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WRITE FOR BETTER OR WORSE, RICHER OR POORER

Write for better because who doesn’t want to be better, hope for better, strive for better. A better you is good for everyone else. The better you doesn’t fly off the handle at every setback, spin out at every turn in the road, or quit when the going gets tough. The best you handles diversity […]

PORTLAND RECHARGE PRIMER

Walk down Broadway and you can feel the Portland pulse, the Portland recharge, which is no surprise when you see the volcano map. But, more than that, the city feels primed for a renaissance, a Portland Renaissance. And that means an Oregon Renaissancea?   . . . new growth of activity or interest in something, […]

JOIN OREGON HISTORY FOR THE PEOPLE

Oregon history is full of familiar names and places we remember from Mrs. Kraus’ third grade class. Statues around the state show them as they were. Their exploits are logged in libraries and museums. The Oregon Historical Society at 1200 SW Park, Portland Oregon is both museum and library. That’s a 2 for 1 if […]

NAME RECOGNITION IN AMERICA EXPLAINED, TO BE OR NOT

Two nights ago I watched Hamnet from the blue velvet couch. It’s about Shakespeare, which isn’t a spoiler. At least it shouldn’t be. With one of the more helpful movie openings, it explained that Hamnet and Hamet are the same name. The same. So I was set. Hamnet it is?

NOT LOST, BUT STILL A HISTORY OF LOSING

You are not lost if you still have enough gas in the tank and sunlight in the sky to keep going. But, not everyone agrees. I chalk it up to those who’ve experienced enough losing to know the symptoms. They’ve seen losers, been losers, and know what they’re talking about when they call you a […]

ALL EYES ON THE AMERICAN WORLD CUP, JULY FOURTH

Did anyone leave a 4th of July gathering to watch some World Cup action? France v Paraguay? Canada v Morocco? Me neither. I had to take my dog home before a bunch of kids filled up the backyard. The games were already on.

WRITING PARTNERS? CHOOSE CAREFULLY

Two nights ago I watch Hamnet from the blue velvet couch with July 4th coming around the bend. It’s about Shakespeare, which isn’t a spoiler. One of the more helpful movie openings, it explained early that Hamnet and Hamet are the same name. The same. So I was set. Hamnet it is.

MY TOP JULY FOURTH: 1976

In 1976 July Fourth found me living in Philadelphia, of all places. I was standing in the audience listening to President Ford address the nation from the Liberty Bell. I was a regular Army private two months from being discharged after two years. My uncle, a career Marine, was with me. It felt different than […]

PIECES OF A LIFE TOGETHER, AND ‘THE PAST’

If you spend enough time with someone you may eventually get the feeling of living a life, of sharing a life, together. With that in mind, why wait until the last minute to get, or give, the flowers. Is there a plan for how to do that? How do two people put those pieces together? […]

THE CUVEE PROM PLAN: TUXEDO REQURIED

The Cuvee prom plan works when the star align: A birthday? An anniversary? A retirement? Combine all three and it’s time to break out the tuxedo? Yes, it’s time.