Portland is graced by the best summers I’ve ever known. Please don’t tell anyone, that from mid-May to well into October we have the most perfect weather here in Stumptown. I’m happy to share that information with you so that you don’t need to move here and be part of our incredible creative community or one of the greenest cities in N America, or the best bicycling town with the biggest independent music scene. No, you just stay where you are.
I’m here to share some music in a sort of celebratory way. In an effort to reduce my carbon footprint I removed all the lawn from the 21,000 square foot lot that my house sits on. I refuse to waste water on a ridiculous lawn. Removing the damned turf was a hell of job but in the end very rewarding. Tons of compost replaced the grass, and the plants that I picked out with the very gracious help of my friend Megan, who knows more about plants, IA and animal rescue than I know about music, are of varieties that require very little water and are also evergreen. The picture above, as viewed from my deck, shows the last piece of the puzzle in the landscaping plan – the rear of the house and a concrete patio that is waiting for mint grass to be planted between the pavers, with land to the rear waiting for more evergreen and hardy plants.
Almost done. So, a glass of fine burgundy to celebrate, with a downtempo, dub and beats mix tape and MP3s as the soundtrack…enjoy your weekend as I enjoy mine.
Alucidnation – Beautiful House
Alpha – Hazeldub
Federico Aubele – Un Lugar
O+S – We Do What We Want To
Aphilas – Blind Matador Techniques
Radiohead – These Are My Twisted Words
A.M. Architect – Next Of Kin
Akiko Kiyama – The Misidia Monarchy – The Things I Saw
Aether – Orfeu Negro
Federico Aubele – Su Melodia
Nightmares On Wax – 195lbs
[where: 1875 SE Belmont St, OR 97214]
Dave, bravo on ditching the lawn and replacing with biodiversity…nice one. Esp. the evergreen look–reminds me of Japan, which has always been high on my list for aesthetics and functionality when it comes to the greenery. And damn near everything else, if you think about it…
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 amDave doesn’t every Englishman need a lawn? I guess you still have a hedge.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:34 pmA lawn and a cup of tea…I can live without the lawn..
August 25th, 2009 at 8:01 amNice to see standards arn’t slipping young Allen
August 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm