No Bull

There's no room for any bull

within an old growth forest of coastal Oregon.

The varying layers of green, brown, and black 

are too busy vying for light and  water.

But first let's travel a few days back

to the last day of June when unbeknownst 

to our family a tiny Cinderella had lost a shoe.

Sadly it was not the shoe shown above. 

Granny searched and found another pair!

After our visiting family members 

went back home the next event was 

the Fourth of July.

250 years ago did they celebrate with deviled eggs, 

sugary cookies and salty snacks?

Well, we do now!

My donation purge continues.

We're trying to figure out what does work in this home,

with these grandkids, and with our own needs.

Can some of you relate?

Drop me a line and tell me a story.

Some went to charity and some to my Y Camp 

since I was invited to come support a White Ragger.

I haven't been buying anything so it was surprising

to still fill my car with colorful crochet items, beach towels, and 

playful clothing for the Ishkaboobie costume closet and Staff picks.

I am hoping the stuff found new homes at my Home.

"Be giving and forget the gift." ~ Ragger's Creed

Decisions about what goes in my gut 

have become more influential 

within my daily life than in the past.

I am not a fan of this change but I am rallying.

Sometimes my belly feels like this smelly compost bin.

And sometimes I just have to have something 

yummy like Key Lime Pie.

 (As my a birthday treat.)

I was grateful for these mental meals this month.

I watched these movies on the way to Portland, Oregon 

where I met up with some women I met last fall in Ojai, CA.

Since I had already been having trouble with my sleeping and eating patterns

 the two hour difference really put my system into shock.

How did I travel to India twice and 

not feel the effects so harshly?

Oh, wait, that was over a decade ago!

Lots has changed in this bod since then!

"Oil!" ~ Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz

I so love having a window seat on airplanes!

Portland's airport is quite impressive!

After flying almost five hours it was lovely 

to get to our host's home 

and take a walk.

I saw a heron!

The group of five women

took many "band" photos 

- in a forest or at beach, etc - 

but those pics 

won't be shown here.

Before taking off for the coast 

four of us non-locals 

used a ride service to go into the city of Portland.

The other women spent the two hours at Powell's.

I realize it's famous.

But I listen to audiobooks now.

 My sore knee does better moving.

Standing and shuffling along while viewing books I won't 

be buying was not going to be good for me.

I gave the place a quick glance and struck out on my own.

First I had a local treat.

I found the Visitor's center, got some tips 

and wandered about looking at architecture etc...

I loved these beaver and seal statues along the road.

I was told to go to the Portland Building

to see the second largest copper statue 

in the United States, Portlandia.

I was happy to see this children's library area.

Beverly Cleary wrote back to my class of third graders

 after we sent a letter to her!

I'd been told to look for murals so I looked for them specifically.

I enjoyed my jaunt around the city!

Afterwards I got a bagel with lox and capers at the Powell's Cafe. 

Yum!

The next day we headed two hours away

to the coast where the temperature dropped drastically.

We drove past lots of trees and on curvy roads.

I was glad I wasn't one of the two passengers who gets carsick.

It's fun to think about what it would be like

to live on a hillside,

in a forest,

overlooking a river.

But I couldn't handle the isolation.

Give me a solid Trick or Treat street.

Many of you know my car has lots of bumper stickers.

I was told the back window display shown below 

is typical for an Oregon vehicle.

The decals are pretty much outdoor life themed.

(Mine are mainly slogans or from radio stations, 

record  stores, small businesses, 

restaurants, and tourist sites.)

Our rental property was down in that area,

but waaaaaaaay up on a hillside.

In order to be oceanside we had to go down 

(and back up) a very steep road.

I wore my knee brace.

Here's what I saw when I made the trek.

This tsunami message was a bit frightening.

We did drive down for some sunsets.

And one night I mooched a ride back up the hill 

from some people who were driving a golf cart!

Did I mention it was cold?

I am so glad I packed these winter items

for my trip in July.

These are pretty photos 

but they don't look

like the sky we were actually viewing. 

The colors in a snapshot change things.

Just like our perceptions alter our experiences.

There were many deep discussions 

during this reunion-retreat. 

I saw a whale!

Sorta.

We went to town for dinner one night and 

I brought surprise balls. 

You can kinda see the tissue paper 

unwrappings on the table top.

Bracelets, stickers, and jokes were inside 

plastic balls that were covered in colored paper.

I like a little hoopla and whimsy.

I also led the group in my usual writing workshop format.

The timing got extended because another person added a twist that 

allowed each of us to examine our prompted pieces in a new way.

Enjoyable. 

I had some delicious pistachio almond ice cream in town.

See the Bob Ross? 

I didn't buy this pot handle holder

but I thought of my avocado loving loved one.

Now back to that day in the rainforest.

We took a walk through gorgeous foliage 

along well maintained paths that ended at a beach.

Mainly we followed the surfers.

It was not a difficult trail and we took it slow.

Sleeping dragon?

This tree looks like a character from The Hobbit.

This is called a Nurse Tree because it provides

growing material for other plants.

This guy...

Overall I did a decent job of packing.

I wore "hiking" boots on the plane, 

but ended up in my Crocs 

for the one "hike" and for most of the trip.

I had UV protected shirts for sunscreen and warmth.

I used my fleece vest and down coat.

I had a wool hat and a ball cap.

I brought TOO many (wool) socks.

The mosquito repellent wipes I tucked in came in handy.

Bringing a towel from the rental home to the beach 

was smart decision since I ended up walking on the 

sandy shoreline and up to my knees in the water.

I had shorts on under my pants so it was easy to peel and enjoy the ocean.

All these choices made an unknown adventure so much more enjoyable.

I was grateful for my ability to adapt to this new kind of outdoorsy environment, 

far from my home, and with minimal supplies from a carry on bag.

Yea, me!

The tidal pools located near the rocky shores were spectacular.

Marine Mist.

Another day we headed into town to see the stores.

I bought some postcards created by a local photographer.

Another night we went to the Farmer's Market. 

We heard live music and I had some delicious Pacific fried oysters.

The peaches and berries were mouthwatering.

The day we headed back we did a quick side trip 

to Cannon Beach where parking was impossible. 

There were lovely boutiques with jewelry and gift items

but it was packed with tourists.

I had some tasty pizza.

That night some of us stayed at an airport hotel.

The day I was flying out I was blessed with a 

meet up with the daughter of one of my best friends.

My daughter and hers went to school together and 

the four of us did Girl Scout stuff.

I got to see some suburban areas of Portland 

and we had brunch at a French Cafe. 

What a lovely bookend to my visit.

I brought home some coffee.

Back home in Chicagoland we got hit

with the Canadian smoke!

(One measurement said our air quality was 800!)

Those were some miserable days.

Our neighbors have decided to grow

butternut squash on purpose this year.

(Last year it randomly showed up.)

We'll see how the crop shapes up.

We've gone to some Food Truck Thursdays 

and enjoyed the music and fare.

We've had some dog days of summer

with humidity and heat.

I spent my birthday bagging up the tree branch carnage 

from a storm that included HAIL!

We made some "holiday" (hollandaise) sauce

for my birthday dinner.

Yum!

Remember, even in the dark moments 

the light of hope and wonder shines through!

Keep blooming.

We're off to celebrate another July birthday

so I'll send this off a few days early.

Thanks for your continued support!

Peace be with you!

~ Jen Pen