Swifts

Every September since 1986 thousands of swifts stay in the Chapman School chimney at night. At dusk the birds start to gather in the vicinity, closer to sunset more and more birds gather, circling above. The noise is indescribable. It is very exciting to watch the formations as they tunnel into the small chimney opening. This is something that can not translate by photograph or video; so get down to NW by 6:30 in the next few days to witness one of the neatest natural spectacles I've ever experienced.

Portland Music

I am so fortunate to be part of the music community in Portland. During a set last night, I figured I should attempt to learn how to play the guitar. It was that old "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" feeling. I have seen so many amazing performances this summer. Here is a list of what I have seen so far since June (I might even forget a few):


Cut Copy
Sharpening Markers x3
The Long Blondes
The Kills x2
Jackstraw x2
Girl Talk
Jack Johnson
Rouge Wave x2

The Rock the Bells tour including:
Super Natural
Nas
Mos Def
Pharcyde
De La Soul
Tribe Called Quest

Scared of Chacka x2
The Racontuers (WOW!)

In the last days of summer I will see:
CSS
Tillie and the Wall
Dr. Dog
Cut Copy

Then I will need to hibernate for 4 months--good thing it will be raining.

Beef and Babies!

This weekend was full of Babies for me! For the first time in my life more of my friends have children than don't. It makes me feel 100 different ways....I appreciate my freedom more than ever, I get envious, I get nervous, I get proud (of my friends), mostly I just want to be a part of all of their lives. You know the saying "It takes a village....."

This is Jack. I couldn't get a great picture because he just wanted to push buttons on the camera! He couldn't have been easier to watch, just hand this kid some bubbles and the fun does not stop! "I wish I loved anything as much as she loves bubbles" (From Knocked Up). His mom said the day after I was with him he said "Malary, Malary! Bubbles!" So cute. It's a good feeling to give his mom a little relief once in a while. Being a mom is a hard job.


Then yesterday I went to the Sauvie's island beach with Sarah and her 3 year old Sophia. That was not as easy as a bottle of bubbles! She is very independent and we could not take our eyes off of her in the water. It was fun, and exhausting. Sarah has the photos, I might post them later. Sauvie's island is a wonderful place to swim! There is a big clearing with as much sun and sand as you could ask for!



This is Austen and her mom Allison. They had a BBQ yesterday. She is a very pleasant baby. Jack loves bubbles, Austen loves cheerios.


Yum! Look at all that meat. Job security my friends.

Chris is an old friend from Albuquerque that just moved here.

Jasen, the grill master (and master of all that is edible)

I love looking up at trees.

Mi Jardin

As fall is coming in on us (even though the weather has been glorious) I wanted to reflect on this year's garden.  Since we have started three years ago, this has been the best yet.  The garden seems to do all  the work while we sit back and reap the beauty.  It is such a wonderful hobby.  Through all the changes that are inevitable in my life, one thing will always be with me-my love for gardening.  Wherever my life takes me, you can be sure there will be a garden near. Even if I retire in Mexico and have no land, I might have something that resembles this:

 But, for now this is my garden:

Peonies (bloomed in June)

Iris (also bloomed in June)

Poppies (in July)

Clematis (also in July)

purple foxgloves and yellow wallflowers

Music!

Last Thursday Brandon's Rockin' band Sharpening Markers played Music Fest Northwest at the Ash st with reunited Scared of Chacka. All the SM photos are on his camera, but here are a few from the show. If you weren't there you totally missed out. Both bands were ahhhmazing. We had a blast stage diving and moshing.

This Sat. I took a road trip with some friends to the Rock the Bells tour at the Gorge. We could not have gotten any luckier with the beautiful weather. Jessica took some of these awesome shots at the Wild Horse Campground where we stayed. They used this old bus as our shuttle. I kept thinking of the Tom Robin's novel "Even Cowgirls get the Blues". I love that book.

We took a slow ride home and stopped for plenty of photos. This is in Tonacchi (The town of murals, complete with a mural museum).

These totem poles were in someone's front yard. Sweet.

We stopped in Hood River at the Full Sail brewery and had this view! There is something to be said about fresh beer from the brewery..."delicious"! If you look closely at this group you will find three visors......and that is why Hood River reminds me of Boulder.

As for the concert...."It's not the destination, but the journey that matters most"

My favorite was Mos Def, Nas and De La Soul. Tribe and Pharcyde were a little tired.

I am excited that this is how I ended my summer.

Birthday BBQ

Last Friday was my 27th birthday. 26 was such a beautiful year, I hope they just keep getting better. We had a BBQ at the house to celebrate. Brandon is so amazing to help me. I couldn't have done it without his help. Here is a neat photo he took of me impatiently waiting for guests!



I am so lucky and recieved tons of flowers! I just kept adding them together. The boquet kept getting larger and larger.....


Heather


Brandon sitting on "Uncle Brett's" lap!


Stevi and PJ



Jessica

Breggie and Bandett!


Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I got some silly friends alright.