July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Visitors remind us Portland is a nice place to live (08/18/2008)
As I See It
By By DIANA DOLECKI-
How we see ourselves and how others see us is often vastly different.
For example, in my mind I am 35 years old, about 5'4", 135 pounds, and have long brown hair. I am rather ordinary looking and a bit awkward if not downright clumsy.
The reality is that I have a daughter who is 35 years old, and no, I didn't give birth to her before I was born! The tallest I have ever been is 5'3" and I haven't weighed 135 pounds for more years than I care to admit. My hair is relatively short and needs to be periodically restored to its "natural" color with the aid of the magic shampoo my beautician uses. I do tend to be clumsy so that part is accurate.
I bring this up because this is the week that our town is overrun with visitors from all over the country. They keep coming back every year so they must see an attraction that many natives overlook.
I know that the main reason they are here is for the annual Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show. Personally I would think it would take more than a bunch of, ahem ... pardon the expression, junk tractors to draw so many people.
The best thing I have found about Portland since we moved here more than 20 years ago is that you can't see the air. I realize that is a strange statement but we lived in a suburb of Cincinnati before we moved here and there were many mornings when I looked out the front door to see a layer of dirty brown haze creeping towards our house.
True, it wasn't as bad as what I keep hearing about Beijing, but I seriously considered buying stock in decongestants at one point. After we moved here, most of my sinus headaches went away. Of course, my husband stopped smoking so that also had a beneficial effect.
Since this is a farming community there are occasionally some unique fragrances floating through the air. Natural fertilizer has its own aroma, as do the factories around town. Of course, you will seldom see hitching posts at your local big box store in larger locales nor will you have traffic backed up behind a tractor just moseying along.
The pace is life is more relaxed here than in many places and I think people enjoy that. While we don't have a really nice smoke-free sit-down restaurant in town there are enough eateries to keep everyone well fed. Plus people sell fresh produce from the back of their trucks and there is always the farmer's market on Saturdays if an out-of-towner wants to have something really fresh.
When I look at our downtown area I see a dearth of places to shop. I can't go downtown to buy a simple pair of socks or a flowerpot. I can get some fantastic fudge and malted milk balls but those are treats that have to be savored and saved for special occasions. Visitors see a plethora of opportunities for bargains in all our second-hand stores, and some really great fudge.
When I look at my yard I see wildflowers and magic lilies along with some volunteer sunflowers. Other people see weeds. I figure as long as a plant blooms and looks pretty it can stay. If Queen Anne's lace was good enough for a queen then it is good enough for me.
From the things I have heard other people say they enjoy the slow pace of our town. They enjoy all the flea markets and garage sales that make me cringe. They like getting together with people who share their interest in antique farm equipment. They like all the opportunities to meet with people who might have that one little part they are looking for that will turn their piece of junk into a real piece of art that will be displayed at next year's show.
They see something far different than the rest of us. They see a place with fresh air, friendly people and very little crime. They are sheltered from the neighbors screaming at each other in the middle of the night. They are sheltered from the lack of good-paying jobs. They see plenty of places to shop and friendly people.
Let's all try to live up to the reputation of being a nice place to visit. Let's try to see ourselves as others see us. We might appreciate our home a little more if we do.[[In-content Ad]]
For example, in my mind I am 35 years old, about 5'4", 135 pounds, and have long brown hair. I am rather ordinary looking and a bit awkward if not downright clumsy.
The reality is that I have a daughter who is 35 years old, and no, I didn't give birth to her before I was born! The tallest I have ever been is 5'3" and I haven't weighed 135 pounds for more years than I care to admit. My hair is relatively short and needs to be periodically restored to its "natural" color with the aid of the magic shampoo my beautician uses. I do tend to be clumsy so that part is accurate.
I bring this up because this is the week that our town is overrun with visitors from all over the country. They keep coming back every year so they must see an attraction that many natives overlook.
I know that the main reason they are here is for the annual Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show. Personally I would think it would take more than a bunch of, ahem ... pardon the expression, junk tractors to draw so many people.
The best thing I have found about Portland since we moved here more than 20 years ago is that you can't see the air. I realize that is a strange statement but we lived in a suburb of Cincinnati before we moved here and there were many mornings when I looked out the front door to see a layer of dirty brown haze creeping towards our house.
True, it wasn't as bad as what I keep hearing about Beijing, but I seriously considered buying stock in decongestants at one point. After we moved here, most of my sinus headaches went away. Of course, my husband stopped smoking so that also had a beneficial effect.
Since this is a farming community there are occasionally some unique fragrances floating through the air. Natural fertilizer has its own aroma, as do the factories around town. Of course, you will seldom see hitching posts at your local big box store in larger locales nor will you have traffic backed up behind a tractor just moseying along.
The pace is life is more relaxed here than in many places and I think people enjoy that. While we don't have a really nice smoke-free sit-down restaurant in town there are enough eateries to keep everyone well fed. Plus people sell fresh produce from the back of their trucks and there is always the farmer's market on Saturdays if an out-of-towner wants to have something really fresh.
When I look at our downtown area I see a dearth of places to shop. I can't go downtown to buy a simple pair of socks or a flowerpot. I can get some fantastic fudge and malted milk balls but those are treats that have to be savored and saved for special occasions. Visitors see a plethora of opportunities for bargains in all our second-hand stores, and some really great fudge.
When I look at my yard I see wildflowers and magic lilies along with some volunteer sunflowers. Other people see weeds. I figure as long as a plant blooms and looks pretty it can stay. If Queen Anne's lace was good enough for a queen then it is good enough for me.
From the things I have heard other people say they enjoy the slow pace of our town. They enjoy all the flea markets and garage sales that make me cringe. They like getting together with people who share their interest in antique farm equipment. They like all the opportunities to meet with people who might have that one little part they are looking for that will turn their piece of junk into a real piece of art that will be displayed at next year's show.
They see something far different than the rest of us. They see a place with fresh air, friendly people and very little crime. They are sheltered from the neighbors screaming at each other in the middle of the night. They are sheltered from the lack of good-paying jobs. They see plenty of places to shop and friendly people.
Let's all try to live up to the reputation of being a nice place to visit. Let's try to see ourselves as others see us. We might appreciate our home a little more if we do.[[In-content Ad]]
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