Portland Archives • BOOMERPDX

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DOWNTOWN PORTLAND CLEAN AND SAFE?

October 28, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

A reminder of how clean and safe downtown Portland on a trash can? I’ll take it. Clean and safe. That’s my starting point, my mind set, which doesn’t mean I’m skipping around like it’s the happiest place on earth. We all know where that is. (Hey Bridgette) Downtown Portland is the crossroads of the world […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Baby Boomer blogger, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, change, changes, clean, do it, downtown Portland, education, election, Empire Oregon, equality, facebook, history, justice, learning, millennials, Oregon, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Portland Oregon, safe, Social media, story, travel, twitter, vote, voter, wife, writer, writers, writing

PORTLAND TRAVEL NOTES: THE BOOKENDS

October 20, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

This is the flat spot in the river bank where people used to take a break. Whether coming up from the Columbia River, or down on the Willamette, this was the original rest stop for paddlers. Then it grew, grew some more, and for those of us who’ve traded punches on her streets, it’s all […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: big pink, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, city of roses, columbia riiver, education, facebook, history, learning, MARRIAGE, mid-terms, Oregon, P-town, PDX, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Portland Oregon, prediction, Social media, Stump Town, the clearing, travel, twitter, vote, wells fargo center, wife, Willamette River, writer, writers, writing

MISTAKEN IDENTITY? MAYBE NOT

October 19, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

It could be a case of mistaken identity if you’re in an outfit led by a naked lady and winged horse all clad in gold. Where’s the plan? What’s the goal? Is it safe? No one gives a good answer. Where’s your plan, what’s the goal, is it safe? If the plan is to paint […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Baby Boomer blogger, boomerpdx, education, history, home, homeward, homeward boung, identity, learning, millennials, mistaken, mistaken identity, Oregon, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Portland Oregon, role model, Social media, twitter, writer, writers, writing

SAM QUINONES ON IMPORTANT WRITING

October 5, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

What’s better than a writer hyping important writing, the importance of writing, and at the same time telling us about their favorite writing book from a dead writer? If that’s not writing advice, I don’t know what is. Good writing advice is hard to come by. Will it make you a better writer, you ask? […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Baby Boomer blogger, Baby Boomers, blogger, books, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, dead writer, education, history, important writing, learning, Oregon, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Portland Oregon, reading, social ills, story, sub stack, travel, writer, writers, writing, writing advice

PORTLAND NARRATION WITH MEL BROWN AT THE JACK LONDON

October 3, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

Yesterday I wrote a post about two ladies walking around Portland like they knew where they were going. They did know where they were going, but there was a hitch. They weren’t alone. The Heart of Portland followed along.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Baby Boomer blogger, boomerpdx, education, google, heart of portland, history, JACK LONDON review, learning, mel brown, narrative, Oregon, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, portland heart, portland narration, Portland Oregon, Social media, story, travel, wife, writer, writers, writing

A PORTLAND WALK WITH THE LADIES

October 2, 2026 by David Gillaspie Leave a Comment

What do you miss if you skip the Portland walk? Trees planted in brick walk ways? Always fun. The street lamps like the one in the top left? Wooden models are part of the Oregon Historical Society collection, and they are beautiful.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Baby Boomer blogger, BOOMER, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, education, history, learning, Oregon, oregon historical society, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Portland Oregon, portland walk, the future, travel, writer, writers, writing

CHANGING FACES FOR CHANGING TIMES

September 28, 2026 by David Gillaspie

Peace and friendship are the right ingredients for changing times and what goes better with it than a dangerous looking beard? If you’ve never had one hanging off your face, if you’re a woman or a light shaver, a dangerous looking beard sends a message. One beard message is, “This man is too busy thinking […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: boomerpdx, changing face, changing times, education, history, learning, logical, men, Oregon, Portland, Portland Oregon, Social media, sports, travel, vote, women, writer, writers, writing

THE NORTH BEND OF COOS BAY

September 26, 2026 by David Gillaspie

Who saw this messy map and thought, “That’s where I’m going?” My parents, apparently. This is where they raised their family. I asked the old man, who had grown up in a logging company town, whose hometown was tougher, his or mine?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: boomer blogger, Coos Bay, education, history, learning, North Bend, Oregon, Portland, Portland Oregon, Simpson, simpson house, Social media, travel, vision, writer, writers, writing

NEW YORK, NEW YORK? COME ON NEW YORK

September 11, 2026 by David Gillaspie

Doing the right thing in New York is the same as doing the right thing in Oregon: Stay home, keep a social distance. My social distance from NYC is 3000 miles away, but it wasn’t always that way. Frank said it best:

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: brooklyn, covid-19, new york, New York City, Oregon, Portland, Portland Oregon, travel, travel partner, travel writer, travel writing

ARMY ENLISTMENT? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

September 7, 2026 by David Gillaspie

Me: Today is my Army enlistment anniversary. Did you remember. Wife: It’s also the day my Mom died. Me: It is? I mean, yes, it is, and also my anniversary. Wife: I’m glad you remember it. Me: And there’s another thing to celebrate on the same date. Wife: What?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: Army, army enlistment, Baby Boomer blogger, boomer blogger, boomerpdx, education, family, for ord, history, learning, Love, MARRIAGE, married, Oregon, Portland, PORTLAND BABY BOOMERS, Social media, story, travel, wife, wise words, writer, writers, writing