As far as the eye can see, in both directions

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm's Tulip Fest, on April 22, 2012, a splendidly sunny, warm spring day in Woodburn, Oregon. The high temp at Portland International Airport was 82, a new record for that date.

Bet these two guys wish this sort of perfect weather would hurry up and come back to Portland.

I took this photo while I waited for the 15 bus on NW 23rd Avenue after I had been to the Farmers Market at the corner of NW 23rd and NW Savier. It was September 2, a gloriously sunny day. I won't be running when the sunny days return, but I still want them to come on back. Just as much, maybe more, I want the Farmers Markets to start again. Hooray for locally grown foods!

A warmish Saturday afternoon in April ...

... looked like this, folks seated outdoors, enjoying friends, food, fun at the Kingston Bar & Grill, near PGE Park. And it was maybe 70 degrees and overcast. Can you even imagine how the city looked today when the temperature made it into the mid to high 80s, the skies clear and blue? Take my word for it, I saw full tables at every available spot on my bus ride home. And that was only a half hour ride. It'll be like that until well after dark, on every single nice day from now on.

The sunshine and warm breezes enticed Mama all day, making her want to get outside. She walked a little ways with Duncan and me, on his after-work walk. Then, somehow, by the skin of her teeth and utter determination, with her cane to prop on, Mama walked a very long-seeming block from our apartment to a corner restaurant. We took Duncan, too, but there were no outdoor tables left, so she was seated indoors to wait while I took the little guy back to the apartment and his kennel. We had a nice meal and a slow walk home. Mama thoroughly enjoyed herself and is now taking a nap in her recliner, Duncan right beside her, asleep.