June 2. Starlight Run

You've seen the pictures. Now read the text.

Matt and three of his friends from school decided to run in the Starlight Run. This is a 5K fun run that happens before the Starlight Parade, one of the three parades during the Rose Festival. The run takes place on the parade route and many runners wear costumes. It is an incredibly fun run, both to run (because of the thousands of people cheering you on) and to watch (because some of the costumes are incredibly cool and some of the runners in better shape wear skimpy things that cause inadvertent nudity while they are running.)

They thought of a lot of potential costumes, but settled on Little Bo Peep and her sheep. Costumes were made and turned out quite well. They even took place in the costume contest before the parade, though sadly did not win.

I went along as an athletic supporter and photo taker. I enjoyed watching all the runners come in and, in true Portland Fashion, saw many people I know. My favorite costume was the guy who was the Portland Tram. He was amazing and deserved to win airfare for two to wherever Southwest flies. Happily the judges agreed and he won first prize in the individual contest. Third prize was Waldo, of Where's Waldo fame.


Afterwards, Team Sheep took a long Max ride back to the car and ate some pizza.

June 2. Aunt Pat's Birthday

My oldest Aunt turned 65 today. She celebrated by inviting many relatives and friends. My Grandmother was the oldest of 15 children, so my mother has 41 first cousins. Many of them were present at the party as were some of my Aunt's friends.

The BroMAunts (Brother, Mother & Aunts) prepped all week for this party. Food was made, the yard was straightened, chairs were arranged all over the place. I brought strawberries and took pictures.

Matt and Chris put up a dart board and played darts. They even enticed some of the younger kids to play.

It was quite lovely.

June 2. Strawberries

Crap. It's the middle of the month and we haven't really posted anything. It's because we've been busy. Onward to the past.


I got up early to pick strawberries on June 2. I do this every year at the Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island. It's a pretty quick drive, especially now that we live in North Portland and can just go over the St. John's Bridge. Usually I have helpers, mostly my Mom and Jan, but this year Mom was getting ready for the party and I didn't get around to asking Jan.


I picked two flats in an hour and ran out of time, so I ended up buying a third flat.

What did I do with all those strawberries?

Two pints went to the neighbors

Half a flat got stemmed and taken over to my Aunt's 65th Birthday Party

Half a flat got stemmed and individually frozen

One and a half flats got stemmed, sliced, sugared and frozen

The rest were eaten by Matt and myself.

The berries were exceptionally good this year. It was at the very start of the season and we had some hot weather so they were very sweet.

The next day, however, my hamstrings were exceptionally sore.

Oregon Strawberries. Just another reason I love living here.

More Starlight Run Pix

Starlight Run Pix

Here are pictures from the Starlight Run.