Updates

I am feeling reflective - part of aging, you think??? So, a quick review of what has been happening re: earlier entries.

January:
Entry - Snow.
The winter ended up being much milder than I had thought might be the case.  Nothing like Connecticut winters, that's for sure. Yes, we had several snow falls but they never stuck around for more than a few hours - perfect snow, in my mind. It has rained a LOT but suspect this is typical. It seems like it has been gray most days since last December so when the sun pokes through, it is glorious. I can cope.

Entry - Stupidity.
Have not forgotten my keys since that day - the lanyard hanging around my neck may look rather odd but I don't care. And my thumb drive still works! Have needed to get to some of those photos and they all remain accessible. Amazing.

Entry -  My New Volunteer Assignment (at the place that gives emergency food/clothing to the poor)
At this point I do not think I will switch to direct involvement with the Food Bank (my original plan). I like helping out at this local non-profit. It's a few miles from my house in a somewhat trendy neighborhood - but on the straggly end of it. People start arriving about 9 - a half hour  before we open. All I do is answer the phones and am now an expert at answering basic questions. Although I will probably field 40-50 calls in my 5 hour time slot, some will take only a minute so I have lots of free time. I can't, however, get up and do something else because I need to be there if the phone rings. I bring a book and catch up on reading.

The 5-foot partition in front of my desk separates me from the client waiting area (either waiting to be interviewed or waiting to pick up their packets of food) so it makes direct engagements with clients difficult. However, while they fix their coffee, they can see me over the partition and will occasionally engage me in chat, especially when cookies or coffee run out. The extras are stored in my area.

I have enjoyed becoming part of the organization and now experience one of the surest signs of longevity - I understand comments that were cryptic in the past. I now know to whom they refer. Have also noted some organizational dysfunctions (as only a newcomer can) and am so very grateful that it is not my responsibility to fix them. Time to let younger ones get such experiences.

My second volunteer job at the main branch of the library is a lot of fun. I enjoy interacting with library patrons. We all love books. The library gift shop where I work on Saturday mornings sells used books that patrons have donated (along with notebooks, cards, other reading-related stuff). It means that a lot of discussions come up about books customers are thinking about purchasing, have read, or want to know more about. It's like talking about films - so interesting to exchange viewpoints. And, as stated in other blog entries, I enjoy being downtown. Each Saturday, when I leave the library, I go explore something new. Last Saturday it was the Museum of Contemporary Craft - an article in The Oregonian about the latest exhibit (the work of sculpture Betty Feves) intrigued me. I really enjoyed her work. It was inspiring - so inspiring that when the museum offered a table with bits of materials to play with, I sat down and composed my first piece of sculpture as a mature artist. I say mature because one of my Pacific Grove artist neighbors actually spent more than a year, every other week, helping me explore the possibilities of my developing ANY level of artistic expression.  I kindly label my style Primitive.  Here is an example:

No, God did NOT give me artistic talents but maybe sculpture could work.  Here is my creation, now sitting on my kitchen table, in front of the small cement planter box I dragged home from London:

Let's see - how would a museum describe it:

Title:  Cogito, Ergo Sum (Latin always impresses, and an historic reference as well - a winner of a title - although, in reality, he doesn't look like he is thinking - kind of empty headed - maybe waiting for the perfect wave?)

Media:  rock, clay, bead, torn snippet of cardboard

Height: 2.5 inches

Time to Create: 1 minute in thought (hence the title), 1 minute in execution

Now, the proper place to display this new work of art:

Near real art? 

Oh, my goodness, no.

Near candlesticks?

No, too overpowering.

Near something closer in size? 

 No, too scary.

Perhaps back on the table were Wesley can play with it?  

Yes, that's best.

Entry - The Devil and Me - about Comcast

It's all going fine.  One problem arose but Comcast solved it - after another $50, of course.

Entry - Urban Intrigue -  about my interaction at the bananas at Trader Joe's

Never heard another thing.  Assume the device I sold is working fine and I am used to all my new passwords.

February

Entry - Schondecken's Coffee Shop

I continue to enjoy experiencing coffee shops throughout my travels in Portland.  Am now something of a native - if I am out for any length of time I am walking with coffee in hand.

Entry - Running the Gauntlet of 4-Year Olds

Interesting thing has happened with the 4-year olds. I haven't been greeted as Milk Shake or Hot Dog, etc in quite a while. They sometimes ask me what my name is but with smiles on their faces and, when I don't respond, they drop it. Lovely. What they now do is run over to tell me what has been happening in their lives especially if it involves THEIR grandmothers.  I enjoy it.  They don't do this at a fever pitch so I am sure their teachers enjoy it more as well.

Entry - Portland Couture

It continues to amuse me.  As my sister, Mary, says, "You don't even have to ask which airline gate you are flying from. Just look for people dressed in the Portland style and you're probably right."  Quite true.

March

Entry - Driving in Portland

I remain "unhonked."

Entry - Big Boy Underpants

I continue to be intrigued with Wesley's language development. He likes words. When I say a word he doesn't know, he will ask me what it means.  His favorite right now is Rhododendron.  They are blooming everywhere and he likes to point them out - "Look, a pink rhododendren, oh there's a red rhododendron," etc.  I think he likes the sound of it rolling around in his mouth.  He also likes to repeat phrases that I have used.  A favorite, when he doesn't understand something, "It's a mystery, Gramma, it's a mystery." Perhaps his favorite expression (and it plays into a favorite activity) when ANYTHING is misplaced - a piece of silverware, a book, a doll - "Let's get the flashlight."  Apparently, one can only find something with flashlight in hand. And, by the way, potty training is going swimmingly. Accidents happen but, on the whole, he is doing well.

The rest are all recent enough that updates aren't needed. All in all, life is good and I am adjusting to the great northwest.