Red Sweethearts for Your Valentine's Day

Last August I drove with a big grin,
Headed south to Canby and the Cruise In!
Vintage car buffs' delight
At all vehicles in sight!

When today I remembered I saw lots of red--
Yes--I virtually slapped my forehead!
When searching for something for you on Valentine's Day
I knew you'd love all the photos I've posted today!











































Good-bye from Canby. See you tomorrow for "Seen on the Streets of Portland, #7."

Seen on the streets of Portland, No. 6

How many of can say that we've ever seen a dentist's chair on the sidewalk? This is my first one.

After PCPA's Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, I walked north towards the general vicinity of Kenny and Zuke’s, thinking about pastrami and potato salad. Their call had such a hold on me that I practically missed this photo opportunity.

Drawing even with the door in the sidewalk, I stopped, backed a couple of steps and verified, "Yes, that's a dentist's chair on the sidewalk." So I got out the camera and clicked off a few. I like this one best because I got the highway sign on the truck's side.

Waiting people overflowed out of Kenny and Zuke's, so I postponed my visit, opting instead to head home.

Seen on the streets of Portland, No. 5

A bicyclist rides north on SW 10th Avenue at its intersection with SW Morrison Street. I like her color choices and their coordination--even her bicycle is pink. As a mother, though, I wish she wore a helmet.

I took this photo on October 25, 2008. I found the neatest pair of sunglasses in Ray’s Ragtime on my one and only visit. Their Web site is not worth looking at, so I didn't include a link. However, the store itself is stuffed with all sorts of interesting stuff. The windows are a treat, too. I need to get some photos of them.

Seen on the streets of Portland, No. 4

Waiting for the bus at the corner of SE 39th Avenue and SE Hawthorne Blvd. You can guess what caught my eye, right? The yellow plaid boots and the sort of leaf-patterned skirt. When I downloaded the photo, I thought, "How brave these young women of Portland dress themselves, mixing colors, designs, layers." I find I'm jealous and wonder should I try such nights and weekends out.

I'm in the Buick, heading south but stopped at the traffic signal, on Oct. 19, 2008.

Seen on the streets of Portland, No. 3

She walks and talks, heading north on NW 13th Avenue, towards NW Couch Street. Many of the streets of Portland slant, as you've seen in Monday and Tuesday's posts--this one slants slightly, others slant steeply.

I like her shadow on that part of the elevator door, down near the sidewalk.

I took this photo around 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, after my fruitless pecan pie search in Whole Foods. I made my way south, the rest of the block, to Burnside and caught a TriMet 20 home.

Seen on the streets of Portland, No. 2

A bundled-up-book-reader sits a few feet from dazzling full sun, filling the street--that's why she's wearing shades.

I took this photograph walking north on NW 11th Avenue, heading towards the corner of 11th and NW Couch Street, around 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

She's at a table outside Mio Gelato. I stopped to look and lust after gelato, knowing full-well that I couldn't have any--doggone lactose intolerance. So I selected a bambino-sized portion of strawberry sorbet. Yummy taste, good texture.

My ultimate destination, Whole Foods, in search of a pecan pie. I couldn't find one--must be a holiday, seasonal item. Drat.

Seen on the streets of Portland, No. 1

A photographer stands on the corner of SW 11th Avenue and SW Yamhill Street, bent at the waist, eye to camera, the MAX Yellow Line going east on the far side of Yamhill.

I took this photograph facing north, behind the Central Library, after dropping four books in the Drop Box on the sidewalk, around 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.

By the way, yesterday's ceiling is known as cantaloupe according to one of the PCPA tour guides.

What do you think inspired the name of this ceiling's texture?

I took this photo inside the auditorium at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall while standing in the balcony. I got to see where I'll be sitting in March when I attend "1964 ... the Tribute," right on the front row of the balcony. I think that's just fine for someone who kept putting off getting a ticket. Hooray!

Here's closeup to help you guess.

A chandelier had to be moved.

When the building was restored in 1984 and renamed the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, this chandelier hanging in the lobby had to moved. I heard the explanation of why when I took the free tour on Jan. 24, but I cannot remember exactly what he said, doggone it. So, when I take the tour guide training and find out the reason, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the photo.

I have my first training as a tour guide for the Portland Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday morning

These chandeliers hang in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the building where I attended "Mark Twain Tonight," Hal Holbrook's one-man show extraordinaire. I had my camera that evening, but I didn't get it out of my bag inside the hall. I figured I might not even be allowed to have it with me, so I didn't even ask if I could take photos in the lobby. Yep, I was chicken, in a way. To tell you the truth, I didn't want anything to mess up my good mood and what I expected to be a grand evening. It turned out even better than I figured it would--my seat was on the third row!

If you're wondering how I managed to get this photo, please continue to read.


Here's the west entrance on Park Avenue as I saw it on my way to see Hal Holbrook.


Seeing those chandeliers and other beautiful accoutrement as I walked around inside, waiting to the doors to open to the theater seating, I realized I ought to learn more about the building. Naturally, when I got home I used good ol' Google. That's how I discovered a volunteer orientation on Jan. 24, which I attended. At that time I decided to volunteer as an usher and as a tour guide. Last Saturday I attended my first usher training and soon I will usher at a children's show, "Click, Clack, Moo." The final usher training is later in February.

After the volunteer orientation, I went on the noon tour. That's when I could get out my camera and take photos! Hooray! More photos to come.

Here's a bit about the building, from the PCPA's Web site:

Step back in time

The beautifully restored Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, opened in 1984, was originally the Portland Public Theatre, built in 1928.

The Italian Rococo Revival architecture was said to be the national showcase of Rapp & Rapp, renowned Chicago theatre architects. Visitors are greeted by a 65 foot high "Portland" sign above the Broadway Marquee, which contains approximately 6,000 theatrical lights.

The theatre features:

* Seating for 2,776.
* Orchesta pit for 15 and a choir loft.
* Dressing rooms for 90.
* Portable, flexible acoustical shell.
* Entrance access on both the Broadway and Park Blocks.

The Arlene Schnitzer Hall is home to the Oregon Symphony, White Bird Dance Company, Portland Arts & Lectures, and many more local performing arts groups.

The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is located at 1037 SW Broadway, Portland Oregon 97205.

Here's a photo I took of the Portland sign when I went to Music on Main last summer. It's on SW Broadway. Before too long I hope to get a night photo when those 6,000 lights blaze.

A closer look at the sunrise reflected on the buildings on Jan. 21, 2009

I am pleased that I was able to get this shot that realistically portrays the sunrise colors reflected on the buildings.

Looking across the river from the sunrise, Jan. 21, 2009

After taking Monday's posted photo, I turned back to the west and took several photos. In today's you can see a car approaching from the west. Looking past the back of the car, you can see a portion of the Hawthorne Bridge as well as both tiers of the Marquam Brige, the top is I-5 northbound, the bottom is I-5 southbound.

I like the reflection of the colorful sunrise on the buildings.

It's not always foggy. See this evidence, a sunrise photo taken on Jan. 21, 2009

I took this standing at the bus stop east of the Hawthorne Bridge itself, although I was still on the part of it that continues from the bridge to the surface streets. When I saw the sunrise as the bus approached the bridge from the west, I decided to I get off to take photos and then get on the next bus to ride the rest of the way to work. I like the power poles and that other thing, that basket-looking thing, black against the vivid sunrise.

Both sides of the Portland-fog-coin, as seen from the kitchen window and the work window

The night side, January 29, 2009


The day side, January 30, 2009


We've experienced what is to me an inordinate amount of fog lately, even evident in the evening when I walk Duncan for the last time before going to bed. Then we wake up with it widespread. It stays around until the middle of the afternoon most days.

In brainstorming with myownself about fog, I ended at this thought: I feel fairly certain that by the time today's Super Bowl is history, I'll be enveloped in a fine football fog.

During these fog-inducing hours and hours, my fervent wish is for the chance to hear Faith Hill sing "America the Beautiful," to hear Jennifer Hudson sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," to enjoy a bang-up halftime show with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and to watch a really good, close football game interspersed with creative commercials.

While on the subject of these commercials, this year as in all other years that the money spent on them has been such big news, I think NBC's asking price--$2.4 million to $3 million for each 30 seconds--is an obscenity that insults consumers everywhere.

Oh, look, I've found another coin that has two sides--I love the creativity, I hate the cost.

And, no I can't say who I'm pulling for--I just want a well-broadcast, well-played, clean, no-one-gets-hurt, all-out, exciting game. I can't wait!

Nosegay

My fabulous brother Howard and his sweet and beautiful wife Vanessa sent Mama a delicious pound cake and this lovely nosegay for her birthday. I didn't take a photo of the cake--we shared it and Mama finished it off last night, complete with our favorite lactose-free vanilla ice cream. The cake and nosegay come from Nonnie Waller’s Traditional Southern. I think this is the third cake they've sent to her, so when we saw the return address, we got excited! This was the second one with a nosegay--the other one arrived inside a gorgeous padded hatbox. I think it looks nice in that vase we already had, so I set it on the kitchen window sill and took these photos Sunday morning.

The Mystery Photo

First let me say that I had sincere intentions of posting this photo on Monday so that you would quickly know that the photo is a close-up of what we call a camper shell down home in Mississippi and what we call a canopy up here in Oregon, our new beloved home.

Those intentions succumbed to my tired ol' butt 'cause I couldn't stay awake! Either I stayed up to late watching "Hallmark Hall of Fame" or Mama's scrumptious supper of chicken and dumplings put me to sleep sitting straight up in my chair with my computer Honk on the little table I use when I'm blogging, just like I am now. I woke up and announced that I had to take Duncan out early and hit the hay.

So, here's the photo that shows both the entire truck and its canopy as well as the other truck and its wheel well, wheel and tire.

By the way, it snowed again on Tuesday! I don't know how deep it got, though, because it started about 7:30 a.m. just as I got off the bus and walked into my building and had turned to rain by 11:30 a.m., which melted every bit of it where I live, work and commute. Now, that's some fine snow in my book!

It snowed again, just a little bit that thankfully didn't stay around very long.

Saturday night and Sunday morning, snowflakes fell. Conditions were not right for much of an accumulation. It was doggone cold on Sunday, so I didn't venture out except to walk Duncan. I took photos from the windows and one from the sidewalk.

What do you think this is? I bet you see them pretty often.


In this photo, you're looking northward at the tip top of the tree just outside our kitchen window.


I like how the snow enhanced the design elements of the truck's side and the tire.


A car drove down the street just as I took this one from the bathroom window, right at 10:02 p.m., Jan. 24.


I took this one at 11:17 a.m., Jan. 25. You can see melted snow on the Christmas ornament. Oh, by the way, on Saturday morning someone had put a poor, dried up Christmas tree out on the sidewalk; I noticed tinsel still on its branches, nothing else. Then on Sunday morning while walking Duncan, I spied this shiny red ball on the tiny branch, above where the tree had been placed.


Love my zoom lens because I can get pretty good shots without getting out in the cold!

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Mama is 83 years old tomorrow, January 23, 2009. Isn't she lovely?

Last Sunday we ate brunch at the Crescent Cafe in McMinnville, Oregon. In trying to get a good photo of her while we waited for our breakfast, as she sat across the table from me, I missed what I thought was the best one. So I asked her to look up again, at the huge mirror hanging on the wall. I'm happy with this photo, very happy indeed.

Visual Metaphor for Inauguration Day

The reality of today overwhelms.

Here in this photo that I took in the glorious Saturday sunshine I see much more than the delightful and creative work of the students at the Metropolitan Learning Center on NW Glisan. Yes, that is enough to see in its own right, but I see more. I see today's inauguration and subsequent celebration as one of the most momentous days in American history.

Therefore, I see in my photo, there in the bright blue, the myriad colors and shapes and stories of America's citizens.

I see them glistening, shining, looking upward. I see them doing what they were created for, the viewer's enjoyment. But beneath that I see them doing much for those who created them, giving them a true sense of accomplishment and pride in their efforts. Surely no one made a single negative remark about any of their efforts, any of their results.

I see a reality in that sign in the lower left corner, one that represents for me something beyond its mundane message. It means I must take responsibility for my actions. On its face it means that I must not park in a restricted area, that I must find a legal place to park. Therefore, I must be a good citizen.

I am not being one bit facetious when I say that I make the connection between those thoughts and what President Obama said today: "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship."

Please accept my heartfelt joy and exuberance and hope at being an American citizen on this night. And join me in praying for President Obama and our leaders and our country and the entire world as he begins to govern tomorrow, January 21, 2009, a date special to me for a more personal reason. My beloved husband LeRoy would have been 62 years old tomorrow.

I thank you for your indulgence as I draw these personal ties between my life and America's future.

Good night, everyone!

Kenny and Zuke's with Lamont, 1/15/2009

Thursday evening after work, Lamont and I met at Kenny and Zuke’s to eat dinner together before walking over to Powell’s Books.

Lamont had told me how delicious their pastrami is, as well as how huge the sandwiches are.

A week earlier when Marsha and I went to Powell's to attend a reading of ”Beauty of the City: A. E. Doyle, Portland's Architect" by Philip Niles,” we took Lamont's suggestion to heart. I'd tried a happy hour sandwich of said pastrami, on challah--Marsha's was on rye. The two of us shared a side of potato salad. After one bite of that good-sized sandwich, I seconded Lamont's opinion about that delicious meat; Marsha did, too. In fact, we decided that we would return soon, especially when Powell's scheduled another interesting book reading.

Back to last Thursday, Marsha decided since the weather was so much better, she'd take a walk along the ”Eastbank Esplanade beside the Willamette River.” She knew she wanted some good exercise, and she knew that Kenny and Zuke's would be there next time.

Here's a close-up of my sandwich and my potato salad; you can see a bit of Lamont's fries in the background. All in all, a delicious meal--he really enjoyed his Reuben Sliders, too, that you can see in the top photo.


Lamont and I attended Mark Bittman's reading in conjunction with the publication of his latest book, ”Food Matters.” I have to say, after listening to Bittman talk about his food philosophy and how he decided his own ideas worked best for him, I am giving some thought to my return visit to this wonderful deli in downtown Portland. By that I mean I need to eat more plants that entire day, then I can eat meat for supper. Simplistic interpretation, sure, but a starting point, too.

Anyway, I wanted to put my darling first-born son Lamont on the blog because I'm missing him. He's off camping on this cold winter's night, somewhere called Eagle Creek, out to the south of the Columbia River in the Gorge. He's sent me five Spot messages, the last one 6:49 p.m. I am comforted by that communication. I appreciate his understanding of my need for them. Right now I imagine that he is bundled up in his sleeping back, snug inside the tent a co-worker loaned him. He's going to call me tomorrow when he gets into cell-phone range, in addition to sending more Spots. Hooray!

Finally, gee, I wish I had taken a vacation day tomorrow so that I could watch the inauguration activities on TV all day. I'm going to have to settle for the specials tomorrow evening. I am so excited about our new president and hopeful for our country's future. Join me in prayer for President Obama, all politicians and all citizens as we work together to get America back on track. I believe Obama when he says, "Yes, we can."