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HOLIDAY BUNDLE WRAPPED UP TOGETHER

What’s the usual holiday bundle? Lights, tree, presents. Add some snow and you’re all done. But then a day like yesterday adds something extra, something unexpected. There I was, sitting in a car dealership while my ride was in the garage. You know the drill?

BAY BOY: FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO COOS BAY WATER

One or my favorite writers traveled across the country from California to New York. He called the Hudson “the river of his birth” which got me going. You can tell if you have a favorite author if they ‘get you going.’ I thought of the river of my birth, except it wasn’t a river. It […]

WELCOME MAT: THERE’S MORE THAN ONE

Welcome mat? What it means: It means you’re welcome at that particular door. But you knew that. It also means it’s up to you to stay welcome. This might be new territory for some of you.

TACTICAL MOTHER’S DAY DO’S AND DON’T’S

Tactical Mother’s Day takes practice. Yes, yes, I know. It’s Mom, how much practice do you need? We’re not talking about your Mom, or mine, but the Mother’s Day mood. Use these tactics for the best results.

HARDEST WORKER? MOMS FOR THE WIN

Who is the hardest worker you know? If it’s not your Mom, or the mother of your children, you’re wrong. I know this how? Every baby boomer knows the answer.

OREGON TRAILS LEAD TO HOME

Oregon trails? There’s more than one? If you’re looking for the way back home, any trail will do. When home is Oregon, they are all Oregon trails. More important, they are your trails no matter where you live.

MANLY MEN WHO FORGET TO BE MEN FIRST

The manly men where I grew up were loggers and truckers and fishermen. They were hard men doing hard jobs. One of them liked to visit with my dad and tease my older brother. There may have been tears. But it’s different now. What changed?

ANGRY MAN YELLING: WHEN TO LISTEN

An angry man is something you come across if you live long enough. Age fifteen was my breakout. I’d heard anger before, but not like the one at fifteen. Since then I’ve heard many men show their anger. What to do when they get in your face?

MY MOM THE MOTHER IN LAW

After a recent mother in law conversation I ended up disappointing myself. Why? Because I took the easy way out with the customary role, traditional values, and ducked the whole thing. Not that I don’t have plenty to say about mothers in law. My dates introduced me to the moms and dads more than a […]

LIFE SAVING FOR THE GIVERS AND TAKERS

Life saving is more than a job at the swimming pool. It’s an everyday deal of doing small things that go unnoticed, until it matters. Then it’s everything. Where are the life savers when you need them, the people who take the time even when they’re running late? Who are these people? I think you […]