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PORTLAND PARK BLOCKS IN DECEMBER WITH DOG

The Portland Park Blocks, the south side, deserves a good look this time of year. Call it a learning moment, my dog did. Who’s a good girl. We started at Portland State University to see what the youths were up to.

D0G LESSONS FOR THE REST OF US

Dog lessons begin with a special dog. Since all dogs are special to every family who lives with one, this particular dog is the prime example. Why this dog? It’s the dog I know best, the dog who knows me best. First a note on dog owners:

GUN EDUCATION FOR THE EARLY LEARNER

Gun education is lacking. Skip this learning moment and there may not be another one. Based on the number of school shootings, there’s a gap between gun ownership and using it, between walking the walk and talking the talk. And don’t kid yourself, the gun talk is a tough one because the focus is on […]

RAW EMOTIONS: HELLO AND GOODBYE, AIRPORT VS HOSPITAL

Raw emotions, unrehearsed moments of reality, happen in two places: The airport and the hospital. That’s where hello and goodbye emotions live that no one plans for. A hospital visit turns into a gut wrenching ordeal. An airport drop-off turns into the saddest day ever. Is there anything to do to prepare for this? No, […]

HEALING PROCESS? “BUT YOU LOOK FINE.”

The healing process starts after a problem is identified. At least that’s the normal step. ‘Normal’ being the operative word. If something feels off, you get checked out, and you were right. Something is indeed ‘Off.’ It’s a lump, a bump, a mole, a dry cough, night sweats, chest discomfort. Need I go on? Why […]

EDUCATIONAL DYSFUNCTION: THE OTHER E D

Educational dysfunction happens to everyone when they get to a point in a project that needs extra help. Frank Thomas is an Auburn University man, something left out in commercials he appears in. The Big Hurt knows the education drill. Doug Flutie is a Boston College man who gets it, too. Whether books, YouTube videos, […]

COMMUNICATION BLIND SPOT IN THE EAR

    Long married couples carry a blind spot in their ear on certain topics; they’ve talked about things, or only one thing, so often the momentum of communication is too great to stop.   Try and reset the bar of understanding on those things in the blind spot. It might be the best gift […]