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MESSAGE SENT, FOLLOWED BY REGRET AND HOPE

August 28, 2021 by

The message sent about Portland Oregon is one of hope. When the homeless set up camp, Portland hoped they were comfortable. Protest marchers clashed with Portland police hoping for change. Rival groups faced off. The message sent to them, to us, was there would be no police involvement. I suppose the hope was they would […]

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AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE UPDATE: NOW WHAT?

July 2, 2021 by

We all understand American Independence from a historical point of view. “Freedom from the tyranny of taxation without representation.” And other tyrannies? What about independence from other tyrannies? Can we get freedom from self-imposed tyrannies? Personal tyranny? If so, how? That’s the question, how? You could read an essay for starters. It’s an Oregon-born essay […]

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CONTINUITY CONDITIONS: HOW ONE THING LEADS TO THE NEXT

May 28, 2021 by

Continuity conditions start with the first word. Continuity: uninterrupted connection, succession, or union. When you get on a roll and stay on it, that’s continuity. But what if the conditions for continuity aren’t right? They aren’t right in a relationship, a family, or work life? If that’s what you’ve got going on, it may not […]

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LOSER LESSONS FOR A LIFETIME OF HOPE

May 13, 2021 by

Loser lessons make good winners. The trick is finding context. The particular context is knowing you’re not a lifetime loser because of a few events that didn’t turn our your way. I’ve had a few, you’ve had a few. Anyone who says they haven’t had a few are only lying to themselves. Some loser lessons […]

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BETTER DAYS AND THE RANDOM MOMENTS THAT INSPIRE THEM

March 23, 2021 by

We had a table discussion about historic moments that led to better days. Four adults, three of whom don’t like things called table discussion. Me: But we’re at the table. One in the group gave their version of a history and moved on. But another in the group made a correction. The rest of group […]

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AMERICAN STEW, A RECIPE OF HOPE AND HEALTH

January 28, 2021 by

American stew, in spite of the name, is a delicate dish with a layered flavor profile. The ingredients are common to most every country, but the preparation and cooking temperature are the biggest difference. What American stew is not, is half-baked. It’s also not for diners who eat out of cans with a plastic fork, […]

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STEP UP TO LIFE CHALLENGES FOR A BETTER LOOK

June 18, 2020 by

Life challenges are all around, whether we see them, act on them, or ignore them. Like a slow leak in a car tire, you eventually notice. Then what?

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HOW TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE WHEN THINGS FEEL HOPELESS

June 16, 2020 by

Keeping hope alive might sound like some Pollyanna talk. Keep hope alive, like it’s dying or something? Who believes that? Well, until a new level of dread arrives, no one. It’s all good, right up until it’s not. That’s when hope starts to fade.

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HEALING HEART STARTS IN THE KITCHEN

June 7, 2020 by

If making a difference matters, and it does, a healing heart is important. But, you know this, right? Model a healing heart like no one is watching.

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HOPE IN ONE HAND, AND IT’S ENOUGH

April 15, 2020 by

Art is defined by hope. As in, “I hope people like my work.” Turns out people like Grant Wood’s American Gothic just fine.

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