Inspiration comes from a variety of sources but the ones we remember the most are family members who endured hardship and came out stronger. My inspiration comes from my grandfather, George Reginald Nelson, who, at the retirement age of 55, left the Johnson Lumber Mill in Toledo, Oregon and built a home, two full sized […]
There was a large expanse of green, well maintained lawn, recently mowed. In the background was a building three stories high that almost covered the width of the property. It had all the architectural features of a building that was constructed in the 30’s. As it turned out it was built in 1938 as a […]
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 […]
Like many of us I don’t spend hours on a computer desktop or laptop. I go directly to the business at hand, researching, writing, or buying, and get off the computer. If memory serves me I was searching for an electric blanket and up pops, full screen, a Microsoft warning both visual and audio. I […]
If you have lived in East County for any length of time you are familiar with the Drake’s Seven Dees nursery on 165th and Stark. That location has ceased operation and the property been vacant for some time. However, a new enterprise has pushed out of the ground with a very large building—the Boys and […]
This past week a very close friend of 45 years passed away while I was by his side. Joe Bianco was the editor of Northwest Magazine a Sunday supplement of feature stories for The Oregonian. Joe and I have gone through a lot of troubled waters and many good times together. Like close relationships irrespective […]
Leaky windows with broken seals? A furnace that provides heat and high utility bills at the same time? Little or no insulation in the walls, ceilings and floors? Hot water heater that needs replacing? Check out the benefits that Energy Trust of Oregon provides to folks in your situation. Established by the State of Oregon […]
I just came back home after being away for two nights and three days. The feeling of refreshment and renewal felt so good that it inspired me to write this story for you. This year has been a challenging one as I am sure many of you can relate. In addition to the normal challenges […]
Recently I have been a “guest” at two of the local hospitals. For those of you who have had similar experiences the one thing you look forward to during your stay is meal time. Traditionally, hospital food could best be described as institutional and tasteless, without regard to presentation or convenience of delivery. However, there […]
Ryan and I were both shopping at an auto parts store and struck up a conversation that has led to this story. Ryan Donato, in partnership with his cousin Jeremy Killian—both 34 years old, own a manufacturing facility. It has been in production for one year and seen amazing growth with expected sales of $1 […]