mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Uncharted
September 22, 2025
Choppy seas and deep tremors disrupt
Our calm steady outlook
Internally boiling
Rising to the surface
Tsunami warning
Ingress
September 21, 2025
Tides turn every day, following the moon
The forces that surge ahead
Eventually, predictably reverse course
Every wave is different
Many not suitable for riders
Chalk Art and Community
September 21, 2025
The sidewalk chalk art festivals that take place across the country are an example of inclusion and community engagement that appeals to all ages. Kids love to express themselves in public leaving their own statements for everyone to enjoy. Some people have developed their talents in this genre to epic proportions. The art we took in at the Forrest Grove, Oregon chalk art festival reflected the creativity of this small town. Live music completed the scene. This is the kind of cultural expression we enjoy and seek out. You can see all the creative offerings for a few more days as they fade into history. These artists understand the temporal nature of art.
Kite Festival Fun
September 18, 2025
People and dogs enjoy the kite festival in Long Beach, Washington each year. The event is well organized and highly creative. Worth a visit.
Align With Elegance
September 18, 2025
Timeless truth survives collective madness
Refined good taste abandons consumption
Stripping away the needless layers of greed
Leaving behind vain glories of excess
To reveal graceful details once overlooked
Kimpton Vintage Portland
September 17, 2025
The oldest hotel in Portland, Oregon is known now as Kimpton Vintage. When it opened in 1894 it was called the Imperial Hotel. Its history includes expansion and contraction through changes in ownership. I particularly enjoy the architecture of that period, which was built when the city was riding high. I have stayed in other Kimpton properties, which I admire for the reform and restoration of historic structures. Kimpton Vintage Portland is a shining example of artful design that creates an atmosphere of elegance and hospitality.
We had a wonderful visit in an elegant corner room before a long train journey. The front desk agent, Ben, convinced us to return at the end of our trip. We asked him what was happening on the 9th floor on the balconies. He told us about the jacuzzi suites available, then booked one for us.
This was a perfect grand finale to our trip. The hotel has a daily complimentary wine happy hour with excellent local wines. The convivial lobby event gives guests a cozy way to meet each other. We met a fellow guest who had borrowed the free bike the hotel offers to ride across the bridge to survey the city.
Too many superb options exist for dining within walking distance of the hotel. We only had time to visit a couple old favorites on our stay.
I love staying downtown Portland to experience history in a modern context. I have now found the perfect place to enjoy that. It’s a short walk to the waterfront, my fave place to stroll. Public transportation is super convenient and efficient. Cosmopolitan living at its finest is available for visitors to the Rose City. Dogs are welcome.
Debt Ceiling
September 16, 2025
When we look up we see the gaudy chandelier
The tacky merchandise for sale
Reminiscent of eve of the French Revolution
If you cast your gaze downward
It’s clear that this foundation built on debt
Is a total illusion
Rendered Powerless
September 15, 2025
When time takes over the game
Ideas created for the sake of image
Postures assumed for looks
Turn out to be useless
In the face of tumultuous change
Pear With Me
September 14, 2025
To answer the question “How far can one elevate a cocktail experience?”, we turned to the Bellpine Bar high atop downtown Portland, Oregon. On the 20th floor of the Ritz-Carlton the bar delivers views, innovative drinks and snacks with the service that makes the Ritz so ritzy.
My husband had two delicious mocktails and I had a Pear With Me cocktail. Flavorful, garnished with a dried pear slice covered in sugar. I decided to eat the candied pear as a first course rather than sweeten my drink. It was crisp like candy apple. I sipped the complex mixture as we enjoyed the snack selection. Intense flavors paired well and peared well… A delicious treat with a stunning view.
The little log cabin built of French fried potatoes came with a delicate gravy lightly seasoned with truffles. The wontons contained spinach and peppers. The entire delightful evening was delivered with grace by our attentive server, Katrina.
10/10 highly recommended! Just don’t go there to save money.
Unconscious Consent
September 14, 2025
To what extent does unconscious consent
Rule your decisions?
If you don’t design your life
It will happen by default
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