The
Jordan Harold Update
June 1995
1717 SW Park Ave #614 Portland OR -97201-
We have reached Portland! After a very long journey, filled with some
adventure we would have rather done with out, (and helped greatly by
good friend Shelby who drove with us and gave us use of his van) we’ve
unpacked all that we brought and set up house here. It is strange to
be in an apartment so much smaller than the one we have down south,
but I think sitting down and deciding just what, of all the many things
one has amassed, one really must have in one’s home-is an important
and enlightening experience to be done every now and again to keep clear
sighted about such things.
Jordan has pretty much free range in the house. I thought we had it
child proof until yesterday when he pulled himself to a standing position
using my bookcase! So we’re off again trying to figure out how
to keep both him and the house safe from each other. He does so enjoy
roaming around the house-almost as much as he enjoys taking walks...luckily,
as hoped, Portland is showing itself to be a very pedestrian friendly
city filled with parks and lovely greenways. The easiest felt difference
between Davis strolls and Portland stroll is that Portland is not flat!
We have such a greenway right outside our window; we overlook Portland
State University. The view is wonderful and the air is sweet but alas,
that leads to Louis’ complaint that it is rather loud at night.
I think we’ve both been spoiled by quiet living in little Davis.
The other rough spot is Louis’ commute. The drive is pretty but
long. A few of his co-workers find it worth while to go from Portland
to Salem every day but Lou says not for more than one summer! In a lot
of ways this is a costly summer, but none the less well spent for the
experience-though only on the job under a week, Louis seems excited
and pleased by what he’s doing and the people he is working with...I’ve
just gotten back from getting a library card so he can rent out books
on tape to keep him company during the trip. Portland is proving to
be a great city for bookstores and libraries which makes this word loving
family rather happy.
Many of our walks lead to Powell’s city of books. Ah, the dizzying
aisles! The scent of fresh and aged books that so intoxicate me! The
knowing smiles of the clerks at my awed beatific face! A coffee shop
for relaxing between marathons through the stacks! Such A Store!!!!...sorry,
I got carried away there... They’re coming to know us there. Jordan
thinks its neat when people there call him by name. There is little
room in the apartment so most of what I do is browse-still wonderful
if only to spend time there reading. Jordan is beginning to show interest
in my story telling to him. The biggest challenge is to keep him from
eating the book!
Jordan continues to grow at the same amazing rate. He is wearing the
clothing the size for a child of 12 to 18 months old and he’s not
quite eight months now. He is fine and rosy round thanks to his good
health and our daily walks through town. He seems to eat almost anything
that we offer-still the mostly mushy state though, his four and half
teeth are all in the front, for bitting not yet for grinding. His current
favorites are a variety veggies and rice in many different forms-from
cereal, to puffs, to steamed-rice always seems to be a hit. He also
likes hibiscus tea!
What else is the child doing? He naps and he rolls and seal flops about-he
smiles and bounces at people-he makes a fuss when he doesn’t get
what he wants-he has discovered gravity “see spoon fall; see mom
give spoon back; see spoon fall”-he loves to play with the oddest
things, like shoes laces or cups or maps or big wooden spoons-he spends
time with Louis and they have a good time and I get to go see a movie-
he watches, learns, tries, succeeds- he makes life brighter and harder
and still, every moment, full of wonder by his very being!
News Flash
Jordan just fed himself a rice puff for the first time! I watched him
make the connections in his mind that the thing he was holding in his
little mitten like grasp was the same thing I was feeding him and after
a number of tries he got the bull’s eye! and into his mouth it
went!
