Almost Christmas: August 2022

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Otis with his hero Trail Blazer Damian Lillard (July 2022)

At the end of July, Otis attended Dame Lillard's Basketball Camp and got to meet his #1 hero.

The usual suspect (July 24, 2022)

Hmm. I wonder which of the three kitty cats unrolled the paper?

Our first clue that TC had been there.

Mr. Innocent

Cars in Portland and Austin: keeping both cities weird (July 2022)

Around the corner from Micah's house. I don't think this is art. This looks like someone's actual moving truck with the dolly loaded last. The pickup was gone the next day.

This car near Micah's is an attention grabber for a business of some sort, I think. Rev. Bill's Vacation Bible Camp?

Who wants to sign up?

Parked outside Amon's place. Yes, Austin's weird too.

Micah's rings (July 11, 2022)

Micah fashioned these rings from cherry wood in his workshop.

Micah's house (July 10, 2022)

Micah's front and side yards.

Washtub bass to accompany ukulele group get togethers.

The uke group didn't meet while I was there but I can imagine music around the fire pit.

Very healthy blackberry bushes on Micah's fence. Or, as he calls them after years of chopping through them under power lines, "demon weeds."

The Texas blackberries were ripe in May. These are still green in mid-July.

Lavender festival (July 10, 2022)

Nestled in the hills overlooking the Willamette Valley a short drive from Portland, Helvetia Lavender Farm demonstrates the versatility of lavender with 60 different varieties in landscaping and cutting fields. I caught their annual festival on July 10th.

Great gas mileage, I'm sure.

Called "Rabbit Ear Lavender." Do you see why?

I used a push mower as a kid. I can hear the sound of the blades rolling through the grass.

Sunset at Vista Point overlooking the Columbia River gorge (July 9, 2022)

Otis and I took a drive to the Vista House, perched 693 feet above the Columbia River.

The Vista House was built in 1917 at Crown Point in Multnomah County, just outside Portland, on what is now the Historic Columbia River Highway since Interstate 84 opened.

The Columbia River from the Vista House

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Pittock Mansion (July 7, 2022)

Pittock Mansion overlooks downtown Portland

Pittock Mansion was completed in 1914 by The Oregonian newspaper owner Henry Pittock and his wife Georgia. In 1853, at age 19, Henry Pittock headed west on the Oregon trail to seek his fortune. He started out as a typesetter and, in 1860, was given ownership of The Oregonian in exchange for back wages. Competition was fierce, with about 30 newspapers vying to lead the market.The Oregonian is still printed today.

Everything grows in Portland. Here, a clematis vine winds up a rose bush.

The mansion has built-in window boxes with watering systems because, again, everything grows here.

Hydrangeas and Moto (July 6, 2022)

Micah has an incredible hydrangea bush. I wish I could have been there when it's in full bloom.

If you look closely in the top photo, you'll see this fountain hidden at the center of the bush.

Most blooms were green, but some were turning blue.

Moto standing guard at his cat door. The neighbor's cat sometimes sneaks in when Moto isn't looking.

Portland's International Rose Test Garden (July 6, 2022)

After dropping Otis off at Leaping into 9th Grade, and checking on Renee, I had time to visit the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. So beautiful! Surprisingly, not that fragrant.

I love these. I missed the annual Portland Rose Festival, held each June. Nevertheless, the moniker "City of Roses" is well deserved. There are even blooming rose bushes along the highways!

Rows and rows of roses.

These remind me of peppermint sticks.

Surrounded by roses.

Independence Day: evening (July 4, 2022)

Grill prep. We had chicken too.

Kickin' back

Fox with wildflowers from Micah's yard

Almost sunset. Fox, Otis, and Lara

Our own Lady Liberty

Fox, Otis, and me

Independence Day: before dark (July 4, 2022)

Otis and Moto sleeping in

July Fourth traffic was so heavy there was no parking at Multnomah Falls. At least Amon, Fox, and I got to drive past.

Papa and mine's favorite for about 15 years now:

Terminator Stout brewed at McMenamin's Edgefield

Stocking up to celebrate

Micah's wildflowers and Shoot the Zombies prep (Sunday, July 3, 2022)

Outside basement entrance

Daffodils plus growing wild

Loading the Nerf guns for Shoot the Zombies. Three zombies hide inside; three cops go outside and count to 30, then go in to the totally dark house to find the zombies. Who'll be the last one standing? Notice Fox has on dark clothes and a hoodie, the better for hiding in the dark.