Dear Liza

Downtown Fun

Dear Liza,

**The South Park Blocks with Mr. Lincoln’s Statue**

My history story about Portland is coming along very well. I actually printed a copy out and had Grandpa Nelson read it! He reads so much that he is a good judge of when a story works, when it doesn’t, and what it needs to make it better.

He asks good questions, too, questions that I don’t know the answers to…yet.

As usual when I have questions I need answered, I headed downtown to the Oregon Historical Society. Auntie Bridgett came along, but went to the Portland Art Museum.

I spent a few hours reading books about the streetcars that used to run all over the city, and found some really interesting things to use in my story. Did you know there were streetcars that ran on steam engines until 1903? I didn’t!

**First Congregational Church and other lights**

At 5:00, the library closed and I went to fetch Auntie Bridgett at the Museum. They have so many beautiful things in their gift shop, it was hard to pull ourselves away. We bundled up and walked down the dark, Christmas-lit streets of Portland. The weather was clear and cold, and everything looked so pretty!

We got to Kenny and Zuke’s, our favorite deli, and Grandpa Nelson came downtown to meet us for dinner. When we were full of chicken soup, pastrami and French fries, we walked over to Powell’s bookstore.

The author of Lost Portland Oregon, Val C. Ballestrem, was giving a talk about his book. It is a history of a dozen or so important buildings that are no longer standing in Portland, and it is fascinating (of course we bought a copy!)

Some buildings, like the Temple Beth Israel Synagogue , were burned by an arsonist. Another, the Marquam Building and Opera, collapsed while being repaired. And still others, the ones that make me the saddest, were torn down in the interest of urban renewal….. to make room for a parking lot.

There were photographs of the buildings and the lots they stood on, which give a hint of how the city landscape has been molded and changed over the century and a half going from a cabin by the Willamette to urban metropolis.

It is interesting, sometimes sad, always amazing, and I am so glad I get to be here to learn about it!

Love,

Grandma Judy

The New Belmont Pub

Dear Liza,

For the past year or so, we have been watching a new building go up on Belmont Street. In a small vacant lot between two buildings from the 1890s, fences went up, foundations were poured, and walls were built. Sometimes weeks would go by with no change, then a whole flurry of trucks would come go, and, presto, the lights were on, or the flooring was in.

The people in the neighborhood had mixed feelings about this. Some were happy to see the ugly lot go away. Older residents mourned the business that had been there 20 years ago and bemoaned the modernization of our lovely neighborhood. I was just interested in what would come next.

Turns out, it is a Pub, and it opened this week. We went over for dinner last night to give it a try. The going home traffic along Belmont made the dark, rainy street very loud and splashy. It was nice to step into the bright new place.

The cement floors, red walls and shiny wooden tables made the pub very bright and welcoming. Drew, the fellow behind the counter, took our orders for beer and cider and we had a seat. My Chocolate stout was really rich and comforting and the ciders, from Excelsior, were sharp and refreshing.

Grandpa Nelson had fries, of course. They are the thick cut kind, which the Brits call “chips”, and very good. Auntie Bridgett had a bean and cheese burrito, which was tasty and a generous size. I had a chicken pot pie, which seemed small for the twelve dollar price and was very bland. The menu has a wide variety of choices and we will come back, hunting for our favorites.

The owner of this new place, Valerie, stopped by to say hello, and we wished her luck with her Pub.

Along the back wall are games for kids, and a large chalkboard, which Bridgett could not resist.

We enjoyed the space, which was friendly and welcoming, and a few other people did, too. I hope The Belmont Pub finds its feet and has good business through the holiday season.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Tree of Memories

Dear Liza,

Well, our new Christmas tree is up and decorated. It looks so pretty, sitting by the window of our new home. But I love it mostly for the memories it is decorated with.

Auntie Bridgett has ornaments from her childhood in Eureka, California. Her first Snoopy ornament, along with two ceramic angels she painted with her mom when she was seven, hold precious memories for her.

I have some ornaments that belonged to great-grandma Billie. The pine cone is so fragile, I am surprised it has lasted the sixty-or-so years it has, and her love of birds is shown in all the feathered friends now perched on my tree.

**Great Grandma Billie’s Pine cone and birds**

We have bought ornaments on our travels, too. Admiral Nelson is from our trip to London. He is no relation to Grandpa Nelson.

**Admiral Horatio Charles Nelson (No relation)**

Sometimes, the connection is harder to see. These tiny gnomes are from Cologne, Germany.

When we were there, we heard a tale that hundreds of years ago, a bunch of little men would come every night and do people’s chores….clean the house, milk the cows, stuff like that. The story continues that a young housewife became curious, and wanted to see the little men for herself.

When she surprised the gnomes at their work, they got mad and left, never to return. Needless to say, the town was very angry with her and even built a statue of her, to warn against investigating magical things too closely.

I love that so many stories play out in my head when I look at our tree. I love that we get tell the stories again, every year.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Gearing up for Christmas

Dear Liza,

Yesterday we spent all day, in one way or another, getting ready for Christmas. First thing, Auntie Bridgett and I walked out in 36 degrees F to go shopping. Hawthorne Street, just a bit south of us, has so many wonderful, locally run shops! Asylum, Kids at Heart, Tender Loving Empire, and Memento all have really interesting items that tickle my funny bone. We had a good time choosing special things for our special people.

When the lunch bell in my stomach started going off, we knew it was time to get home. Leftover chicken and cheese made for delicious burritos to keep our spirits up.

Then, the three of us headed off to the big quest of the day: The Christmas tree! Last year, we drove all over town looking for a lot we liked…and finally found a small lot at Belmont and 48th. We went there first this year.

We usually get a Noble Fir, but standing very tall and shaggy, was a Nordman. This was a new type of tree to us, but we liked the height and slightly careless look , so we had the nice fellow tie it to Miles’s roof and took it home.

Our new garage is narrow and pretty full, so it took some real maneuvering to get it in and upstairs…but once installed, it fit perfectly. Grandpa Nelson put up the lights and I brought boxes of ornaments in from the garage, for Sunday’s decorating.

After resting a bit, we wanted to go visit the Open Studio of our friend Nicole Crucio, who makes ceramics. We met her at an Art Show this last summer, when we were headed for Silver Falls. Nicole’s studio is in southeast Portland, in her basement, with a good sized kiln and lots of space. We enjoyed looking at her vases, plaques and paintings.

She shared her show the her friend Jeni Lee, who does wonderful acrylic paintings with raindrops!! These capture the beautifully atmospheric conditions here in the Northwest and feel cool and welcoming.

At Nicole’s, we also met her dog Stevie, who is very sweet and loves to show off her tricks. She does a figure eight between Nicole’s legs, rolls over, and dances. She was fun. We also ate some cookies from the Morsel Code Cookie Company, baked by a lady who wants cookies to taste good but be less bad for you! Amen to that. Very tasty, indeed.

Back home, Auntie Bridgett started the wrapping g of the goodies we had bought on Hawthorne ….coming to you, heading the San Diego for kidlets there, and some staying here in Portland.

Tomorrow, we decorate the tree!!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Hanukkah Evening

Dear Liza,

We finally got to spend a Hanukkah evening with Auntie Katie, Jasper and Kestrel!

Last Thursday evening was the Winter Music Performance at Hosford-Abernethy School. The sun was just going down as we all walked from their house to the school, about two blocks. It was already very cold, but we were properly bundled up.

I love old school buildings! They have high ceilings, which at Abernethy, means beautiful soaring murals of kids doing art, geography, gardening, and music.

The program, put on by Ms Lannigan’s and Ms Logan’s Second Grade classes, was directed and partly written by the school’s music teacher, Mr. Hall. There were six songs, some of which, like “Frere Jacques”, “There’s a Hole in the Bucket” and ” Zum Gali Gali”, I sang when I was little!

Mr. Hall wrote “The World Greeting Song” and ” I Am We”. The first is a fun call and response song about ways of saying hello in different languages. The audience did a fine job repeating ‘hola’ and even ‘nihao’, but we got lost in some of the other greetings. “I am We” is about the different winter holidays and how many days each is celebrated.

After the show, we walked back to Auntie Katie’s house. It was very cold and dark, and not even 6:00 yet. We made latkes (Kestrel broke the eggs nearly perfectly) and enjoyed them with applesauce and chicken, lit candles and opened presents. Kestrel had made Katie a pretty coaster out of a tile. The silliest gift was the Marvel comics printed leggings I had found for Katie at a vintage shop!

After dinner, Grandpa Nelson played video games with Jasper while we ladies made cookies. The recipe is from Auntie Bridgett’s Momma, Donna Spicer, and worked very well.

Since the evening was running late, we decided to used broken up chocolate gelt for decorations instead of frosting the cookies. There were squirrels and acorns, kestrels (the bird), owls and octopi. They were delicious!

We left before bedtime, full of latkes, cookies and the love of family.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Animal Friends

Dear Liza,

Today I went on a walk and got to see some interesting critters. Then I got home and hung out with another one.

On my walk to run errands, I met three free range chickens. According to their sign, the are Froggy, Zen and Wolfie. They have a lovely chicken coop and yard, but love to explore. As I knelt down to take their picture, they came right up to say hello! A woman was walking by with her baby, and it appeared they were all old friends. The chickens clucked their way over and the baby laughed like crazy.

Further along, I saw a sad sight….a beautiful old tree had blown down in the wind. It missed all the cars on the street, which was something of an automotive guardian angel miracle. Looking at the trunk, I saw that the whole inside of the tree was dry and rotten, with what looks like termite damage. The tree had probably been dead for years, just waiting to be knocked down.

As I was looking, these two sweet corgis came by, saying hello to me but clearly upset at the loss of a fine peeing tree.

**Corgis saying goodbye to an old friend**

After walking about three miles, all my errands were done: dry cleaner, banking, doctor appointment, and shopping. I got home, chilly and tired, and sat in front of our lovely fireplace. Mousekin is loving it, as well. Second only to Grandpa Nelson’s lap, the hearth is her favorite place to be.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Falling into Winter

Dear Liza,

I am so happy to be back in Portland after our trip to Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, all the water is pumped in and does what it is told. Fountains. Swimming pools. A tiny green oasis here and there.

But in Portland, the water comes of its own accord, from the rains and rivers, wandering about with its own agenda. It is planned for, accommodated, and appreciated.

Our Firwood Lake in Laurelhurst Park is a natural low spot in the park, and catches all the water that falls in our lovely, hundred year old forest. The Park planners were wise enough to use the environment rather than fight it, to make the lake a focal point and ecosystem instead of a muddy ball field.

The leaves are still falling, but the trees are running out. The small building in Laurelhurst Park, which houses the bathrooms and maintenance office, is graced by the nearby gingko tree.

In the neighborhood, Christmas is going up in eccentric ways. This Japanese maple tree’s leaves haven’t been raked in two years…but it has lights.

This majestic house, which we can see across Cesar Chavez Boulevard through the now-bare trees, has very conservative decorations, which seems suitable to its old fashioned style.

Waiting to see what happens next!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Art in Las Vegas

Dear Liza,

Besides seeing a wedding in Las Vegas, we saw art! As I told you yesterday, Chihuly made the glass work for the ceiling of the lobby. Hundreds of other unknown artists and craftsmen and women created statues, carpets, mosaics, ceilings, and even chocolate fountains.

Wonderful pieces of art were everywhere, even in small, out of the way corners. These delightfully complex collages, by an artist called Rafferty, were hanging in the part of the lobby where you check your luggage.

IMG_1903 2.jpeg — **Out of the way collage**

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama had an installation called The Infinity Room, but they were booked up past our stay. She had a studio set up next to the Infinity Room, however, where we got to see some of her color palettes and assistants in action.

Richard MacDonald, a California artist whose work I have admired in Carmel galleries, had an exhibit just outside the O Theater, where the Cirque de Soleil show is being done. His art matches the physicality and perfection of the Cirque show exactly.

And, of course, Picasso. This isn’t just a restaurant named after the painter…there are dozens of his original works hung on the walls! They sort of winked and teased as we walked by, but of course, people were enjoying their own special dinners right in front of them, so we didn’t stare or take pictures. Maybe fabulous art in such a public place isn’t such a great idea… with your eye and mind pulled in different directions, it’s hard to pay proper attention. At an art gallery or museum, you are there to look at art. At the Bellagio, you are seeing art as you pass by…to dinner, to the pool, wherever. The mindset of quiet contemplation is lost.

All that being said, I was amazed and impressed at the level of art and artistry shown in the Bellagio. It is still not my type of place, but I have to admire their attention to detail.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Dodgin’ Raindrops

Dear Liza,

Today I took a walk through the neighborhood, on my to Collage. This arts and crafts shop is about a mile away, on Division Street, but is the closest place where I can buy embroidery thread. Besides, I love seeing how the neighborhood changes every day.

Rain was predicted, but, as my Momma used to say, I’m not made of sugar.

Today I met a fellow taking a picture of this persimmon tree. The tree has no leaves at all, but is full of persimmons, just too high to reach!

Along the way I noticed the retaining walls. Most old houses in Portland have basements, so the house sits above the street. The yard is made flat by these walls, which can show a lot of character. Some are just mossy, but others have decorations or are practically their own gardens.

There was also this pile of mulch, leftover from someone who bought too much. The sign says: “OMG! Please Take Some!”

IMG_1876 2.jpeg

Collage didn’t have any of the color embroidery floss I was after, but Henry, the manager, took his time matching the color to his online order form, and it will be in next week so I can finish my project.

When I got home, this shadow of Mouse was on the wall of the landing….

Another nice day in Portland.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Sense of Wonder

Dear Liza,

Lately, when we go out walking, I am like a little kid. Everything, everyday, looks different and magical. The rain puts a shine on sidewalks, making them into mirrors, which reflect the most ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

Moss turns every surface into a garden. I imagine myself one inch tall, climbing over the soft, green hillocks on my way to lunch on the fat pyracantha berries. Puddles become lakes. Mossy walls become the cliffs of Moher.

Yesterday we met a young lady making art in Laurelhurst Park. She was laying bright maple leaves along the low branches of a tree, making both the leaves and the branches more beautiful. She mentioned an artist named Andy Goldsworthy, whom I have looked up.

Mr. Goldsworthy is an installation artist, which means his art is created on site and cannot be moved. He creates his work with stones, leaves, sticks, ice, water…whatever he finds on the site. Then he photographs the work, allowing us to enjoy it without getting our feet wet. I appreciate his sense of wonder and beauty.

Like Andy Goldsworthy, I enjoy seeing the beauty in nature. Like this young lady, I am inspired by Laurelhurst Park. And like all the small people in my life, I just want to stare at the world and smile in amazement.

Love,

Grandma Judy