Saturday, April 04, 2009

No Vodka for Old Women

Portland is an odd place. For a lot of reasons. Yes I have seen the many "Keep Portland Weird" bumperstickers, and I do enjoy a bit of the weirdness myself. But there is one thing that both Klaus and I could never understand. And that is the OLCC vice grip on any alcohol other than beer or wine. Truly missed are the days of swinging down to Trader Joe's to pick up a jug of Vodka of the Gods or something a bit better, depending on that week's paycheck. Or even strolling the aisle at Ralph's or Vons (sometimes behind glass or cages, but no matter) for a slightly harder beverage.

One of my many titles as Klaus' wife was Official Designated Driver. Everytime. No question. If we wanted to get home in one piece, I was going to be driving. Even before I had a drivers license and was driving home through the twisty Hollywood Hills after a party in a '75 baby blue Cadillac in the middle of the night. And that was okay with me. So that meant no alcohol, and I've become really used to that - iced tea, some cranberry juice, or even a diet Coke would just have to do. Until all of this has happened. Mama wants some vodka.

I have heard the siren song of a vodka bottle calling my name (at top volume - LU....LU... - anyone who has heard Klaus call for me in a crowd or a store knows exactly what that sounds like) but until now I have resisted. Mostly because it would mean that first I would have to find a liquor store, and then I would have to visit before 8 PM. I have found one store here in the Pearl but it's kind of snooty, and not where I want to patronize. There is another store that is on Hawthorne that I thought might be more up my alley - and since Bogart was thinking that a long walk was necessary it seemed like a good idea.

The Willamette River separates the east and west side of Portland. There is a great esplanade on both sides, perfect for walkers, roller skaters, bike riders, and of course, Airedales.

The salad bar is tasty too.

We arrived at the liquor store to find a note on the door explaining that now OLCC liquor stores will be closing at 7 PM... and it was about 7:45 PM. Damn. No vodka tonight. But not all is lost - only a few blocks away is the Potato Champion cart, so off we toddle toward the deep-fried salty happiness.

Mmm. Belgian fries...

Bogart met a German Shepherd named Monkey - and it was love at first sight.

Poor Monkey just wanted to enjoy some alone time but Bogart was persistent.

An awfully handsome boy, he reminded me a bit of Klaus' old dog, Schnuff. Smaller and blacker, but a very good-looking boy. And friendly even with the testosterone-filled Bogart.

I think they were plotting to get some fries. Who wouldn't? They are truly a greasy cone of goodness.

And Bogart was truly the instigator. Until Bogart jumped up onto the table to demand his attention, Monkey was sitting on the ground waiting for some poutine to make it into his mouth. The fuzzy hooligan had other ideas.

The walk home was poignant and sad. Klaus, Bogart, and I used to come here all the time for a late-night snack. Now it was just Bogart and I. There have been a lot of those moments lately.

Love,

Lulu & Bogart

17 comments:

Ms. ~K said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Charlie said...

From the Pearl to Potato Champion -- that's a good long way! Love that fuzzy designated walker!!

Ms. ~K said...

I deleted my own comment, die to misspelling-sorry!
I follow your blog faithfully. Mu best friend's husband passed away (heart attack, aged 57) a week before you lost Klaus.

You are both amazing, strong women...
I send you positive thoughts and energy, and wish I could send some vodka!
~K

Ms. ~K said...

still have misspellings-oh sh*t!
Sorry!!!

Kodiak said...

You are NOT alone during your trips. Klaus is always with you and so are all of us! :o)

Can you get vodka deliveries in Portland?

Melissa & Kodiak

Raising Addie said...

yummmmers... those fries look delicious!

Mom use to get those fries in Germany and just LOVED them.

We bet those fries tasted a million times better than vodka ever would.

Hang in there.

Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie and Lucie

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Oh, the photos of you starting out on you walk...the river, the tasty new leaves of grass, the dreamy fries! and then the sad walk home. I so know how that feels, and now, for me two years after losing Mike, I still get that feeling of loss of spending the rest of our life together, but somehow it doesn't slap me down so hard now. He would want me to go on, be happy, grow and go places...but it's so hard sometimes to not just long for a "way back" machine

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Tank woo fur sharing the pikhs and the thoughts...

Mom understands the feelings of remembering when 'insert memory here' and feelings of knowing said event won't take place again...

It hurts...that's when my services are needed to cheer her up...

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom says her next Grey Goose will be fur woo!

Kirby said...

Lulu & Bogie,

I hope you have better luck this week in your hunt for vodka! Mom is usually the DD, but this weekend, she went out and had a delsih blueberry vodka lemonade (so she told me). He he! Those fries sure looked yummy. I could see why you and Monkey wanted them so bad! I sure hope you enjoyed them.

Your pal,
Kirby

Lorenza said...

Sounds like Vodka was not meant to you this weekend!
But those fries look delicious!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Stanley said...

Bogart!

Tell your mama that I get her reference to the Cohen Bros. in her title. At least she's not on the verge of going ballistic on anyone who denies her the vodka. Here's to happier vodka hunting next time.

Monkey looks like a pup who has his priorities straight! Fries first, friendship second (though I find it hard to believe he withstood your overtures even if he was staring at a cone of greasey goodness).

Please give your mama some more smooches from all of us goobs. Sorry the walk home was lonelier than usual.

Goober love & smooches,
Stanley

Ruby said...

Bummer about the vodka! But it looks like you both had a nice walk along the water and some great looking chips. Bogart looks like he's enjoyed meeting Monkey.

Good that you two have each other at least.

All the best,
Ruby

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Glad you two at least got to eat some yummy belgian fries. Put vodka on your shopping list for this week!
Smooches, BabyRD

What's vodka Baby??
X-Hootie

Kodiak Grandson Falcon said...

Falcon here. Me to What's Vodka? Grandpaws said you can get a little shaky from drank that. Guess I will stick to water and fries.
Hang in there you guys
Falcon

Peanut said...

Mom says she thinks it is odd to buy hard liquor anywhere but a actual liquor store but you know she grew up in the at odd state.

William Tell said...

I love the look on Bogart's face as he's conversing with Monkey. I sure he was telling a fascinating story...

Happy Tails,
William Tell

Michelle said...

Mmmm, Potato Champion, so tasty.

I hope you get to have your little vodka indulgence soon. I think you've earned it.