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PARTY PEOPLE WHO BRING THE EXTRA EXCITEMENT

July 5, 2021 by

Party people come to life at the right time. They also make things come to life. Pictures of food and dessert are one thing, but seeing it put together in real time is a whole ‘nother thing. Wherever the flag idea came from, it looked good yesterday. A lot of things looked good yesterday.

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AMERICAN WAY FINDS NEW TRADITIONS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT

July 4, 2021 by

The American way used go be different. Not that we’re living in a new world, but it’s just different. Instead of “do your work, keep your mouth shut, treats others fairly” we get “find a gig, live out loud, tell others how to do it.” That’s a change from the lock-step life celebrated by those […]

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AMERICAN WRITERS FROM THERE TO HERE AND BACK AGAIN

July 3, 2021 by

Why do American writers, or any writer for that matter, bother putting words down? The easy answer is, “Because they have something to say.” Which brings up another question: What if no one is listening, or reading, or shows even the slightest interest? Is that the writer’s problem? They’re doing the work and it shows. […]

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AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE UPDATE: NOW WHAT?

July 2, 2021 by

We all understand American Independence from a historical point of view. “Freedom from the tyranny of taxation without representation.” And other tyrannies? What about independence from other tyrannies? Can we get freedom from self-imposed tyrannies? Personal tyranny? If so, how? That’s the question, how? You could read an essay for starters. It’s an Oregon-born essay […]

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AMERICAN IGNORANCE YOU CAN COUNT ON IN A PINCH

July 1, 2021 by

American ignorance is a special kind of stupid. Start with the smart people who screw up, like the man who leans into your face to explain how wrong you are about wearing a mask. Or the men and women who possess a special knowledge that goes beyond science when they make fun of mask wearing […]

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AMERICAN JOURNEY: ASK FOR DIRECTIONS NOW AND THEN

June 30, 2021 by

The American journey was once a clear path: Behave yourself, finish school, get a job. Followed by: meet someone special and start a family. Then teach kids to behave themselves, finish school, and get a job. With all the work done, find a good rocking chair for the porch and relax. It’s been on repeat […]

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AWAKE AMERICA STARTS AT HOME, YOUR HOME ON THE RANGE

June 29, 2021 by

After last year it’s time to awake America, time for an awake America? Or time to find a new boogieman? Who remembers the first time someone yelled, “Wake Up,” in your face. If it’s never happened, then never mind, go back to sleep. But if it has happened, was it helpful? Were you asleep at […]

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HOT ENOUGH YET: A COOL REVIEW FOR RELIEF

June 28, 2021 by

Yes, it’s hot enough. It’s been too hot for a few days, so hot that people talk about moving to Arizona for a break. Snow Birds aren’t running from the cold in June, they’re running from the surprising heat cooking the Pacific Northwest. When a Heat Dome slams shut, the temps rise. Who’s ever heard […]

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BIRTHDAY WEEK? DIFFERENT THAN DOG YEARS?

June 27, 2021 by

Does birthday week add extra years? A seven day celebration adds seven extra years? Maybe it should to discourage people from extending the party. At least until it’s your birthday. Or mine. Unfortunately, since we don’t get to erase a year for every ignored birthday, adding years never happens either. But what does happen is […]

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DOWNSIZING GUIDE: FROM A PASSED PORTLAND GENERATION

June 26, 2021 by

They didn’t have a downsizing guide when they decided to move. All they knew was that 12,000 square feet over four floors was a little large for two people. Their house was a museum of their lives together. Now all the books, dishes, and furniture, enough for three households, were moving. It had been a […]

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