SEPTEMBER 11TH TO SEPTEMBER 18TH
One hilight of our time in Hillsboro, where Maia lives, was the opportunity to visit the dual purpose business where Maia can be found four days a week. We say dual purpose because the primary reason for Maia to work there is to supervise six mentally challenged adults, three women and three men. The business is a resale clothing store where customers come somewhat infrequently to purchase items.
Maia keeps the six busy playing games and doing other activities when there are no customers in the shop. Despite an occasional crisis, the group is mostly compatible. The store gives each person a place to go and a change of scenery four days a week. We could easily tell how encouraging and affirming Maia was with each person in the group and how much they responded in positive ways. Her responsibilities mesh easily with her caring skills.
When Maia still lived in Cincinnati she adopted two dogs from animal shelters, which needed to find a kind and caring owner. We got to know them well, especially when they were living with her in our home.
Maia's SCOUT
Scout came first, full of vim, vigor and vitality. Later came Blue, a Blue Heeler, also known as an Australian Cattle Dog. She had a penchant for nipping at Scout's hind legs as if she was doing her inborn duty of rounding up cattle. He patiently put up with her antics. They have been Maia's constant companions through many years of her life.
Scout came first, full of vim, vigor and vitality. Later came Blue, a Blue Heeler, also known as an Australian Cattle Dog. She had a penchant for nipping at Scout's hind legs as if she was doing her inborn duty of rounding up cattle. He patiently put up with her antics. They have been Maia's constant companions through many years of her life.
As soon as we arrived, both Scout and Blue, now both extremely old, met us with wagging tails, which we were sure signaled their recognition of both of us. Blue was both blind and deaf, and Scout was having problems with walking down the steps to get outside. Maia had a strong feeling that we might not see either dog again, so we made sure that we took photos of them.
As we were riding the train back across the country, we got a phone call from Maia telling us that Blue had suddenly gone down hill and had to be put to sleep. She's now at her final resting place high in the mountains in Oregon. She will certainly be missed.
Maia's BLUE
Our weather on the trip, no matter where we have been, has not interferred with any of our plans so far. In fact a slight shower one day while we were driving out of Hillsboro in the countryside even turned into a delightful surprise when a rainbow appeared over the trees beside the road.
There's a fun tradition at the restaurant where Maia's friend, John, works...a celebration named "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day," which is held in mid-September. We were able to enjoy Irish stew as we listened to a trio playing Irish folk songs and a bagpiper piping several tunes as well.
Irish food was only one of the many ethnic dishes that we sampled while in Oregon. One morning we had brunch at a Swedish restaurant called, Broder. Judy and Maia were extremely pleased with their aebleskiver, shown in the photo with lingonberry jam, lemon curd and maple syrup. John enjoyed pytt I panna or Swedish hash, while Dick was presented with the largest Swedish meatball sandwich we had ever seen. Other especially memorable food that we enjoyed here included Asian dinners, Italian lunches, salmon and fish and chips dinners and barbecue chicken and ribs.
We have a couple of quick impressions regarding driving in Oregon. The first has to do with buying gasoline. When we pulled into a gas station, Dick hopped out, ready to swipe his credit card and pick up the nozzle. Maia quickly reminded him that the procedure in Oregon is for the attendant to pump everyone's gas. It's a strange feeling to sit back and wait for someone else to pump the gas.
The other unusual thing one notices in the Portland area is the frequent use of round-a-bouts to take the place of stop signs and traffic lights. You always have to go right, even if you want to go straight ahead or left. We remember how difficult these traffic circles were in Great Britain when driving on the left!
On the day when we had to board our Amtrak train, we spent some time in downtown Portland and took a last look at the Columbia River from a riverside park. After checking in at the historic Portland Union Station, we bid farewell to Maia and John and to Portland, the "City of Roses."
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