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PIECES OF A LIFE TOGETHER, AND ‘THE PAST’

June 30, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

If you spend enough time with someone you may eventually get the feeling of living a life, of sharing a life, together. With that in mind, why wait until the last minute to get, or give, the flowers. Is there a plan for how to do that? How do two people put those pieces together? […]

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THE CUVEE PROM PLAN: TUXEDO REQURIED

June 29, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

The Cuvee prom plan works when the star align: A birthday? An anniversary? A retirement? Combine all three and it’s time to break out the tuxedo? Yes, it’s time.

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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL MEDICINE: THE DOCTORS ARE IN

June 27, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

From a distance the ribbon cutting for the National University Of Natural Medicine appeared as yet another civic event in Portland, Oregon. Speakers spoke, ribbons cut, cheers all around. It was all of that and so much more, like overcoming impossible odds. And yet . . .

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THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE TO WRITING AN EVERYDAY BLOG

June 25, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

An everyday blog is just what it sounds like: Every. Day. Like most things worth pursuing, it takes tenacity and creativity to make something worth writing into something worth reading. No problem, write. Right? But, there’s more.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Army, Baby Boomer blogger, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, creativity, culture, culture shock, dream, education, English major, everyday blog, facebook, family, history, late seventies, learning, life, Love, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, proper perspective, Social media, tenacity, travel, wax museum, wife, writer, writer dream, writer's block, writers, writing, youtube

BEER BELLY, BEER GUT, THEN WHAT

June 24, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

I’m working on a beer belly reduction plan, which means what? Drink less beer, what else? I was lamenting my loss after meeting a new guy who fixed broken guitar amps in his garage. Me: I think the signs are lining up to loose my gut.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Baby Boomer blogger, beer, beer barrel, beer belly, beer drinkers, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, bruges belgium, Costco, Deschutes Brewery Inc, drinkers, drinking beer, education, friends, history, kirkland lager, learning, Love, married, pilsner beer, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Portland Oregon, stella Artois, story, travel, wife, writer, writers, writing

BEING USEFUL LIKE ROBERT FULGHUM

June 23, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

This isn’t Robert Fulghum, it’s me being useful in my Robert Fulghum beard which has gone the way of every beard that dared show itself on my face. He is probably a better beard steward than me. My enthusiasm for grooming an extra pet in the house lasts about six months. The last dog lived […]

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A SECOND LOOK AT “THAT AIN’T RIGHT”

June 22, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

What’s a second look at this garage arrangement tell you? What’s missing: a fitness area with a treadmill, squat rack, work bench, maybe a couple of cars stacked on a lift, and a designated music area with guitars, drums, and amps all ready to go. Not to say this garage is lacking anything, but it […]

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FARMING DISASTER DONE ON PURPOSE

June 20, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

So much of the awful results of the farming disaster in the old Soviet Union came from bad policy decisions. In the early 1930’s their main guy Stalin decided he knew more about science and farming than anyone. He also had advisers explaining it to him in a way he agreed with. Who doesn’t love […]

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BETTER LISTENING SKILLS FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING

June 16, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

If practicing better listening skills isn’t a life goal, it should be. How hard is it to pay attention? You did it in the classroom with the encouragement of a teacher. I still remember Mr. Kraus singing ‘Toot toot tootsie goodbye’ when he tossed little tootsie rolls to students with the right answer in algebra. […]

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RETURNING REVERENCE TO IT’S RIGHTFUL PLACE

June 15, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

There’s a scent of reverence in the air, of returning reverence after a long pause. It started in my doctor’s office where I’d been called to sit on a panel with others. One of the others was Roy Pittman, one of my personal heroes. The next time I saw the doctor he told me he […]

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