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PORTLAND HISTORY COMEBACK JUST IN TIME

Portland history used to be easy. Two old guys flipped a coin in a clearing and here we are living happily ever after. That’s my story, but I’m not sticking to it when I tell the Portland story.

INTERNET SHOWTIME SATURDAY WITH A SIDE OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

I’m a big fan of internet showtime, the daily scroll. But I keep it simple. I’m not looking for verification, authentication, or validation. Not looking for lawyers, guns, or money. What I’m looking for is attention grabbing posts, videos, and stories. Make me pause. Is that asking for too much?

OBEDIENCE TRAINING FOR COMPLIANCE

For most of us obedience training started early. Early Baby Boomers learned from the boss, their old man, who learned it from his old man, then the Army. But that lineup leaves out the goal of obedience: Learning how to treat people correctly, beginning with your momma. Why momma?

SOLVING PROBLEMS THAT AREN’T YOURS

Solving problems makes you one thing: A Problem Solver. You’ve had trouble searching for your purpose? Not anymore with the right solutions.

WEDNESDAY SEVENS UP ON MIDDLE CLASS

I found the Wednesday Sevens during my usual pre-writing routine, (reading Yahoo News, scrolling twitter, checking Facebook like a pro.) The sevens are, Yahoo News: 7 Things the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in the Next 5 Years Twitter: 7 Keys To Life Facebook: Nothing, so I adapted.

REIMAGINE, REUSE, RECYCLE, BABY BOOMERS

What’s the best example of reimagine, reuse, recycle? Old tires? Worn out shoes? Tea towels? Last I checked there’s a way to reuse old paint if it’s not dried in the can. What about old baby boomers who aren’t dried in the can?

BE SOMEBODY? THERE ARE CLUES ALONG THE WAY

You’ve heard the request to ‘be somebody?’ Be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and more. The request usually comes from an adult speaking to someone who screwed up. They ask why we can’t be better than what we’re in trouble for. It’s different when we’re in trouble with ourselves.

AGE APPROPRIATE FOR WHO

Who says, “Grow up and try to be age appropriate,” and who do they say it too? Your hair’s too long, your clothes don’t match, and you don’t smoke the same cigarettes as them. But that was a long time ago. Since 1966 we’ve learned how to find satisfaction.

STORM CHASING IN THE CANCER WARD

Storm chasing without a tornado on the horizon? The storm in the cancer ward is chemo therapy that runs through everything in your body sweeping out the good and the bad cells. It shakes you down to your core hoping the good cells prevail. Not everyone is built for this particular battle.

RIGHT THING? YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT

Doing the ‘right thing’ used to be easier. Maybe is was because baby boomers didn’t have as many choices for doing wrong? I didn’t see a lot of choices besides ‘Do what you’re told’ growing up. From parents, to teachers, to coaches, scout leaders, and beyond, we were told what to do by people we […]