Dear Liza,
Yesterday was warm and sunny in Portland! After weeks of cold clouds, it was like seeing an old friend. Auntie Bridgett was working at the gallery and Grandpa Nelson was reading, so I decided to go for a walk to do some neighborhood looking for my story. I took the number 20 bus to Burnside and 14th to get in the right area.
In my story, which happens in 1903, I have a working class boy named Henry and his slightly better off friend, Frank. They need to live within a block or two of each other, a few blocks from rich old Mrs. Schumacher, and close to the old North Central School. Yesterday, on my walk, I found what could have been their homes!
It was fun to stand where the school used to be, which is now a parking lot, and imagine the views of the Willamette and Mt. Tabor, and even Mt. Hood, that my Henry would have seen while he was thinking about how to change the world.
When I had seen all I could see, I walked past incredible tulips and dogwoods down to Belmont Street and caught the magic number 15 bus home. We call it the Magic Bus because it is one of the few busses in town that runs from way east, through downtown, and way west, all while staying the same number. It can take you everywhere!
When I got home I put some of the descriptions in my story and printed it out so Auntie Bridgett can read it and give me feedback. She is traveling to see family for Easter, and I wanted her to have it in an easy-to-read format.
We had a chat with you, birthday girl, after dinner. You turned six today! I miss you very much.
The day stayed warm, so after dinner we walked down to the Pied Cow for dessert. The garden is getting leafy, the traffic sounds were soft, and the people watching was fun. We had a blueberry and lavender pie…fabulous!!! And Grandpa Nelson had his beloved ginger cake.
When the sun had gone down we said goodbye to a perfect day and walked home.
What will happen tomorrow?
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 