January the 3rd

 On New Year's Day, it was bright and sunny so DH and I participated in an urban 5K walk.  If it had been bucketing down rain, we would have stood in bed, but as is usual this time of the year, a fierce east wind is howling down the gorge, bringing cloudless days, and nights cold enough to freeze the ears off a wooden Indian.

Here we are at the Portland waterfront in front of the old fire station.  Waterfront park is a block deep band of trees and grass that lines the West bank of the Willamette river in downtown Portland.  It's like the city's front porch.

 

And here we are next to the working sternwheeler steamboat.  They take cruses up and down the river with meals and entertainment laid on.  You go for the view and the entertainment.  The meals are pretty pedestrian.

I am dressed in multiple layers and found the practice quite effective.  As you see, the windbreaker layer got shed.  The scarf around the throat kept my neck from chapping, though it was soaked by the time we finished.  I have a polypropylene shirt under the silk/cotton long-sleeve t.  I never thought I would wear synthetics next to the skin, but by golly, it sure does wick wonderfully!  I never felt a bit of chill in spite of 40 degree temps,and the chap-your-cheeks wind.  I'm wearing two pairs of gloves, and a microfleece ear band under my hand knit wool hat.

Back in the wild old days of the city, loggers and sailors used to wander around enjoying the sights.  When they got thirsty, the only thing they could do was go into one of the many saloons and buy a drink.  A city founder, Mr. Benson, frowned on the drunkenness thus fostered, so, at his own expense, set up drinking fountains all through the city.  Here I am taking advantage of a Benson Bubbler, still providing free fresh water to the thirsty citizenry.

He also built fountains where you could water your horses and dogs as well.  Not so many horses and dogs in town, so most of those fountains are gone now.


So with the new year, I have no resolutions to share.  Yes, I want to get more exercise, but I don't yet want it badly enough to get off my broad backside and do something.  Yes, I want to lose weight.  But the fridge is on the fritz and that soft butter soaks into hot toast so deliciously.  And there are all those chocolates that people gave us for Christmas that will get stale if we don't eat them soon.  Not to mention that today is the Feast of Sumptuous Cakes and I have to do SOMETHING to celebrate.  Maybe a trip to the cupcake shop . . .

Remember, as we go through 2013, there is always something to be grateful for.  A dry, warm house or  a dry safe bed or even one more breath in the dark.  I remind myself that no one is dropping bombs on me, and I'm not pregnant.  Life is good!