We spent the next week messing around in the Vancouver/Portland area, hanging out and making dinners with Grammy, and getting outdoors as much as possible to enjoy the fall weather. We still have a few old toys around, and it turns out that for kids, getting on a pogo stick … Read More
Cyclone to America
Getting the boat ready to leave is a big project. Ali cleans everything from top to bottom, and we go through pretty much everything we own in order to get rid of anything we’re not wearing or haven’t used in the last year. We were able to clear a lot … Read More
On the Clock
Three months ago we were finally heating up to get ready to go sailing again. We’d just ordered more solar panels and I was researching a big lithium battery overhaul. Then Grammy got sick and sailing was put back on the back burner at a very low simmer. For the … Read More
Off to Portland
Grammy’s dog figured out that something was afoot, and she wasn’t going to be left behind. She’d hop up in the Porsche, fluff up the car cover, get all staticky, and take a quick nap in there, confident we wouldn’t disappear without that car. There’s a stamp you don’t see … Read More
Life Cycles
It’s been a difficult, busy couple of weeks around here. Great-grandma passed away at 99 years-old. She was a great lady who we all loved. She amazed me with her simple yet comfortable and happy life, and also with her amazing mind. Right to the end she could rattle off … Read More
Rose City Molars
Ouest had a molar loose for a couple weeks. She finally agreed to let me yank it. I put a loop of floss around it, and in doing so realized that the tooth was basically just slightly wedged in between the other two teeth. I gave it a yank without … Read More
Portland Excursions
Despite appearances, Ouest walked out of here with two holes in her ears, and without shedding a tear. She did the same thing a couple years ago, but they kept getting infected that time, so we let them heal and close up. Personally, I would have been happy for her … Read More
Mississippi Avenue
The Mississippi Avenue Street Fair, in Portland, is one of our favorites. It’s always an eclectic group of people and food, and somehow it always seems to fall on the nicest weather day of the year. “Oh, Mexico…It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low…” Getting him ready for … Read More
Mount St. Helens
We’re out in Portland for a bit helping Grammy out with some stuff around the house. We’re always thankful that we get to come visit her in Portland—it’s such a great town with so much to see and do close by. But then again, when we’re here we also tend … Read More
Portland-y
When I was leaving Florida I had to figure out what to do with Crabby, the hermit crab who is now 150 years old in hermit crab years. For some insane reason, airlines don’t allow a hermit crab on a plane—if you have a 90 pound Lab, he can sit … Read More
Airstream Home Again
It’s been a pretty crazy month for weather in Portland. Snow the day we arrived. An ice storm. And more snow when we left. Kids, of course, find all the changes to be interesting and fun. Adults, not so much. This old Chevy has been sitting in this very spot … Read More