Portland, you have spoiled me. Seriously, spoiled. Not only did you bring on the serious sunshine and heat that I love so very much (how I was born to be a Mainer, I will never understand), but oh you've got the good food, the amazing views, and can I just say? Some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Truly.
Tuesday afternoon found us at Mt. Tabor, with a hearty crowd of those good folks for the last minute meet and greet in the park. Beautiful faces, charming babies, and such kindness everywhere. As I've surely harped on and on about before, I am an introvert, incredibly shy, and not a fan of crowds. But a crowd of our people? Likeminded, gentle, thoughtful, creative folk? Oh, it's heaven to be standing amidst all that, and connecting one on one. I could talk for hours in that environment (and we did just that). Each person I meet adds another dimension and face to the otherwise anonymous box of a computer that I write into here each day. Meeting you brings that to life, touches me deeply, and encourages me to keep on keeping on. I know it isn't easy to get yourself to a park, walk up to a crowd of people you've never met before, and saying hello. I can't tell you how much it means to me that people do just that. Thank you, thank you, for showing me such love, Portland.
Can we talk about food for a minute? I mean, I do come from a place where there are supposedly more restaurants per capita than any other city (thought I'm not sure how much of that is myth vs. fact). We're foodie folk, to be sure. But oh, this Portland, you have fed me well. Dinner at the Observatory was delish, cocktails and coloring at the Vintage Cocktail Lounge was so much fun, lunch at Maurice was amazing (Portland, Maine....can we get some Scandinavian food going on please?), and dinner at Lardo reminded me of so many places I love in my own Portland. Good food you've got here, people!
Though I didn't make it to a single yarn store or fabric shop (I need another day here, I really do!), I did do just a tiny bit of shopping at two very lovely places. Palace, who just so happens to be a new Taproot stockist, was a total treat for my eyes, and a danger to my wallet with all of their good offerings and gorgeously curated selections. I showed great restraint by leaving with just a beautiful sunhat (because apparently the rainjacket I planned on wearing for this whole trip, isn't coming out of my suitcase this week....and sun gear is more appropriate in the Pacific Northwest. Who knew?).
And then, of course, I had to stop into Powell's. Where I was happy to find copies of all of my books and Taproot too. And oh my goodness, SO much more. I have no idea how anyone in this city gets anything done with that place as a distraction. I could spend a whole day there, not just an afternoon. Wonderful.
And though I have no photographs to prove it (because we were far too busy talking to stop for such things as pictures), I had an amazing day spent with two very old and dear friends. Friends I've known for ten years, whom I've shared all the ups and downs of family life with, and who have done the same with me. Friends who were there in the very beginning with me - in the small little world of crafting and writing and sharing our days on this thing called a blog. Back in the day before anyone had a book deal, or a fabric line, or any kind of blog-inspired career at all. Things looked a little different in the blog world then, and well, those early days are certainly special and dear to me. And after all these years and all those texts and phone calls and emails, I finally met in the flesh and was able to wrap my arms around my friends Amy Karol and Alicia Paulson. There are no words to describe what an absolute joy those moments were.
Ah. Portland. Thank you for your beauty, and most especially for all the good people you put in front of me. I wish I could stay so much longer.