We had a wonderful weekend. Saturday we celebrated Alexis’ birthday by going for high tea at DOJA Tea Lounge in Tualatin. It is next to Tualitin Lake at The Commons.

Tricia had the ‘Vegan’ – the rest of us carnivores had the ‘Citrus Menu’, though there was only a tiny bit of chicken on one item, the rest was vegetarian. Everything was great, Tricia and I did share a few bites of each other’s list. After a leisurely, almost two hours of tea, food, and laughter we walked around the lake to look at the ducks; you can see DOJA on the other side of the lake, near the bridge.

For Sunday lunch, Tricia made risotto with bay scallops, and small mushrooms. As always her risotto is better than most I have ever had, even at Michelin rated places – C’est la meilleure chef.

Wednesday, I did get the pleasure of going to the dentist. At my age most work that needs doing is not so much the result of poor hygiene on my part but just ancient fillings that break down, as Tricia and others have said, “Getting old is not for the faint of heart.”

My first painting of the week was of my favorite place in Avignon, Le Cave des Pas Sages, along with a couple of the regulars.

Then I did one of the dirt road at La Thebauderie which we walked down so many times. It curves down the hill, crosses a small stream, then up the other side through a neighboring farm – such a peaceful walk.

Spring is creeping in a bit every day. This last week we had a couple of warmer, sunny days, they entice one into thinking it is spring, then in typical Portland fashion the clouds come in from the SW, the temperature drops a bit, and some rain falls to remind us that our beautiful green does come at a price.

When I traveled and spoke to audiences, people often said of Portland and Seattle, “Doesn’t it rain there all the time?” Actually Portland gets about 43 inches per year, Seattle 37 inches. Compare that with some sunny places: Miami 67 inches, New Orleans 63 inches, Charleston 50 inches. Portland does have one of the highest number of cloudy days though, yet from about the end of June through end of September cloudy days are rare. We natives actually don’t mind the clouds or the rain, the brilliant sunny days with no humidity make it all worthwhile.

I hope you have had a good week, some adventures of some kind, with a bit of peace and laughter along the way. On Tuesdays I am posting as many simple ways of capturing moments as I can think of, even for those who have never tried sketching, or think they can’t. Hope you are giving it a try, capturing the moments makes them a bit more special.