The green green green of home

We're having what you'd call a soft landing here in Portland.

Staggered arrivals, days apart - people, car, belongings, dog.  Camping (or "glamping") in our own house with just the bare necessities.  Dipping toes into Portland - a little here, a little there. Slowly, softly, no hurry.

It's winter.  So that means chilly with wind, misty rain and mostly gray skies.  Perfect for tromping through local parks with Pongo, who is struggling a little with all the changes but eager to sniff his new turf.

​The overwhelming theme here is green. Green mosses, green grass, green trees, green foliage.  Green practices - recycling, reusing, respecting the environment.  Green spaces - every other yard certified as a back yard habitat and sporting a front yard vegetable garden.  Green.

There is beauty just a block from our new home, Woodlawn Park.  It reminds me a bit of the Garden of Europe in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, where I spent many lovely days a year ago.  My heart soars having an open green space so close by.  

These might seem like simple tree photos to those of you in northern climes...but to the likes of us, just coming from as deeply south as a human can live in the USA, these trees are magical unicorns prancing in our dreams.  Trees!  Tall, majestic, evergreen and shady.  A verdant wonderland all around.  

​I cannot help but breathe deeply and sigh with relief. We are home.