We’ve been overdue for attending a Rose Garden festival. Last time was in 2013. Tonight we watched Diaspora Dance Theater.

The weather was hot, but a nice breeze and tree shade kept us cool. Jasmine insisted ice cream was still needed. And who can blame her.

Back in 2013 she danced on the lawn with the other kids, now as a teen, we talked and played cards.

I tried to convince her to stay after the concert to tour the garden, but she said no. She was behind on her Netflix queue.

When we got home, I made her read 30 minutes before turning on the tube – because I’m one of those parents.

I went to three great book talks at my Powell’s this month.

Terry Brooks
Author of the fantasy series Shannara. These were my first adult books I read as a child.

Timothy Zahn
Author of many Star Wars novels. He was ushered in by cosplayers.

Finn Murphy
Author of a memoir of long-haul trucker.

Egyptian belly dancing, beatbox, and Irish step are just some the dance performances Jasmine and I enjoyed on this sunny Saturday.

At our board gaming club, we played Ticket to Ride. And I won!

“Players collect cards of various types of train cars they then use to claim railway routes in North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. Additional points come to those who fulfill Destination Tickets – goal cards that connect distant cities; and to the player who builds the longest continuous route.”

This year we decided to celebrate the holiday in the nearby city of Lake Oswego.

Parade

First we went to a morning parade. Jasmine brought her friend Brie.

Intermission

After the parade, we headed out for a lunch of burgers and fries. And then home to veg out before having a dinner of BBQ ribs and corn on the cob.

Fireworks

In the evening, we headed back to Lake Oswego to get a spot for the fireworks. We passed the time by playing cards and reading.