I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.
Herman Melville
Tags: Quoting
A Rambler American, circa 1964-1965. Isn’t it a beauty?
I love poppy season!
We watched the Winter Hawks beat Edmonton in the first game of the WHL Finals on Saturday. Good golly are they a terrific team! We parked far a way because we are cheap skates and love walking, a match made in heaven. It just so happened to be dry as we ambled and I got these terrific shots in the Lloyd District. As Ray Charles most brilliantly sang, “The night time is the right time…”
Detail of “Rendezvous” by Dane Eisenbart, one of many gorgeously meticulous and highly imaginative pieces currently on display at the Albina Press, where I enjoyed this week’s decaf latte. The hubster had a cappucino. All was right with the world.
Whatever you say, man.
Portland isn’t called the City of Roses for nothing.
One of the best garden borders, ever!
The hubster used the force to find this sign. It is strong in him.
Oh man, this city! Sometimes, when it is rainy, rainy, rainy, and the hubster’s underpants are sopping wet from the bike commute home, we contemplate other places. Dry and sunny, hot, hot, hot! But that’s only impetuous anger. We love this place. It is wildness and humor and the best damn food anywhere on earth, wrapped up in a blanket of green and grey. Everything I want is here, except for the sun for the occasional L O O O N G stretch, but that only makes it more beautiful and warm when it IS here, and sends my body out with infinite gratitude to meet it. Splendid!
Tags: Portland
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Which celebrates the Mexicans winning a war against the French, I think. But, like any other holiday, the celebrating comes down to food and drink. So some favorite Mexican food it is! This is at Taqueria Nueve, which I sorely missed during its five year absence, even though Tapalaya, also one of my favorite places, lives in its old location. In particular, the Coctel del Pulpo, a sweet and spicy bit of ambrosia, haunted me. I literally had dreams about it and sought a replacement hither and yon, to no avail. I am most grateful I can get it once more, along with a mighty fine chile relleno and vegetarian tacos. Arriba!
On to La Taq (no website, but next door to Podnah’s and from the same owner), which is really Tex-Mex, but, to me, Mexican food is all in the family. They have super green chile, fantastic tacos, and a pretty spectacular queso, too. Unfortunately my food photos are blurry, probably because I was too hungry and excited to sit still. The kindly bartender is shaking my margarita, my favorite in town, I might add, with the perfect balance of sour and sweet. It’s pretty snazzy!
And back to Mi Casa. The hubster and I had a serious New Mexican food craving yesterday, so we walked to the market for provisions and whipped up a feast. There was green chile, of course, brown rice, smoky garlicky beans, guacamole, and home made tortillas, rolled into gut busting burritos. All turned out muy, muy delicioso, though my Dad would probably be disappointed to learn that I didn’t have any meat in mine. The older I get, the more vegetarian my leanings. Life is full of surprises!
P.S. I almost forgot! Have you tried Xochitl chips? Oh my goodness, they are the best. Thin and crispy, just like the package says and seriously good! A chip gone to heaven and back, maybe. The only problem? I feel like I’m cheating on the glistening chips made in Hood River with these Texas Wranglers. Sorry!
Tags: Portland, Restaurants
The earth has music for those who listen.
George Santayana
Tags: Quoting
I am eating a bowl of spicy roasted red pepper and tomato soup, home made lickety split quick in the Vitamix. I love that machine. For some reason I’ve been craving tomato soup for days. Then, we visited our neighbors yesterday, and they gave me a packet of saltines from Hawaii. Saltines! How could I not make soup to go with them? Aside from slathering them with yellow mustard and topping with a sardine, this is their purpose in life according to Colleen Sohn. It is a fine one, I might add, almost holy.
Out in the side yard, this is happening. Verbascum (or mullein) in bloom! It looks so pretty. It’s also earlier than I remember, which is a sweet surprise.
There are a multitude of mushrooms all over the place!
I sure do love the dappled shade of the side yard, run riot with blooming wild strawberries. Here’s hoping we get a good crop this year.
Though there will likely be competition with the squirrels, possum, birds, and this cute bunny to eat them! I don’t know if she (or he, I have no idea) belongs to anyone, having spied her in the street near our house a few times over as many months. She raised one ear while I was talking to her, then approached to sniff my hand. We’ll just have to see if the friendship blossoms. Maybe if I give her a carrot?
