WESTERN WEAR IN AN URBAN CITY

Western wear is still going strong at a store in Portland, Oregon. I took this photo some time ago and thought it portrayed the still on-going culture of the West. Here in this widow display it stands humbly before the reflected high rises of Portland. 

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

ALSO

Homelessness in the World's Largest City Just Hit a Record Low 

ICE AND POWER

Artistic detail of old brickwork on the historic H. W. Einhard Ice and Power Plant. Built in 1906 -- before refrigerators! Being an ice and power plant meant probably ice was stored in the facility. As far as "power,"  I imagine it was limited to essential commercial buildings as by 1925 only half of the homes in the U.S. had electrical power to light there lamps. Does anyone out there know how this plant functioned?

Very few folks today remember the delivery of ice to their homes for their ice box, which was an early form of refrigerators. 

I could tell a lot of history resided in this building but could not find any that related to the Einhard building online.

The photo above is from the front facade's upper story. Building is still standing and has new tenants in downtown Portland, Oregon.

SMALL TOWN CAFE -- MULTNOMAH

LOVE THIS NAME AND SIGN!

Found in Multnomah, Village

Portland, Oregon.

GUARDING PORTLAND'S CHINATOWN

Two ferocious guard lions, traditional figures to China, were given to the city of Portland, Oregon by a businessman in Taiwan  (officially the Republic of China) in 1986. Decked out in bronze they stand guard along with an ornate high rising Chinese arch that symbolizes ones entrance into Chinatown. 

But now that the Portland Asian population has mostly moved out of Chinatown -- do these Chinese guard lions protect its new residents -- the homeless?

Everywhere I looked as I passed under the Chinese arch I saw homeless people

Very emotional for me to take a photo of these homeless men

The morning after the night before in Chinatown. 

A homeless activist told me that there are 4000 
 homeless in Portland. 

This includes families with children.

For information on homelessness click here.

For information on the International Network of
 Drug Consumption click here

FULTON COMMUNITY GARDEN -- 100+ ORGANIC GARDEN PLOTS

Community gardener working in her plot.

Do you like to garden organically? Do you like to commune with nature in a healthy active way?

I am not familiar with this artichoke looking 
plant but found it beautiful.

Portland, Oregon answered the above questions by providing community gardens for its citizens in 1975 -- that have become very popular. All gardens across the city are grown organically -- all 50 of them. A small  plot fee is charged for the garden season.

Water -- the jewel of life for growing.

Some city gardens are small as few as thirty plots in them -- the largest city garden is the Fulton Community garden which has over a 100 plots for gardeners to sign up for. Many of the different gardens around Portland have a waiting list.

 Some gardeners spell out their feelings 
about nature by hanging Buddist prayer flags.

I recently visited the largest community garden in Portland with camera in hand to try and record its beauty. It was early evening and a few gardeners were out working their plots. 

Healthy zinnias

Chairs are scattered throughout the garden for gardeners to sit a spell or also for visitors to do the same.

A gardener's personal work station in their rented plot.

I bumped into a gardener named Ashley that I had met a few days before when I visited Fulton to see what the gardens were all about. During that visit she gave me some fresh chard from her garden -- During my recent visit to take these photos she sent more greens home with me -- such hospitality!

How can anyone look at sunflowers and not feel better?

Does your area have organic gardens available for its residents?

VINTAGE MICHIGAN HOUSE PHOTO -- THOUGHTS

Early settlement home in Harrison, Michigan

circa late 1800s

I found the above black and white photo on cardboard many years ago in the state of my birth -- Michigan. Printed on the photo were the words Harrison, Michigan but did not identify the family. Although taken many years before I was born it still resonates with me. I like that it speaks to me of my interests -- vernacular homes, history, Michigan, early photography, family/folks, landscapes and more. 

It was common, when this photo was taken, to have itinerant traveling photographers knock on your door asking if you would like a photo taken. If you agreed, he (not known if women took to this trade), dragged out his big tripod and huge glass plate camera and the household gathered before their home and soon they were frozen in time via a photograph. 

Today, a photo is taken in an instance with film or as digital. The way of life for those many glass plate itinerant photographers disappeared with these advances. 

I have moved recently to Portland Oregon. Can't say how many times I have moved around the country since I was young except to say MANY times. 

Now I am my own itinerant photographer taking my own photos with my own digital camera as I move about.

Below are a few shots of my current "new to me" home.

Mount Hood taken from computer work space window

Apartment complex was built in 1941 by a German immigrant architect -- it still feels like it probably did when it was first built. Not a large complex -- it is surrounded by mature trees and prolific gardens.  Several windows look out toward Mt Hood. 

Apartment gardens

Apartment's wood floors

Would love to find some old photos of this place. Will be doing some snooping around the area to see if there are any to be found. Maybe the Oregon Historical Society might have some?

ROLLING ALONG

Next stop in my wandering life -- Portland, Oregon. Excited about the move to a historic art deco apartment even though its in a large city. But tis a city that is vibrant, active, creative, artsy and above all a well planned large city. Yes, country mouse goes to the city. Lots to see and do with my first and foremost artificial friend -- who goes by the name of "Rebel."

Will be off for a couple weeks getting moved and settled. Til than.

PIONEER PARK FRIENDS

About a month ago I visited Pioneer Park, a large community place,  located in the center of Portland, Oregon. I took lots of photographs in the park that day. Today's photos are part of that collection. These two gentlemen graciously allowed me to to take their photos as they were sitting and chatting with each other -- enjoying the day. 

They told me they were originally from different states-- Arkansas and Florida. Now both are residents of Portland. They both seemed to agree that it was a very friendly and convenient place to live even though Portland is major large city. I agreed with them -- myself finding it a very lively and friendly city.