Some sunshine in Portland

Good news all around: My great-granddaughter Haven is now breathing without assistance, but the hospital where she was born, in Arizona, will keep her till mid-January, which is when she reaches full term. Her parents, my grandson and his 19-year-old girlfriend, visit her daily.

My temporary housemate from the Occupy encampment has a job and a paycheck and has found his own place to live, so he moved out last night and I have my solitude back. We parted on excellent terms. I'm happy I was able to help him make that transition.

My granddaughter and her parents are back in Portland after their travels, and little Bella took her first four steps last night, in front of her father. He had said to her playfully before he went on this last tour, "Don't walk till I get back." He called last night to tell me the wonderful coincidence that she did wait, that he was there for the momentous occasion, and that although he didn't have his camera phone running when it happened, he's thrilled that the three of them were together for this milestone. I haven't seen them yet because it isn't yet clear whether I am still contagious or not. Perhaps I'll find out when I see a specialist on December 20th.

I took this shot in my local hospital this morning, where I went for a chest X-ray. I am still under the weather (which, as you can see, is shiny and bright in Portland today).

Oh, and P.S. Occupy Portland peacefully shut down two port terminals today, in solidarity with Occupy movements throughout California, Oregon, and Washington, up to Alaska. Many pictures of the Portland action are here, some made with my camera that I've lent them till I'm able to return and use it myself.