Today I am walking around in a state of "wow!"
First of all the weather is glorious. More people are out and about than usual. More people are smiling. We Portlanders are a bit bipolar, tied to the rapid shifts in weather, perhaps.
Secondly, I rode the Max with some ecstatic Blazers fans last night. I watched highlights of the game, especially Lillards 3 point play at the buzzer. Maybe the big grins are attributed to Blazer fever more than a rare sun sighting?
Yesterday I did not dress appropriately for my trip to Portland. Hence, I found myself shivering at the Delta Park Transit Center at 10:40 p.m. last night, huddled with two men speaking rapid Russian in a bus shelter. I wore only leggings, sandals, a long flowing tunic and a jacket. It was drizzling. It was dang cold!
So today I wore legging underneath jeans, a long sleeved shirt and a leather jacket. I am warm, but happy.
I hopped off the 105 I-5 Express bus about an hour ago downtown Portland. I grabbed a large, black cup of coffee from Starbucks. I was quite pleased to discover their new rewards system: I have 200 stars. I could get a latte, sandwich, or 4 cups of regular coffee. Since I am drinking my coffee black these days, it suited me quite well!
As I walked beneath a glorious, clear blue sky, feeling the sun's rays radiate my scalp, I heard a lovely baritone voice singing "California Dreamin'".
I glanced in the direction of the voice. I saw an elderly man, presumable homeless. Long, unkempt gray hair and scraggly beard. He was shuffling along in tattered sneakers. Singing his heart out. Passersby were smiling.
I was smiling.
And here I am at the library, still smiling. Not only is the weather warm, clear and darn near the perfect temperature, I am still glowing from the recollection of the last book I finished.
It is called The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. You must read this book! I practically inhaled it. I fell in love with the main character, Frankie, a 12 year-old girl. Her thoughts were eerily similar to my thoughts, especially when I was her age. The author is female. Her style is called "Southern Gothic". I just put a hold on everything else she has written.
It was that good!
I still have Sanctuary by William Faulkner sitting at home in my library book bag, partially read. I don't know if I will bring myself to finish it. After bonding with Frankie in The Member of the Wedding, I realized that I just don't like any of the characters in Sanctuary. I may give it another chance.
In the meantime, as I wait for my holds on McCullers' books to come through, I am reading about Martin Luther and the Reformation. My interview at the Lutheran church in Vancouver is tomorrow. I am so excited! The pastor emailed me some music to prepare. It is quite challenging, but I ran through it this morning and found it quite lovely. I have always enjoyed a musical challenge!
On that note, I need to head out. The sunshine is calling. And I have a piano student.
Happy Wednesday!
Talk to you tomorrow.
Love,
Zita
P.S. Today is Day 53 of my daily hooping. I am still doing Qi Gong daily, but don't always include it in the video.
First of all the weather is glorious. More people are out and about than usual. More people are smiling. We Portlanders are a bit bipolar, tied to the rapid shifts in weather, perhaps.
Secondly, I rode the Max with some ecstatic Blazers fans last night. I watched highlights of the game, especially Lillards 3 point play at the buzzer. Maybe the big grins are attributed to Blazer fever more than a rare sun sighting?
Yesterday I did not dress appropriately for my trip to Portland. Hence, I found myself shivering at the Delta Park Transit Center at 10:40 p.m. last night, huddled with two men speaking rapid Russian in a bus shelter. I wore only leggings, sandals, a long flowing tunic and a jacket. It was drizzling. It was dang cold!
So today I wore legging underneath jeans, a long sleeved shirt and a leather jacket. I am warm, but happy.
I hopped off the 105 I-5 Express bus about an hour ago downtown Portland. I grabbed a large, black cup of coffee from Starbucks. I was quite pleased to discover their new rewards system: I have 200 stars. I could get a latte, sandwich, or 4 cups of regular coffee. Since I am drinking my coffee black these days, it suited me quite well!
As I walked beneath a glorious, clear blue sky, feeling the sun's rays radiate my scalp, I heard a lovely baritone voice singing "California Dreamin'".
I glanced in the direction of the voice. I saw an elderly man, presumable homeless. Long, unkempt gray hair and scraggly beard. He was shuffling along in tattered sneakers. Singing his heart out. Passersby were smiling.
I was smiling.
And here I am at the library, still smiling. Not only is the weather warm, clear and darn near the perfect temperature, I am still glowing from the recollection of the last book I finished.
It is called The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. You must read this book! I practically inhaled it. I fell in love with the main character, Frankie, a 12 year-old girl. Her thoughts were eerily similar to my thoughts, especially when I was her age. The author is female. Her style is called "Southern Gothic". I just put a hold on everything else she has written.
It was that good!
I still have Sanctuary by William Faulkner sitting at home in my library book bag, partially read. I don't know if I will bring myself to finish it. After bonding with Frankie in The Member of the Wedding, I realized that I just don't like any of the characters in Sanctuary. I may give it another chance.
In the meantime, as I wait for my holds on McCullers' books to come through, I am reading about Martin Luther and the Reformation. My interview at the Lutheran church in Vancouver is tomorrow. I am so excited! The pastor emailed me some music to prepare. It is quite challenging, but I ran through it this morning and found it quite lovely. I have always enjoyed a musical challenge!
On that note, I need to head out. The sunshine is calling. And I have a piano student.
Happy Wednesday!
Talk to you tomorrow.
Love,
Zita
P.S. Today is Day 53 of my daily hooping. I am still doing Qi Gong daily, but don't always include it in the video.
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