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
October 6, 2022 by
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
July 4, 2021 by
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
June 18, 2021 by
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
April 22, 2021 by
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
December 26, 2020 by
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
May 26, 2017 by
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
February 1, 2017 by
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 […]
THE COMMAND VOICE
May 31, 2016 by
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 […]
