How do I love thee, Portland? Let me count the ways…

Powell’s. We were there for well over three hours and I still felt (marginally) rushed. Not in that “Leland, quit rushing me” way, mind. Because he doesn’t rush me. There’s just never enough time at Powell’s.
Fat City Cafe. Breakfast here, full ’til dinnertime. O yes.
Fred Meyer. Comfort shopping at its best. Makes me think of a ten-year-old Leland in Toughskins & snowpants. That warm & fuzzy feeling.
The Moon & Six. Leland’s old haunt. Kevin Burke’s current Monday night hangout. Home of the world’s best bread pudding (it’s all about the whiskey and the melted butter). ‘Except I didn’t have any last night. Too many sweet potato fries at McMenamin’s.

Now we’re at Periscope, attempting to get a little work done. But I’m blogging, as you can see. Lieber is here! We thought he would be off for the holidays by now.

I do need to get working, though. Yes, I’m doing a story for the just-announced Tori Amos anthology due out next year and, well, it’s, like, due. Like, soon. Can’t mention the song/story yet (one of my all-time favorites) and I haven’t asked the artist if they mind being outed on the blog here. It’s been tough holding back, though - I like to think I’m above the squeeing, but not where this particular artist is involved.

And Tori too, of course. Her influence on my inner landscape, and therefore my work, cannot be overstated.