BICYCLE PRIVILEGES

I love these signs! Nik is not all that impressed with Portland's bicycle system, but I think they're light years ahead of any other place in America. He does admit that the fact that there are so many people on bikes makes it a better environment for serious (and not so serious) bikers. As to me and my biking, it will be awhile before I get back on one. My arm still needs special care (it's only been two weeks) and the fall put my back out pretty badly. But I can walk just fine, and I'm enjoying the fall colors immensely.

JUNGLE HOMES

These three photos illustrate my point about weird artistic landscaping. Two of the three are definitely way beyond your expanse of green lawn that so many strive for in the Midwest. But the third represents what happens when that instinct is out of control. I was able to get a photo actually showing the house behind all the foliage from the side. I've seen hundreds of homes like this. This is a lush northern rain forest landscape, and one summer neglect or even an overly ambitious planting program in one's yard results in a return to the jungle.

PORTLAND'S "WEIRD" OBSESSION

You see this bumper sticker all over, including on people's laptops in coffee shops: "Keep Portland Weird." And, indeed, it is, and struggling to remain so in an age of homogenized, corporatized reality. I'd say it's doing a pretty good job. It's hard to put in words, but I'll try with the help of a few photos as time goes on. One of the things I notice is how so many people express themselves artistically, which often ends up weird, like the guy in Centralia with the yard art. So many things are over-the-top, including their landscaping; their counter-culture styles of clothing, music, film; their public art. It's clear that people have fun with this expressiveness, and the power structure seems to have an appreciation for it -- a tolerance that's beyond the Midwest, but it doesn't feel as self-indulgent as California.

MY X-RATED BROKEN ARM

HEALED ENOUGH TO TYPE

I know it's been awhile since I apprised you of the great bike accident. As you can imagine, I haven't posted since then because a) I've been overwhelmed with fatigue, especially when it takes me so much longer to do my daily tasks, and b) because I could type only with my right hand. But things have improved.

After spending 10 days with my arm in a splint and sling, I was finally able to see an orthopedist. He looked at at the x-rays and determined that the bone would heal with or without a cast if I were careful with my arm. Furthermore, a cast would keep me from regaining full mobility of my arm. I told him I loved him for the good news!

What I actually had was a hairline fracture in a bone right where it attaches to my elbow. That makes sense, especially since all my weight landed on that spot when I fell off my bike. Perhaps I'd better back up a minute and explain the accident. I'd ridden all the way to work and was just about to get off my bike at a bike rack near my office. My front tire slipped off the sidewalk onto some wood chips surrounding a huge tree. I tried to just get back on the sidewalk, but the dip was deeper than I thought and my bike and I fell over to my left onto the sidewalk. It hurt.

I immediately saw stars and thought I was going to pass out. But I sat there for awhile (many people kindly offered to help) and eventually was able to get up. That was about 2:00. I then taught a 90-minute class until 4 p.m., waited until 7 p.m. and taught a 3-hour class. I walked around for 3 days before I thought I should go to a doctor. My arm started turning black and blue and I couldn't extend it all the way. (I still can't.)

At this point, the worst of it is how sore I am all over from the fall. My back hurts more than my arm, but I'm extremely grateful that it wasn't worse, that Kent has been kind enough to drive me to work and that I didn't have to endure a cast for six weeks. I go back to the doctor in another week for new x-rays to see how it's healing. Thanks to everyone who wrote messages of sympathy and encouragement to me.

DINNER AT NORRIS AND ALEX'S

Fresh walleye fried in cracker crumbs
Caper mayo
Fresh grilled oysters
Roasted chipotles
Sauteed harvest veggies with basil, garlic and onion
Fingerling potatoes

Yum!

THE BICYCLE EVENT

Well, the bad news is that I broke my arm falling off my bike. The good news? At least it's my left. I had ridden 5.5 miles to campus and fell over just as I was about to park the bike. Slid off the edge of the sidewalk and fell over on my arm. Walked around for three days before suspecting a break -- thought it was a sprain. Can't type easily. Will write more later.

Steph and Doug are here for the week. Nik just went back to Evergreen after spending the weekend with us. It was so nice having so many of us here.

I'll get someone to type for me tomorrow. Life is weird for sure!