While we were wandering downtown, of course, there were lots of incidental, accidental, goodies to see.
We re-discovered Ira’s Fountain, a magnificent man-made series of waterfalls that thunders and crashes and almost makes you forget you are in a city. It had been closed for repairs, and then the pandemic, and then the riots, but is now being enjoyed by picnickers and all everyone else!
We found an old church, St. Michael the Archangel, and got to visit with the fellow who takes care of it. There is too much history to tell, but the church was built in 1901 and was almost torn down in the urban renewal craze of the 1960’s. I’m glad it is still here! It has three masses on Sundays and quite a busy calendar.
And speaking of churches, we noticed that the First Congregational Church on Broadway has a tiny church on top!
All sorts of things to see!
After all our walking and finding, we stopped at our favorite Café Umbria, for lunch. Fruit, cheese, and a quiche gave us the energy to get home!
Today was a busy day. I was reading old newspapers online from the Oregon Historical Society, trying to find any story about Mrs. Pittock and her rose party. (So far, nothing…)
Lovely fall colors
I got a call from Uncle Dave to see if I could come over and get instructions on how to feed their cats, Pietro and Wanda, while they are all in Hawaii for a few days, so I jogged the mile or so to their house, noticing the beautiful leaves, nuts, roses, and such, but in a hurry. So on the way home, I slowed down and got some pictures.
Even in fall, with the cold and rain, tomatoes are still ripening and roses are still blooming. The ground smells so sweet it is intoxicating. I collected another giant pocketful of chestnuts! We saw a wonderful rainbow and met some neighbors, Sarah and Elizabeth, who live up the block.
Rainbow in the neighborhood
Back home, it was time for our big adventure for the evening. We walked up to Burnside and caught the #20 into town. Getting off at Powell’s City of Books, we were in the middle of the biggest downpour I’ve ever walked through, but we slogged a block up to Kenny and Zukes for dinner. Knishes, hot dogs, and french fries, all delicious. For something different, Auntie Bridgett had a ginger beer with horseradish infused vodka! Totally nuts, but so good!
The rain completely stopped as we ate, which was good, because we needed to walk up to The First Congregational Church on Park to enjoy An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt. This is a one man show by Jim Wiegand, a performer and historian who seems not just to DO Teddy, but to BE Teddy.
Interior of the First Congregational Church
Mr. Wiegand was funny and true, historically correct but also delightfully current in his comments. He told of his life before, during and after his presidency, his travels, war experiences, and personal tragedies. His main message is that it is not enough to read the Word, and hear the Word, but you must ACT on the Word. Get off your duff and DO something to make the world better.
Program for the show
He finished his show by asking the audience to all stand and sing “Good Bless America”. We all did, and we all felt better for it; for just a few minutes, we forgot the nonsense in our government and remembered that we love our country.
The bus ride home was dry but cold, and we were happy to be home.
Dear Liza 