THERE ARE fruit stands AND THEN THERE ARE FRUIT STANDS

Driving along rural Route 34 near Corvallis, Oregon one passes by a fruit stand that you cannot help but observe. Its main attraction, at least for me, is its size with hand painted art work on the structures along with painted lettering found on most exterior surfaces. 

Yesterday I was driving Rt 34 and decided to stop and and take some photos. I had not stopped at Jim's Fruit stand, as it is called, since I lived here for a few years in the early 1990s. 

I found full sized art jumping out from the building surfaces everywhere I looked. 

More art above. . . .

Jamie, who works at the stand mentioned that the original owner sold the business many years ago but then bought it back -- and has owned it to this day. How old is Jim's Fruit stand? At least 25 years old but probably more. 

A red barn dominates structures on the property. All the hand lettering attracts folks to stop at the fruit stand. 

Bunches of various flowers and vegetables 

wander throughout the property. 

Hollyhocks are in full bloom right now at Jim's. Fruit and/or vegetable stands come in different sizes and textures offering a multitude of offerings. I have noticed other smaller stands in my area -- I'll have to stop at some of them 

and have a good look around. 

TENT CITY FOR SALE

On a corner lot in a major downtown area, you will find a fenced-in area that is presently home to the many homeless in Portland, Oregon. I found this spot in my wandering of Portland recently. The homeless tenants appear to be well organized with tents erected in the interior of the lot with homemade fencing surrounding it. On a portion of the homemade fencing one can find the sign above, "For Sale." This corner lot is rented by a homeless organization in Portland however its future is not secure. If the lot is sold they are to move from here. If they cannot find enough money to rent the lot in the future -- they are out of here for sure.

This photo shows the entrance to the tented area. Portable johns and water are provided to the tenants. Large tents with cots are lined up inside this fenced area. I did not go inside as I felt that would put me in the position of a voyeur.

Along the one side of the lot is this rather unique folding fence that provides privacy to those within. It is built with old doors donated from a demolition company. Community folks have painted the doors with various words of hopes and dreams. 

Here are some examples of the community art work painted on the doors.

More doors . . . .

And more . . . .

I thought the above door represented a far fetched dream -- social justice seems to be rather rare in this country lately -- those with the most money in this country appear to have turned their backs on the less fortunate as they buy their jets and build their huge mega homes. Also, our politicians and justice systems are rather twisted.

For an excellent accounting of the number of homeless types and conditions in the U.S. put out by the National Coalition for the Homeless click here

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