Neighborhood Update

Lots going on outside the windows...My garden continues to grow.  I've used the rosemary several times in recipes, made mint tea for Mark the other night with my mint, and we've had several salads with our lettuce!  Off today to buy tomatoes and peppers to plant.  Mark and I have wandered down several times over the past week to the new South Waterfront Community Garden that is located just south of the Atwater, next to a gravel parking lot.  It has risen from nothing thanks to the hard work of some of our neighbors.  The plots are actually raised from the ground with wattles as borders.  It is so fun to see what people have planted.  Even garden art in some of the plots.  I am looking forward to seeing the progress as things grow.  It's amazing what people can accomplish with effort.

We are also keeping watch on the osprey nest.  Zidell Marine erected a pole to encourage the nesting pair to build their nest.  Apparently, after PGE put a discouraging structure on top of the power pole that they built their nest on two years ago, the ospreys kept trying to build their nest on a Zidell crane.  So, Zidell built the pole and the ospreys cooperated!  It has been fascinating for a fledgling birder like me to watch them build the nest and now sit on the eggs.  They are so beautiful as they soar above looking for fish in the river.

Right below the osprey nest is a vacant lot just north of our building.  Originally,  plans were to build a hotel on the property, but with the downturn in the economy, the lots sits vacant.  Which is just fine with us because it allows us to keep our great downtown view! 

 Over the past few months we have noticed that someone is tilling the dirt.  A tractor with disks has been parked for awhile.  This weekend we actually saw "The Dahlia Guy" on his tractor tilling up the soil.  Word is he is going to plant a commercial dahlia operation on the property.  Dahlias this summer where previously there has been only dirt and geese!  In Milwaukie, our neighbor behind us had gorgeous Dahlias planted all along the fence.  It will nice to see them again.

The Mirabella (assisted living residence) continues to go up outside our balcony.  They are currently working on the 9th floor (of 31). I wonder what the guy in the crane listens to all day?  What's on his ipod playlist?  Also noticing that the structure up on the OHSU hill is now rising out of the trees..

I continue to marvel at the breath taking sunrises, sunsets, rainbows and comings and goings of storms and clouds.  Always a great picture.

Thanks Jake, for helping your old Aunt Kelly with your blogger tips!