Dear Liza

European Dreaming’

Dear Liza,

I still have my cold, which means I am napping about five hours a day. But in between cups of tea, chicken soup and the naps, I am thinking about our next trip to Europe.

The last time we were in Europe was the winter of 2014 -2015. We spent a cold, bright Christmas in Paris and took the train north through Ghent and into Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve. We visited the Christmas market in Cologne and wandered sparkly streets in Strasbourg.

Auntie Bridgett made us a lovely Christmas in our apartment

That cold winter trip had been an experiment. Grandpa Nelson’s company was planning on sending him to Europe long term, and we had to know: Would we be happy in that sort of cold? Turns out, we would, but the company changed its mind and we came to Portland instead.

Since then, I retired, Grandpa Nelson got sick and is better, and we are settled here. It’s time to venture back.

This will be a fall trip, warmer and brighter than winter, but not as crowded as summer. We are blocking out our route. We are thinking of landing in Dublin (where Grandpa Nelson and Auntie Bridgett scoped out the good pubs a few years ago). We could rent a car and drive on the wrong side of the road to see ancient burial monuments and 16th century castles, eating lots of seafood pie on the way to the very southeast corner of Ireland to catch a ferry.

The ferry, which looks more like a cruise ship, would be our hotel and transport overnight to Cherbourg, France. From there we would visit Bayeux, home of the magnificent Tapestry I studied (and partially copied) in Junior High School.

From the Bayeux Tapestry website (historic cartoon embroidery!)

Afterwards, we would take the train to Paris to complete our trip and celebrate Auntie Bridgett’s birthday in her favorite city.

Happy travelers, caught in a Parisian summer shower.

But for now, I am drinking tea and spending a lot of time in the couch, looking at maps. I love illustrated daydreams!

Love,

Grandma Judy

And the Rain, Rain, Rain….

Dear Liza,

One of the unexpected benefits of being sick is feeling like a child again. Since I don’t have to be at work, I can let myself be taken care of, be a little bored, and allow my mind to wander.

Yesterday Auntie Bridgett made lunch and served it to me on the couch. It was a combination of two leftovers, (kale salad and roasted chicken) and it was delicious, warm and spicy. What made it even more special was the serving tray.

I bought this tray years ago at Disneyland. Your Daddy David and Auntie Katie were too old for it, but it was so charming and sweet that I bought it for ME.

And of course, seeing Winnie the Pooh when it is all rainy outside means I have had the Rain Song from Winnie the Pooh tripping through my head.

If you don’t know it, go to YouTube or ask Alexa to sing it to you. It was written by the Disney team of Richard and Robert Sherman, and here are the lyrics:

The rain rain rain came down down down In rushing, rising riv’lets,
‘Til the river crept out of its bed And crept right into Piglet’s!
Poor Piglet, he was frightened with quite a rightful fright.
And so, in desperation a message he did write.

(H-h-help! Piglet. (Me)

He placed it in a bottle and it floated out of sight.
And the rain rain rain came down down down so Piglet started bailing.
He was unaware, atop his chair, while bailing he was sailing!
And the rain rain rain came down down down and the flood rose up up upper.
Pooh, too, was caught and so he thought, “I must rescue my supper!”
Ten honey pots he rescued, enough to see him through,
But as he sopped up his supper, The river sopped up Pooh!
And the water twirled and tossed him In a honey pot canoe!
The rain rain rain came down down down…

Off to take a nap for now,

Love,

Grandma Judy

Sick-y New Year!

Dear Liza,

Well, between the wonderful company, too many sweets, and walking in the rain, I have managed to start 2020 with a lousy cold. I am being well taken care of. Grandpa Nelson went out and got me dinner so I didn’t have to cook, and Auntie Bridgett has made me lots of tea and even baked cookies for First Friday at the SideStreet Arts Gallery.

Still, I hate colds. They sap my energy, so I can’t be busy. I have trouble lifting my head, much less the Christmas tree that Grandpa Nelson and Auntie Bridgett are carrying to Sunnyside School today for recycling.

They fog up my brain, so I made a cup of tea and forgot to put in the tea bag. I tried to edit my story and kept looking in Chapter 21 for something that was in Chapter 12. Who needs a bug that makes you even more stupid?

But worst of all, colds are contagious. The sneezing, coughing and breathing I am doing will most likely spread this energy-sapping, stupid-making Bug to my lovely people.

So I am counting the days until I am taking care of them and they are here, on the couch, forgetting stuff and feeling lousy.

And I hope I can take as good a care of them as they have of me.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Walking to Pip’s

Dear Liza,

The New Year is upon us, and all the good intentions that come with new beginnings. We have had some unseasonably dry weather of late, so Grandpa Nelson and I took one of our long walks.

We walked north through the lovely, historic Laurelhurst neighborhood, with its Craftsman style homes, century old maple trees, and complicated Christmas decorations. For a while, the bright overcast made everything look like it was being filmed in black and white.

We crossed the noisy Banfield Freeway and stopped for a snack and Cold Buster juice at Whole Foods, then continued north to one of my favorite streets in Portland: Kilckitat Street! Yes, this is the same street that Romona Quimby, the young heroine of Beverly Cleary’s stories, lived on. It still has the working class, family friendly feel it had back in the 1950s when the stories were written.

When we got to Pip’s Doughnuts and House made Chai, the first thing we noticed was that the bus stop in front of the shop had been destroyed. The metal bench and sign posts were literally laying in a heap on the curb. That looked like bad news.

Looking past that, we saw that the wall of the doughnut shop had been boarded up. More bad news.

But looking just to the left, we saw the good news. A line of people out the door, happily waiting for fresh cooked Pip’s Doughnuts. All was well, after all.

It seems that during the night, a drunk driver had veered off the street and into the shop, breaking a window but missing the door, the supporting pillar, the equipment, and even the guitar hung on the wall. It could have been a disaster, but it was mostly an inconvenience to the owners.

More good news! People love Pip’s, and hundreds came by to make sure the business continued. They are the sort of ecologically- conscious, community- centeric business that help make Portland what it is.

We enjoyed way too many doughnuts, then headed back towards home.

We love their ecological and social consciousness…

Our short winter day made for a pretty sunset sky at not quite 4:00, and we got home in time for leftover chili and some British Baking Show before falling into an exhausted, happy sleep.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Cousins in Town

Dear Liza,

Well, it sure has been a holiday full of family!

This past weekend, after Auntie Christy and Cousin Kyle left for home, we got a call from Grandpa Nelson’s Cousin Paul and his wife, Candace. They were in town to visit friends, and wanted to meet us for a Portland breakfast and see Auntie Katie’s bookshop, Books with Pictures.

Me, Auntie Katie, Grandpa Nelson, and Paul in the shop

We met them at Pine State Biscuits down on Division Street, just a few blocks from Auntie Katie’s place. I’ve eaten their biscuits before, with jam, and wanted to try their gravy, as well. They were delicious!

I was so busy eating that I forgot to take pictures.

Auntie Katie came by to eat with us and catch up on family news before heading off to open the shop at 10:00. We followed along, and spent a fun hour looking at books and visiting on the comfy couch in the shop.

When we had talked ourselves out, they headed off and we headed for home. What a lovely morning.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Bistro Agnes

Dear Liza,

Just about a year ago, we three went to the delightful French restaurant, Bistro Agnes to celebrate our anniversaries. It is in downtown Portland at the corner of SW 12th Avenue and Alder Street. We enjoyed it so much, we went back again this year!

Bistro Agnes is the perfect place to celebrate special occasions. The food, from escargots to moules mariniere to creme brûlée, are classicly prepared and delicious. The wines choices are local, Californian and French, and all good.

The service is friendly and expert. Our same waiter, Justin from last year, took care of us expertly.

When we ran into our friend Nicole celebrating her birthday, we sent Justin on a spy mission to find out what she was drinking so we could send her another as a birthday surprise. It was a happy conspiracy which got her absinthe frappe!

We enjoy the decor and mood of the place, which is very French and politely chatty, but not loud. Although we could hear the other people, no one’s conversation overpowered the place. This is the usual in France, but sadly, not always the case in the U.S.

We finished our meal with ice cream and coffee, and a cognac for Auntie Bridgett. We bundled up and were home by 7:30, full and cozy and happy to all be together.

Love,

Grandma Judy

New Year’s Eve

Dear Liza,

We had a fun New Year’s Eve at home this year. It was wonderful.

During the day, Auntie Bridgett worked for a few hours at the SideStreet Arts Gallery, and I wrote a little and practiced French. Grandpa Nelson started researching what looks like our next European trip: Ireland and France!

This is one of the things I love about our trips, is the planning and discussing, the research and the antici…..pation.

But the most fun was the hats!

Auntie Bridgett had a really good idea, to make funny New Year’s Eve hats out of the bags of used Christmas paper that were waiting to be thrown out. We started snipping and trying ideas, making it up as we went along.

While the glue was drying, Auntie Bridgett and I went out for some bowls from Laughing Planet to take home. We opened some Columbia Crest Merlot, which went very well with the spicy food.

The hats were so much fun! Auntie Bridgett’s stayed on her head better… mine needed a little rubber band strap. I think mine looked better on the bear, anyway.

We played a game of Brain Spin, which plays with how we see things, and our favorite, Scrabble, which I won!! This is a rare thing and I enjoyed it very much.

We nibbled and sipped and watched some Baking Show, then counted down to midnight, feeling sleepy but happy.
See you next year!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Looking Back, Just a Bit More…

Dear Liza,

This past year saw some big adventures, too.

Three generations! Me, Auntie Katie and Cousin Kestrel

In March, for my birthday, you and your family came up to help me keep a long-overdue promise to MY parents, to put their ashes into the ocean. We all drove over the mountains to Seaside, made a sand castle, and placed them in it. High tide would take them where they wanted to be.

David and Katie built their grandparent’s castle

I started baking with more skill, with new equipment and confidence.

The summer came, and fall…

In September we took the train to Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, Washington, and enjoyed what those cities had to offer.

Auntie Bridgett kept painting, working hard as a member of SideStreet Arts.

Auntie Bridgett and one of my favorite paintings, **A Paris**

This year also saw the young people growing into wonderful ‘older’ people. Cousins Kyle and Jasper got to know each other and became buddies, bonding over Dungeons and Dragons and video games.

Cousins Kyle and Jasper, being guys together

As for me, I am still working on my story. It has grown from being a story about a CITY to being a story about a girl living IN a city.

I never knew writing a book was so complicated, but I am learning, and I think that as long as I take time and don’t give up, it has promise.

My (at least) twelfth outline, getting more complicated and person- centered

Last year, I kept my promise to my parents. Maybe this year, I can keep my promise to me.

Happy New Year!!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Big Changes This Year

Dear Liza,

I have spent way too long looking at pictures from this year, and am using this letter to you to put things in perspective.

We started the year with snow.

Auntie Katie, the Cousins and I walked to Slappy Cakes to celebrate her birthday, getting all bundled up against the February cold.

Birthday girl and Kestrel at Slappy Cakes

Just about a week later, we were celebrating Katie’s purchase of the building that would be the new home of Books With Pictures, her bookshop.

Less than 11 months later, in full retail mode for Christmas!

The building would also be the family’s new home, and they started off with celebrations, knowing there would be lots of work to do.

Before the summer was over, the Cousins were moved in and making the place into a home.

Another change this year is in the health of my dear Aunt Bea. At Easter, we visited her in a hospital in Corvallis. She was recovering from a fall and feeling very… old.

But by the time we visited her in September, she had moved to Bend and had been reunited with her dear Kitty Cat, and was feeling all spunky and fun again. Momma always said, “Bea doesn’t leave a party…she takes the party with her.”

Me and Bea, feeling like getting into mischief

I will tell you more about the year tomorrow, as I continue getting ready for the New Year!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Christmas Day in Retrospect

Dear Liza,

It is now the day after Christmas and I am still full to the brim from the feasting and family. Our Christmas celebration started around 10 in the morning when the rest of the family woke up (Auntie Bridgett and I are early risers), and went until after 9 that night when tired Grandkids headed home.

First there were cinnamon rolls and coffee, and presents for and from Auntie Christy and Cousin Kyle. We were all pleased with the Hogwarts’ goodies, so perfect for us and our chilly winters here in Portland.

Auntie Katie and the Cousins came later, bringing more gifts and a delicious ad- libbed cream pie.

Kyle, being the Dungeon Master of the day, had prepared a Dungeons and Dragons adventure for Jasper and Kestrel, and the three of them developed characters and played while the older folks chatted, ate and drank, and played music.

Jasper, Kes and Kyle working in character development

Katie and I were the only ones who wanted a walk, so we headed off to Laurelhurst. I wore my new Hogwarts scarf, and met a fellow Hufflepuff! Her name is May. She is a delight and I hope we see each other again. We also did some serious bird-watching, Katie sharing her Great Grandma Billie’s love of feathered friends.

Watching the Bullock’s Orioles in the park

Katie is always good company. She and I talked about my story and she gave me some good advice on how to make it better as I go forward.

We got home and had dinner, which was, as always, a team effort and delicious.

Then came more presents! Harry Potter and Wonder Woman and weird little Hands for Handy Hand to hang out with. What a day!

Then there was more music, with harmonies and extra verses. As everyone’s energy level started to sag, no one wanted the day to end!

Kyle and Jasper played a video game on the sofa while the rest of us watched The Grinch (the original, with Boris Karloff’s voice) and the White Christmas, with which we sang along.

Finally, we had a game of Kozo, then Dreidle, and then we had to just own up that it was time to go to bed.

I am so blessed to have this life full of loving people, safety and abundance, ideas, music and surprise.

Love,

Grandma Judy