Roger's First Art Project

Roger's first drawing assignment

For those of you who have visited us, you may think this is a black/white photo of our living room but, instead, it's a charcoal drawing that Roger made as homework for his beginning drawing class.  He has painted in past years but never used charcoal so I think you'll agree that he really has a talent.

Another Week Has Gone By...................

 Allison joined me this morning for a walk to the Farmer's Market.  Scattered throughout the market, there are musicians providing music for tips and the music these three guys were producing was really great.  They were dancing around and singing while playing their instruments and a huge group of people gathered around them to enjoy the entertainment.  Check out the washboard (a deluxe version with all the gizmos attached).

Allison and I are always on the lookout for a new place to eat and today at the market we found a family who specializes in grilling Italian sausage served with grilled bell peppers and onions.  We both gave it 5*****.


Since my calligraphy class is next to the market, I headed to class but found that the professor is ill so class was cancelled.  She left homework for us, though, so the rest of the afternoon I'll be busy practicing new lettering techniques.

A Good Friday.......

My friend Callie moved away from Lincoln Tower several months ago so we don't see each other very often.  Today we finally got together for a "food cart experience".  It was a dry day so Bella joined us for the walk where I introduced Callie to all the carts that I've explored.  She decided on Portland Soup Co (she couldn't resist the Mac and Cheese and Tomato Soup - both delicious).  I tried out the new hot dog cart that opened a couple of weeks ago - unfortunately - a mistake........  Tonight Roger and I are finishing our calligraphy homework (mine is due for class tomorrow) so we're busy being "creative".  Meanwhile, he's in charge of dinner so we're having chicken kabab, cucumber and yoghurt and saffron rice - yummmm

Free From FaceBook................

It took awhile but I finally came to my senses and decided to not participate in FaceBook anymore.  I thought that entering the social media era would be "cool" for an oldster but now I've come to the conclusion that "they can have it".  What a waste of time - so now I have more time for my Blog (smile - I know you're reading this and thinking well.......... she's still wasting time).  The good thing about a Blog is that YOU choose to read it - so be warned..............

This week has been hair cut week for me and Bella so we're walking around with our "short do" and feeling slightly naked.  

If you are reading this and normally communicate through FaceBook please use my e-mail:  goldturtle@comcast.net

Old Town Portland Walking Tour

 After my class this morning, I took the MAX to Portland's "Old Town" - (somewhat like Broadway in S.F. with lots of cafes, nightclubs and strip clubs.)  This is where Portland originated so there's history on every street.  I booked a tour with Portland Walking Tours and it was a great experience - including the chance to see some of the underground tunnels that were used to "Shanghai" men to work on the merchant vessels.  The tour started at Old Town Pizza where we were shown one of the tunnels in the basement.


We walked by Voodoo Doughnuts - the most popular attraction in Portland - and even on a Tuesday afternoon, there was a line of about 20 people waiting to get inside to order.  On weekends the line can be a block or two in length.


We walked down to the river to view a memorial to the Japanese who were interred during WWII.  I had no idea that it was there and it's very impressive.


All in all, this walking tour opened my eyes to another view of Portland.  I continue to learn more and also love living here more...............

Another Food Cart Day at "Bubba Bernie's"

We're having another beautiful sunny day so, after a hair appointment, I headed to Hawthorne Blvd. to check out the food carts.  I couldn't resist "Bubba Bernie's" where I ordered a shrimp po' boy.  

Roger has previously been suspicious of food carts so I had to smile when he told me that, after his dentist appointment, he went to a Turkish food cart nearby on 4th Street.  I guess we're becoming "food cart junkies". 

Sunday - Sunday - - -

As I write this at 7 p.m. it's 82 degrees in Portland with more sunshine and warm temps expected for the next few days.  This afternoon we enjoyed a performance of the Oregon Symphony that featured Aaron Meyer, a classically trained violinist and Storm Large, a popular local singer.  After, we took a drive to the Hawthorne District where we enjoyed browsing some of the eclectic shops before enjoying Mexican food at Cha Cha.  

Now I have to spend some time practicing calligraphy while Roger works on his drawing class homework.  We're both feeling very "artsy" right now...............

A Busy Saturday..............

Today just flew by starting with a special breakfast for Roger, then Farmer's Market with Ann where we also had fresh made crepes for lunch.  Ann headed home with all the goodies that we purchased and I went to a calligraphy class at a University building right next to the Farmer's Market.  It was from 1 pm to 4 pm so when I got home, it was time to wash and chop a lot of what I bought to throw into a pot of chicken stock for a fresh vegetable soup.  It's cooking now so we're enjoying the delicious smells coming from the kitchen and you likely know what I'm doing............. yes, it's Manhattan time............ 

Another "ME" Day................

Keeping busy can sometimes be a chore for us idle retired old folks but today I found a perfect way to get out and do stuff - starting with a movie at the "Living Room Theater" (only person in the theater so it was a private showing - smile), followed by lunch at "Little Big Burger".  Penzeys Spices is next door so, of course, I made a stop there to pick up more seasonings - then onward to Sur la Table for an angel food cake pan (getting ready for strawberry shortcake season).  Now it's time to relax and think ahead to what I'll cook for dinner.  Another hard day in Portland............

GO DOG FOOD CART...........

Allison and I love to explore new places to eat and right now we're addicted to food carts - so much - that we drove five miles to Swan Island just to enjoy hot dogs.  Not just ordinary dogs, "Go Dog" has come up with some great food combinations.  We decided to order two variations, then share, so you're looking at one with creamy cheese, bacon and green chili and another with fire roasted peppers, pepperoncini, caramelized onions and BBQ sauce.  We finished these off with a small order of fries and a cup of chili.  The man in the second photo is "Papa Dog" who owns the cart with his wife.  We're already planning a return visit.

THE SOUNDS OF A CITY.............

I didn't realize how much I love the sounds of living in a metropolitan city until Roger went outside this evening to the balcony to barbecue chicken.  The door is open and I'm hearing the whistle of a train, a siren of a fire truck, the voices of people walking by, an occasional bus and auto as it drive past, the song of a bird, bark of a dog, and far away traffic noise from the nearby freeways.  Why do I love this? - Because it is the sound of life - People doing things, going places and............ living...............

A Lovely Saturday at the Farmer's Market

Today, Ann joined me for a walk to the market where we saw hundreds of beautiful spring flowers for sale.  We found typical late winter produce since berries haven't appeared yet in Oregon.  This week we'll be enjoying baby spring onions, radishes, baby celery stalks, baby lettuce, rainbow chard and carrots

School Day..........

My class on the French Revolution and Napoleon continues to be extremely interesting and I am learning how much I don't know about France in the 17 and 18th centuries.  Today Voltaire and Jansenism were discussed so now I'll spend part of the afternoon learning more on these subjects.  Attending classes is a physical and mental achievement because I'm getting a mile and half walk two days a week and the opportunity to learn.

Happy Birthday, JOHN !!

Ahoy.......... Captain John Hagy is celebrating a birthday today.  HAVE A HAPPY DAY and we wish you more sunny sailing days in the coming years ....................

Easter Greetings...............

Bella sends Easter greetings.

Spring and Easter..................

OK - I figured out how to put a photo on the new blog format - save it sideways and it reverts itself.  I fear that I'll never understand that concept.  Yes, it is Farmer's Market day and I couldn't resist a couple of flower photos.  The girls left early to fly home back to Sacramento so Roger and I stopped on the way home for a gigantic breakfast at the Cameo Cafe and now we're enjoying a beautiful warm sunny day.  Easter weekend here will have lovely weather which makes us happy for all the kids hunting for Easter eggs and wearing their Easter outfits.  

There are many lovely and happy memories of past Easters when Mike, Lori and Ashley would fight over the hidden Easter eggs in our backyard.  The grandparents always joined us for church and dinner so it was a very special occasion.  It's still special for Roger and me - but in a different way.  

One of my early memories is when my parents would tell me that I had to pick fresh grass for the Easter Bunny to leave colored eggs in my basket.  What they didn't realize is that grass is moist with dew so when they put the peeps and candy directly on the grass, everything got squishy (except the boiled eggs, of course).  I'm sure that I forgave the Bunny for his mistake......................

Kenny & Zuke's in Downtown Portland

Our first stop today was Kenny & Zuke's Deli that specializes in corned beef and pastrami sandwiches and other New York style deli foods.  It's Pam's favorite place for lunch in Portland and we had lots of delicious food.  Stumptown Coffee was another stop where I love to buy locally ground unusual coffee blends.  Powell's Book Store is only a two block walk so that was our next destination.  After hopping onto the streetcar, we headed back towards home where we indulged ourselves with manicures and pedicures.  Since it was such a hard day, naps and reading was next on the agenda.  Now the girls are off to the Pearl to have a dinner date and we old folks are relaxing with pizza.  We're having a great time but now it's time for Lori and Pam to head back to Sacramento tomorrow morning.  We're really going to miss them........................

A Fun Day With Lori and Pam.............

I started today by attending class while the girls had a lazy morning.  They met me at the campus and noon and we went to Brasserie Montmartre for lunch.  Afterwards we had fun shopping in downtown and we also checked out some food carts on Alder and 10th Ave.  I thought the "People's Pig" had a cute logo.  I'm sorry about the sideways photo of the girls but Blogger has changed their format and for some unknown reason they have taken my photo and turned it.  Maybe I'll figure out how to avoid this (eventually).  We've already planned our lunch and activities for tomorrow so it'll be another busy day doing nothing but having fun .............

Spring Term..............

School started again, for both me and Roger.  This term I'm taking "The French Revolution and Napoleon" and calligraphy.  Roger is taking a drawing class, a computer class and a writing class plus a calligraphy class so he's going to have a very busy term.  


For lunch I cheated today and went back to my favorite food cart for cheddar macaroni and cheese.  The other carts along the block mostly feature chicken and rice and I just wasn't ready for something so healthy.  


My classroom is in the Park Blocks where the Farmer's Market is held so it's about a seven block walk which is great since it's the only exercise that I'm getting these days.


We're busy getting ready for Pam and Lori's visit tomorrow.  We always have lots of fun when they are here so it'll be "party time" for awhile..............