Cool things re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon

Since moving to Forest Grove, Oregon in late January 2013, I've been sending out tweets on my personal Twitter account, @jayne_a_broad regarding "cool things" about my life here.

When I travel, or living abroad, I am often in this place of utter delight at each thing I encounter. But why not on a day-to-day basis? Why not treat where I live now as a place to observe and discover and delight in? Hence why I have been sending these tweets.

Here are the first 35:

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #1: many neighbors have raised bed for veggies & berries in front yard. (soon, me too!)

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #2: I won't be the 1st person in my neighborhood with a green house in the front yard.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #3: Beautiful, historic homes, & funky converted cottages, throughout my neighborhood.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #4: @FGLeader is free, local-content rich & there seems to be a lot going on.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #5: Neighbors around the corner have decorated bowling balls as lawn art.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #6: More than a few folks living here in the historic district keep chickens.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #7: @coyotetrips might actually get to be a volunteer fireman again!

Cool thing re: new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #8: Cornelius Fred Meyer has German food section. @coyotetrips rejoices http://ow.ly/gYtrA

Cool thing re: new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #9: already invited by a neighbor to have tea, see her backyard chickens.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #10: David Sedaris filmed a movie here last fall; it's now at Sundance http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2013/01/forest_grove_area_film_all_the.html

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #11: Saw 2 bald eagles flying overhead while parked at a grocery last week.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #12: none of the homes next to ours have a trampoline. Or kids.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #13: Room for TWO composting bins at my house! Just like many of my neighbors!

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #14: A Basset Hound named Penelope. Met her while looking for a house, again yesterday.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #15: Sassy squirrels. Trivia: @coyotetrips can't say the word "squirrels".

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #16: neighbor's French poodle is named "Venice."

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #17: Minister of Church of Christ, living across the street, has NOT tried to convert me.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #18: Virgil, mentally-impaired neighbor living in group home nearby, wants to mow our lawn.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #19: My accountant here was in last graduating class of American University in Iran.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #20: Many of my neighbors know my dog's name, call out to her when we walk.

Cool thing re: my new home, Forest Grove, Oregon #21: the public library! Wow! Great facility, terrific activities!

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #22: @coyotetrips built a green house in our front yard! http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynecravens/8714977691/in/set-72157626702805577  @HarborFreight

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #23: friendly cat greets me & my dog each morning, is named Ravi Shankar http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynecravens/8716078328/in/photostream/

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #24: Venice the dog, lives to retrieve tennis balls & be friendly. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynecravens/8716058636/in/set-72157633436898124/

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #25: The beautiful homes of Clark Historic District just a block or so from my house: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynecravens/sets/72157633436898124/with/8716058636/

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #26: We're not the only home flying Tibetan prayer flags.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynecravens/8714953421/in/photostream

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #27: kid using refrigerator box to wind surf down our street on a skateboard. No photo, sorry.

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #28: a gray cat climbs our back fence, hangs out on our porch when she hears us talking.

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #29: @ForestGroveFire resuscitated 2 dogs after a house fire around corner from us. #thankyou

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #30: 2 girls came to door last night, looking for rightful owner of lost chickens they found.

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #31: Delicious chicken pupusas at Forest Grove farmer's market last night. @AdelanteMujeres

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #32: Farmer's market started last night, lasts 'til 8, continues to Oct. @AdelanteMujeres

Cool thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #33: watching from my desk as bluebird chicks in nest in a tree in our yard get fed by parents.

Cool thing re: Forest Grove, #Oregon #34: a LARGE flock of Cedar Waxwings & a hummingbird in a fruit tree in my hood http://sdakotabirds.com/species/cedar_waxwing_info.htm

Cool & confusing thing re: life in Forest Grove, #Oregon #35: 3 people living within 250 feet /76.2 meters of my house are named "Virginia."

To see future tweets as they happen, follow me on Twitter: @jayne_a_broad (account is focused on travel, motorcycle-riding, commuting, sci-fi - mostly fun stuff).