Bringing the world's journey into the neighborhood

       Just a little bit ago reading an entry from my friend Jill's food blog ( The Unmanageable Oven ) and was quickly transported to my old stomping grounds of East Oakland, CA.  The other day I was able to take her and some other friends to a great place to eat in the hood, the La Pinata truck on Coliseum Way.  I have been eating there since 1986.  The food is authentic and the setting, well, you just have to see it for yourself.  Fighting for table space with the pigeons is part of the whole deal there.  Anyways, the point is this, traveling all over the world searching out cool stuff to bring home for people to enjoy in there homes and spend the rest of my time talking about it in all the great local spots in my neighborhood.  Jill reminded me that we don't necessarily have to go very far to feel transported to somewhere else.  Sure I want you to come home to throw your keys down on a side table that came from a small village outside Brugge, Belgium and think to yourself - wonder who else has done the same thing? but really I just want you to enjoy your family or friends or love one who's waiting for you on the other side of the door.
        
          Working hard and raising kids, nurturing a family, tending to a garden, spending to much time on a hobby that is quickly becoming all consuming and most importantly to me - shopping for the ultimate space saving answer to all your design wishes in an bedroom suite, we must not forget to experience all that is available to us in our neighborhood.   Many people probably came before you to make the place in which you live a destination for someone else.  Now that my home is in the NW, I am constantly finding out a new fold to the community here. Sure there is a funny TV show thats makes the tongue in cheek aspect of Portland laughable to the locals.  Really this place is important to our culture as Americans.  The Lewis and Clarke trail, logging industry, heck NIKE, ADIDAS, INTEL, PENDELTON, and the Food Cart Revolution are just a few highlights of the area. A true outdoor spirit here, an adventurous spirit!  Even if the adventurers wear tight jeans, throw back glasses or ride a bike everywhere, I make light but you got to see it for your self, kinda like the pigeons I mentioned.

         Here I find a real comfort in all that is around me.  The trees, mountains, rivers, valleys, parks, and so much more!  When talking with people about where I live there is a great exchange of information and ideals.  They tell me about the old corner store and the hidden gem of a restaurant and the right place to go to get your vacuum fixed and I regale them about the journey the buffet they just bought from me took.  Usually an even trade but most of the time I get uplifted and inspired to search out the adventure they shared with me and my hope is that one day they will do the same with the story I just told.  Life is quite revealing sometimes.

       So thanks Jill for the simple reminder to enjoy all that surrounds you and take in the enjoyment of the people and places in which I live.  This is where I know I can best be of service and help.  Even if I got jump on another plane, train and taxi to find you the Hallrobe that will solve all your problems!!

Until next time....got to finish watching March Madness!!