Portland Rocks

Portland rocks. It just does. There's always something going on, and I love just taking the bus downtown to go to the Library, the Museum, or the Farmers Market, but I never really know what I'm going to find. One time I heard drums, followed their sound & found a troupe of traditional Mayan dancers doing a performance in front of one of the musuems. Who knew?

This Saturday - surprise! The Iranian festival in the South Park Blocks. I wandered through but they were only just getting set up so there wasn't much to see. A few booths with traditional textiles, one with a lot of pictures, maps and other information.

Next I went to the PSU Farmers Market.

Lots of different tomatos!

Pretty pretty flowers!
Unblossomed Thisle.... yummmmy.

I picked up some squash, a pepper, some tomatos, and basil (for a tasty roast vegetable soup) along with some bread & cheese.

Then I walked down to Pioneer Courthouse Square where all kinds of stuff was going on. I should have taken a picture of the title of this project, because I can't remember what it was called. The project took up several blocks - convieniently closed for construction of the green line Max from PSU to Clackamas (or as I intend to call it - the Clackamax ;) ) Anyway there were dozens of these black boxes, which will at some point have back-light pictures of a sporty nature. Yet another thing that was not set up yet. Yes, I guess it was a bit early as I was wandering around.



But there was also a project going on for the Library. It was called 'Chalk it Up for Kids" and there were a bunch of chalk artists drawing, a used book sale, and a stage set up, either for music or a reading I'm not sure.

After all of that I walked over to the library. After reading The Poisonwood Bible*, I decided that since I'm woefully undereducated about geography and the various political situations around the world I should start learning a bit more. However, to be honest, there's no way I could make it through some of the books that Mistress J., the economic genious goes through. So I visited the children's section and picked up several books about Africa. I read the first one today, and what with the pretty pictures & short chapters... they are just my speed. I figure if I keep reading the kids books, I might even end up smarter than a 5th grader!

Altogether a pretty fun & productive weekend.

*Oh I've just finished The Poisonwood Bible, I picked it up at Powells while waiting in line for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As soon as I collect my thoughts, I'll be posting on that.