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BOOK POWER TO BRAIN POWER

We were talking about books the other day, talking about book power, in our little salon. You know it’s a salon when the other people have thousands of books in their home after a downsize. How do you downsize a book collection? Don’t ask me, I just make another bookcase, but there comes a time.

PORTLAND RECHARGE PRIMER

Walk down Broadway and you can feel the Portland pulse, the Portland recharge, which is no surprise when you see the volcano map. But, more than that, the city feels primed for a renaissance, a Portland Renaissance. And that means an Oregon Renaissancea?   . . . new growth of activity or interest in something, […]

NAME RECOGNITION IN AMERICA EXPLAINED, TO BE OR NOT

Two nights ago I watched Hamnet from the blue velvet couch. It’s about Shakespeare, which isn’t a spoiler. At least it shouldn’t be. With one of the more helpful movie openings, it explained that Hamnet and Hamet are the same name. The same. So I was set. Hamnet it is?

NOT LOST, BUT STILL A HISTORY OF LOSING

You are not lost if you still have enough gas in the tank and sunlight in the sky to keep going. But, not everyone agrees. I chalk it up to those who’ve experienced enough losing to know the symptoms. They’ve seen losers, been losers, and know what they’re talking about when they call you a […]

LOCAL HISTORY STUDENT + HOBBYIST = HISTORY FANS

What we have here for the history student is a picture of a post-industrial landscape typically found beside polluted rivers across America where time has passed it by. The industrial ruins-looking build-up is a common sight from New England to North Bend. What we need to know is this particular mess can be considered the […]

PIECES OF A LIFE TOGETHER, AND ‘THE PAST’

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? […]

THE CUVEE PROM PLAN: TUXEDO REQURIED

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.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL MEDICINE: THE DOCTORS ARE IN

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 . . .

GREAT NEWS FROM MT. ANGEL AND JOHN ROSSI PODCAST

The great news from Mt. Angel comes via the John Rossi Podcast visit to Lou’s Kitchen. The Kitchen is a big winner in Best of Willamette Valley 2026 claiming the Gold Medal for best all-round restaurant. When I opened the door the place was packed and buzzing at noon. One grilled chicken salad and an […]

THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE TO WRITING AN EVERYDAY BLOG

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.