welcome home

I'm back in Portland, and not a moment too soon. I guess that it takes a trip back to the old country to realize that I've truly adopted Portland as my home. My trip was hectic, slightly chaotic, and filled with bad news at the end.* Looking back, I can't really believe that I made it through so many New York summers with that heat and humidity. I sought refuge in the central air-conditioned basement of some friends at the very end, and knit on a sock while watching the Yankees. It was so very hot. It is so very not here in Portland. I heart Portland.

*Yes, the bad news means some bad times for Hubby and me, and some people we love, but we'll make it through.

I ate tremendously good food while I was there. The Chinese Parsley dumplings at Dim Sum Go Go nearly brought me to tears, as did the pizza on Sunday evening that was so thin - even when folded in half, as pizza should be eaten. The waterfalls were cool, but not equal to the awe-inspiring Gates a few winters ago.

Sunday morning, I was very happy to hop on my bike, and pedal off to the local farmers' market with Hubby, where I stocked up on fresh greens and produce for the week ahead. I was away, and now Hubby is in and out for most of this week, so I have the opportunity to detox from my week of gluttony to my heart's content. It is surely necessary. The gluttony also prompted my first visit to the city pool that's just three block away. I went this afternoon, and swam for 45 minutes or so. It felt great (except for when I inhaled big amounts of water through my nose), but I reserve the right to whine incessantly tomorrow. I have a feeling that there will be some very sore muscles when I awake. But it's all good here in Portland.