Monday with Garden

Monday was another gray Pacific Northwest day, more usual for April. There was little or no rain on Monday, a disappointment as our outdoors appears magical, glittering with some water in the gray light. I rose later, past 8. Monday is my Saturday. I have no plans, and everyone is back to work. I do laundry, bills, and other chores on Monday.

I wrote the blog, which took much of the morning. Deborah and I chatted by text and on the phone all through the day. Deborah is back to work. It was beyond 11 when I finished the blog, showered, shaved, dressed, and all that. I got cards in the mail in time for the mail person to get them. My mail was mostly junk on Monday. I boarded Air VW the Gray and took it to the nearby MAX station, boarded the Portland train, and read my Canadian-based crime/mystery book on my Kindle.

The train reached Pioneer Square in Portland without issue, and then we stopped. A train was broken before us, and it would be fifteen minutes or more to wait. I decided to walk. I walk the green/orange line and wonder why I never take this train. But I walked and soon found a place still serving lunch or breakfast with their specialty being grits: Mumbo Gumbo PDX. I got a seat at the dinner’s bar and noticed the place full of New Orleans Cafe Du Monde chicory coffee cans; I liked it immediately. I got coffee and their small breakfast with buttered grits. This is two eggs, ham, toast, and grits. Perfect. I had toast with peanut butter and coffee for breakfast; lunch could be light.

The food was excellent, and I promised I would return. I paid the bill (with a big tip), which was still no more than $20. Just off the Oak stop on the Green/Orange MAX line.

I enjoyed the walk to the Chinese-style garden and soon walked through it for a few hours. I passed on the tour and just walked through the place alone. Monday was quiet, and there were only about ten visitors at any time.

I also found someone collecting the flat and smooth stones that broke loose and cementing them back into the walkways. Again, this is a good thing for a quiet Monday. I was told that the garden needs some updates and repairs. After that discussion, I noticed the paths that needed work and saw that rocks collect just off the paths. You just get them and put them back with a bit of cement. Interesting!

I learned from Quinton, our tea server, that glass tea service is unavailable in the garden (I usually have it inside). People walk in the garden barefoot, and breaking glass on the path must be avoided. I did not know and was tempted to take off my shoes. Next time, when it is warmer! Instead, Quinton walks the tea refills to us, never risking dropping the glass pot. I also learned that wine is not served in the garden as, to everyone’s surprise, it stains the rocks.

I had a moon cake with my tea (way too much sugar and carbs for me) and just enjoyed the peace in the garden by the little lake. I read my book, sipped tea, and munched on the cake. My number was 42, and I thought it a good choice.

Thanking Quinton, the guides, and other staff, I headed back, walked to the MAX, remembered I wanted to play some pinball and old video games, and headed to Ground Kontrol. I did not know they closed some of the buildings on some days until the evening, restricting what I could play. But still, I could get a few games in. I enjoyed the new Jaws version pinball with scenes playing from the first movie while you play. I did hit the shark a few times. Old school Asteroids, Galaga, and a new version of Asteroids ate more into my card. No quarters or tokens now, A card taps to pay for a game. I was not as terrible as last time. More investment is necessary.

Deciding it would be good to head home, I waited for an Orange/Green MAX train, this time to Pioneer Square. I am feeling off from the tea and moon cake. I stopped at the food carts at ordered a small cheese stake from The Block. It was a lot of food, and I ate it while watching the folks. One guy searched through the trash and retrieved the cans (worth ten cents in Oregon). And while there may be better ones, the sandwich and cheese melted into the shaved steak were excellent. It was the best I had had.

Two excellent meals and new places made for a most amazing day in Portland! Then I boarded a Blue MAX back to Beaverton/Hillsboro, read on the train, and soon took the EV home.

At the house, I saw a squirrel out exploring the backyard. I watched as he/she dug up his/her supply of filberts that he/she had hidden in the lawn. The nuts are hard to open, and I have noticed that they plant them, sprout them, and enjoy them now, aged, split open, and likely tasty, like bean sprouts for us.

The rest of the night, I finished the laundry, put it away, and read my book.

Thanks for reading and sorry for being so late.