TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday – Mornings


From early childhood I was an early riser, I still am. Awake at 5.00am has been normal for me all of my life. My parents made it clear that they did not share my propensity for such an early time, and I quickly learned that waking them at that hour was not a good thing…

This week “not” in The Pearl – June 12, 2026


WordPress tells me that I first started blogging eighteen years ago today, wow. I went through a few periods of infrequent activity, but have enjoyed putting my adventures up here; thanks to those who are with me today, and to those who have moved on to other places. Last Friday we left Aix-en-Provence on a…

This week in The Pearl – March 6, 2026


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…

This week in The Pearl – October 31, 2025


A good week in and around The Pearl. We did take a couple of drives: Tuesday to Hood River, Thursday to Raptor Ridge. This is a perfect time for drives, the fall colors are perfect. Going through some photos from our recent trip to John Day Fossil Beds triggered an oil painting. Our unit is…

This week in The Pearl – October 24, 2025


It has been quite a week, certainly not dull. It started with a full and eclectic Saturday. Saturday morning I joined the Urban Sketchers of Portland at Directors Park in downtown Portland. Contrary to what you might hear on the news, Portland is not burning down. It was a beautiful sunny morning, the bright autumn…