Category Archives: patterns
suds…
Our front load washer has been broken ever since we hauled it across the U.S. of A. in JUNE. Ever since we discovered it was broken, we’ve had to take our wash every week to the local laundry mat. I dream about the day when we can afford to purchase another front load washer and have the freedom to wash when I please.
In the meantime, it’s a lot of this…
southwest
The weather in Portland has finally turned. I think. This week it’s been rainy one day and overcast the next. I realized how quickly I’ve already acclimated to being a duck in the northwest when I arrived at the Sacramento Airport yesterday. I think I about melted as I waited outside on the curb for my mom to pick me up. Wow that Sacramento Fall sunshine is warm.
fall colors
On Monday afternoon, I did volunteer work for Step It Up, Inc. I was asked to go to Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt’s (2nd largest law firm in Oregon) employee workplace giving campaign kick off luncheon and present on behalf of Step It Up, Inc. I thought. Easy. Piece of cake. This was my job at the American Cancer Society in Charlotte. I would love to do this volunteer job today!
Little did I realize that Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt’s office is on the 19th floor in downtown Portland across the street from city hall. Way cool! Of course, I was totally distracted by the incredible views all around the building.
lifestyle.
I can’t get enough of the skyline these days. This storm passing through has been incredible to watch. If you didn’t already know, I have a fascination with the sky; the clouds and the shapes that it creates. I think this bike scene is the epitome of the lifestyle and culture that Portland embraces.
I think I’ve made a real storm chaser of myself.
storm.
I’ve been trying to capture this storm that is passing through the west coast. This shot was taken looking east fom the city of portland, oregon. Just about mid-center of this photo is Mt. Hood. By the looks of the clouds over Mt. Hood, it’s getting some serious weathering over there!
This shot was taken looking west – into the city of portland – over Hawthorne. 
compassion
In September, while touring my mom throughout Portland we stumbled upon two monks from the Mangyal Monastery (home of the Dalai Lama) – who were creating a Compassion sand mandala for 2 days at a store in the pearl district called Cargo. The Venerable Ngawang Chojor (on the left), is a senior monk who apparently was in Seven Years In Tibet with Brad Pitt. What I found most amazing is that once this mandala was finished, there was going to be a dismantling ceremony as a metaphor for impermanence of all things. It is believed that witnessing the creation of a mandala develops ties within the people in attendance and that it also strengthens community.
Have you ever witnessed a mandala being created?
sapphire.
The Sapphire Hotel on SE 50th and SE Hawthorne in Portland, was once known to be a hotel frequented by sailors, lovely ladies looking for a good time, and common folk stumbling in to pay those ladies a good visit. Most of them would rent rooms at an hourly rate, over night, or by the week as a gathering place to hang their hats.
Today, the hotel has been converted into what I call a swanky lounge where people still gather for swirly drinks, chatty conversation, and tantalizing food. In this photo, I was trying to capture the paper lights, amber lighting, and the overall ambience of the lounge.
This is what I captured.
Incentive.
Last night Kari and I decided to go for a brisk walk in our neighborhood. You see, the weather is turning here in Portland. We’ve decided to practice a Fall / Winter habit that no matter how cold it gets, no matter how rainy and wet it is outside that we’ll push ourselves out the front door for some fresh air and exercise. I think we did alright last night as we ended up at one of our favorite bars up the street for happy hour. We already feel like “Norrrrm” when we walk inside Vintage, because the bar owner always looks up and gives us a warm greeting and usually says, “What’ll it be tonight, ladies?”
Last night, the bar owner came over to our table to chat it up with us since we last paid him a visit. He immediately thanked me for posting this picture on his fb “Become a Fan” wall and said, “That’s a great picture by the way.” I quickly responded, “Well thank you. That was quite an experience tasting that flight of Scotch.”
