Seventeen Cents and a Bum

My brother, Dow, was the quintessential "bum". And PROUD of it. He accepted people for themselves, not their station in life.

I didn't want my 43rd birthday. It meant that I would be older than my brother ever was. Somehow I made it through.

This year, on August 11th, Dow would have been 50. He would be hanging out with his young grandchildren. And would probably still be haunting the streets, spreading kindness among his fellow "bums".

I don't usually buy coffee from a coffee shop. I make my own at home. But that day I needed one, so I splurged.

When I returned to my car, I noticed a shabbily dressed, stringy haired man standing nearby - his lifetime held in his dirty backpack. Horror of horrors - he was coming up to me!!!

I'll never forget what he said. In a beautiful, soft, well-mannered voice he said "Do you have seventeen cents? That's all I need for a cup of coffee." Remarkable words? No. What was remarkable was that my hand went into my pocket and pulled out what little change I had. "I'm sorry", I said, "this is all I have." We both looked down - at the seventeen cents I held in my palm.

Thank you Dow, for sending me the angel bum. You remind me, even now, of the value of kindness. Of the value of life, of love. I still miss you bro!

Alan and Beth

It didn't turn out as clearly as I saw it, but take a close look anyway. Do you see them? My sister Beth and her wonderful husband Alan. Embracing in the clouds. Their heads form the top of the heart, by the way.

Congratulations on making it together these long, challenging years. Your love lights up the world around you.

Looking To The Clouds

I couldn't resist the clouds the other day. I see so many images here! My favorite is the old guy with bushy eyebrows and flyaway hair. Do you see him?

Fenced In or Fenced Out?

Their back yard is fenced.
But this Bachelor's Button doesn't care.
It's got the best of both worlds!

Through The Window, Again

Grass Through Glass

Sunset Reflections

Angel Cloud for Beth!

She has faded a bit since she left your house and came to mine. But I still see this wonderful guardian angel in the cloud. Thank you again, sissie, for reminding me to look up! And for sending her to me.

Two-Way Glass

The random patterns in the broken glass door fascinated me. I stopped to take some pictures.

I am intrigued by the way the glass changed with my focus.

One can lose oneself in the beauty of the glass ...
Or see through it to the beauty beyond ...

Really Big Tree

I can't even begin to imagine what the world was like when this old growth Douglas Fir sprouted along the banks of the Willamette River. The picnic table gives some perspective as to the size of this giant. If this table was set against the tree, the tree would be bigger.

Most of the old growth timber in this area was logged out in the 1920's and 1930's - to fuel Portland's booming growth; and to make way for farms and fields.

I am glad some of these trees were saved early on - for future generations to ponder.

No CAT Parking!

I found this amusing sign at a Thriftway store in Canby, Oregon.
"No CAT Parking" it reads ...

So ... if I am a dog I can park here? For 5 minutes or less?

Okay, here's the rest of the story. This is a bus stop for a local bus service called "Canby Area Transit". Or ... CAT. (Catch a CAT is their slogan).

I still think it's a cute sign.