Silver Linings 4 ME: adventuring

Showing posts with label adventuring. Show all posts

Monday, April 4, 2016

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.14 {2016}

Oh... this is a cute way to advertise! ROYCE CAFE & COFFEE HOUSE (named for the owner, Joy & Rhoda, her daughter). GOOD coffee, tasty cookies & signage!

RANDOM... Loved this shoe form! How would you use this to decorate your home? I'm thinking I would use it as a bookend... or maybe add a couple of brushed silver knobs and use it to hang a coat or dog leash (if I had a dog!!)... Of course, you would have to hang it on the wall!

When we were in Ohio, we stopped by TAFT'S ALE HOUSE (downtown Cincinnati)... there were several parties of noisy (very, very noisy) people in the downstairs bar. As we passed the door to the outside, we discovered they were taking taking a BEER TOUR. You can check out these FUN tours by going on TripAdvisor.

Well, that's all for now!

Posting with Tamar at RANDOM-OSITY.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

SBP - SFO - ORD - DAY!

all pics captured Tuesday, March 22, 2016

lobby of the San Luis Obispo Airport (SBP)...

birds by Sandra Johnson, a local artist!

boarding the plane - 5:50am

leaving (SBP) San Luis Obispo Airport

bound for (SFO) San Francisco International Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

a R.A.C.E. to catch our connecting flight

taking off for (DAY) Dayton, OH @ 3:20pm

TOUCHDOWN in DAY-TON!!!!

JPE grabbed a cuppa tea!

about 12 minutes after taking this photo,

we learned our luggage was left in Chicago (ORD)...

ummm... perhaps because we had only 15 minutes

to catch our connecting flight?

posting with OUR WORLD TUESDAY

Tomorrow!

take a trip with me around Lebanon, OHIO

Monday, March 21, 2016

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.12 {2016}

GOOD. GOOD. GOOD.

street sign advertising the Alberta Art District in Portland, OREGON.

RANDOM. RANDOM.

Richard, our Portland Walking Tour guide told us this statue has many names! Somewhat controversial, the local newspaper said it's a sex-education lesson, it's also known as Three Groins in the Fountain... but, officially, it's called "The Quest"

FUN.

Pretty ceiling in the Portland Opera House. This is the lobby, looking up!

Have to say, Portland, Oregon

"raises the bar" for public artwork.
(even controversial art)

posting with Tamar @ Random-osity

check out her "GOOD" this past week!

Friday, March 11, 2016

FIVE ON FRIDAY {3.11.16}

All these photos were taken last week on a trip to Portland, Oregon...

Last week on Friday, Mom & I were just finishing a Portland Walking Tour with guide, Richard. He mentioned he was a "DUCK" and his sister was a "BEAVER" --- you would understand this statement if you follow college sports. My grand-nephew is interested in becoming a "DUCK" and attend the University of Oregon (the other rival college, Oregon State University has a BEAVER as a mascot). Later, we stopped by a DUCK Store to check out the orange-billed mascot & capture several DUCK pictures which we shared with "D" in a text message.

Before the Portland Walking Tour, we wandered around the Pioneer Courthouse Square... Portland has loads of "public art" including this series of game boards. Looking across this chess (or checkers) board, you can see how public this piece of art is. Don't worry! the wallet (cup of coffee too) is part of the art... check out the additional views of the chess board.

Saturday, we headed to the Portland Saturday Market, down by the wharf... in addition to unique crafts, music, entertainment & food stands, there was an amazing young man demonstrating his balloon making skills. He definitely captured the 1-8 year old crowd with his smiles & twisty shapes.

Heard of 805 BEER? Well, that refers to beer that is brewed by Firestone Brewery in San Luis Obispo County (which is where I live)... this young vendor is capitalizing on this concept and selling t-shirts, caps and other local products using a "play on words"... Portland's area code is 503... 5-0-TREE, get it??? Once again, this is Portland's Saturday Market...

Arriving back at the BENSON HOTEL, I couldn't help but share the gorgeous chandelier located in the main lobby. Simply stunning! I wish my i-phone captured better pictures... perhaps it IS because the ceiling must have been 12 feet tall??? I must add "tips for taking photos on a portable device" to my research list.

Gosh, I never thought I would join the ranks of people who say, "what day is today?" but, just WAIT until you retire... you'll be joining our team.

Posting with Amy @ FIVE ON FRIDAY

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

A MOOD CHANGER - PDX...

Concourse C - Portland, OREGON Airport

While waiting for our flight on Jet Blue (headed to Long Beach, CA), we had a bit of time to check out the public art displays. Colorful barber-pole columns were topped with sculptures that were designed by Larry Kirkland, an artist with an environmental design and fine arts background.

The symbols represent landmarks & icons from the Portland area, with bronze plaques telling the story of each column's art piece.

Time passed quickly as we admired the art... we sat underneath this sculpture as we ate our "comfort meal" of oatmeal & a cup of coffee. While public art stimulates our "senses" of sight, touch, and hearing it also changes our moods. Think about the feeling you have when you FINALLY get through security, find a place to sit and take that deep breath knowing you didn't miss your flight! Most airports are a bee-hive of busy-ness, but the Portland Airport (affectionately known as PDX) exudes a "sense" of calm-ness... I attribute this to the public displays of art.

The current research about MINDFULNESS comes to mind! Being "in the moment" decreases our negative emotions and stress. Watching the sculpture twist through the air, trying to interpret the designer's ideas, and listening to the sound of the movement requires a person to STOP! and use their senses. When this happens, your breathing slows, and your stress levels drop. Next time you become stressed, STOP! listen to the sounds around you, or look at the fine details of the space around you, feel your heart slow as your breathing begins to match a slower pace. This is MINDFULNESS! and art can create opportunities to experience this mood changer.

Curious?? Check out Greater Good, The Science of a Meaningful Life... it's good for your body! mind! & emotions!

posting with OUR WORLD TUESDAY

more of Portland tomorrow!!

Monday, March 7, 2016

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.10 {2016}

taken 3.5.16

Mom & I flew to Portland, Oregon last week! We got an inexpensive flight from Long Beach to Portland, rented a car (although you can use public transportation) and stayed at the historic BENSON HOTEL. Here are a few GOOD - RANDOM - FUN pictures that I captured. Check out the LINKS in this post for more detailed information about Portland.

Thursday, March 3rd

After visiting with Mom's friend in the historic Hollywood District, we drove over to the ALBERTA ARTS DISTRICT to check out a few fabric stores, BOLT FABRIC BOUTIQUE & MODERN DOMESTIC. What a colorful, fun, creative place to stroll... and capture some pictures... I plan to post some of my favorite shots later this week. After an hour browsing (& buying) at Modern Domestic, we asked the staff where they would recommend eating... she suggested SWISS HIBISCUS just behind their store. What an incredible dining experience! small, intimate... Mom enjoyed pork schnitzel & spätzle, while I had a mouth-watering brat & creamy potato salat. Heavenly food! the owner-chef came out to speak to all the tables asking how they liked the food. Oh yum! will visit this spot again to try another dish! absolutely GOOD!

Friday, March 4th

Portland is a city for walking OR riding bikes. YES, they ride their bikes in the drizzle & pelting rain! Perhaps they are immune to the chill and dampness?? Mom & I took the Portland Walking Tour which met at Portland's historic "living room," also called the Pioneer Courthouse Square. More about the sights near this landmark will be coming in another post, but for now, two RANDOM pictures.

A dog carrying a basket... he wasn't homeless, but on closer examination of the basket, it said SMILE... and you could drop a donation in his basket. He was crossing the square and didn't approach us for spare change. Perhaps he met his $$ quota?

And, finally, the Portland BLUE MAN pontificating from notes he had written... objecting to government regulations... or lack of action on the part of the city council. Apparently he is a regular & his name is Mike! he keeps his face covered! And loves to SHOUT OUT his opinions via an electric megaphone. His ranting was a bit annoying!

Saturday, March 5th

FUN... of course eating donuts is FUN! We walked by Voo-Doo Donuts several times, but the line was so long (no surprise!! as you can see the donuts are legendary) we missed carrying around our own PINK BOX. But, any number of people eating a donut were willing to share their "puffy selection" for this photo op! What we were surprised to learn, Jet Blue allowed passengers to carry on their PINK BOXES to share their donuts with the people back home. Mom & I think Voo-Doo Donuts should open a shop in the Portland Airport!!

posting with Tamar at RANDOM-OSITY