PDX Wordstock 2016 and Words

The sun rose pink over Portland last Saturday. It was delightful to be footloose and fancy-free on Portland's streets with a hot coffee in hand, sans the children, and a day of words looming large.

I volunteered at Wordstock; it was my first time attending Wordstock and working it. And I am ever more convinced that our words matter in the world. What we do with our words shapes who we are, our families, our communities, and our nation.

Today, Portland's streets are fraught with frantic fear and anger.

I wrote these words last Saturday, taking in the human bodies amidst the crush of books:

One comes to the conference to buy  books. She pretends to write, but is an author junkie. The other silently takes notes, listens. A mass of humans will be distilled down to one myopic viewing - through her lens alone. 

The Portland couple in their matching REI jackets, is, underneath it all, searching for their identities, and deciding if they will craft and create them together. 

Above all, they voraciously read, run around in the rain, choose comfort clothing over "class", wear a wet coffee laden look, and they listen. They are hungry. 

Tonight, they will go and taste Portland and see if they can discern what it means to them: these words hanging in the air, hoping to latch onto someone, something, some place, and some time. These words tingling on their palates, will they swallow?

Will they act? Will the whitest city in America act? They vote, but will they live, and will they use their words to shape the world? And will they follow their words into the world and offer true sustenance?

This morning, I found myself reading Jeremiah 23 about the lies we believe, and the lies we buy into about the lies we live, and the lies we are told.

Who then is righteous? We desperately need Him in the days ahead.

I don't know how the days will turn for my children or the children we sometimes take into our home. I am doing my best not to make judgements or speak outcomes. But, neither have I swallowed the pill that believes there is an elected savior, save Christ. And we don't seem to put Him on our ballot.

We may soon be finding ourselves in one mighty mess - but then many have lived that for a long while now in this nation. So it does not surprise that we are broken, and what flows from our hearts and mouths is brokenness.

Our words, our votes, they matter, and so too their fruit in the world. What is it that we believe and then speak? Are our beliefs and words founded upon Truth?  Or, have we bought and sold a lie? Lies? Are our myopic viewpoints simply our own navel gazing, or do we truly know how others live elsewhere and how they are impacted by our actions?

Maybe it's time we go back to living simply, so that others may simply live. Maybe it's time we go back to listening so others may be heard. Maybe it's time we hear and look, so others may be seen. Maybe it's time we be silent, so we may once again hear the voice of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. ~ Mathew 5:9

Let us hold fast to Him,

Kim

Timbers and the Fire, Chicago

   We took in our first Timbers game last night. An auntie was very gracious to share two tickets, and we were able to pick up two more cheaply through StubHub.

   Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Portland in time to eat at Kenny and Zukes. Maybe next time. I also missed seeing the sawing off of one round of the Douglas Fir log they keep behind their home goal. This, after their first, and only goal. However, the sound of the Timbers chain saw kept the game humming along. FYI, the game ended with a 1:1 tie.

   It felt like the Timbers did a lot of standing around last night, but it was a pre-season game. We learned where to sit, and where not to sit, for future games, i.e., behind the goals. Ear plugs came in handy, but I sense things were pretty sedate last night. Thankfully, we didn't hear much inappropriate language. It's amazing how a little beer in the mix makes people messy. 

   The stadium was a homogeneous green. Amusing. Portland is known for its eclectic individuality, but one didn't see that within the environs of Providence Park last night. I bet it's a riot of green when there's a St. Paddy's Day game.

   While it was great to finally watch a Timbers game, we love the quiet sportsman like Oregon State games. OSU has some highly competitive players, the game pace is very fast, and the environment in Corvallis is a bit more kid friendly. Oh, and the games are free!

   The Timbers may have headed home as pictured above. Thankfully, we did not! Where's brother? He doesn't make an appearance here because his head was in the game. He didn't want to be disturbed and mostly kept his eyes on the futbol. Here's to the beginning of a great futbol season!

A Pearl in Portland, The Center for Architecture

   After weeks of working to arrange schedules for five very busy families, one Executive VP/CEO, and one amazing historian and tour guide, we got it done! Friday, our First Lego League robotics team visited The Center for Architecture in Portland. 

   Set in the heart of the Pearl District, The Center for Architecture encourages architects in their inventing, designing, and building.

   A dual purpose building, it hosts the offices of the Architectural Institute of America, AIA Portland and AIA Oregon, and The Center for Architecture. In what was once the old Mallory Stables, you now find a space bringing Oregonians pivotal new designs, inventions, and buildings for the next generation. 

    Our day began with a quick talk and presentation by Robert Hoffman, the Executive Vice President/CEO of The Center for Architecture, AIA Portland, and AIA Oregon. He was incredibly kind to arrange this tour for us, welcome us to Portland, and give the kids his time. While his presentation was short, it was almost impossible to keep the kids from rolling around in the fabulous AIA chairs. I think architects must enjoy rolling around on their ideas until they gel.

   Next, we headed out the door with Portland expert Eric Wheeler for a tour of the Pearl District. A historian, teacher, and expert on all things Portland (and many other cities), Eric generously shared his time, showed us around the Pearl, and taught us why the Pearl is so very special in terms of modern urbanization. 

   An old warehouse area, east of Burnside, the Pearl District was not an area we ever explored when I was a kid, as it was not considered safe. These days, it's a fabulous example of modern urbanization done right.

 

Looking and learning in the EcoTrust Building. 

Portland still has her Mounties, and they are loved.

 

Snack time on the loading docks. 

We did not need snacks; we had cupcakes before our walk.

 A goofy art installation in the Wieden and Kennedy Building

Does this remind anyone else of the Seattle Gum Wall?

The Gerding Theatre is located in what was once The Portland Armory.

 Of course, we had to make a stop at Powell's.

This oldie, but goodie, was also spotted in the Pearl.

Portland in the News
The new Tilikum Bridge - the first of its kind in the nation.
Portland Design Week, Portland fosters partnership in design
ADX, a Portland Maker Space 
The American Institute of Architects

Advent Art and Slappy Happy

Tonight, we are inspired out. After several full days, the kids were very happy to head to bed. Surely, Mary knew sleep loss in order to appreciate and birth beauty.

Last night, beauty was found in breaking bread with friends, some old and some new.

A St. Lucia Day Loaf

This morning, we crawled out from under warm covers to see the beauty of the Samurai.

A creative and warm art teacher arranged a tour of the Samurai exhibit for her kids.

Sketching.

A particularly moving sculpture of water.

Brother and a Monet

He liked the electronics, a few pictures, and the gift shop books.

Who cares if it's a Picasso? It's time for fuel.

Happy at Slappy Cakes.

Pour out the pancake batter, add toppings, heat, and eat!

Chicken Fried Bacon with Caramel Sauce. Undecided.

 

Then carolling, cookies, cocoa, and a bonfire...and now you know why it's bed time!

A Gluey Hot Watery Weekend

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour...." Ecclesiastes 4:9

 We had a great, hot, exhausting weekend.

Bright and early, the wood working began.

Gluey, sticky fingers, lively children, and patient teachers, make life full.

 

  When family invites, try new things.

Drill deeper.

Learn what you can accomplish together.

Do one thing at a time.

Step by step.

Remember, to rest a bit.

You will accomplish something amazing.

  Then go cool off with confidence!

Because this piece of wood is a walk in the park,

compared to the wood you just worked.

Postscript: The she child goes to sleep claiming she has boat disease. She can't close her eyes without thinking of the boat. As for brother, he fell asleep as soon as dinner was finished. A busy carpenter needs rest.