As you’ve heard, Portland is a hellhole burning to the ground. This isn’t an easy reputation to maintain, so Janell and I have signed up to do our civic duty. The Antifa Council assigned us to setting dumpster fires on Wednesdays. Other neighbors have agreed to coordinate the looting of stores and rioting in the streets. We agreed that on Saturdays we would take part in a neighborhood cleanup, followed by a potluck in the park. One concern we are have yet to address is sourcing environmentally safe inflatable frog costumes from ethically sourced manufacturers.
Aside from dumpster fires, home ownership appears to be our major theme for 2025. Janell and Mark, along with their roommate Robin, still live at 1804 SE 33rd Ave. We even have two extra bedrooms if you’d like to come visit. In May, Will and Stephanie purchased a nearby house, then moved from Tacoma to Portland in August. This puts us within easy walking distance of the grandchildren. In October, Aaron purchased a house in eastern Portland, and we enjoy working with him on plumbing, drywall, painting, and electrical. He has two rooms for rent if you know someone who is looking to move to Portland.
Janell and Mark have been involved in the Oregon Ocean Paddling Society (OOPS): Janell as events director and Mark as president. It is a great organization that has led us to many adventures, and introduced us to a new group of friends who like to paddle boats. We joined this group of friends in September for a trip in the boundary waters canoe area wilderness. It is still as beautiful as I remember.
Janell wrote a daily Haiku poem, reprinted here for posterity:
| Pita Fluffy hot dog buns Who thought it a good idea To pack them first – pita | Fall Blazing red maple Peaking from green canopy Glimpse the coming Fall | Water Gray monochrome sky A million bouncing raindrops Heaven sating earth | Swimming in Silk Naked head to knees Water like silk, embraces me But no bare feet please | Fireside Pine boughs under feet Red checkered cloth under seat Szechuan’s hot, let’s eat |
The boundary waters was only one of many of our trips. We took breaks from arson and other left-wing activities to return to the midwest for the weddings of our two nieces, a visit with college roommate Jon in Stevens Point, a performance of Chicken Wire Empire (an excellent bluegrass band), Mark’s sister’s 50th wedding anniversary, and a tour of Door County. Janell found a frog costume to wear for the no-kings march in Appleton, bringing words of solidarity to our fellow resistors in the Midwest.
Mark has taken to writing satire, some of which you can read at https://niemannross.com/my-blogs/ . He has also taken an interest in making pickles of odd things such as bull kelp and cabbage (commonly known as kimchee). If he offers you a sample, be sure to ask what it is, exactly. “Animal, Mineral, or Vegetable” would be a good place to start. He still plays jazz bass.
Janell is an avid pickle baller; the sport, not the food. Sometimes she invites Mark to come along. She found a great deal on an e-bike and now jets around town with assisted pedal power. It makes getting to protests all the easier, especially considering the persistent traffic jams and lack of parking at these civic events. Pedaling in her inflatable frog costume is somewhat awkward, but it makes quite an impact.
So hey – we’re good. Politically, things are a bit bumpy, but we have faith in our neighbors, friends, and family. Come visit us in beautiful (and peaceful) Portland, Oregon. Our back rooms are ready for your arrival.
Mark and Janell Niemann-Ross
1804 SE 33rd Ave
Portland, OR 97214
Janell@niemannross.com
Mark@niemannross.com