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FOLLOWING TRADITIONS KEEP PORTLAND CONNECTIONS FRESH

Following traditions isn’t always convenient: “What, we have to do this again?” But once you start, try to keep them.  Sharing traditions with others makes everyone stronger.

PORTLAND BURDEN FROM DOWNTOWN TO HOMETOWN

Every city has a dream of tranquility, prosperity, and safety. Portland, Oregon has a burden. But what is the Portland burden? The city is supposed to be better. Now what?

PORTLAND HOMELESS ADVICE FROM AN OLD LADY

The big news for Portland homeless? No home. It’s not good news for the chronically homeless who’ve been sleeping on public land. If that ends, where does everyone go?

NIKE MONEY TAKES A STAND IN OREGON

Nike money is set to rescue Oregon, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Knight in shining armor supposedly sees Betsy Johnson as the answer. But first the big question: Why, Uncle Phil? Why now?

WRITING REMINDERS: FIRST, BE STRONG

Writing reminders are like the list for the grocery store. Or the infamous ‘Honey Do’ list. Check off the important things after you get them done. These are the important things:

FAIR FIGHT FOR DIFFICULT BABY BOOMER TIMES

A fair fight isn’t a real fight. If you’re in a fight you don’t want, what has fighting fair got to do with it? The goal of a fight you don’t want is to end it as fast as you can. This goal applies to marriage, jobs, kids, and home repair. Make it personal.

HISTORY PEOPLE IN OUR MIDST

History people carry a little extra with them. That’s the off-putting part because too many of them add their own extras. Does history need extra, or is ‘what happened’ good enough? I’m in the ‘good enough’ camp, and here’s why:

BANNED BOOKS ON BANNED BOOK WEEK?

Banned books sounds like a term from the Middle Ages, or the Spanish Inquisition where you might pay with your life if the wrong book was found on your property. Book bans are nothing new, and don’t last, but in our hyper-alert social medial world that makes it feel like the world is collapsing every […]

OREGON BEAUTY FROM EVERY DIRECTION

Oregon beauty starts with a walk out my front door. This is the view if I find the right spot, which I always do. (It’s not a mystery.) I think it would be a better without the trees, without the house, but that’s not how things work. That’s not how change happens, by wishing things […]

BLOG WRITER EXPLAINS TRAFFIC BUMP

This blog writer never stops to ask, ‘Why bother,’ when it comes to writing anything. Whether I draw one reader in, or four thousand, the work is the same: Find something worth writing about, then do it in a way worth reading. Some days come in hot.