she's just saying...

Tuesday Ten: NE vs. NW

I have a young friend coming to Bend for some academic research, who's never been to the Northwest. To orient her, I've compiled this list, in no particular order, of:

10 Things You Are Unlikely To See in the Northwest Versus the Northeast

1. Artificial nails
2. Umbrellas
3. People smoking cigarettes on the sidewalk
4. Stiletto heels
5. Topsiders
6. Seersucker
7. Clothes with little embroidered whales on them
8. Newstands
9. Neckties
10. Dunkin' Donuts

(Note I said "unlikely" so don't start sending me pictures, thanks.)

OK, local folk, what would you add?

Three out of ten! Score!

What's your state nut?

Why I enjoy living in Oregon

1. No valet parking in the entire state.
2. It's got ocean, mountains, desert, lakes, rivers and a cool city. And Bend, of course.
3. Tumbleweeds still roll through our airport parking lot.
4. The state schools' mascots are a Duck and a Beaver. Isn't that cute?
5. State motto: "She flies with her own wings." (Way better than WA: "Bye and bye.")
6. People are really chatty here (something that annoyed both sisters on visits).
7. It's the home of the hazelnut.
8. Only state with a trail named after it. Ever heard of the Ohio Trail?
9. No sales tax.
10. You don't have to pump your own gas:  it's actually illegal. 'Nuff said.

The Official State Nut. The only state with an official nut, actually.

Christmas greetings! Naughty or nice?

As I mentioned, I don't send Christmas cards. Or, I do send them, just virtually: a blog post to all!

First, the family-friendly card:

  My Central Oregon readers will note that this is a Western-Oregon-centric card. The Bend version would have to include cyclists, burning buttes and roundabouts.

For the rest of you (you know who you are),

Apologies to my Christian readers. Do I even have any?
(Don't answer. Rhetorical. Really.)

Christmas time in the city, briefly

Ahhh - business trip. I've taken an informal poll (of three) and have concluded that moms who work love business trips. Time alone to relax, luxuriating in the bathroom without little hands trying to open the door, no one saying "I'm hungry!" every half hour, someone else cooking, cleaning and catering to your needs. Plus a little shopping between meetings. It's not all bad.

I miss cities, especially old cities. Portland reminds me of Boston a little as do Seattle and San Fran - old cities with rich histories, old architecture and interesting people. We're staying right in the heart of town and it looks beautiful right now - lights on the old building cornices, in the trees, stores all bright and shiny.

This hotel is one of the new trendy urban models, sleek and arty. The building was the old Meier & Frank department store and Macy's is now on the first floors. I imagine that my room used to be in the ladies' lingerie section.We're right on Pioneer Square across from Nordstrom's and an upscale mall. It's all eye candy for a gal from a small town on the other side of the mountains.

I only have one complaint: why can't fancy hotels use soap dishes?

I know it would mess up the super sleek zenlike bathroom, but it's annoying. As a mom, I fret about having to wipe up the counter constantly. Though of course it's not me doing it this time.

Twelve hours later...

Yes, we made it home. The good thing about chains is that you can get through most of the bad stuff. The unfortunate side effect is you can't drive more than 30 mph. And we came back empty-seated -- Mark couldn't get to PDX until Christmas day, so he went home and started driving up. That's a devoted friend. We drove 12 hours, he's going to drive 20. One way.

The Portland airport was a nightmare in living color. People camped on the floor everywhere, lines that snaked back to security to check baggage, people stranded and babies crying and kids whining, one of which was mine. We got to experience the whole thing just for fun! It does make you appreciate never leaving the house during the holidays.

Thanks for all the good thoughts - it was an adventure!

driving back

Fun

Driving into the worst of it

We decided it wouldn't be a real Christmas without getting stuck in a snowstorm in the mountains, so we got in the car this am and are headed over the pass.

We're going to Portland to rescue our friend Mark who is trying to fly in from LA. Why we aren't flying there is a good question.

This should be fun. The entire city of Portland requires chains. Not snow tires. Chains. Plus we're driving over with Neighbor X just to keep it awkward. More posts to come!

We got press!

We're getting famous!

The Oregonian has a great knitting blog full of knitterly happenings in the state, and today they featured the Bend Knit-Up. Click to see:

I'm so proud I'm getting teary.

Though she got it mixed up about my Red Sox. No biggie. Just don't tell Jacoby or Dustin.

Short fall

What was it I was saying about getting the gardens and deck ready before snow fell? Oops, too late.

I left work tonight after an exhibit opening in a snow flurry, and it was accumulating on the ground. This was 5 miles south of town; it was dry at my house. But it was real, legitimate, heavy falling snow. This may be the earliest I've seen it here. Wow. Button up and hunker down: winter is inevitable.

I really don't like being cold.

" 'Neath the cover of October skies..."

Perfect weather for the hot tub last night. Fall has definitely fallen on us here in the high desert. Not easy to tell sometimes, as we're known for erratic weather throughout the summer. (Typical: 85 degree days and 25 degree nights. Perfect!)  But the leaves are changing, the geese are leaving and the flannel sheet sets have arrived at Costco.

At work, the badgers are packing on their winter weight as they head into torpor (semi-hibernation). I'm right there with them. (By the way, you've got to check out our badger-cam here.)

As a mountain town, there's a feeling of anticipation and excitement around here waiting for the snow to start. I hardly ski anymore and I still feel it. It's not far off - I recall a few Halloweens of zero degrees and snowy sidewalks. Pretty soon we'll put on the snow tires and start our seasonal ritual of tracking down lost snowboard gloves. Last year I gave in and bought a bunch of pairs at Costco. All that remain are two left hands.

Eventually I need to prepare the gardens and deck for winter.  My sister once remarked that she enjoyed hacking the perennial beds down in the fall - it was sort of a relief after a summer of continuous gardening. Not yet though, as the asters, autumn joy, and hollyhocks are in their glory right now. It's about time for my annual bulb-buying spree. I've planted hundreds of bulbs in my garden for the last eleven years -- where the hell are they all?

Beautiful day for some (flag) football

He caught it and ran for the TD! Someone got a video of it - it will show up on his highlights reel someday.

Shaky shot due to the photographer jumping up and down.

Hummers

This summer has been filled with hummingbirds here. I have two feeders that have been buzzing with activity from dawn til dark. The hummers' whirring has accompanied my digging and hauling and struggling on the waterfall. They buzz, eat, fight, chase and perch right above my head, fearless of the humans, cats, dogs and kids right under them.

I thought the hummers had taken off on their long trip ahead, but yesterday heard that unmistakable sound and watched as one of them filled up for the flight. They have such heart for such a tiny creature. I'll be thinking of them as they fly south and look forward to their return.

an inadequate shot of an amazing bird

Firefly

Bug courtesy of my big bro Steve. Photo mine.

One thing I like about the East: fireflies.

We always called them lightning bugs. Nothing brings back the summers of my childhood like a lawn at late dusk, sprinkled with lightning bugs twinkling in their lovesick short buggy lives.

There don't seem to be fireflies in the West. I think it's a humidity thing. Maybe the only good thing about this East Coast humidity, other than my cuticles looking more presentable.

What are your childhood summer memories?

Solar City

A friend and I went up to Schilling Solar City Gardens yesterday for their spring extravaganza.

Schillings is a wonderful nursery filled with central Oregon-friendly plants and silly little garden vignettes with plaster figurines, dinosaurs, etc., including a fake western town with building fronts, just for fun.

They are the perfect nursery - helpful staff, incredible variety, special areas for water plants, sedum (my favorite), annuals and vegetable starts in greenhouses, etc. I rarely get out of there for less than $100, though this time I restrained myself. This is all I bought:

Well, maybe almost $100. But it was all on sale!

Now I just have to plant it all.