Solitude

Japanese Tea Gardens are so serene and peaceful.  The design that goes into them to elicit specific feelings is quite an art.  My first visit to a tea garden was when I was young and visiting my Grandmother in San Francisco.  Golden Gate Park is home to a small but beautiful garden.  This scene is in Portland at their Japanese Tea Garden.


"Solitude"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Portland Daisies

This summer I decided to take a road trip to the Pacific Northwest with a friend.  It was time I see part of the U.S. I hadn't seen before.  And wouldn't you know it, I pick the week of the record breaking heat Portland.  Luckily, these daisies near the famous rose gardens are actually heat lovers and were doing fine.  But the poor roses were having a tough time.

"Portland Daisies"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Golden Glories

I managed to be in Portland, Oregon during this summer's heat spell. And it was a doozie. I felt sorry for the flowers. Most like cooler climates and weren't doing too well, but these Gloriosa Daisies were happy little campers.

"Golden Glories" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Artistry

It was a corker in Portland today. 106. And we thought we were getting away from the heat. We spend the morning trying to cool off at the Japanese Garden where it was shady. Nearby was the rose garden that Portland is so famous for. But they didn't like this heat. I did find a few and this hybrid tea rose named "Artisrty" was doing just fine.

"Artistry" © Kathy Dunham 2009

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

My friend Joanne and I have made it to Portland, Oregon and are visiting with her son Mike, wife Ilene and son Josh. We're having a great time and tonight we had dinner at Descheutes Brewery in Downtown Portland. These beer bottles were lined up as part of the decoration. They look like a cross between a mug and a bottle. Either way, it would be too much for me to drink. After dinner, we were treated to a piano concert by 7 year old Josh. He played Elton John's "Don't go Breaking my Heart" and other selections. And did a great job.

"99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" © Kathy Dunham 2009