The gr8ful grind: July 2014

Let go of anger; It's an acid that eats away the delicate layers of your happiness

The reverse side has also its reverse side

Thursday, July 31, 2014


Meanwhile out on the lawn: Looking out past the spa area and the ocean, to the BC mainland beyond. Hollyhock Centre, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; May, 2014.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014


Looks like someone needed a rest stop. But I think they've been in there a very, very, very long time. (Click the photo for more detail) Redmond, Oregon; July, 2014.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014


A very colorful chiropractic clinic along Mississippi Street on a recent Saturday morning. Portland, Oregon; July, 2014.

Monday, July 28, 2014


The Northwest part of the US is burning down. Over a million acres, over 400 square miles, have gone up in smoke, mostly from lightning strikes. If you click on this photo, you'll be able to see a forest fire in the foreground, another fire a couple of ridges behind that one with a secondary portion of it to the far left, and behind Mt. Jefferson is a HUGE fire--that's not regular clouds behind the mountain, it's smoke, with the tendrils of clouds rising up behind that. Taken from the slopes of Mt. Hood; July, 2014.

Friday, July 25, 2014


This could actually be the OCF motto. Heck, it should be all of our's motto! Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Thursday, July 24, 2014


There is an old saying here in Oregon: Summer doesn't start until July 5. Luckily, the OCF is always held the 2nd weekend in July. It gets hot. (Click the photo for a better view) Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July 2014.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014


While walking the paths of the OCF, one must continually be on the lookout for the frequent fairy or wood nymph. Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014


There seems to be no end to the very interesting and interestingly named booths displaying wares at the Oregon Country Fair. Elmira, Oregon' July, 2014.

Monday, July 21, 2014


Although the vast majority of incredibly costumed people at the OCF are female, the guys do get in the act as well. They just might not be as successful at it, we think. This guy had some creativity, that's for sure. (Click the photo to get a load of those eyes) Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Friday, July 18, 2014


As we walk the trails of the Oregon Country Fair each year, one place we must stop is the Altared Space, a place to meditate and contemplate. Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Thursday, July 17, 2014


It gets hot at the Oregon Country Fair and since people respect one another and accept most things that are not imposing on someone else, women are quite willing in the heat to decorate the pulchritudinous areas in quite artistic fashion for the rest of us Fair goers to admire. Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014


Co-headlining on Saturday at the Oregon Country Fair was one of our favorite new musical discoveries: The California Honeydrops. They were glad to see us again, and they had the crowd screaming for more by the end of their set. Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014


As we continue our look this week of the annual Oregon Country Fair, there was a moment: I looked at her, she looked at me. It was my mask. It was her mask. We connected. And then the moment was over. (Click on the photo to look deep into those eyes) Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July 2014.

Monday, July 14, 2014


Regular Grinders know we attend the annual edition of the Oregon Country Fair and this past weekend was no different. Well, one difference is that I had a few more people take my photo with my camera. My mask tends to be a chick magnet and they want to have their photo taken with me. Who am I to disappoint them? (Click the photo for more detail) Oregon Country Fair, Elmira, Oregon; July, 2014.

Friday, July 11, 2014


Sunset along the Seine near Notre dame is a special time for strollers, lovers, diners, and just about anyone else. (Click the photo for a better view) Paris, France; September, 2011.

Thursday, July 10, 2014


It's time once again for us to attend one of our most anticipated soirees of the year, the Oregon Country Fair. One can find wizards, and fairies, and steampunks, and all manner of beings there. Look for a week-long over-view of this year's edition next week. Oregon Country Fair, Veneta, Oregon; July, 2013.

Wednesday, July 09, 2014


There are monsters along Government Street! Victoria, BC, Canada; April, 2014.

Tuesday, July 08, 2014


A fisherman hauls one in at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. (Click the photo to see the size of that monster) Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, Oregon; June, 2014.

Monday, July 07, 2014


While attending the 15th annual UFO Festival, we happened down this little alley where we found this. See what happens when you leave the beaten path? (Click the photo for a better view) McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

Friday, July 04, 2014


Nothing like a small town parade to find flags, pretty ladies, and old cars. Madras, Oregon; July, 2013.

Thursday, July 03, 2014


We had just come out of the Musee Rodin when we walked into a complete zoo as firemen were cleaning up from a fire underground in the Metro system. We turned down a narrow street on our way to the Champs de Mars, when we spotted this architecture framing this window in the late afternoon. Of course, we had to snag the photo (Click the photo for more detail) Paris, France; September, 2013.

Wednesday, July 02, 2014


Tracks in the snow, captured on a walk. Alexandria, VA; march, 2014

Tuesday, July 01, 2014


People seem to do anything to get more money. This is a shrine outside Cesar's Palace which I suppose to allow people to receive hope their gambling will pay off. Las Vegas, Nevada; October, 2012.