Life as it unfolds with all its surprises….
Oregon/Portland recycles. The large green bin on the left is for yard debris. The middle blue one is for plastics/paper/glass and the tinier third one is for household garbage.
And they remain curbside in a lot of neighborhoods. Not particularly adding to the ‘curb appeal’.
In the Oregonian, are advertisements for children in search of foster care homes. It reminds me of advertisements for pets. It feels absolutely inappropriate. Can anyone enlighten me on this.
Realizing that I have not mentioned the streetcars in Portland, I attempted to photograph a couple today, while driving. By this blank page, you may surmise I was not successful. What I wanted you to see is how “Vienna”, old-world-movie these ‘people movers’ make the city streets look. The streetcars, hooked together, glide on their tracks, rather close to the ground, with big windows and people looking out at the cars. They go around corners, in front of the waiting cars, along side of the cars and each and every time, it looks like a pre-world war-II movie set in the making. I realize that I don’t think it quite fits the cityscape. The buses fit the city view, the train whistles in the air heard anywhere downtown, fit, but these European-type streetcars seem a bit surreal. And on the main streets on which they travel, traffic signs are most confusing. 5th Avenue is one way, but the place lane for the car is on the left hand side of the street. There is so much signage to keep the traffic out of the way of the streetcars that to this day I don’t know what the indicators actually mean, and if there had not been cars ahead to follow, might have very well tried to drive on the far right, which I now believe is the bus lane.
This is on the street. Not all streets, just some. In front of my car. These iconic signs are supposed to be translatable to anyone. Does this mean, park your bicycle in the attic of your house? Only if your rear tires blow? Only if it is a ‘boys’ bike? 
Steve said “I only have enough firewood for our stoves, for one year”. ‘Wow, really livin’ on the edge!’ I replied. This exchange took place on a superbly rainy Monday at the Baily Farm. Carol, Richard, Steve, Dottie and I spent an entire morning, into the afternoon, catching up on a few decades of history. What a delightful event that was. And about his firewood, I don’t know what he considers a “year’s worth”, but a guy with a pickup could make a good living, reselling what he had stacked there.
Have wanted to attend a service at this church since childhood. And today, finally fulfilled that wish. Now being an Episcopalian, I know all the words from the Book of Common Prayers. It was a beautiful, song-filled, welcoming service. A perfect last Sunday!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_Episcopal_Cathedral_(Portland,_Oregon)
921 SW 16th Avenue. Popped in unannounced to them this morning with a pair of favorite glasses that had lost the arm. Within a few minutes the screw was replaced and I was on my way, with a smile and no charge. Most unexpected and most gracious. If you are in need of eyewear, give them a visit. Eye Department is the company name.
Portland International Film Festival. “miss casewell” – robin from the cast was ushering, but I purchased tickets. Last night viewed ‘Tim’s Vermeer’. A must see. It is already playing in theaters in the City, and I saw that it is going to be in the Cinema 21 beginning March 7th. Tonight I went to see “Of Men and Horses”. An Icelandic submission. If you have ever been to Iceland you will love the horse and the scenery and the way of life that the film depicts. It had some weird moments in which I have no idea what the film maker was trying to convey, ie a Spanish speaking ‘kid’ on a bicycle… as I said, some weird moments. There was a film on the Rijksmuseum that was cancelled before being shown. Don’t know what that was about! There was a goodly list of submissions that, had it not been for the snow and the play would have been worth the trouble to attend.
A roaring crowd, a fun cast, and nephews Jessie, Anthony and Dad Mark in the crowd of the last show. Thank you for taking time away from your busy schedules to join the mayhem. A delight to have you there.
and indeed it is. Just delivered my favored car a 911 C4S to the new owner. It is akin to giving up something to which you are attached in the way one becomes attached to something outside oneself. Inexplicable but none the less, sad and sweet. The new owner sold me the previous 911 so it is a gift back to him, this newer model. I revel in the sound of the engine, the feel of the car as it accelerates as it moves from one lane to the other, the way it lays down around the curves and owns the road on the straightaway. Rather akin to owing a hybrid cat/dog personality. Only those women friends who care about automobiles will sympathize, and I appreciate and know who you are! Now I’m back to the Toyota Corolla rental, and it just doesn’t command the same respect on the road. Drivers don’t allow me anything other than the typical car/road space. I do laugh though, to the outside, I am a different persona if I am behind the wheel of a P-car or a T-car. How much ‘clothes’ influence the world’s perception of who they think we are. Even if I am driving a tin-lizzie, I’m still a Porsche driver on the inside.
Today is also the last two shows of The Mousetrap. It has been a phenomenal ensemble run. The house has been filled for every performance [and yes there are other shows playing in Portland] and we lost two shows, never to be recovered, but this is pay day and the run is over; everyone moves on to their next project, their next ‘new stage family’. Endings are so final.