Welp! ..the back kitties still needs their homes!

Merry Solstice folks! You want a kitten! You know you do! It's true! Pick two!

Red: LOVES other animals. Pick him if you already have other pets!
Pink: Only girl. Sweet. Opinionated. Huuuungry.
Blue: Sweetest. Mellowest. Inquisitive and friendly.
Yellow: Most outgoing. Loves to people watch.
Purple: Previously the runt. Shortest coated. Wild, cuddly and a little spoiled.
Cyan: Biggest boy. Boofer. Spoken for.

Message me! They want to go home this week!

Pictures under the cut...

( Read more... )

My plan to make my S.O. an erhu for Xmas has failed, for many reasons.

Where can I find miracle fruit tablets in Portland (with a strong preference for close-in NE)?

CHRISTMAS TREE TRADITION HAS ANCIENT ORIGINS

King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center.

The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.

The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.

Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.

Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.

Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.

The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio, adds Robson.

But the custom spread slowly. The Puritans banned Christmas in New England. Even as late as 1851, a Cleveland minister nearly lost his job because he allowed a tree in his church. Schools in Boston stayed open on Christmas Day through 1870, and sometimes expelled students who stayed home.

The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when Catskill farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal.

Christmas tree farms sprang up during the depression. Nurserymen couldn't sell their evergreens for landscaping, so they cut them for Christmas trees. Cultivated trees were preferred because they have a more symmetrical shape then wild ones.

Six species account for about 90 percent of the nation's Christmas tree trade. Scotch pine ranks first, comprising about 40 percent of the market, followed by Douglas fir which accounts for about 35 percent. The other big sellers are noble fir, white pine, balsam fir and white spruce.

Do any of you all listen to audio books in MP3 format? What service do you use, what do you get for it and how much does it cost? I'm researching this for a friend who is currently listening to books on cd but would like to switch to MP3. She's currently paying about $10/book, which seems expensive to me. She listens to 3 to 4 books a month. Any advice, tips, pointers, etc.? Thanks, DP!

ETA: Thank you so much for the help so far! I should add that my "friend" is actually an elderly relative, so she's not super media- or tech-savvy. Ease of use is a consideration. Also, she is in Texas, so no access to our awesome library system, although I will definitely still pass that suggestion along.

Whatever holidays you celebrate, in whatever way you observe them, I wish you happy ones. At this time of year and all others.

Is anyone a distributor? Know a distributor? I need some vanilla, 15ml. Maybe others? Thanks!

Know of a good source for bulk cocoa butter around town? Spill it por favor. I've seen it at Limbo, but it seems a bit expensive at $1.85 an ounce when I can get it for $13 a pound from a Eugene-based e-tailer. But I WANTS IT NOW. My dry skin thanks you.

www.publicalerts.org

Just passed on to us at work, this website has alot of local information including weather reports, traffic conditions, transit information, school closures and road conditions.

Can anyone recommend one? We only have to go from downtown, but it's before the Red Max starts service and we don't want to sleep at the airport waiting.

Hey, the fabulous inkytwist has been kind enough to set me up to show some photos at her place of bidness. I need to pick 8. I've never done anything like this before, and I am having a tough time figuring out what to put up.

If you're as bored as I think you are (ha!), could you go take a look at this slideshow and tell me if one or two really stand out for you?

Awesome! Thanks!

If you were among the carolers on MAX last night, I want to say thank you. My hubby and I were headed back from a much needed date night, and the cookies and cheerful Christmas carols really made us smile!

Hello,

I'm looking to buy some pepper spray to use in case of dog attacks on an upcoming bike trip. Anyone know where to buy it in Portland (if they're open on weekends, it's a plus)? The Google was not helpful.

Thanks!

ETA: Some people recommended Cuffs N Stuff, however, they appear to be closed (their domain has expired and their phone number is disconnected) :-(

were havinga garage sale today and tomorrow. here's the link :)

***** EDIT ***** SUNDAY ALSO !!!!

Hey yo!

So my house is clearing out this month and we have a bunch of lovely things we don't need or want or stuff we think you should have.

The list includes some furniture like a turn of the century white hospital bed, some chairs, some lamps, some end tables... odds and ends mostly, vintage playboys, vintage toys, star wars stuff, a couple cute belts and hats a Buster Bros upright arcade game... you know, all kinds of stuff!

You should come take a looksie and see what we got!

101 NE 53RD Ave
Portland Oregon 97213

that's the corner of NE 53rd and Couch.

Don't mind the yappy dog, he didn't get a good nights sleep :}


EDIT: Sunday open from 9am-2pm and we still have pretty much all the larger items you asked about yesterday!

I am probably willing to go down on prices if you come in person and check it out- I kind of have to get these big pieces out of here this week!!

















I forgot to mention the complete nintendo and super nintendo complete with games and controllers ...

records, cds, dvds, books, and VHS

a big vintage trunk !

star wars toys, handmade accessories, girls vintage clothing, cameras, shoes, bags, sweaters, $1 box clothes...

It was probably taken around 1974. It's on the larger side, probably around 54" square.

It retains a lot of sentimental value for both me and my mother. However, since it is old, it's very brittle. There are several large rips in the picture, and some noticeable damage to the image.

What I'm sort of hoping to do is two things.

1. have the image digitalized, so I can hopefully have the image restored, and give my mom a nice surprise for her birthday. Please note, I'm not looking for someone to restore the picture, only help me get it scanned in.

2. get the damned thing framed or matted or something, so it can be hung up again.

All truth be told, I'm not even sure where to begin looking for a place that does that. Do you guys have any suggestions?

This week, we will not have a FNNLC post.
Mostly because last week's thread did not get to 1000 comments.

http://community.livejournal.com/damnportlanders/15968339.html

And, if your NLC thread doesn't get enough comments, just turn the key for 20 seconds, then turn it off, and when you repeat, it should get right there!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 22ND AT 7PM

Come eat, drink and be merry!

McMenamin's Tavern and Pool
1716 NW 23rd

Minors welcome until 10pm*
*I've noted quite heavily that if you show up close to 10 with a minor or as a minor they will probably not serve you, this may just be the Ram's Head down the street, though.

Meetup FAQ needs to be changed, but basically be nice, polite, you know the drill! And if you have any questions, message me and I can try and clear things up!

There probably won't be many of us since it is three days before Christmas, but hey, if you can make it, we'll try and enjoy a lively little evening the way only Portlanders can! I might even make some cookies for those who show up.

I'm assuming there's a lot of talent in this community-- I have too many white, boring, apartment walls that need decorating, so I'm looking for prints for framing (or already framed pieces). I'm curious as to if any of you have your work up online anywhere I could browse. (I'm not in portland, so please be willing to ship?)

Show off! Sell things! Decorate my walls! Everyone wins.