Ah, splurge. The word itself is an indulgence to the tongue. Say it with gusto. But this is your conscience speaking: I am here to tell you to strive not to acquire more junk and in the process not spend beyond your means this holiday season. As parents we have an urge to give our […]
When I quit smoking cigarettes decades ago, I made a solemn vow not to become one of those obnoxious, smug ex-smokers who try to make life miserable for all the other smokers in the world. Not for me the pious lectures on the evils and dangers of inhaling all those noxious gases, and tars, and […]
It was early Sunday morning and I was listening to the radio as I was making my breakfast. On KXL they were doing an interview of Bill Russell, selected by Portland Metro Area Realtors to be Portland’s First Citizen. The name I recognized immediately because Bill and I were in the Gresham Rotary. What I […]
My dear, sweet, loving and devoted parents Frank and Helen Maguire, will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary this month. I’m continually amazed by all that they overcame! Somehow, not only do they still LOVE one another, but they LIKE one another as well! How is this possible? My parents met in the year 1956 during […]
This year’s three-day Heart of the Country art show and sale features artists known for their expertly crafted works. Most have exhibited widely; and each is known for creating unique pieces that bring Northwest character to life. Seven-time national award winning nature photographer and Pacific Northwest wall calendar creator, Nancy J. Smith, has been capturing […]
Born in the 1930s and early 40s, we exist as a very special age cohort. We are the Silent Generation. We are the smallest number of children born since the early 1900s. We are the “last ones.” We are the last generation, climbing out of the depression, who can remember the winds of war and […]
Most of us don’t like the term “surrender”. It reminds us of our younger days when the playground bully had us in a headlock and taunted us to give up. On a much larger scale, wars rage between countries until one of them finally capitulates to the other. Surrender is always an admission of defeat. […]
What a year! So little rain – so many little pond “people.” I have spent the entire late Spring and all Summer in a state of Pond Hysteria. This is a rare condition. I seem to be the only not–so–innocent victim of this weirdness! We have a 40’ x 70’ natural pond on our property. […]
Have you ever been sitting at an outdoor cafe watching people walk by, or walking down a crowded sidewalk, when the thought suddenly flashes in your mind, “None of these people know you. How significant are you, anyway?” I know that it’s happened to me many times. The thought may be fleeting, but it’s an […]
A friend of mine enjoys camping in the middle of the woods, alone and far away from people. It doesn’t matter to him if it’s clear, raining, or snowing. He loves to wake up to a cool morning, smell the fresh air, build a campfire and cook his breakfast. Myself, I prefer waking up in […]