by laura beth

While in Portland for Jennifer's wedding, we visited some other friends that live in town. I went to high school with John and Lorin Coleman, and only after Kenny and I were married and living in John Day did I get to know Steve Coleman. All three brothers live in Portland now. Their parents, Neal and Linnea, are wonderful people and live in Canyon City. John is married to Barb and they have two beautiful daughters, Frankie and Violet. Lorin and Steve live in a house with several other people, including a couple other Grant County natives I know from high school, Tom the photographer and Luke the painter. Another painter and friend, Maggie Willis, was also in town. She lives in Salt Lake City but had been traveling (Vermont to Alaska) with an art installment called Waves of Mu. I'm so glad her flight home to SLC coincided with Jennifer's wedding. I love this woman and rarely get to see her. Check her out here and here. We also got to see friend Eben, who might be the epitome of awesome.

The Coleman brothers are all very musically gifted. Lorin has been drumming with a local band, Andy Combs and the Moth, and we were able to see them play our first night in town. Quite possibly the most alive live music I've seen. The band members are individually incredibly talented, but together they create something so unique and beautiful and fun. And they have such a great time, which is what makes it such a joy to watch. After the crackerjack music we ate some crackerjack Belgian style frites at Potato Champion. Thanks, Steve, for sharing this little gem with us!

Next morning, we had an amazing brunch at John and Barbs. It was sooooo good to spend time with far away friends.