AUTUMN IN OREGON

Leaves and more leaves. Red, gold, orange. Or to be more poetic: crimson, bronze, copper. Of course, we have to sweep them, rake them, and move them around for the city to pick them up. But it's all part of living in Portland, and we are adjusting. Going for a run, walk or drive is certainly colorful!

We had 43 trick-or-treaters on Hallowe'en, mostly very small ones. Didn't see anyone over 11 years old. There are many young families in our neighborhood, with 2, 3, and 4-year-olds. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we had 150 pieces of chocolate to give out. Can you do the math?

Of course, October 31 brought not only ghosts and goblins (and Buzz Lightyear and countless firemen and pink fairy princesses) but also Reformation Sunday! Searching the internet in vain for a local observance of Reformation, we were disappointed to find no local churches doing more than mentioning that it was Reformation Sunday.

Soooooo.... we ventured down to Salem First Presbyterian Church for their Kirkin' of the Tartans. Salem is about 50 miles away, so a doable drive on Sunday morning. What a friendly congregation! One of the members told us that they had only been doing a Reformation service for three years, ever since some members decided they wanted to do it. There was piping (Oregon State Defense Pipers) in front of the church prior to the service; also in their Fellowship Hall was a great display of Luther's 95 Theses, books on tartans and Scotland, and even an Iona display! Homemade blueberry scones and shortbread were served with tea and coffee before and after the service.

Someone in the congregation had crafted flag poles and a stand for 36 tartans that were processed and piped into the sanctuary by members young (10 years old or so) and more senior (80's). Quite touching. The congregation was decked with their plaids; a couple of kilt-wearing gents were there, too. We sang "Mighty Fortress" and "Amazing Grace", although the pipers only piped the latter. The tartans were recessed to the piping of "Highland Cathedral". So, there you have it. Not as wonderful as First Pres San Bernardino, but enough piping, tartans and shortbread to tide us over for another year.

Afterwards we went for a walk on the Willamette (rhymes with dammit) Riverfront, and across an old steel bridge that has been turned into a pedestrian walkway.

This past week, we drove out to Hood River where the pear and apple orchards are. Also wineries! Beautiful out there this time of year.

So enjoy the photos of Autumn in Oregon!

HOUSE HUNTING AGAIN

We had to divorce that Siskiyou house.

We dated. Proposed. Got to know her. We thought. She was beautiful, but misrepresented herself. Further investigation revealed major systems problems she was unwilling to resolve.

So, on to the next one! Our best house is out there waiting!

Meanwhile, we have resumed our running, and have signed up for a race next weekend. Cinco de Mayo race. On Saturday, we will watch the Kentucky Derby and think of you all. Or y'all.

The weather and vegetation here remind us of New Hampshire. This is a beautiful time of year!

We helped Julia move to her new apartment on Friday. Back and forth, in and out, until we got all of the big stuff transported with the help of Joshua and their friend Michael.

Today we are going out to Open Houses. Who knows what will turn up? Hopefully there will be a match made in heaven just waiting for us!

SHOPPING! PARKS! FLOWERS!

We have only dabbled in the shopping possibilities here in Portland, mostly window-shopping. Except at Freddy's. Fred Meyer, that is, a Stater Bros. for the Northwest.

Think of Stater's on steroids. Average size of a Stater Bros. store: 35-40,000 sq. ft. Average size of Fred Meyer: 130,000 sq. ft.

Freddy's is a grocery/furniture/jewelry/automotive/deli/bakery/florist/clothing/shoe, etc., store. Plus Chase banks inside. And either a Starbucks or Peet's Coffee inside.

Their bakeries are reminiscent of patisseries in Paris! They even have Nanaimo Bars! Here are some photos of boots(artsy picture), pastries, olive bar, cheese.

Fun just to walk around this store. Does that count as exercise?

We've also sampled Cascades Station, which is near the airport. New area of shops with Marshall's, Ross, Ikea, Target, etc. The Ikea has a cafe where you can watch the planes landing at PDX.

Goodwill and the cleanest Big Lots we've ever seen have been other places we've shopped. Bought a huge art book on Monet for $4.99, a book on Northwest landscape plants, a new address book for keeping track of all of you, a Woodburn hoodie (Woodburn is a town nearby). For those of you who haven't known me for 45 years, Woodburn is my maiden name.

Yesterday we went downtown on the MAX (light rail) to pick up our PO box mail and have lunch with Joshua. We visited some of the many food carts Portland is famous for. They have Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Vegan and good ole American food. (See Joshua buying our lunch.)

We took our food to a nearby park to eat. It was a beautiful day! Public art is all over the place downtown. Here are two: The Quest and Running Horses.

Portland's rain year runs from October - September. We are below normal so far with only 24 out of the normal 28 inches to this date.

We have been running in the nearby small neighborhood. Today we went to Lincoln Park, where a squirrel followed me around, begging for food. I don't know what the pink trees are in the photo, but they had several large Pacific dogwoods (six-petals), and numerous evergreens. Lilacs, too. Nice asphalt running/biking trail, playground equipment, plus wood chip trails and picnic tables.

The last photo is a camellia TREE (I don't think they can keep them to bushes here) next door to our apartment. Enjoy!

SENDING YOU FLOWERS

We walked the neighborhood when we went to look at the house yesterday. The neighbors have great flowers! Here are a few.

We even met one of the neighbors "Cathy". She has 2 dogs she was walking. Little dust mop ones.

Home inspection is on Wednesday. We are looking to move in (if all goes well) on June 2nd.

The name of our street is Siskiyou. Pronounced Sis-Q. After the mountain range in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Choose the origin of the name you like: Native American word meaning bob-tailed horse, or French for "six stones". No one knows for sure.

The stone wall around the base of our house is volcanic rock. I tried listing the plants there, and half of them I have never seen before. Plus there are multiple new small trees planted, in addition to the THREE! Japanese maples and the TWO! dogwoods. Some of you are salivating.

The plants I could identify are: rhododendron, boxwood, tuberous begonias, cedar, pine, rosemary, tulips, azaleas, white and purple vinca, hostas, grape hyacinth, one that looks like tea tree, several conifers. When we move in, I will add my peonies!

Hiked yesterday in nature preserve and jogged/walked around a local park. Soon we will be looking for some 5ks to run.

Met Joshua and Julia downtown for lunch from a food cart on Friday; he brought her tulips and me chocolates. Aaawww.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

On the day of my birthday, Joshua and Julia brought pizza (another one from Papa Murphy's take and bake). Bobby had bought a triple-fudge chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream from Fred Meyer's (we've been to Freddy's a lot!), and J&J brought kahlua cream pie. Yum. We have not been dieting here.

Played a round of Euchre (girls are ahead 2-0).

First birthday Joshua has been with me in many years. What a treat!

ALLELUIA!

Westminster Presbyterian Church is one we have visited here before. It is in Irvington, so will probably be walking distance from our home. There are about 900 members; it is Gothic stone and like a ship's knave inside with all of the wood. Nice windows, but not as nice as First Pres SB (Joshua said that).

Joshua and Julia met us there for the 11 a.m. service, which was pretty good. Unfortunately, they do not gather flowers from their members' gardens, but instead purchase them: pots of azaleas which they encourage you to take home with you. No need to ask Julia and me twice! Here's a photo to prove it. They also have a 9 a.m. service on Easter. Probably praise so we didn't chance it.

The service opened with no lights on, although the prelude was a rousing Bach piece, so that didn't quite fit with the darkness. The choir lined up on the side aisles for a beautiful introit, as lights came up gradually. They had banners on the sides of the chancel (much same size and shape as Mary Newman's yellow ones) which were raised with pulley system like Don Dudley constructed for us in the chancel. During the processional hymn, the paschal candle and acolytes were first, then 2 children with baskets of eggs (more on this later) and 2 adults with potted azaleas (?). Then the clergy: an interim and 2 associates.

OK, the eggs. The children's sermon consisted of the pastor telling about an Assyrian tradition of different colors of eggs representing different aspects of the Easter story. And then, the ancient tradition of cracking the egg against your head. It goes like this: Alleluia! Cccrrraaackk!!!! Christ is risen! Hmmmmmmm...

Their benediction response was "Hallelujah". The choir (which is seated in the rear of the chancel during the service) come to the front of the chancel and stand. They invite congregation members to sing the chorus with them, so I did! That was great! Afterwards, the two sopranos on either side of me said, "You need to join the choir!" I made no promises, but was grateful for the invitation.

Coffee hour followed, with lemon muffins, fruit, coffee, tea. Nice. They have a building campaign going on solely for the purpose of making the campus ACCESSIBLE! What a concept!

I am thrilled that Merry Beth, Amy and Robin finished the Alleluia banner in time for the service, and Wanda, Merry Beth and Dale have emailed me photos. It looks great, and I'm sorry I didn't see it! I'll make it a point to do so when we come back for a visit.

Our Easter dinner was omelets at the apartment, followed by a game of Euchre (you midWesterners will know what that is). So far, the women rule!
We are now receiving The Oregonian, local paper. Pretty good. New York Times puzzle every day.

After a day of relooking at the Fabulous Four houses on Monday, we watched Duke win the NCAA championship for the fourth time! Before that, we went by our storage units to get some stuff out of the file cabinet (which the Allied driver had put at the front of the unit so we could access it). It is quite strange seeing all of your belongings packed into four 10x10 compartments! Kind of like visiting a mausoleum. Very quiet in there.

Today (Tuesday, I think) we looked at 3 more houses, then made an offer on one of the Fab Four, and will have an answer by 7 pm tomorrow. Let's hope it's a birthday present kind of offer!

Also went to Costco today! It's kind of far out in an industrial area, but actually only five miles from our apartment. Gas was $2.75. And they pump it. The plants they have for sale in there make it look like a nursery: azalea trees; japanese maples, fuschia, etc.

Cross your fingers on the house!

By the way, Marion, the yard has TWO HUGE DOGWOODS: ONE PINK AND ONE WHITE! And a Japanese Maple. This rhododendron was at one house we looked at; the sunrise picture was Easter morning from the apartment window.

News from Jessica: She was appointed today as Deputy Secretary for Sustainable Resources Management at the California Natural Resources Agency. That's Lester Snow, her boss, Director of California Natural Resources, swearing her in.

WEEKEND WORK

Saturday we spent driving and walking around the neighborhoods of four houses we have identified as possibilities. That way you know if there is a tire store right behind you. No tire stores.

We met Joshua and Julia at Manhattan Cafe for coffee (right in the neighborhood) then walked half a block to Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant. Yummy! Shrimp tacos, tortilla soup and salmon burrito.

In the afternoon, went to Joshua's to watch Duke clobber West Virginia (go Blue Devils!). We picked up take and bake pizza from Papa Murphy's. You order, they make (about 5 mins), you take, and you bake! It comes in a bakeable paper pizza pan. I don't know how they do that, but they do pizza wonderfully! $10 for a family size plus a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough!

Pictures here of Joshua, Julia, Bobby, Roscoe (Joshua's cat). Also the flowering cherry outside Joshua's window.