Heatwaves, Old Friends and other things.....

You may ask what has a cat got to do with today's post, and you would certainly be justified.  This is Silvia, who is 19 years old now.  19 years ago when she had just been weened we gave her to a good friend of my sister, Hilary.  We kept her (the cat) brother Garfield.  Unfortunately, Garfield did not have quite as many lives as Silvia, and passed on a couple of years ago.  My sister's friend, Debi, moved to Portland a short time after she adopted Silvia, and we haven't seen Debi, or Silvia since then.  Well, yesterday we were able to get together with Debi and Silvia.  While Silvia didn't seem to remember either of us....I can't imagine why, Debi certainly did......:D  We had a nice evening of Thai food at a local Thai restaurant, and wonderful conversation....it was as if no time had passed, and isn't that the way it is supposed to be?

Today, thank God, was the last day of the multi-day heatwave that saw temperatures in the high 90's on Wednesday, over 100 Thursday, and 97 again today, but tomorrow, and in fact tonight, the temperatures are falling, and the forecast is for 84 tomorrow, which will be great because we are going to do some site seeing.  First on our list is Multnomah Falls......I have attached someone else's picture of these amazing falls, but tomorrow I will deliver the real thing.

Today TLE and I got an early start on our single road bikes and headed south on NE 117th to  the Padden Parkway (aka: HWY 503) bike path which runs parallel, but separately from Padden Parkway all the way west almost to I-5.  We made a stop near the end at a local Starbucks for.......come on, you know my favorite........a Moca Frappuccino!  Afterwards we saw a Goodwill Outlet store........I had no idea Goodwill had an outlet store.  This, of course, is where they sell stuff that hasn't moved in their retail stores.  Here everything is in plastic bins, all jumbled together, with no rhyme or reason, and you just sort through things until you find something that strikes your fancy.....in my case I found a set of Wellgo clipless bike pedals in almost new condition.  Did I mention that they sell everything by the pound, not by the item.  The cost for the first 10 lbs is $1.59 per pound.  Anyway, I found the cool pedals that are worth over $40, I found one of those pump bottles that has a "mister" on the end of a short hose that actually worked (there was still water in it so I was able to pump it up and test it.....and the clerk did allow me to empty the water out so I didn't have pay for it, too....haha!) and Elaine found a couple of neat wine glasses, a new leather purse, and several books.  The total for everything was under $10!

Later in the day Lee, our host, and also an old college friend, took me around town to do some shopping.  Since they live so close to the Oregon border they shop in Portland for things that they would be paying sales tax on in Washington, but they buy their food items locally since there is no sales tax on food.  They've got the best of both worlds.....no income tax in Washington, and no sales tax in Oregon....it's the perfect tax storm!  Coming from a state (California) that has a high sales tax, and close to the highest income tax rate in the nation, it is cool to find a place where you pay neither.

Later in the afternoon, and going into the early evening we watched two movies.....the first was called "The Gods Must Be Crazy", and the second was "Mrs. Winterbourne".....yeah, I know....a "chick" movie, but quite enjoyable, nevertheless.   If you get a chance see the "Gods Must Be Crazy"....it is a two DVD set and I recommend it very highly.....and I say that as one who was skeptical going into the movie.

Well, that was it, except I did get an email advising that I would have my new Progressive Dynamics Charger/Converter by Tuesday at the latest!

Thanks for stopping by!