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THE NORTH BEND OF COOS BAY

Who saw this messy map and thought, “That’s where I’m going?”
My parents, apparently.
This is where they raised their family.
I asked the old man, who had grown up in a logging company town, whose hometown was tougher, his or mine?
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GARDEN PARTY REMINISCING

Remember your first garden party when you invited people over to the house to see what you planted, what you’ve grown?
It’s a touching moment to behold after years of planning.
You build a raised bed like the picture here, and buy plants you just know will grow.
And they did.

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“CALLS OUT” PUT ‘ON THE SPOT’

What does “calls out” mean other than another way of saying “Hey You?”
““Why Do You Have To Leave Practice?”: Michael Irvin Calls Out Justin Herber.””
If you’re ‘calling someone out’ it’s most likely about something that’s none of your business.
Calls Out = Nosey Nellie? For example:

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NATURE SIGNS TO WATCH FOR

When you make a plan to see nature up close, expect nature signs.
Follow the message of the signs for best results.
Do that and you’ll return home with sweet memories and solid experiences with exciting pictures to share.
If it’s your first time out in the wild, pay extra attention.
You can thank me later. Or now. This nature sign was in the cabin:

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OFF GRID, NO PHONE SERVICE, BUT . . .

I’ve had mixed results with off grid peace and quiet.
Once I stayed in a place the had no telephones in the rooms for just that purpose, peace and quiet.
Sounded very thoughtful until a road grader started grinding across the parking lot pavement the next morning.
It couldn’t have been any closer if it had come through the front door.
My wife and I both chuckle when we talk about our honeymoon. One of us does.
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toughen up

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS, pt2: FAMILY TRAUMA

Illness defines family trauma over time and it’s exhausting. Remember the movie Ordinary People? The family dynamic wasn’t defined by illness, but death of a child. It didn’t go well for the emotional state of all. There’s was a sudden adjustment with a lifetime effect. Living with a pre-existing condition, or around others with pre-existing […]

BABY BOOMER DEATH MARCH

What Happens When That Music Starts? From the Washington Post: “In January, the CDC reported that an average of six people die every day because of alcohol poisoning and that 76 percent are ages 35 to 64. Three-quarters are men.” That party bus of life shifted gears when we weren’t looking. The baby boomer mantra […]

UNCLE CLIFFY, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, PISTIL POINT CANNABIS

Why does it take a dramatic event like a health scare to break out the medical benefits of marijuana? Former Portland Trail Blazer Cliff Robinson, Uncle Cliffy in the industry, had a stroke. Is medical marijuana a cure? Here’s Robinson’s take from oregonlive:

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boomer years

Prince in Portland, Prince Forever

    Laying along East Burnside, Prince looked comfortable. We were going to a show at the Doug Fir Lounge and there he was. It took me back to the Tacoma Dome after seeing Purple Rain when it first came out. Who was Prince? Only the anti-Michael Jackson, and back then it seemed a good […]

MILLENNIALS LIVE WITH PARENTS

Is it a good thing, or failure to launch? Talk to baby boomers and ask when they moved out. You get the same answer most of the time. “Right after high school,” is common. “After college,” is usual. It’s ‘after’ something. After deciding they don’t want any parent telling them what to do? After hearing, […]

MILLENNIAL APOLOGY SINKS IN

Why Baby Boomers Need A Millennial Apology.   1. We’re sorry our music is so lame we have listen to classic rock. Who really supports the Stones and Rod Stewart in concert? 2. We’re sorry for thinking we’re smart enough to run the world in our 20’s. We’d be better at it but I’ve got […]

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buckle up

Cultural Exchange Without Leaving Home

  Last night my cultural exchange student, better said as ‘our’ cultural exchange student, prepared dinner for seven.   And the kid can cook.   I know the difference when someone mails it in from the kitchen. How? Because someone I know tried doing it for years.   Me.   Now I’m much better and […]

DEVILS PUNCH BOWL HAM HOCK STIRS IN OREGON FLAVOR

From the top of Otter Crest Loop looking south to Devils Punch Bowl Newport lies further south, Depoe Bay a little north. Oregon tourists need to feel a part of the big show to get the most out of their trip. Climb a mountain. Run a Hood To Coast. Stand in the Devils Punch Bowl […]

THE PORTLAND RIVIERA ON NORTH MISSISSIPPI

Is there such a thing as the Portland Riviera? When you hear the words French Riviera what comes to mind? Movie stars? Warm, sandy, beaches? France? How about the Spanish Riviera? It’s in the same neighborhood, same water, as the French Riviera, but not as famous. These two Rivieras don’t have signs designated at ‘clothing […]

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