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BETTER LIFE BEGINS WITH _____

A better life begins right where you are, not over there. Or there, or there, but right where you are, which might be the reason change is so hard. The funniest thing I’ve heard about making a change is, “We haven’t done anything and we’re fresh out of ideas.” But that’s not you? Let’s be […]

BREAKDOWN BLOGGER BREAKS IT DOWN

The Breakdown Blogger understands you. They’re not breaking down, but breaking down big things into smaller bits. Not everyone is strong enough to carry the big things all at once. Call it a fact of life. Or call it nonsense. But before you call it anything, consider the weight.

BEST ADVICE FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES

The best advice is words of wisdom from a trusted wise man, or wise woman. If that’s what you’re looking for, keep looking. You’ll find it, or give up trying. This is a post for just such quitters. Quitters who figured it out on their own.

MOVING ON WHEN YOU’RE THE LAST TO KNOW

Plans for moving on depend on timing: Don’t go too soon, or wait too long. If you’ve picked up and changed locations by yourself, you know the drill. Sometimes it works out better than expected. Then there’s this:

READING HISTORY BOOKS YIELDS MORE THAN BARGAINED FOR

Reading history books is about more than validating the opinion you already have. George Washington, first president and father of our country, chopped a cherry tree down and confessed because he would never lie? Honest Abe Lincoln never told a lie? No one questioned their honesty? Reading history books could answer those sort of questions, […]

FOR TEACHING HISTORY, FIRST LEARN HISTORY

My first awareness about teaching history came during a senior seminar class on the origins of WWI. I was a night school student finishing off history degree requirements; a ‘take classes at noon’ student, a ‘whatever class fits the right time slot’ student. It was the usual schedule for irresponsible college dropouts who get married, […]

AMERICAN IGNORANCE YOU CAN COUNT ON IN A PINCH

American ignorance is a special kind of stupid. Start with the smart people who screw up, like the man who leans into your face to explain how wrong you are about wearing a mask. Or the men and women who possess a special knowledge that goes beyond science when they make fun of mask wearing […]

HISTORY CLASS NEEDS AUTHENTICATION, VERIFICATION

My father in law was a big history class fan; he gave his own history a good spin. The man had been everywhere and done everything, driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made, flown airplanes in every war that had airplanes. His stories were familiar the first time I heard them when my […]

What’s Better Than A Garden Party? Eight Garden Parties

Forest Grove Opens Their Yards For Friends Of History The most important part of a garden tour, or yard walk, is avoid comparing every stop to your yard. Yes, you’ve done incredible yard work and you’re proud as a pick axe the way it turned out, the same pick axe you broke your water line […]

A TIME LONG AGO AT A HIGH SCHOOL FAR FAR AWAY

North Bend Oregon High School, class of 1973. What’s so special?   Like later generations staking their claims to, ‘the first digital generation’ or ‘the first paperless generation’ or ‘the first generation raised on video games,’ the generational niche of 1973 is ‘the first modern generation.’   Born of the roaring ’50’s with TV dinners […]