Monday, October 21, 2019

Quick trip to Oregon - the great outdoors

It took me a long time to complete my morning run because I decided to carry my phone and kept stopping to take pictures.

There was a whole block of chestnut trees!
I was surprised to find so many of the American Chestnuts.

And was grateful to find so many of the kind I call buckeyes.
Thanks, TSA, for letting me bring so many home!


So green!

So mossy!

We took a beautiful walk around the canyon

And saw a wooly bear caterpillar! 

What a beautiful fall day!

And one picture for the City of Roses


Saturday, October 12, 2019

Quick trip to Oregon - books

We had some time to explore before the main event 

so we toured the neighborhood to find little free libraries.

I loved wandering around and connecting with
my people, leaving a book and taking a book.
And what is a trip without a stop at the public library?

Even our housing came with a shelf of books
and a sign reading, "Feel free to take a book."
The one thing I don't have a picture of is the place I spent the longest.
Powell's Bookstore was so overwhelming I forgot to take a picture. I thought about buying A. a role-playing game book. I eventually found the section and it was so enormous I couldn't figure out how to pick one. If I make it back I will be more prepared.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Quick trip to Oregon - transportation

People complain about air travel,
but I thought it was great to have a cup of
coffee and a chance to catch up on newspapers.

We caught the light rail at PDX and arrived at our stop 

after crossing the Willamette River.
Even though it was a bit steep, it was
nice to see that there was a rail for
rolling a bike up or down the stairs.

We chose our place to stay because it came
with two bicycles, including lights, helmets, and a lock.
It was great to find covered parking!



Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Theater

Soon we will see the musical Newsies at the local dinner theater. 

Last month the same venue hosted the regional repertory company's
production
 of the musical Fun Home, but without dinner.
We had both read the book but I still cried at the end.

A couple days later we drove out to the Sierra Madre Playhouse to see my high school classmate. It was a great performance and definitely worth the drive. A friend who had been there the week before recommended a post-performance visit to Mothermoo Creamery. David had basil ice cream on a brownie and I had a scoop of a slightly tart and very delicious passion fruit sorbet.

It is great to get out and about sometimes!

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Apple season


It was a beautiful day in the mountains.

We did not pick apples because the
varieties available were not of interest.

The chestnut tree looked healthy.


I love watching the donut machine!
I always think the apples grown in the mountains aren't as good
as the apples in Ithaca, plus it is crowded and more expensive
 than I think it should be. On the other hand, no matter how
many apples I buy I think I should have bought more!



I made applesauce in the slow cooker, pressure cooker,
and on the stove top. Stove top was clearly the worse,
but it was not clear which was the winner.

I was able to give away all these peels to someone with hens
and in return she gave us some of their eggs. Good deal!

Monday, October 7, 2019

September leftovers


A member-supported radio station in Pasadena hosted a storytelling event in town.
It was entertaining, free, and within cycling distance - ideal!
Did I mention I have a new job?


Not as fun as our old analog odometer, but this is still pretty satisfying.

After and before of a round braided loaf.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

New and Improved

When I was at LAX in May I could not believe they did not have water bottle fillers.

I was happy to see ONT had added some.

Where I swim the count is about 360,000 so
I was amazed to see that this was at only 178.

I walked to the end of the gates and found
one that had an even lower number! Wow!