The Wolf of Wall Street

Roger and I are enjoying a quiet week so we decided to check out the new movie with Leonardo DiCaprio.  It's three hours long but it held our interest the entire time.  A warning, however, to those of you who may be offended by language or nudity - this movie has lots of both. 

Movies, of course, should be followed by dinner so we headed over to Serrato where we enjoyed fabulous food.

PSU is on break for two weeks so it has been a good opportunity for Roger to get lots of rest and spend his days painting in his new studio.  Bella and I have been spending our time in front of the fireplace.  That's her favorite place to sleep and my favorite spot to read.

This week we're hosting a New Year's Day brunch and then driving to Bend for three days to finish off the holidays.

Happy New Year to all.................................

Christmas Wishes From Portland............

Roger and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  We're enjoying a quiet day and we're thankful for regained good health and our many blessings. 

Bella has learned that she can "toast" one side at a time.  In a short while she'll turn over to get the other side warm.

Girl's Night Out............ Ivories Jazz Club

Allison and I just returned from an early dinner at Ivories Jazz Club in the Pearl.

It's out first time at a jazz club but, definitely, not our last.  We enjoyed delicious food and drink and great music plus the necessary "girl talk".  A great way to start the Christmas week..............

Zells For Breakfast..............

 Zells was the first café that Roger and I ate breakfast when we were dating so it remains one of our favorite places to eat.  Roger is in love with German Pancakes so today his came with fresh sliced pears and a warm fresh ginger sauce.  His smile says it all......................

Tis The Season.............

December has been a "mixed bag" starting with my eye issues that finally ended just as a cold introduced itself.  Finally, I've recovered from both so we're enjoying a little shopping and the festivities of Christmas.  Today, Ann and I treated Allison to a birthday lunch at VQ where we all caught up on each other's activities and learned about Allison's new "baby", a Doberman puppy expected to be born in February. 

Roger is busy working on a portrait of his daughter and I'm spending time reading and cuddling with Bella.  She had a bath today so she's white and fluffy and tired from all the activity.  I'm currently reading "One Thousand White Women" by Jim Fergus and it's one of those books that is hard to put down. 

We hope that you're all enjoying the festivities of this special time of the year.  Merry Christmas !!

Christmas Came Early For The Hatefis...............

Brian, Carolyn, Rachael and Chris are in Portland this weekend so we enjoyed a Christmas lunch with them before they head to another party.

Grandpa acted as Santa and we had a lot of festive food and laughs.

I don't think that we've ever gotten a picture of Brian with his eyes open so this is the best we could get..................

Ken's Artisan Bakery in Portland

We have many excellent bakeries in Portland but Ken's is definitely one of the best.  I make a trip there at least twice a week and today I really went crazy, buying much more than I intended to. 

Tomorrow morning I've promised Roger raisin and nut bread French Toast from one of the loaves that I purchased.  Yum........

It's too cold to be outside so today I'm cooking a huge kettle of red sauce that will simmer for about eight hours and we're staying inside a warm condo and just enjoying the beauty of the season.

Sunglasses and Snow..............

So, why would I be wearing a warm fuzzy hand made sweater, an early gift from Pam and Lori, and also wearing sunglasses??

It seems that I've either encountered an eye infection or an allergic reaction so my eye lids are swollen and I look like something from a science fiction movie.  I'm finding, though, that the winter clothes and sunglasses look is kind of original so maybe I'll start a new trend........................

Christmas Wreaths at "Our House"

"Our House" is a Portland charity that both Allison and I endorse.  Their fund raisers are in the form of gourmet dinners, musical events, and other entertainment.  Our favorite is the Christmas wreath making at a local wholesale floral warehouse.so this afternoon we enjoyed making our "one of a kind" wreath.  Another florist assembled and donated the wreath greenery this morning so they are really fresh.  We each had a glue gun and we could choose our own ornaments, pine cones and ribbon so each wreath came out different; and all of them beautiful.

Much to our surprise, after finishing the wreaths we were seated and served a three course late lunch by the Chef/Owner from Mingo Café.  It was a great way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon.

Christmas, at last...............

Finally, the windows are painted, furniture is moved in place and Christmas decorations are done.

Roger is doing well after his chemo so we're grateful.

Sorry there weren't any snow photos from yesterday.  Here in downtown, the snow was more of a "dusting" and not worthy of a picture.  Maybe later in the week........

Watching it snow in Portland..................

This morning we woke up to a light blanket of snow, but now it's starting to come down again.  Both high/low temps will be under freezing so it will be interesting to see how much we get.

We're leaving here soon for an appointment with Roger's oncologist and then Roger will have a "mini chemo", as a precaution.  Fingers are crossed with the hope that all is well.

More later.  Maybe even some snow pictures......................

Happy Birthday, Orlan

Happy Birthday to the Patriarch of the Friedli family.  This picture was taken about ten years ago and it was one of the last photos of Orlan, Gary and their mom, Alma, together for Alma's birthday celebration.  A few days later Alma had a stroke and her life was forever changed.

Today it's Orlan's turn to celebrate and, dear one, we celebrate YOU.  Enjoy the day and treasure every moment.

A Busy Thanksgiving.............

From the moment Lori and Pam arrived to the trip back to the airport this morning, there has been non-stop activity so now it's time to take a short rest.  The girls arrived Thursday afternoon and Lori took charge of finishing the Thanksgiving dinner. 

We spend Thanksgiving together every year and it's a special time that we all look forward to.

This year we decided to go to a couple of movies so Friday (along with some "small box" shopping in downtown) we went to Living Room Theater to see "The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza), an Italian film.  Sunday we went to the downtown Regal Theater to see "Philomena", a British film that stars Judi Dench.  We were able to get to both via streetcar.  The only surprise for Lori was when she went to the snack bar to buy a small bottle of water and charged $5.00.  (Next time we're taking our own in a big purse).

Saturday we spent time shopping on Hawthorne Street and the girls also enjoyed touring the Pearl District where there are many unique boutiques so it was the perfect holiday - lots of good food, Christmas shopping and just enjoying our time together.

Thanksgiving Wishes............

As I write this, we have entered the serene, calm part of Thanksgiving, otherwise known as "the calm before the storm".  Miss Gobbler is clean, oiled, seasoned and in her final resting place, veggies and stuffing are prepped, cranberry sauces are glistening and crab dip is ready for toasted baguette. 

We're enjoying the Macys Thanksgiving Parade and then it's time to get ourselves ready for a drive to the airport to pick up Pam and Lori.  I guarantee that things will quickly liven up once they are here.

Iraj and I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

gobble................... gobble

Camping Outside Of Walmart.............

My blog, today, is in honor of all those people who are sacrificing a week of their lives to camp in front of a big box store so they can be the first to buy things that will enhance their lives and bring ultimate happiness. 

Imagine the joy of living outdoors on a freezing cold parking lot, using a chemical toilet, and eating fast food for seven days so they can buy important things like another TV, video game or computer. 

All they are missing is the joy of preparing for a special Thanksgiving spent with family, friends, or neighbors - cooking and enjoying delicious food and taking time just being thankful for life and love.

I guess it's a matter of "things" versus experiencing the true meaning of living an authentic life..............

Woo-Hoo - No Line At VooDoo Donuts

So - what's the secret of not waiting in line at VooDoo Donuts?  Go on a very cold Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m.  I even found a parking place right in front...................

We're having a nice week.  Bella just went to the doggy beauty parlor, Roger is busy working on his final art projects for the fall term and the condo is finally very close to being finished.  Painters will do the wood frames on the sliders in early December.

The weather forecast is sunshine for the next week but, along with the sun, we're having freezing temperatures every night.  Leaves are pretty much all gone from the trees so it's definitely winter in the Northwest.

German Pancakes With Seasonal Fresh Fruit

I tried a new recipe for breakfast and it was so delicious, I feel compelled to share it.  It's easy to put together and the presentation is beautiful.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Put two glass pie pans in the oven to heat.  Meanwhile, peel and slice two apples, two fresh pears or a combination of fresh fruit (I had an apple and pear on hand so I used both).  Pull the hot pans out of the oven and put 2 tablespoons of butter in each pan, moving it around so it melts.  Once melted, arrange the fruit slices in the bottom of the pan.

Beat together with a hand mixer for a minute or two
4 eggs

3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup milk

Divide the batter between the two hot plates and pour it over the fruit.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and a little sugar and bake in the oven for about 25 minutes.  The pancake will get puffy in the oven but it quickly loses some of it when you put it on the dinner plate.

Serve with some warm maple syrup. 

I've not tried other fruit but it seems logical that blueberries, blackberries, fresh figs and fresh rhubarb would all make a wonderful pancake.  I can hardly wait to make another and next time I'll take a picture..............................

Wine Tasting & Harvest Dinner............

Peter and Ann hosted a spectacular evening starting with a vertical tasting of Pinot Noir wines, made by a close friend, from the years 2006 / '07 / '08 / '09.  Ed, the winemaker, demonstrated how weather and harvest dates can influence the final product and we had lively conversation about which was the favorite.  As you've already guessed, opinions were varied but, we all agreed that the 2006 / 2007 topped the list. 

Dinner was a feast with a harvest theme.  Thanks to both of our hosts and Ed for a fabulous experience.............

Hero Hair Studio In A Food Cart Pod ++ More.............

This morning I made my second visit to Hero Hair Studio, a small vintage travel trailer located in the midst of a Food Cart Pod on Sandy Blvd.  When I first visited Jen's studio she was located in a different pod so today was my first time at the new location.  This place has everything good going for it - a huge amount of street and off-street parking, an eclectic variety of food carts that feature many different cuisines and a Farmer's Market run by Krugers Farm from Sauvie Island.

This is a first class site with public restrooms, covered tables for outdoor seating and a warm covered tent for cold and rainy days.




Jen's cart fits right in and it's warm and cozy, plus being a quiet place to relax, listen to soft music and read and chat.  It's more than just getting hair cut - it's an experience.

It's Been Awhile...................

I'm not sure where the time goes but it looks like I've neglected my blog for awhile.  Probably because we're back to living a "normal" life with most of the renovations completed.  We're warm and cozy with our new heat/air units and the double paned windows also help to keep cold air out.

Weather has been "on and off" but that's what we enjoy.  A few sunny days and then some rain and then a little of each............. so each day is a new discovery.  Many of the trees are already bare but there are a few that turned a beautiful orange/gold color that continue to remind us that fall is here.

Roger keeps himself busy at school and he's produced quite a few new paintings.  Some are a bit politically incorrect as they involve some of his emotions of his life in Iran after the Revolution so I can't publish them, but here's one of my favorites that he has promised to frame for my new office.

The week started with more finishing touches to the condo but I managed to fit in some time to visit with Cindie and Milan when they visited this weekend from Truckee.  We enjoyed a couple of girl lunches and it was a great chance to catch up on things.

I have a pile of books to read (gifts from Steve, Vicki and Pam) so with a new needlepoint and finding new recipes to cook that fit into Roger's "cancer diet", my days are full.

Reflections..................

I remember the first fall season that Gary and I lived in Portland.  We had settled in and we spent a lot of time exploring the area.  One day we decided to explore the Oregon wine country which is only a 45 minute drive from Portland.  We had no agenda - just turned this way and that until we would encounter a winery.  We probably visited at least five places but, one remains on my memory because it was a warm sunny October day and we sat outside with a glass of Pinot Noir and just enjoying being together.  The sun was low in the sky and the leaves of the vines were turning beautiful shades of gold and orange.  It was like a picture that you treasure.  My memory of that moment has sustained me through the years because I looked at Gary and thought to myself, "remember this moment" thinking that there was no guarantee of what the future would bring.  I can still visualize that moment and it comforts me.

Tonight I'm thinking the same thing.  "Remember this moment" as Roger is working on a painting for a class assignment, rain is falling while we're safe and dry inside, dinner is cooking and beautiful music is playing on the stereo while I am reading one of the novels that my very special daughter, Pam, shared with me.. 

My message to all of you who read this is that you must "remember the moments" that bring special meaning to your lives.  Believe me..............

A Productive Week..................

The last window was installed on Monday so when my friends Allison and Rae invited me to "happy hour" I was eager to get away from the chaos and dust.  Rae suggested "Chart House", a restaurant I wasn't familiar with so it was a wonderful surprise to find that it's up in the hills outside of downtown with a fabulous view.  Even better is the happy hour food that we shared and enjoyed.





Tuesday, we started to move furniture back into our new sitting room so now we have a room that we can relax in while we're cooking in the kitchen.  Part of the redecorating includes new bar stools so Wednesday evening Roger started the task of putting them together.  I've never seen so many screws and bolts but he did a great job.

Meanwhile, Alicia and I put all the rooms back in order so we're finally back to "normal".  Roger is still working on his studio so his goal tonight is to get everything in order.  (I don't expect to see him in bed until at least 2 a.m.).

Today I had another skin cancer surgery on my hand and this one really knocked me back but I'm sure the pain will be lighter by tomorrow.  As I left the parking lot at the medical center I was amused to see a black car in the parking lot that had three messages written on the back windows.  It appears that the car buyer is very upset with his purchase because here is one of his messages.  (Royal Moore is a Toyota Dealer in Hillsboro, Oregon.  I wonder if he knows about this guy's "advertisement"?)

Fresh Caught Oregon Coast Salmon

Allison joined us for dinner last night for Oregon salmon recently caught by her brother-in-law.  It was a great opportunity to catch up on some "girl talk" and thanks to Allison for sharing the delicious fish.

This afternoon I'm going to introduce her to our new favorite cafe "Steakadelphia".  Since she hales from Pittsburgh Pa, she's really looking forward to having a Philly Steak Sandwich something she considers "soul food".

I'm Backkkkkkkkk

Well, sort of.  I'm typing this on Roger's computer.  Mine is still dismantled but by next week Wednesday or so, the new sitting room should be ready for occupancy.  Done so far is new carpet, new heat and air, dry wall repair and painting.  Tomorrow the base boards get installed and Monday the last slider will be put in.  It has been quite a journey and one that won't be over until sometime in November when the wood trim gets painted on all three new sliders.

Last week was a much needed and pleasant break when I flew to Sacramento and borrowed Lori's car to visit friends and family.  The most important event was the marriage of Pam and Lori on Saturday, October 19th.  Weddings are always a happy event but this one was more so.  The girls have been together for almost 20 years and now they can have a legally recognized relationship.  The wedding was small but filled with lots of laughter.  I'm only posting a couple of pictures for now but the smiles on our faces tell the story........
 









Portland continues to have 70 degree weather so we're having a wonderful time going for walks and enjoying the beautiful fall colors.  Roger is in school this afternoon so Bella and I took the streetcar down to River Front for lunch.  Afterwards I had fun practicing with my new digital SLR camera.  I'm still in the amateur stage so my hope is to get better and better photos as I go along.

Today has been busy for Bella so she's very tired.  This is her yawning on the way home.

 

Speri Wine Dinner at Mucca Osteria

Oh, what a night.  Ann and I just returned from a three hour dinner at one of Portland's fabulous Italian restaurants that tonight featured the wines from the Speri family in Italy.  We enjoyed five courses of delicious food accompanied by a different Speri wine with each course.  Luca and Ann enjoyed talking about wine making and it was very interesting hearing how each wine is made from a single vineyard.  Everything is done by hand and the wines are fabulous (we loved them all).  This was definitely a decadent experience and one that we'll long remember.

The dinner started with seared sea scallops, roasted quail and homemade egg Pappardelle with wild boar ragu.  The entree was braised beef blade roast and dessert was flourless port infused chocolate cake.

Crazy Week #1 Continues..............

Things that I've learned so far this week:

1.  Don't upgrade Internet Explorer when prompted to because the prompt is actually a fake website that loads a virus (who thinks of these things?).  I finally had to subscribe to a web site that helps me clean bugs from my system.  I also installed Google Chrome and now I can blog again plus I don't get those annoying pop-up ads!

2.  Don't be in a hurry when remodeling - slow down and realize that there's a progression when it comes to scheduling sub-contractors.  Right now, I'm waiting for the dry wall person to do his job, then tile needs to be found and installed where the living room heat pump was removed, then the painter comes in, the third slider will be installed and then the painter comes in again to paint all the wood on the sliders.  My biggest concern is that I've forgotten something or someone - but I'll soon figure all that out!

3.  It's time to regain control of my "stuff" - mostly by getting rid of some.  Goodwill is going to love me this month.

4.  I really CAN live without a desktop computer and all of my office clutter - well, most of the time.

5.  Be thankful that I can take a rest and travel to California next week to visit friends and family and attend Lori and Pam's wedding next Saturday.

Roger's new studio is a disaster zone because he's waiting for his son, Brian, to complete building some storage units for his painting supplies and canvas.  I'm crossing my fingers that maybe when I get back from California he'll have everything in place.  (It doesn't hurt to dream!)

Crazy Week #1

Why #1?  Because there are more on the way.  The "office" is being converted to a sitting room.  The guest room will soon be a studio - two new sliders are installed & every room is torn up.  To complicate things my desk top computer is disconnected & my laptop has a virus so if I continue blogging I have to use my phone.

This week I'm getting bids for drywall & painting & new carpet will be installed Tuesday.  All this must be done before the sitting room slider is installed so I have to be very organized!

In one week I'll be in California so that will slow down the process.  This will be my last blog for awhile but let's stay in touch via email .......

Finished Portrait

One of Roger's goals was to finish painting my portrait before school starts again so he's been busy working on it during the past several weeks.  He actually started it about six months ago but he kept finding things wrong so he kept changing colors and even changed what I was wearing (he started with a black sweater with a fur color).  Now that it's framed he's still talking about a few more changes plus he forgot to sign it so it looks like it's still a work in progress...............

Lots of Businesses.................

Preparing the condo for another new heat/ac and three sliders creates other needs.  The carpet in the office will have to be changed when the old heat pump is removed next week.  Later in the week Anderson Windows will be putting in three huge double paned sliders.  All of these changes require other things like dry wall, texturizing, painting, new molding and who knows what else (that I haven't figured out, yet).

Today, after visiting Decca Hardwood on Powell Blvd. we found another fabulous cafe "Steakadelphia".  It's located on Powell and 60th and we were pleasantly surprised to find that they also offer a chicken Philly (for Roger).  No question.............. I had the steak one and they were both delicious!

Roger started moving his office and art "stuff" today so the place is pretty messy but we don't care - it's just part of the plan.

Portland is expecting two to three inches of rain plus high winds this weekend so it's a good time to be home and out of the elements.

Happy Birthday, Sheila...................

Special wishes go out to a very special lady.  Have a wonderful birthday, Sheila. 

"If I Were A Rich Man"

But - I'm not.

However, I feel rich because of my easy access to theater arts.  Thursdays at noon the Gerding Theater in the Pearl District offers a matinee so today I found a last minute ticket to "Fiddler On The Roof".  It was front row, center, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.  There's something special about feeling like you're actually on the stage.  The production was filled with talented performers - beautiful music - exceptional voices.  If you live in Portland, do NOT miss this........................

Piattino - Portland's Newest Restaurant

Roger and I have enjoyed dining at Shiraz on Everett (Mediterranean)  but the owner recently decided to remodel and restructure an entirely new restaurant concept.  It is now, "Piattino", an Italian small plates restaurant.  They have been in business for two weeks so we decided it was time to try out the new menu.  The décor is warm and inviting - lots of wood and beautiful lighting.  The menu is eclectic - I thought I knew most food terminology but I had to ask the waiter a few questions and he ended up in the kitchen to ask the chef.

We had a great time and we're looking forward to returning to try the house made pasta and pizza.

Have You Looked Under Your Bed Lately?

To create a studio for Roger the bed had to go and behold............... there were boxes under the bed - a whole lot of boxes.  Today was interesting in that I found many treasures but also a lot of trash.  As a result, wonderful and beautiful things are either stored in an antique trunk or on their way to Goodwill and other places.  In addition, I organized my desk and files so I'm feeling very "in control".  We'll see how long that lasts............

Another Busy Weekend

Yesterday afternoon the Smiths made a drive from Vancouver BC straight to Jakes Crawfish so they could catch the Happy Hour.  I found a Car2Go outside the condo so I joined them and we had a great time sampling almost every dish on the menu.  Of course that included a few beverages, too..................

It was a long day for them so they crashed at the downtown Marriott and stopped by this morning for breakfast and a walk to the Farmer's Market.  Now they're on their way back to Chico.

We've decided to fix lasagna tonight so I found a box of pasta that I picked up at an International Market.  It took awhile to find the English directions and, to my dismay, they are the kind that shouldn't be cooked first.  Oh, well, I'm sure they'll work fine but I'm a little troubled by the directions.  This is the exact script:

" grease the baking try and arrange 3 layers of raw Lasagne Granoro alterning with bolonaise sauce (prepared with Granoro tomato sauce and meat) together with very liquid béchamel sauce.  Spread the uppermost layer with parmisan and some butter or with extra virgin olive oil.  It is advisable to put the baking tray in oven soon after the preparation so that the Granoro lasagna may absorb condiments while baking.  Bake in hot oven for 15-20 minutes."  Hmmmmmmmmm, a little different than most recipes, don't you think?  I'll keep you posted.........................

7:15 p.m. I'm back again and dinner is finished.  I ended up layering homemade red sauce with thinly sliced mozzarella, zucchini and pecorino Romano - covered the dish with foil and baked it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Fabulous and Roger asked for seconds so that makes it a winner.  Who would have guessed?.....................

Roger Loves Tea At Zells

 Zells has become our favorite restaurant for breakfast and Roger especially loves to order a "cup of tea".  They present tea in a French Press pot with a choice of tea leaves.  Obviously he gets much more than one cup.

After breakfast we discovered a local Liquidator's warehouse that is filled with anything and everything.  We didn't check out the entire place because that would take many hours but we still managed to find some bargains.  This weekend we'll start fixing up his studio.

Jury Duty in Multnomah County

The past two days I have been occupying my time in a jury waiting room at the downtown Portland Courthouse.  The prospective jurors were all dismissed early on Wednesday but yesterday they started calling names.

I was part of that group so we went to a courtroom and learned that we would be jurors at a criminal trial.  The defendant was accused of ID fraud so I was certain that I would be dismissed but - no - I was one of the "chosen".  The trial was short, taking only the afternoon to hear witnesses so we agreed on a verdict of "guilty" and we were outside by 5:30. 

When I first received the letter calling me to duty I could have recused myself because I'm older than 70 but I truly was curious to compare the justice system here in Oregon to the one in California.  All in all, it was a good experience.

Hero Hair Studio in a Trailer Located in a Food Court

OK.  Many of you have heard the motto of "Keep Portland Weird".  For us oldsters, I wasn't quite sure what that meant but maybe, today, I understand it more.  My experience wasn't exactly "weird" but it surely was different.  My long time hairdresser got married, is having a baby in November and she and her husband moved to Washington DC in July so............. horrors............ where do I go to get my hair cut ???  My hairdresser, Erin, recommended a friend, Jen, so today I visited her salon which is quite different than most.

It's among a group of food carts.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yes, this is it.

The business is Hero Hair Studio and Jen has worked out of the trailer for almost a year.  It works well for her because she can give undivided attention to each client.  It takes awhile to get an appointment so now I know that I'll have to plan ahead.

To add to the drama, she has to move the trailer to another food pod in a month so my next visit will be in another location.

It's a perfect set-up as I can schedule my hair appointment and have lunch at the same time.

Portland, I continue to LOVE you! (and you, too, Jen)

Happy Birthday, RON - Celebrate YOU !!

We hope your day is filled with wonderful things.  Have a very Happy Birthday.  I'll look forward to celebrating with you in October.

Steve & Vicki Visit From Chico

Steve and Vicki are in Portland after their long drive yesterday from Chico, California.  We started the morning with pastries and coffee and then spent some time at the Farmer's Market.

We enjoyed a leisurely day catching up on news and enjoying the temperate weather that unexpectedly arrived (the forecast was for 90 degrees and the high today was about 78 - perfect - ).

Tomorrow, after breakfast, they're on their way to Seattle for a couple of nights and then they'll spend the rest of the week in Vancouver.

Meanwhile, we have sold the guest room furniture and a couple of other pieces on Craigslist so now we can start to get serious about changing the guest room into a studio for Roger.  It will be a busy week.

Kiss of the Spider Woman at Triangle Productions

This play has a strange name considering the story is set in a prison so it was a surprise to both Allison and me.  (We were both thinking it was going to be a comedy or a satire).  If you are in or near Portland this is a "must" to see.  The orchestra is professional, the singers are ultra talented and there is a story to tell....................  The show was quite an undertaking for such a small local theater.

The best thing about seeing plays at the Sanctuary is going to East Burn, a local cafe on Burnside Drive.  Last night we shared a steak salad with spinach and feta and a lobster, shrimp and crawfish macaroni and cheese.  Good?  Yes, actually fabulous!

9/11..... We all have a story..............

September 11th.

We all have a story to tell. 

Gary and I were on a Princess Cruise ship with our friends, Ed and Liz.  We had already visited Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence, Naples, Venice, Athens and Ephesus.  On the afternoon of the 11th we had just returned from a tour of Ephesus when our cabin neighbors shouted over the balcony to turn on BBC news.  We quickly turned on the TV and saw the second airplane hit the second tower.

What did we think at that moment?  It was unimaginable................ and difficult to appropriately react.  It was like the moment was frozen into something that our minds couldn't fathom.  It wasn't until later that we realized that we may be in danger in a foreign country.  The ship quickly left to its final destination of Istanbul where we were greeted with men on the pier holding huge guns and scuba divers ready to surround the ship for protection.  Satellite communication had shut down.  Dinner that night was a somber experience. 

Originally, the plan was to spend a day in Istanbul and then fly from Istanbul to New York and then to S.F. the next morning.  Because air flights in the U.S. were curtailed, we had no way to go home.  The Princess Cruise Line kept us on the ship for two additional nights before chartering a plane from Shannon Ireland.  When we boarded the plane we had no idea if or where we would be allowed to land in the U.S. so we were told that the people in Ireland were preparing to house us for the night if the plane could not continue.  When we landed in Shannon and the captain said that the plane had been refueled and we were going to continue and be the first plane allowed to land at JFK, all we could do was cheer and give thanks.  After a very long flight we landed about 2 a.m. the following morning.

I can't express what it felt like to see only one runway lit at JFK.  We were the first airplane that was allowed to land that morning.  After a rapid walk through Customs we were taken to a hotel where we got a few hours of rest.  Later that morning we returned to JFK to an unbelievable sight of thousands of people standing in lengthy lines (many of them taking 7 to 8 hours to navigate because of the heightened security).  When we finally boarded the airplane for S.F. and we lifted into the air, my mind will never forget the sight of huge billows of smoke that still rose from the site of the towers.

The Butler

Yesterday was another "me" day (yes, I have those quite often) so it started with a streetcar ride to the Heathman Hotel where I enjoyed Eggs Benedict with salmon lox.  Then it was just a short walk to the Regal where I watched the movie "The Butler".  If you haven't already seen it, try to get to it before it leaves the theaters.  It was very well done!

Today it's 95 degrees with some humidity so we're really feeling the heat.  Thankfully, there's a new AC in the living room and the old one is cranking in the office with the addition to a fan.  Cold salad for dinner tonight........................

Bella says "hello".................................................................

Visitors From Irvine

Annette is the daughter of one of Roger's oldest friends so when she called to let us know that she and her husband Rooban were coming to Portland we made sure they would spend at least one day with us.

After enjoying breakfast together, Roger and they went to check out the Farmer's Market.  This afternoon they headed to the Chinese Garden and Roger went along because he has never been there.  They returned somewhat unimpressed but after wine and appetizers they all decided that it was good that they went.



Roger was in charge of dinner so we enjoyed chicken kobob, saffron rice and cucumber and yoghurt.  Weather remains stable in the high 70s so it was a great day for all the activities.  The next two days will be in the 80s and Tuesday and Wednesday we're told it will be a little over 90 degrees.  I'm certainly loving the new AC in the living room where we can stay cool in the afternoons.  Annette told us that in Irvine today it was 112 so they're really happy to be in Oregon.  Now 90 degrees doesn't sound so hot..................................

The Birthday That Never Ends.....

Last night Allison and I finally had an opportunity to get together so she treated me to a birthday celebration at a very quaint and interesting little "dive".  It's a neighborhood cafe in the Goose Hollow area, the "Leaky Roof" on Jefferson.  It's very small with about eight tables and 6 seats at the bar and they were packed (good that we had reservations).  On the table you'll see our appetizer of homemade Guinness battered onion rings.  We followed that with an apple and pear salad and stuffed meatloaf.  We love to share dishes and they were all really great.

Thanks, Allison for another new and delightful Portland experience!!

Art in the Park

After breakfast, the girls and I took the streetcar to the Pearl where there is a Labor Day outdoor art show.  Roger is still having a slow recovery so he decided to stay at home and rest.  Artists from all over the U.S. bring paintings, photographs, pottery, glass and fabric art and a variety of mixed media so it's always a great chance to see what people in the art world are creating.

Now that we have an artist at home, though, we're partial to Roger's work !

Now, the girls are in the kitchen preparing another "birthday dinner" so I'm being thoroughly spoiled.  Lori is preparing a brined chicken with a beer can stuck up her butt so this will be another dining experience.