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TRUST BOOMERS EVEN IF NO ONE ELSE DOES. HERE’S WHY:

November 24, 2020 by

When there’s no one else to trust, trust boomers. What have you got to lose? ‘Mid-century modern‘ is such a design craze, what’s more mid-century than baby boomers. We’ve done the things that nostalgia looks back on, listened to classic rock the first time around, and made it out in one piece. What more could […]

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GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, THE MISSING INGREDIENT

November 23, 2020 by

Good sportsmanship crosses all boundaries in private and public life. It’s the public part we get judged on. Are we gracious in victory. Humble, even? Can we take defeat in stride and learn from the loss? Let’s say we’re that good for the sake of argument, instead of the small, bitter, people we secretly are. […]

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HOLIDAY TRAVEL BENEFITS AVOIDED BY STAYING HOME

November 22, 2020 by

Avoiding holiday travel is one of the joys of getting older and living near the kids. Helicopter parents who haven’t driven their grown children to the other side of the continent, state, or town, rejoice. But it’s a respectful rejoice. Respect means replacing the whirly bird with a jump jet, a Harrier. Get in, do […]

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DESPERATE MEASURES: BOOMER ADVICE LIFE STUDY

November 21, 2020 by

Online complainers went to desperate measures over education. The through line was how boomers pushed college on their kids, among other piercing whines. Boomers created student debt, boomers ruined the housing market, boomers killed the jobs. With that reputation, how are boomers supposed to take any comfort in living long lives? The underlying message, the […]

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FAMILY LIFE: HOW IT STARTED, HOW IT’S GOING

November 20, 2020 by

Family life is a blur. That’s what I tell anyone who asks. It goes by fast from the dad lane. Pictures don’t lie. What’s it take to keep family life together over the long haul? Communication tools, that’s what, but not the kind you’d expect, not the kind my wife would include either. But, it’s […]

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MASK WEARING GIG LINE DANCE vs YOUR FREEDOM

November 19, 2020 by

First, mask wearing is not a gig line violation. What is a gig line: put your finger on your chin and drop it straight down in a line that ends at the bottom of your crotch. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Chin to crotch, a straight line from top to bottom. Got it? Good. A gig […]

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PORTLAND SUBURBAN LIFESTYLE DREAM: “LEAVES?”

November 18, 2020 by

Inner-city life boils down to one dream about changing to a suburban lifestyle, even a Portland suburb: To lay in grass that isn’t a urinal, a spittoon, or a goose crapped landing patch. It’s a big dream for big people. Some make it, some don’t. How does a Portland suburban lifestyle dream begin? I’ll tell […]

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QUIET REQUEST: MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT MATTERS

November 17, 2020 by

A quiet request often gets lost in the noise of, “OMG, WHAT JUST HAPPENED.” It gets drowned out in, “PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.” But if you listen hard, you hear the quiet request, the gentle reminder, the question that needs answering.

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DIRECTIONS INCLUDED: TO FOLLOW, OR NOT TO FOLLOW

November 16, 2020 by

During this time of social distancing more package delivery for new stuff means directions included on how to put things together. There’s the box. Get the knife and cut the tape. Marvel at the incredible packing job, the custom cut cardboard, form fitted foam, inflated clear plastic cushioning. If you didn’t open something last week, […]

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WORKING WRITER STATEMENT: MOVE THE PILE

November 15, 2020 by

T.C. Boyle is a working writer with the sort of social engagement skills that can’t be taught. He’s got instinct on his side. Instinct is essential in the work he does, which is writing books and short stories that get read. It’s a familiar instinct for those who pay attention. And I do, which is […]

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