Author: leh

Portland Trip Postscript

In the previous post, we didn’t mention that our return trip was stalled by about an hour, when I-84 traffic came to a halt about around 110th Street, headed out of Portland.  The time was about 10 or 10:30am.  We were positioned at the dividing strip between the freeway and an off-ramp when a police car came alongside after 15 or 20 minutes.  We overheard the policewoman tell the occupants of the car just ahead of us that the freeway would likely be closed for hours, and that anyone who could should get off.  So we crossed the triangle and were just able to get to the off-ramp.   We searched for an appropriate through street somewhat parallel to the freeway, rejoining I-84 in about three or four miles.  We found virtually no eastbound traffic, but the westbound lane was stacked up at a standstill for several more miles.  It was not until today that Kim’s research disclosed the reason for the delay:

http://www.katu.com/news/local/I-84-shut-down-in-both-directions-after-shots-fired-in-NE-Portland-273468661.html

A Lewis & Clark Labor Day Weekend

ivi_2014-08-31_566x891_defaultThis weekend we set off to return Ivi to her senior year at L&C.  Ivi, now our driver of choice for Portland wanderings, checks into her 5th floor room.  (She’s lived here before when the building was brand new, but now has a preferred top-floor private room in the LEED-certified forest-surrounded — as is the whole L&C campus — structure.)  Then it is on to our hotel, where Dad naps while Kim and Ivi find provisions at a nearby Trader Joe’s.  The next morning we help Ivi unpack, then head east to see how Charlie and Nik made out in our absence.

Patio Progress

click to view in full
click to view in full
Over the summer, Kim, Nik and Ivi have been working at restoring and refurbishing the patio.  

Here Kim and Nik take a break at the end of the day, while Charlie (out of view) chases his tail and who knows what else.  And Ivi (more to be reported) continues to pursue her massive fruit canning project.

Sunflowers & Sweet Corn

Suddenly, the sunflowers planted amidst the sweet corn have zoomed to 8 and 9 feet in height, and are almost entirely masking the corn patch.  While Charlie looks on from a shaded vantage point, I attempt to reach as high as I can.

By the way, the first sweet corn harvest was cooked up and consumed last night, with high praise to Kim and Ivi for their efforts.

An Africa Postscript

After seemingly-weeks of negotiation, Ivi has relented enough to allow publication of a few photos that show her visage.  These photo examples — beach, soccer match, national parks, weekend trips — were made by some of her fellow students and friends at the University of Ghana between January – May 2014.  Consult with Ivi for details.

L.A. River Memories

nationalgeographic-1132792_81815_990x742
National Geographic photo
This piece from National Geographic really brings back memories.  Living only a block and a half distant, we often bicycled in and around the riverbed (and I had my most spectacular but serious accident there).  The 1993 Christmas morning family walk to the river stands out in my mind, as does the homeless encampment.  And much more.   What a great restoration project this could be.

The Wenger Giant

Ever had the notion that all you need to accomplish something daunting is just that right tool? I know that I am always on the lookout for a better camera bag or backpack or photo anything. Certainly Ivi and Kim seem to enjoy surveying the latest in kitchen and garden toolery. I even imagine that I could perform magical feats of auto repair and enhancement with something beyond my current collection. And don’t even get me started with software tools. Enter the Wenger Giant:

wenger_giantThis thing features 141 tools packed into 2 lbs and less than 9 inches of width, all for only $1400. Amazon even gives us a $28 discount on this ultimate Swiss Army Knife, along with some of the most amusing reviews I have ever read on that site. See what I mean here.