Tuba Christmas Concert Portland

Tuba Christmas and More!

Dear Liza,

The day after our anniversary celebration, we headed downtown to see all the pretties and hustle and bustle. Our first target was the Tuba Christmas at Pioneer Square, which is called The Living Room. This concert involves more than a hundred folks, ages 11 to 89, playing low brass instruments, like tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium.

This concert is so popular, we could only find spots to stand on the level above and hear the concert, rather than see it. Still, it was lovely. The music swells up and bounces off the buildings as pigeons fly around.

Around the corner and down the block we found some Dickensian carolers. Beautiful costumes and sweet four part harmonies made it really feel like Christmas, with smiling crowds and busy traffic.

Further along, we found Director Park. During the summer, the fountain here is great for splashing, but today it is better for running and climbing. Also at the park were cozy fire pits,

our old friend Jay Ringer playing music on his pocket trumpet and melodium,

and some young men making s’mores with Graham crackers, marshmallows and blow torches. Not surprisingly, they were exactly what we needed on this chilly day.

In the small building in the park was a whole shop of goodies from our local artist Mike Bennett. Stuffties, stickers, glasses, and lots of other delightful things were selling very well.

About this time, we realized that, even with the s’mores, we were pooped and ready to head home. We walked down Alder to the bus stop to catch the magic 15.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Grandma Judy

If It’s Physical, It’s Therapy

Dear Liza,

As the saying goes, getting old isn’t for sissies. When we are young, like you, our bodies do what we tell them easily and smoothly. But older muscles get stiff and older bones get brittle, and it takes some work to stay active. Lately, Grandpa Nelson’s back has been bothering him on our long walks, and something needed to be done.

So it was off to the Providence Sports Medicine Center downtown. It is a very bright and busy place, focused on keeping people strong and healthy. It is built into the same building as the Providence Park, where folks go to watch the Timberwolves and Thorns soccer teams play. You can even get a good view of the soccer pitch from the waiting room!

We met Janna, who asked and answered questions and helped Grandpa do some exercises that will help make his back stronger. He did a good job sticking with them, and some even looked fun. You know I’m going to borrow those stretchy rubber band things.

When we had learned how to do the exercises and made an appointment for next week, we headed off. We walked to Pioneer Square, which is called “Portland’s Living Room” and saw that Christmas preparations are already up and running!

The giant Christmas tree is up and waiting for decorations, and even the Christmas tubas are warming up.

I am hoping that with Grandpa’s new exercises, we will be able to do more walking once winter passes and spring gives us some sunshine.

Love,

Grandma Judy

245 Tubas

Dear Liza,

Yesterday we had a long, cold, sunny day downtown. Our first stop was Pioneer Square, sometimes called “Portland’s Living Room”. This is a beautifully paved and decorated open square that is used for big concerts, markets, and just hanging out in.

mod person and dog statue .jpg — **Statue of a Cat lady and her … dog?**

tuba players xmas .jpg — **Two of the 245 tuba players**

Yesterday was the Tuba Christmas Concert, which features 245 people playing Christmas songs (and other lovely tunes) on tubas, baritone horns, and sousaphones. We got there early but all the seats were taken, so we stood way back and could hear, but not see, the performance. The deep peaceful music floated in the freezing cold air, and contrasted nicely with the giggling of children and chatting of families. Everyone was enjoying the day, but not silently.

red tuba hat xmas.jpg — **Tuba Christmas Hat!**

I enjoyed watching the people in the crowd. Since it was cold, most folks were wearing hats. As the day went along, I tried to take pictures of some of the more interesting hats without scaring anyone.

After the music, we walked around town, enjoying the window decorations. We stopped at Dick Blick’s Art Supplies and Powell’s City of Books, to see what would make nice presents for folks. Auntie Bridgett wanted to do some secret shopping, so we split up and agreed to meet at Kenny and Zuke’s Deli in an hour.

bright green hat xmas.jpg — **Bright hat**

Brig Hat xmas.jpg — **Auntie Bridgett hat**

We enjoyed a veggie Reuben Sandwich, french fries and chicken soup and then headed home to do the grocery shopping. The bus home was full of people all bundled up and carrying packages, just like us! When that was done, we finally got into jammies and crashed. I fell asleep during The Charlie Brown Christmas, and will need to watch it again.

back nels two hat .jpg — **Grandpa Nelson matching a stranger**

Hanging out inside this morning, watching a 34 degree wind blow past our window. It’s weird, because with no leaves left to blow along the street, you just see bare branches swaying in the wind. Sometimes your hear the wind more than you see it…..spooky, but nice.

Love, Grandma Judy