Lawrence Halprin's Open Space Sequence THE SOURCE

Across the street from my condo is a small fountain known as "THE SOURCE".  It is the first in a sequence of fountains that were designed by the famed architect, Lawrence Halprin.  

Because it is by far the smallest in the park walk-thru areas we tend to ignore it - but today, the fall leaves and bright sunshine could not be ignored and I realized how beautiful it is in its simplicity.

ROSA ROSA at the Dossier Hotel on Alder in downtown Portland

After watching the movie, JUDY, I walked over to the Dossier Hotel on Alder to try the new downtown restaurant, ROSA ROSA.  The restaurant is advertised as being Italian but I found the menu to be more mediterranean with a sprinkling of items from Spain and Italy.  The atmosphere is relaxing with wrap around windows to let in lots of light even on a rainy day.  I arrived right at the cusp of luncheon ending and happy hour beginning so I was able to still order lunch.  They offer a three course lunch special that gives a choice of soup or salad, an entree and a dessert - all for $15.

Today the salad had a mixture of baby greens, endive and hazelnuts.  The entree was pasta with scallions and arugula pesto and the dessert was baklava.  The portions were so generous that I'm having a repeat meal at home tomorrow from my take-home boxes.  Portland restaurants just keep getting better and better ...................

The Movie JUDY - an emotional roller coaster !

Watching JUDY today was a mixture of tension, adoration, and pity for this unique woman.  The movie is exceptional in every way - sensational acting and, of course, some great music.  When you leave the movie, plan on spending some quiet moments of reflection - your emotions may overcome you.  DO NOT MISS THIS ONE .........

THAT'S NO LADY - DARCELLE, THE MUSICAL

http://darcelle-themusical.com

The musical at Lincoln Hall was really enjoyable - great music, great dancing and singing and lots of funny and sweet moments.  Walter Cole is almost 89 years old and he's known as the oldest cross-dresser showman in the world.  The story is one of love and acceptance - and ultimately, success.

There were lots of laughs and a few moments of tears while we looked back at his amazing life and unique experiences.

Currently the show is completely sold out but, if it should be extended you need to RUN and get tickets.

DARCELLE at Oregon Historical Society and HIGGINS Restaurant

It's Friday, our favorite day to enjoy lunch at a downtown restaurant.  Today, my friend, Rae, and I chose Higgins for lunch because it's right next to the Oregon Historical Society where we stopped to view gowns from the collection of "Darcelle", a famous Portland personality who has been a female impersonator for over 50 years at her showplace near Old Town,  Darcelle, (Walter Cole) is 89 years old and she is the holder of the Guinness World Record for World's Oldest Drag Queen Performer.  

The gowns at the Historical Society exhibit have amazing beaded details and some dresses weigh as much as 35 pounds.  According to publicity, Darcelle has over 100 gowns that she wore through the years.





Sunday, Allison and I have tickets for an original play about Darcelle's life "That's No Lady" and we're looking forward to the experience. The original show has huge raves and there's already talk of it going to Broadway.


Neither Rae or I have eaten at Higgins for many years, but after today, we'll be returning soon.  We both enjoyed Pork Schnitzel with Polenta, local green beans and farm fresh tomatoes and it was a fabulous lunch.

LOVELY AUTUMN IN PORTLAND

There is so much beauty in downtown Portland and I have the good fortune to live right in the center of it.  Today on my walk home, I went by the Lovejoy Fountain where I stopped to just breathe in the beauty of the afternoon.  

As I left the fountain area, I walked through the golden leaves that are already drifting down from the trees.  It was another reason to stop and reflect on past years when little Bella was still alive.  She loved walking through the leaves because they made a soft rustling sound as she walked through and a few would stick to her paws which confused and delighted  her.

Another lovely year is almost gone - but the beauty survives and the sweet memories will remain ...........

IN THE HEIGHTS at Portland Center Stage

"In The Heights"  is being performed at Portland Center Stage at the Armory until October 13, 2019. I love matinees so today I hopped onto the streetcar to go to the 11 a.m. production.

I highly recommend it.  It's a musical with a live orchestra, latin rhythms and talented dancers and singers.  Like many musicals, the story is pretty simple but it still held my attention and the 2 1/2 hours went really fast.

At least a dozen fabulous restaurants are within an easy walk from the theater so I had a difficult decision - - well, maybe not too difficult because the first place I walked by was "Little Big Burger".  Without any difficulty, I scrapped my plans for an elegant lunch and enjoyed a bleu cheese burger with truffle fries.  Penseys Spices is right next door and Sur la Table is only a short block away so this was a perfect way to spend a Thursday.

Downton Abbey - Jake's Crawfish - Blue Star Donuts -- all in one day

I remember a popular song many years ago that went "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down".  Well, not today ---- and not in Portland!

The movie Downton Abbey opened this weekend at the Living Room Theater so I bought a ticket early on the Internet and I got my favorite seat at the downtown theater for today's matinee.  My daughters, Lori and Pam bought me a gift card to the theater so I let them treat me to an Irish coffee during the show.  For those of us who are "Downton fans", the movie is delightful - however - it's also predictable so if you're looking for excitement and/or action you won't find it here.  For me it was a reminder of all the lovely antique Victorian accessories that I used to sell, both in a shop and on the Internet, and the clothes and furnishings were fabulous.  

The movie is a little over two hours in length so when it finished, it was lunch time.  I returned to one of my favorites, Jake's Crawfish on Stark and 12th Avenue.  They feature a "blue plate special" that is different each weekday and, generally they are fish dishes.  Today I enjoyed a grilled steelhead with fresh vegetables and potatoes; all for only $11.95.

Weather this week in Portland is mild with a touch of fall in the air so after sitting through a movie and eating lunch, it was time to take a long walk.  Can I help it if I happened to walk by Blue Star Donuts?  Anyway, clutched in my hands was a small box with two donuts in it as I walked home - one peanut butter and jelly and the other maple bacon.  The PB&J already has a small slice missing...............

INN AT SPANISH HEAD in Lincoln City

http://spanishhead.com

We love having an ocean view so on this trip to Lincoln City, we booked a room at the Inn at Spanish Head.  It was our first time there and, now, we're looking at a return trip.  Our room was small but the amenities were wonderful and the balcony and ocean view were amazing. There's easy access to the beach and they also have a beautiful outdoor swimming pool. To make the weekend even better, the inn has a restaurant on the top floor with a panoramic   view so we enjoyed both dinner last night and breakfast this morning.  

As people say "It's better at the beach".

What is it like to be at a contestant search on Wheel of Fortune?

Roger and I both love game shows so when we learned that Wheel of Fortune was holding a contestant search at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, we thought it would be a fun experience.  Wheel of Fortune promoters hold three shows a day for two days so there are six opportunities to be chosen for an interview.  It's the "luck of the draw" as we each filled out a form with name/contact info and put them into a bin.  They pick five names at a time and the five become "contestants".

At the second show on the first day, my name was drawn so it was an opportunity to be photographed and interviewed on video that will be reviewed by their staff later.  Those chosen will then get a letter asking them for a personal in-depth interview that will be held here in Portland.

Do I have a chance of being chosen?  Probably not - as I recall my interview.  BUT, "where there's life, there's hope" so I'll know in a couple of months.  Meanwhile, I get to show off my official "Wheel of Fortune" hat, an LED wheel pin that flashes in colors and a wheel key ring.

Friday is for FRIENDS .... and "Q" Restaurant

The "girls" haven't been out to lunch for awhile so .......... today was the chosen day.  Where do we go?  Well, "Q", of course.  We love sitting at the Chef's Counter where we get an extra treat from the chefs and we have a chance to see how the dishes are composed.  Today we met Guy, the new head daytime chef, and we had phenomenal dishes; Ann had catfish, Allison had a burger and fries and I enjoyed a steak skewer with corn risotto.  Good?    OH, YES.

If you're in Portland, you must try this fabulous downtown restaurant.  

The movie ONE CHILD NATION

The downtown Living Room Theater is presently showing the film "One Child Nation" so after my birthday lunch at Jake's Crawfish, I walked to the theater.  The movie is a documentary written and produced by a woman who was born during the period of "one child" in China.  

The law started in 1979 and ended in 2015.  It was heartbreaking to witness the mind set and cruelty of what the country did to people who had to abandon a second child or suffer persecution.  A cadre of women physicians forced women to undergo abortions or sterilization and some children were taken from their parents and put up for adoption to people in other countries. One example was in birth of twins, generally the one born second would be taken away.

Today, China has changed their policy to encourage couples to have two children with rewards to those who do so.

This is hard to watch but it's an important look at recent history.

Lunch at JAKE'S CRAWFISH RESTAURANT for only $1.20

SO - how did I get such an inexpensive meal? Several restaurants in the Portland area belong to the Landrey's Select Club (Mortons, Jakes, McCormick & Schmick, Chart House, and more).  To join, you pay $25 and within a few days, you will have a credit at your restaurant choice for $25.  You get one point for every dollar spent and, after 250 points, you get another $25.  On your birthday month you get another $25 and that's what I used yesterday for lunch.

I chose Rockfish Lafitte, pan seared with sautéed Dungeness crab meat, rum and garlic.  I also enjoyed a glass of Acrobat Oregon Rose of Pinot Noir.  Fabulous food and one last excuse to celebrate my birthday month!

Girls Night at OLD TOWN PIZZA

Tonight Allison and I ventured over to Old Town Pizza for our regular seats at their bar.  We're becoming known there so it's like a "friends" gathering.  Allison and I both love the house special so we each order a small one, eat a couple of slices and then take the rest home.

Life is good when you have pizza !!

Oops - a Ticket for SPEEDING. - Oh, my......................

It finally happened - something that I have deserved for a long time.  YES, a dreaded speeding ticket. You're looking at a 23 inch ticket filled with all kinds of information.  The bottom line, though, is that if I pay the fine it will cost me $170.00.  After the motorcycle cop checked my record and likely my age he decided to be kind and he offered me an option of going to traffic school.  With a certificate of completion, the fine will be eliminated and the speeding violation will not go on my record.  So, here's the good news.  I found an on-line traffic school sponsored by AARP.  For $25.00 (less if you're a member), I can take a class on my computer, get a certificate and all is well.

BUT, the bad news is that this schooling process will take a minimum of six hours to complete.  Because I like to believe that my computer skills are exceptional (please don't laugh) I thought that I could do it in less time.  Since 2 p.m. today I have been working my way through the process and now at 5 p.m., I find that I'm barely half way through.

I got the ticket crossing the Hawthorne Bridge and I've learned my lesson - the speed limit is 30 and I was going 44 mph.  The police will give a ten mph leeway that I exceeded.  My message here is that I highly recommend the AARP website.  Remember this ----- next time it could be your turn.................