Oregon Trail Shenanigans

A poster for this new movie Meek's Cutoff, a Western kind of thing starring Michelle Williams.



I don't know if I'd like the film but I flippin' love this poster.

Mountaineeress

Another vintage postcard from Daddy-O.


She's pretty hardy-looking, ha? Even though those are fake mountains. All dressed up, and nowhere to go but some 2D mountains. Dad has been clued into the fact that he is Susie's-blog-famous, as you can see.



It sez:

K...a models the latest Gor-tex hiking range in preparation for her next ascent of Mt. Shasta. (Thinks: 'Will this get me into Susie's blog?')

Yes Dad, it will.

So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright

A few photos of Gordon House, which is just outside Silver Falls, Oregon. (Is it Silver Falls, or Silver something else? This was a few weeks ago now, it's difficult for me to remember.) Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, it's one of his 'Usonian' houses, (as in US-onian, all-American) which are supposed to be affordable, versatile houses for middle-class everypeople. (Of course, Gordon House turned out to be massively expensive.) This is the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Oregon, so I really wanted to see it; my delightful gf was kind enough to drive us there.

I thought it was very interesting to look around; lots of thoughtful details and eccentric touches. Some of Wright's ideas didn't turn out to be that practical. Overall I really liked it, though. Looks delightfully retro futuristic, and pleasing to behold from every angle.






Above: the detailing in the woodwork, a recurring pattern. The slanted angles are 15 degrees, so that same 15 degree angle turns up all over the house. (For example, the edges of the in-built shelves and tables.) I liked those little unifying details.



Some warning tape under that one balcony - apparently someone put the cantilever beams in sideways? Which seems almost to ridiculous to be true, but anyway you are not allowed to walk on it or under it.



Guest bedroom.


So the lines of the beams continue across here, in an effort to create continuity between interior and exterior.



Woodpeckers have been at the panelling.



The main hall, which is laid out on square units of 7 by 7 feet. The hearth is very important in Wright's domestic interiors, as it is also in Arts and Crafts designs.




The laundry chute! Just perfect for sending your young siblings down in a youthful prank.



Gordon House was neato. I had fun. Maybe too much fun. Now I really want to go on more weekend excursions for the purposes of architectural tourism. I am a giant nerd.

Some Festive Prezzoes

Took some photos of a few Christmas presents before I packed them up and sent them out, because I thought they looked pretty.


Here we have presents for my parents, Tim, and Jen and Lucy. There are a few little prints in all of these, some other small bits and pieces, and a homemade card. In addition, I sent my parents chocolate for my Dad, and a completely lovely book by Shaun Tan, The Arrival, which I thought my Mum might like. Jen and Lucy received the Autostraddle calender. Also I sent them some cute erasers shaped like biscuits. Like you do.


Some little collections of prints for my housies. Below is what was in them. I did a little drawing of our house, which looks a lot nicer inside than out (in my opinion) so wasn't the best ever to draw. Still, it's home.


Some Portland, some foxes, some leaves, our house.