{"id":8452,"date":"2015-12-06T17:19:07","date_gmt":"2015-12-07T01:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogadmin.plantlust.com\/blog\/?p=8452"},"modified":"2024-01-24T07:29:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T15:29:05","slug":"ima-fair-weather-gardener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantlust.com\/blog\/happenings\/ima-fair-weather-gardener\/","title":{"rendered":"Ima: fair weather gardener"},"content":{"rendered":"

My friend Gail had a passel of\u00a0aunts: Ada, Etta, Ida, Oda, and Uda<\/span>. If one was Ima, I’d fit in the group–as in I’m a fair weather gardener. Oh sure, I get prepared with the mulch and the frost cloths and the ideas. But when it comes time to employ them, it’s too cold out there. I skid to a stop at the threshold as\u00a0ably\u00a0as Pumpkin–and this after she’s begged to go outside for an hour straight. It’s a rinse and repeat situation with that pooch.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Pumpkin<\/a>
Pumpkin begging to go out. Mister Kitty trolling for an opportunity escape when she balks\u00a0at the threshold.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But yesterday, I relented, because the weather dudes claimed it had warmed up. And Pumpkin was not taking “No” for an answer. My son Elliot commonly reminds me, “A Chow Chow accustomed to daily exercise can become quite insistent.” That a polite way of putting it. As for it warming up, oh sure, a handful of degrees. But 38 \u00b0F\u00a0<\/b>and raining is not warm–by any stretch.<\/p>\n

So, we went out in cul de sac for a short sniff around, because sometimes that works in lieu of our typical 2-3 mile walk, and Pumpkin\u00a0loves the opportunity. When we’re officially walking, I don’t allow gratuitous\u00a0sniffing. Of course, I have to remind her of this every single time, because I’ve only been training her\u00a0for 12 years. Chow Chows are part mule. She also pretends to not understand\u00a0commands. However, on occasion she slips up if\u00a0offered the right treat. Turns out she could work as a Rockette,\u00a0or a translator at the UN.<\/p>\n

\"Chow<\/a>
Chow Chow you-will-bend-to-my-will stare.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We’re a close-in city\u00a0neighborhood. Our snug cul de sac comprises\u00a0ten Mid Century Ranches. It’s a bit\u00a0unusual for this part of Portland. Your more likely to see Bungalows<\/a>, Cape Cods<\/a>, and Tudors–with Foursquares<\/a> and Spanish\/Mediterranean<\/a> Stuccos sprinkled in.<\/p>\n

Our previous Tudor where we lived for 33 years. The garden, alas, is no more. I liked that garden, dammit.<\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>
Our Alameda House. My dad loved this place when I was a kid. Me, not so much.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My dad loved the variety of architecture in Portland. He told me that as a kid, and it caused me to look up\u00a0and note–hey, all houses are not the same.\u00a0And I’ve been hooked on houses ever since. I go inside with every opportunity–open houses, estate sales, and often with\u00a0my friend and realtor, Cathi. Fortunately, she’s as crazy about houses as I am–although, she\u00a0had the good sense to make it her profession.<\/p>\n

Now we live in mid-century ranch, with twice the garden size, which is fantastic. And it’s just way easier living, more casual and a lot more integrated with the outdoors.<\/p>\n

\"Moonset<\/a>
Moonset over Flamingo Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recently a place\u00a0went on the market where I spent half my time as a kid, my friend Cheryl’s house<\/a>. I wrote about it here<\/a>,\u00a0in my\u00a0early days of blogging; it’s how\u00a0I became acquainted\u00a0with\u00a0our\u00a0neighborhood. Cheryl’s dad,\u00a0Roy Ell, remodeled the Alibi Restaurant in NE PDX into the Tiki Bar it is today. They decorated their party room at the same time, fashioning it \u00e0 la<\/span>\u00a0the Alibi.<\/p>\n

Talk about a trip back in time. Much of the\u00a0original furniture is still there. I had trouble believing my eyes.<\/p>\n

\"Someone<\/a>
Someone with $$$$$ and vision could make this a destination resort.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I was agog, and reveling in the wildness of it all, but Megan had the good sense to take a few pictures. The curtains were closed, and we had trouble finding light switch that did anything–but you get the idea.<\/p>\n

\"Stepping<\/a>
Stepping into the past, literally.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A deck runs\u00a0the perimeter of the living room and den. The daylight basement and party room is below.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A deck runs the perimeter. There’s a daylight basement below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just inside\u00a0the entrance hall, I discover a light fixture and\u00a0wallpaper the\u00a0same as\u00a0when I was a teenager. Talk about a blast from the past. And isn’t that gold leafing on the ceiling? (I really want that light fixture.)<\/p>\n

\"Isn't<\/a>
Isn’t that light fixture great!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The entrance hall is circular, and in my kid days, it had\u00a0a 3 foot\u00a0statue of the Virgin Mary in the grotto of\u00a0the curved stair rail. Mary had left the house, to my great disappointment.<\/p>\n\n\t\t