Buck Rogers Was Here

Well, actually it's a communications tower, but that's not as much fun.

Unusual

I spotted this unusual plant growing outside a doctor's office and have no idea what it is. I've never seen branches shaped like this. Anyone know?

Take That!

Seen in the State Capitol.

Line Dancing

On the Streets

I was inspired by Lynette of Portland Daily Photo and shot this through the windshield.

The Cow and the Cat

Near the children's play area in Bush Pasture Park.

Hot (or Cool) Wheels

Not exactly on the same level with Virginia's coveted red truck, but this cute tricycle is a beauty. For sale at the Wings of the Soul gift shop on Owens S. between Commercial and Liberty Sts. There is also one in powder blue!

Fish Art

Rainbow? Coho? Chinook?

Doctor office art, to distract your mind from the cost of tests.

Cute Little Village

Aren't these just the cutest? Couldn't believe my fortune to find these. I've only seen these in pictures. They were growing in abundance underneath a conifer near our dentist's office. From a medical site:

"In sublethal doses, the fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) may produce visions and delirium, and it is perhaps one of the oldest known hallucinogens."

McDVDs

These are showing up at local McDonald's restaurants and quite often have a line/queue. We rarely rent movies, so maybe they've been around for awhile and I just didn't notice. Is this a U.S. thing?

Tree Sitting

This is Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky. She is about 50 feet above the Capitol grounds in a tall pine. A member of the Eugene chapter of environmental group Rising Tide, she is protesting the Western Oregon Plan Revisions which would increase logging on federal Bureau of Land Management land in Oregon and hopes to sway the governor's decision. The logging plan has been presented to Gov. Kulongoski and it is being reviewed.

Painted Face

I didn't see the outcome of this, but the boys usually go for bugs or creepers. More fun at the E.Z. Orchards Harvest Festival.

Shiny Bright

While watching kids feed the ducks along Mill Creek on the south side of the Oregon Penitentiary on State St., the glint of the sun off the razor wire caught my eye. This used to be the Oregon Women's Correctional Center. The razor wire was added after Diane Downs, the subject of Ann Rule's book Small Sacrifices, escaped in 1989 while serving life +50. She was found 10 days later shacked up in an old house just up the street, less than a half-mile away.

Beware

I don't know who's idea this was, but it can be a little disconcerting when unexpected. Lurking downtown in the alley around the corner from Whitlock's on Court St.

Sychronized Walking

8.5, points deducted for slightly turned head position, and cellphone arm up, but their lower torsos merit a 10! (Too much Olympics watching). At McGrath's Fish House by the Chemeketa Parkade downtown.

Clever

Guess what this is used for?

Pet Beds

I found these adorable pet beds at the Salem Saturday Market, held in the state 'green parking lot' (the paved one), corner of Summer and Marion Sts. (free parking in the 'yellow' lot across the street--the gravel one). These were made by Debbie Dougall of West Salem. She has sizes for larger cats and small dogs, even for tiny "teacup"-sized dogs in many delightful colors and patterns. See her website - Jonah's Pet Beds. Cats that we've had in the past always preferred any cardboard box I brought home, but these sure look cozy.

Not Mine

Spotted this sweet, shiny thing and noticed the license plate. Unfortunately it isn't mine though it does match my Dell laptop.

Left Behind

Someone is missing his shirt.

No Eiffel

This utilitarian-design fire tower stands in a parking lot on the state grounds at State St. and Airport Rd. of the Dept. of Forestry buildings. I was not able to find anyone that knew why it is here. One person suggested it was moved here from it's original location when replaced or no longer needed; another that it had been used as a fire lookout when this area was on the outskirts of town. It is being used as a communications tower, holding several satellite dishes and radio antennae. Anyone know?