Saturday, February 23, 2013

Snapshots: Portland Japanese Garden






On Monday, my family took advantage of the Japanese Garden's free admission day.

Evan wasn't thrilled with the idea, not because he didn't want to go to the Japanese Garden, but because Free Admission Day would be too crowded. As he says, if the point of going to a Japanese Garden is to have a peaceful time, you shouldn't go when everybody else is going. The boy is wise beyond his years, sometimes.








Maybe it's a result of being a mom for many years, but as long as my own family is mellow, I can find peace in the winding branches of an old tree, even in a crowd. We also found a sign or two of spring, heading our way in the Pacific Northwest.



What I'm reading:
I started Silver Sparrow, by Tayari Jones, in preparation for Monday's African American lit read-in on Vasilly's blog. I'm having mixed feelings about this book. I'm on page 95 and feel like I'm still waiting for the story to start. It's very well written, but I feel like we're stuck in set-up mode. As a result, I don't particularly look forward to picking it up each day--it's not one I think about at all in between reading--but, then again, every time I start reading, it's hard to put down.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by At Home With Books. To participate, post a picture that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member, and add your link. 

12 comments:

  1. I love the look of the garden! Yes, Evan is definitely wise beyond his years. Hopefully, Silver Sparrow picks up for you.

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  2. I have a feeling it will, based on the foreshadowing that's going on all over the place!

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  3. I love the idea of a Japanese garden and walking among the peace there. Your Evan is a smart one. I guess Alyce is too busy getting ready to move to post Saturday Snapshot. It takes so much time to get a house ready to sell. Here's
    Mine

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  4. Your son does sound like a wise young man ... I spent some time in Portland about 20 years ago (we were there filming the movie Free Willy) but we haven't been able to get back since. What a wonderful city but we missed the Japanese Garden completely! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  5. Yes, being a mom means being able to find peace even in the chaotic moments. :) Lovely photos!

    Apologies for my delay in posting, but the post is up now.

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  6. Have you ever been to the Japanese Garden in San Francisco? It is serene and they serve tea there too. What a nice outing for the family. It comes in handy being able to find serenity in a busy place since the majority of our life is spent surrounded by hustle and bustle. Happy Sunday~

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  7. You sure have a wise young man in your house. He's so right. Hope your visit wasn't too crowded with visitors. But that looks like a serene corner. I've been to the Japanese Garden at UBC in Vancouver, it's beautiful with some natural elements of huge pine trees. Have never been to Portland, but I suppose the vegetations are not too much different from Vancouver since they're both along the west coast.

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  8. That tree is amazing. Glad you could enjoy despite the crowds. We have always enjoyed going to the Japanese Gardens in SF's Golden Gate Park during their free hour in the mornings. It does crowded but better than not taking advantage.

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  9. What a gorgeous garden! We have a Japanese garden in our neighborhood park, which I keep planning to photograph! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  10. I've seen the San Francisco garden but haven't spent any time there. That would be so fun to have tea there.

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  11. I have always wanted to visit Vancouver. Even though we are relatively close, I've yet to make it up to B.C. One day...

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  12. The controlled peacefulness is quite appealing♫ My SS: http://lore-eleven.blogspot.com/2013/02/tic-tac-toe-skyscapes.html

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