Tam’s Think Tank

Beaming, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

There was a shaft of light coming in through a golden window. It made for the perfect funny little photo. Here’s Mary, glowing, and the guys all looking up at her. We were all sort of chuckling. Turned out to be a great shot.

Trump, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We, Karen and Mary included this time, walked down Michigan Avenue to Millennium Park today so Karen could see the bean, otherwise known as Cloud Gate, and a bit more of the city. It was a great day for a walk. Cold out. Forecast said a high of 20 today and it felt like it out there. Colder actually when the wind was blowing. But man oh man was it beautiful. The color of the sky was amazing. I think I took about 220 photographs during our two or three hours out. Not bad considering I took this same walk a few days ago and took photos then as well.

We are having an excellent time here. Karen is doing much better. Still improving all the time. I think the walking we’ve been doing, in moderation of course, has been good for her and for the lungs. Opening them up, stretching their capacity a bit.

Today Becky, one of the bridesmaids, and Ulf, a friend of Mary and Martin’s from England, who is actually German, and moving to Chicago for a year, arrived. We had a really nice dinner out with them at Vong’s Thai Kitchen. It’s Mary’s favorite Chicago restaurant and it’s closing in it’s current location tomorrow. Nice that we got in and were able to get some tasty vittles before it shut it’s doors.

Tomorrow a lot of family starts to arrive. It will be great to see everyone. Only four days to go….

Glass Ceiling

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

There was actually some blue sky out there during the day on Halloween… go figure.

Door #1

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

You hear a noise down this hallway… investigate?

Corner, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We’ve been downtown a few times since the kids have been here. This particular outing the kids ordered their wedding bands while Karen and I stood on the street corner with the pups and waited for them. I wait… I take photos. This one, again, with my phone.

Through The Window, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This is the view from the window by the new toilet. Kind of cool. The little building is our garden shed/storage room. It’s going to be painted the same color as the house at the same time the addition gets painted. Yellow, white trim.

Hanging In The Lobby, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

From this hour I ordain myself loosed of limits and imaginary lines.
-Walt Whitman

Pickets, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

As we walked back to the truck from the street fair I took a couple of shots. This being one of those.

St. Johns Bridge, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The wonderfully beautiful St. Johns Bridge as seen from Cathedral Park.

 

Shadows and Light, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

I love this photo. I like the whole look of it, but it’s also got my three favorite things in it… Karen, Weston, and Riley. You have to look a little to see them, but they’re all there. This is probably my most favorite photo out of all the photos I’ve ever taken… ever.

Sunset, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

And this was on my way home.

Eastbank Esplanade, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

OK, I admit it… I messed around with the color of this one. Couldn’t help myself. I ended up liking it though. I don’t much tweak my photographs, but once in awhile it’s fun to just play. The modern day dark room.

Afternoon, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

It was so lovely walking yesterday. Afterward we went to Maggie’s for a lovely dinner and a viewing of the movie Mama Mia. If you haven’t seen it, do. It was one of those feel good films. All fun. Oh, and dinner was especially tasty as well. Thanks Maggie. You rock.

Icicles, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

These are always strange and beautiful.

Dusk on the Columbia, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We spent a couple of evenings in the last couple of weeks taking the pups for walks around Cathedral Park. It’s one of our favorite spots to take them and now that Riley is old enough we can go more often. I love this shot as the sun was going down out past the St. Johns Bridge.

White Beauties, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Karen’s dad has a definite green thumb. Their backyard is gorgeous. And, thankfully, so was the weather. It was really nice to get back into a pair of shorts for a few days. We came back home to rain, cold, rain, and well… more rain. The shorts got packed away and the sweaters got taken out.

Bend, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The end of last weekend and the beginning of this week I was in Bend, Oregon at a conference. This little stream ran through the property of the hotel. Not a bad view in the morning.

Harvest Moon, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

There was a big beautiful harvest moon the other night.

Morning on the Line, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

I went fishing on the Columbia a couple of days with some friends of ours. Poor Karen couldn’t go. We didn’t catch much, just a couple of sturgeon we couldn’t keep, but it was fun none the less. Talk about peaceful… no wonder so many people spend so much time out on the water. Very relaxing.

Park Blocks, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Walking around the park blocks near the Portland Farmer’s Market.

Walking Around in the Pearl, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

On Saturday we had dinner at a great place called Silk in the Pearl. It was Maggie’s choice, being that it was Maggie’s birthday and all, and so she picked Vietnamese. This place was awesome. Not a bad dish in the bunch of what we ordered. Not a bad appetizer. Not a bad drink. It was fantastic actually and we will definitely be back there for some tasty grub.

After dinner we walked a couple of blocks and then hopped on the Portland Streetcar to go over to the concert venue. What a great way to get around town. No worries about having to park over by the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

I took this shot as we walked from Silk to the streetcar stop. Just one of the condo buildings in the Pearl. They each have their own distinct personality. I liked the round windows at the corners in this one.

Candle Light, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This week’s theme for the hunt is Dark. I took this one in December last year at The Grotto. The candlelight was beautiful and was even more so after dark. Really lovely.

If you’d like to join in all the Photo Hunt fun and madness, CLICK HERE for all the details over at tnchick’s site.

Unfolding, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This and the few that follow it were all taken today in our yard. I love the summer in Oregon.