14, 15, 16

Sunday is February 1st, 2015 and Fiona will turn 14.

 There were some points last year when I worried she wouldn’t make it to this auspicious day. I worry a little, too, because both Clara and Louie died when they were 14. Fiona has a tumorous lump on her back that is now bleeding. Fortunately, she just had bloodwork  done and it came back good. Dr. Davies, our vet, has given the green light for the surgery that will remove it. I’ve scheduled that for President’s Day.

Sunday, February 1st is also my first official day as a member of  ALA’s 2016 William C. Morris YA Debut Award committee. I’ve read a few debut novels and the committee has had some initial e-mails back & forth, but today it all becomes official. I’ve already booked my flight & hotel for the ALA Annual meeting in San Francisco, where I will meet the committee members for the first time and we’ll really dig into the job. But, for now, I am simply reading. Unfortunately, I cannot write about any of them, not until Feb 1, 2016 when my term ends. I am keeping careful track, so, when the time comes, I can share things I think you will like.

 

The Good Old Dog Project

Almost a year ago, the girls and I had our portraits done by Pauline Zonneveld. During Winter Break, when my sister and her family were visiting we had an appointment with Pauline to look over the photos and I chose the ones I wanted.

On Thursday, Pauline held an exhibition of senior dogs, the Good Old Dog Project.

(That’s my Lucy in the ad.)

The exhibition runs all month in the lobby of Antoinette Hatfield Hall  (1111 SW Broadway Ave., Portland, OR 97205).

Thursday was the opening reception and I went because Fiona’s portrait was going to be part of the exhibit accompanied by a haiku that would reflect her personality. It was a gorgeous show. Naturally, I went straight to Fiona’s picture.

That’s her in the center, flanked by two other beautiful seniors. I had hoped this was the photo Pauline was going to use because it shows her feisty side, and most people don’t get to see that. Here is the haiku about Fiona

Graceful but not broken

My ears are my pride and joy.

Eh, what’s that you say?

I got a little weepy looking at her photo and reading that haiku. Then, I took a look at all the other dogs and their haiku.

Here are some samples of Pauline’s work.

 If you are in or around downtown Portland this month, take a short detour to the theater and admire theses beautiful photos and the senior dogs they celebrate.

It’s Scanfair weekend

I am supposed to meet a friend at Scanfair this morning.

I am hoping to get to do this, but Fiona woke me up at 4:30 and it seemed pretty clear that she has a urinary tract infection. I didn’t go back to bed; she seemed really uncomfortable. Even after she had been outside, she peed in the house and let me tell you,  Fiona NEVER pees in the house. So far this morning, she’s peed in the house 3 times and been outside 5 times. See why I didn’t go back to bed. My vet opens at 7:30 and I will call right away. I probably won’t get to see my regular vet – she is always booked solid on a Saturday.

If you are in town, maybe you can make it to Scanfair. Here are the details:

Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, 2013

Portland Veterans Memorial Coliseum

10am – 5pm Saturday

10am – 4pm Sunday

Adult- $7   Senior- $6    Student (w/ID)- $5    Under 12- FREE

Family (2 adults, 2 students)- $15 

Join us to celebrate the sights, sounds, traditions and tastes of a Nordic Christmas!

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LIVE MUSIC, DANCE & ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoy the talents of Scandinavian artists and dance groups from around the Pacific Northwest on two separate stages. Both seating and dance floor available. 

SCANDINAVIAN ARTS & CRAFTS: ScanFair is the only event in Portland where all the beautiful Scandinavian traditional and modern arts and crafts come together in one place for a two-day festival and marketplace.

OREGON LUCIA, QUEEN OF LIGHT: Witness the crowning of Oregon’s Official Lucia at 1pm on Sunday. The Lucia Bride wins a $1,000 scholarship and holds court with the rest of the Lucia applicants for one year.

 JOULUPUKKI, FINNISH SANTA CLAUS: Get your family’s picture taken with Finland’s jovial Santa on a beautiful set complete with reindeer and sleigh, and benefit the Finlandia Foundation’s Columbia Pacific Chapter.

 THE PIPPI LONGSTOCKING KIDS AREA: Children have a special area where they can make traditional Scandinavian Christmas crafts, including Danish Hjerte (woven hearts) and Swedish Julgranskaramel (poppers) to decorate the Christmas tree.

 SCANDINAVIAN DELICACIES: Eat food on the spot or take baked goods home. Enjoy Danish aebleskiver (apple pancake balls), Norwegian lefse & krum kake, Swedish meatballs with lingonberries, pickled herring and flat bread, rice pudding and fruit soup, Vorm Korv (hot dogs) and lots of coffee.

 CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS: Purchase books, meet authors, research your family’s roots with the Scandinavian Genealogical Society, and check out Scandinavian language schools.

 PICKLED HERRING CONTEST: Match your Nordic taste buds and stomach against all comers in the all-you-can-eat pickled herring eating contest!