"Small Is Beautiful" in my everyday life

Last night we picked up our daughter and went to a downtown movie.  Last show, we were the only ones at Lloyd Center Mall to see "The Informant."  Curious film--glad for lack of violence or gratuitous sex--maybe I missed the point?  Afterwards,  realized I'd dropped my Ron-knit-hat and new gloves.

[Aside:  Minor challenge is adjusting to current Portland weather.  Thought cold times had arrived--wrong.]

Called the Mall this morning, got number for movie office.  "Wait a minute," the woman said, "let me look."  She returned, described my lost articles.  Later today I'll pick them up at the box office.  Meanwhile we had a brief and pleasant exchange about the oddness of being alone at the movies.

Oh, I am liking so much the scale of life here.  Take Sunday morning just passed.   Along with 17 others,

[Aside: Every now and then some of that much-advertised rain appears]

I scribbled away for two hours at a Community Writing Workshop at HOT LIPS Pizza on Hawthorne.  Write Around Portland puts these on to give new and not-so writers the "experience of the transformative power of writing in community."  Very intergenerational--17 on up, one other grandmother, other recent transplants.

[Aside:  Hot Lips' pizza has been a favorite since our family settled nearby...delicious Pear Soda, a new addition...and the jams.  Website text on how they came to add these by accident rather than corporate plan is my notion of  modern Portland-style, as contrasted with old-fashioned.  Again, more later.]

Why the workshop, I hope you ask.  Need a jump start on writing in general plus a push to working more on  my plays about life among the not-so-old  as we get more so. Preferring "old" lately as adjective and noun.

[Aside:  The WAP session was a push.  More came from unpacking another book box (endless), finding books of ten-minute plays.  More later.]

In synch with E.F. Schumacher and the beauty of "small,"  decided to get rid of many more books.  Reading Fran Johns' postings on the True/Slant blog, listening to children of the old talking about the burden of parents' wish for them to receive their "stuff," resonated.  Okay, they really, really live in the here-and-now--a thing or two from Mom and Dad's pile and that's it.

  [Aside:  Our son-in-law cherishes his grandfather's college football helmet, our daughter dresses her children in sweaters I knit for her--and saved.  My daughter-in-law in New York took on this blue baby dress of mine.]

Keeping the flame of  Schumacher alive is a society with a number of programs,  and a blog.  Good ideas do not go out of style.

 

Comments

[kay Dennison]

Sounds like you're settling in nicely!!!! I'm so glad!!!!

[Hattie]

Yes, and I must say that October was always my favorite month in Portland.
There is a lot to think over in this latest post. (Pondering...)

[Lydia]

It's so enjoyable reading your impressions.
I used to live off Hawthorne and loved the area. The writing class sounds great. Tell more!

[John in Denmark]

Ron-knit hats are internationally known now! I brought the hat back and wore it a few times, people in Denmark loved the colors!

Good to know you are doing well in your new home. You have my best wishes..

[Anne Gibert]

Glad you are adjusting to our west coast weather. It can be trying when it rains day after day. Your writing workshop sounds great. I probably won't get to Portland until after my trip to New Zealand, but sooner or later I'll drop in on you!

[joared]

Great that you're getting so involved so quickly after moving. I miss the comraderie of the people I knew in my writing group for a couple of years. Calif. budget cuts to many programs, including subsidy for these adult school writing classes 'caused tuition to skyrocket and not enough people could afford enrolling, so canceled. Some drifted off to other more distant classes, with different guidelines, and have waiting lists to join -- groups are too large for my taste. The other local writing group meets on a weekday morning when I work.

I'm interested in your reaction to "The Informant," as I saw it, too. Haven't heard a lot of continued press about it, though the director is well known and Matt Damon is pretty good boxoffice usually. Your reaction seems to have been fairly common.

My good friend's younger brother is an actor and had a roll in this movie where he interacts with Matt Damon. The roll does have speaking lines, but mostly captures the bros. comedic skills as there is a short scene when they're seated at a table (bros character a lawyer) and bro does a non-verbal facial expression reaction to something Damon's character says. Made me laugh and others in the theater, and my friend (his sister) said same thing happened in the theater where they saw the movie. Forget his character's name, he's a lawyer, but he's briefly in one of the promo trailers where he, Damon and another wait for an elevator. He has dark hair and a beard. I wrote a piece mentioning him a year or two ago after watching him in a special live L.A. theatre musical performance of "Tip Toes." Gershwin family had given them special release to be allowed to perform this 20's musical.

[Jaykaym]

I love Portland and the Hot Lips Pizza on Hawthorne and admire your courage in making the move from the East coast. I look forward to all of your posts as I start planning my own life in retirement. Your series of life reinventions is something I hope to emulate.

[senseiandsensibility]

Moving may be full of stress; however, it is filled with possibilities, too. I love reading how you and Ron are creating a new life in Portland! All best wishes to you in your new home.

Bethene

[jaykaym]

Another special thing in Portland is the Sophie Ryder sculpture of "Standing Lady Hare with Dog" located on a deck outside the 9th floor at the Kohler Pavilion up at OHSU. Take the aerial tram for a great view on the way up and down and plan to spend some time enjoying the sculpture garden. This one is truly one of my very favorites.

[Audrey Bernfield]

I think that moving was a really great adventure for you and for those following your move. But you do have a
habit of losing those wonderful knit accessories. it is
your good luck that they have a way of being found and that
you have a ready supply of new ones......
I am happy that Thanksgiving is over. I hope yours was great with your family. We went to New Jersey and that was
terrific with three families - 20 people - great food and wonderful conversation. But the traffic.....
Wish you were here but happy you are there!
Happy Holidays