Out and about with Lulu (photo-heavy post)

It was a splendid spring day, so I took Lulu out to show her around the city. (She stayed on my left hand, holding onto my purse strap. As I walked around, people would glance at me, then look again at the sheep, and smile.)

We stopped first at the park by our local library to see if any of the visiting Canadians were around. Lulu saw a few and waved.

She was impressed by the rhododendrons and wanted to admire them closely.

Yummers!! (That naughty lamb!)

We walked around the corner to Make One, my favorite yarn store. Lulu borrowed the owner's silver bracelet as a necklace. We made SURE to give it back.

Then Lulu cozied up to the resident ram.

After that, we had a frolic in the azaleas, then headed downtown.

Portland is the home of Nike Athletic Wear. They had nothing fit for sheep.

We went down on the river front walk and enjoyed the passing scene.

Lulu, of course, made friends with total strangers.

This is a civic icon. A century ago, down by the farmer's markets, a city leader established two parks where people could rest and eat their lunches and refresh themselves. They were across the street from one another - the men's park, and the women's park. Farmer's wives and housewives could sit in the shade and watch their children un-molested. Loggers and sailors on leave and local businessmen could sit in the shade and do guy things without needing to restrain themselves. The parks have drinking fountains and restrooms with flush toilets. What a haven in the dirty, bustling city!

Then this same civic leader comissioned a noble statue to uplift the spirits of those in the parks. Unfortunately, the sculptor made it anatomically correct and the ballsy end was turned toward the women's park. Public outrage. Furor, uproar! The statue was turned around, and peace reigned. Every Christmas, an anonymous benefactor sneaks up in the middle of the night and bedecks the statue with a lovely fir wreath around the neck.

Lulu likes the elk!

Of course we had to go see Portlandia - the second largest hammered copper statue in the world. (The statue of Liberty is the biggest) Most folks don't realize that if you take the escalators up to the second floor of the bank building across the street, they have a lovely viewing area set up where you can admire Portlandia without clogging the sidewalk and being trampled by passing pedestrians. And you can get a picture of her without looking up her nose.

Yep, she's five stories high.

We met LG for lunch. Lulu likes tea.

And here is Lulu demonstrating her patented flirtation technique for LG. Staring at the lad with soulful eyes while letting him rub her wooly briskit.

She enchanted the waitress.

But that soulful gazing paid off in the long run. She likes his lovely curley hair!

We admired several fountains. Portland is RIFE with fountains!

And we went to Portland Square which is like the city's living room - all sorts of public events happen here, and it's a transportation hub. People are always coming and going, and you will see the most colorful characters if you just sit and watch! This statue is called, "Allow me!" The gentleman is offering to share his umbrella. Lulu nestled on his hand and basked in the glory.

On the way back to the car, we passed a big old maple tree with ferns growing on the trunk. Lulu wanted me to be sure to get a picture of this for her friends back home. The ferns started about eight feet up, so there I was on tiptoe, camera in one hond, Lulu in the other, getting the shot, when a schoolbus drove by. Lulu began waving madly at the kids,(8 to 10 years old) and they all waved back at her! Me, they might have fluttered a few fingers, but Lulu the diva got big grins and eager excited waves. She's such a star!

We visited the sculpture garden of the art museum, but after spending time locked up in a museum, Lulu felt uncomfortable and reluctant to pose, so we packed it up and went home. It was a lovely outing, and she slept like a lamb last night!