Berries, Goats and Learning New Things
I’ve been back in Portland since the middle of June. I worried that I’d feel disappointed coming home after spending weeks in Paris, one of the most exciting cities in the world. Portland feels small after being in one of the biggest cities in Europe. Small and rather quaint. But instead of mourning that, I’ve decided to embrace it.
Portland gets a bad rap for being super rainy. Deservedly so - except in the summer. Summers here can be magnificent (when there isn’t a heat dome).
And one of the best things that comes with the winter and spring rains followed by long days of mostly sunshine is the abundance of fruit, especially berries and cherries.
And the other best thing, at least in my neighborhood, is the animals. I live in the Sellwood Neighborhood which has tree-lined sidewalks and plenty of room for goats.
The Goat Castle
When I tried to describe the animal pen created by one of my neighbors to someone at a writing event, she kept asking, “Goats? Are you in the city?” Yes, goats and also chickens and a rabbit. And yes, in the city limits. While Paris may have the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame (not to be sneezed at), so far I have never seen goats. (Now someone will write and tell me where they’ve seen goats in Paris!).
The Portland yard in question now is in competition with its own goat castle. It is quite theneighborhood attraction. People especially like to bring their kids to feed the very willing inhabitants. And I often make it part of my walk just to say hello. It’s like having a very small petting zoo just down the road.
I’ve found it impossible to be a bad mood when either eating berries or feeding goats.
Coming to greet her guests
A whole lotta love - and lettuce
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
After feeding the goats, I like to settle down with a good book. This month I want to recommend How the Hell Did I Not Know That? by Lucie Frost. Since meeting Lucie in an on-line writing class I’ve been following her on Instagram and now Substack.
After retiring, Lucie found herself at loose ends. After many false starts to get her life going again, she decided to actually research subjects she’d always wondered about. Her posts describing her quest to understand the most arcane, esoteric and sometimes downright silly subjects are hilarious.
Her new book is part memoir, part comedy, part guide to finding a purpose in life. You’ll laugh and cry as you follow Lucie on her journey.
Buy it HERE at Bookshop.org.
What are you doing to enjoy your summer? What do you recommend to lighten your mood? I’d love to hear from you.