Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now

Stuff gets done here

recent posts

  • Embedding in a field of blue

    I know these blossoms look lilac-y. That’s my dang phone camera. One of my genius photographer pals could fix it in a minute.

    Nevertheless.

    This is how you know spring isn’t kidding around in the Willamette Valley — it’s firmly settled in. Amazing meadows full of camas: think cerulean down here where you can touch it.

    This particular field is on the backside of College Hill in Eugene, just north of the Japanese immersion school on Lincoln Street.

    On a perfect blue-sky morning, it fills the heart.

    Camas bulbs were a meaningful food source for the Kalapuya, who harvested and preserved them. Oregon State University researchers have found evidence of the bulbs in Kalapuyan baking ovens going back 3,500 years.

    Don’t drive by and marvel as you go. You’ll forget what you saw in half a minute. Stop, get out, kneel beside one of these beauties. See the yellow stamens. Once you see that yellow, you’ll probably also see the tiny buttercups scattered here and there. All of that, you won’t forget.

  • Poems to go

    At the Eugene airport

    You push a button and a poem comes out on a long narrow paper like a grocery store receipt. The poem is by a self published minister. It is not a great poem. But it does rhyme. And it is a fine thing to have dispensed freely right after security.

  • Best little everything shop got better

    I’ve never written about the world’s best chocolate bar because it is generally only available in Canada. Why disappoint my American friends who wouldn’t be able to enjoy it? Ignorance is bliss, right?

    But last week, my amazing spouse — who it’s possible may have the better eye when it comes to the candy section — discovered that Coffee Crisps can be purchased right here in Eugene.

    We have a store that is the closest thing to Doctor Who’s TARDIS. By that I mean that if you walk into Hirons Drugstore, you will grasp the “it’s bigger on the inside” concept. It’s stocked to the gills with every random wonderful item a person might imagine wanting and/or needing. Yes, it is a drugstore. Yes, it does have a small post office in the back. It may have the best card selection ever. Things a university student in a first apartment might need (dishes, an ironing board, fan, etc). Toys. Perfume. Stickers of every sort. Jam. Christmas villages (not the cheap ones, either). Feather boas. Wind chimes. Posters.

    Even though I’m headed to Canada for a quick visit, I cleaned out all but one of Hirons’ Coffee Crisp stock. I did warn them.

    You’re welcome.