page contents Google

THE TRUTH, GETTING A HANDLE

Getting a handle on the truth shouldn’t be a big hurdle to clear.
All it takes is a little self-awareness.
The truth is your friend if you’re not too sketchy.
Will it set you free? Well . . .
It depends on the sort of shackles your used to.
[Read More…]

‘DOING RESEARCH’ AND OTHER EXCUSES

What counts as doing research?
For writers it’s an easy answer: Everything is research.
And because everything is research, the trick is finding what matters more.
Is it writing about where you are, how you feel, the people you’re with?
The correct answer? All of the above.
[Read More…]

TWO STORIES + ONE MAN = GREAT LITERATURE? OK LEO

Where does great literature come from?
From more than two stories, but first about ‘that man.’
The great literature man.
Where does he come from?
[Read More…]

GRACE AND DIGNITY FOR AGING MILLENNIALS

I became my ‘brother’s keeper’ through misjudgment, and it wasn’t my brother but my father in-law.
Same idea, though. I think it’s the same idea.
And it was misjudgment, not a mistake.
What happened?
[Read More…]

NEVER HURTS TO ASK: VOTE BETTER

Baby boomers got a lot from this.
What you can do for your country is vote better.
Or just vote.
[Read More…]

More Posts from this Category

toughen up

IF YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, LOOK WHERE FOOD COMES FROM

Small print shows where food comes from. Smaller print explains what food factories add to improve shelf life. You need good shelf life when you ship long distance. A three year expiration date on food might be something to skip for dinner. If you know people who identify as ‘foodies’ you’ve heard about the fresh […]

IAN KARMEL’S BOOMER GYM ALERT

Based On Ian Karmel And Everything As F##k: A Warning Voice From His Generation To Boomers. Too many fitness fanatics urge us to better health. And we ignore them. You can’t ignore Ian Karmel. The Portland comedian and Portland Mercury columnist writes about his gym experience, the same gym experience boomers have been dodging. What […]

CANCER STORIES: FEEDING PUBLIC FEAR AND PRIVATE WOE

Things you’ll never know until you get cancer, any cancer:   You’ll either be an object of sympathy, or an antenna of sympathy. Or both.   “Keep up the fight,” or, “You’re a fighter,” or “You look like you’ve got this thing whipped.”   That’s what I heard after running Hood To Coast at 49 […]

More Posts from this Category

boomer years

Willie Nelson Brings More To Portland Than His Band

The old guitar picker takes the stage tonight at McMenamins Edgefield. Willie Nelson, all eighty five years of himself, takes the stage after opener Allison Krause.   More important, he’s on the cover of AARP magazine. Why is that important? How many public figures don’t want to talk about age? In a youth motivated culture, […]

BOOMERPDX BOOK CHOP

Like Food Channel’s Chopped Except No One Spits On The Pages. The most often heard complaint of the avid reader? “What do I read next? I’m in between books.” Even with libraries and bookstores stocked to the roof, the next book is still an important choice. Museums have research libraries, colleges have academic libraries; hospitals […]

SHOOTING GUNS IN THE BOOMER ARMY OF 1974

The all volunteer Army was still new in the mid-70’s. No one opened a draft notice anymore, no life changing letters came in the mail. At least not that letter. In those days the Army was run by baby boomers straight out of Vietnam. Every Drill Sergeant had a story to make your toes curl and […]

More Posts from this Category

buckle up

SHUT UP AND EAT: SOUTH PHILLY VIA SE PORTLAND

Geno’s or Pat’s? Or Shut Up And Eat? This cheesesteak. Or that cheesesteak. My readers know the value of cheesesteak. If I hear about a place from a reliable source, I’m there. Same for an unreliable source.

HOW TO WIN THE STARLIGHT PARADE

Answer 5 Questions To Win The Starlight Parade From The Suburbs. 1. You traveled to the Starlight Parade by: A. Bus, of course. I live my life by Tri-met. My vacations are all Tri-met vacations. Nothing beats a Tri-met schedule. We all feel the same here. B. Drove to the train. I enjoy public transportation […]

HAWTHORNE GOLD, PORTLAND BLUES, THE QUEEN

At just the right time of day the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland Oregon gives up the goods. Panning for gold? Here it is during the Golden Hour. You can’t take it home, or invest, but you can put it away in case you need something extra. And who doesn’t need something extra now and then? […]

More Posts from this Category