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GOOD EXAMPLE HARD TO FIND, HARD TO KEEP

January 30, 2022 by

“Be a good example.” Who’s heard this before? It starts early. If you have a younger brother or younger sister you’ve heard it before them. You’re it. As you collect birthdays you come to realize that being a good example is a life long job.

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FINDING FAULT TAKES A HARD LOOK OUTWARD

January 27, 2022 by

Finding fault is one of the first things to do when things go wrong, as long as you don’t find yourself. And that takes practice. If you’re to blame and you know it, the job just got easier. Ask, “Why would I do that,” after a spectacular screw-up and you won’t get many answers. Why?

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ADD LOVE TO A BLUE BIRD-SEAGULL DAY

January 24, 2022 by

Try and add love to every day, but it’s easier after a stormy night Does a clear sky clear the mind? It might, it might not, but at least it’s better than standing around in the cold, the wet, and the wind. Add a clear beach to a clear day for perfection. But not too […]

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OREGON DEFENDER? FACING ADVERSITY FROM THE INSIDE

January 20, 2022 by

The state of Oregon doesn’t need any defending, but a series of maps was practically an invitation for an Oregon Defender. The rest of the states can find their own defenders, and they need them. Before breaking down these maps from inside the Oregon border, they came from the Parent Influence dot com website, which […]

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BRIDGE CITY BRIDGES, PICK ONE AND CROSS IT FOR GOOD LUCK

January 16, 2022 by

Bridge city is that place, that town, any bump in the road that needs a bridge. Walking on or driving over any bridge is an act of faith. But we do it without a blink. After all, that’s how we cross a river, a bay. That’s how we get to the other side. With luck […]

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PORTLAND WRITING: WHAT TO SAY AFTER IT’S ALL BEEN SAID

January 13, 2022 by

Portland writing classes made it seem like everyone in town was a writer. Publish a book and that’s good enough to fill a teacher’s role? Yes it is. Word of mouth got around, a friend offers space, and people pay to show up and listen. And learn. But what do you learn?

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PAIN WRITERS: GUIDELINES FOR A PAINFUL STORY

January 12, 2022 by

Pain writers draw inspiration from two sources: Their own pain. Someone else’s pain. The source of pain is a standard feature. Pain writers want you to feel it. For example:

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THUNDER ROAD ON NW LOVEJOY, PORTLAND

January 7, 2022 by

Thunder Road is a map of the love/hate relationship I’ve felt for Bruce Springsteen since 1975. I love that Bruuuuuce has persevered beyond all expectations. I hate the decision I made when Mary Anne in the Philadelphia clinic invited me along with her friends to see the local phenom across the river in New Jersey. […]

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OREGON MEMBER RINGS THE CHRISTMAS BELLS

December 25, 2021 by

This Oregon member left the state to look around. Twice. And I found out why I like it here better than there. This is how I explain it to my kids:

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BROADWAY MURAL AT JEFFERSON IS FINE. HERE’S WHY:

December 9, 2021 by

The Broadway Mural is in the rearview mirror of every car heading south. If you saw this in the rearview mirror heading south on Broadway, what would you do? Make a right turn on Jefferson, buddy, and park the car. If you’re an out-of-towner in Portland and cruising up Broadway on the way out, this […]

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