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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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STICKING AROUND AND SETTLING DOWN

November 14, 2020 by

Sticking around is an art form. It’s not hanging around, it’s sticking. Sticky. Instead of a picture on a wall to walk past, sticking around goes with you. (I know you’re thinking of shoes and gum.) When you start feeling like a piece of furniture, a decoration in your own life, do the sensible thing […]

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THROWBACK MEMORIES, OR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

November 13, 2020 by

Throwback memories grow sharper with pictures we see, images of what was what from different times. Then time changes. “Memories used to go back further, just ask around. Now the good old days are 2019.” If that feeling rings anywhere close to you or someone you know, go ahead and take a review. This is […]

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COVID TESTING REALITY FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT

November 12, 2020 by

Covid testing, for the uninitiated, the disbelieving, for the safety of others, is more real when you drive someone to their scheduled testing. Have you done that as a family or civic task? Or is the better question, “Do you think covid testing is for the virus, or “SOMETHING ELSE?” For my purposes, hopefully your […]

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ARMY PEOPLE: GUYS YOU MEET AT THE START

November 11, 2020 by

No one who served forgets the people, in my case Army people, they meet in the beginning. Fellow enlistees ranged from age seventeen to thirty five years old. Some of the Army people were older than the Drill Sergeants. That was a surprise. That some of the Drills looked like they could be doing other […]

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CONCLUSIONS TO JUMP TO IF YOU’RE SPRY TO TRY

November 10, 2020 by

Which conclusions are best to jump to? The ones closest, or the ones further away? It’s not a trick question. Most of us are spry enough to jump for the close ones. We can land the small jumps, but it takes a leap of faith to try the big jumps, the ones further away. How’s […]

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INFORMATION DUPE: WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

November 8, 2020 by

An Information Dupe always has the latest news first. Right or wrong, being first is what matters. When they’re right, they are a genius. Just ask them. But when they are wrong? Even if there’s no way it could be true, try and convince anyone they’re wrong about anything. If you’ve talked to an information […]

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