You knew I couldn’t stay inside forever, didn’t you? Yesterday, after a long and lazy morning in the couch, I got inspired. I had some energy and spunk. Grandpa Nelson was heading for Zack’s Hot Dog Shack. Would he walk me around the block before he headed off?
Since it was 48F out, I bundled up. Long underwear, jeans, sweater, scarf, wooly hat. Getting dressed nearly wore me out, to be honest, but I was determined to breathe some fresh air.
And we did a lovely, well paced turn. I saw new For Sale signs, beautifully bright leaves, and even a few fellow pedestrians. I felt extremely grateful to be up and out.
When we had checked the mail and gotten back to the house, Grandpa Nelson made sure I was okay and then continued on his way to lunch. I used the last of my energy to wrap a few presents, and got right back into my pajamas, and into bed.
It was a great first effort, but we shouldn’t be foolish, right?
We are usually a two-holiday household. We tag-team on Hannukah and Christmas, Easter and Passover. We find something to celebrate in everything.
We sort of take on the More is More philosophy.
But this year is a bit different. I got sick on the first day of Hannukah and haven’t been out the front door since. Getting out of bed for a shower requires both preparation and recovery time.
Needless to say, we are downplaying the holidays. My Advent calendar games of ball toss and charades are beyond our capacity, and I still can’t taste most of the Christmas goodies.
We are still finding joy, but with low energy and quiet volume, it’s hard to see from the outside. But never fear. A hand squeeze, a hot cup of tea, and getting teary-eyed when Kermit sings “One More Sleep ‘til Christmas” will see us through until the virus is banished.
When we moved to Portland six years ago, we did it for many reasons. Auntie Katie, the Cousins, the Willamette and the trains, big city art and theater, all were big attractions.
We also came for the quirkiness, and we were not disappointed.
We liked a city that made walking dogs a delight.
We liked stumbling on theater and music in the parks.
Then the pandemic shut things down for a really long time. No coffee house afternoons. No dinners in restaurants. No plays or concerts. No bus adventures.
But now that restrictions are relaxed and spring is here, the city is opening up!
Our favorite dive bar is happy and crowded!
Lectures are back at the Kennedy School!
And the delightful treat of random meetings and conversation is back. Just talking with people, watching the world and being able to get out in it, is an amazing gift.
With me being totally vaccinated along with so many folks here in Portland, I felt safe enough Friday to do the long walk down to Auntie Katie’s BookswithPictures to take her new kitties some catnip toys.
I always love the walk to and through the Ladd’s Addition neighborhood. Gardens, trees, and lovely Craftsman style homes are so welcoming and friendly. And at this time of year, they really show the love.
On the way, I stopped by Palio coffee house to pick up lunch for Auntie Katie, because she works hard and doesn’t always get time out to eat. A sausage quiche, salad, and blueberry muffin should hold her until dinner. While we chatted, she told me that her new kitties, now named Maggie and Hopey, had gone missing. They were probably still in the apartment, but still, some worried faces here.
Since the shop was busy and Auntie Katie needed to take care of her customers, I dropped off the lunch, got a hug, and headed for home. Passing by Palio, I remembered how yummy Katie’s lunch looked and stopped and got one for myself. A Roast Beef Reuben sandwich with horseradish was so yummy! Along with chips and an almond Italian soda, I was filled to bursting.
I continued home and had a long quiet afternoon…. listening to music, working on art and thinking about history. A very pleasant time. But Friday evening is our night out. So at five o’clock, out we went!
We thought of Bread and Ink, an old favorite down on Hawthorne. Their website said they were open, but it turns out they meant ‘for take out only’. I totally understand that folks are not all vaccinated and don’t all feel safe, so we moved on. What WAS open?
St. Anthony Bourdain
Turns out, the Portland Ciderhouse is! Their food menu was short and sweet… fat pretzels for Grandpa Nelson, pulled pork sandwiches for Auntie Bridgett and me, and tater tots. The cider menu was more extensive, and we all found something we liked. Mine was a ‘Runcible Hoot’ which I got for the name. It was dry and wonderful. Once we were seated, we could remove our masks, and enjoyed being inside a restaurant. We looked at art, including a nice portrait of the late Anthony Bourdain, labeled ‘St. Anthony’, and watching other folks. We ate and drank and felt very blessed to be safe. Our walk home was sunlit and lovely.
And, once we got home, I heard from Katie. The kitties were found! Cousin Jasper spotted them in their new cuddle cave behind the clothes dryer. All is well!
Dear Liza 