Retirement is not without Hassles: Finding the right place to live #63

I ran in the rain again this morning.  Just a fine mist – but still annoying.  At least it was 50 degrees, but still very wet.  When you imagine retirement, I’m guessing that most of us think of warm, dry weather.  In the Midwest, we called them snow birds, retirees who would migrate south to the Gulf of Mexico cities.  Here in Portland, to escape the rainy season, the migration is to California, Arizona, and New Mexico.  With my wife’s career, it looks like I will have to continue to adapt to the Portland climate, at least for the next five years.

There are many things attractive to me about the Portland area.  Let me count the ways!  First, we have many good friends that live here.  Secondly, the weather is just gorgeous once the rain finally stops.  Thirdly, there are many great restaurants and music venues.  Number four, the coast and the mountains are just an hour away, with loads of activities like skiing, snowboarding, boating, fishing, beach combing, climbing, and even surfing.  Finally, there’s lots of great sports in the city including the Trailblazers, Timbers, and Winterhawks.  The Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers play just down the road, and the Mariners are a short drive to the north.  We also  have Portland, Portland State, and other fine area colleges and universities that not only offer sports, but also many cultural and educational opportunities that make our city great.

We’re know as “Rip City,” named for the Trailblazers ability to “rip the nets.”  We’re also known as the “Rose City,” one of the beautiful by-products of the rain.  I wrote this poem when we first moved to Portland:

 

Drip City

The mountains beautiful,

The dampness sucks.

Portland weather?

Lovely For Ducks

.

The roses flourish,

The trees are tall.

But this much rain,

I can’t recall.

.

It’s cool and damp,

A Duck kinda’ day.

Often settle on,

Indoors to play.

.

The skies open,

The rivers rise.

Wear waterproof gear,

If you’re wise.

.

Use an umbrella?

Don’t be a fool.

To carry one’s,

Apparently un-cool.

.

Two state mascots,

Lead our teams.

Both like water,

So It seems.

.

Storm drains,

Not worth a damn.

We need the Beaver,

To build a dam.

.

Ducks, of course,

Give us Down.

They’re repelled,

When rain falls down.

.

Ducks and Beavers,

A Civil War.

Game Day Forecast?

It might pour.

.

Gray skies,

Constant drizzle.

Green moss,

Spirits fizzle.

.

My shoes are soaked,

My toes feel cold.

My hair’s a curl,

Sunshine on hold.

.

7 day outlook?

What’s in store?

Heavy moisture,

This weekend more.

.

So having teams,

Play under cover.

Makes good sense,

Fans soon discover.

.

So basketball,

As hot as it gets.

And gives us cheer,

Until the rain quits.

.

The Blazers backcourt,

On the radio shows.

Were just renamed,

The two “Rain Bros.”

.

They call it “Rip City,”

When they tickle the net.

But consider “Drip City,”

Because it’s so wet

.

Round Ball games,

Make your day?

The sun always shines,

When the Timbers play.

.

Or go to the mountains,

Where rain is snow.

Downhill skiing,

Ready, set, go.

.

Be a good sport,

Or just pretend.

After a few months,

It will end.

.

When summer comes,

Well worth the wait.

Out comes our rainbow,

The weather’s great.

.

Copyright 2014 johnstonwrites.com