Fall Comes to Oregon

   Auggie turned seven-years-old on October 9th. He is in first grade and yes, he is that cute! He collects bracelets. Here are just a few!

Birthday Boy and Daddy

Bracelet Collection ...count at least four! 

                I am constantly amazed by the diversity of life in Portland and its surrounding area. Perched five stories up above the hustle and bustle of Sandy Boulevard, I am across from Grocery Outlet which becomes Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, above Whole Foods which supplies me with Ruby Jewels local organic vegan ice cream between eight o’clock a.m. and ten o’clock p.m., beside a garden one floor down that supplies me with fresh kale for my morning smoothies, five blocks from the four raised beds at Grant High School’s garden I’ve been a “squatter” on all summer, a two hour drive from Hood River’s “Fruit Loop” of apple, pear and pumpkin farms I visited today with Portland Parks and Recreation’s excursion van,  and just a ten minute walk from Auggie and Jude who supply me with endless entertainment. I am fifteen minutes to an hour and a half away from hikes along rushing rivers and waterfalls and a fifteen minute drive from the airport where I’ll pick up my old pal Rita on Saturday morning and would happily pick up anyone else who wants to come and visit!

              This is such a beautiful time of year! A few pictures are worth thousands of words...and oh so much easier to produce! 

Today on the Columbia River Gorge Highway
Heading towards Hood River, home of many apple farms.

Thompson's Farm

Crab Apples to Honey Crisp...27 varieties in all!

                             

Portland Transportation: Biker heads south across bridge and I head north on the MAX train
with my heavy bag of apples and pears on my lap.

The last of the produce from my garden at Grant High School
There has been plenty for me and plenty to share!

In the city, one can live surprisingly well without a car or a yard!