I like Portland weather partly because I have no choice. I repeatedly re-embrace it in a cognitively dissonant way, forcing myself to think: It's exciting! It's variety! It's opportunity! instead of: Oh this sucks!
New City
Festivating
Learning the challenges of a new music festival, but this year the fun-meter was on high.
Roll On Columbia
A road trip to see more of the Columbia River turned into a discovery of history, economy, ecology, geography, and as always, beauty.
But What About the Weather?
Weather is the quintessential superficial conversation topic. In Southern California there's not much to say about it. Sunny today, sunny tomorrow, sunny next week. Now I have four winters under my belt, and everyone asks, "So, how are you liking the weather?"
Falling for Portland
I didn't fall in love with Portland right away. I wasn't all that impressed during our many visits early on. It felt more like a blind date, a set-up by our daughter. Portland was an occasional fling, not marriage material. Landing at the airport on the northeast end of town, we drove through the grittiest … Continue reading Falling for Portland
Changing For Good
I set out alone from Santa Barbara on a hot July day, my little sedan packed to the brim, and cruised north along Highway 101. The one key I owned was to my car. I had just finished packaging up my life, to leave the place I'd lived for 32 years. I was alternately thrilled … Continue reading Changing For Good
Bottom’s Up
Here's the thing about retirement. I look at the weather forecast, I look at the calendar, conclude that nothing can't be postponed, and look for a new place to explore. If it's hot I look for a shady hike, and if it's cold I look for one in the open. If it's been pouring I … Continue reading Bottom’s Up
Over the River and Through the Woods: A Tale of Two Bridges
Big city driving is confusing, and if you don't know where you're going, you end up somewhere else. The complicated, unfamiliar choices come at you fast. Just trying to navigate along one side of the river, you somehow end up on a bridge to the other side. At which point there's no turning around. "Wait, why … Continue reading Over the River and Through the Woods: A Tale of Two Bridges
City Girl Country Girl
Our house is perched on the outermost edge of the southwest corner of southwest Portland. That is to say, as far from the center as you can get. Having lived in suburban type towns all my life, I vowed to keep my activities directed north and east - into Portland itself, away from the outskirts. … Continue reading City Girl Country Girl
New City Friending
It turns out making friends is harder and slower now than when I was younger. I'm not in school, I don't have a workplace, I'm not raising kids, and I don't have old friends introducing me to new friends, or inviting me to parties. Those old ways to friendship are gone. We planned for retirement … Continue reading New City Friending
