Scooter Saga

I was so proud of myself. With the help of Skeeter, I was on top of the modifications in my neighborhood and maintained a level of outdoor activity*.  So when Earl suggested that I join him and our friend on a Saturday morning walk in downtown Portland (my old stomping grounds) ,  I enthusiastically accepted.  Holy crap!  Times they are a–changing.  While I was staying up with suburban Lake Oswego, the Portland downtown had undergone significant growth in the last year.  I knew the metropolitan area was experiencing a population increase, but the development took me by surprise and made it seem much more urban, dense, and (gulp) less affordable. Warehouses to apartments From the early 90s, a group of us ran in the downtown area on a regular basis.  The group had dwindled down for both geographical and physical reasons.  One couple relocated, walking was preferable to some, and I was now on a scooter instead of my feet.  But, we were still moving somehow, somewhere—just verbal

As she was putting away an inordinate amount of party supplies, Sandie commented "You two entertain a lot."   It's not that Earl and I have lots of parties.  But people in the Pacific Northwest tend to schedule events during the driest months (July, August, September) . We're most likely to have good outdoor weather, use our deck, and pool. I have to confess to being the local 'Party Supply Central'.  Before the onset of my ataxia, I was a travel stuff addict.  Now that I'm more locally focused, I acquire party stuff.  Fortunately, my family and friends know to check with me before buying anything . Thanks to inheriting my mother's military wife entertaining supply legacy and my own addiction, chances are good that I have large quantities of it. Earl and I also preserve marital harmony with lots of pre–party planning. He tolerates my lists and I tolerate his detailed menus.  Our goal is to see our friends, have a good time, and not kil