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NEW TRADITIONS FROM OLD: 100 DAYS AND COUNTING

New traditions aren’t always new, just new to some. The 100 Day tradition of throwing a party was new to me, but not new. When a new mom’s parents are born in China, there will be a 100 Day celebration. Now I wonder why everyone doesn’t have the same? It points to the differences in […]

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.

AMERICAN WAY FINDS NEW TRADITIONS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT

The American way used go be different. Not that we’re living in a new world, but it’s just different. Instead of “do your work, keep your mouth shut, treats others fairly” we get “find a gig, live out loud, tell others how to do it.” That’s a change from the lock-step life celebrated by those […]

FATHER’S DAY FROM OLD DAD TO NEW DAD ALL TOGETHER

Father’s Day comes every year, but that first one is something else. A new dad on his day lays the groundwork of tradition for every Father’s Day for the next fifty years. Will it be like a birthday? Christmas? Or eventually just another day on the calendar? The easy answer: It depends on the kids. […]

MISSING PARTS AND WHERE TO FIND REPLACEMENTS

When I was a kid I had a high school aged uncle who liked to build model cars with missing parts. He didn’t play any sports. I glued model cars together, too. The box of plastic pieces all linked together became a Buick Wildcat. No paint, nothing special, just following directions and putting it together. […]

GIVE GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING, AND RETURNING

Give gifts at Christmas? Sounds easy enough. If giving gifts is the tradition, which gift is the question. Give gifts that say something more than “At least I wrapped it.” Christmas is not a junior high health class, but after 2020 it’s a mental health check. So far, so good, but that top pic?

MOTIVATED LIFE: FEAR, ANGER, BIG FINISH

    From day one America grew an attitude of the picked on little brother. Instead of walking the plank of tradition and custom in the old country, early explorers took off for the new to live a motivated life. I hear Monty Python’s French accented, “Weee, doon’t neeeed yoooou.” That’s the enduring American story, […]

BOOMER PARENTS, BOOMER MATES: THE DUECE

Do good boomer parents make better boomer mates?   You read the stats about marriage and divorce and wonder what it takes to make it work? If you’re a short-time married, pay attention. What if you’re a long-time married? Same deal, pay attention. Not so much as pay attention to a blog post, or some […]

WEIGHT ROOM POLITICS

Who does the lifting in weight room politics? And where? Next time you’re in the gym take a good look around, I mean a really good look, and you’ll see something different. Without asking, BoomerPdx discovered the lifting habits of Democrats and Republicans. Using skills of pure observation, the old muckraker makes the call. And […]

THE COMMAND VOICE

You know it forever if you’ve heard the Command Voice. The voice of leadership is the Command Voice. You follow instructions better when it comes from that place. If you joined the Gerald Ford Army of 1974 and did basic at Fort Ord, you heard the command voice, you heard General Patton outline what to […]