What are you reading?

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Linda Andrews

This month, I’m reading:

Perfect Phrases for dealing with difficult people

And just for fun:

NC Lewis’s British Seaside Cozy Mystery series

What are you reading?

 

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Our Week in Portland, Part VI

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Linda Andrews

We managed to cross the river into Washington and visit Fort Vancouver. It is a completely reconstructed National Park that tells the story of early European settlement driven by the fur trade.

Outside the walls was a food garden and orchard.

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We started at the counting house.

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I imagine this well was easy to use, but not as easy as turning on a tap. Behind the well is the bakery, which is half-in and half-out of the fort walls.

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These two cabins are what most of the settlers would have lived in.

Attached to the fort is the Pearson Air Museum which focused on the early days of aviation and had an awesome display circa World War 1. Here is the inside of the a tent that housed the men who milled the wood to make the airplanes.

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Until next time!

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Our Week in Portland-Part V

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Linda Andrews

We were fortunate enough to visit the Japanese Gardens in Washington Park. There are actually seven types of gardens to explore, all more beautiful than the last.

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I loved all the gardens. It’s not that we don’t have them in Phoenix, but we are a desert so they are very different than those in Oregon. And then there’s just the fact that there are ponds and streams.

Until next time.

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Our Week in Portland, Part IV

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Linda Andrews

Given that the Willamette river just a few blocks from our hotel, we found the Spirit of Portland River Cruises and booked a cruise on a boat that would take us up the river and through the Columbia Gorge to the Cascade Locks. On the way, we learned about Bigfoot.

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We watched the geese before boarding the boat and traveling under so man bridges to reach the Columbia River.

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In the lock, we rose 60 feet to reach the lake near the damn.

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And at the end of the tour, Bigfoot was waiting to take photos with everyone. The day was beautiful.

Until next time.

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Our Week in Portland, Part III

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Linda Andrews

A trip to Portland wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Rose Garden. It was heavenly and as the sun rose, the scent was amazing. Of course, not everything was a rose.

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Until next time!

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Our Week in Portland, Part II

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Linda Andrews

We managed to do the Portland Underground tour. It was a walking tour of some of downtown’s history before going underground to the tunnels where ‘shanghaied’  or crimped men were turned into sailors.

The king of crimping in Portland even crimped his teenaged son. When the tour guide asked what we thought the son did when he returned to town after 5 years at sea, I volunteered that he killed his dad. Apparently, that was the wrong answer. The correct answer is, he went into the family business-crimping.

Go figure.

Our tour also included a visit to the famous Portland sign.

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And a memorial to the Americans of Japanese descent who were interred during World War II.

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Until next time.

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Our Week in Portland

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Linda Andrews

We were lucky enough to visit our oldest daughter in Portland. I had been to Oregon before but not to Portland, so the hubbinator and I decided to stay downtown and explore.

We toured the Oregon Historical Museum and spent a lot of time on the World War II exhibit before traveling upstairs to see the history of humans in the region. The state is a contradiction, plainly explained in many of the exhibits and the words of those who lived there. I was saddened to see only 7 tribal flags representing the 9 federally recognized nations indigenous to the state (Arizona has 21, so to me 9 is very small).

After resting, our daughter took us to the Lan Su Chinese Gardens in Portland’s Chinatown. I found the gardens peaceful and inspiring. I would love to have such a retreat in my backyard.

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As much as I loved the water and koi, the amazing blooms, and just being surrounded by green, I think the standing rocks stole my heart. I want one in my backyard.

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The rocks were imported from China, from a lake. Aren’t they works of art?

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These rock pavers are doable in our desert. Aren’t they amazing? If you’re in the area, you may want to spend some time in this little piece of heaven. FMI

Until next time.

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Last Day of Smashwords Summer Sale

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Linda Andrews

Today is the last day of Smashwords Summer sale. Many of my books are 50-100% off. Check out my sale here: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lindaandrews

And don’t forget to look around for more bargains.

Until next time!

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I don’t have a problem

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Linda Andrews

I went to the land of tea. Okay, it was Portland, but the folks there love tea as much as they love their coffee. And I love tea. So, it was nice to find tea in almost all the gift shops.

Like this one at the Rose Garden:

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And this one at Fort Vancouver (in Washington)

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Of course, we also found shops devoted to selling teas, like this one that had a blue raspberry tea that is just awesome:

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And this lovely set from a tea shop in Milwaukee, OR that my cat loves.

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Then my oldest was happy to give me tea she picked out for my birthday. Which caused a thorough search going through security. That black bear blackberry is wonderful.

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It wasn’t until I came home to a fully reorganized pantry that my youngest noticed the large quantities of tea I already stored. She thinks I have a problem. I don’t. I have tea. The two are spelled completely different:D.

Until next time.

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Relaxing to Death

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Linda Andrews

Right now I am on vacation, and it is weird not having the normal routine stuff to do. Since we are not at home, there are no chores, no honey-do list, not even meals to prepare.

It is very weird.

Especially as I promised myself I wouldn’t even write while I am away.

My heart rate is chugging along in the 60s most of the time. I think I may be relaxing to death.

Hmm, sounds like the perfect excuse to go to the beach.

Until next time.

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