Well, there is a train that runs (very slowly) around the perimeter of the park, making a complete round every 5 minutes or so.
Oliver instantly fell in love with that train and insisted we ride it again, and again, and again.
After the 10th trip I lost count.
And after the hike the parking lot did clear out some so we got to play in the sand too.
Oliver made me a green skirt.
But...we do have a garden this year and I found them just in time to plant. Check it out!
Maybe I'll save the seeds from these plants too - keep the cycle going.
What? You don't have your groceries delivered once a month like we do?
Well, in my personal opinion (I know, not that you asked), everyone should.
Convinced? In Portland (and surrounding areas) you can set up an account with Azure Standard and join in the fun. We belong to a co-op of sorts so we can meet the minimum order amount, but it's low enough that one family could almost manage it alone.
Here's all I did:
A late breakfast/brunch at Bipartisan Cafe.
Where one shoe had to be removed.
And several books had to be read.
Which gave us the idea to go to Powell's.
Where Tim and I both gazed longingly at the pictures in this book:
Unfortunately my camera battery pooped out before we got to the playground at Washington Park, which of course would have made for the best pictures of the day. Although we didn't stay long because it was so cold (um, it's the first day of summer, right?).
Oh well.
Mt. Tabor Park, cool for many reasons, but particularly because it's an inactive volcano. (I believe) the only one within city limits in the United States.
Summer concerts a super lovely series of events organized by Portland Parks and Rec.
The view from the park. Maybe if you squint you can see our house.
Super cool, Oliver and I thought.
Fly in hand, Oliver immediately cut it into small pieces.
While watching a very interesting program on environmental design (narrated by Brad Pitt, but that's beside the point, right?), I was inspired by the idea of leading a crusade to plant a vegetable garden in every yard and fruit trees at every school. Yes, I agree, a big job. My daydreams tend to have an element or two of grandeur.
Anyway, a quick search for another, equally garden-crazed maniac out there in the world lead me to this article in the New York Times Magazine by none other than Michael Pollan.
After asking the question "Why Bother?" in regard to changing our behaviour in order to slow (or stop) climate change, he (very elloquently, of course) comes to the conclusion that by all means we should bother and that the very best way to bother is to plant your own vegetable garden. Not only will you be taking a positive step in reducing your personal carbon footprint, you just might influence your neighbor to do the same. And of course you'll enjoy homegrown, garden fresh tomatoes (which is reason enough if you ask me).
Well, well. Perhaps I am not so nutty after all. My musing imagination came up with the same solution to global environmental decline as the great eco-writer and defender of all foods natural and good. Granted, this article was published more than a year ago, so I'm a tad behind the curve here, but better late than never, right?
Whoohoo! Today was our first farm box delivery of the season from Helsing Junction Farm. We're members of their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and therefore get a box of farm-fresh produce delivered to a central, nearby neighborhood location each week.
The produce has been really lovely in the past, so everyone was looking forward to the first box.
And as you can see, we didn't even make it through the front door before the kids dug in.
That's Oliver stuffing as many perfectly ripe strawberries into his mouth as fast as he possibly can.
I believe it's going to be a good summer...
Never mind that they can get into their coop on their own.
Perhaps they wanted to make sure I closed the door to the run nice and tight.
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