Keep Portland Weird I

Right outside my window on NW Flanders St...I counted 43 corgis--short-legged, potbellied dogs in shades of golden blonde, white, and chestnut brown, shuffling along the sidewalk with their owners in some sort of make-shift parade, streaming along as they panted and interrupted traffic.

After a few days of shock, I wanted to acknowledge the tragic accident that happened last weekend to blogger, Stephanie Clark Nielson. She was in a private plane crash with her husband, Christian, and his flight instructor, Doug Kinneard, last weekend in Arizona. Details informing readers of the accident, Stephanie and Christian's critical condition, and the death of the flight instructor have been shared by her sister, Jane, on NieNie Dialogues.

I do not know Stephanie, who affectionately goes by "Nie," but happened upon her bright and lively blog one day over a year ago and have been in love with her/it ever since. What rings true on her pages are beauty, livelihood, generosity, creativity, and faith. I truly have learned so much and felt so inspired by her daily posts...I'm at a loss of words to say what it feels like to know she is struggling. How strange to feel so deeply for someone you've never met? I've officially been changed by the internet forever. Stephanie's sister, Jane, continues to inform the devoted readers of Nie's blog via her own blog, cjanerun. Stephanie and Christian have been removed from critical condition but are still fragile. Their four children are staying with family...And I can't even finish writing this without crying.

Sigh. I couldn't even title this post.

I have added a button on the sidebar for anyone who would like to donate to help with medical costs and this transitional period for Nie, her husband, and their children. If you have been touched by her life like I have, I'm sure you won't hesitate.

xoxo,
leah

Saturday, August 16

Surviving the Heat Wave

With temperatures climbing to over 100 degrees this weekend, Portland is freaking out. Not to mention Rocco and Hobbes. We tried placing wet towels on them for a neat cooling effect that Dan and I enjoy, and they ran from us as though we were going to chop off their feet. Finally, I poured a glass of water on top of each of them and they sulked off to cool and stop panting.

We are lucky in the sense that our condo faces the northwest and gets a lovely shade from surrounding Cedars and Sweet Gums, so unlike our neighbors situated on the opposite side in shameless sunlight, we can keep the place regulated pretty cool by keeping everything shut up during the day and letting breezes through at night. Oh, did I mention we don't have air conditioning?

We also don't have air conditioning working in our car anymore, which makes for a sauna of a commute at the end of the day, when Portland reaches peak temperatures between 4 and 6 p.m. This is one of the things that I have never adjusted to completely in the Northwest. Growing up in Central Illinois, you could expect the peak temperature at "high noon," usually spent graciously at the public pool, and then by dinner time it was cooling off. Not here.

Speaking of dinner, I did keep in mind the uber-hot temperatures when I planned our meals this week. Cool dishes like sushi rolls and edemame, santa fe gazpacho, and pasta or veggie salads taste so good when you're sweating in your underwear. And of course, ice cold ales never hurt.

I Know, I Know!

Sorry I haven't been posting frequently....and I know I forgot to post August's artist of the month. I have something special planned for that, so stay tuned. I HAVE BEEN A BUSY BEE!

• Finding THE JOB.
• Cleaning and reorganizing our walk-in closet.
• Getting copy of wedding certificate for passport renewals and getting all forms in on time.
• Designing and publishing the M REVIEW.
• Working, amidst pretty tiny clothing new for fall.
• Having weird dreams and continuing my insomnia streak. Shark week is over but thank God I have the olympic reruns at 3 a.m.
• Walking Rocco [One of my favorite memories of all time will now be :::: Hubby and I walking Rocco down to the end of Langer Park, then back through the sprinklers. I got drenched, Rocco tried desperately to avoid them, and Dan took one opportunity to stop me in my tracks and give me romantic smooches in the moonlight. *Sigh.*]
• Preparing for upcoming trip to Illinois, including gathering all things stockpiled for THE NEF.
• Combing Hobbes' jungle of hair.
• Meeting with new doctors.

Passport Renewal: Canada, Here We Come!

Too Cute!

Earlier, an elder gentleman poked his silver head in the door of the shop and peered around.

"I'm looking for my wifey!"

I told him I hadn't seen anyone for a while and he smiled, thanked me, and continued up the street.

I almost called my hubby right there on the spot to tell him how much I love him.