SE Portland: Seen Through Photos, Street Art, and Haiku

When you hear the name, Portland, I wonder what you think? If you are a social media fan or a news hound you have likely viewed many stories about my hometown this past year. Did you buy the message that Portland was burning to the ground and that riotous masses were taking over? I'm not going to deny that it has been a tough year. This city has some serious issues that must be addressed, and soon, but it remains one of my favorite cities, especially in the Pacific Northwest. We are known for our bridges, coffee, beer, visible snow capped mountains, tattoos, and so much more! Portland was designed around neighborhoods and planned for walkability. This makes it easy to explore on foot which in turn makes capturing the essense of an area on camera accessible and fun.

With COVID-19 steadily impacting businesses and keeping some of what makes Portland amazing unavailable, time has seemed to stand still in 2020. No live music, many closed restaurants and shops with boarded up windows, sadly covered in tags. It can be a challenge to keep up our spirits, especially during the winter, but PDX is full of surprises! Some local artists have spent the past year or so hanging art in plain sight. As a person who works from home, walking my neighborhood gets me out and away from my desk and I love coming across these pieces. I'm thankful for my walkable "hood" as I easily spot these bits of encouragement. My phone and camera are full of local street art and I hope you enjoy a few of my recent favorites.

Fierce Love!

Let our every act

bring us all together now

by loving fiercely.

Not much more to say here as this sign tells us the direction we must take to regain our momentum as a neighborhood, a city, and a country. This artist has similar messages posted on street corners all over the city. They always make me smile.

Portland glows green all year long. The rain ensures we have lovely flowers and many trees. Our grass withers in the dead of summer when the rain stops for awhile but we are truly evergreen. Even with the fall or wintery gray days there is always something appreciate.

Covid Fall- a Haiku

Leaves change as time slows.

Cold rain dampens energy.

Hope must prevail.

Portland has amazing venues that are usually hopping with action. The theaters in my neighborhood have been updating their signs regularly throughout the closure. I've taken quite a few pics of the Aladdin and the Clinton Street theaters and their creative and thoughtful signs.

Prior to the city hunkering down for Covid, I had been an avid attendee of all types of live events, from music to theater both indoors and outside. Taking pics of bands makes me smile. This photo is honor of our wait and the hope we will be back in the front row soon.

Absurd Times- a haiku.

Be the first to smile.

We can still share love and peace

from behind our masks.

These pieces of street art often pop into my view just when I need them most and remind me of what is important, especially right now.

Food carts are a mainstay in Portland and have remained open for the majority of the pandemic. This picture was obviously taken prior to the onset of Covid as Portlanders are very good about masking up. This little tour of my hood couldn't be complete without a shot of one of my favorite spots to grab food and a luscious IPA.

Scott Wayne Indiana, a PDX resident started tethering toy equines to antique horse rings many years ago. The renewed focus on these tiny yet unique part of our city's history helped save the rusted rings when neighborhood streets were updated- they had to be replaced. These can be easy to miss if you aren't paying attention. I always take the time to stand the little horse (or occasional dinosaur) back up when they have fallen and love these quirky bits of street art.

Experiment wtih Kindness- a haiku.

Let's all commit to

experiment with kindness

each and ev'ry day.

I would only add... why not?

My neighborhood was mainly built in the early to mid-1900's. It's a sweet blend of classic homes surrounded by mature trees, rhododendrons, roses and more.

Speaking of roses, any photo tour of Portland must include at least a mention! Although we are in the middle of winter at the moment and they have faded for these few months, the City of Roses truly deserves its name. My camera is full of rose snaps... so here is one of my favorites.

The Rose City- a haiku.

Oh Portland, do bloom!

Your roses pop with color.

Flowers everywhere!

Looking foward to spring; lilacs, roses, and hopefully opportunities to enjoy the things we love with less restrictions. Portland is truly magnificent; the big and the small. I find joy in the details; the texture of a tree, the light shining through a leaf, raindrops glistening on a flower.

Focus on Love- a haiku.

Focus on loving.

Resist against hatefulness.

Kindness expands peace.

What are you planning to focus on in 2021? If we all focus on each other and listen with intent, maybe we can move through this challenging time with more grace. Although my walks are in SE Portland and my daily life is focused here, as someone that has lived in multiple countries I like to think of myself as connected to each of you across the globe. Cheers to you, in your home town, from me in mine!