One Last Bit of Portland

We've had a rough day. Between our work, Iain's cold, and the general craziness of everything, it's just been one bump after another. But at least we don't have to look at this all day. Check it out: Portland's City Hall (I think. It's downtown, in any case).

And below, a shot of the other side, where someone thought it would be a good idea to build big, minty green bows onto a government building.


The good news is that the federal courthouse is beautiful. Just really fabulously modern with a slightly Frank Lloyd Wright/Asian quality to it. We walked all 'round it before realizing what it was (though props to Lawrence, who took these photos, for saying "looks like a federal building - there's no easy way in!")
So. Today. On the hard side, Iain was very difficult and his cough just makes my ears bleed. He demanded Kipper all day and when denied he threw fit after fit. We need to cut back, I think. Also, I had to drive out to Shelbyville (pronounced: Shb-uh-vl) to give a little talk, despite being sick myself and having an awesome-sounding deep cough. That left Charles to handle Mr. Nutty all alone. Last, but not least, today we made an offer on a house in Salt Lake City.

But there were bright bits to leaven the day. I made a lovely pan of stuffed shells (with fresh mozzarella, spinach and carrots, plus ricotta with fresh oregano), Callie came by for a few hours (her latest expressions are "Donno How! You do it!"), and the people in Salt Lake seem positively disposed toward us.

It might have been a tie - good and bad.

But then...

We got a piece of extraordinary, wonderful, stupendous, incredible, long-awaited news. Some friends are very happy tonight, and about to be very sleep deprived. We're all full up with glee, making all the little things about today fade into insignificance.