23 Comments
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Anne Bermingham's avatar

Love your photos. Sorry to hear of the street people - I have seen them myself and it is heart rending

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Bryan Hoffer's avatar

I enjoy a flowering tree, like the dogwoods all around town! I wrote about the Dogwood, Heritage tree #117, in the SE Examiner this month. They have such an interesting seasonal cycle with flowers, leaves, and berries.

I also wandered through the Clinton Street Fair and walked away with some lacto-fermented hot sauce.

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Fran Gardner's avatar

Thanks for the reminder about heritage trees. I might write about some humongous trees in the neighborhood that aren’t on the list.

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Bryan Hoffer's avatar

My wife is encouraging me to find a tree in the city to nominate and get on the list in my lifetime. At my request, she is currently making me a Portland Heritage tree handbook for my birthday with stats and all. I plan to take a polaroid with each one and add it to the book -- what a fun scavenger hunt.

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Fran Gardner's avatar

What a fun project. I see so many candidates, yet I haven’t started a list.

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Amy Cowen's avatar

The photos of the building exteriors are especially wonderful, Fran. The one with all the fans! I love that! The description of the demeanor at Art and the Pearl sounds really dismal. Enjoyed the choux discussion.

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Heidi Carr's avatar

I love how's you take in everything- I think it's essential to enjoying and appreciating life! I also love black eyed Susan's, daisies, and dahlias.

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Push Pull Carry's avatar

Great photos. You've captured the art of noticing.

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Marcia Kerensky's avatar

I love blue chickory that I often see with queen anne's lace. They are a late summer thing. I do think that the annuals you mention are more common earlier in the summer. By the time September comes they are long gone.

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Fran Gardner's avatar

Marcia, you were right of course, although I think my neighbors prefer perennials. I guess it’s chrysanthemum and aster time.

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Amy Brown's avatar

Fran I loved this, so much to appreciate in the way you appreciate the world and pay such close attention. I certainly would have commissioned a poem from you, how cool that you offer that! I marvel at all your activity, rolling all over town, noticing the whole time the world and its offerings. And then sharing it all with us! Thank you. You reminded me of my dad’s popovers. And I love black eyed Susans too but my favorite summer flowers are dahlias.

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Fran Gardner's avatar

Give me a topic and I will write you a poem.

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Amy Brown's avatar

Oooh what a lovely offer. Let me think about it,

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Thérèse Ralston's avatar

We have just finished the first week of spring, out of a cold winter.

My farm house is surrounded by flowers. Mostly my late winter butter yellow flowers, and African daisies that have about 12000 flowers out already as they bloom along a dirt road for 250 metres.

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Fran Gardner's avatar

Yellow flowers, yes!

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Ronda S Bard's avatar

Your pattern photos of Oregon Plating, Gold Leaf, and the red door must be Mondrian inspired!

Thanks for your insights into Portland street life, street fairs, art shows, and protests.

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Fran Gardner's avatar

Those square window frames on old Portland business buildings are so iconic.

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Carrie Stevens's avatar

I love the blue passion flower vine. I think it's in the Clematis family. The flower appears unreal. I do enjoy this time of year for the Dahlia's, especially the 'dinner plate' ones. Crazy big!

As always, interesting read, photos and poetry. Thanks!

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Fran Gardner's avatar

I just looked up the passion flower, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that flower. Do you remember where in Portland you saw it?

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Rob Melton's avatar

I love my hot lips russian sage. It just keeps blooming until the frost. Great photos! Always Something new to see. Last week everyone was outside eating and drinking in Multnomah Village and Hillsdale, but the real action was on the pickleball and tennis courts, the dog park areas, and the playground. I've never seen so many happy people outside!

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Fran Gardner's avatar

Now that you reminded me to look for it, I’m appreciating hot lips Russian sage.

People like to cavort in these last big gatherings of summer.

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Michelle Dowd's avatar

I relate to all of this, Fran

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Shifra Sharlin's avatar

I loved the way melancholy and seeking pattern launched this. I kept looking for patterns and heard both melancholy and good cheer.

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