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WESTERN CIV 101: A BASIC SURVEY

Western Civilization, Western Civ, starts with a journey that began as a walk, or a float. Someone young enough, strong enough, and smart enough wanted more than what they’re getting. “More what,” you ask? Since this is a simple explanation I’ll keep it basic: more food, more clothing, more shelter. Or any food, any clothing, […]

CREATIVE SPARK: DRUMS, GIUTARS, BASS, AND STEW

A creative spark hung in the room while two guitar players worked it out. They decided which key to play in, set the tone and tempo, while the bass player and drummer listened in. “Sorry to take so long,” one guitar player said. “Not a problem, you’ve got go pick it out,” the drummer said. […]

BLOG TOOLS: HOW TO ORGANIZE TIME AND SPACE

Blog tools help writers get where they’re going, and as any writer will tell you, they are going to fill up a page. Sometimes it’s a long, long, loooooong haul to fill up one page, then another, then another. Look at a stack of printer paper some time and imagine filling them all. From the […]

COMMON GOOD STILL TOO UNCOMMON FOR TOO MANY

The common good means something different to everyone, but that’s still not right. A simple definition might clear things up, starting with the basics, the common needs for human existence. Fortunately, it’s already been done. Thank you, Abraham Maslow.

PARTY PEOPLE WHO BRING THE EXTRA EXCITEMENT

Party people come to life at the right time. They also make things come to life. Pictures of food and dessert are one thing, but seeing it put together in real time is a whole ‘nother thing. Wherever the flag idea came from, it looked good yesterday. A lot of things looked good yesterday.

FACING ADVERSITY FOR THE FIRST TIME, PANDEMIC EDITION

The biggest take aways from facing adversity the first time are the tools and tactics we learn for the next time. And there’s always a next time. Maybe not as big as now, but the tools still apply. So, what are the tools needed for facing adversity? You’ve come to the right place, reader.

EAT NEUTRAL, START WITH SOMETHING GOOD

The man in the picture is named Matt Plitch, Neutral founder. His start-up company is devoted to what it means to eat neutral. I met him at a Beaverton New Seasons near me. There I was in the final lap of Thanksgiving dinner shopping and he stood behind a table of cookies. Hmmm, new cookies? […]

LEBANON COOKBOOK IN MY KITCHEN

The Co-Cooking Cookbook  Growing up in my house, ethnic food meant warming up a can of Spaghetti-Os. More daring was a small town Chinese restaurant that sold more hamburgers than spicy chicken and rice. Then we all grew up and found another way: Books about cooking called a cookbook. Take it another level and invite friends to […]

BRAGGING ABOUT COOKING SKILLS? NEVER, BUT IT STARTS WITH A DRUMBEAT

Bragging about cooking skills is worse than listening to someone else bragging when you know you’re better. The only thing worth bragging about is keeping people out of the emergency room after eating something you cooked. I don’t brag about my cooking skills for a reason, and it’s not because I’m serving raw or burned […]

CHOOSING CHOICE: THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU

Choosing choice is as American as America gets. From remembering to mind your own business, to ‘Don’t Tread On Me,’ we are a nation of individuals. And because we come from all points of the compass, not everyone agrees with everyone else. One thing we practice, and need more, is agreeing about the freedom of […]