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11 November 2016

Snapshots From PDX

I just got back from visiting my family in Portland, Oregon - otherwise known as PDX (after the airport) if you're hip. Although if you're 50 years old and you think you're hip, you're probably not hip. You might have a touch of arthritis in your hips, but that's about it. After spending time with my 14-year old nieces, I am under no illusions about my distinct lack of hipness.

My mom wanted a black and white picture of me to display next to the one she has of my sister. We enlisted the help of one of my nieces to snap some photos. She took all of the photos you see in the blog today. That's her behind the camera. 


We decided to do a photo shoot at a cemetery. That's not weird, is it? Maybe what's weird is that we went back to the same cemetery three times while I was visiting. There was a shovel involved. Don't worry, it wasn't our shovel. Although we did have a rake. And a nailbrush. Don't ask.

Let's just say that the photo shoot wasn't a success. My other niece gave me pointers on how to pose and look into the camera. She did her best, but apparently I am the worst model ever. "Stop grimacing, Ellen! Pretend like you're having a good time - smile!"

There are a lot of photos of me grimacing instead of smiling. I'll spare you. Instead, here's a sweet headstone which talks about how much the guy loved watching sports and how he touched people's lives.


My niece did get a good picture of the back of my head. Probably because you can't see my grimace. I'm the shorter one with frizzy hair. My sister is the taller one with straight, smooth hair. Somehow it doesn't seem right for younger sisters to be taller. Shouldn't the oldest child be the tallest?
 

We were at McMennamin's Kennedy School for lunch. I found a picture of Leroy Vinegar on the wall when we were walking around. We used to love going to hear him play the bass when we lived in Portland.

 
I had a hamburger for lunch. Not the one below. That's my niece's. She got hers medium rare. I like the moo cooked out of my burgers.


I was surprised to find feijoas for sale at the local Safeway. They're an extremely popular fruit in New Zealand, often grown in people's backyards. I hadn't heard of them until we moved to New Zealand. I had no idea people ate them in the States. Have you ever had one? Personally, I'm not a fan.
 
Interest in emigrating to New Zealand has sky-rocketed since the election. When we applied for permanent residency in New Zealand we had to fill out a points-based application. At the time, they awarded points for things like education and work experience. Given the surge of applications they may soon get, I bet they're going to start adding questions about feijoas as a screening tool: (1) Have you ever had a feijoa?; (2) Can you spell feijoa?; and (3) Can you describe three ways to prepare feijoas?


And one last picture of one of my niece's boots. It's boot weather in Portland. When I got back to Florida, the first thing I did was plug the air conditioning in and take off my socks.



Have you ever had a feijoa? If you eat red meat, how do you like your burgers done? Have you ever taken a shovel to a cemetery?

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24 comments:

  1. My younger sister is taller AND thinner than I am. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure I'm shrinking as well. Sigh.

    I sort of miss wearing boots. Not enough to live somewhere cold again though. :)

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    1. The whole shrinking thing doesn't seem fair, especially to people like me who are already short :-)

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  2. I have had a feijoa, but didn't care for it. I like my red meat fuchsia for steaks and well-done for burgers. And I don't care much for cemeteries (unless they're hundreds of years old). I have visited them, however, but never with a shovel.

    Have a good weekend,
    Stephanie @ SV CAMBRIA

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    1. I wonder if feijoas are something you have to learn to like as a child?

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  3. Sounds like you had a good visit. Some of us would just be glad of a sister, regardless of height or hairstyle lol. I like my steak rare but prefer burgers to be cooked through. Never had the feijoa and couldn't be without my socks now the weather's getting colder. I often walk through a cemetery but have never taken a shovel there. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Aww...you're right, having a sister is great and I wish everyone could have one.

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  4. My sister is taller than me too and I'm the first born. Not fair at all.

    I've never had feijoa.

    I want the moo out of my burger too.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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  5. No / I don't eat meat / No! My little sister is also taller than me. I hope you didn't have to pout for your photo shoot. Or maybe that's why you won't show us?

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    1. I had to put my legs a certain way and tilt my head just so. I think it was more the model than the photographer as to why the pictures didn't turn out.

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  6. It must have been a real "far out trip" to go back home after being on the water for so long. We're all hip - in out own minds, and that's what matters! I think the hamburger is the only one that showed us his face. lol Have a good weekend!

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    1. I think one of the weirdest things was having TV. Wow, there are so many channels these days and such crazy shows.

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  7. Never heard of a feijoa, I don't have a sister, (three brothers, all taller), love medium rare steak, well done burgers. I wear shoes, because.. well, I live in Southeast Alaska. EVERYONE here wears Xtra-Tuff boots. If you don't have a pair, you are so NOT cool. We are, however, still barefoot onboard the boat. Our marina is next door to a very old cemetery, I haven't explored it yet, but I love history, so I am looking forward to it.

    Hope you had a great time with your family, have a good weekend!

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    1. Wow - you're barefoot on your boat in Alaska! You guys are hardy people indeed.

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  8. Never heard of a feijoa but I am also the oldest and the shortest so I know whatcha mean there ;o) I enjoy some pink to my beef but usually when I have steaks not so much burgers. I like how you put it, "cook the moo out of my burgers," too funny!

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    1. Glad it's not just me who is the shortest and oldest :-)

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  9. I'm a ashes type person, but I don't mind a walk through an old cemetery. Never heard of a fejoia. Sounds like a tropical version of a fedora hat. Love the picture of the boots! Maybe one of these days I'll come up with a justification for having nice boots on board.

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    1. I don't know, I'm kind of liking your sandal/men's socks combo you've been rocking lately.

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  10. Never had a feijoa, but it is never too late to try! What does it remind you of? Is it sweet or sour? Rarely red meat for us anymore. It is one of the least healthy things to eat, especially in relation to cancer. In the past, I would eat my American hamburgers well done. I don't like blood.

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    1. It's really hard to describe the taste. It kind of reminds me of eating perfume, which I know sounds strange. I rarely eat red meat too. The hamburger was a nice treat.

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  11. Older siblings are always shorter. Seriously! It's like the gene pool figures it out after the first one. So, quick thought--when I saw the back of your head, I thought "Oh my goodness, what beautiful, thick, curly hair!" No frizz. Woman, give yourself some credit, eh?

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  12. Medium rare is the only way to enjoy a steak or burger! ��

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    1. Hmmm...I just don't think I can do it, well done for me :-)

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