Saturday, July 29, 2006

CENTRAL PORTLAND LIBRARY

After hitting the saturday farmer's market downtown this morning, we made our way closer to the heart of downtown to the Central Multnomah Public Library. We are big proponents of the library system, in particular the fabuously convenient online reservation system (there's no one link, but you just log into your library card, fin your book and click 'place hold'. Voila, you will have it sent to your library within days. So cool.), and at the central branch we found a great kids section filled with banks of computers, an enormous section of easy-to-find toddler books and a reading room with regular story time for the little ones. Their site even has an online primer for the critters. How cool is that? The fact that they have a totally clean bathroom in the kids section, complete with changing table, seals the deal.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

WISHING WELL


So, well, somebody said it was good. And, well, it smelled like cheap carpet in a cheap bar. Further, the spring rolls were deep fried, the size of short fat burritos. The waitress was oversubscribed and friendly, the art on the walls like nothing you have ever seen, as you can gather from the sample here. We had to go, and so we went. The thing about St. Johns that we didn't expect was the absolute genuineness of it, no irony, no post-hip anger, nothing but small town americana complete with terrible eats. We love it.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

WASHINGTON PARK


The playground at Washington Park is one of the finest we have visited. There are slides, runways, swings, sand pits and a running water sculpture all geared towards your tot's heart. This alone is enough to visit, not mentioning the proximity to the zoo and museums. But enough of all that. We need to mention something that has been brought to our attention recently, namely, Ruth's dress. "Why is she in the same dress in every picture? Did you just stage everything in one day or something?" The lowdown for those of you who do not live with a girl child who notices what she wears -- the dress so often seen around town is the "princess dress." Ruth named the dress with no coaching from her parents (they dreadfully await the Barbie era) and on certain emotionally charged mornings (read: most days) she does not feel like facing the world without wearing Princess Dress. End of story.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

COLUMBIA PARK


Columbia Park is a welcome oasis on the eyesore of Lombard Street. There is an excellent playground nestled in the abundant shade provided by the many Cedar and Doug Firs, a welcome break on those overly sunny days (yes, we know we will probably not be complaining of the oppressive rays come next year after the four month rainy season). This is a good picnic spot after a trip to the Interstate Fred Myers, where you can buy all imaginable consumables then go upstairs and try on a pair of Dockers. Still fresh from the city, the sheer size of Freddys strikes us like we imagine communist era Soviets being awed by stocked shelves. (oh my God! I picked up some work clothes with a roast and a melon in my cart!). We are rubes in these great spaces.

Monday, July 10, 2006

SAUVIE ISLAND BEACH


Sauvie Island, a few miles north of Portland right off highway 30 and within sight of the St. Johns Bridge, is home to innumerable farms, wildlife preserves and scenic wonder. It is also home to a fantastic beach. After you stop by one of the u-pickems to get your blueberries, strawberries, flowers, or whatever is currently in season, keep driving to the shore side and enjoy the river. Note, there is a beach, and a not-so-clothed beach. If you are shy about such things you will be mortified when the deeply tanned naked man who just finished a round of volleyball talks to you about the weather as if his wang wasn't, well, just hanging there.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

GIANT PLASTIC SHOPPING CARS

The first person to get sick is also the first person to get better, coinciding with the time everyone else has caught whatever bug that took them down in the first place. When you have a toddler who is happy-healthy-bouncing, a congested baby, a chest that feels caught in a vice and sinuses that won't stop dripping, go shopping! We spent an hour slowly perusing the isles with one of these giant plastic shopping cars, which thrilled and entertained Ruth while allowing her mother and baby sister a slow-motion stroll. Thank you St. Johns Safeway.