Spring is busting out all over: Classes are winding down along with sports, activities, music; gardening, vacation, camping on horizon

The 7th grader's soccer team won a championship, the sophomore excelled in drama and a farm-to-table program, the fourth grader is a smarty pants, and the kindergartener graduates next week.

Text and Photos by Rob Melton

In addition to props, scenery, and costumes, our granddaughter was Thing 2 (on the right) for her school’s production of Seussical the Musical in her second year in the drama program.

School is a wrap in a few more weeks in Oregon, and it’s been a busy year.

The eldest granddaughter is in her second year of theater as a costumer, props, and extra—and played Thing Three in Seussical, the Musical in January. She spends part of her week in an offsite halftime farm-to-table class a couple of days a week—and loving it. She and grandma are starting to sew together, too.

The weather’s been good and everyone enjoys playing basketball on the street by the neighbor’s house.

Even the kindergartener loves to dribble the ball and shoot, but the basket is regulation height, so I coached him to aim for the pole and that is working out well.

Her brother the middle school athlete and musician, finished another season of soccer with the team taking the championship again. A few weeks ago, he participated in the Conestoga Marching band playing the Sousaphone, and last weekend showed off his percussionist chops with the school’s jazz band at Beaverton Farmers Market.

This is the only good shot of him playing the Sousaphone as they marched by.

The fourth grader and her brother the kindergartener both were honored with Students of the Month awards this year. The kindergarten graduation is next week, and his sister the fourth grader is an avid reader and a smarty-pants like her parents.

Grandson playing percussion at last week’s Beaverton Farmers Market middle school jazz bands shows. He’s got rhythm!

Just a few weeks ago the band, in marching band mode, played in the St. John’s parade, a kick-off to the Rose Festival parades that happen across the city.

Playing the bongo drums is just one of many instruments the four percussionists play.

If you missed the big event of the week — Hood strawberries are in local stores now — then don’t miss the special post with our secret Best of the Northwest Strawberry Shortcake recipe. Because it’s time to sit outside on the patio for a few months with family and friends enjoying the changing garden, barbecues, and games.

All three of our children are advancing in their careers, and it’s a blessing to have them all nearby—as well as sunshine, a little rain, plenty of books to read from our great Multnomah County Library and Powell’s Books. Looking forward to going camping on the Oregon Coast this summer and catching up with friends and families.

The garden this week is amazing! My secret? I let everything lie fallow last year. Now it’s roaring back in style.

That amazing heirloom climbing rose on the arbor is Joseph’s Coat, named after Joseph in Genesis 37. The favored son of Jacob, he was given a coat of many colors, which sparked his brothers’ jealousy and set in motion a journey from betrayal to leadership in Egypt. Rob Melton photo

I have 11 roses, they are all blooming early, and it’s almost Rose Festival time in Portland. There are several fancy roses including the David Austin The Oregonian rose, Black Magic with its velvety texture and curling petals, and my “rescue” rose that is doing well this year (from a friend’s house before a construction project).

I’m sure some photographers spray water on their flowers to get this look, but I don’t. I’m a photojournalist and I capture things as they are. In this case, right after a spring rain today. Right place, right time.

Black Magic does have a smell, but that’s a small sacrifice for its velvety texture and exquisite curling petals.

Framing these two roses in the background are salvia and love in a mist. I plant so I can enjoy a foreground, midground, and background—often planted in triangles—whether I’m sitting under an umbrella enjoying the view and the outdoors, or shooting photos.

And that’s a wrap. Hope you are stopping to smell the roses, taking a break, and enjoying this time of year.

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