For years, I had a favorite hat. It was an Indiana Jones style that was good for winter, spring and fall, waterproof for rain, and heavy felt so it was warm.
When I was teaching, I wore it every day. Parents and kids told me they could identify me anywhere in town because of the distinctive silhouette of the hat.
Then, in 2019, I lost it. On vacation in Seattle, I left it in a taxi cab. Gone, gone, gone. Now what?
For months, I was too sad about it to think about replacing it. That winter came and went and I wore wooly hats and my new Hufflepuff scarf.
For the next summer I got a wonderful straw hat. But still no replacement.
And then the other day at Artifact, a fabulous second hand shop down on Division, I found it! Second hand and on sale, I fell in love with it. It fit, it was close enough to my old one but just different enough to be ‘new’, and the price was right.
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.
Statue of a Cat lady and her … dog?
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.
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.
Minion hat
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 hat
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.
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.
Dear Liza 