Hanging out in the Hood

Gosh Darnit, I love this time of year, I love the Northwest, even with it's unpredictable and often times gloomy weather. It's my busiest season, holiday window splashes are in high demand. I work every single day for about 5 weeks. Then right before Jesus' birthday it goes back to a normal 5 day work week. Today I headed out I-84 towards the lovely tourist town and windsurfing capital of Hood River. The weather was very bad, alot of rain, alot of wind. It's about 60 miles east of Portland. As I drove along with Spanky at my side I reminisced about earlier such trips.

Spanky and I broke into song as we often do with "On the road again" by Canned Heat. "...You know the first time I traveled out in the rain and snow,- In the rain and snow." (repeat). I feel blessed to have such a reliable and close confidant as my dear Spanky. he's like no other. Telling tales of times gone by and singing songs of old and new made the time go fast. Before we knew it my little chimp buddy and I were at the first Hood River exit. Hood River is beautiful. I was there to paint a small furniture store I do on a regular basis. Great folks and a great little setup under a huge overhang in a small strip mall. I continue playing my tunes while Spanky usually has a banana and takes a nap while I work. I begin by washing off the previous seaon's theme.

Once in a while I will breakout in dance while I continue to attack the window with my favorite weapon of choice, the ever so popular 4" roller.

It was a great day with a myriad of inquisitive Hood Riverians young and old alike approaching me with all kinds of questions and reponses to my antics. At one point later in the afternnon a woman came up to me. She managed a little laundromat just kitty corner from the job site. She said she was cracking up watching me dance around to this car alarm that wouldn't stop for about 10 minutes. She also mentioned there was a patron doing laundry that asked her what the heck she was laughing at as she stared out the laundromat window. "look at that clown" She told him...the guy repsonded with "What the %#!?" Well...again, it was a fun day hanging out in the hood...river that is.