Perspectives on Family: Phone Conversation

Here is an excerpt of a phone conversation I had with my mom today. Sometimes the things she says just strike me as funny. This, for example, gives me a clear mental picture:

"Grandma called earlier and I picked up the phone, but all I heard was a click, and I thought, didn't she hear me say hello? So I looked at the cord and I could see that the kitties had chewed through it because they're still mad at me. I keep putting their grasshoppers outside that they bring in. I think it was the one with the broken leg that did it."

I can just see her gathering the grasshoppers in a cup and throwing them out; meanwhile the cat looks on in disgust, its eyes narrowing. All that hard work (with a broken leg no less) to bring in the hoppy toys, and mom just throws them out. Naturally the cat takes out it's revenge on the phone cord. It knows where to hit mom so it hurts.

The Next Time You're In Tanzania...

The next time you're in Tanzania, just remember that the most powerful words in the Swahili language are: "Punguza bei, tafadhali." It will serve you well whenever you try to buy something from a vendor in the marketplace, or when you buy bus tickets. Of course, they will always try to give you the "white" price first, which is usually so ridiculous that only the richest of tourists could pay it. If you ask nicely they will bargain with you, and if they don't -- just walk away, they will come running after you to give you the price you want.

I was reminded of this on Friday when I went car shopping. Things are so much different in the U.S. when it comes to buying and selling, it sort of takes the fun out of it. However, I did emerge on the other side of the transaction with a pretty little new car, for which I am very grateful.

What You Should Be Reading: Installment 1

If you're like me, then you like a good book. If you're not like me, well then, you still might like a good book even if you can't appreciate men in bunny suits running through the Laurelhurst Park (true story). Lord knows it's a difficult process finding a decent book these days. With all the chick lit, sci-fi, and cardboard cut out books out there (ok, they have their places) sometimes you just want a good bit of literature to sink your teeth into. Something that challenges your thinking, makes you wonder a little bit, draws a little bit more of your soul out into the world. For that, there's this: What You Should Be Reading. I read a lot of books, so if you're looking to find some recommendations, this is the spot. Likewise, if you have a book you would like to recommend, please do so.

I have a certain number of prerequisites when looking for a book. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Book must not be classified as a romance novel. That's not to say it can't have a love story intertwined, but I have to say I get really bored with stories that are just plain about a romance. I mean, boy meets girl, girl meets boy, blah, blah, blah. We've all heard it, seen it, and read it, so lets move on!

2. Book must not be solely about family drama. Again, it could have some family drama woven in, but I think we've all seen The Family Stone. Boring. Not to mention all the personal family drama we all deal with on a daily basis. If it stresses me out in real life, I sure as hell don't want to stress about it in my reading life.

3. The title must grab my attention. And by grab I mean attach and not let go.

4. Book must have an interesting underlying theme. Ok, this one isn't a rule so much as a suggestion. I just love when a book has something unusual about it, some extra quirk that draws me in.

And that's it. Fairly simple really.

Today I will discuss a recent find on a trip to Powells (I often go just to wander, smell the pages). The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon jumped out at me from the shelf. Well, not literally. But the bright orange cover did, as did the title, and we all know the title says a lot about a book.

It seemed a huge task, to write a book about a young man with autism investigating the murder of a neighbor's dog. When I started to read, it took me a few pages to realize that the protagonist had a form of autism, and I was surprised that someone would take that on. Now I must say his story is told with sensitivity and humor, and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. My eyes were opened to the reality of autism; something I did not understand before.

It was a pretty fast read, and it challenged my thinking. So if you're in the market for a good book, check it out.

Sing a Song of Strawberries!

I don't think there is a more perfect fruit than the humble strawberry. And I'm not talking about those dry, cardboard-textured gritty ones that you get at the store that were genetically engineered in California. I'm talking about the sweet little decadent ruby beauties that you find at the Farmers Market. Usually only available from June to early July (but I did happen to find some at the one last night in the Pearl!), they get snapped up by the boxload. Just to show you what I mean:

My favorite thing to do with strawberries, besides eat them?

Strawberry lemonade of course!

Hiking in the City

If you've never been to Portland, OR, you are truly missing out. Not only do we have a wide collection of top notch restaurants, some of the most beautiful scenery around, and big city convenience with a small town feel, there is also a plethora of things to do. One sunny afternoon in September of last year a friend and I went for a quick hike up Mt. Tabor. Located in the Southeast section of the city, Mt. Tabor offers some of the best views of downtown. There are plenty of paths that run through the forests of this ancient dead volcano as well as a playground and the drinking water for SE. Here are some pictures from that day:

A hazy fall day, looking west from Mt. Tabor.

Wildflowers growing on the hillside.

The path.

Super cute puppy to the rescue!

Do you see the spider?

This little boy was on a mission with his koala bear backpack. His parents must have been too slow pushing their stroller, and he was impatient to get a move on!

The blue sky struck me as a beautiful backdrop to this gothic looking stone turret on the reservoir.

Then again, the water in the reservoir was also a stunning shade of blue which made for an interesting contrast against the texture of the stone.

View of the city from next to the reservoir, not as much haze in the air.

I think these are crabapples. I liked the way the sunlight was streaming through the branches.

I am reminiscing about that day right now because it was the perfect temperature out, warm with a hint of chilly breeze, right on the cusp of autumn. Today is supposed to be a record breaking day for heat in the Portland area, reaching 105F in the late afternoon. I need a hose. And a kiddie pool. And lots of ice.