Ah Alberta

You never know what you will see on Alberta Street. This is the last corner of Portland were the truly weird can come out and play and everyone expects it. It’s like Halloween every Last Thursday all year long. Someone, some years back, found out about the creatives who called this part of the world their home. Driven from the ever increasing property rents on the west side of Portland, they packed their art supplies and headed across the river to the less genderfied part of town, where gunshots were the bedtime lullaby. But art happened, and Alberta Street began to come around. Unfortunately, so did the money. Developer have started to come in and built condos, run down Victorian homes have been snapped up by young professionals, and the community is starting to change. Well, almost change. Diehards still hang out along the sidewalks’ Last Thursday selling anything and everything. They call it “art.” The few galleries in the area open their doors to the gawkers, and restaurants and bars make out like bandits.
It’s a happening and people come from all parts of the Portland area to enjoy the festive atmosphere that is called Last Thursday on Alberta Street. An array of clothing, home made foods, and crafts share the sidewalks with the creatives. It’s a social happening for the vendors as well as the gawkers.

Art is placed on the fence, on tables, hung on a board and walked around the street, or in this case, on the ground, where instant celebrity, Michael Patterson-Carver was discussing his views on political action.Spontaneous musical groups unpack instruments and attract a crowd of well wishers. People drink, and walk, and discuss politics, movies, books, and who is here. One act that will be missing are the clowns from the clown house. The property has been sold to a developer. We all worry where the clowns will go. One went to jail this evening. I’m not sure why. Do you think it was because of the diapers he was wearing?
The police were out tonight. A couple of months ago, things got a little too rowdy, and the merry makers were dancing in the street. It made driving a bit difficult. So the police was called in. Bars were cautioned about drunks. Hey, this is Alberta Street, man. What can you do?
I get tired of the same old, same old here. But just as I think it is the same; it isn’t. I really love all the people and dogs, and cats, and bad art that has become apart of what makes Portland just great. Who wouldn’t want to keep it weird?

An Aggressive Neighbor

This is my neighbor's side yard; the side next to my house. You can see he is not into decorative gardening. What you do see is one of the most aggressive plants up here. It is called the Oregon Blackberry. But what is really is called is the Himalayan blackberry. Himalayan blackberry vines have invaded woodland areas of just about any space that will allow it to grow, which, as you can see, can be in a neighbor's side yard. The Himalayan blackberry is the most common blackberry species in the Pacific Northwest. Originally from India, it was brought to the United States from England--a pox on them, I say.
The rapidly spreading Himalayan blackberry is very aggressive, covering the ground and climbing high into branches of trees, creating walls of vines thickly armed with spines. Himalayan blackberry vines smother young plants, and can be seen surrounding just about anything that is stationary. If you have a lot, you have this blackberry. Even if you don't have this blackberry, you will, because the seeds are carried by bird droppings, and I know you have birds in your yard.
Removal is difficult, and requires cutting of the vines, and spraying of new leaves to kill the roots. We had a vine behind our storage area when we moved here in 2005. Very carefully, the vine was cut back to expose the base, and then the roots were dug up. We continue to monitor the spot, because these things just don't give up.
The only saving grace, if you would call it saving, is that in the summer, these vines are covered with hundreds of blackberries, which are sweet when they reach a dark black color. I find them a bit dry, and prefer the raspberries, but in a pinch they are a great food source. I just wish they were a food source next to someone else's yard.

La Luna

Early this morning, while most of us were snoring, the universe performed something ordinary, yet spectacular: the full moon traveled through the shadow of the sun. This ordinary occurance is a lunar eclipse, and while I was sleeping, my friend, Lawrence, was alert enough to record this event. We are fortunate in two way. First, the evening was clear so those of us who don't mind sleep deprivation could fully enjoy the sight. Second, that Lawrence was dedicated enough to lose precious shut-eye so that all of us could share his view of La Luna. Thank you Lawrence.

A Bigger Trader Joes

I'm a huge fan of Trader Joes. I love everything in the store. And there is a new store in Portland. Actually, it is a relocated, and newly built store. It's in the Hollywood district. I used to shop TJ's in Hollywood, because it was an easy find. Located right on Sandy Bouevard, I would make a quick stop, and drive on. Unfortunately, the last time I did stop, I could't find a parking place. Even on the street. Luckily they were building this new store.

Last week I stopped by to make one of my quick purchases, and actually found a parking space! When I walked into the new store, I halted dead in my tracks. There was space, a lot of space. Before, I felt as if I was one of the sardines, squeezing next to another sardine, trying to have a quick shop. Now, there is space. I mean the aisles are wide, and the ceiling seems taller. There is room to add more stuff.

One thing that caught my eye was the array of fresh flowers just as one walked through the door. I couldn't resist the photo. Aren't they gorgeous?

Tropical PDX

Ice tea. That's my summer beverage. I recently had some on the beautiful Columbia River in a place that reminds me of a cafe one would find on an island, in fact, it is called Island Cafe. It was a real find, because, even though Portland is surrounded by water, there are few restaurants that are right on the river. This one was located on a dock, where the boats come and go. What made it even better, is that it was covered, which was nice because we had some drizzles this morning.


We got a corner table and watched the ducks compete with the gulls for food.

Island Cafe would be really enjoyable on a hot summer night, because all the lights along the river would reflect on the water. I can imagine a group of friends sitting around and enjoying drinks.



The food was not as good as the location. Boats would pull along side the dock and the passangers stop by for a quick bite. One group must have just come back from Hawaii, because they were wearing leis. When they returned to their boat, they made a big to do over the fact that they had on leis, and ceremoniously threw them into the river. Hum, isn't that pollution?

Well, those flowers might be food for the ducks, who were my favorites on this trip. Aloha!

Doggie Walk

This is Lucy, and she is anxious to get going. I am a slow polk because of photo taking. But you get the idea that Lucy wants to be the head of the pack, not the tail, so to speak.

Lucy looks up at me and really begs to get going. Darn, its hard to continue when I just want to take photos.

Now this young fluff ball is Linus--get it--Lucy and Linus. Well, he is a happy camper because he is the leader of the pack.

Linus is pausing to explore the rocks and that gorgeous tree with his human caretaker, his "mom".






Walking the dogs is a have to for pet owners, but up here in Portland, walking the dogs is really nice.

Portland Bridges

What I really love about Portland, among the many things to love here, are the bridges. Portland has a lot of them, and each one has its own character. All the bridges, except for the Interstate bridges, cross the Willamette River, which separates the east side of the city from the westside. Downtown is on the west side. There are bike paths along the Willamette River on both east and west side.

Walking along the river gives one a sense of closeness to this great river and its spans.

This walkway is popular on weekends. Families on bikes have an easy journey because most of the travel is along the riverside, which is pretty flat.