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NO PROMOTION, AND WHY THAT’S GOOD

You get no promotion if you compare yourself to the wrong thing. If you feel the need, aim your comps higher than a jumpy sheep. I’ve got a dog who does the same thing and I know how happy she is. Remember the last time you tried to be happy? Chances are you tried too […]

CLASSIC REACTION TO FEAR OF NEW READERS

My classic reaction to any fear? RUN AWAY. It’s how I react to new readers, new writers, new people. Every new thing needs attention, needs a response, needs validation, needs time. A serious blogger can’t run away from everything. But, there are reasons . . .

BODILY AUTONOMY NOW AND FOREVER

Bodily autonomy is one issue you can stand on and stomp your foot. Though don’t stomp too hard, you don’t want a strained calf or a torn achilles. We can pack it on and take it off as our mood dictates, and no one can tell us any different. However, if things seem to drift […]

LIFE CHOICE MAKES YOU GREAT

One life choice can make all the difference. Things were tough on the Oregon Trail and people needed a break. The Donner Party started with a little known shortcut through the mountains. If you don’t know the story, click here. It turned out to be the wrong choice.

A BETTER UNION? BETTER THAN WHAT

This team was a better union for sports in first grade. That’s me in the stripes and hat. Some of the same kids in this shot were on my Hood to Coast team eight years later, though none of the adults. Hood to Coast is an Oregon relay race from Mt. Hood to Seaside. 198 […]

MUTUAL INTEREST FOR THE LONG HAUL

Start with mutual interest, something you both like. In the beginning every new discovery is a happy revelation.   “You know how to cook? So do I.” “What’s this?” “Dinner.” “Oh.”

COMMON GROUND? IT’S OVER THERE 👉

Common ground is where you stand with your people, whoever and wherever they may be. It’s a place to relax and drop your guard. Say the wrong thing? Impossible. Wear the wrong clothes? Just don’t leave a stain on the furniture. You’ll know the place when you get there; and you know you’re not there […]

BE WRITING TO BE A WRITER

Be writing is the advice from Mississippi? Coming from Faulkner it must be good advice. But it’s more than writing advice, more like advice for life, you know, life advice. Either way, I’ll take it. So should you and here’s why:

READING BOOKS CREATE NOVEL IDEAS

Reading books are a lifeline to another time. Not everyone gets it; not everyone thinks they need a lifeline. I don’t start reading a book with that in mind, but when I finish a good one it feels like the writer tossed me a line. That’s the good news. I’m of the mind that berating […]

MELANCHOLY NOSTALGIA? WHERE DO I SIGN

Melancholy nostalgia is no one’s idea of a good time. Nostalgia alone is more than enough. Those ‘good old days’ never looked better until you start scratching around. Add a dose of melancholy to clear things up.