Saying good-bye to Oliver.

     God gives us love. Something to love

         He lends us; but when love is grown

      To ripeness, that on which it throve

          Falls off, and love is left alone.

                                                              Alfred Tennyson

It was with great sadness we had to say good-bye to Oliver.  He developed a saddle thrombosis causing paralysis of his legs with congestive heart failure.  We always knew he was living on borrowed time.  He was born with congenital heart failure and severe allergies. He wasn't quite 2 years old.  He loved being the center of attention and we called him Oliver the Frolicker. He is sorely missed.

Portland, Oregon

I was very fortunate to have a week of perfect weather.  After the heat of south Florida the 70 degree weather in Oregon was very refreshing. The skies were clear and blue!  I was able to slip away to take a couple of classes at a terrific store called Collage.  Check it out!  It has everything you need for a variety of collage projects!

My favorite class was making a small collage for a glass tile pendant. Here are the two I made:

I tend to like the unusual.  I could show you pictures of Mt. Hood, which was very pretty.  But you can get those from any travel sight.  Here are some of the things I enjoyed:

Caught this bicycle outside Powell's City of Books.  Even if you don't like books, you have to see it to believe it!

        An arty fence in the arty neighborhood of Alberta where one of the Collage stores is located.                    

                                                                                                                       Interesting birdhouse.

And for something I just thought was pretty:

                          The backyard of a florist shop in the village of Multnomah! Love that birdhouse!

Will post about some of my finds at the antique stores next post!

Have a great week!