ME, MY DAD, AND STARBUCKS

Hey this is a neat place.

Just look at all the people in here.

Oh yes, and that lady over there is taking some photos of me. I heard her ask my dad if she could. I better put my best face on.

At last, a refreshing drink that my dad bought just for me.

Yummm!

DAD AND DAUGHTERS -- STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Today's trip to downtown Portland was to pick up some groceries from Whole Food Grocery -- of course I had my camera with me. I spotted this smiling dad with his two daughters who was entertaining them while confining them to a  public bench as traffic whizzed by them. 

I spoke with him briefly as I could see he had his hands full with his two beautiful and delightful daughters. The one daughter instantly told me she was four and the dad told me the other was two.

The dad and daughters were waiting for mom who was in a nearby store. In the meantime dad was keeping them smiling and safe. Good dad!

BIRTHDAY PUMPKINS

Pumpkins, butternut squash, and Cushow squash (striped) on a wagon bed. 

A southern "sittin" porch is seen in the background

My father was born on Halloween. All through my years of living at my childhood home and later living away I have placed pumpkins outside on his birthday to celebrate. He died in 1991 but I still carry on my tradition of setting out pumpkins. I know folks set out pumpkins for Halloween and that makes neighborhoods look very festive. I think my pumpkins add a touch to that look. My father would have liked this continuation of festive Halloween pumpkins for his birthday.

This past weekend I discovered a farmer's wife standing by a farm wagon parked in the street at a suburban yard sale selling squash and pumpkins. She told me that she had hauled the produce from her farm. Pumpkins were either one dollar or two dollars.The squash was priced in the same range. She mentioned that the pumpkins were not the same size that they usually are due to the summer drought. I thought they were just the right size.

I dug down in my small stash of cash and found six dollars to buy two butternut squash and three pumpkins. It was a beautiful sunny day.The woman and I discovered we had a similar interest, photography. This led to a lengthy conversation. 

Soon I was pulling into my drive. My mind was full of my father. Then I noticed the exact place I was going to put his pumpkins. On the chair that I found beside the road about a month ago. There I could view them every time I pulled into my drive. An early Happy Birthday to you Dad!