In this Entry:

Practicing Patience/ Our remarkable bodies
Rambling Tips/ Accessible walks
Book Recommendation/ Betty

Practicing Patience

Okay, bear with me faithful readers. But yes, watching skin heal from a second degree burn has allowed me to practice the fine art of patience. And observation. Two things my “quick to be and act” nature isn’t always good at. Beyond that, it has forced me – yet again – to remark in the amazing healing nature of our bodies. That is, when we are fortunate.

I will refrain from posting gruesome photos, but maybe to help you understand my brain is to recall that I once was a college biology major before I found public health in graduate school. Too, later in life, I supported outreach and education for a research center that did pretty cool work. Like developing treatments to cure melanoma. So, yes, science, and particularly the workings of the human body interest me. I still remember my college developmental biology course when we saw those early 1980s black and white Scientific American photographs of a (I think sea urchin) sperm pushing through the walls of an egg. Yes, a printed copy – no accessible computer yet. An impactful black and white photo that I still remember.

While I have never worked in direct patient care, I have supported healthcare operations peripherally both through work and as a parent to one who tries to explain complicated cardiology procedures. The remarkable things that are happening in the healing of people is tremendous. And yes, research and science matter, and we face dark times. I’ll just let it go with that. But if you don’t understand what I mean, I encourage you to read up.

Yes, that second degree burn I sustained drinking, or rather spilling tea was pretty nasty. All 7×2 inches of it. And yes, I am grateful I inherited a high pain tolerance. My carefulness in caring for it paid off as, although I did visit the emergency room on Day 4 as I thought I saw a “streak” extending from the wound, I was told although it was a nasty burn, I’d done a great job caring for it and didn’t need anything from them. Now I’m sorry to have taken up a slot in a practice I’m certain gets more patients than it can comfortably handle.

So…back to my point. Now that I am on Day 12 of my wound’s healing, I understand how patience has been my companion. I’ve had to let go of plans (like that first kayak trip and swim of the season, my relaxing nightly bath) and be diligent in doing all the things to help it heal. Keeping it clean, keeping a layer of a protective jelly on it, protecting from chafing, and so forth. And in all this, it’s impossible for me not to remark on the sheer beauty of the healing process. Yes, as we age things take longer to heal. And, sadly, some things don’t. But as I look at it today – nine days later – thinking back to its earlier blistering red state, it’s impossible for me not to remark in amazement. And relief. Yes, the inflammation as it tries to fight infection and prepare for healing, proliferation of new tissue to restore my protective skin barrier, and hopefully soon – the tissue strengthening. Yes, that final stage will take months but I’m excited to watch the progress of new tissue forming. And yes, sadly, as we age or as disease gains too strong of a hold on us, we sometimes can’t fully come back from it. But for me, now, my healing skin gives me hope. Hope that I’d like to ascribe to even bigger things, but that’s getting ahead of myself. And so, I’ll leave you with this – what I think to be amazing – time lapse video of a small wound healing.

Rambling Tips: Top 6 routes in SW Portland Metro

Gratefully, even with my burn I’ve been able to continue my walks, although I’d be lying if I didn’t share the challenge of trying to figure out how to keep my dressing secure and moist. Walking nearly anywhere brings me joy. Always. Facebook followers may have noted a bit I posted last week beginning with “Human connection matters.” I shared about a new acquaintance I met while boarding TriMet Route 35 in Oregon City, as I headed to Portland. I may not have connected with this person except he was trying to better understand the route, and unable to get the driver’s full attention as he grabbed a few minutes of a break with his door closed. I figure I know the route pretty well, having commuted to work by bus and more recently, using it for pleasure and errands. Yes, I am happy to be a transit ambassador – encouraging others to get out of their cars and use what is available. Heck – have you seen the price of gas? (Okay, so you have an electric car. That is great…but the transit is still there for you.) So, my Trimet Friend is new to the area and, as it turns out like me, loves to ramble in open spaces. To my new friend, welcome to Oregon and Portland. This blog’s for you.

Yes, there are many other options to explore. I decided to begin with my frequent favorites.

1-Mary Young Park

Served by Trimet Route 35. Get off near Willamette Falls Drive/Hidden Springs and look for trail to right or south of entrance road. See maps and make your way for as long as you have, including taking the floating bridge (accessible late spring through late fall) to Cedar Island. This is my favorite “close to home” haunt, and I’m grateful I can add a couple extra miles and a hill drop/climb to access it from my home.

2-Oregon City Promenade +

Served by Trimet Route 35 (and others) at Oregon City Transit Center on Main Street. If you like books, wander down to White Rabbit Coffee and Books first. Head to the public elevator – it’s easy to spot. Check out the view as you circle its top, then walk southwest along the McLoughlin Promenade. Read about the history of the Blue Heron Paper Mill and the ongoing work creating the Tumwata Village. Continue onward to the Museum of the Oregon Territory, first making sure to check out the Willamette Falls. If you’re a pub seeker, stop in next door at the Highland Stillhouse. Alternative add on is to cross up to Singer Hill Bluff and Park, and for more history, visit the McLoughlin House.

3-William Stafford Trail and River Road

Served also by Trimet Route 35 from Walling Circle in West Linn – meander along River Road toward the Stafford Trail which leads to Lake Oswego’s George Roger’s Park. Take in river views and make sure and notice the old log hoist (see A Story Hidden in the Mist). Return the same way or catch Trimet 35 on nearby State Street in Lake Oswego, or walk through Millennial Park to Lake Oswego Transit Center for other bus choices. Alternatively, for a much longer hike (total 8-9 miles), return from George Rogers Park on a little noticed trail along Oswego Creek that crosses under Willamette Falls Drive/State Street and into the Lake Oswego Hallinan neighborhood. Criss cross yourself back to McVey on streets at or before New Seasons to walk past the newly constructed LO Recreation Facility and into Luscher Park. Continue the trail potentially all the way up along Rosemont and back into West Linn. (Best for those who live in this area, or a very long walk to pick up the Trimet 35 again.)

4-Washington Park and Wildwood Trail

Get off Trimet Route 35 (or multitudes of other buses or trains serving downtown Portland) at SW Salmon Street, walk west past newly built Lincoln High and the Multnomah Athletic Club, climb the hill to cross Vista and enter Washington Park. From here there are miles of trails to hike. Alternatively, catch Trimet 63 directly to Washington Park (or get off on the MAX Washington Park/Zoo stop). Here are my favorite walks and hikes from Washington Park. I encourage you to get hiking and trail details at sources like Alltrails: Top Washington Park Trails, this overview, or other online apps.

• For a shorter loop, find the trail to wander the rose garden (especially lovely during rose blooming season), loop past the kids playground and archery range and back to the main fountain at the park’s entry. Visit the Japanese Garden if you have time and money.
• My longtime favorite loop is to take a trail near the Japanese Garden upward toward Wildwood Trail toward the Hoyt Arboretum, back toward the view looking toward Mount Hood and above the zoo, then circle back to the rose garden.
• A longer variation – plan for half a day – is to follow Wildwood Trail from the Hoyt Arboretum to the Pittock Mansion. From here you can return to Washington Park or…even better… follow the trail into Forest Park and come out at Macleay Park. From here you can walk down Thurman (or catch a bus) toward Northwest 23rd and either walk back to Washington Park or find a bus to return you to where you need to go.
• Either follow the 4 T Trail (Tram, Trolley, Trail and Train) or do it my way by getting to Washington Park Zoo first via above, cross the sidewalk over busy Canyon Road/Highway 26 onto the Marquam Trail. I can’t remember fully, but be flexible to walk bits on Talbot Road toward Portland heights and to take in amazing views on clear days at Council Crest. From here get back on Marquam trail toward OHSU. Walk toward OHSU hospital to the tram for a trip back to Macadam area and South Waterfront for bus 35, MAX and other transit. Definitely check out maps or the above 4T link to best understand this route, but I love taking it.

5-Tryon Creek Park

Take Trimet Route 35-T (for Terwilliger rather than R for Riverfront) to get off at either Terwilliger/Iron Mountain or Terwilliger/Law School. Cross the road to enter and explore Tryon Creek Park. Get a copy of the map to help navigate the various trails in this park. For true wanderers, take either Red Fox Hills Trail or Iron Mountain Trailhead West to exit the park into Lake Oswego. Walk through first addition to return to the LO Transit Center.

6-Willamette River Esplanade

Take Bus Route 35 (or MAX, streetcar or other buses) and get off anywhere on Southwest Macadam from Nevada Street north. Head to the waterfront trail and wander as long as your legs hold out. Great options include walking over the Tilikum Bridge to walk some on the Eastside Esplanade. Note that this trail is used a lot by bike commuters, so pay attention to where you walk. From here you can walk as long as you’d like nearly, circling back on the Steele or Hawthorne (or any really) Bridge to resume the trail on the west side and toward Tom McCall Park.

Okay…that’s a lot of walking. All without using your car. Given the price of gas, it’s a deal. Easiest is to upload the HOPS App from Trimet and put a bit of money on it. I’m excited that when I turn 65 next fall I become an “Honored Citizen” with a $1.40 fare for two and a half hours! Others choose a monthly pass. Afraid of taking the bus? Well, sure, be smart. But you never know who you might meet and what conversations you’ll have. I’ll leave you with one connection I made on Trimet while commuting to work years ago. I sat next to an older man who was interested in chatting. He was an artist and I asked him what work he did earlier in his life. When he said he worked in advertising, I mentioned my grandfather’s ad agency. As life in Portland would have it, he had worked for my grandfather on a couple of jobs and knew both my dad and uncle. A few years ago when I read about Arnie’s death, I shared a note of condolence with his son. What joy we had, even for a few minutes, connecting. All on a Trimet bus.

Book Recommendation

Since retirement, I have been reading more than normal. I’ve always been an avid book reader, even if I often struggle to remember the title or author of a book I recently finished. That forgetfulness rarely means that something did not live on in my brain or heart after finishing the book.

The book I finished yesterday, Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, will stay with me a very long time, I am certain. Too, it is not one I recommend lightly. It’s both intense and sometimes disturbing. Too, it is beautifully written. An author friend that same morning gave me feedback via email about the sadness jutting from my book Humanity’s Grace. He loves the writing, expression and characters even if the sadness and caring for characters was intense for that moment in his life. I do believe grief and joy go hand in hand. I suspect those who read my work have spotted that in my characters and paragraphs. And so, I highly recommend Betty. It is beautiful, sad – and by adding tough details some may wish the author didn’t put into writing, it pulls it all together as I imagine the author intended.While written as a novel, I loved the way the author used her own generational stories and connection to nature and place to create it. If you do read it, make sure to find the author’s website with photos and accounts of her ancestors.

And so. Today I think about the healing power of our bodies, the natural world and reminders to slow down to enjoy each moment. Even when everything around us shouts at us to do something else.

P.S.

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