This morning I ran 6 miles in Pasta to Pints (beer and pasta at the end -- a reason to run!!). Yesterday I ran 8 miles around my neighborhood. That's a lot of running for one weekend especially when I'm tapering for the Portland Marathon in two weeks. I'll have to take care of my body for the next two weeks.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera rushing to get out of the house so you don't have pictures of another sunny summer day in downtown Portland. Wait, I wasn't supposed to tell you about that. It rains here all the time. That's right. Rain, rain, rain and gray sky. And the slugs -- you have to pick them off your car in the morning. No one would ever like to move here. Never. ;-)

My Saturn received it's birthday card today. Happy Birthday, my little red car.

Last night I escorted my mother to a dinner where she was receiving and award. The dinner turned out to be the annual dinner of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. Good Sam is the hospital that's in the middle of downtown so, given the sort of people they get for a foundation, I spent the evening with the old money of Portland -- name tags had names that are on buildings in this town.

Anyway, my mother received her recognition as a "Treasure of Good Samaritan" for her 30+ years of volunteer work. The other honorees were the Episcopal bishop of Oregon and a doctor how has lead woman's cradiac research and care for years. This should give you some idea of the honor. Good work mother.

So, what could be better on a diet dinner than a little spice like I'm On Fire and Ready To Die. Yumm... My lips are still tingling.

This afternoon we went to the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire. Dressed in finery from another century, we reveled with the citizens of another time.