In my own words

Almost a juror

2012-01-31T17:03:00.000-08:00

On Monday I rolled out of bed at 5 a.m. walked to the bus stop at 6:30 and was going thru security at the county courthouse at seven a.m. for jury duty. By eight a judge was speaking to over a hundred of us in the sprawling jury room about the responsibilities and importance of our service to the courts, and how grateful they were for our showing up.

I'd just settled into the boredom of the comfy leather chair, the flat-screen tv CNN broadcast and a latte from the lobby, when I and about 35 others were called up to a small courtroom on the seventh floor. The human interest stories were all there. The voir dere to choose six jurors in a criminal trial lasted until 4:30 in the afternoon. The judge ( and later the attorneys) explained that a guilty verdict can only be reached with a finding of guilty "without a reasonable doubt," the highest standard.

We first heard hardship cases from prospective jurors who felt they couldn't give up the four days the judge had told us the trial might last. These ranged from a young woman with an hourly retail day job who was also a night school student to a busy real estate agent with his own business. There was the sole care-giver to a parent recovering from surgery and the Nike designer who was leading an all-day meeting for which people were scheduled to fly in. The judge said she would take these and several others under advisement.

After a one and one-half hour lunch break the ranks had thinned, and we were once again impaneled for questioning. The three defendants who had been arrested in a bar fight, each with his own attorney, were seated in front of us. The charges ranged from disorderly conduct to battery and assault. So the questions included those about our own experience with going to bars and/or crimes having been committed against us. Crimes were mostly property and petty theft. The oddest might have been the woman who had her car stolen, and when she and her husband got it back only the radio was missing. And the thief: their baby-sitter. When one prospective juror described himself as fair and a good friend, fun but with a "quick temper" that no one wanted to mess with, two of the defendants traded knowing looks. Sure enough, this blowhard was chosen for the jury.

Hey, no hard feelings. The experience was intriguing and I would serve again.

Where's that wind-up radio when you need it?

2012-01-21T17:06:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday evening it was snowing hard when we went to bed - making all the dire 24-7 tv weather predictions come true.

What must have been the only tree that fell that night in Portland was right out our window. The large oak was uprooted and fell on the power lines in the slushy, windy, wet storm. A nighttime city maintenance crew spent hours restoring our electricity which was out for about five hours. This singular event attracted television crews and cameras all day Thursday to film the tree removal. Luckily, we didn't need any of those survival items we've so carefully stashed away - like the wind-up radio.

MLK Day and more

2012-01-19T10:23:00.000-08:00

OCHS reunion planned

The first order of business was deciding on the site for our high school reunion next summer. Classmate and former head cheerleader Joan Jones had scouted eight or nine locales suggested by committee members and narrowed our choices to two. She and I looked at the over-themed Old Spaghetti Factory in Clackamas and the more expensive HighCliffe in Oregon City. After finding an appropriate place at the Spaghetti Factory for a group photograph and heading out for lunch at the HighCliffe in OC, We decided on funky decor and pasta entrees -the Spaghetti Factory pictured - over chandeliers. Oh wait, both places have chandeliers.

Okay, so what's wrong with a little fun on Martin Luther King Day? Kurt and I went for a long walk on Monday, one of the first cold, light snow days of winter. Stopped in at Grand Central Bakery to warm up with hot soup, black coffee and these cute shortbread cookies.

"That's one word, grandma"

2012-01-04T15:49:00.001-08:00

Hauling to Chico by train offered: darkness by 4:30 pm (welcome to winter and the next-to-last shortest day of the year;) plenty of time to catch up on all the current newspapers,books, crossword puzzles and journaling; dinner in the dining car and a nearly impossible place to sleep sitting up, even with ample leg room.

The upside: we're greeted at 4 am by Gregor and two impossibly tall, beautiful girls who call us grandma and grandpa!

Astrid took off her favorite team Cardinals' cap to put together a Lego Harry Potter mileu. We had a wonderful time opening Christmas gifts, playing chess, watching DVDs and going out to see "Tintin." "Grandma, that's one word."

Astrid and Annika modeled favorite new clothes for us.

Lots of accommodation to the ten cats in the Krause household. This is the newest - Hase - who loved to play with the tree ornaments.

The inveterate chef and builder Gregor made this bobbin winder for Tracy, the inveterate knitter.

Gregor and Kurt spent a big part of our last day there installing a new French door. That will thwart the cats - just kidding, guys.

It's a Griswoldian Christmas all around

2011-12-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

This is Jeri and Rick's gorgeous dining table at our Gourmet Christmas dinner. We do have classy friends! Asian-influenced, cider-brined turkey was the entree; I spent the morning on the dessert, a fresh poached pear tart. The brandied plum preserve drizzled over it was a gift from Shannon.

Some of the 85 or so folks who attended Bill G's memorial and shared their unusually poignant memories of him on December 10.

Peter and Shannon came from Seattle for the service. Sunday morning we had an early gift exchange with them. Those crazy kids are off to Palm Beach, Florida for the holidays!

Our neighbors once again have outdone themselves with yard and house lighting - motorized reindeer, angels, smiling santas, Christmas trees. We, in contrast, are positively restrained. You can only see our tree lights by peering closely up against the front window. A Merry Christmas, everyone, however you light it up!

I've licked my last envelope

2011-12-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

Three strings of LED Christmas tree lights - 210 bulbs - transformed our
Noble fir from Lee farm lot to backyard trunk-trimming session to seasonal centerpiece.

The last Christmas card is winging its way, and I'm hoping not to taste envelope glue again until, oh, next year.

We're taking the overnight Coast Starlight next week to Chico, California for the holiday. There will be dinner in the diner to look forward to. Then it's six-to-eight hours of sitting up in stiff train seats (that recline after a fashion) trying to sleep. Astrid and Annika swear they like meeting our train at the station at the ungodly hour of 4am, if it's on time.

Dum de dum-dum!

2011-12-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

The holidays - what can I say? They're piling up on us. This was a readers' theatre group from AAUW at our holiday lunch and auction at the MAC club. The Multnomah Athletic Club was showing off their giant Christmas tree in the lobby. See the normal-size man and small child for perspective.

But before that, Derek and Dorothy were here for Thanksgiving with us. We're out and about with them at Elephants' for breakfast; at their Riverplace Hotel; at our house for dinner in the dining room. Diets sometimes challenging to accomodate (to quote a letter writer in the NYT):

"Some guests don't touch meat at all.

Others watch cholesterol.

So how can one serve up a feast

For people who will eat the least?

Who all too grudgingly partake

What's taken you a week to make..."

Muriel Lilker

Always go to the Funeral

2011-11-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

Today was a sad, though not unexpected, one. Our brother-in-law Bill Gilham died in the Veteran's Hospital in Vancouver, Washington after a long illness. He was 85 years old, quite a raconteur and always engaged with fighting for the "little guy." For years it was Metro imposing its will with the creeping urban growth boundary, saving the trees from developers on building sites, supporting Tualatin River Keepers and protecting from harm the small city of Durham in Washington County - which he co-founded. He spent nearly his whole life on Ellman Lane on property he inherited from his parents in a house that he and his father-in-law Rudy Krause built. He was a proud member of the US Marine Corps, serving in WWII in the Pacific Islands.

At least two memorials for Bill are in the planning for after the Thanksgiving holiday. One in the home of a long-time neighbor on Ellman Lane and another at his former wife Annita's apartment complex in Tigard. Ashes to be scattered on the banks of the Tualatin River and at his beloved Portland International Raceway.

The title of this blog is from advice a writer got from her father when she was a teenager. One of her teachers of whom she was not particularly fond had died. She did not plan to attend her service. Her father said, "Always go to the funeral." When finally she did go, feeling quite awkward about the whole thing, family members showed such gratitude that she never forgot her father's words. Bill had so many friends (including anyone who ever served in the USMC) I'm sure everyone who knew him will go to his funeral.

Not in my backyard

2011-11-21T15:37:00.001-08:00

Eastmoreland Neighbors held forth at a packed and noisy all-comers meeting in the Duniway School auditorium recently. Feelings ran high against the corporate bad guys from T-Mobile who are required as part of Portland city guidelines to get neighborhood feedback before installing a cellphone tower in a residential/level 4 priority area such as this one.

The site under review is in a curb strip, fifty feet from an elementary school science teacher's home in the heart of our neighborhood. The potential health effects of the radio frequency waves/emissions aimed at the bedroom of this family's young daughter, the unsightliness of the pole and its hardware and the overall inappropriateness of the siting were all questioned.

The vast majority of residents were no less than incensed. Still at one point a man new to the neighborhood did stand up and shout, "You're all hypocrites; you use cell phones." On the way out of the meeting one woman remarked that she had not seen such a fuss since traffic circles were proposed for Eastmoreland some years ago.

Halloween at our house

2011-11-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

Curly, Moe and Larry?

My personal favorite on Halloween - among over seventy trick or treaters - was Harry Potter!! Check out the seriously Harry glasses, the tie, the academic robe with proper Hogwarts School crest. And for his candy? A black satchel, of course.

Some of the kids were a tad old to be gathering candy at the door, but still cute.

I want these outfits for myself; forget Halloween.

How did this girl get hooked up with these skeletons?

Our next-door neighbors, handsome and proud Henry and his sister, beautiful Audrey came to the door with Batman.

This might be my favorite holiday yet!

Off to see the wizard

2011-10-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Peggy now lives in a breezy "old folks home" (her words) in Walnut Creek. We took lunch from a deli on Sunday and enjoyed it with her on the terrace. Lots of catching up to do. She looks great and other than being famished - we got held up in traffic in the Caldecott Tunnel and were just a tad late with the food - she was in a great mood.

Still calling the shots, Peggy instructs Cora where to hang her hummingbird feeder. In truth, she seemed thrilled to see us. Right back at you, Peggy!

Another day

I spent Saturday night at Derek and Dorothy's. On Sunday morning Derek went off to one of his weekend jobs, teaching Firefighting Skills to his class at Chabot College. Dorothy and I hung out for breakfast at The Little House in Alameda for breakfast. Cute place; sweet daughter-in-law.

Opera on the big screen

2011-10-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well it was a serious opera on Saturday morning at the multiplex in Emeryville, and in Donizetti's Anna Bolena Anna does lose her head. Thus the somber faces. It was fascinating to me to see a filmed live performance of a Metropolitan opera in a packed theater. For lunch after the three and a-half hour show (with intermission) we went to the Chop Bar in Sylvia's home and gallery neighborhood of the Oakland warehouse district. The locals know where to eat!

California

2011-10-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

My annual Calistoga Spa trip this year turned into a brief weekend in California when the spa announced more and more restrictions on our stay. Renovation there included pool closures, room changes, jack-hammers and, finally, no hot water. But that's the whole point! Maybe next year.

So in lieu of the spa Cora, Nancy and I flew to Oakland to see friends. It wasn't all about the food, but staying at Valerie and Jep's always involves at least one great dinner. We have here Betty's fruit tart from a favorite bakery in Aptos; Judy and Cora doing the salad; Valerie with the green beans and shepherd's pie.

Jep has a fascinating new way to get upstairs in his condo - an electric chair assist that his grandson Garret loves to ride, too.

Right out the door of the Boones' condo we watched the sunset over the bay making it another beautiful day in paradise.

The rumor is true

2011-10-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween is totally celebrated, as in decorated, in our neighborhood. Senator Ron Wyden will have to get with the program here! The brand new, but classically-designed, home a few block from our house is Wyden's. Maybe now we can get some relief from the dreaded leaf tax. No sign of the senator or his family yet, but there was speculation the other night at the Eastmoreland Neighborhood assn. (ENA) that he and his wife, the former owner of the Strand Bookstore in D.C., would no doubt be reluctant to take their children out of school there. Awaiting developments.

Doubling up

2011-10-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Funny, Julie's nine month-old granddaughter Avi was in a perfect mood until I got my camera out. Or maybe it was being seated in that classic highchair. Does that chair look familiar, guys? Gregor, Derek and Peter all had turns in it growing up.

The occasion here is the family celebration at Norma's for Kurt's and Greg's birthdays. Greg got a subscription to "The Economist" and we all give him credit for that. He says he likes the world-view in the paper, not the usual US media bias or take on current events. Kurt lucked out with a Columbia shirt and several nice bottles of wine which he promises not to drink all at one time!

He went around telling everyone how old he was

2011-10-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Kurt said he wanted to be surprised about my plans for his birthday - and he was. When we left our house carrying a German chocolate cake, ice cream and wine, he thought I would drive wherever we were going. But no. We walked in a light rain up the blocks to Diane and Michael's house for dinner and a movie with mutual friends Maggie and Bob.

Actress and obscure movie fan Maggie brought the film "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" for our viewing and then arguing over. It was French and it was 1959, but that's no excuse for the slow pace and (for some of us) the perceived tired whining of the protagonist over her lost love.

We had a great dinner and fun time. But we groused so about Maggie's movie choice that next time it's our ups.

End of summer Block Party

2011-09-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

First our neighbor George (Doctor, to you) gets out the invitations/permission to close the street notices, then neighbors share food, laughs, real estate rumors and hot gossip at our annual block party.

This year "Legal fine print" on the flyers included 'Let all who object to or have questions about this Block Party...the resulting street closure or the ongoing Federal Debt Ceiling negotiations contact George to voice their concerns.' serious stuff setting the tone of the party!

From the youngest two month old-who brought her parents along-to the face-painting/apple-bobbing pre-teens to the glamorous and attractively-tatted mom and pop of teen-agers, Mandy and Dave, we all had a real good time at this end-of-summer ritual.

Wooden boats

2011-09-16T11:26:00.001-07:00

Climbing around the beautifully restored Destiny and La Boheme wooden-hulled sailboats gives new meaning to 'boy are those stairs narrow.'

There is breathtaking beauty in all of the craftsmanship and working detail of the boats at the 2011 Wooden Boat Festival. Luxury, too: note the wood-panelled salon in the Destiny or the bicycles on board La Boheme. These, though are working vessels. You might hear, "How many feet of sail does she carry?" Or "It would be my great pleasure" from one of the crew. Oh, no that last was a recurring comment from a "Master and Commander" tale.

There were historic boats, too, as in this double-masted teaching vessel.

After attending seminars on "Captaincy for Couples," "Rig Loads" and "Barging the French Canals" we took a break for an early dinner with wine at Sirens on the waterfront. Brian Toss began his talk with the comment that ultimately "Your boat is boot-strapping the elements!" As far as rigging is concerned, he lost me at "what is the load?" But Brian is very funny and extremely smart. Kurt said barging at four and a half knots sounded boring. I was intrigued to hear that to pivot the barge you basically run it aground.

Saturday Farmers Market was lots of fun. This vocalist should record.

For many years we've stayed at the Quimper Inn. This year at the Quimper we met three couples from Canada. Though they didn't know one another, they each had stories to tell about the ferry hassles coming from Port Angeles and clearing customs. At last Port Townsend has easy access on the Sound again with two new, huge ferries plying international waters.

City Hall where ten years ago we attended the 9/11 memorial. This weekend was the anniversary of that event.

Labor Day weekend barbecues

2011-09-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Anne Marie can't go long without partying! Here she throws an impromptu barbecue on the deck with a few friends just because.

Earlier in the weekend

Kurt honed his grilling skills with flank steak and corn on the cob w/husks for our own intime 'cue. The corn pretty promptly caught fire. Al and Cathy declared it delicious anyway.

(Stay tuned for some great pictures from Wooden Boats).

It's all about the wine and beer

2011-08-30T11:59:00.001-07:00

About every four or five days (at least it seems that often) we get together with Kurt's Tigard High School class. This was the annual barbecue with a twist of lemon. Kurt organized a wine and beer tasting for this landmark reunion at the ever generous Dunlap estate in North Plains. He and his classmate Carla served a variety of Oregon beers from Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen (someone commented, "I 'm not a beer drinker, but I like the German name") to Bridgeport's Kingpin Double Red Ale - to Black Butte Porter. Skoal! Oregon wines ranged from the relatively inexpensive to the well-thought-of Eola Hills Pinot Noir.

Jim Craft and Betty (Waldo) deBelloy might be discussing the unbelievable hours-long commutes to get here. Traffic delays ranged from the Hillsboro Air show to the Pumpkin Ridge golf tournament right here in North Plains. Cheers to wine buyer MaryAnn at our local QFC grocery who assisted Kurt with spirit choices, Kurt's tireless wine and beer tasting notes research, bubbly Carla Schoonover's pouring talents and classmates who made the tastings a highlight of the day.

Jay Leno talks

2011-08-25T15:13:00.001-07:00

Again with the auto show at the art museum - Jay talked and talked at what turned out to be a pretty dressy affair (going by all the black off-the-shoulder dresses in the audience). These were the folks with the higher tariff tickets that included a "Hoods Up" viewing, a cocktail reception and preferred seating for the lecture. Who needs that?

Prompted by his friend and the guest curator of the show, Ken Gross, Leno told the stories behind some of the over 100 exotic and/or historic cars and 70-80 motorcycles in his collection. He really has a passion for the cars, he drives them and he seems to love telling how he found them or they him and how he maintains them (with parts from England where the owners actually keep driving them, thus creating a market for manufacturing parts and providing service). We get rid of them, said Leno, or store them in the barn or garage.

When Gross mused that Jay doesn't have a Ferrari in his collection, Jay said not that many become available and when one does, the reported mileage is always exactly 20,150.

Art Museum Director Brian Ferriso announced that viewership for the auto show was the largest of any exhibit in the 119 year history of PAM. Shows you what kind of town we are: motor heads.

Perfect days at the Oregon coast

2011-08-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

We had to travel a hundred miles and just miss two young deer on the highway to experience it, but the weather in Newport and especially Nye Beach was gorgeous. We stayed three nights at Little Creek Cove Inn - blue skies from 7:30 am till sundown. We were on the beach every day; two mornings we watched surfing classes. The instructor showed his students how to paddle, how to get up on their boards and, just as importantly, "encouraged" them to go out beyond the breakers!

No wet suits needed for these young tykes who would run into the icy surf in short pants.

I loved this guy at the Coast Aquarium. He looks so sad. The aquarium is looking a bit raggedy these days. Now that Keiko the whale is gone, they've converted his former large tank into three smaller ones along a passage in the aquarium for 360-degree exotic fish viewing.

This fish looks to have a mean streak.

These quaint stone benches in Nye Beach appropriately enough have ocean themes. Just leave me here in the sunshine until it's time to browse the books in the Sylvia Beach Hotel gift shop

We had our kip every afternoon on our deck with views out to the wide beach beyond. The wind has carved wave patterns and low dunes in the sand here at Agate.

From the trail above Yaquina Point Lighthouse we could see for miles. Check out that blue, blue sky.

Touring this working lighthouse, including climbing the many stairs to the top was one of the highlights of our trip.

The keepers wear the uniforms of a bygone day and give wonderful fact-filled narratives of what it was like to live in isolation here while providing a beacon twenty miles out to ships at sea.

Counting trees

2011-08-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

We spent a Saturday morning in August with a group of volunteers identifying trees in the neighborhood. Looking a little grumpy at first, we set off in teams of two. I was assigned Tren (thank all, he knows the varieties). The city eventually wants to know the exact location, the species and the health of all the street trees in Portland.

After three hours with clipboards, measuring tapes and maps, Kurt only recognized his partner Patricia as his acupuncturist! She treated him after his bike accident four years ago.

Back to Silver

2011-07-28T15:26:00.001-07:00

My new bike - a silver Diamondback Serene Deluxe is a hybrid cruiser, or as the REI online ad puts it ..."cruise around town, across campus, meet friends, run errands." Boy am I out of shape; thus far I've only ridden across town and stopped for coffee, and my thighs still hurt. I was shopping for this step-thru design as it's no longer fun to throw a leg over that crossbar. I've been told that in Europe the market is all geared for these "family" bikes (except for the tour de France, I imagine), but that the U.S. market went for the racing design.

We bought our old hybrid bikes in Beverly Hills sixteen years ago. And, believe it or not, we rode them all over BH. A hill tracing an old bridle path and now a steep street lined with celebrity homes -offered a thrill there.

Kurt shows me how it's done without a helmet. Notice I didn't get the construction site port-a-potty background in the photo of him.

This morning we were off for a real ride. Lots of fun; managed to dodge all the cars, moving and parked. After stopping to let us cross one busy street, the driver of a panel delivery truck leaned out his window and yelled, "I bike, too." And through Garthwick where whimsical garden writer Dulcy Maher lived until her death earlier this month, we saw pink flamingoes in her neighbors' yards put there in her memory. Go by bike!

A love story

2011-07-25T12:40:00.001-07:00

My nephew Greg and his wife Karen celebrated their January wedding in Hawaii with a so apropos Hawaiian - themed reception in their garden on Saturday, 16 July! These two have been together for several years, but just made it official six months ago.

They smashed cake and drank a coconut cup toast to one another. And Greg said he couldn't imagine life without her! Aww.

Greg, looking so much like his Dad Ron (or was that Wayne Newton?), is a successful landscaper and Karen, a bank assets manager. They live on landscaped acreage in Oregon City, about a hundred miles from Detroit Lake where we were earlier in the day. Still we managed to make both parties; Kurt even delivered a nice toast to the perfect couple.

Karen with her four sisters. What on earth would it be like to raise five girls?

Driving the countryside for a family barbecue/baby shower

2011-07-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

They didn't put us to work on the grill, even though we arrived early at Ed and Debra's on Saturday for their annual barbecue. We were mostly out on the deck, with neighbors, friends and family, despite another overcast day.

The day included a shower for the happy expectant mother Jamie. Due date for the boy is September 8. Jamie will take eight weeks off from her company; then Daniel, the baby's very capable father, will take over daytime care since he has his own yard maintenance business and can always call a rain delay?

Kurt, Cherie and Kevin watch the unwrapping. K&C will be impossibly youthful grandparents in December.

Ed takes a break; I've quizzed Devonna, one of Ed's granddaughters headed for the eighth grade, and now I'm giving Daniel advice.

Devonna's dad Mike (making himself awfully comfortable here), her sister and her mother Susan look through family photo albums.

U.S. Women's Soccer team vs Japan on the pitch

2011-07-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Women's Soccer team gave up several opportunities to score early on in the World Cup final on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany to lose to Japan 3-1 in a penalty shootout. The U.S. team scored the first goal 28 minutes into the match and they, allegedly, had never lost a game when they scored first in tournament play (until now). A moment of passion and suspense among many in an action packed game arrived for the Americans when 22 year-old Alex Morgan sent a cross to Abby Wambach who headed the ball into the net to put the United States ahead 2-1 in the 104th minute of play. Bigger (5'11 US goalkeeper Hope Solo for one; while Japan's tallest two players were 5'7'') more well-trained and faster, the US looked to be rolling over their adversaries.

But Japan's more ballet-like play, their persistence, a team captain Homare Sawa who has played professionally in the U.S. and is a top scorer, and, finally, Japan's calm and precise on-goal performance in the unrelenting shootout saw them prevail. Sawa made her fifth goal of the tournament in the 117th minute, making it 2-2 at the end of a 30-minute overtime.

Not even so bittersweet, it was nice to see Japan's pure joy in coming back to win on the world stage after this spring's devastating earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 15,000 people in their own country and displaced thousands more. We like to win, but despite the disappointing score at the finish, watching the match on t.v. was a perfect thing to do on a day that set a record for rainfall.

The Granddaughters 4th of July visit

2011-07-11T17:30:00.001-07:00

The Evergreen air and space museums, the Portland tram ride, miniature golf at the Oaks, an Eastmoreland neighborhood parade on the Fourth of July, feeding the ducks at the Rhoddendron Gardens, swimming, kayaking around the boat slips in the harbor on the Columbia River, fireworks, touring the Pioneer Federal Courthouse - none of that tired out our granddaughters, Astrid and Annika. As for us, we were thrilled to have them and their dad here for a week. Tracy stayed home for some down time after a challenging semester teaching and administering at Butte College. I escaped with just a small wrist burn from lighting birthday candles - Astrid's twelfth birthday!

Annika learned to kayak and did a lot of sketching - fashion design in her future? Astrid proved to be fearless in the pool and is an expert juggler.

Cars,cars,cars

2011-06-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

We were blown away by the classic cars at the Portland Art Museum. Even if there are no gear heads in your family -not that Kurt and Bill are, or anything - this show "The Allure of the Automobile" is a not-to be-missed event.

We made not one, not two, but three visits and saw among other exotics, the 1937 Hispano Suiza. Mr DeMille, it turns out wanted Gloria Swanson's car, not the has-been star herself in Sunset Boulevard. We appreciated the 1937 Bugati Atalante (Jay Leno has a half dozen), the 1953 silver Porsche 550 prototype and the 1937 Talbot Lago . There is a 1930 Bentley coupe, a 1931 Dusenberg, a Silver Arrow Pierce Arrow (pictured), a 1937 Mercedes Roadster, a 1938 Alfa Romero touring Berlinetta and a 1948 Tucker Torpedo. There's a 1959 Corvette Sting Ray, a 1961 Ferrari GT, a 1961 Aston Martin, and (pictured) a 1957 British racing green Jaguar Roadster.

With Bill and Annita in tow we went across the street to the historical museum for a quick peak at the late 40s era MG TC (pictured) - the very model and color of Kurt's first sports car, purchased with earnings from working the beer bar on the AF base in Spokane and the wheat fields of Dusty, Washington.

On Fathers Day the one-off 2006 Cambellini sports car (pictured) designed and built over 20 years by Tom Campbell took center stage under a tent outside the museum. Guess you had to be there - and you could be until September 11 when the car show closes.

Lunch with the Captain and last port of call

2011-06-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

We had lunch with the captain in the Vista Dining Room on our last full day aboard. This Mariners' lunch is for those who've sailed before with Holland America. We were here ten years ago. That trip had included Skagway and its narrow gauge rail train up the steep and winding route of the 1840s gold rush miners. Then we departed from Vancouver. This time we started out of Seattle and had one more port before we slept, Victoria, B.C.

With a small walking map on shore in Victoria to guide us, we set off for downtown. Visited the famous Empress Hotel - used the marble bathrooms, but didn't have tea. Gunk-holing around and stopping at chocolate shops and down to the wharf took a while. The lights on the Parliament Building had come on before we started back. Our map had us on a meandering path along the water, ogling homes with a view. Hurrying then, we managed to have the ship in view at 10 pm. We sailed at eleven and later Kurt said he didn't want to tell me but we'd walked seven and a half miles that day.

In Ketchikan

2011-06-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

In Ketchikan on Thursday we rode the city bus (where all the human interest stories are) out to Totem Bight State Park. In 1938 the U.S. Forest Service began a program to salvage and reconstruct these cedar monuments. Under the direction of master Indian carvers, accomplished artists from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) learned to carve and repaired or duplicated the old weathered totem poles.

A clan house where the Natives lived and stored food for winter is also situated along forested paths in the park.

In most of the ports we visited, Caribbean jewelry and tchotke dealers have stores crowded along the narrow close in downtown streets. In the winter, we were told by locals, they board up their storefronts and follow the tourists to sunny shores.

Sitka by tender

2011-06-14T11:08:00.002-07:00

The port of Sitka is too shallow for cruise ships so we go ashore by 60-person tender/lifeboats. This one was anchored outside our stateroom window. Once it was lowered into the water we had a great view.

We didn't waste all our time dressing up for dinner in the dining room, visiting with our shipmates - fourteen of us from Kurt's high school class - and wandering the halls, clubs and decks of the ship; we also attended two Forest Service Ranger talks on geology, icebergs, wildlife. I took a kitchen tour and went to a high tea. Kurt hankered to see the engine room. In Sitka we bussed out to a beautiful raptor center. Trained staff and volunteers restore injured Bald Eagles and other birds to life; 50% are returned to the wild. We visited a historic Indian museum and the Russian Bishop's house (library books there are all in Russian) and ate reindeer hot dogs - yum! We didn't kayak, but Peter and Shannon would have been right out there.

That night Kurt rounds everyone up for a group photograph - including Keith and Carol who had not been at dinner and had to get out of their jammies and join us on the great stairway.

Hubbard Glacier fogged in

2011-06-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

Captain "PJ" van Maurik promised to get us in close to the Hubbard Glacier, but when fog horns blew at night we waited for the announcement: not possible. Almost everyone was up on the Crow's Nest deck hoping the fog would clear. The captain described a closer view "too dangerous." Later leaving the bay, we could see blue sky returning and a glimpse of the glacier from the promenade deck.

Arcane nautical terms

2011-06-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

No longer flummoxed by the arcane language of the ship with its aft, bow, stern, mid-ship, forward, crow's nest and, of course, port and starboard, lee and windward to name a few directives, we are put ashore in Juneau. The only access to this capital city is by air or sea. Importing a car by ferry would cost about a $1,000. On the bus out to the Mendenhall Glacier we find that because of Memorial Day the capitol and the Alaska State Museum we had planned to visit are both closed. The tram to the top of Mt. Roberts affords a great view of our ship far below, a telescopic look at a bald-eagle nest in a tree top and an injured bald-eagle being treated in a care center there. We stroll through the trees, take the tram back down to the main street, walk around town and have a beer in a 1912 hotel bar before tramping up the gangway to the ship and on.

That evening in the ship's theater my faith in these shows, which can sometimes be cornball, is renewed. Joel Mason, a funny, talented pianist and performer does Elton John's entire book complete with outrageous outfits. Later due east off the stern in a cloudless blue sky we watch an unprecedented sunset. We're a week or so from the longest daylight (18 hour) day in Alaska.

Cruising to Alaska

2011-06-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Say what you will about cruise ships - and we've done our share of dissing them. Especially when there are four them in port on the days we're at anchor. But this Holland America ship, the 82,000 ton Westerdam, carrying 2100 passengers and a crew of 800 took us thru the Inside Passage of Alaska for gorgeous scenery, smooth waters and warm weather, leaving nothing much to desire. The deck chairs below look much like those on a July Harper's magazine cover of a 1939 "glamour era" passenger ship.

Shakespeare and so much more

2011-05-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

On our way to Ashland to meet up with long-time friends from Alameda for four plays in two days. Our first night is in Eugene at Cora and George's, with dinner at Ralph and Nancy's. Here Nancy dishes up her iconic Chicken Mirabella (?) for all of us!

There were the plays, of course - "Measure for Measure," "August Osage County," "The Imaginary Invalid" and "The Language Archive." But first there was the august Ashland Springs Hotel with its age-appropriate decor, breakfasts on the mezzanine and palm court for afternoon wine, between curtain times and dinners out.

(Valerie, Jep and Cora)

Valerie has all the fixings for scotch and sodas, including the limes. Robert took the backstage tour and said staging was fascinating and "computerized."

(Betty, Robert and George)

(Nancy, Ralph and Kurt)

In our room - I never forgot the journaling.

There's way more than art here

2011-05-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

After just rolling into town on Friday, Peter met us for lunch at another wonderful restaurant in Seattle, the Essential Bakery Cafe. A walking tour of the Fremont district afterward included many of the famously restored buildings and businnesses like the Dusty Strings music school. Expensive guitars line the walls here where private and group lessons and workshops are offered. We twanged away on some of the lesser models, but didn't rent an instrument.

We were awed by the size and uniqueness of the statue of Lenin in one the district's squares. Peter said it was brought from Russia and is the only one of the communist leader surrouned by guns and flames. Then for a little sweetness at Theo Chocolates on Phinney Avenue where the chocolate and the exotic chocolate samples are to spend an afternoon over. A favorite cake shop for that night's dessert was our last stop.

Mothers Day dinner with an old friend

Shannon made gourmet French toast for breakfast -twice baked, crispy; one of those endeavors that involves every pan in the kitchen. I raked in way more sweet gifts - glove-like cozy socks with toes - and a hand thrown bud vase. Later back at home I'm overwhelmed by Derek and dorothy's and Gregor and Tracy's whimsical and elegant MD gifts, but more on that later. After breakfast we were off to the Ballard farmers market (me with the flower bouquet from the market). The vendors were out in the midday sun with every local vegetable, jam and handmade soap in this extensive and beautiful array. We then explored all the repurposed buildings: great upscale restaurants, fun businesses in a bustling, classy and classical Ballard.

Shannon and Peter had invited their old friend Tselani for dinner of marinated grilled salmon, spring vegetable melee and homemade ice cream. The nerve: Tselani left the corporate world a few years ago to train as a chef at the famous Cordon Bleu in Paris and now caters, teaches professional classes for corporate clients, and cooks with her husband, also a French chef. She is such a fun friend and totally humble and grateful when others cook.

It never rains on Mothers Day

2011-05-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

On Camano Island one artist told us that in the 13 years she's been part of the artists' studios tour it's never rained! Here we are at our first stop on Saturday, Dan Koffman Studio. It's raining. Call me "Dan," formerly of Monterey, California where his wife served a term as mayor of Pacific Grove, promoted his art in a big way. It was a little too whimsical and comercial for our taste. And we had eleven more stops to make on our circuit of the ten-mile long island's galleries and studios. It's still raining at the historic Camano City Schoolhouse where a number of artists displayed watercolors, acrylics, and poster art. I especially liked Harriet Ann Curtis' "Bee Boxes" watercolor here.

Deception Glass studios featured Elaine Lodices' kiln-formed fused glass, Jeanine Borree's oils and poster art. After Mexican lunch at the firehouse, we were off to see dream masks at Jeffrey Zigulis Studio - still raining - wine label art, raku and stoneware pottery.

One of our last stops had the most glorious setting right on the Sound. While we stood in the garden a ferry plying international waters was making the trip from Victoria, B.C. to Seattle. Weather: overcast, but not raining. A fun day; if only we had the Vogel's money for collecting works of art.

A great weekend seeing Seattle and environs

Roller Derby

2011-04-25T16:46:00.001-07:00

Our neighbors George and Theresa made us do it. They are season-ticket holders for the Rose City Rollers - Portland's Roller Derby team. First, the sport is not fake, making it as much fast-paced fun as you can have watching an all-woman contact sport. According to an article "How Roller Derby Works" by Tracy V. Wilson, derby evolved from Depression era endurance roller skating races to an aggressive sport played on banked tracks in the 40s and 50s to televised bouts with theatrical aspects similar to professional wrestling in the early 1970s.

In 2001 roller derby leagues with flat tracks, somewhat complex rules and way more safeguards led to current day events. Saturday night at the Memorial Coliseum competitors wore the regulation mouth guards, helmets, elbow pads, knee pads and fascinating tats. Intriguing monikers included Dee Cap Attack, Iron Megan and Scarlet Leather playing with the Grave Dangers. The Heartless Heathers had Wetback Attack and Chynadoll Assassin. Wait a minute, maybe some of this is fake. Some demonstrated that falling while wearing fishnet stockings when competing can ruin your outfit.

Once play starts, teams of eight take the floor for two minute bouts. They then start over with the same teams. Thirty minutes of these rounds makes up a "jam." New teams then repeat the process for new scores. Portland won their first jam and then was badly beaten for two subsequent ones. Half time brought out a high intensity syncopated drum corps group, all wearing ear protectors. Go see it for yourself - heck of a job, Brownie.

Motley Fools

2011-04-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

You had to be there - and look very closely - to see that Kurt is wearing his "Motley Fools" logo tie. Does anyone remember early on in the age of the internet, in the halcyon days of investing (the 1990s) the brothers Tom and David Gardner who wrote several tomes on investing for amateurs under the moniker "Motley Fools?"

The apropos affair for this particular neck wear was a very tony reception at the restaurant Serrato in NW Portland. Our financial investment guys (they're no amateurs) threw a party to celebrate their tenth anniversary together at Vista. Lots of great hors d'oeuvres, wines, fellow investors, even a magician! These partners are young (we call them "the boys") smart, accomplished financiers and nice guys, too.

Theatre that's fun

2011-04-23T15:39:00.001-07:00

Readers' Theatre at the Old Church - great fun! An A.R. Gurney play, "The Cocktail Hour," in the hands of polished equity actors, was a wonderful way to spend a Thursday morning. "Cocktail Hour," first performed at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, is a comedy of upper class manners, set in the 70s, and loosely based on Gurney's own family. The son, a part time playwright, has written a play that his father fears is bound to embarrass the family. The father, who has all the best lines, together with the mother try to convince their son not to have the play produced.

I met up with Julie, Diane and Judy on their First Thursday play-reading outing. The church was full. Little old ladies spread their coats out to save seats before the performance - and so did we. Six dollars at the door or season tickets for $35 is a steal. Coffee from silver servers and cookies in the adjoining Fellowship Room are part of the price. There's a great chatter from the regulars before and after the play. One more performance, a musical, in May is scheduled before Readers' closes for the summer. I'm there.

Let's eat in

2011-04-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

GG met at our house on Saturday for more good grub. Apps by Julie and Susan: guacamole on Belgian endive, white bean brandade on crostini and pita triangles and marinated minted carrots were a meal in themselves. I was distracted by this gorgeous three month-old who came for a visit with her grandfather Steve at a crucial point in my paella. But how can you go too wrong with a big pan of this Spanish mainstay, especially with lots of vino tinto to accompany it? Jeri's blood orange, radicchio & butter lettuce salad was a definite keeper. And the piece d' resistance was Peggy's meringue w/ice cream, fresh strawberries and whip cream dessert. We've strayed a bit from our original moniker Gourmet Lite.

Rick and Jeri are off to Costa Rico and then Bangkok. Even I know you can't reasonably do this on a single trip. They will have two. Susan and David are considering a move to hello! Sellwood. They will build a house to fit the prevailing bungalow style of the neighborhood.

Table-reading right here in River City

2011-04-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

Our friend Rhona, the screenwriter, looking awfully serious here, rounded up an even dozen of her harshest critics for a table-reading of her "Magnet at the Ajax Cafe" screenplay. Well, we're always available as featured extras: Sean Penn's "Into the Wild"; Kurt's frequent appearances on Friends of the Library mailings; just hanging around local film shoots, so why not, indeed? Beer and pizza were to be had at the break. Rhona promises to thank us all at the Academy Awards when she accepts her prize for this comic take on love, academia, friendship and road trips. Her story put me in mind of "Bus Stop" with a similar theme: no one wants to be lonely/alone. Peter remember when you saw that movie at PCC Sylvania?

Bill remembers the cake for his own birthday

2011-04-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

Norma found places at the table for 14 at dinner for Bill's birthday in her condo. Greg and Karen appearing here for the first time at a family event as a married couple, have been together for 17 years. Karen said when Greg mentioned casually in January that they could get married in Hawaii, except that she wouldn't be able to get time off till next year. She was thinking "whatever," but looked over to see him on one knee. Obviously, she got the time off. They stayed at the hotel in Maui that later lost power and was evacuated for the tsunami in March.

Three-month old baby, in a rare moment out of her mother's arms, makes a great photo op for me. This particular little one is Julee's first grandchild. Mom Nicky yaks it up with her mom-in-law. We all had a fun baby-centered evening. Oh, and Bill thanked everyone for remembering yet another birthday.

Disaster Preparedness

2011-03-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm ready to forgive James Franco's stoner performance at the Oscars. I just saw him in his Academy-nominated film role in "127 Hours," and I can't get it out of my mind. We waited for the DVD; everyone else, of course, had already seen it in theaters everywhere. Under Danny Boyle's direction, the film languishes with hokey hallucinations as Franco portrays real life Aron Ralston in survival mode. But there's not a false move in Franco's portrayal of anguish trapped deep in a rocky crevasse in Utah's Mohave desert. As he tries desperately to free himself, I had to look away. In the film Franco's character comments ironically on the cheap made-in-China all-in-one tool he's brought with him. This morning Kurt unearthed his state of the art Gerber all-purpose tool (thanks to one of our sons who gave it to him years ago) and stowed it with our disaster - as in earthquake - gear. Oh, and I've heard from Peter the very good news that Billy Crystal might be returning as host of the Academy Awards next year!

You can't ignore my birthday

2011-03-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

Again with the wearin' a the green, St. Patrick's Day and my birthday. It's also oldest son Gregor's day - what are the chances?

Kurt suggested there might be a St. Eleanor if I could only chase the snails out of Oregon. So here I am with Al and Cathy who kindly treated us to breakfast at Helser's on Alberta Street. Earlier in the week I celebrated with my Pisces friends, Jeri and Susan at Higgins for lunch.

Mark and I shared a great corned beef birthday dinner at Annita's. Bill forgot the cake, so we had ice cream with candles.

Bigger than it looks

2011-03-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

At the "wake" for the Looking Glass Bookstore in our neighborhood on Sunday, everyone came to say how sorry we all were to see Karin and her charming store go. She's been in the book business thirty years. A few years ago she moved from her downtown location to Sellwood and it was instantly the go-to place for poetry readings, writers' groups, authors' book signings and a 10% discount on your total after ten purchases. Way better than a coffee card! On the final day there was music, food and wine, and laughs, too, along with regrets. Fronted by a renovated red caboose on the thirteenth Street side, you had to go inside to see that the caboose held the children's titles, but that the eclectic mix of adult reads filled two large rooms just beyond. One guy asked if he could buy the way bigger than it looks sign always posted out front.

Someone lamented that there must have been something the neighborhood could have done. Here's my idea before the next independent bookstore goes under. Don't be swayed by the prices at the big box stores like Costco and Target. Ask yourself if your Kindle offers the same pleasure as holding a book that couldn't be more portable. How about browsing through travel or cookbooks on a rainy afternoon in a comfy chair near a welcoming fire on the hearth? Goodbye and better luck next time Karin, Aaron and Charlie.

Quatre-vingt-dix

2011-03-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

This ageless lady, my mother's cousin Ruth, turned ninety on March 1, and her family threw a party in her honor.

The surviving brothers and sisters of nine Wilson siblings - Ruth, Jim, Nita and Bob.

Wilson McKibben hugs his Aunt Ruth.

My brother Ed and sister-in-law Debra brought along their new puppy Ginger, an Australian Blue-heeler. Ed wore the walking shoes he bought in Paris a few years ago. He's training the dog with help from the dog-whisperer. It's a whole new Debra who has healthfully lost 50 pounds and looks great!

Glam night out

2011-02-25T17:07:00.001-08:00

The gourmet group met for a post Valentines Day dinner at the Donaldsons' glamorous high rise condo in northwest Portland. The marble and steel decor: very uptown. Julie's kale and sausage stuffed turkey breast with caramelized brussels sprouts was a hit. My sweet potato brulee (really it's Mark Bittman's) set off the smoke alarm. Jeri's chocolate tart was a perfectly decadent finish to a great meal.

We were all charmed by Julie's vintage valentine collection and the Oriental dolls and, of course, Bob's wine. I couldn't capture the glorious city views from the twelfth floor balcony. This is going to be a hard act to follow!

A wine-tasting and "THX 1138"

2011-02-18T16:27:00.001-08:00

You got your cranky wine distributer and your happy imbibers. This was a scholarship fund-raising event at Story-Teller Wines off Macadam Blvd on Sunday. Ron and Ilga Ross, Kathleen Kuba, Peggy Hickman, Julie Donaldson and I are all enjoying the apps and the wines.

Then it was off to dinner and viewing the 1970s iconic science fiction film, George Lucas' first film, "THX 1138."

Diane and Michael's friend Maggie McOmie played the female lead opposite Robert Duvall (THX1138). Maggie (LUH 3417) explained that everyone in the film had to agree to lose the hair/go bald. As a bit of solidarity the crew shaved their heads as well.

It was fun recognizing locations in the Bay Area where the movie was made: the Caldecot Tunnel, Alameda/Webster street tube where Duvall is trying to flee in a Lola sports car, the still under construction Bart tunnel in San Francisco.

And after dinner we saw Maggie's personal copy of Lucas' student film on which THX was based. In the commentary Lucas said he was always making films about a character or characters trying to escape, e.g., the small town of Modesto in "American Graffitti."

Ahoy and goodbye to Nick

2011-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

My nephew Nick is off to the sprawling Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He leaves tomorrow for a tour of duty of 440 days plus. Didn't we think that place was closed or, at least, off our radar screens?

According to Wikipedia

Nine years ago the Bush administration sent the 1st Iraqi captives to Guantanamo Prison. At the time Amnesty International called the prison "an indictment" of the entire Bush administration. In January, 2009, President Obama said that the facility would be closed within the year. In December of 2009 prisoners were to be transferred to the Thomson Correctional Center in Illinois. Due to legal and legislative wrangling about prisoner status and related issues, 172 "detainees" are still being held at Guantanamo in two of the three original camps.

Saying Goodbye

Nick is leaving his family - wife Becky, cute, pose able daughter Kinsley, four year-old Noah and baby Lucas at the Naval base on Whidbey Island in Washington. His mom and step-dad threw a surprise pizza party at their home in Portland on Monday night to say goodbye. Noah liked the pizza; having his picture taken, not that much.

Becky will be busy!

Randy kept the pies coming for thirty or so party-goers. Ruth stayed calm while trying to gauge when Nick and family might show up.

Nick's Uncle Virgil quit drinking years ago.

Friend Jason, cousin Kevin and Nick's dad Al compared golf scores.

Again with the book group

2011-02-03T15:10:00.001-08:00

Anita and two of her daughters-in-law Chrissie and Leslie hosted our book group lunch at their iconic Portland Golf Club a week ago. The book "The House of Wittgenstein," the story of the "triumphs and tragedies of an eccentric family," proved quite tragic. This was the end of the Hapsburg monarchy. The Wittgensteins were an extremely wealthy Jewish family living in Vienna, Austria, between the World Wars. Torn between acquiescing or appeasing the Nazi regime thus giving up their great wealth or trying to disavow their Jewish heritage through claims that one grandfather was a bastard, the family was always under siege.

Author Alexander Waugh details the family tragedies including multiple suicides; middle son Paul, an accomplished pianist losing an arm in the war, yet prevailing as a successful concert performer. Younger brother Ludwig (given little ink in this story) was one of the great 20th century philosophers but estranged from the family. Yet prevail the Wittgensteins did. The family sacrificed great treasure to keep their beloved Winter Palais for two sisters. According to Waugh, the Palais was later bombed to rubble by Allied Forces. Read it for the history at your peril.

On a much lighter note

While getting gas the other day, the attendant noticed Kurt using the working edge of a squeegee to scrape bird droppings off the side of the car and commented, "We used to call that a hillbilly car wash." Whatever.

Pictures don't do it justice

2011-01-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Peter and Shannon as designer/owners and Peter as general contractor completely renovated the unfinished daylight basement of this home in Multnomah Village over a seventeen-day on site siege.

Don't try this at home
Note the breaker box - that is the total professional electrical contribution to wiring an entire kitchen, dining area, laundry room and deck area. Peter brought his own electrical skills to the project from having previously rewired his domicile home in Seattle.

Here you see Heath's building expertise at work in turning a former open stairway into an enclosed lower landing with peek-through feature. This effectively separates the lower apartment from the first floor living area. Credit Kurt with that range hood, the hook-up for the stainless steel dishwasher, plus uncounted hours in the unheated storage room cutting sheet rock and plywood for a built peninsula and more. what's a skilled Pop to do when one of his sons needs help? Brendan hauled materials, pulled wire and was Peter's right-hand man in many ways.

The softer side

Was Peter ever happy when after the first week hard at work, Shannon came home from a business trip to drill out and install cabinet hinges, change out cabinet door pulls, take on some of the heavy materials lifting, install cork floor tiles in a labor-intensive team w/Peter and Kurt throughout half the apartment (she was the only one who read all the instructions) and finally spending many hours installing back splash throughout the kitchen. She also provided crew lunches every day, made Home Depot and Ikea runs, added design know-how and kept up business conference calls.

My contribution, aside from putting a lot of mileage on my pedometer while sacrificing our only car for most of two weeks, was sending over a few home-cooked meals, providing bed and board for Peter while he was batching (hey, that was the fun part) and worrying about the two of them getting little sleep, driving supply trucks and having anything to do with electricity or ladders??

I declare the project beautiful and a job well done!

Restaurant Gift Certificates

2011-01-17T12:39:00.000-08:00

The tastes, including guacamole with fried garlic, Ahi tuna wrapped in banana leaves and fish stew, were quite good. The wine, an Australian Shiraz, a virtual bargain at $24. Trebol on North Albina in Portland has fine, quiet ambiance, too. So, what's my gripe? The restaurant's $50 gift certificate policy, one that requires a close reading online and in print for the recipient to collect. The stated policy includes "minimum purchase of $100; 20% gratuity added prior to discount; excludes Happy Hour; may only use one (1) ctf. per month" and most puzzling of all. "Validation Line: DO NOT CALL this # unless you are a restaurant owner or employee." It goes on to warn that if you do call, it will "invalidate your certificate."

Derek and Dorothy wanted us to have a nice experience and maybe try a restaurant we hadn't been to before. And perhaps all these restrictions might not have been so outrageous except that entrees were all under $20. If you go with a gift ctf., take another couple. It would be difficult to make this work for two people. Three entrees (we took a friend), a shared appetizer, bottle of wine, a dessert and three coffees got us to $103 - just enough to qualify - tack on gratuity of 20% and the bill totals over $120. Our gift included two of these ctfs., only one of which we could use that month, and $100 cash. We'll try Trebol again. In the meantime, Derek says in future he won't use restaurant.com.

Out our window

2011-01-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 1.4.11 - my granddaughter Annika's tenth birthday. If ever there was a sweeter, more beautiful child than this... Here she is with her dad and her grandmother at 2:15 in the morning saying goodbye to Kurt and me at the train station in Chico after Christmas.

Traveling south on the Coast Starlight, so named because most of the trip is after dark, Amtrak now offers a wine tasting. For this no-frills event (chunks of cheddar and baskets of soda crackers accompany the wines) we're allowed in the parlor car. At all other times this dubious venue is reserved for sleeping-car passengers only. Anyway, it is a nice distraction from a headache-inducing and out of control child in our coach, who at two-years of age screamed "no," cursed and defied his father for hours and generally screamed without a break. Train staff said they were trying to ply him with chamomile tea, but no luck.

Out our window on the trip home, we enjoyed snowy landscapes, snowplows at work and a nice oral history of the region by two women from the historical societies of Eugene and Klamath Falls. According to them, wagon trains came this way through the mountains.

Happy New Year!!

Best news today

2011-01-04T13:25:00.000-08:00

Monday 1.3.2010

The best news of the day: Jerry Brown is back as governor of California. As we've all heard, Brown was the youngest governor of the state when he was elected to the office in 1974 and served two terms; now, at 72, he will be the oldest.

In his inaugural speech this day, Brown promised austerity in state government to overcome a projected $28.5 billion deficit under the Republican administration with outgoing Governor Arnold (Hummer) Schwarzenegger in charge. The unemployment rate when Brown was sworn in the first time in 1975 was 9.4 percent; currently it is 12.4 percent on the trailing edge of another recession. He opened his inaugural speech with the iconic "California, I'm back, back where I belong, right back where I started from."

Really makes me miss California ways with a dedicated, smart pol with a sense of humor as governor.

Christmas with the granddaughters (and their parents)

2011-01-01T15:35:00.001-08:00

Astrid, Annika and Gregor met us at the Chico train station in the middle of the night - 4:45 am - when they should have been sleeping. After all, the girls said, they'd never seen a train come in before.

The fun began almost immediately! After admiring the most beautiful Christmas tree of the season - and pulling an all-nighter on the train - Kurt went right to bed. Our coach seats offered more room than those on an airplane, but still. In no particular order, we made Christmas cookies, had an impromptu violin concert, went mall shopping, took walks where Astrid showed off her RipStick skills, all this just two days before Christmas.
Christmas Eve was delightful with Gregor's three-meat lasagna, basil vinaigrette-dressed green salad and lemon-meringue bars. We tucked into this feast after opening poppers with a bang and blowing the whistles and donning the paper crowns inside.
Later that night Gregor and I drove into Chico from the Krause house in Oroville to drop off gifts and to say hello to Uncle Derek and Aunt Dorothy who had just gotten into town from Oakland.
In the meantime Tracy was stitching a quilt square for a retiring colleague at Butte. That was when she wasn't knitting gifts for all of us family, and friends, or felting hats for women who've undergone chemo treatment for cancer.

We had an adventurous Christmas Day when the power went out in a six-block grid right in the middle of dinner preparations. All the candles in the house - and Tracy has a roomful - came out; the ham went on the outdoor grill in a light rain and the sides cooked as planned on the gas range burners lit with a match. Could have been worse: Next-door neighbor Kay reported that her husband Dan wore a miners' light to carve their turkey.

Frosty the Snowwomen on our porch

2010-12-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

The Holy Names girls' basketball team serenades us at our front door on a cold evening just a few days before Christmas. This group of absolutely adorable girls rang our bell and sang "Frosty the Snowman" as part of a canned food collection drive for their school. I don't need to tell you, their extemporaneous concert got us in the holiday spirit like nothing else had. Merry Christmas one and all.

Christmas at the Rauhs

2010-12-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

From the gourmet food and wine to the great friends to the gorgeously decorated tree bought years ago in Paris, it was another sweet and grand Christmas celebration at the Rauhs!

I took miniature latkes - 65 or so, but who's counting - with traditional sour cream and applesauce and also smoked salmon and gorgonzola cheese toppings. Jeri served a beautiful crown roast pork; Peggy a festive greens with blood orange salad; Julie a delicious family favorite carrot casserole and Susan a delectable pumpkin molded Christmas pudding.

I'm glad it's Christmas so we can have this trad dessert.

Perfectly roasted to 140 degrees and the ribs wearing the little white hats that, Ruth Reichel says, "they once had to wear in polite society," Jeri pulls the piece de resistance from the oven. Our gourmet group - still going strong after 12 or 13 years - is about way more than the food, but a spread like this doesn't hurt!

Saturnalia II

2010-12-14T10:48:00.001-08:00

This party had it all - style, elegance, atmosphere, great food and champagne, good company and drama.

Robert, in top hat, and his wife Karen really know how to throw a party for 150 or so of their closest friends and neighbors.

Engraved invitations for Champagne at seven, dinner at eight, cigars and port at midnight and printed menus, arrive in the mail. We clear our calendar. The Pences once again cater a mind-boggling number of buffet items (three entrees), passed appetizers and on and on to Croquembouche and assorted sweets - rum almond cakes topped with chocolate anyone?

We ate dinner with our friends Teresa and George, husband and wife doctors who always host our summer street barbecue, and Gretchen and Bert. Bert is the founder of many of the Best Places research statistical publications and he plays a mean guitar and performs professionally as Hank Sinatra. Having Teresa on site proved very handy when an 80 year old anesthesiologist from OHSU went pale and unconscious and his hysterical wife fainted in sympathy. Teresa ministered to him as 911 was summoned. Then our own engine 20 pulled up out front and hauled them both off. Enough Hollywood (or at least Eastmoreland) flair and drama for all.

The day I read a book

2010-12-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Durante sang it and Scott Simon sometimes uses it to introduce a book segment on NPR: "Once I read a book; I remember it well, the day I read a book."

My book group reads many books and in December we read Anchee Min's fictional account of Pearl Buck growing up in China (why), and Buck's "The Good Earth." The first unmemorable, I thought, and the second: didn't read it decades ago and only gave it short shrift now. Reading currently, The House of Wittgenstein by Alexander Waugh, grandson of Evelyn The book group is not really all that serious and still quite fun.

Lodging for Thanksgiving

2010-11-29T15:37:00.000-08:00

It was an exciting, clear and cold and very fun Thanksgiving at Skamania Lodge 0n the Columbia River. Peter and Shannon met us there on Thanksgiving morning; we checked into our room and headed for the lobby to enjoy coffee and hot chocolate by the massive fireplace decorated for the holidays. With the giant Christmas tree as a backdrop, Shannon told us about her 10 1/2 hours in the company van two days earlier trying to get home from her office in Federal Way. Seattle was shut down under a fast-moving winter storm, and she was left to Blackberry Peter about their progress - or lack of - and to eat Top Ramen from a Seven-Eleven store when the van pulled in to refuel.

Dinner in the diner

With our 4:30 reservations for the lavish buffet dinner, we weren't nearly so deprived. But first we hiked around the lake and the golf course and returned to the lodge to soak in the natural stone outdoor hot tub. When you're staying one night you have to be fast to fit it all in.

No after Thanksgiving winery touring

That night it snowed and freezing rain iced up the Columbia Gorge. After breakfast Kurt and Peter scraped snow and ice off the cars and chained up for the drive home. By midday it had warmed up enough to head for Portland via a de-iced highway 14 on the Washington side of the river. Chains, as it turned out, were only needed for the parking lot and the driveway down to the highway. Peter and Shannon stayed with us for the rest of the weekend, and we loved sharing Peter's movie "Orson and Me." A holiday to remember!

Lunch at the Allison Inn

2010-11-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

Putting up the Christmas lights.

Seems I'm wearing the same outfit in every post picture. Honestly, I do occasionally go home and do laundry. Ilene, Darlene, Ilma and I had lunch at "Jory" at the Allison Inn in Newberg, the heart of the wine country. My burger with log-like French fries was very good. Everyone else had salmon sliders. The hot cider is served in cinnamon-sugar-rimmed glasses.

The Inn is an 85 room/suite hotel, pretentious and expensive and definitely a destination spot. The dream of one woman who developed the site. It is surrounded by, but not part of, Pinot Noir vineyards. The building impresses with natural wood and stone exteriors and valley views. They were stringing Christmas lights at the entrance when we arrived. The four of us talked about upcoming holiday plans, kids that hardly ever disappoint and travel - Ilene just returned from a French cruise and will leave soon for Hawaii. Why ever would you want to escape this rain and cold?

Rhona scores a hit

2010-11-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

Rhona, right, with Joanne.
Anne Marie had a sit-down Sunday night dinner to celebrate Rhona's finalist status in the Womens' Film Forum screenwriting contest - and to brag about her and Rhona's red carpet treatment in Hollywood.

The two made their way to the city of a thousand dreams attended business and presentation seminars, had great food and attempted to drive in LA. Rhona made her near-perfect pitch for her screenplay, "The Magnet of Ajax" (Get me rewrite!) Just joshing, Rhona. I'm jealous - but I still wish you the best.

Another day/another birthday

2010-11-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Norma's birthday a few days early; she leaves on her birthday for a nine day tour of the southern coast of Spain beginning in Malaga, and continuing to Gibralter and Morocco. I made a big seafood paella for nine and forgot to take a picture of it. Everyone loved the main dish; for the recipe and a picture of chef Pat Mendola's, see the blog at www.eastmorelandmarket.com. Norma promises to bring me saffron from her trip.

My doctor keeps his sense of humor

Love my new laptop. But with a flat keyboard replacing the ergonomically-engineered one on my old desktop, Kurt was convinced I would be sorry for my choice. Then last week my left wrist swelled and was dreadfully painful. Since I'm left-handed and this was my left, I could do virtually nothing for days. The doctor ordered up x-rays to rule out a break or torn ligament from a fall I'd taken. I told him that my husband was convinced it was carpal tunnel from my keyboard.

The doc immediately ruled that out, but couldn't resist adding, "If he had been right, it would be the first time in recorded history that a husband was right." Guys have got to hang together. Anyway, all is fine and I'm now back at it.

Walkin' the walk

2010-11-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

We only knew that the Springwater bike and pedestrian path had been closed for months for resurfacing and new interval gates. It took a heads-up at the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Assn meeting to find out more.

Nearby Tideman-Johnson Park abuts the trail, and volunteers have been working on their own, and in concert with the city, restoring Johnson Creek wetlands here. The "Friends of Tideman-Johnson" won a 2010 watershed Council "Riffle Award" and are making a huge difference.

Along the trail we took a short walk to Crystal Springs creek with its historic stone banks and a charming waterfall.

Having nothing to do with parks, creeks or trails, we were at the Surfrider Resort in Depoe Bay in October for a Tigard class trip. Weather was sensational and it was a fun stay. The Surfrider has great ocean views, but it's no resort.

Stoves for third-world countries

2010-10-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

Solving poverty and displacement issues and providing disaster relief around the world is "complex, beautifully complex," our guide at Mercy Corps headquarters told us.

A group of women from AAUW toured the impressive new building on a sunny Monday recently. Teams of engineers and other trained personnel from Mercy Corps go into third-world countries where they work on clean water issues, education for girls and even provide families with small $20 propane stoves that protect the forests and save women and girls' lives, we were told.

I especially liked hearing about the local workshops and matching funds given to low-income families wanting to start their own business. A laughing not-so-young Russian couple shown in one video stood over steaming pots and pans in their popular food cart restaurant made possible with Mercy Corps help right here in river city.

After the tour we had lunch at Habibi, an appropriately middle-eastern restaurant in the neighborhood.

Some unpublished photos/comments

2010-10-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Lunch with Peggy on her patio at her retirement home in Walnut Creek. She keeps track of all the folks who live there whether they like it or not.

One of my favorite comments of the week in Calistoga was when Valerie said of her Scottish mother that she "didn't write checks." And Cora heard it as "She didn't like sex?" Valerie thought maybe that, too.

Another exhibition running at the art center was "Blossoms and Thorns" photographs of the abandoned greenhouses of Japanese nurserymen during WWII.

Below: the Russian church and garden in Calistoga.

Calistoga dreamin'

2010-10-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Got home from Calistoga to find the espaliered Christmas camellias in our yard blooming. OMG can the holidays really be that near? And I'm wearing J Crew camp socks on cold mornings already. I'd forgotten how much fun the Calistoga Spa & Hot Springs with good friends could be. All such superb cooks, too. Though we did manage to eat three lunches out at great local restaurants. Here we all are at Go Fish in St. Helena.

Sylvia and I had lattes every morning thanks to her brought from home espresso machine. When the foam wasn't flying, or we weren't soaking in the hot water, reading, eating well or talking, we walked around town. Spotted a couple of hot air balloons w/wicker baskets.

Valerie, Cora and I visited the little Russian Orthodox church, brought here from Fort Ross, and the convent next door where eleven nuns live. This old Victorian-era hospital is crumbling and fenced off for probable demolition.

On our way home we visited the Richmond Art Center to see Garry Bennett's fine furniture and lighting exhibition "75 at 75." Sylvia's done all the promotion on this show of Garry's work.

Not your usual home tour

2010-10-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Julie, Julie and I toured homes in Salem on the annual Assistance League Cooks Tour on September 27, a cool thing to do on a very hot day. This period design home, one of nine in Deer Lake Court open that day, was built in 2001. A classic, true to a turn-of-the-last-century design, and an exception in the neighborhood. Each of the other homes in this development built between 1984-1992, was remodeled with great care in the current decade and all had vast acreages of manicured lawns and landscaping.

Afterward Julie D. on the left, who had lived in Salem for many years, was happy to drive Julie S. and me around interesting neighborhoods. Even more fun: shopping in her friends' small shops and galleries off Commercial Street.

Renowned potter Annie Strecker (in apron) built her outdoor pizza oven and served yummy flatbread apps from it in her outdoor kitchen. We toured her pottery studio; and I loved the fountain with broken pottery instead of river rock. Don't try this at home.

On the beach

2010-09-28T13:51:00.001-07:00

We got a lot of mileage out of our stories of cleaning up the beach as part of the SOLV program last Saturday. So here we are with some of our loot. Lots of spent fireworks debris - blown out beer cans, broken glass, fishing line, cigarette butts, plastic bags and - my weirdest - an oversize, sandy flip-flop. Kurt's: a broken wooden seat from a surfboard. We had gorgeous weather AND stayed two nights in the beautiful Cape Kiwanda Cottages. What can I say...every amenity. Think heated tile floors in the bathrooms, a full-on sound system, flat-screen tvs, fully-appointed kitchen - granite counters. And the cottages give new meaning to "right on the beach."

Are we interested in buying a "fractional share" of these lovely homes, even at deeply discounted prices? If it means we're committed to this place in lieu of Europe every couple of years, maybe not so much. Everyone was great to us. We had a gourmet dinner at the "Delicate Palete" right here in river city and another at the Pelican Pub. But still...

Wrapping up summer

2010-09-28T11:45:00.001-07:00

Kurt was on a panel with former Governor Vic Atiyeh at the Tualatin Historical Center in August.

The connection: back in the eighties when Atiyeh was governor, Kurt was on the site committee and part of Admin at Fujitsu. Atiyeh was on the side of the angels, bringing jobs to Oregon in an economic downturn of huge proportions. Atiyeh said when he retired he told his brothers that he was not going back in the rug business.

We enjoyed seeing old friends Ron and Olga and new neighbors Winnie and Andrew here for dinner. Both relocated from California.

My annual high school picnic. I'm the one in teal, blending in, which is what I think I did in HS, too. From left to right: classmates Eunice, Eddie and Clarann. They're not throwing the frisbee, but getting ready to try the barbecue from Eddie's Sausage Kitchen. Clarann and I have known each other since first grade.
Ann shows off her new kitchen with lunch for the neighbors. The contractor thought of everything - interior cabinet lighting, fancy Pratt & Larson backsplash, programmable gas range.

Wooden Boats

2010-09-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

The best thing about the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend this year - besides seeing old friends - is the new Northwest Maritime Center. Finally completed after years of fund-raising, this massive building right on the waterfront is a showcase of boat-building workshops, meeting rooms, kids center, gift and and sandwich shop.

I chose Brion Toss' seminar: "Rigging Tool Tales" from an agenda of scheduled talks on everything from "Caring for Your Sextant" to "Cruising French Canals." Learning more than I needed to know about wire-wrapping rope to the importance of halyards - you don't really want to lose an unattached tool overboard - and a trained crew, I enjoyed Brion's great sense of humor. One of his last bits of advice, "There's always time to ruin the whole thing," We're talking ropes here, but these words could be a life lesson.

And when we were tired of perusing the boats afloat, the bookshops downtown and a few of the Historic homes in town, we retired to our room at the Quimper Inn. Owners Ron and Sue Ramage are good friends now after hosting our PT stays for many years. They had dinner on Saturday night at the Inn for twelve of us, most of whom had shared a chateau in Normandy in 2007. This was a trip we missed having just returned from our own French foray.

On Vashon

2010-09-11T21:37:00.000-07:00

Ate at the Hardware Cafe, walked on the beach and took in quaint buildings at the Robinson Point Lighthouse built in 1915. The Keeper's and Assistant Keeper's houses can be rented for short stays - expensive though!

Visited the Blue Heron Art Center where a busy staff was talking up the upcoming art auction on 24 & 25 Sept. We bought a proxy raffle ticket and chose the painting we wanted if we won. Then on to the Silverwood Gallery in Burton. Loved local artist Ted Kutscher's oil paintings displayed here in an annual exhibition. Among European and local subjects, he also painted the Burton coffee stand just outside the gallery where we had a latte.

From the road

2010-09-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

Vashon Island: it's all about artists and farmers, according to Jacqueline, the Artist's Studio Loft B&B owner, where we stayed for a night and a day. Over the course of 18 years creating this beautiful, cottaged place just out of Vashon Town, she seems to have abandoned her art for farming, or at least gardening. Jacqueline and her significant 0ther Lance gave us a tour of all six rooms and cottages and the grounds, metal sculptures by Lance, meditative walkways, ponds and potting places.

And for breakfast, fresh figs from Jacqueline's trees alongside perfect cheesy scrambled eggs. We'll be back.

I wouldn't be writing this now without Peter's expertise, patience and persistence over three days setting up all the new Microsoft 7 programs and drilling me in every bit of the techy bits of my new Gateway laptop, and even then planning our itinerary in Seattle. God love him. Kurt and Shannon bored while we computed.

Here we are at the delicious in every way Odd Fellows Cafe next to Elliott Bay Books on Tenth St. in Capitol Hill. Folks at Elliott Bay say they like the new location - more room, better light, foot traffic, too. Odd Fellows Cafe staff invite us to wash our hands in the bar sink here. Explored the chic new Melrose Market in a high-ceilinged, century-old car repair building. This complex of shops within the market includes a cheese shop, meat market, flower shop and glitzy restaurant. Earlier in the day we walked around Green Lake with Shannon, stopping midway for hot chocolate.

:) :) :) Goodbye to all that!

2010-09-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

With my - some would say - typical willfulness and not a little advice from friends, I've replaced my musty desk top PC with a new laptop. Oh no, does this mean I have to read another online manual? Even if that's so, I'm looking forward to posting some updates on my blog.

To celebrate this whole new techy thing -as our great leader used to say -we went to the last barbecue of the summer in John and Caprial Pence' garden. Good and plentiful appetizers of individual flatbread pizzas, deep-fried fish quenelles and homemade hummus on toasts were followed by delicious chilled tomato soup with seafood quenelles. The entree of beef brisket - cured and slow-cooked for 24 hours - disappointed with tough sinew - and was served with fresh corn succotash and baked beans?? Coconut cake was a dreamy finish; no coffee. We sat next to the fun and generous Andy and Mary Jane at long tables sharing life stories and a great Walla Walla Ecole #41 wine.

Tech support

2010-08-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

Maybe you've noticed my absence - or perhaps not - but my computer crashed. Dean Truen, our new tech support, hooked the computer up to life support at his shop & on reading the message, your memory has been corrupted or is missing spoke the words no one wants to hear, "This looks very bad." Turns out it wasn't the end of the world as we know it. Something about the drive being partitioned and all my files & documents were still there safe from the virus-infected section. He said he would back everything up (lesson #1) and reload it.

Days went by. Hey, does it matter that Dean has a busy small shop selling cell-phones and karaoke machines while repairing computers by himself? Oh, and a wife, who also has a full-time job, and children, the youngest at two years-old, who has to be dropped off at day care each morning? I say no, I'm completely at a loss w/o my computer and crowding on to Kurt's for reading email, doing any kind of research or ordering on line. Not to mention blogging!

The really bad news came when we went to pick it up. We watched the sign on screen in a continuous loop, unable to connect. Dean of the flying fingers would keep my computer a bit longer to address himself to this latest problem. Last Saturday with twelve guests coming for dinner at our house, Dean called saying my "rebuilt" computer was ready for pick up. When he explained to Kurt that my pictures (all 1900 of them) I know; I know (lesson #2) were scattered around wherever there was room - like driving around in a full lot trying to find a place to park your car, he said. Kurt told him that the pictures had to be back in one file. More time needed.

Dean is a magician at the computer keyboard and self-described value-added retailer. When, finally, the computer was ready, he demonstrated all the bells and whistles he had added - symphony music playing thru my speakers at the touch of a button comes to mind - he said there would be no extra charge. There had been the wait, after all.

I'm getting back to blogging. Only trouble is it's on Kurt's computer because everything's working except my Internet connection. And isn't that the whole idea?

Dinner on the deck

2010-08-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful evening in the West Hills at Susan and David's for our latest gourmet group dinner. Here's Julie holding my very berry sherbet dessert. She brought an avocado and shrimp ring mold appetizer - delicious and impressive (until her husband Bob spilled wine on it). Just joshing, Bob and Julie, funny because it's the kind of thing I might do!

Before dinner Charlie tells Bob and Jeri about playing in a charity golf event on his new knee. At the finish he was still standing, but tired, he said.

Peggy and Rick - none of us were invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding, so we were able to snipe about it. Should she really have told her dad to lose 20 pounds? I think not, just on princliple. And besides he looked gaunt, not good, after the weight loss.

David giving Kurt barbecue instructions - or was it computer help.

Portland plays Boston

2010-08-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Portland stands in for Boston as the setting for the televi- sion show "Leverage." Alerted that the crew would be filming off the Springwater Trail near the Sellwood Bridge, we tracked them down on a recent shoot. The loose premise of the show is bringing justice to the good guys by doing damage to the bad ones who've cheated them or done them wrong - Robinhood-like.

After the set-up includ- ing a train with an engine, half a dozen graffitied freight cars and a right-out-of-the railroad museum caboose on a rail spur in Sellwood, they're ready to go. First the train moves back and forth to get the right speed and perfect landing spot for the jumpers. Then we see the stuntwoman and stuntman climb up on the rail of the Sellwood Bridge and leap off onto the moving train below.
Yaah, they make it safely. Here she is on top of the train. We saw him later as well. We'll watch the show online or on Sunday nights to catch the storyline of this episode. It's only a show.

Bryan holds forth at birthday bash

2010-07-31T12:27:00.001-07:00

Later that evening we're at Bryan and Margo's. Bryan took center stage - and held it -weighing in on everything from undocumented workers at the plant (no last names, please) to the hearsay of global warming: "Is that why we had the coldest spring on record?" Here I am with Bryan's mother Annita; neither of us could get a word in while Bryan did funny, outrageous standup all night.

His sister Alison got there late, but is that any excuse for not giving her a chance to say anything? She and I had prime seats on the deck and great views of the river and the jet-skiers. Bryan finds these mechanized annoyances (the jet skis) distressing in the extreme; he did everything he could, short of actually shooting them out of the water with his slingshot, to highlight his point of view.

His brother Mark and his uncle Kurt - and the rest of us - talked among ourselves. Julee's husband Tim (not pictured) proved a ready foil and a great fan of Bryan's outrageousness, laughing at all his jokes and his over-the-top observations.

Bryan at last makes himself useful. Here he is grilling superb brots, served with sauerkraut and all the fixin's. And blowing out the candles on the cake. His name burned off the chocolate iced decor when the cake shifted as Margo was bringing it out to the balcony. The lit candles tipped over and, Bob's your uncle, eliciting the query, "Hey, where's my name?" There is a kind of random justice.

Hey, just kidding Bryan. We love you; it was your birthday. And we know you were just doing your best Joey from "Friends" imitation: How you doin? Great, how YOU doin?
And I had fun roasting you on my blog. Happy Birthday!

J'aime ces choses

2010-07-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

This French Flea Market on Saturday by CoCo & Toulouse Go Shopping had so many French and funky things to browse through and to buy, and none so tres cher! "Coco's" owners - as the name suggests - go shopping for their charming merchandise in Paris. Once a year they have a large sale in their parking lot. What fun. Local baker, Rachel, from The Sugar Fairy, put on a show with her wonderful hand-decorated miniature cupcakes. There was "cheap" champagne and French music, too. I stocked up on a few gifts, a Hobo handbag - at half price - for myself and best of all a hand-painted wooden mermaid kitchen clock. I should have snapped up the lot of these - all different. Any of my daughters-in-law would have loved them.

Here's Rachel being very careful with her little gems. Can you imagine the work & the passion that goes into these tiny gems?

Barbecue at the lake

2010-07-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Maybe the only things better than the beautiful firs, gorgeous, sparkling Detroit lake and the wilderness setting at Ed and Deb's are the family and friends that come to this annual barbecue. Here are my cousin Loren with my brothers Al and Ed. And Loren's wife Sylvia and I talking old family times.

Blurry pic of nephew Daniel with me and my sister-in-law Cathy.

Ed and Deb with a new neighbor whose home under-construction we toured and Jamie, Daniel's wife.

Jamie, my niece Susan and her husband Mike. Do you like the gun collection?

Susan and her son with Ed and Deb's good friend and sous chef, Linda. "Though this year," Ed said, "I'm cooking the burgers!"

These new lake homeowners said they feel like they're in a treehouse. You can see why. They live in Gresham; he is a radiologist and had just flown in from Boston. Together they are taking a look at how their summer home is coming along.

Astrid scores - & is the subject of - some great photos

2010-07-22T11:17:00.001-07:00

Fourth of July from morning - when we joined the parade - till night when we watched the fireworks and Astrid took a self-portrait.

What can you say about this perfect age, eleven? Astrid just turned eleven on - wait for it - 7/11. She chose to go to camp this summer to study Greek myths. Though "actually, it was mostly about crafts and games," she says. Still she is the go-to girl on Greek mythology, Percy Jackson stories, winning art projects and photography. And yet she still likes to feed ducks with her grandpa, join in a parade, compete with her sister, and just hang out with us for awhile.

Annika with her prize-winning origami butterflies at the Silver Dollar Fair in Chico.

Watching fireworks on the Willamette River bank.

Up close and personal feeding grain to the ducks at the Rhododendrun garden.

A balancing act that 65 pounds can't quite accomplish.

Making food look good in pictures is harder than you think: these are Astrid's photos of barbecue in our backyard.
A rare picture of Al with a drink in his hand. It was lemonade, I think.