Amelia Opie – Dear Liza

Chilly First Friday

Dear Liza,

Last Friday was very cold but not wet, so Auntie Bridgett and I bundled up and walked over to First Friday at SideStreet Arts Gallery. Although she is not a member anymore, she still has art on the wall and lots of friends there.

I wore my light-up hat because by the time we stepped out at 4:30, it was dark outside! These short winter days sure make me appreciate light. And warmth. And art!

The gallery is all decked out for Christmas, with several small trees decorated with hand-made ornaments. Our friend Melody Bush has carved these whimsical Santas from basswood.

Besides Christmas themes, there seemed to be birds everywhere!

Amelia Opie made this bright owl from wood and clay…and there was a whole flock of birds along one wall! Scott Cameron Bell’s Ceramics, Jackie McIntyre’s paintings, and even a raven book carving by Melody Bush.

I got to visit with Anna Magruder, a new member of the gallery, about her paintings that bring history to life. I had recognized many of the images from my history research. Here, she shows a fictionalized Abigail Scott Duniway leading women to vote.

When we had seen all the art we could digest, it was off to find dinner. The temperature was dropping quickly, so we dashed across 28th Street to The Bivy, a pod of food carts. We enjoyed the wood fire pit as we waited for our dinner of chicken crepes to be ready, then walked home enjoying the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Grandma Judy

A Fun, Delicious Birthday

Dear Liza,

I turned 66 on Saturday and had a fine time doing it. I woke up early and did my French lesson as usual, then Auntie Bridgett and I took the red wagon and walked to The Portland Nursery. I was looking for tomato plants, but was told that it was too early to put them in the ground and I should come back in April or early May.

Oh, well. Patience is a virtue. And we did find lots of potting soil, herb plants and other things we could use now.

Back home, I opened presents. Auntie Bridgett’s Momma Donna sent me a beautiful and useful bag for my gardening tools. I will be the gardening Queen!

Auntie Bridgett had found an adorable Amelia Opie painting called Therapy Cats at SideStreet Arts Gallery, and we got it hung on the wall. I felt like the richest woman in the world, but the day wasn’t over yet.

That evening, we headed down to La Moule for a delicious French dinner. Duck Confit, Tuna ceviche, absinthe, red wine from Bordeaux and a chocolate mousse absolutely topped off the day.

And after dinner, we walked a ways through the neighborhood to enjoy the magic of lights in darkness. I am now older, richer, and a little heavier. And very, very happy.

Love,

Grandma Judy

GiftyKitty

Dear Liza,

There is a new store here in Portland, and Auntie Bridgett took me to see it!

Clody Cates and her business partner Larry host this visually delightful shop at 3719 North Mississippi Avenue in North Portland. GiftyKitty is a labor of love that was conceptualized and designed by Clody, and their tagline, “Changing the world one cat at a time” cracks me up.

I was impressed, first, by the largest features of the decor. The giant Alice in Wonderland-style house along the back wall gives the whole place a fabulous air of silliness.

The wonderful manzanita shelving, built by Oakland based designer Cameron Kephart, is wonky and perfect. Cameron also worked closely with Clody on the design and creation of the whole space, as well as the up-cycled glass and wood displays that hold more treasures.

Then, I got to focus on the delights of the treasures themselves and was stunned by the variety and quality of them. There were large glass mosaics, aprons, paintings, carvings, and books, mostly made by local artists.

We saw old friends from the SideStreet Arts Gallery. Painted plaques by Amelia Opie…..