Portland, Oregon is the current “It Girl” across America. We’re hip enough to have three TV shows set (and filmed) here, (Grimm, Leverage and Portlandia) and I am not exaggerating to say that people are flocking to the Put a Bird on it Rose City.
However, Portland is relentlessly, endlessly, depressingly rainy from October through June. In other words, I was not surprised to recently notice that there’s a sizable patch of moss growing on the outside of our Subaru.
It’s very important to take advantage of each and every sunny, (or frankly, non-rainy) day in Portland, Oregon. And if this means hiking, biking and general outdoorsy-ness, then great. That’s you. But for me, non-rainy days mean spreading mulch, planting my garden and DIY projects that do not translate well to indoor execution. (You know, like spraying toxic paint.) And that is why, even though I could feel that I was finally succumbing to the virus that’s been toppling each and every family member, I still spent the last sunny day spray painting chairs in my backyard.
I’ve been sick ever since. Hacking, running a low grade fever and fighting my asthma. However, I am not resentful of my housebound-ed-ness, as I know I accomplished a lot on that rare and elusive sunny day in Portland.
In other words:
You gotta make hay while the sun shines. Even when that proverbial hay comes in a spray can.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Portland is the “It Girl.” Portland is to the 2010s what Seattle is to the 1990s. I’ve never been there, yet I immediately recognize it–and its surrounding woods–when I see it in movies and on t.v. I just saw Gone, which I knew immediately to have been filmed in Portland. Also, I’m a big fan of Grimm.
Oh yeah, Seattle was *it* in the 90’s! Almost all of my Ohio college classmates moved there after graduation for the music scene. Actually, they’re mostly still there!
Loved Slackers!
Katy
So true. We Portlanders certainly know how to make the best of our elusive non-rainy days. We are getting over a stomach virus in our house and I wish we had just a little break of sun in the forecast!
Yes, I use that phrase a lot in my house–growing up on a farm in Iowa–we knew all too well what it meant when Dad started greasing up the baler….’oh no, it’s hay making season again!’ But I’m thankful for those good doses of hard work in my childhood.
My kids look at me a little funny when I start telling them to make hay when the sun shines…then I remember they are city kids…and I have to explain it in their terms!
Also living in the PacNW, you learn the difference between “real” rain and drizzle/sprinkles. My kids know that a little light misting is no deterrent to playing outside or doing pretty much anything outdoorsy. Aside from painting of course 🙂
My hipster city, Austin, has the exact opposite weather…relentless heat and sun from July- October. The other months are perfectly divine and right now it is impossibly green outdoors. I’m hoping that our summer months might be more moderate this year.
It was 85 and sunny here today. Love our Southern weather in the spring. 🙂
It’s so true here in Seattle, too! It’s been raining almost non-stop here, but at work if we’re able to go outside with the kids because it’s not raining, we do! We always go out at the same time, so as long as it isn’t raining, we go out! Funny how your perspective changes (at least for me, because I didn’t grow up here)!
I’m reminded of your Pinterest Pink Chair post, where you said you were “Crafty Caty, not Krappy Katy” – can we call you Krappy-Feeling Katy today? 🙂 Hope you feel better real soon.
Moss, on the car – seriously? Do you have problems with mold, outside or inside, as well?
Katy, when you posted the photo of the spray-painted chair, I questioned just WHEN you painted them! 🙂