanks, jc.
.
Rose

Online Finally!

.

This little red squirrel has been nibbling on the seeds that the messy nuthatch I posted yesterday spills on the deck. Shadow watches both. jc and I are loving life. Just got back from a rainy walk to the supermarket.

.

rc

Blogging from Free (Slow) WiFi

We're here. We're waiting for the cable to be connected. I can walk to the supermarket. The only delivery we get is pizza. Jehovah's Witnesses already knocked on the door (we didn't answer). Odds are I'm either cooking or birding from the balcony. Not much else to do.

Rose

Movers

Robert, Jennifer, and Buddy

.

jc hurt his back. I maxed out on carrying boxes down the steps. I called movers. They are my heroes.

.

rc

This Amount of Cuteness Will Get You Through Anything

The best way the Shadow could find to get close to her Daddy was to sleep on his laptop. It really is a comfort to have her cuddled up next to you.

.

We're leaving soon to pick up the truck. Last loads of laundry are still running. T minus 20 hours until we pull out of here. In two days I hope to be ordering Chinese food for delivery in our new home.

.

rc

Move News

Well, the management company measured the entrance for us, so we're now satisfied that the movers will be able to get the piano in. I now have visions in my head of the new condo, permanently stcked with boxes from floor to ceiling. We're picking up the moving truck tomorrow afternoon, and this is the time that the gastrointestinal complaints start up/get worse for me. I want it to be over!

Nefarious- dream journal

jc, Schultze, and I were planning some kind of heist. We dropped Schultze off at the water treatment plant in Bellefonte. He had left the truck in gear with the cruise control on and it took off in reverse as soon as he got out. I jumped into the driver's seat, but couldn't get to the brake before we backed speedily through a red light and headed up Molasses Hill. I finally got the truck stopped in front of the elementary school. jc got out to look for a payphone so he could be in contact with Schultze. The side door of the school was open, so jc slipped inside. I watched through the window in horror as the receptionist, who shouldn't have been there in the middle of the night, asked him why he was there, and then the security guards showed up, forming a closing circle around jc. It was getting more and more crowded outside as I tried to find a good place to wait. Finally jc came out. Schultze's phone call was being transmitted over the loudspeaker. We made arrangements, then went to get in the truck, but a hot dog stand was blocking the way.
.
I sat in an office with Dieter, waiting for some kind of interview. He was resplendent in his uniform. When the interviewer came in, it was Jason from high school. Dieter asked him how much it would take to make it go away, and Jason immediately got very upset: "are you offering me a bribe?" and kicked him out of his office. I followed Dieter down the long hall; he made it to the car before me and they were taking off when I showed up at the curb. A celebrity was driving the car: Sean Penn or someone. He pulled away a short distance then stopped to let me in.
.
Sronnoc Esor

Last Views of the Coast

Bandon Rocks

offshore nature preserve

nesting ground for sea birds

~

Things are starting to look like someone is moving around here. The boxes are getting fuller and the cupboards are getting emptier. I even started shampooing the carpet. Yesterday I called a piano mover. Countdown time!

~

Rose

~

Hallo Dieter! Es freuet mir sehr dich zu sehen.

Dahlia Man is dead.

Shades of Blue

Coquille River lighthouse at twilight; Bandon, Oregon

Say Goodbye to ....

We went househunting yesterday. We liked the condo we drove four hours to look at. We filled out an application. We drove four hours home. I was too superstitious to post about it until we heard back from the management company that we were approved. I just go the call. You can't really see our unit in this picture, but it's a lovely, secluded complex with a view of the river and the city from the deck and the windows in the master bedroom and living room. Birds were atwitter everywhere yesterday. We're busy packing now. What to keep? What to toss?
.
rc
.
Oh, no. Will the piano fit? Didn't check; waiting for measurements. Ack.

Hello Old Friends!

It's been ten years since we all graduated from college. Anthony left for the Navy. I went to Laura's and Mary's weddings, and then we all got so preoccupied with our own lives. A voice from the past reached out to my email inbox today by way of our alumni association. A Facebook account later, and we're back in touch. I'm happy, pleased, delighted, ecstatic even to hear from them again (and only hope they won't shun me when they find out how different I am now).

~

We spent so many hours together. (I was always bemoaning my misfortune when the boy I liked didn't even know me.) There were so many shared meals, weekend ball games, study sessions; enjoying the present that was then and dreaming about the future.

~

It's wonderful to see you all again!

~

Rose

~

now I've discovered my old students from Delta, all grown up

Reminiscent

Finally, I have things to say here, and I'm so far behind in saying them. I've neglected recording so many interesting dreams, and I'll never remember them now. I worked a lot this week: make hay when the sun shines, as they say.
.
I woke up early one morning and took a drive- one that I've taken several times before- but this time I found something new. Cape Blanco lighthouse was closed, but I stopped at the Sixes river near Hughes House anyway. I spotted the welcoming gate above before I realised that the field beyond is part of the park and open to the public. A lovely trail meanders through the field and it reminded me of the cow pastures I wandered through in my youth. It was one of the most perfectly relaxing walks I've been on in some time.
.
Rose

Sunday Drive

It was a lovely morning for a drive, so we took Ailleanach to Loon Lake. Here's a sample of the scenery.

.

rc

Ugly Gull or More Bad Food

I slept late and wanted to grab a bite before getting ready for work this evening, so we walked to Fishpatrick's Crabby Cafe. It had been recommended to us by friends. What I really wanted was a nice chef's salad, but they didn't have one, so I settled on clam strips. The clam strips were indifferent, neither bad nor good, but the waiter did bring extra horseradish with my cocktail sauce aka catsup. jc described his clam chowder as "barely edible". As the clam strips receded and french fries emerged, they were revealed to be a very dark brown bordering on black. I try to be open minded, so I ate one. It was limp, shriveled, dry, and tasteless. When finally the waiter arrived to check on us, I observed that the fries seemed burnt. He replied, "They are just fresh cut, like in and out; that's the sugar from the fresh potatoes." He offered to run a fresh batch, but I'd already lost my appetite. The icing on the cake: when jc paid the exorbitant bill, he learned that the family run business is owned by people of faith. People of faith who don't mind serving bad food and then lying about it.

.

Now that I've got that off my chest, I think I'll try to ID that gull.

.

Rose